Seaside Living the Philippines- Our Beach House

The photo above from the Lazy Traveler Face Book Page reminded me of my younger years as well as my retirement years when we resided by the sea-that is our backyard is a beach. It very quiet and only the sound of the ocean waves you can hear along with the beats of your heart. The description below is for the beautiful photo above.        

"A reminder that beauty can be found in the simplest of places, like this humble cottage surrounded by nature's vibrant palette.

The weathered wood, the colorful flowers, the crashing waves in the distance - it's a scene that evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. It's a reminder to slow down, appreciate the beauty around us, and find joy in the simple things." 

Meanwhile here are photos of our very own Beach House, Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. The photos were taken in 2017.  

Photos of The Beach House, David III( RIP) and Me with Miko  our pet dog enjoying the beach and sun

Also Meanwhile, Thursday, February 20, Newtons's has a Special Dinner that I really enjoyed. Here are some photos.

Lastly, the Beach House is gone. An unknown electric fire gutted the structure in 2023. By the time the local firemen arrived half of the beach house was gone. This is an example of the statement that "Life is Temporary", so we must live/enjoy every moment of it while we can.  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/02/good-bye-chateau-du-mer-beach-house.html

 Happy Saturday, Every One!

You Think You are in Control? Think Again!

YOU THINK YOU’RE IN CONTROL? Think again. Your mind is wired with glitches—hidden psychological traps that dictate your thoughts, actions, and even your failures. The worst part? You don’t even notice it happening. Here are the most brutal psychology facts about human behavior:

1. The Illusion of Transparency – You think people can see right through you? Wrong. That anxiety, that guilt, that insecurity—you feel like it’s written all over your face, but nobody notices. You’re stressing over nothing.

2. The Spotlight Effect – You trip, you stutter, you embarrass yourself—and you think everyone’s watching. They’re not. Most people are too busy worrying about their own flaws to care about yours.

3. The Zeigarnik Effect – Your brain clings to unfinished tasks like an obsessive ex. That’s why that one thing you forgot to do keeps nagging at you. Unfinished business haunts you.

4. The Mere Exposure Effect – The more you see something, the more you like it. That’s why brands shove ads in your face 24/7. Your brain confuses familiarity with value.

5. The Dunning-Kruger Effect – The dumbest people always think they’re the smartest in the room. Meanwhile, the real experts doubt themselves because they actually understand how complex things are.

6. The Ben Franklin Effect – Want someone to like you? Make them do you a favor. The brain tricks itself into believing, “If I helped this person, I must like them.” Reverse manipulation at its finest.

7. The Optimism Bias – You secretly think you’re untouchable. Bad things happen to other people, right? Wrong. The universe doesn’t owe you safety. Stay sharp.

8. The Sunk Cost Fallacy – You waste time, money, and energy on things that aren’t working because you’ve already invested too much. Jobs, relationships, bad habits—you refuse to quit, even when you should.

9. The Pratfall Effect – Perfection is intimidating. But when a competent person makes a small mistake? They become more relatable, more likable. That’s why confidence + a little clumsiness is the ultimate cheat code.

10. Temporal Discounting – You’d rather take $50 now than $100 later. Your brain sabotages your future self because it craves instant gratification. That’s why most people never get rich, fit, or successful. Discipline is rare.

Your brain is a battleground. If you don’t take control, you’ll be another puppet to these hidden forces. Wake up. Stay aware. Master your mind before it masters you.

Meanwhile, Have you Heard of Ball's Pyramid Island?

Ball's Pyramid is a towering, rocky island located in the Pacific Ocean, about 643 kilometers (400 miles) from mainland Australia and 23 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of Lord Howe Island. It is the world’s tallest volcanic stack, rising 562 meters (1,844 feet) above sea level.

The island was first discovered in 1788 and has remained uninhabited due to its steep, nearly vertical cliffs and lack of flat land. Despite its isolation, Ball's Pyramid is home to a rare species of insect, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, which was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered on the island in 2001.

Due to its remote and rugged nature, access to Ball’s Pyramid is highly restricted. Climbing and scientific expeditions have been permitted in limited numbers, but strong winds, rough seas, and the island’s sheer rock faces make it extremely difficult to land.

Lastly, here's my reading of the week- About Home is not a Place, but in the Heart

Some places don’t just hold memories; they hold a piece of your soul, heart and mind.

Every corner whispers stories of childhood laughter, quiet afternoons, and the scent of home-cooked meals drifting through open windows. The familiar creak of the wooden floor, the gentle rustling of leaves outside, and the golden light spilling through old curtains—these are the little things that make a house a home. 

Time may pass, but the feeling never fades; it lingers in the air, in the walls, and in the warmth of the people who call it home. No matter how far you wander, a part of you always stays behind, woven into the very fabric of this place. And when you return, it’s as if nothing has changed—only your footsteps have grown a little wiser. Because home isn’t just where you live; it’s where your heart remembers to breathe.

Travel with Me to Machu Picchu, Peru via Dodie's Photos

Dodie ( my oldest son)💚 and spouse Ruth Carver enjoying the sites and sounds of Machu Picchu just recently. 

