Vacation - Ferien

 

Yes, I am still in vacation.

Ja, ich bin immer noch im Urlaub.

Where? Wo?

Of course: in the Philippines!

Natuerlich: auf den Philippinen!

 

Beach, sand, sun, good food, relax...

Strand, Sand, Sonne, gutes Essen, ausruhen...

I will be back soon with a lot of new posts and impressions of my life as an expat in the Philippines.

Ich bin bald wieder zurueck mit vielen neuen Artikeln und Impressionen von meinem Leben als Auswanderer auf den Philippinen.

Lazy Summerdays

You don't get anything for nothing in life. This is the main motto of our life. This is the epigraph of our biography - whether we like it our not.

According to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days, he rested on the seventh day. In other words, He took a vacation. So, if God reted after working for the some period of time, there is no reason why man, who is finite and limited in his physical streng, should not take a vacation.

Hurray, doing nothing is really something. No, I don't mean those people, who just hang out day-by-day and week-by-week (Filipinos and/or expatriates!) doing nothing. No, I mean, doing nothing is really something after a period of really hard work. By the way, it doesn't matter, if it regards our children or us. None of us need all our time. Also my nieces and nephews started now enjoying some lazy summerdays. At home, at a beach, during a trip somehow somewhere... .

I met innumerable kids, who don't go to dances, gymnastics, piano or trampoline lessons. One of nieces loves take-wan-do. Okay lang. Others don't want to, and that's fine with their parents. When the kids are ready, they will surely join a sport or ask to take lessons in something that interests them. No, not now. Pwede! Enjoy some lazy summer days. It's vacation time in the Philippines. 

For now, especially during school vacation, time off is just time off and should be - from time to time. Lazy summer days - if we're not on duty - how cool such days could be: Stay outside and so absolutely nothing structured. Maybe, go for walks, ride bikes (ignore the rain!), go to the beach (swimming while raining is wonderful!), have a picnic somewhere. Or, if you really can't survive the bad weather, stay home drawing, playing games, write something

 or read one of those books, waiting for you since years.

I still remember my lazy summer days, when I wasn't yet living in the Philippines, sitting in the blazing sun, eating a Popsicle, getting all sticky, and running after the bees. Those (old) lazy summer days even turned into lazy winter days in my home country Germany, and shaped and characterized my whole life.

So guys, enjoy some lazy summer days right now - somewhere - somehow, especially if you're stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. You really deserve it! Let's rest for a while to acquire new energy. Me too! Yes, me too! While you might read this, I also enjoy the first of my lazy summer days - somewhere - somehow!

Lazy Summerdays - but Walking Around is also Good for YOU!

The lazy summer days have started in the Philippines. School vacations mean the start of the Philippine summer. The heat is on. More heat is on - and we're all getting lazier and lazier. 

Of course, office life is indeed comfortable.Eight hours daily - or even more - we sit in cool surroundings, often times cold enough to wear sweaters and jackets while the rest of the entire outside world endures the scorching heat of the tropical sun.

But the cool comfort of office jobs entails a sedentary lifestyle, the outcome of which may not be very comforting to think about. Sitting too much could be deadly. Ooopss!!!  How can we rethink how to define physical activity to highlight the danger of sitting? Yes, even whikle writing this piece, I am trying to think about this question. 

After four hours or more of sitting the body stars sending harmful signals. I am sitting already since almost six hours. I didn't feel anything... .

Sure, we people should keep exercising because that has a lot of benefits. Even the heat is on now - and even the lazy summer days in the Philippines have started now.

Take mini-walks.

Climb stairs.

Park and walk.

Walk on your lunch break.

Move while on the phone.

Swing your arms, turn your neck.

Eat less and drink more water.

Interact with people in person.

Join a sport team.

Adopt a fidgety habit to deal with stress!

Enjoy your summer days!