Average Pink

Baguio

2012-01-27T23:10:00.000+08:00

The boyfriend and I went to Baguio last weekend after hinting how much I wanted to go there with him. It wasn't our first time to go there but it was our first time together. I was in Baguio sometime last year to interview scholarship applicants when I was still in my previous job. I also vaguely remember being there when I was very very young.

The boyfriend has been in Baguio, I'm guessing, many times. One of those times was when he was still with his ex. I know because I saw their pictures in his laptop and they're still there. No, I'm not jealous. Just sharing, stating a fact.

Anyhoo, we arrived past lunch without absolutely no plans. From where the bus stopped, we hauled our bags to Session Road to look for a hotel to stay. Took us almost two hours before we settled in a two thousand a night hotel. Very pricey for a mediocre hotel but we're too tired and hungry to search further. The only good thing about that hotel was it was located very near Session Road.

After settling in the hotel and cleaning up ourselves, we went straight to Pizza Volante in Session Road for lunch. We found the food bland and pricey and the service slow.

We then went to Burnham Park to stroll. There's not really much to see or do in that park except for boat riding and biking which we decided not to try. But we enjoyed walking with the chilly wind. Also, we watching people and making fun or judgment of them. Heh.

We had dinner at Zola Resto Cafe. While waiting for our food, a Korean girl sat with us and asked if she can take pictures with us. She explained she was with her family and it was a dare. After taking pictures she chitchatted a little but it was very hard to understand her English. Before she left, she complimented that we were good looking guys. Heh.

We were supposed to have beer right after dinner at 108 Session Road Cafe but things came up so we decided to stay in the hotel the rest of the night.

Good stories?

2012-01-27T18:23:00.001+08:00

They say bad decisions make good stories. But what do we say of people who deliberately make bad decisions just to have good stories?

My own brand of catnip if I were a cat

2012-01-26T22:35:00.001+08:00

Why visit the Philippines?

2012-01-06T17:58:00.000+08:00

Still not convinced? Find out more reasons here.

MMXII

2011-12-28T21:33:00.002+08:00

The turtle speaks

2011-12-25T17:45:00.000+08:00

After much prodding, was able to convince the boss to greet you guys.

Enjoy the holidays.

Holla

2011-12-07T16:16:00.001+08:00

So.

As much as I would like to believe that the calls I have made these past few months were good and wise, short term consequences say otherwise.

There you go.

iQuit

2011-11-13T23:04:00.001+08:00

Batan

Two days and one lecture on climate change at AIM, that's how long I stayed.

Last week, after the lecture at AIM, instead of going back to office and making sure all the deliverables for the day included in the checklist my superior prepared for me have check marks on their respective tick boxes, I went home and emailed her and the admin officer my resignation of some sort.

Of some sort because I wasn't still technically hired because I haven't signed the contract yet. Why? Because during the first day of work, no, from the first few hours of work I knew I don't belong there. But who am I kidding? That piece of paper called contract is just for formality and I still owed them another piece of paper called resignation letter for formality.

Sure, I could get used to the social (sosyal) environment, the fabricated pleasantries and relationships, and the efficient-as-a-Swiss-watch work habits. I could probably blend so well in a few days you'd think I've been there forever. But I don't want to get used to what they have there or what they pretend they have there.

So I quit.

Don't get me wrong. I don't blame the organization, the people or the way they do things there. What they have there works and works well for them. I just don't want to belong there.

But not wanting to belong there is both truth and an excuse. Truth is, I'm not sure where I'm headed to right now. I don't know what path to take. Hell, I don't even know what I want. I just want everything to stop. I wan't everything to go into a complete halt.

But that won't happen. The world doesn't stop no matter how hurt, lost or confused you are. I learned that last year.

Here we go again

2011-11-07T19:36:00.000+08:00

I got the job.

Started last week.

I don't like the social environment.

I'm thinking of quitting.

And no, I don't wanna try to fit in.

Bummer.

Sea Fairies

2011-10-31T20:14:00.000+08:00

The boyfriend brought me to Manila Ocean Park last weekend and it was awesome. The jellyfish section is my favorite.

Too bad they're doing a terrible time maintaining the park, he observed.

--
P.S.
I have snow! <3

Introduction

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000+08:00

I live in a condominium my boyfriend owns somewhere in Mandaluyong, very near from the major thoroughfare of Metro Manila that is Edsa. It wasn't exactly my plan to live with him and I'm pretty sure it wasn't in his plans either. It just happened.

