The long drive along traffic-free expressways (try the North Luzon Expressway or the Star Tollway at the South) and provincial roads satisfies my need for speed. Sure, the constant driving along the congested streets of the Metropolis also gives you an adrenalin rush, but it’s more of the negative, hypertension-inducing type. Driving away from the city, in contrast, soothes my mind with the thought of leaving behind, even for a couple of hours, the choking city life. It’s the same feeling when you drive to the Nurture Spa in Tagaytay City . . . a somehow distant place, but a relaxing destination (by the way, I also recommend Soniare Spa, along Tomas Morato in QC).

 

Driving out-of-town, my eyes are welcomed by the green (or, depending on the season, brown) foliage hugging the rolling hills, a scene which never fails to remind me of home. With the windows rolled down, the cool fresh air gently caresses my face and messes my hair. It’s one of the few exceptions to the mess-with-my-life-but-not-with-my-hair rule, which is something I learned ever since my hair declared a mutiny and decided to slowly desert my scalp.

I used to drive, alone, to Baguio to eat breakfast -- park, eat, then drive back to Manila. I would often do the same thing to Tagaytay, having coffee at the crater in the wee hours of Friday nights. I rarely do that now. Older people have less time and, even if they'd like to delude themselves in thinking otherwise, don't have the same stamina. There's also a HUGE difference when one gets married (I'm not complaining, though, just in case my wife is reading this=).

 

Still, there's no excuse in not taking a break. Work burn-out is a  normal enemy of the Pinoy entrepreneurs. Pinoy entrepreneurs must remember that taking time off to relax is just as important as working hard.