**Start a Blog and Move to the Philippines**

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWvvvwe2K2gZpyUTvW91XK5RV5BPBaXjJbwtYEFxEHiM5/image.png)

 Then I can document all the adventures (and mis-adventures) heretofore, herein, and hereafter, to entertain the world, er...well, those few that might be interested anyway. Back then, blogging about retiring and moving to the Philippines seemed easy enough and I thought I could earn a little extra cash along the way. Actually blogging has always been easy up until recently. It has been just over four years now since we first arrived on the island of Samar in the Philippines.  Blogging about the chain of events leading up to our departure from the U.S. was easy. We did this, did that, sold this, and sold that. All easily documented. The process of getting all of our paperwork in order, although a little more complicated and taxing at times, was also easy to describe to anyone who had a want to know. Filled out this form, signed this, sent it to.., notarize this, 3 photos here, attach that... yada yada. The packing and shipping our household goods, us travelling to and arriving in the Philippines to settle into our new home was also simple and straight forward to write about. Even after settling in - the excitement of it all and just being in the land of smiles, provided a plethora of topics to write about. From family outings, to beach visits. From meeting new friends and discovering new activities to anticipated new shops, stores, and restaurants opening in town. New life experiences are easy to describe. It was easy to remain upbeat and positive because I knew each day would likely expose us to something new.

**Evolution of A Perception**

The longer we were there, the more adapted we become to our area and our everyday lives. Life in the Philippines eventually became routine (I don't claim it to be boring, just routine).  But, it was almost too routine!  Everyday that I attempted to write about something, my thoughts became seemingly strangled with increased difficulty, as compared to the post previous.  It became more difficult to separate the things I initially found interesting to write about from the mundanities of everyday life.  

**Change is Imminent.**

It has been said *"The more things change, the more they stay the same."*  Humans are tuned to seek patterns which then become the all too acclaimed "Comfort Zone," and that's where they will stay... within the protective custody of familiarity.  As the world appears largely disorganized, most of us visualize a whole lot of false positives and is a kind of resignation that *change* and *constant* are two sides of the same coin, one we seldom learn to see as a whole. Take a waterfall for example. Upon close inspection (in the microcosm), the falling water is constantly changing patterns based upon outside forces like volume of water, wind, and natural and human interactions. It is in a constant state of change. But from the most simple perspective, say between today, tomorrow, or a year from now, the waterfall (as a whole) appears the same as it was during the previous visit. I guess the same can be said about some people's lives and about life and living anywhere, for that matter. 

For us though, life in Calbayog City, Samar, still is for the most part, is like that waterfall... it never changes. We have visited almost everything the local area has to offer, eaten at every restaurant, been to every beach - numbers of times.  Some of our new-found friends have already gone. While newcomers are still arriving,  others are pulling up stakes.  And we stayed put. While we couldn't help but enjoy our easy-going lifestyle, the excitement of living in paradise was wearing off.  I still struggle to come up with a more accurate word to describe living there today, and until I do, I will just have to settle on the adjective "ordinary."  Life has become as mundane as living in Tupelo, Mississippi, except for the tropical weather part, and the other fact that is no sign of Elvis.

**Change is Inevitable**

I know my writing style started out with a handful of *fun*, together with a slice of *upbeat,* a spoonful of *excitement* and a sprinkle of *humor*... all combined with a *pinch* of my personaly developed sarcasm. Over time though, the positives of the Filipino culture were being weighed upon by the negatives. Not overpowered, but simply reaching more of an equilibrium (from my own personal perspective). My little bit of sarcasm eventually grew in size and became more like a tablespoon full, and the recipe for "More Fun in the Philippines" has become a little overcooked. My retirement has become a little humdrum, mostly in part because I found my comfort zone and settled into it like one would in an overstuffed recliner.  

In the beginning, my writings were only painting half of the picture! That was it. There is always another side to everyone's paradise that the majority of travelers, writers, photographers and bloggers never touch upon. Like it is taboo or something.  
In the words of YouTube video host Jimmy Sieczka, *"I have seen and experienced all the beauty and wonders this country has to offer. I have also seen and experienced all the f***ing bullshit this country has to offer."* His hosting of the satirical video *"20 reasons why I dislike the Philippines"* became the target of a lot of Filipino anger when the video was published in 2012 (and since been removed from YouTube), which I'm made to believe, forced him to make a hasty departure from the Philippines because of death threats. He has since made a public apology. What I am driving at is this:  The longer one remains planted in the same environment, the more difficult it becomes to culminate only that which is good.  There are many things I like about the Philippines, but without at least addressing some of the cultural negatives and things that can be personally annoying, it is not  judicious.

As I continue to blog on the subject of life in my perceived "Paradise", I promise to offer more balance going forward.  I can and will deliver my thoughts through a more introspective approach. It may not be what some people want to hear but I want to keep things from getting too boring.  After all, somebody needs to say it and others need to hear it.

https://youtu.be/Jhtuy9iJYpo

The inspiration for this post come by the way of the **new guy** moving to Palawan Island in the Philippines to begin his adventure. Chad quit his job of 5 years in Dubai and moved to the islands to live. What is he going to do? He started a blog of course! And with all the same sweet delightfulness that I checked-in with.  Google him at *"Suits to Shorts"* (Youtube).