Crash Into You

I’ve been looking at the calendar  as yet another summer comes to a close. Fall is just around the corner, I could feel and smell the crispness of the autumn air. It’s no secret that it is my favorite season of the year. It’s no secret nor coincidence either that it was the same season that I first fell for a guy. My heart got subsequently broken in the process but that’s just how it goes. What didn’t kill me only made me stronger.

Jaded — check. Cynical —  a big, fat check. But despite those, I don’t know, I’m still a romantic at heart although I’m not as naive as I was. Like I’ve always said, I’m not the same person I was two years ago. Even a few months ago. Hell, even five minutes ago! But some people and some people say that some love(s) stay with you. That’s just how it goes.

What if you want to leave that piece of you behind? Like how trees shed their leaves in preparation for the long winter ahead. It’s a bit unfair, don’t you think? It’s unfair that that part of yesterday will always be with you and you’ve got no say about it. No matter how things change. How people change.

But I know better now. I know better now not to confuse love with lust. Nor with want or need. Nor a yes when it really meant no.

I have learned to be my own person. Granted, I might be a singleton at the moment but I still long for the flutters, that one spontaneous spark. I still wish on that same shooting star that maybe, maybe just this once, it’d let me crash into you.

 

xoxo

 

Every Night Is Another Story

So yet another first date, another first hello. Another night, another cup of coffee, another round of stories, another goodbye. And oh yeah, dinner, if it comes to that. Maybe a glass of wine or two after.

It’s beginning to be the norm for me nowadays. So since that’s the case, I’ve decided to write about my so-called dating life. Not that I haven’t done that before, but I guess I want to do it from a perspective of a thirty-something. There, I said it, thirty-something — no, the world didn’t end and yes, I can finally say I’m that old and not have an ensuing nervous breakdown.

So from the highs and the lows, the hits and the misses (hopefully more hits than misses), the awkwardness and the comfortable silence, from the obscure to the profound, from each exchanged photos to the photoshopped ones, from each memorable spark to fuzzy recollections, to every yay or nay, it’s all gonna be in black and white.

Maybe the Universe will finally take pity. That or the Universe will finally give in from my relentless pestering.

xoxo

Laundry List (Part Trois)

As I turn another year older, ’tis the season to revisit my laundry list from 2 years ago

1.   Be a full fledged physical therapist   Done and done!!!!!

2.   Lose another 20 – 25 lbs —work in progress!

3.   Pay off my car. I only have a few months left on it  :)  — paid it off last August

4.   Read Dan Brown’s new novel,  “The Lost Symbol”  — done! Now reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

5.   Have my car detailed. I haven’t done it since I bought it LOL… car washes — yep, detailing — to follow —  well I’ve got no excuse — I’ve just been lazy

6.   Buy a new laptop — got a brand new spankin’ one!

7.   Go to Disneyland  (yey!)  — on the list next year

8.   Learn how to ski  (or even snowboard — again) — on my list next season

9.   Go to Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!  —October, baby!!!!!!

10.  Expand my social circle. — I have and it still continues to grow

11.  Throw away all my junk.

12.  Run more often (that would require a LOT of work LOL).  hmmmm……….. yeah LOL

13.  Speak up —- oh I’ve been speaking up lol

14.  Go on vacay —   already in the books for next year … wait, do mini-vacays count?????? I’ve got Florida in the books this November woot!!!!!

15.  Take more pictures. 

16.  Reconnect with old friends.

17.  Do I dare say fall in love again????  —  I am soooooooooooo ready!!!

xoxo

Aftermath

I think I’ve made a faux pas.

It was a second too late after I’ve pressed the send button. It’s a case of my fingers being faster than my brain. In this particular case, faster than my common sense. Ugh.

It’s just that it caught me off-guard when it happened that I was browsing through some obituaries. And I don’t know, of all the entries, it jumped out at me. It’s true what they say, it comes to you when you’re not looking.

It’s almost two years anyway (I think?). I’ve moved on and I’m happy where I’m at. Things change. People definitely change.

So yeah, I’m gonna stop stewing over this and get some sleep.

