Birthday stress, gaining weight and empty wallets

Jep, it's almost May. The month of the empty wallet...The down side of being so close with your family? All the birthdays! Not talking about all the parties. Those are fun. But the gifts are a hell.

If you are a bit like me, you'll love giving presents. The thing is, that I want to give great presents. Not stupid ones, great ones. In order to do that, you need to think. Think about the person. What they love and what suits them. The worst thing to do is to give someone a pressent that they don't like. I mean how many times have you received a gift, and said thanks.... But all you can think is; WTF is this? or Why would you give me this? And can I eat it? By giving an awesome gift you'll avoid an awkward thanks... 

It just takes some time to figure it all out. And I am running out of time. Ha, as always. Not a real planning person I guess. Note to self; Make a list or calender please! 

April 30 my aunt, May 3rd dad, May 4th brother, 8th niece, 10th Mother's Day, 12th another niece, 16th my mom. And wait... there is a baby on its way. And it's due in May. Just thinking about it gives me stress. Birthday stress.    

Ok! Just get on with it. Hmm... I think that I can't look in my wallet after this month. It is too painfull.
Yes, the empty wallet of June and maybe also July. Well, as long everyone else is happy, right?

On the brighter side. In return you'll get cake. Lots and lots of cake. NICE!

It will all work out. June and July are empty wallet months. And I will have gained weight from all the cake in May. Which means I have no money to spend on fun things. Leaves me with a lot of time to work out. To sweat off all those cakes. Running doesn't cost you any money. And the weather in June is great for outside running. It will work out just fine. 

#LifeWithoutBumps

Biggest tumor in a humanbody: Money and Power

It is sickening me how everything in this world is all about money and power. It has always been like that and it probably won't change. Money and power are tumors, and the danger of it is that it can be lethal to others around you but more important it can be lethal to yourself.

Those two things can make people insane. When you realize that no person is completely selfless, you realize this tumor will never go away. Religion, healthcare, wars, governments, organisations, companies, charities; all about money or power or both.

Last week I was talking with a friend about the meaning of friendship. And why people are friends in the first place. It all turned out to the question: Whats in it for me? What do I gain from this friendship?

Maybe this is the reason why I don't have a lot of ambition and maybe this is why I am not looking forward to a great career. I don't want to play this game of money and power. I don't want to intentionally screw over people over and over. I don't want to drive myself insane with things that don't even matter that much.

Jup, maybe trying to get powerful and rich is the worst decision everrr.  Maybe it's better to be in the middle class.At least then you don't have to deal with all those backstabbing bitches, or maybe not that much.

So when people ask me what I want to achieve in life, this is my answer:
Living life avoiding big bumps and heavy life changers. Just as a "normal" person. Fitting in the system. Being selfish by doing the things you like and taking care for you and your family first. Trying to eat, sleep and having a roof above your head, with occasionally a trip, to see more of the world.

Is it that bad to live your life that way? Is it so bad to have that little ambition?
Is it that bad look out for yourself first? Really.....?!?

Decisions

If traveling was free....

Recently I had to interview this lovely person. She mentioned the fact that she loves traveling. And that she had recently posted a quote on her facebook;

"If traveling was free, you would never see me again..."

At first I was like "DUHH same here!". But then again,, 

Why is that second part of the sentence you'd never see me again? Why not travel together, who doesn't like to travel?? I think it's because most people don't travel to just see the world. Traveljunkies(that's what I call them for now) aren't just traveling to explore the world. What they like to do, is to run away from their home crowed... I think exploring yourself is somehow an urge for a lot of people, and it's best to do it alone.

Few weeks ago I read that every great story always exists out of 3 parts:

1st The call, the call to adventure.

2nd The battle, the conflict in life, with a rebirth as a reward.

3rd The elixer, sharing your insights, experiences and happiness to take on in your normal life. 

Every story begins with a wakeup call. A major issue in life that calls for a change. (the call)

With the intention to search for the meaning of life and exploring yourself, therefore you must face your fears. (the battle)

When you return home, you'll be able to help others. For example by sharing your story. (the elixer)

The second part, the battle, is moment when people start traveling. Maybe this "magic" story formula the reflection of a human life cycle. That's why those stories are so likeable, it is equal to our feelings. It is the perception of what we want in our life. 

What would my life look like if traveling was free?

I'd probably be in an other country at least every other weekend. But most people that I know also love traveling so I wouldn't be alone. And to be honest, yes, if traveling was free I would also travel by myself. If it wasn't clear yet, I too am in this battle fase at least the beginning of this fase. I would consider myself as a beginning traveljunkie, love to explore but not yet addicted (enough).

