packing time

how to fit everything for two months into a pack designed for a weekend backpacking excursion? i'm thinking i'll be making a few purchases while i'm over there.

the essentials:
-scrubs
-a few light weight dresses
-passport
-kyodophilus
-tampons (apparently they're difficult to find in the philippines)
-swimsuit!! (the philippines consists of over 7,000 islands after all :)

i leave in two days and couldn't be more excited! except that when i registered with the US Dept of State there was a bit of an unnerving travel warning for the philippines:

January 27, 2009

The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling there. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated February 13, 2008, and updates information on continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities.

Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008, there have been sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, as well as the Sulu Archipelago. Kidnap for ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners. U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. Travelers to these areas should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.

i'll meet lo in SF on wednesday and then we'll be off on our 20 hour flight to cebu city. good thing i'm a professional at sleeping on planes :)