On weekdays when we have work, I wake up at least thirty minutes earlier than he does. I prepare the clothes we wear to work and other stuffs we bring with us. If I wake up really early and we have canned goods stocked, I cook them for breakfast. We skip breakfast most of the time but if we still have time, we eat in nearby tapsihan or carinderia.

After work, we hurry home as if we're not spending the rest of the night together. If we're not feeling lazy, we meet in SM Megamall, Shangri-La or Robinson's Pioneer to eat out. My boyfriend likes eating out. But most of the time we just eat in restaurants or food houses in or near the condominium. If we feel fat, we cook Korean noodles or whatever we have on stock instead. Our how-was-your-day-talk usually happens during dinner.

A month or two ago we started jogging almost every night, swim in the condominium's swimming pool, and lift weights after. This stopped when we went to Batanes recently. As a result, we have gained back all the weight we've lost. We're planning to start again soon.

After dinner and our exercise habit, we spend the rest of the night watching muvees or TV series - Big Bang Theory and Glee are our favorites - or surfing the web. We don't have as much sex as I my boyfriend wish to because I'm usually too tired after work or I'm not in the mood. This worries him because I'm too young to have low sexual appetite so I'm working hard on it. Lately, we started to be more experimental and he's happy with it.

On weekends, he wakes up late but I still wake the same time I wake up on weekdays because my body clock can't differentiate workdays from non workdays. I am addicted to the internet so the first thing I do in the morning is check my iPod, Trism bon Cavalish, and check my mail, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

My boyfriend is usually grumpy in the morning especially when he wakes up and I'm not in bed with him. He reminds me of myself when I was younger. When he throws a fit, I calm him by crawling back to bed, kiss him and hug him from his back. When I'm in no mood to appease him or when I'm too absorbed browsing the web, I just ignore him. We usually have small tampuhan when I do this.

We live a pretty quiet and domesticated life. We go out drinking occasionally but we rarely go out with friends anymore to drink. He spends Thursday nights with his office mates playing badminton while I opt stay home. I have two best friends but we rarely see each other. One is already in Darwin, the other one is a nightwalker working in a BPO firm.

My boyfriend works in an IT company, I do social development work. He dreams of having his own business so he can quit his work. I plan to pursue my career social development but have teaching as my last profession. We dream of settling in a quiet place far from the hustles and bustles of the metro. We are also considering settling in another country, Australia being our top choice.

Run for Pasig River 2011

2011-10-25T16:03:00.001+08:00

My dear friend Allyne gave me invites to join the Run for Pasig River on 11.20.11. This is not my first time to join the marathon. We were part of the first Run for Pasig River back in 2009. But this time there is no group category. We'll ~~probably~~ run the 5k race.

Run for Pasig River 2009.

To know more about the cause, please visit their website. Registration ends tomorrow.

Fountain of Youth

2011-10-24T14:01:00.000+08:00

Part 1: Dios Mamajes

Part 2: Sabtang

Third day was rest day. Our only destination was in Mahatao to see what they call Racuaydi Nakavajayan aka Fountain of Youth. We drove from the hotel to the Diura Fishing Village and from there trekked to the fountain.

The trek was about an hour, not really tiring. There was also a great view of the sea on the way.

According to our tour guide, the first inhabitants of Batan island lived in the uplands near the now called Diura fishing village. On our way to the fountain, we saw several of stones where early Ivatans anchor their house.

When we arrived, the fountain was being renovated. The locals were fixing the falls probably to facilitate better water flow. But it was okay because there was an infinity-type pool overseeing the sea.

We first swam in the sea but found it too rocky so we settled for the pool. The water was so clean and crisp cold. Swimming in here is a must not miss so make sure you bring extra clothes if the place is included in your itinerary.

We spent the rest of the day in the hotel sleeping.

Interview

2011-10-19T19:00:00.000+08:00

Attended a job interview yesterday in one of the most prominent corporate foundations in the country. I was applying for a certain post but ended up being considered for two different posts with the same title I was eyeing. It was a panel interview, something I did not expect. More unexpected, I was interviewed right away by the assistant executive director and two program heads of the foundation, screw HR said their hiring process. But I had fun. In fact, that was the most fun interview I ever had. After the interview, HR told me that the panel was impressed with me.

Earlier this day went back for the final interview, this time by the executive director and president. The idea was crazy for me. I'm not applying anything close to a management post. And it's not as if I am going work directly with them. Not when they have body guards on their tails.