Doubting everything and everyone

Last night I had this huge trust issue. Suddenly I started to think about all people that I hang out with, who to trust, better said who not to trust. Going through all my friends I started to wonder if I had trusted the right people. Or that maybe I should cut a few off.... And should I be more careful about the things I share with others?

When you know that people have been lying to your face once, is that a sign that they will lie to you all the time, or when it suits them? And is there a difference between a big lie and a small lie? If so, should you make a difference between big and small lies?

And is knowing the fact that a person is not trustworthy, giving you the advantage to act on it? So many questions flying towards me, but no answers to throw back. 

I think the easiest way to deal with all these doubts is to cut everyone off. And when it's family or a person that you can't cut off, than make sure you think about stuff twice before you share it. 

Maybe this solution is too extreme, maybe you will end up lonely. But I really dont like the thought of thinking about every word you say and having to defend everything you say especially in the circle that's closest to me. Or the feeling of being on edge all the time, because you're scared about sharing some bad or personal stuff. Also to be there for someone else, you have to be able to listen to them without having to doubt every word they say.

I know its me being paranoïa. But one thing is sure, the ones that I trust most are my parents even when they lie. Because I'd like to think that there ARE still people that I can trust with everything.

#LifeWithoutBumps

How the world will look like in 2030

Last year I had a course about trendwatching. Based on the trends that I found, I wrote a scenario about how the world will look like in 2030. I didn't exaggerate much, maybe not at all. Cause the truth is, ever since this year, I feel that technology is evolving faster than ever. To predict what will happen in the 15 years, you have to exaggerate and look beyond whats possible. Maybe I am getting to old because I have a hard time following the all quick evolvements.

#LifeWithoutBumps

Scenario :
It is 2030, I live in a small apartment in Freiburg, Germany. I’ve been living in this apartment for a year now and I probably would not have left my parents’ house, if technology did not make living so much easier. The apartment that I live in now, is totally adapted to my living schedule. Every morning I have to wake up at 8 am, when my alarm goes off, my lights will automatically turn on as well as the radio. It is so much nicer to wake up with music. 

Also, every day I look at my phone in the morning, because my phone will tell me what to wear, based on my day schedule and the weather. I do not know how my phone does it exactly, but I know I just have to put in my agenda where I will be that day, it definitely safes me a lot of time. When it is time to leave my apartment, there are only two thing that I always bring along with me, those are my mobile phone and my passport. 


About 2 years ago I had to sell my car because it was too expensive for me to own one. The government has put so much money in public transport, that they raised the taxes on private transport. They said that traffic jams are the bane of motorists’ lives, whether it’s the daily bottleneck during the trip to work, or endless delays on motorways. And the government wants to encourage their citizens to travel by public transport. 

The transportation has evolved and moved into efficiency and more environmental friendly matters. Renewable fuels and alternative ways of using energy are getting more popular. All the cars that are made in 2030 are electric cars, cars on diesel or fuel are very rare and all the petrol pumps has changed into charging stations1. But owning an electric car is very expensive, only rich and higher educated people are investing these the newest ways to get transported. They pay more for easier and faster transport.

Students, young professionals and people that do not own an electric car, like myself, are usually traveling by shuttle vehicles. These vehicles are designed to drive without the need of a driver. And a great thing is, paying is super easy. About ten years ago you had to pay with these transportation cards that only work within one country, but today you can pay with just one device, your mobilephone. 

I use these shuttle busses and shuttle trains quite often to get to work. I just started working in a communication company for an amusement parks that is based in London. It is just a 5 minute walk 
to get to a shuttle bus that brings me to a train. From door to door, it only takes me 1 hour to get there. And with the transportation of 2030, I can be on the other side of the world in less than a half day! Fifteen years ago I could not have imagined to work and live in different countries. The change in transportation has taken away a big gap between cities and even countries. This makes my passion for traveling even more accessible. 

This is why I only need my phone and my passport at all times. My phone tells me how to schedule my life and I can pay with it. All the products we used to use got together in our phones. The Iwatch from Apple was just a tiny step for the technology of nowadays. With rapidly growing technological possibilities it was just a matter of time till people walk around without actual keys and wallets. 

Everything is combined in one device4, paying, identifying, calling, connecting, shopping, transportation cards. When I think about it, it did change my personality a little bit. Before the things got combined in one device I did not really care about my phone that much. I could walk a day outside without my phone and it would be fine. I would not even panic when my phone went out of battery. 

But now, I am so protective about my phone. I never just leave it hang around somewhere and I would think twice about it for someone to touch my phone. And I am so pleased that you can charge your phone everywhere and anytime! Otherwise A lot of people might have trouble with getting home. 

