Home office.

Have you ever tried working from your apartment? Doesn't it sound awesome, being in the nice environment you've created once just the way 
you like it, having food and drinks and all the other stuff right next to you. You even don't have to dress properly but can stay all day long in 
your favourite old hoodie.

These days I spend at home, and I had to notice it is not all good. Most people think when you are at home you have the day off. Even 
though I am telling there is actually work to get done there are still small demands dropping in "as you are at home anyway". 

It could be amazing though, I think. Imagine a studio like this at your place

On the other hand, who wants to stay alone all day, never leaving the house and not dressing up? I sure would miss the daily chat with 
coworkers who have become friends during these years. There is not such a thing than a faithful colleague, isn't it?
It might be a good idea to show them from time to time how much we do appreciate their company. You can't go wrong with this. The relation 
might simply happen to become even stronger. Try it! 

Family roles.

Somehow everybody grows into a certain role within his or her family: one is either the rebellious one or the
clown, or known for his boundless energy (...). It is hard to ever break out while living at home.

Once we have grown up and moved out we get rid of that stereotype and live happily ever after - until we
spend a few days with our beloved family. Suddenly we find ourselves being pushed back into the old role:
the stubborn boy or the sensitive girl is what you might be called lovingly. How does it happen again and again,
and mostly without us even noticing? Is it a phenomenon all over the world?

Have you ever tried to change your role? So far I have not succeeded. Maybe this is because there is a
unique relationship with the family that is different from the one with others. We have never chosen the
person who has become our father or mother, so haven't they had the chance to make a choice.
Nevertheless there is a special bond from the very first moment which is always there. It might be that's why
the family doesn't judge the way others do, it does not turn away as friends might do but loves you unlimited
and supports you not matter what. There is not such a thing which is that sure, and it feels so good to know
this.

The next family reunion I better focus on that and don't worry about giving them the annual jokes or
arguments they are waiting for anyway. How about you?

Speak up!

It has been a while since the last post. So sorry for the long pause! Sometimes you feel no inspiration at all,
or non you think is worth to share.

There have been unspoken things in my life lately. Sometimes you have to sit it out as time makes you forget
about it, but there are others which you better talk about to get peace in your mind, right? If only it would be
that easy!
But once you have been brave enough to start that scary topic you almost always end up being rewarded for it.
At least that is what I experienced so far. Clearing the mind and knowing the facts I have finally stopped
wondering, start seeing the nice side of life again, which does seem even more bright after a "dark" period,
and got back my spirit, yeah!

I hope you guys keep focusing on the bright side of life! There are not many things which are worth to change
that focus anyway.

The ideal?

I am kind of living the dream right now. About one year ago I moved to South-East-Asia, where I find myself in a consistently 30°C environment, passing palms on my way home, accompanied by colourful chatty birds and the smell of joss sticks while I am rushing for not getting caught by the strong but warm tropical rain which always comes by surprise.

Only a few hours drive are the most beautiful white beaches, surrounded with crystalline clear water and fishes in all colours you can imagine. If you put your head underwater you hear a cracking noise which comes from the fish lively nibbling at corals. While you are exploring the island by jungle hiking, both, you and the monitor lizard get a small stroke when you meet for the first time. These spots still are so peaceful that you do feel overwhelmed by the beauty of nature.

Still you don’t have to worry about safety, hygiene or lowering you living standards living in the one rapidly developed state of this area – Singapore.

Even though I should be having the time of my life I found myself struggling several times. Being exposed to another environment I realized how strong the tie is to the norms I grew up with, and how I miss them here: freedom of opinion and choice, practicing a responsible attitude to one another and to the environment, just to name a few. In the long term the pleasant environs couldn’t cover the need of those crucial things. Most of my Asian friends however prefer it this paternalistic way. They feel cared of and secure. How different things look if you change perspective. How about stepping out and shifting your viewpoint for today?

Air traffic

These days I experience quite a cosmopolitan life, flying from one great spot to another, thus posting this
rarely. This is a little stressful with coming home to my place that is mostly in boxes now for the upcoming
move, washing, repacking and rushing off again, but it is also very exciting. I even get a routine with
choosing no layered clothing you have to remove for the security check, as well as avoiding a belt, clips in
my hair and coins in my pockets that cause the peep for a second check.
On my way to the airport I always pass an advertisement from HSBC stating that there are 500.000 people
in the air at any moment. This seems quite a huge number for me but reasonable if you think about the
falling prices for tickets. Here you can see a simulation of the air traffic within 24hours. Isn't it impressing
how busy it is up there?

Good-byes

These last days have been quite busy with packing and goodbyes. As I have mentioned in one of my last posts I am in the midst of preparing for my move. It is not only switching the apartment but also leaving the country and city which has been my home for the past months, and the people who have made it so. Suddenly everything seems so nice and peaceful, once you are about to leave, even though there have been several struggles, too.
Why do good-byes always have to be so hard and sad?
The good thing is no one telling you it has to be that way. Who wants to leave full of memories of your beloved friends crying? It's your choice, in fact why not make the last day together a happy one full of laughter to take lots of joyful memories with you and keep them close.

Knäppa.

This is Knäppa. Made of cardboard it is probably the simplest digital camera ever and the newest give away
article of IKEA, designed by Jesper Kouthoofd. It works with AAA batteries, can hold 40 x 2.3 megapixel images
and comes with a USB stick to connect with your computer. Plus it's recyclable.

With it's Swedish charm, simplicity and family-friendly environment this furniture store is unique. Over the
past years it has not follow the trend of minimalist white interior design but remain true to it's own style, as
well as to it's low price philosophy for what the company is well-known. For me IKEA always feels a little like
entering a home.