I was stammering hard during the first few questions the president asked me to relax. When I started to relax, words and thoughts came out naturally. I told them what I know and what I can do. Nothing fabricated. At the end of the interview the president told me that he thinks I'm very articulate and I am able to express what is on mind and my heart.

I went out and the HR told me that they'll inform me on the result on Friday. She said there was one more applicant to be interviewed. I interpreted that as "I'm sorry, you didn't pass. Don't expect we'll contact you. Get lost now."

I wonder what went wrong.

Sabtang Island

2011-10-17T18:17:00.001+08:00

First part: Dios Mamajes

Day 2.

We had to be up as early as 4:30 in the morning on day two of our Batanes trip coz we travelled from Batan Island to Sabtang Island via boat they call Faluwa.

Notice the water? It's really blue in real life.

Sabtang is just around three miles from Batan but faluwas leave early to avoid big waves. The two islands are separated by the Pacific Ocean and with a boat the size of faluwas, waves can be big and violent. Capsized boats travelling from and to these islands are not unheard of here.

Our Jack Sparrow

His Gibbs.

Weather was great when we left but an hour or so it started to rain and waves started to get big. I was scared as hell coz I dunno how to swim. To make it worse, they had to put some plastic cover of some sort similar to that in jeepneys so we won't get wet from the rain and waves. With an obstructed view and humid and suffocating air, I got seasick. Lols.

Nearing the shore the first thing that will grab your attention is of course the light house. Too bad tourists are not allowed to come near the Sabtang Lighthouse as the land where it is erected is a private land.

Sabtang lighthouse.

Unlike Batan where many of the houses are already modern, most houses in Sabtang are still stone houses.

Less talk more pictures now.

We visited Chavayan, the southermost barangay of the island. Our van had to be towed though coz driving in the muddy road is too much for it. There are lotsa road development and renovation going on in the island. Good for tourism and trade and the economy in general.

If Batan has the oldest stone house in Batanes, Sabtang has the oldest person alive.

With the 104-year old Lolo Marcelo.

Another breathtaking view. According to our tour guide, installment of zip line is on plan.

I wasn't able to much take pictures of the food we ate as I was too consumed on the eating. Lols. But the food they served were really delicious, uvud being my favorite. Native Ivatan food were so delicious that for a few days all the food I ate in Manila when we returned tasted either crappy or mediocre. Haha.

Yummy greenies.

Flying fish yata.

Coconut crab.

Us, the vacay people.

The famous natural arc of Sabtang.

The obligatory jump shot, of course.

Day two ended with us having dinner in Batan lighthouse. Too bad it was too dark and all I got were crappy pictures.

Real Steel, real deal.

2011-10-13T07:42:00.002+08:00

Had a muvee date last night with the boyfriend. We saw Real Steel and it was awesome. It was good because it was straightforward, testosterone packed, and downright entertaining. I felt like a child again. Also, it made boxing waaaaaaay cooler.

Yum.

Anyhoo, I would like to thank and commend SM Megamall and its security and utility personnel. I left a newly-bought watch in the table at the lobby of SM Cinema. I didn't noticed it was missing until we were supposed to leave. A utility guy found it and surrendered it to the cinema security guard. Glad SM Megamall management has this kind of people.

Btw, if you haven't seen Real Steal yet, watch out for the Philippine Flag. It's in Hugh Jackman's toolbox. The flag is inverted.

I may be a voyeur

2011-10-10T08:32:00.001+08:00

Last night after doing the boom badoom boom boom badoom boom base my curious mind wondered, what do people think about while having sex?

"I don't think of anything, I focus on the feeling and get lost on the sensation." my boyfriend A said.

"Me I sort of become a third person, watching us having sex. I answered."

"You're a voyeur."

"No, I'm not."

"You are."

"No, I didn't say I like being watched."

"That's an exhibitionist."

"Oh."

The guy who moved mountains

2011-10-06T09:16:00.002+08:00

That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.

1955-2011.

Dios Mamajes

2011-10-03T19:51:00.000+08:00

We went to Batanes last week for a much-needed vacation. It was also some sort of a pre celebration as we are turning one this November. Yiheee.

However, Batanes wasn't exactly on top of our mind when we were thinking of vacation. Why? Two things. First, the weather. September is one helluva not only rainy but also a typhoon-y month. I'm a rain person but it kinda dampens other people's high spirit and you don't wanna surround yourself with people in those state. Also, chances are your flight will get cancelled. And that happened to us. Twice.

