It's one thing when you go out-of-town for a couple of days. But it's a totally different story when you're away from home for weeks or months on end.
While a business trip or leisurely travel for the weekend shouldn't disrupt your routine too much, anything longer may cause some inconveniences that come with the territory.
Don't get me wrong, just because there are things that irk me does not mean I'd rather had not taken the time off or that I wasn't enjoying myself. I guess, it's more of a case of taking the good with the bad.
Having been away from home for weeks several times now, I've compiled a list of things that I hate (for lack of better term) or could do without while I'm miles away from home sweet home. Here they are:
1. Work backlog when I get back
Even before I left for my 7-week vacation (I am in the USA right now; in my 3rd week of vacay), I had to work extra hard the days leaving to my departure just to make sure I don't leave anything hanging back in the Philippines. Don't we all wish we could just up and leave whenever we want? Worse, I'm sure there will be more work waiting for me when I get back--those that have piled up during my absence. The longer I am away, the more work I'd find in my desk when I go back to real life.
2. Packing stuff back and forth
One of the things I wish I don't have to do when going away for a while is packing my things to and fro. I still choose to be a relatively light packer (I only have one big bag and a backpack coming here) so I am forced to leave many of my favorite clothes and shoes at home. It gets harder when it's time to go back home--with all the added pasalubong and souvenir that I need to fit in the same amount of space for the two bags. :)
3. Leaving comforts of home
You've heard it before and you'll hear it again now: There's no place like home. This is not just missing your house per se, it includes the luxury you enjoy back home--say driving your own car, getting a weekly massage or going to the gym. Of course, there are places to do those here but it cost so much more. Which brings me to the next point ...
4. Earning pesos, spending dollars
A typical massage in Vegas can go from $35 to as high as $120, depending on who and where you avail of the service. Anyone who has spent time away from home would know that people tend to spend more when on vacation. After all, it takes money to watch a show; eat at famed restaurants; do a city's signature adventure; and so on and so forth. Unfortunately for me, I earn in pesos back in the Philippines and spend in dollars here. I lose! That's because I find everything expensive when I begin converting/computing. :D
5. Missing home too much
It's not just my bed and pillows I miss, it's the family and friends--and dog!--who are part of my everyday routine that could bring a sad tangent to one's long vacation. Thankfully, I'm good at finding and making new friends and reconnecting with other loved ones in whatever unfamiliar place I find myself in.
6. Piling up bills
Aside from the gazillion work that I'm sure will welcome me upon my return, bills would need payment--not at the usual interval you do it (like every pay day), but all at the same time. To ease this burden, I actually pre-paid some of these bills (such as Internet and phone bills) before I left for the 7-week trip. Oh, and yeah, it's a sore point that I'm paying for my monthly home rental even though I'm not there. Ha! It is what it is! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment