Go Outside And Movement

Go Outside and Play Traditional Filipino Games - Patintero

2013-04-17T08:00:00.000+08:00

We used to play these games when we're younger. Now, I don't see children playing these games anymore. These games need no or minimal equipment, but are still fun to play. Maybe, we can play these traditional Filipino games again during outings with our friends and family. And if you're not familiar with these games, you might still want to try them out and experience the fun!

Patintero

Mechanics:
1. Invite your friends and family to play; the more, the merrier!

2. Form 2 teams with equal number of players.

3. Set up your play area: a rectangular grid such as this:

You can mark the lines with a chalk, or you can just use existing lines on the ground. Feel free to be creative with your markers.
The number of divisions depends on the number of players for each team (one line per player).

4. Decide on which team will defend (Team D) and which team will pass (Team P).

5. Team P will position themselves before the starting line. Team D will position themselves on the grid lines.

Patintero starting positions

6. Team P will try to pass across the play area to reach the other side and return to the starting point.

7. Team D will prevent Team P from passing by tagging the passers if they are within the defender's reach.
Team D can only move along the line assigned to him/her. Team D can also face either side of the line as long as he/she doesn't step out of his/her assigned line.

8. If a Team P member is tagged, he/she is out of the game.

9. The teams switch roles if all the Team P members are out.

10. If a Team P member manages to cross and return to the starting point, a point is given to his/her team. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Goals:
Team D - to prevent Team P to pass through the play area by tagging.
Team P - to pass across the play area and return to the starting point without being tagged by Team D.

There are a number of variations of these mechanics; you can play whichever variation you want. You might even want to add your own rules. During this summer season, you can play patintero at the beach or, to make it more challenging, in the swimming pool. Again, feel free to be creative. The only thing to remember is to have fun!

Go outside and play patintero!

Go Outside and Listen to New Music

2013-04-11T12:57:00.000+08:00

I love listening to music. For me, music is a form of expression. But the magical thing about it is that it can express both the artist and the listener.

Through music, artists can express themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Listeners then listen to music that express their moods and feelings. When we're sad, we generally listen to sad music, and when we're happy, we listen to happy music. On the other hand, we also listen to happy music when we're sad to make us feel better.

There are A LOT of music out there. However, we tend to prefer certain types of music. There's nothing wrong about this. This tendency is similar to our different tastes for color; we just let our ears make our preferences. The only thing I don't agree with is the hate people express toward music that they don't like. Is it really necessary to put down artists making music that you don't prefer? Personally, if I really don't like a certain song, I just don't listen to it.

However, even though we prefer certain types of music, it wouldn't hurt if we occasionally try to listen to other types. I grew up listening to alternative rock. Eventually, I got a chance to listen to heavier stuff, particularly, metal, and at first, I wasn't able to appreciate it. Still, I gave it a chance. Now, I can't imagine myself not listening to metal; metal is my "comfort music." But I don't limit myself to just metal; I still open myself to other types of music. One of my favorite bands is Lamb of God, but I also listen to Carly Rae Jepsen.

By letting yourself listen to new music, you also open yourself to different experiences due to the various expressions these different music create. These different experiences can ignite something new within yourself, keep your motivations alive, or just spark your creativity. And no matter what you experience, at the end of the day, I'm pretty sure that it will just make you happier.

It still amazes me when I hear new artists. Recently, I was able to listen to this local band, Milky Summer, through an online radio station. Their tunes are just...happy, which is perfect for this summer season.

Going outside doesn't only literally mean going outdoors, but also going outside our comfort zones and trying something new. So, what other ways can you think of to go outside and listen to new music?

Go Outside and Share Some Sweets

2013-04-03T13:05:00.000+08:00

When I think of sweets, a lot of things come into my mind – chocolates, candies, ice cream, lollipops, bubble gum, cakes, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and the list goes on. At an early age, I knew that I have a great liking for sweets and any other food that tasted sweet. Despite numerous warnings and discouragement from my mom on eating too much sweets (given a history of diabetes in the family), I still couldn't stop myself from gorging all those chewy and sugary bites.