Second, Batanes is expensive. Prolly one of the most expensive vacay destination in the country. In fact, it's much cheaper to go abroad (HK, SG etc.) than go to Batanes. Only two airlines fly to Batanes, SEAIR and SkyPasada, so fare is steep. Accommodation and food are also steep though I must say now that our Batanes vacay was worth every single cent.

What made us go to Batanes? Discounted vouchers! We bought our vouchers in CashCashPinoy, an online site that offers deals on products and services with great discount. And no this is not a paid ad. Lol. But if you want to know more about it and if you find a deal that interest you, do register by clicking this link. Thanks! Again, not an ad.

So after being cancelled twice, our trip finally pushed through. We were wary (I was nervous) that it'll be postponed again because typhoon Pedring just entered the country. Fortunately, it wasn't raining hard and not much wind when we left. We experienced very little turbulence up in the air. And when we landed in Basco, the weather was awesome like a possum.

This'll be a series of posts since we stayed there for six days and five nights. Let us start.

Day 1.

First stop was in Chawa View Deck where we had a great view and feel of the refreshing breeze of the West Philippine Sea and the rest of hilly Batan Island. There is a stair down the cliff so tourists can have a closer view of the waves hitting the rocky shore.

Second stop was in San Carlo Borromeo Church in Mahatao. It may look like just any other church on the outside but inside you can see that it was wonderfully preserved, with reeds lining portions of its ceiling. According to our tour guide, it is being maintained by the people of Mahatao thru bayanihan. The church was built in 1873 and is now declared a National Cultural Heritage Treasure.

Next to Mahatao is Ivana, the smallest of the six municipalities of Batanes. Ivana hosts the famous House of Dakay, the oldest surviving stone house in Batanes. Two things come to our mind when we hear Batanes: typhoons and stone houses. Early Ivatans are said to make houses made of stone because their land is frequently battered by typhoons, strong winds and waves. We know now that the thing about Batanes being hit by typhoon a tad to frequent than any other parts of the country is not true so maybe the stone houses are really for the winds and waves.

The 127-year-old House of Dakay is a UNESCO heritage site.

When Batan island was hit by an earthquake in the late 1910s, House of Dakay was one the very few houses that remained standing unscathed. However, the walls of the house are now slowly eroding they forced to patch portions of it with cement.

Just as famous as the house is its owner, the octogenarian Lola Ida. Lola was sleeping when we arrived so we took pictures of her house as silently as we can. She woke up and invited us to get in. It was quite hot outside as it was around noon when we arrived but it was surprisingly cool inside. The air was freely flowing in the windows and doors. The inside was kinda messy because Lola was not able to clean the house for days because of joint pains. If you plan to visit Lola and her house, please please bring some medicines for her as she lives on her own and doesn't have livelihood. Food and some money are just nice as well.

Lola Ida *photo by Wi Cardel*

If Mahatao has the 138-year-old San Carlo Borromeo church, Ivana is proud of its 227-year-old church. Ivana Church started out as a small chapel in 1787 but had undergone quite a few makeovers since then. In, 2001 it was renovated after being damaged in an earthquake that occurred a year earlier. Undamaged however are the floor tiles laid during the Spanish period. You can still see these tiles on the church.

It is also in Ivana where you will find the famous Honesty Store, which is now named Honesty Coffee Shop. If you ask me, its former name was more appropriate as it doesn't exactly have a coffee shop feel to it. Anyhoo, the concept is still amazing. We ate our packed lunch here and I bought a bottle of garlic bits.

After lunch, we headed straight to DOST-PAGASA Basco Station. This is my favorite stop that day, or at least the inner geek in me says. Too bad, there weren't PAGASA people around so no tour inside the station office and no explanation and demonstration on their thingamobobs.

Orgasmic.

But we climbed the tower! The view was amazing! The feeling up there was amazing. My knees were amazingly wobbly too! Lols.

Wobble.

Tapang tapangan. Lols

Not far from Basco PAGASA station is Fundacion Pacita. Fundacion Pacita is the most expensive place to stay in Batanes. According to our tour guide, who is an HRM student in Basco College, Fundacion is a five star hotel. Now, I'm not familiar rates hotel and how are they rated so I'm taking his word for it.

Fundacion Pacita by the artist Pacita Abad.

