Detroit airport, near the water feature, en route to the Philippines
Though conventional wisdom would have it that the best way of getting from San Diego to the Philippines does not involve first flying east to Michigan with a 10 hour layover, that is how my ticket was booked by the travel agency. I was too frazzled at the time of booking to check the flight details… On the bright side, that does give me plenty of time to catch up on work that I didn’t manage to complete during the past weeks of preparing for the field, moving out of my apartment, and trying to enjoy San Diego living to the best of my abilities. And so, I am writing a journal entry.
I’m torn – as always happens during trips – between a typed journal and a handwritten journal in a bound, leathery book that makes me feel like a good ol’ fashioned traveler/field researcher. Typing is easier. Hand-writing has that certain character to it. I’ll do both, as the spirit moves me…
Just as last summer signaled the start of a new chapter for me, so this trip signifies yet another transition to what will be an even better round of adventure and life.
Wow, my back hurts…moving out of an apartment and sitting on a plane are not fantastic for the spine. Can’t wait to sleep in a bed in 27 hours. Dang, why didn’t I check that plane ticket more closely? Ah well, lesson learned.
At times, I feel almost uneasy about not being more stressed. This trip seems particularly easy, since I just visited the Philippines in the spring, and since I planned out in more detail than I have for recent trips and since it’s not really in the middle of nowhere. But there’s a nagging little leprechaun sitting on my shoulder, whispering little doubts…I think I’m fine, though. Isn’t it funny that it’s so difficult to be relaxed?
Similarly, isn’t it funny how difficult it is to accept happiness sometimes? I’ve found that I’ve become a more positive person, turning stress into eager anticipation, loneliness into appreciation for solitude, nostalgia into appreciation for the past; letting things roll as they will and just reacting in whatever way makes me feel at peace; appreciating life, the universe, and everything. Does that take away from the fire and passion of the human experience? I’ve wondered that. But I don’t think so – not the way I do it, anyway. It’s just a more happy fire and passion, and I still feel plenty of sadness and anger – I just try to not be swayed by it as much but rather acknowledge and understand it on a deep level without being thrown off balance.
Before beginning this rambling entry, I was trying to make a point that this next chapter in my life will include a lot of rambling around. I think I want to be somewhat of a gypsy in the coming months, minimizing material attachment to a “home” and associated belongings, and exploring more. The next year or so remains very unplanned, and could go several different ways – and that is truly thrilling.
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