temporarily insane ver.2

New Year

Happy new year! 

2011 was unexpectedly a great year! 

1. Traveled extensively: Finally got to go to the Holy Land including Jordan and Egypt as well as Dubai; Went on an exploratory field work in Guam; Visited Portugal and the Azores Island; Was reacquainted with som old friends in New York and Boston; and finally, spent the new year back home in Manila. It was definitely an awesome year for travel as I went to a lot of new places in 2011. I am hoping that 2012 will be equally the same with more cities and places to explore!

2. Got to attend conferences and presented a poster and paper. My goal for 2012 is to try and write an article that is worthy of publication. I want to revise my conference paper and my MA thesis as short articles. I also need to work hard on my own research and use publishing as a motivator to also try to get more things done on that front. 

3. Was still able to attend some concerts in 2011 although I had missed out on a few acts which I had really wanted to see like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paramore and Friendly Fires. I am hoping that I get to catch some good bands this year!

 

it's Christmas time!

Christmas is upon us!

A jolly season

In the Philippines, the season officially began when the -ber months arrived (September, October, November). I can't wait to get home for the holidays. Everything and everyone is in a festive mood unlike where I am right now. Despite having Christmas decorations in the malls and occasionally on the streets, the Christmas spirit is not there. It's work as usual for everyone. I guess that's what I missed about being home. Everyone is still working but you can sense that everyone is starting to become more lax, friendlier and even happier :) Probably because of the Christmas bonuses and dozen of parties throughout the month! More importantly, Christmas is about being with family and friends. Having to spend time with them and catching up on all the crazy things that have happened this past year when we were not in each other's presence. I like those moments even though sometimes they feel short. 

Christmas cards and snail mails

It's also time for me to start sending out Christmas cards to friends who are somewhere else in the world and who I won't get a chance to meet this holiday season. Some might think sending cards through the post is old fashioned but I think it's more personal as compared to sending them an email. It's hard for me to skype them when I know we have conflicting schedules. I like getting mail from the posts and I know some of my friends do too. There's this element of surprise and a touchy feeling knowing that someone took the time out to remember you and write. Maybe because we grew up with penpals, postcards and letter writing. 

Planning for the new year

December is also a great time for me to start thinking about my goals for the following year and to reflect back on what I did this year. It sometimes surprises me that I was able to accomplish some of the things I wrote down at the start of the new year. It amazes me because I don't keep track of it and I just did it! This technique of writing down what I want to accomplish in the future was taught to me by a couple of my teachers in high school and in university. They say that it helps you to focus your mind on specific tasks and goals. It seems to work. I already have a few ideas on what I hope to accomplish next year. 

Christmas wish list

I also like to use this season to list down things I want for myself. I know it's a typical consumerist thought especially now that Christmas has been saturated into a big moneymaking business but still I like to make a list of things I plan to get for myself. This year, there are only two things I want:

1. a bicycle - since I now have more space in my place, I can finally get a bike! the neighbourhood I'm living is a great place to do a lot of cycling because there are bike paths and trials that goes along the riverfront and near hiking trails. 

2. Nintendo wii - i so want to get my own. it's a great way to relax and get away from the stress especially if I have guitar hero, dance dance rev and mario brothers.

Have a festive and joyful December! What are your plans this December?

 

If I was actually smart enough to get into a college or university here in Boston, I think I would really like studying here. The place is oozing with "smart" energy. Everybody appears laid back but at the same time, you could sense the intellectual and focused energy of individuals. It makes you comfortable to study and makes you determine to work hard. I hope this energy would seep through my veins and make me productive. Right now, I feel tired and sleepy. For the past few days, I have been running around hectic in New York, trying my best to savour all the sights and sounds. The fatigue has finally got me. As much as I want to rest up and sleep, I still need to make my powerpoint slides and mark sa discussion comments. I need to at least do that.

Funny enough, my New York and Boston trip is my second time around coming to this part of the United States. So far in New York, I got to see some sights which I haven't been to before and I also got to take some nice pictures. If I only had more time, it woud be nice to slowly appreciate New York. Let's see what happens in Boston!

planning for my next trip, this time I'll be heading to new york and boston. what sights to see, food to try and coffee to drink? those are the burning questions I have to think about this weekend. I also can't wait to meet up with old friends and meet new colleagues. 

wanderlust

Currently Listening  Hawaiian Air By Friendly Fires see related

 

Jeff Goins wrote a blog entry entitled, "3 reasons to travel while you're young". His article got me thinking of the following (jumbled thoughts that is): 

We worry about squandering our money away on a trip but the fact of the matter is we can earn the money back. We can start saving again. But with travelling, it's better to do it while we're still young and while we still can. It's easier to gain back the money you squandered from travelling but never the experience of actually being there. I agree that there are certain objects and places that are better seen than read about. Pictures often do not do justice to the actual experience of being in the presence of the object or place. 

If you visit a new place and you know a little of its historical background, you can more vividly imagine those events taking place and the awe of actually stepping on the same pavements as people of the past it feels like you are not just part of its history but you are contributing to the collective memory by remembering the place through your visit. 

Once we have routines or desk jobs, our desire to travel becomes secondary to all the other responsibilities we have. We get bogged down with duties and obligations which makes it hard to get away. As long as you can travel, you should go for it. There's nothing to lose but more to gain! As Goins pointed out, we learn to take risks and have adventures as well as discover new cultures and become more compassionate of others. While I'm in grad school, I am taking this opportunity to travel more. One technique I do is choosing conferences taking place in countries I have never been. I, of course, also make sure that the themes and topics are relevant to my research. Take for example, last September I went to Ponta Delgada in the Azores Island off the coast of Portugal. I don't think I could have traveled there if not for my studies. I also got to visit Lisbon and Sintro, places I have never been to. It helped that my time was not bogged down with what I consider real "work". It also helped that the theme of the conference was on island migration which was spot on on my research. 

© v.yap

 

Travelling is also about overcoming our limitations and fears. We are pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. We might think this may not be true of mass tourists and can only apply to "backpackers", "travelers" or "wanderer". These are just different terms no different from being a tourist. We just don't like the label of a tourist but maybe that should be another blog entry, do we consider ourselves tourist or traveler/wanderer when we journey to other countries?

 

 

 

Project 365: Say 294-300

Wow, the year is almost done and I have attempted to complete the Project 365. I still have a month or two not yet filled up but will definitely do that after I finish writing this paper which was due last October 15! :S

Day 294: October 24, 2011 (Monday)

Occupy Central continues but now having transferred their base camp at the HSBC buiding

Day 295: October 25, 2011 (Tuesday)

Adding my sticker collection on Toshi

Day 296: October 26, 2011 (Wednesday)

Day 297: October 27, 2011 (Thursday)

Day 298: October 28, 2011 (Friday)

another awesome postcard from postcrossing

Day 299: October 29, 2011 (Saturday)

Day 300: October 30, 2011 (Sunday)

 

Project 365: Day 293

There are some interesting articles inside.

Project 365: Day 292

Finally after a long wait, I found this at Jusco and they were having a promo, 3 for the price of HK$27

Project 365: Day 291

Another awesome postcard in the mail from Netherlands

Project 365: Day 290

One of those days/nights when everything seems to be in synced ...