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern  Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 ft). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire. It is located in the Machupicchu District within the Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of the city of Cusco. The Urubamba River flows past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a subtropical mountain climate.

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll. Here are some of Dodie's photos:

Here's what Dodie wrote on his FB Page: Can’t believe we really made it to Machu Picchu. It was an adventure just getting here. We flew to Cusco. Bussed to Urubamba where we stayed 2 nights to acclimate to the altitude. Then bus to Ollantaytambo where we caught an 1 ½ hour train ride to Aguas Calientes. We stayed at a nice hotel there. Then a shuttle bus up the windy road to Machu picchu. We had two visits. The first on a rainy afternoon and then the next morning when it was sunny and beautiful weather. All this was through OAT. Afterwards we drove back to Cusco. The 11000 feet elevation took a toll on me and I had to rest, so I didn’t see much of Cusco.

For complete Details visit: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of popular and colorful indoor Plants.

Lastly, enjoy this photo of A Man and his Cat... 

💚https://www.amazon.com/Cloyne-Court-Dodie-Katague/dp/0981955339

The Benefits of My Weekly Whole Body Massage

If you read my blogs, you probably know that I have once a week a whole body massage for the last 6 months here at THD ( home visit). My massage therapist ( home visit) is Indy ( Darryl Choi), Walnut Creek- 925-487 6096.

Here's what I wrote previously on the benefits of massage( muscles stretching) that Indy provides.  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/04/thai-massage-versus-traditional-swedish.html

Here's is my latest reading why Muscle Stretching reduces stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. 

 

Your body holds wisdom beyond the conscious mind—stored emotions, past experiences, and even stress accumulate in your muscles and joints. This simple stretch doesn’t just loosen your hips, hamstrings, and spine—it also helps release tension trapped in your nervous system. 

Ancient yogis believed that flexibility in the body leads to flexibility in the mind, allowing energy (prana) to flow freely. Science confirms this by showing how movement reduces anxiety, boosts mood, and rebalances the nervous system. Every time you stretch, you are realigning your body, mind, and spirit—bridging the gap between physical and energetic health. Take a deep breath, fold forward, and feel the release. What part of your body do you feel holds the most tension?

Meanwhile, here's one photo memory of Chateau Du Mer. This is the newly painted Front Gate of the Main House-Chateau Du Mer -our second Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Lastly, here are the 30 life Lessons to teach your Children and Grand Children

 

Nineteen Types of Ballroom Dancing

In My younger years, Ball Room Dancing is one of my Favorite activity along with my wife of 63 years. During one our vacation in Miami Beach, Florida, we won 1st Place Dancing the Cha Cha and 2nd place Dancing the Rumba.

Macrine (RIP) and I Dancing the Rumba, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2013

Here's an article on the 19 types of ball room dancing. I know how to dance almost all of the styles in my younger days. However, my favorites are the tango, rumba and the Cha Cha. 

💚💚From My Readings on the Subject : "Isn't it amazing how ballroom dance offers such a diverse range of styles? Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, you might be curious about the different types of ballroom dance out there. Well, we've got you covered! In this post, we've compiled a list of the 19 different types of ballroom dance and explained what makes each one unique. Use the table of contents below to jump to a specific dance." 💚 💚https://blog.dancevision.com/the-19-different-types-of-ballroom-dance)_

Marsha Kefer and I Dancing the Cha Cha, The Heritage Downtown, Walnut Creek, 2024

Macrine and I dancing the Tango, Marinduque, Philippines 2014  

Table of Contents

1. Cha Cha (Latin)
2. Samba (Latin)
3. Rumba (Latin)
4. Paso Doble (Latin)
5. Jive (Latin)
6. Waltz (Ballroom)
7. Tango (Ballroom)
8. Viennese Waltz (Ballroom)
9. Foxtrot (Ballroom)
10. Quickstep (Ballroom)
11. Cha Cha (Rhythm)
12. Rumba (Rhythm)
13. East Coast Swing (Rhythm)
14. Bolero (Rhythm)
15. Mambo (Rhythm)
16. Waltz (Smooth)
17. Tango (Smooth)
18. Foxtrot (Smooth)
19. Viennese Waltz (Smooth)

My Favorites are 1, 6, 12 and 19. What are Yours?  Here are the Benefits of Dancing: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits

Meanwhile, Did You Know?

The Philippines isn’t just about white-sand beaches—it also has beautiful black sand beaches! These can be found in places like Camiguin and Batangas, where volcanic activity shaped the land. The black sand comes from volcanic minerals and lava, making these beaches both unique and stunning.

Black sand beaches are not just pretty—they’re also believed to have healing properties because of their rich mineral content. They’re a must-see for anyone who loves nature’s hidden wonders!

Lastly, Did you know that the term "Islas de los Pintados" was given by Spanish colonizers in the early 16th century? This name, which means "Islands of the Painted Ones," referred to the tattooed people, particularly from the Visayas region.

The Spanish were fascinated by the extensive tattooing practices of the Visayan warriors and settlers, who adorned their bodies with intricate designs. This name, however, was not an indigenous or widely adopted name among the Filipinos themselves. It reflected the perspective of the Spanish colonizers rather than the local inhabitants.