I have many things I need to do this fall, and I'm glad to say I didn't start on any of them on my vacation. After all, vacation is vacation, and getting frustrated by the slowness with which I'd be getting anything done seemed to me the opposite of what vacation is about, so the last 3 weeks was all about me doing things I like and that relax me and not thinking about anything remotely work/study-related.
I'm proud to say I'm very good at that. :D
I can't say I didn't get my rest and that my batteries aren't full and ready to tackle my workload, it's just that I don't really appreciate the fact that I can never really choose how to spend my days as I do need to work to be able to actually spend my day leisurely these 3 weeks that I can.
Sometimes I really, really wish I were rich.
Basically, I spent my days, reading, cooking, swimming, enjoying solitude, and for a while children's antics (my boyfriend's nieces were there for a few days, they are incredibly great and tiring at the same time, I should think like all children). :)
I only got to read 10 books (which is not as much as I usually can). But of those 10, 7 were the Harry Potter series so I consider myself lucky. Although a bit depressed as well. It's one of those stories that makes you lose yourself in it, and when it's over, you can't believe you have to go back to life where there is no more of that world.
Yes, I'm on of those people who can get lost in fantasy. And believe me, it doesn't make for easy living.
This is it for my get back post - here are some photos of my vacation.
Seagulls in Klenovica:
View through the trees from the terrace:
View from the little beach:
Rosemary in bloom:
Clear, blue sky:
Ines, welcome back to the world of work! I have to start teaching again tomorrow, too, so no more relaxed working at home as I've been doing this summer. I'm with you in wishing I were rich and didn't have to work at a regular job.
ReplyDeleteAt least you get 3 weeks of vacation. Many people in the US only get one week, or none. I know that's not much consolation coming back from such a beautiful part of the world to be inside, in an office all day.
Welcome back, Ines :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm a grad student right now. I study journalism. Not looking forward to having to work. Your vacation looks beautiful though....all in Croatia?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do for a living?
Ines, I know exactly what you mean when you say that you're one of those people who can get lost in fantasy and that "it doesn't make for easy living." Wish I could wave a magic wand for you such that you didn't have to get back to the real world, but since I'm no Hermione Granger ;) I'll hope that the real world is gentle on you as you ease your way back into it.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of "Little Fig" - thanks for sharing them!
Glad you had a good holiday Ines. It's never nice returning to the real world, but lets face it - if life was a constant holiday you would never appreciate as much as when it eventually comes round!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, Ines. I've been off the past week and don't want to go back to work either.
ReplyDeleteI hope your transition back to the everyday world goes smoothly. I am glad you are back here blogging!
I understand what you say about getting "stuck" in fantasy worlds. Many a book/movie have left me enchanted for a little longer than acceptable! ;)
Doc Elly, I can't believe it's legal in US to have only a week of vacation. Someone should really curb those big businesses there, because it can possibly be good for workers to get only a week off in a year.
ReplyDeleteHere a minimum is 18 days which you must get, and I'm not sure if the maximum is 30 days because there was some talk of not limiting that. I have 22 days but all my friends in other companies have more.
I wouldn't mind having a few more days too... :)
Thank you Asali! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hot being back - it would be better spending these last hot days at the seaside. ;)
Yes, Joan, all in Croatia. :)
ReplyDeleteCroatian seaside is really beautiful.
I work as a software tester and tech writer in my company.
That's true Michael, but I do wish I'd have more holidays to better appreciate them. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanne for your understanding. :) I don't discuss that with people around me as no one would understand. I'm so glad that blogging enabled me to find friends who do understand the pull of fantasy world.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Wouldn't mind having Hermione as a friend. :D
JoanElaine, I'm really happy to hear than I'm not the only one getting stuck in fantasy world longer than other people (although there are actually people who don't enter in the first place).
ReplyDeleteHope your first day at work is a fun one. :)
Ines, it's great to have you back (I know, it's selfish).
ReplyDeleteAnswering your question, there is no law which requires to provide ANY vacation to workers in the U.S. There are laws that regulate work hours, breaks, etc. but companies aren't obligated not only to pay for but even to provide you time for vacations. Those are benefits negotiated either by you or by your union if you belong to one.
Hi Undina, I'm finally getting into the mindframe where I think it's great to be back. Although the extreme heat here doesn't help. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's horrible not having the backing of the law when it comes to vacation. Even though it's a law here, there are still employers who bully their employees into not taking vacations but I can't imagine having a job where I would never be allowed to have some rest. That can't possibly be good for the mental and physical health of a person.
Welcome back, Ines!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel... I always struggle with these very thoughts, only to find the hard truth that this is called adult life. It is not the great freedom we imagined as kids, is it? :)
Thanks Olfactoria. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, unfortunately, great freedom is not something I associate with my adult life. And I don't even have kids. :)