 

xoxo

Monologue

Last Sunday, our pastor at the church asked me last minute to read a monologue by Howard Shirley entitled Joy for Christmas — little did I know that this was practically close to home……

*********

It’s Christmas again. Not that the stores haven’t been telling us that since October, when it wasn’t Christmas at all. One of these days they’re just going to lump it all inot one big buying frenzy called “HappyHallowThankAChristmaHannukahdan”, just to cover the bases. But these days you just get Santa Claus stuck in with the Pilgrims, because nobody buys much besides a turkey before Thanksgiving.

Even if the stores weren’t constantly reminding me that it was Christmas, Mom’s always there to back them up. I get her on the phone and it’s,

“Did you remember Christmas is coming? I haven’t gotten my card yet — you have to send them early if you don’t want them showing up in January. You might want to get a head start!”

My yearly Christmas assignment — sending out Christmas cards to people I only contact once a year and haven’t seen since that last family reunion when I was in fifth grade. Oh joy.

Mom doesn’t stop with the cards.

” Have you been invited to any Christmas parties? “

she asks. Which is secret code for

” How’s your social life? “

And that’s always followed by

” Do you have  a date?

Which is not so secret code for

” Is there any remote possibility of grandchildren before the decade is out? “

(Sighs)

That’s Mom. Christmas is for family, and preferably family that is adding members both legally and biologically, and preferably in that order. Though last Christmas she actually told Aunt Marge that she was willing to accept a reversal in the process … We almost had to call the paramedics. That Christmas was a joyful one.

Okay, yes, I used to look forward to Christmas. What kid doesn’t love all the lights and the decorations and the presents? And when I was a teenager and in college, you couldn’t keep me away from a party. But these days —  these days I’m wondering what the fuss is all really about.

Every year it’s the same thing. Ads, muzak, lighting competitions sponsored by the power company — that doesn’t hurt their end-of-the-year profits — and the same dull parties with the same dull people spouting the same dull platitudes. And then when it’s all done, what’s changed? The world goes back to the way it was before. And Mom is left once again with no engagement to announce to her bridge club. That’s what Christmas is like for me.

I want it to be different. I really do. I want that joy back that I used to have at Christmas. Not the kind of joy of getting presents, but real joy. The joy of being certain that something special was happening, that when it was all done, the world would indeed be better. More hopeful. More peaceful. More joyful…. that’s what I want my Christmas to be.

*********

Coincidence? Or is the Universe finally telling me something? Either way, I do feel that this Christmas is special — in more ways than one.

And like I always say, this’d better be good, Universe, this’d better be good.

xoxo

Laundry List (Part Deux)

In accordance to an earlier post………

Things I needed to do and hopefully accomplish before or by the time I turn 30:

 1.   Be a full fledged physical therapist —   I’ve got two months left!

2.   Lose another 20 – 25 lbs — having a weight loss challenge with friends

3.   Pay off my car. I only have a few months left on it  :)  — one more month!!!!!

4.   Read Dan Brown’s new novel,  “The Lost Symbol”  — I don’t have enough downtime .. what between Facebook, Tumblr and my blog, I need more  ”me”  time

5.   Have my car detailed. I haven’t done it since I bought it LOL… car washes — yep, detailing — to follow —  well I’ve got no excuse — I’ve just been lazy

6.   Buy a new laptop —  my old one has so much sentimental value

7.   Go to Disneyland  (yey!)  — right after I’m done with internship

8.   Learn how to ski  (or even snowboard — again) — on my list next season

9.   Go to Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!  — sometime this year

10.  Expand my social circle.

11.  Throw away all my junk.

12.  Run more often (that would require a LOT of work LOL).  hmmmm……….. yeah LOL

13.  Speak up.

14.  Go on vacay —   already in the books for next year … wait, do mini-vacays count??????

15.  Take more pictures.

16.  Reconnect with old friends.

17.  Do I dare say fall in love again????  — was just about to but things got a little bit complicated so I’m still holding off  on that thought…..

xoxo

Between Order and Randomness

Dear Past Boyfriend,

First of all, I’m not wanting to get back together.  Three of the six months of our so-called relationship of pure uncertainty has been enough. I have moved on and I am over you and yes, I’m doing really well, thanks for asking.

