MONTH 5

It's hard to believe I am already entering my fifth month here in Cebu City, Philippines. I wanted to do a story about the trials of getting curtains up in my room, but with myiPhone seemingly dying, I wouldn't have the pictures needed to do the story justice. I have some pictures from day one, where me and Alona took turns using a hand powered drill trying to make the holes in the wall. That didn't last long. A couple of days later, maintenance came in a broke two drill bits on the wall, only to discover there was steel running through the area where I needed the hole. Anyway, the maintenance guy brought out this huge Matrix: Revolutions style drill, made a huge hole and somehow stuffed it with wood, then screwed the curtain rods into that. Whatever works, right?

Unfortunately, aside from that, nothing is really happening. I am in the slow lane again for the time being. I have a gig to work on that will cover bills when finished, and I have a couple of good ones lined up, but strangely it seems like some really good ones, even perfect matches for me and my skills have fallen through the cracks lately. Who knows? Maybe it's just my imagination. Either way it is a bit frustrating since there's so much to see and do. There's so much I want to see and do, it seems a shame to be stuck in front of a computer all day, no different than my life in California was.

I thought it was extremely interesting that when I got here, I hardly ever saw the internet. I mean, I went from being on almost 24/7 back in California, constantly checking mail, reading forums, downloading movies and consuming media to maybe getting on the net once a week, and even then for only 30 minutes or so. Real life was calling and it had far more interesting things to show me than the computer. Now, realistically, I could still do that. Most locals are out having fun daily and they don't have any money. So it really is my mindset alone that has me sitting in front of a computer screen. In fact, I've notice that when I get away from that screen and go do something fun, stuff just seems to happen or fall into place. Kind of like how a watched pot never boils. When I stop looking for the jobs, the emails or whatever it is I am craving, and go out and just enjoy life, the jobs and emails just flow in.

You know what? I think I'll make it a point to get out and do something fun everyday, regardless of money or not! Who knows? Maybe I'll trip over a digital camera!