[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The time has come.
My first journey to the Philippines in 30 years is about to begin. The last time I crossed the entirety of the Pacific I was eight.
It’s been a long time.
I’m going with my Mom and with one of my closest friends and co-host of my podcasts Steve Schwartz. He’s nearly 50 years old and has never been outside of the U.S. for anything. Between my Mom being unpredictable because of her battle with liver cirrhosis and Steve’s inexperience in traveling internationally this is going to be one interesting trip.
The good news is that Steve is a video production guy. So between his ability to shoot good video on the trip and my ability to shoot great photos we should be able to produce a great travel log. It is my intention to blog from the journey, but I won’t allow that to be something that gets in the way of doing things. So I won’t make promises on the frequency of updates while I’m away.
I’m also hoping that we might be able to put together some video episodes from the trip to post the The IntelleXual’s YouTube channel. So there very well could be some interesting stuff to see here in the next few weeks, and definitely some great stuff after we return. I’m looking forward to recording the journey recap podcast with Steve and my mom when we return.
It’s been a blessing that I’ve been so busy with the podcasts these past few weeks. It’s allowed me to focus on something other than my nerves as the date of the trip has approached. Now that the eve of our great adventure is upon us I am still swamped with last minute details that need tending to and finishing touches on shows I’m prepping for release while I’m away that need to be completed. I’ll likely be up all night tonight. But that’s ok. I like being tired when hopping onto a long flight. It means I’ll be more likely to be able to catch some shut eye in the air and that makes the flight seem shorter.
Theresa has spent nearly a week getting mom packed and prepping our balikbayan boxes. For those who aren’t aware a balikbayan box is a Filipino tradition that started in the 70’s or the 80’s as more and more Filipinos came to America to find work. These Filipinos were able to send back a certain amount of items from the states to family in the Philippines without taxes or duties applied. The boxes are of a certain size and are allowed a certain weight. Fit whatever you want into those specs and take gifts home. So we are going back with three boxes (1 per passenger) and Theresa has meticulously laid out for us who each gift is for. Nice. We just open the box and act like Santa. Seriously, Theresa spent the better part of the past week prepping these boxes. And has been working with mom on the what the contents would be for over a month. It’s a huge undertaking. My sister is amazing.
So farewell my friends, readers and listeners. I promise you’ll get some updates from me on the trip. Just don’t know when or how often. The shows continue in my absence so keep enjoying it. There’s a TON of amazing content coming your way. Seriously I can’t believe how lucky we are with the quality of guests we are getting on the shows. I will have a blast in the Philippines, but I’m already looking forward to returning so that we can continue this ride we are on together at The IntelleXual.
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