Although I love sweets and I tend to gormandize on them with every opportunity, it never occurred to me to simply hide some in cabinets and keep them for myself. Instead, I bring a handful of these delicious treats every time I go out and give them to my friends or any hungry child I pass by as I walk through a street. For me, nothing is more delightful than a chocolate shared with a friend or two and the big smiles and happy faces I get as I let all of my sweets go.

I know a few days have passed since Easter Sunday and many of us have received a fair amount of goodies from the "Easter Bunny." Now is the perfect time to share your treats to someone new. Here’s what I would like you to do today: go outside, take out your mouth-watering sweets, show your best smile, and give one to every person you meet. Isn't that sweeter?

Go Outside and Have a Picnic

2013-03-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

As a child, I was always excited about having picnics. I even have a picture of me as a one-year old baby taken during one picnic day with my cousins. In the photo, I looked very eager to open a box of Cheese Curls. Back when everyone in my family lives in the same house and computers and other electronic gadgets were less popular, we used to spend some weekends visiting the park and having lunch together. In my memory, I can still vividly recall details of our gorgeous feast: a picnic straw mat filled with plates of delicious ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches; hot and crispy chicken; sweet and creamy fruit salad; and thick swirls of chocolate ice cream. After lunch, we usually just chat and laugh at our silly jokes, listen to the soft melodies of my cousin’s guitar, or ride our bikes around the park. Those picnics were really fun.

Sadly, now that I’m older, I don’t get to hang around much with my cousins. Like many people, I live in a city where almost everybody no longer has time to visit parks or to have picnics with their family and friends. These days, we often communicate with other people through our computers and phones. But why not break a routine and do something different for once?

If you have the luxury and time to be extravagant, you should visit one of the most beautiful parks in the world and have your picnic there. Go hiking or simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery. If you don’t have time or can’t afford to travel, you can be creative and still have a wonderful picnic. You can lay your picnic mat outside the house or on the lawn or in the garden. I hope you would also get a chance to see colorful flowers and smell the fresh scent from trees. Do whatever you want! Just remember, the important thing is to appreciate the beauty of your outside world and spend time with the people you love. So, go on and have that picnic!

Go Outside and Drink Coffee

2013-03-21T08:13:00.000+08:00

Nate Steiner

I didn't drink coffee when I was a kid (except the time when I mistook coffee for powdered chocolate). I didn't even drink coffee in college. However, I was able to taste coffee whenever my parents treated my siblings and I to Starbucks. Those occasions were rare. I always loved the ambiance in a coffee shop, but I didn't frequent one because I didn't care then and I had no money for coffee (or anything else, for that matter).

I just started drinking coffee while reviewing for our board exam. But it was during my first job when I began drinking coffee regularly, out of necessity. My first coffee cups were instant. I initially drank my coffee without milk or sugar, partly because I couldn't get the ratio that made my coffee drinkable (with milk or sugar). Eventually, I tried experimenting with different coffee to milk to sugar ratios, and I would still drink it even though it tasted bad. But I never got that perfect ratio.

I also dreamed of having my own coffee brewer. Actually, our office had one, but you have to brew your own beans. Since I didn't know how to brew and had no beans, I just contented myself with the smell of freshly brewed coffee whenever an officemate (usually our president) made one. When I resigned, I bought my own coffee brewer and coffee. I became more interested in coffee since that purchase.

Now, I'm using an Aeropress to brew my coffee. Although I can make better coffee now, at least for me, I still can't brew a perfect cup. Nevertheless, the more important thing for me is the experience. I just like the happy and relaxing feeling I get whenever I drink coffee during a quiet morning.

Go Outside and Ride a Bus

2013-03-12T10:10:00.001+08:00

In the midst of the busy streets of a big city, riding a bus may not seem to be a good idea. From a commuter’s perspective, taking the bus during a typical rush hour can mean standing uncomfortably while sharing an overcrowded space with other people in a hot, rough, and painfully slow ride. For some, paying an overpriced taxi fare is a risk worth taking than getting trapped with a rambunctious crowd inside the bus. I sometimes agree with this point of view, thinking that a bus trip won’t bring ease and safety. Having said that, why do I even encourage you to go outside and ride a bus?

