2:46 am. I actually know it, but I just have to check it again on my phone’s world clock. KL time is the same as Manila’s. No time difference, no jetlag. Feels like going to the airport and then leaving the airport again and then commuting straight back to my own apartment.

But crap, I think that’s exactly what happened. 

I don’t know why I have this illusion of being a backpacker. 

First, I don’t have a decent travel backpack. The only one I have is second-hand 60-liter one which I don’t remember if I have already used. Actually, I’m not even sure if it’s a 60-liter one or if backpack sizes are actually measured by “liter”.

So maybe “backpacks” don’t make a “backpacker”. How about a traveler? But no, I don’t have any luggage fit enough for traveling. The last one I used was my dad’s whose name was shamelessly written all over it with a marker pen. 

And no, I don’t know how to pack, I don’t know which clothes to bring and usually ends up with double the items I should bring. And while you think I have brought everything, there will always be something which gets left behind. Always.

I don’t know how to plan. From preparing the itinerary, researching where to go or hunting for the best travel deals. I’m surprised at the number of friends and acquaintances who have consulted me before going to wherever. When it comes to nitty-gritty details like how much did you pay for a van to this point to this point, I always answer I don’t know.

And maybe because I’m just a “kaladkarin” in its truest sense. I travel with friends and let them do all the planning and would not travel at all if not for them. My planning skills, apparently is limited to booking flights and then doing phone brigades or text or email to everyone who may or may not be interested to travel. So maybe, I’m also a “kaladkader”. But in between being dragged into traveling and dragging others to travel, I am simply of no use. 

And no you wouldn’t want to trust me with all those important documents. 
During my first trip abroad I spent 20 minutes or so looking for my passport just before boarding. Found it in the sleeves of the jacket I was wearing and please don’t ask me how it got there. 

I also almost lost a bus ticket in this multi-race country, minutes after complaining to our bus why people who don’t have tickets got in before us. I found my ticket in one of my many pockets just a few tickets before my turn for ticket inspection. The crowd would have killed me if I didn’t find my ticket. (It was a holiday that results in mass exodus of vacationeers equivalent much like what happens during Holy Week in the Philippines.)

And how can I forget that one time when I woke up too late for a flight that I have to book another flight for me and a companion, who spent half of her day at the airport? (The other half, we spent at her parent’s house waiting for our next flight schedule). Plus the many other flights I cancelled or missed for various reasons.

3:08 am. My phone finally got some signal. I received an SMS from Joel from KL.

“Magkakasama na kami :p Ikaw ang topic. Hahaha! :)”

I on the other hand, is staring at this website I have visited days ago. It says, ”Visitors to Malaysia must hold a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months…”

I look at my passport again, which is due to expire this November. Why in the world did I not know these before going to the airport.

I don’t know why I have this illusion of being a backpacker or traveler or whatever. But despite not being good at it. I still want to roam the world. 

So Path for me is a big failure since I can only add people who I know who have an iPhone 4 (not just any iPhone) and the app itself. So I’m trying this interesting app which is photo-and-geo-centric and will expand even if I don’t know other people using it. Of course, it will be awesome if I know some of them as well. So if you’re interested too, add me up :)

Sama-sama tayong magbabantay sa bawat pagbabago, isyu at pangyayari. Buong bayan ang magiging Saksi! Kasama sina Vicky Morales at Arnold Clavio.

Simula bukas, oras-oras alam niyo. Sa GMA News TV Channel 11

GMA News TV Station ID (via gmatv)

Two days before he shot himself, former AFP Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes was scheduled to meet Malou Mangahas of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for a no-holds barred interview. While it did not push through, Reyes left notes of what may be his last words on issues that were being hurled against him.

Partly, this is what he has to say.

GIVE ME AN “X”

Yay! I still remember simple algebra* Now I know exactly what I want.

But from the looks of it, getting it won’t be as simple as these equations. Hehe.

Forgive the hooray. Remembering algebra after N years of not using it is big deal for a former High School geek. (where N = number of years since I took Math11, which I am not telling)

What’s with moms and flowers? Mine took ALL the flowers from my bro’s wedding. Here’s what she did with some.

Before this glass of Baileys knocks me to sleep, thank you 2010. You gave me THREE new stints at work in ONE year. What more can I ask for? Actually a lot. Now it’s up to you 2011. Give me back my Sundays. Let me roam the world. Bless me with whatever I’ll need to do all this things. Let me grow up but not grow old.