Buried under a pile

Ok, ok.  I've been saying for some time to whoever asks me what I am up to that I am buried in work.  I feel the load but I haven't really listed down everything I need to do.  So, I figured listing them down might make it look more manageable.  Let me see ...

With TK I need to complete the following:

1. 17 lab exercises
2. 17 complete websites (with original content, design, and full functionality)  
3. 5 text quizzes  
4. 5 interactive quizzes  
5. 45 concept papers

Then with CSB I need to prepare lectures for the following:

1. information architecture  
2. web typography  
3. web page elements and layouts  
4. working with dreamweaver  
5. working with colors for the web  
6. optimizing images for the web  
7. preparing photographs for use on the web 
8. slicing and rollovers  
9. designing the site template  
10. inserting media  
11. wire-framing  
12. using tables to layout a website  
13. CSS  
14. spry  
15. working with forms and applying JS behaviors  
16. web publishing  
17. portfolio production and timeline  
18. production timeline  
19. online layout and production  
20. asset assembly and selection  
21. specialization stages  
22. asset collection  
23. integrating assets to mediums  
24. asset selection  
25. physical setups  
26. layout for physical designs

For the MC accreditation I need to retype and update the course syllabi of the following:

1. COM 631 Statistics in Communication  
2. COM 632 Information and Communication Technology  
3. COM 634 Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies  
4. COM 635 Seminar in Communication Management in the Philippines: Issues and Problems  
5. COM 636 Corporate Communication  
6. COM 637 Managing Public Information Programs and Campaigns  
7. COM 638 Organizational Culture and Communication Policy Planning  
8. COM 639 Research and Theory Construction in Communication 
9. COM 640 Communication Research Utilization, Planning, Policy and Management  
10. COM 641 Qualitative Approaches in Communication Research  
11. COM 642 Ethical and Philosophical Issues in Communication Research  
12. COM 643 Cross-Cultural Research  
13. COM 644 Emerging and Indigenous Communication Research Methods  
14. COM 646 Advanced RTV Production and Direction  
15. COM 647 Legal and Ethical Issues in Mass Media  
16. COM 648 Investigative Journalism and Development Communication  
17. COM 649 Seminar in Global Communication  
18. COM 652 Advanced Multimedia/RTV Broadcast Journalism  
19. COM 656 Electronic PR and Advertising Strategies and Communication Campaigns  
20. COM 530 Introduction to Communication Theories and Models  
21. COM 531 Introduction to Communication Research Methods  
22. COM 532 Social Dynamics of Multi-Media Communication

I've already completed a few and partway through a couple but until I do, that's the pending list.
For my schoolwork I need to submit:

1. goals and objectives of the MC marketing plan  
2. analysis of an existing communication campaign of a local government agency  

Also working on my thesis.
And then, as icing on the cake everything (except schoolwork) are priority work! Ok ... so maybe I have a good reason to be anti-social and keep my nose to the grindstone. I just wish I don't get more work dumped on me in the meantime. It's not like I have the extra time.
I'm not even counting other MC tasks because I am able to do manage to insert most of my tasks as secretary somewhere between all the writing and typing and conceptualizing but that's it. I can't take the helm on anything anymore. If I do that then I will have to give up something, which I can't do. I already gave up my social life, decent sleep, regular meals, and family time. What else am I expected to give up?

Still a metal mouth

Because I am such a deliquent about going to my dentist to have my braces tightened (my last visit before yesterday was August 31) I have to keep these on for another 6 months.  I was hoping to be able to eat properly these holidays but I can't blame anyone but myself for the delay.  I am really looking forward to the day when I can brush my teeth and the brush glides across pearly whites.  Sigh.  Perhaps when I hit my 41st birthday? 

Boracay Vacation

This is my first time to ever visit Boracay.  I know it is weird.  Most of my friends have been coming here for years!  I'm glad that the first time I visit is with my family.

The last couple of days have been pretty hectic for me --- had to find a sub for my classes in CSB, had to update him of the lessons for today and update Moodle, too, then there are all the preparations for the trip, and entertaining relatives who just arrived from the U.S.  I've barely had time to breathe.

I've also been pretty stressed out the last couple of months and I've been looking forward to this vacation as a chance to refresh and "reboot".  So far, it seems to be working. 

---

We were in the Cebu Pacific bus (which was not usual for us) and were driven to our plane.  I could not help but laugh out loud at Erika's reaction when she saw our plane.  She has never ridden a small plane before.  The few times we have traveled together the planes have always been big.  This was her first time to WALK into a plane.  Usually its a tall ladder or a tube before the plane.
Since it was raining in Caticlan while we were in the air, we had to circle the airport several times to allow the runway some time to dry up.  this gave us the opportunity to be touristy and take some aerial shots of Boracay.

Annoyingly, our first few shots failed because the camera we brought would not cooperate.  It took several attempts and a lot of fiddling to finally get it to work.  I really should bring this camera to Canon to have it services.  It's the kit lens that's the problem.  If I have the cash, maybe I'll buy a new lens for myself for Christmas.

If there was any part we found tedious it would have to be all the transfers --- cab from the house, plane, trike, boat, trike, then a long hike down the beach to our resort.  It wasn't so bad, though, 'cause we knew the trip ended in paradise.
And what, pray tell, is a vacation without taking pictures of beautiful cloud formations, eh? I can't think of a single trip I went to when I did not take pictures of clouds. They're just so pretty! I'd say that to me looking at clouds is a spiritual experience 'cause it is like a visible sign from God that my vacation will be wonderful.

This is our bed (mine and my daughter's) in our room.  Isn't it pretty?  It's pretty comfortable, too!  The room is quite beautiful.  We love the bathroom, the aircon is working properly, the beds are comfy, the ref is cold, the cable TV works, and ... it's just wonderful!  I think it is a good place to stay for a vacation, for sure. Oh! I forgot to mention that while our room does not exit directly to the beach, it is just a short walk (no more than 25 paces) and you are already on the beach itself.

After an hour of rest our tummies reminded us that our last meal was at noon so we walked down the beach and headed for this resort (Two Season) my uncle recommended that served really good oyster sisig.  Great recommendation!  the oyster sisig too spicy for my mom and sis but Erika and I enjoyed the bite.  The beef rendang was perfect and so was the thai fish fillet.  We would take a bit and go, "I can taste coconut milk ... ginger ... and a little cumin." And then for the fish fillet ... our first spoonful of the rice was a happy shock.  OMG!  A cornucopia of flavor just partied in my mouth!  There was definitely some pineapple in there.  I wonder if the chef will share the recipe. 

So far, our first few hours in bora has been wonderful.  I wonder what the next couple of days will bring?