When I get home from work, I like to relax a bit and my well adapted apartment will automatically turn on the ambient lighting at 8 pm. Around this time I will sit in front of television to watch the news. The biggest problems nowadays is the energy crises. It is all over the news every single day! There are a lot of malfunctions with the connectivity nowadays because it is overloaded with network activities, all the phones, transportation, chargers,  charging stations etc..

People are getting frustrated and angry and are starting to riot against landline companies. The other thing that has been in the news for weeks now, is the fact that the digitalisation has brought so many problems within the community that the government is forced to create laws for the digital world. They are struggling and have to be careful, because riots will rise if they put limitations on technology. Citizens will see it as a privacy matter, because there has been no laws on technology and digitalisation for decades.

Watching series as a talent

Being the "normal" kid, I never stood out in anything. In school I would pass every class but just with average grades. I spend around 12 years practicing ballet and I know I wasn't bad.. but I also knew that I wasn't good enough to make more out of it, other then on an amateur level. I was good at all sort of things but never really "great".

And somehow I missed this way obvious thing about myself. Something I do almost every day and it has become a habit. The one thing I am really good at is watching series!! As I write this I am watching an episode of Pretty little liars (just started season on 4, no spoilers please..)

So my talent is to watch one whole season of any serie in just one week....next to all the stuff that everyone has to deal with; school, work, cleaning, cooking, friends, family etc. etc.

If you are wondering,, Current series that I watch are Pretty Little Lairs and The Walking Dead.
I just finished House of cards (season 3) and I am waiting for new episodes of Devious maids, Once upon a time and ofcourse Game of thrones.

Some may say watching series isn't a talent, I see it is a reflection of some of my qualities.

1. Commitment

You have no idea how many series I have watched. And seriously it takes some commitment to get trough so many seasons. 

2. Open mindedness

I watch Hong Kong Drama series to The walking dead and It's always sunny in Philadelphia and I like every single genre as much as the other. 

3. Setting priorities

To watch that many series still keep up with the social life stuff and everything else screams for multitasking and priority settings. 

I also like to think that you can learn one or two things by watching series, like:

Knowledge of human nature

Just by watching and analyzing all those different characters makes you understand the people around you. Because even though they are just characters, directors based them on real people's behaviour. 

Survival 

And ofcourse survival, everyone knows you don't go to the basement if you hear weird sounds in your house. And that you can only kill a zombie by headshots. 

So if I somehow do end up in a simular situation, I know I am already a dead man. 

Because no way that I am as brave as a leading character in any written script. 

It has taken me twice as long to write this blogpost just because my tablet screen is not big enough to do both writing and watching.

#Life Without Bumps

Why sleeping is not a waste of time

BLABLABLA

Yes, mom...  I am sorry mom... I'll try not to mom....

I remember those times when my mom would whine about the fact that I got out of bed so late, AGAIN! Clearly it didn't have any effect on me, none whatsoever. I knew that it was wrong of me to sleep in so late, but it just felt soooo gooddd.

The complaints started when I became a teenager and somewhere around a year ago she stopped complaining about it. I think my mom somehow realised that there was a reason for me to sleep so much, that might have been the reason why she stopped whining, or maybe she just stopped caring.

Given the fact that my mom doesn't complain anymore and instead of feeling bad over it, I decided to except it and even embrace it. 

"I LOVE SLEEPING!"

Hearing people say sleeping is a waste of time, makes me feel mis understood.

Hello!! I am not even talking about all the benefits of sleeping. Things like more stamina, improvement of your memory, improvement in blood pressure, spur creativity, less daytime fatigue and more and more, you name it. (btw. all proven facts from health.com)

But when I really think about it, non of that is really relevant to me, it's is just an extra.
No, why I really love to sleep is because I can control my dreams.

Jealous much huh?!? I hear you ;)

And with having a wild imagination like I do, sleeping becomes really fun!
Especially when you're living this "normal" life like I do. I make dreams far more exciting than my real life. I don't care if you think that is B.S. and stop saying that I should make my real life excting. This what works for me and this is how I like to live. This is how we roll.

And with that being said, I will jump in bed to live my dream.

Good night, sleep tight !

#LifeWithoutBumps

When life gives you lemons

#LifeWithoutBumps

Here are some weird questions that you probably cannot relate to!

What if ...

... your life is exactly the way people say it's supposed to be?
... you have always followed the rules?
... you have alway taken peoples advises to heart?

And
when life does not throw you heavy curve balls?

Imagine a lighted path that leads you straight into the big world. As long as you follow this path, while you're growing up, you will be able to handle yourself in this harsh world.

What if life has ALWAYS given you lemons but for a moment you realise that the path is ending? And while you were following it, you had no clue of the meaning of this path, that it was meant to shape you as a person. You only followed this path because it was so bright.
  - Britney Spears called it "not a girl, not yet a woman." - ;)

How will you make lemonade?

What now?