Believe or not, a bus ride going home or travelling somewhere else can also provide comfort and relaxation. As a regular passenger, I often catch the bus when there is less traffic and there are fewer people or when I feel a bit meditative. As I enjoy my ride, I sit beside the window and stare dreamily outside. Most of the time, I observe people and make up stories about them. When things get boring, I think about something funny and secretly smile. If the journey takes a little longer than usual, I even try to write poetry or a happy thought. Sometimes, hours seem to have passed while relaxing and pondering. Other times, the ride takes no longer than a few minutes. But when the bus reaches its final stop, I always end up feeling calm and worry-free. Then, I tell myself “Finally, I’m home.”

Riding the bus isn't always bumpy and scary, don’t you think? I hope that you would try to ride one, too!

Go Outside and See a Beautiful Sunset

2013-03-05T08:00:00.000+08:00

Some people may associate the sunset to the idea of losing hope and having fears as the daylight fades and suddenly everything becomes dark. But it can also mean the opposite – a feeling of serenity and joy that a tiresome work day has finally ended and it’s now time to take a rest.

As for me, I love sunsets. Every time we visited the province when I was younger, my parents would often take me to the beach in the late afternoon. Clutching a pail on one hand and a shovel on the other, I would run to the shore and dig up as much sand as I can. After an hour or so of digging dirt and sand, collecting seashells, and feeling frustrated over my failed attempt to build a sand castle, I would eventually stop and look up the sky. I was always fascinated with its elegant and artistic display of colors from light blue with a tinge of violet to bright orange or red, and sometimes with a layer of salmon pink. Then, I would notice the sun slowly disappearing at the point where the sky meets the sea. While watching the mesmerizing sunset scene, I would sit still and feel that somehow my soul is at ease.

So, before this day ends, I hope that you don’t miss another chance to see this spectacular view. Regardless if you live in the city or elsewhere, head to the point where you may see the sun set. Then, sit or stand still, take time to calm down, forget your worries, and enjoy the sun!

Go Outside and Dance in the Rain

2013-02-26T11:34:00.000+08:00

Dinesh Bareja

A lot of people might now be afraid of the rain because of the recent calamities it (partly) caused. Rain also causes flood and more traffic, causing drivers and commuters alike to flood Facebook with "i hate traffic" statuses (about 5 hours later when they get home).

Despite these negative effects of rain, we shouldn't forget that it also has positive effects. For example, rain has an important role in agriculture, and agriculture affects basically all of us. Simply, people eat food produced from agricultural processes that need water from rain to grow. So, without rain, we would have less food. And without food, we'll most likely die.

But enough of the negativity.

I know many of us played in the rain when we were kids. Even today, I still see children playing in the rain. We played in the rain because it's fun. But as we grow up, most of us stop playing in the rain. Some even go against it, forbidding their kids to do the same. But as you can see from the photo above, dancing in the rain brings joy.

So why don't we dance in the rain once in a while. Dancing to thank the gods for rain is even found in the Filipino roots. If you're going home from work and it's raining, forget your umbrellas, get wet, take your time, and dance. Just check the news first and make sure that it's not a storm (and be careful of potholes and the like).

P.S. Also take a bath after.

Go Outside and Wakeskate

2013-02-19T08:00:00.000+08:00

There was I time when I became very interested in boards, that is, skateboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, and the like. Among these, I was only able to try skateboarding, although I didn't become good at it. Plus, I needed to stop because of scoliosis. So, eventually, my interest waned. But just recently, I saw this amazing and beautiful video via Colossal.

This video was made by Redbull.

At first, I thought that this is just wakeboarding. Then, I noticed that the board used in this video had griptape on it. Back then, I remember that I was so amazed when I saw a video of some surfer doing a kickflip with his surfboard. I thought that that must had been very difficult considering that a surfboard had less grip than a skateboard. And I didn't think that putting griptape on boards used in water was practical. But now, they're doing it. That's just innovative.

