Relaxing Weekend at the Farm, Reconnected with the Real World

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Do you ever feel like things are just too overwhelming at times and any minute you're going to snap? The never ending deadlines, the toxic work environment, the inefficient colleagues, too demanding schedules, and so many other things to complain about. These small things that you try to conquer everyday could pile up, and when exposed to these kinds of "hazards" every single day, is like cigarettes, its definitely not good for your health.

Our mental state is as important as our physical well being. Yet, we sometimes tend to overlook it, and little did we know that we are slowly being consumed by it, thus resulting to our occasional outbursts and burnout problems. That is why, it is highly recommended for people to take a step back once in a while, get some fresh air, and do some self care activities.

Last Sunday, I went home to unwind. We have a farm located just few steps away from our house. It is managed by 23 members of Dumalag Integrated Farmer's Association, a group of people organized and supported by the government. This is one of the programs that is being implemented in the barangay level that aims to provide livelihood to the community.

Currently, they are not just in into farming, but also working on boosting tourism in our barangay. They had a launching and mock tour few weeks ago wherein the government officials, the different department heads, and other stake holders were there as the first group of tourists visiting the farm and the other 2 farms in Burauen.

I definitely had a great time going around the farm. I rarely go home because I have so many things on my plate right now (I am preoccupied and mostly focused on working towards ranking up in Mobile Legends. Haha). I was so impressed on how things have changed since I last visited the farm. Each plot is assigned to a certain member and they are responsible in planting, and taking care of it. I noticed that almost all plots has plants and most of them were even ready for harvesting.

The vegetables were so good to look at, they looked so fresh and delicious. I was drooling. I can't seem to get enough photos of them. They were all so gorgeous. Take a look at this bell pepper:

And these tomatoes:

They have different vegetables available and you can buy them at a really low price because its bought directly at the farm compared when they are already sold at the market place. I am so happy that agriculture is finally getting a spot at the limelight and more and more people are finally into it. This kind of program is truly helping our local farmers, as they are getting the full support of the government right now.

As consumers, we can take part in helping the farm industry by buying and supporting local produce. Not only that they are very affordable but their products are definitely what are body needs. Don't have to enumerate to you the health benefits because we are all aware of it, we are just plain stubborn because pork and chicken are too irresistible. Haha.

Who wants some native chicken? Still thinks they're best chicken in the world. If you're gonna visit the Philippines find some place where they serve native chicken, and they're just so perfect. It takes too long for them to be full grown hence they're sold at a bit higher price, probably between ₱250-₱350 each, that's about $5-$7, and that I think is very reasonable so please don't haggle. And don't ever think of haggling with our local farmers por pabor! They are working so hard under the scorching heat, day in and day out just to give us the most nutritious food on our table, we owe them our within normal cholesterol levels. LOL.

I repeat, don't haggle.

By the way, aside from the yummy veggies they are also planting flowers in the farm, not only to beautify the place but I think these flowers has its purpose. According to what I've read few seconds ago, and I need to google it because I'm suppose to give you guys accurate information here. Haha. Flowers has a vital role in the field of agriculture.

I hope I posted the right photo. LOL. These are Marigolds which serves as a natural insecticides. They help in preventing pests from infesting the plants. Cool right? I was amazed the first time I heard about it too. Marigold's existence is one example of "beauty with a purpose". Haha. Sorry about my punchlines. They're too corny because you know we're talking about vegetable here. Haha. (No cassie!)

I'm starving but I need to finish this post first because I'll lose the momentum. Please bear with me as I try my best to try to concentrate and focus on the topic right now. So yeah, flowers. They were all around the farm and they were too beautiful not to notice. They just looked perfectly captivating. Here are some of the shots I took.

Aren't they so lovely?

They planted more flowers in the farm, and they will be in full bloom in no time. Can't wait to see more flowers on my next visit. I'll make sure to charge my camera and save enough space in my memory card.

It was such a relaxing weekend. I enjoyed taking photos. It felt so refreshing to see those plants. I felt renewed just by breathing the fresh air. I can already feel that I'm entering "titahood" because I'm starting to really get interested into these things. Haha. Some quiet time at the farm over partying at the bar and getting wasted (charot) Haha. I'm not really into partying even I was younger.

My interests has been on travel and photography, and drinking isn't really my thing. But I don't have anything against people who are into it, again, I'm a firm believer and a full time advocate of "mind your own business". =)

Before I end this post, here's a photo of this kid I saw in the farm that afternoon. He was sitting there while his mom was cleaning the plot.

It was good to see such scene. That's how families bond in the rural areas, and I miss seeing it. Its so raw and simple. It is undeniably a different world right now. We are physically present but our minds are somewhere else. Its on the virtual world. We are more engaged in social medias than in real life. I am so guilty of this.

That Sunday, reminded me how a real human connection means everything. No mobile app, no platform will ever replace a true personal interaction. Seeing high quality images of plants in the internet is way different from seeing them up close, and actually touching them. Its so precious to see them sway as the wind blows. You see those tiny insects in the leaves, the texture of the sand, the smell of nature. It was very therapeutic.

I know how life can be extremely exhausting. But if there's anything I have reflected on that day, its those things that I forgot because I was too busy googling on how to resolve burnout problems. I am so attached with my phone that I forget to seize and appreciate what's happening around me. And it felt so damn good to be reconnected to the world (the real world) again. It was really a fun weekend. :)

Before, I end this post I have some things that I'd like to emphasize with you and with myself. One is to disconnect from the virtual world once in a while, and take an effort to really reconnect with yourself and the real world. And second is to support local, support our farmers, and find ways to take part in making this world so much better for everyone. :)

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