Teenage Dream

The parentals at a wedding

My parents never had the perfect relationship and I don't think they'll ever do. However, when they let down their defenses, they actually do act like teenagers going bonkers with puppy love. Oh and yes - they were high school sweethearts.

Back when I was a naive child who thought boys gave you cooties, mom and dad were just mom and dad: mom helps me with homework, dad takes us all out when he's around. When I started developing a brain, they were still mom and dad but they were also 'partners': the family president & vice president. Looking back, I guess I don't recall ever seeing them as 'husband and wife'. They were never sweet or clingy or showy of emotions towards each other. Or if they were, it was probably a restrained effort from both.

So this whole wave of sweetness - the trips, the pet names, the (documented and undocumented) saccharine mush - is all a bit new to me because I'm not quite used to it. When I visited them in Manila I would sometimes stop myself from cringing or look away. They seriously have lived the teenage dream of spending a lifetime with their first loves. Shameless lovers they are. 

Saying that, I'm happy for them. I mean how many couples live through what my parents have? Not a lot. Mom told me once that 'love begets love'. I don't quite get it just yet but admittedly, seeing them both in happier states now watered my cynicism a teensy bit. I guess this is why I still believe in love. Because I think when you've found the one you can actually feel indestructible despite a weathered path.

Really happy for them, though. They look younger and healthier and ever so glowing now - and before you say anything, YES they're probably having a lot of, er, exercise (they do go to the gym regularly). Now to avoid the awkward moment I'll leave you with a thought: my mom's hair looks pretty like that, no?

Day 22 - How have you changed in the past 2 years?

PART OF THE 30-DAY MEME CHALLENGE 

Other than the superficial haircuts, faded tans and not-so superficial relationships, I don't think anything's changed much since 2008/2009. If anything, I actually think I've rediscovered myself again except I can humbly say that I've learned how to be stronger and more capable than I used to be.

Starbucks Bournemouth 2008 v Black & Blue 2010

I'm still on the vanilla double-shot cappuccinos & still on the martinis!
Yes, most of my clothes are still love black / white!)

See? Not much change really....

OLD JOURNAL ENTRY: The one-day crush

You remember spending one whole day with him three semesters ago, when you both were assigned officials for the college volleyball games. During time-outs you talked about loads of things - he said he thought you were only 16 (you were 17 then), you said he should stick with his course (ECE, pare!). He made you laugh, he wiped the dirt off your face, gave you his tissue to wipe the barbecue sauce off your shirt.

You wanted to die in shame because you thought you’re turning him off because of your ‘Batang Gusgusin’ act. Upon realizing what you just felt, your heart skipped a beat - you are ‘in crush’. You were just about to ask for his number when your boyfriend appears, planting a kiss on your forehead. New crush walks over to his position, blows his whistle, and calls the last set. At the end of the day, you realize you don’t even know his name.

You never see him after that day. You wished on Orion’s belt to see him again before either of you graduates.

Last night, you hosted a university-wide event sponsored by your org. You realized that there were quite a lot of people and you couldn’t find your friends. Your eyes grazed the audience and you finally stopped when you checked row 6. There he was. Looking at you, smiling at you, making you feel pretty without even saying a word. You told yourself to meet him after the show, but then he stood up and left. He turns around and waves at you. You wanted to leave the stage but you couldn’t.

Because you still don’t know his name.

Day 17 - Your highs and lows of this past year

PART OF THE 30-DAY MEME CHALLENGE

Last year was dead set one of the most draining years by far. Highs and lows were extreme and they came in and out faster than the speed of sound. I've lost all sense of emotional stability and was always on the edge for fear of the uncertain. There were a lot of major changes and unexpected turns that knocked me off-guard and left me doubting myself and my purpose. I was at a loss again and again and I only felt happy when I had a glass at hand.Needless to say, 2010 was crap.

I've answered this question in photos and as I've realised that concentrating way too much on those lows made me forget that I've had pretty amazing highs too. I suppose it's true that sometimes you don't realise what you have or what you've gained when you've drowned yourself in your sorrow. But yeah, enough of that. Jump on, take the leap and feel the high.