The Charmed Spirit

Akalain mong ang M.U., pwede rin palang maging malinaw na usapan. 

As long as the set up is clear, expectations meter is controlled, feelings are in check, and both parties want the same thing -- nothing more, nothing less -- then it will all be fine and dandy. Take note that it should be a mutual understanding, a mutual decision.

Honesty from the very beginning is key. The problem with most pseudo-relationships is that they don't talk about the situation until it's already too complicated to sort out. Been there, done that.

Open relationships (I don't know how to call them anymore, really) only work in the short run though. There should be an expiry date. Once you start thinking long term, you're doomed. Get out and escape while you still have the chance.

I was lucky that I did not feel the need to run away.

I mentioned in a blog entry way back in September 2009:

"All relationships are temporary - it's just a matter of when and how they will end. But still, we have to treat them as if they're permanent. Never think of it as a waste of time, especially if we genuinely care for the other. Even if a relationship comes to a close unexpectedly, for sure we'll get and learn something out of it."

In this case, I knew exactly when and how it will end. Yet knowing that it's temporary didn't stop me from making the most out of it. I made a conscious effort to stay on top of things, to not get attached, to keep emotions intact -- and it was well worth it.

Those were some of the slowest (I felt like I got caught in a time warp), craziest (I did things I normally wouldn't do), and happiest months of my life.

It was fun while it lasted. No regrets.

I always forget that hair relaxing lasts for about 3 hours. When I went to the salon last Friday afternoon, my mind was set that I would only wait for an hour. The first few minutes were not that bad because I was still tweeting and chatting, but when my phone died, I got really bored out of my wits. 

This desire to travel alone also sprung to life because of a serious conversation with a good friend the night before. I think I need some alone time to process myself and think about what I'm going to do next. I feel like I've put a lot of stuff on hold the past few months. For some reason, November will be a fresh start for me. 

Anyway, I want to go somewhere that is far from Manila (both location and feel), has a nice beach, is slightly quiet, has delicious food, and is solo-traveler-friendly budget-wise. As much as possible, I want to try a place that I've never been to before. I don't want this to be one of those adventurous/touristy kind of trips. I just want to chill, eat a lot, bask under the sun, read a book or two, and write.

My Twitter friends suggested Palawan, Davao, Pangasinan, Bohol, Aurora, and Batanes. Out of the 6, it's only the last two that I haven't visited. I would love to go to Batanes, but it's off the list for now. I'm not willing to spend more than Php10K on plane fare for this solo flight trip. I'm also considering Iloilo, Tuguegarao, and Bacolod. 

It's actually quite exciting. I hope this plan pushes through.

I love SEDPI. I really, really do.

But if there's one thing that would make me leave, it's because I extremely miss working for and with kids.

This photo was taken during a vacation in Oriental Mindoro last April 2011. The girl on my left timidly approached me and gave me the orange flower behind my right ear. It melted my heart, that's why I had to convince them to take a picture with me even if they initially were too shy to smile at the camera.