You’re probably wondering why after all this time, here I am, writing you a letter. It has been what, nine…ten months?  So much has happened between now and then that the days have started to blur, and memories have faded into gray, along with the aches and pains of heartbreak. The thing is, I was cleaning my room the other day and I stumbled upon the ex-  box — you know, the box where you put all the things that remind you of that person after breaking up — and it just so happened that I opened yours.

At first I didn’t know what to make of it.  Should I keep it or throw it away? One part of me wants to throw it away, just so to be done with it. I mean, why torture myself with memories that remind me of yet another failure? But a bigger part of me wants to keep it, because as glutton for punishments as I am, I realized that you’ll always be a part of me. A part of my life. No matter how fleeting it was. And nothing I do will ever change that.

So yeah, therein that box lay the valentine’s card with the teddy bear, the shot glass, the woven bracelet you got me when you went to Hawaii, the kissing balm that you thought was too girly for you, a couple of movie stubs, the trail map of Saratoga Gap, the necklace you gave me for my birthday and pictures of happier times.

I wasn’t expecting that such simple keepsakes could still evoke powerful emotions within me. I had that sudden pang of longing, a bit of regret and a dull ache that reminds me that even though I have healed nicely, there’s still that scar. Somehow a proof that yes, I have once loved and lost.

Closure.

I guess that’s what this is all about. I’ve come to that point where I can finally give myself closure.  It’s funny how opening Pandora’s box could actually give me what I’ve been trying to do for months. I tried to remember how it was, what we had and how we were but all that I was able to conjure were faded memories. All that remained were silhouettes in the dark. I actually have to look long and hard at the pictures, but somehow still I was left wondering about those special moments. You see, I’m at that point where I could think back and think of you with a smile rather than breaking down into pieces.

I’ve been asked what have I learned? Or did I learn anything for that matter? Because you see if I haven’t, or didn’t, then those are six months of my life I’ll never get back.  And actually, I did.  A lot, in fact.  I’ve realized that my wants and needs are different. That my wants are different from my needs. That I need someone who can be my rock — someone I can lean on either through the good or the bad. I need someone who won’t give up on me, despite my quirks and flaws, who won’t be running to the hills at the first sign of trouble.  I need someone who knows what they want in life, because I do. And I need someone who says exactly what’s on their mind — I’m good at crossword puzzles, but not so much on people puzzles.  Sadly, past boyfriend, you were hit and/or miss. I don’t deny though that there was a time in my life where YOU  were exactly what I needed and wanted.

So if by chance,  you are reading this, I really hope you are happy.  Everybody deserves it, even though you told me once you don’t think you’re capable of loving again. Remember when we were just starting to date, when you told me that you don’t have a lot of friends and I said that I could be your friend? I still mean it. That still holds true.

Closure.

As I move on to the next chapter of my storied life, what I’m really trying to say is that no matter where you are, and whether you stumble upon this or not,  I wish you all the success, happiness and love one could possibly wish for. And I hope you do find what you’re looking for.

As for me, all you need to know is that I’m happy.

- Mai

P.S.  oh btw, you’re not a Scorpio, you’re actually a Sagittarius — just wanted to point that out.

When It Isn’t Like It Should Be

Thursday.

My used-to-be favorite day of the week.  But like all things, my love affair with Thursdays has ended. And like a thief in the night,  I had no idea how it happened. It just did.

But that doesn’t mean I hate Mondays less. 

So yesterday, Thursday of all days, I woke up to the loud screaming of my phone. Grudgingly, I rolled over and blindingly reached for it, thinking that it can’t be 7 am yet… another few minutes… please, please let it be.  I was ready to hit the snooze button one  more time but something tells me this was different.

It was M, my good friend from way back in college.  I was kinda waiting to hear from her, hoping that this call brings good news. As soon as I answered, I asked, “So did you pass?”

Dead silence.

In actuality, it was just probably a second but it felt like an eternity. And even before she uttered those words I was hoping not to hear, I knew. 

Dead silence. Again.

