sum·mer ˈsə-mər noun : the warmest season of the year
When the sun is up and smiling, it marks the ideal time for going out and exploring the world. From the adventurous mountain climbing to the workaholic laundry washing, almost every human activity can only be accomplished under the sun.
As a person in her early 20’s, the summer season is my perfect reason to go to beaches, pool parties and waterfalls just to flaunt a few pairs of hibernating bikinis stashed in my closet. Swimming is never a question; it is the answer. Traveling is never a wonder; it is an impulse. And with the rise of social media, every moment has to be captured and posted.
There are so much fun things to do during this time of the year; but the reality is, we barely even spend the whole summer. Yes, we travel. Yes, we go out for a swim. But, only for a day or two; a week or two; a month if you are lucky enough. Let’s face it, enjoying summer requires a significant amount of spending especially when you opt to travel, and no one has ever had an unlimited supply of cash–we all run out and go broke at some point. In the end, we spend more time cooped up with our chores at home than on leisurely activities on vacation. This is where the nightmare begins.
As a member of a middle class family, we only rely on electric fans and iced water to cool ourselves at home. During the summer when the Philippines burns like an oven, electric fans become practically useless, especially so that we are experiencing adverse effects of climate change where ‘hot’ has become even ‘hotter’. Homes with air-conditioning units maximize their usage more than ever which results in electricity shortage and fluctuations, as well.
The two-day fun summertime in the beach has now been followed with a series of hell days wishing for rain. The moment I step out of the shower, dripping wet with both water and sweat, I start cursing the skies. In reality, a week long summer is all I ever need. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the sun; I hate the feverish temperature.
When there’s too much rain, we wish for the sun; when there’s too much sun, we cry for the rain. Such is the irony of life where we could only choose whether to love or to hate.