A few days passed. I was on a train going home when I saw someone holding the same kind of board used in the video--a wakeboard-sized board with griptape on it. Then, another passenger asked the one holding the board what was that board that he was holding. And that was the first time that I heard of wakeskate.

From Wikipedia, "some of the earliest activity resembling wakeskating dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s," and wakeskating has actually started to rise during the late 1990s. In the Philippines, wakeskating seems to have been around for a few years already.

To me, this seemingly simple innovation is really astounding. This just proves that sometimes, the simplest ideas can be the most amazing.

I also learned that there are some local wakeskate spots here in the Philippines. I think one is in Lago de Oro Wake Park in Batangas. So, if you want to try something new, wakeskating might be just the challenge you're looking for. Go outside and wakeskate!

Go Outside and Watch the Stars

2013-02-12T08:00:00.000+08:00

Darren Kirby

I like looking at the stars.

When I was still studying, I remember that when I walked home, I often looked at the night sky and tried to see the stars. But most of the time, I couldn't see any.

We're all familiar with air pollution, land pollution, and even noise pollution. Another less-mentioned type of pollution is light pollution. I'm not really sure what are the main effects of this type of pollution, but one consequence is that the night sky becomes too illuminated, reducing the visibility of the stars, moon, and other celestial objects. This effect is very prominent in highly industrialized and busy cities, as you can see in the photo below.

Jeremy Stanley

As technology continues to develop, we become more industrialized, and sadly, light pollution is a side effect of this modernization.

So, in the midst of our busy lives, go outside on a clear night sky, bring along your special someone, friends, family, neighbors, and even your pet, and just watch the stars. You might even get to see a falling star, wish upon it, and your dreams might just come true.

Go Outside and Plant a Tree

2013-02-08T12:48:00.000+08:00

Ned Richards

Living in a major city is a dream for many people. There, you can find almost everything that is new. But one thing that seems to decline in these cities is the presence of plants. Trees are replaced by buildings. Green becomes gray. I don't particularly like butterflies, but whenever I think about that I rarely see one nowadays, it saddens me a bit. I think that this is one of the small negative effects of having fewer plants and trees.

I live in a small condo unit in a developing city, and I have always thought of having plants in our unit (currently, we only have a plant). However, I haven't actually prioritized doing that yet, and also because I killed almost all the plants that were given to me. So, in line with doing something outside, why don't we go outside and plant a tree!

But you might ask, "How?" Actually, I don't know; I haven't planted a tree yet. So, joining a tree-planting event might be a good start. We get to go outside, meet new people, learn something new, and plant a tree!

Here in the Philippines, there are a number of groups who organize tree-planting events. Even, the Philippine government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, apparently has a National Greening Program, which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares by 2016. But if you're like me who doesn't know how to plant a tree, we can start by reading these instructions on how to plant a tree.

Hello Outside World

2013-02-05T12:03:00.001+08:00

"I know what we're gonna do today!"

This is a line from Phineas and Ferb. I enjoy watching this cartoon because it's fun. It's about going outside, doing things, being creative, using your imagination, and just having fun. As we grow up, a number of us seem to lose interest to go outside and do things.

We become afraid.

We become afraid of a lot of things that we used to just shrug off. I remember that my friends and I used to climb soccer goal posts and enjoyably jump from them. Now, I get scared even just by thinking about it.

While watching the movie Moonrise Kingdom, it came to me that people should be more adventurous, like Sam and Suzy. But, this doesn't mean that we should just blindly jump again from goal posts. Fear might always be present, but we need to learn how to face and manage our fears and go outside of our comfort zones. And I think that the best way to do this is to practice.

So, in this blog, I'll write down things to do outside; simple, silly, little things that we can do outside and have fun. Hopefully, we can apply these simple things in facing more difficult challenges in our lives.

My goal is to motivate and challenge, even just one person (including myself), to go outside, do something, have fun, and be happy!