After that, tears flowed. Frustrations were let out. Fears and helplessness, hopelessness surfaced.

All I could offer her were words of comfort and knowing that I am here, listening with no prejudice whatsoever.  I knew exactly what she’s going through. I knew what she’s feeling, what she’s thinking. Because you see, I’ve been through that, too. Not just once. Not twice. I’ve been through it countless times that I wanted to lose count.

I used to think that I got it all planned out :

Un:  Move here to California.

Deux:  Find a job.

Trois:  Take and pass the NPTE.

Quatre:  Find the ONE, fall inlove and have my happily ever after.

My plans got derailed at trois.

First time I took the exams  and failed, it was kinda okay. I knew I didn’t study. I had an excuse. The second time stung a little bit more since I thought I prepared well.  After the nth time, I was so sure that I was so stupid, failing again and again. Doubts and insecurities came rushing to the surface.

Questions lingered in my mind. I doubted my capabilities. I started to doubt myself. But deep inside I knew I could do it. What gives then?

You know the age-old adage, ” If it’s not the right time,  no matter how much you wanted it to happen, it won’t”?

No matter how much I didn’t want to believe it, looking back now, I have to grudgingly admit that that was the case for me. I tried and tried and tried but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Until now.

Everything happens for a reason right? After being an aide for seven years, finally I knew I was ready. Not just ready to take the exams, but ready to be a therapist. But then, of course like most, if not all of the story of my life, I have to take a little detour. Again.

Life gives me lemons, I got to make lemonades LOL. 

I’m hoping all of this will be done before the end of summer. One thing is for sure, this whole journey to be a PT has taught me a lot. It has tested my willpower, definitely tested my patience and endurance. It taught me humility. Most of all, it taught me that a little faith goes a long way.

As for my quatrième plan,  I know it’ll happen.

All in due time.

xoxo

Linger

Typical Monday.  After a fun weekend, it’s back to the old grind. The only bright spot is that I’m only working three days this week plus it’s thanksgiving this Thursday, my favorite holiday of the year.

As typical as Mondays gets, I look at the calendar and the date stares back at  me — November 23.

Fuck.   As much as I don’t want to remember, it hits me.  A year ago was the first time we met.  And with my mind warping at full speed, I got sucked into a vortex full of memories…. from the awkwardness of that first date, to the easy banter thereafter…. the thrill of the first kiss… the tender unguarded moments…. to the pain and heartbreak of goodbyes.

Stop it. Stop thinking about it. 

 But I can’t. It’s wave after wave after wave.

Places. Things. People. It just brings back too many memories.

Damn.  Just like that, the pain I felt was just as horrible as it was months ago.  I thought it got numbed by time. I was at the point where finally, FINALLY I was moving on.

Then this. Great.

I have to yank myself back to reality. I have to shut my mind because just the thought of it is too much to bear. 

Right now I am hating myself.

Snap out of it! You remember how you were, how low you felt after all was said and done? Do you really want to go back to all of that?

Honestly, for a moment, I almost succumbed. The only thing that’s keeping me from doing it is that I don’t want to give him the satisfaction that there are rare moments when I think of him. Of us.

It’s not one of the great loves that books and poets write about.  But given the right circumstances, I think it has the potential to be one.  You know how they always talk about having the right love at the wrong time? Even Barry Manilow sang one about it. But is there such a thing as having a wrong love at the right time?

Or better yet, the wrong love at the wrong time?

So yeah, I’m ready for this day to be over.

And as typical as Mondays get, I hate Mondays. Always have. Always will.

Tuesday’s another day.

xoxo

Buts

I took my chances, but I lost.

I thought maybe… just maybe… but it remained just a maybe.

I wished he was  “the ONE”,  but it wasn’t meant to be.

I tried fixing it, but it’s hard when it’s already broken in the first place.

I thought that him and I were in the same place, but I was left standing on my own.

I hoped that we could somewhat still be friends, but I was a fool to believe so.

I was hurting and broken but I’m all glued back together now.

And I make no apologies for how I chose to repair what he broke. I know I’m better off.

Tequila, anyone?

 

xoxo