Disconnected, Tsunami Alerts, The Simple Life

I have no idea what day it is today. I *think* it's Saturday.

It is day 2 here of my vacay here in the Motherland and access to the interwebz is somewhat not happening for me. I have no idea if the unlock for my jailbroken iPhone is out yet. The buzz in the jailbreak community was that the unlock for my iPhone's current baseband would come out shortly after iOS 4.3 rolled out which it did the day I left Seattle. One of my twitter friends told me that the unlock would be out soon but what defines "soon"? Two days? Two week?

Thankfully, my family has been keeping me busy therefore the withdrawals from not being connected hasn't really kicked in.

I am hoping the unlock for my phone has been released so I can get back online and document my trip as promised to friends who've requested that I keep them posted.

Life has drastically gone from convenient to simple ever since I came here to the Philippines. I don't have my air-conditioned car to go to the mall. We gotta commute and take the jeepney or taxi or bus. Our dirty clothes are quickly piling up so obviously I have to do laundry. By hand. Because my parents don't have a washing machine or a maid.

We heard about the news of the earthquake and tsunami devastation In Japan that happened yesterday. The Philippines was on tsunami alert but it was just for the east coastal areas and we are far from there and thank God, out of harm's way.

Had we planned to leave Seattle on the 10th and arrive here on the 11th, we would have been stranded in Narita because no flights are leaving or going due to the earthquake and tsunami. That said, there is a reason for everything and thank goodness we were able to get on a flight.

My family has been great. I've missed them so much and I'm glad that I was able to come back home. Shon and I kicked it with my cousins Filipino style with the karaoke going and the San Miguel flowing.

I should probably be taking a lot of photos even of the simplest things which I'll try to do.

Kaleo Loreto has been adjusting well and has taken a liking to my family especially my Dad, his namesake. My Dad adores Kaleo so much and would entertain while I sat and did, well, nothing but relax I guess.

We are currently in Alabang, Muntinlupa where my auntie stays. Today, we will be going go my mom's province of Paniqui, Tarlac where we will be staying for the majority of our vacation. We are taking the bus and from what I've gathered, it's about a 4 hour bus ride. I was hoping that life would be more kicked back and slow paced there but according to my family a lot has changed over the 10 years I haven't been home and my Mom's town has definitely grown and gotten busier.

I describe the Philippines as neurotically busy, loud, crowded, hot, humid, and dirty. I expected a culture "re-shock" upon returning but everything seems the same. And it's funny that even though it is busy, loud, crowded, hot, humid, and dirty, this is home and I don't mind it so much.


So until next blog post (and interwebz connection!)





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Location:Alabang, Muntinlupa