We didn't get the chance to go inside as it was closed for renovation. But its location, standing on a cliff overseeing the West Philippine Sea, was absolutely awesome. The location, the view, the ambiance, everything was awesome. Now if only the price wasn't steep. Lols. If you have the caching, stay here.

Pagpalain ka ng Diyos.

Second to the last stop was the Valuvagan Boulder Beach. Yeah, not friendly with those who have b-v speech defect. Lols. I've seen sandy, rocky and corally beaches but a boulder beach is new to me. Tour guide said that the boulders were from Mt. Iraya.

Finding Golem.

And finally our last stop for the day was the Rolling Hills. It was the perfect last stop as it gave us the time to absorb all the awesomeness we witnessed, both God-made and man-made. It was everything Batanes was all about; cool wind, vast land, blue sky and endless sea.

Rolling Hills.

---
Join CashCashPinoy by clicking this link.

A bird in the hand

2011-09-30T14:29:00.000+08:00

I filed my resignation last month citing "an opportunity for me to broaden my horizon and refine my skills as development work practitioner that I cannot afford to miss" as the reason. That's not a lie but it's not the whole truth either.

A couple of weeks before I filed my resignation, I was offered a job, a project to be exact, by an NGO headed by a friend. I liked the project - its nature, the pay and most of all, the fact that I am in charge of my own time. I'm one of those people who work best working in their own pace.

With everything working well as planned, I was quite proud that I am somehow managing my career life well for the first time.

Then I messed up.

Proud that I was being hired without me applying to the job, I pushed my luck and applied for other jobs, high paying ones, that is.

I reached the final interview of one company who expressed interest in having me. I was confident that I have everything they're looking for and more. But right after I answered the first question my would-be manager asked me, I knew I fucked up the interview. I tried to save it, believe me, but then I was trying too hard and we both knew it.

I went home miserable.

Non-reactive.

2011-09-11T23:16:00.000+08:00

We've been anxious to get tested for quite some time now after figuring out that I may still be well within the incubation period when I donated blood to Red Cross last December.

The idea of getting tested made my stomach sick and my head paranoid. What if I’m positive? Who should I tell? Will I tell my family? What will they feel? How long will I live? How will I live my remaining years?

The boyfriend learned about The Love Yourself Project thru MGG. But as early as last month we have already inquired on getting tested in Mandaluyong Social Hygiene Clinic. Problem is testing in only in weekdays but we don’t have time on weekdays. Yeah, that’s stupid and ironic. How can you not have time for something that could very well tell if you’re gonna have more time to spend?

We arrived just a few minutes after the scheduled start but there were already 10 or so guys there, mostly in their 30s. We were asked to fill up a form while we listened to a discussion on HIV/AIDS. We then waited for our turn to be tested.

Nervous as hell, I was. I distracted myself by playing with my iPod but there’s I guess there’s nothing that can really distract someone when he is about to get tested. And the song in the AVP they were playing was not helping. I dunno what song is that but it’s downright depressing.

Before the blood extraction a one-on-one counseling was made. Was asked a couple of questions and the counselor discussed some more on HIV/AIDS. I was hesitant to give real information but I realized my life could very well depend on these people if I am positive so might as well tell them everything.

I’m a wimp so the blood extraction was one helluva painful experience. I was shaking so bad the medtech asked me to relax a couple of times. I was then asked to go get back in the waiting room. The boyfriend was already there.

The boyfriend is optimistic that we’re negative and so I couldn’t find any hint of nervousness in him while my stomach is driving me crazy. He was called, by MGG himself, to know the result of his test. He came back quickly, didn’t say anything but I knew he we was negative.

A few minutes and a few tummy somersaults more and i was called. I like the counselor who told me the result coz he told me right away, he was nothing like those doctors in soaps. Non-reactive, take care. He said smiling.

Relieved was more than I felt. I was happy, joyous. No more what-ifs, mo more paranoia, no more depression, and yes, no more tummy aches. I went back to the waiting area to fetch the boyfriend, proceeded to the reception to say thank and say goodbye to the TLYP team (the boyfriend introduced me to MGG as his boyfriend, awww), and went back to our normal life.

Thank you, The Love Your Self Project. And happy birthday, MGG!

P.S.

Get tested. Not knowing will not make HIV/AIDS go away.

BEERNAKED 3

2011-08-30T03:54:00.000+08:00

Get your WHITE and RED outfits ready for the 3rd annual beer-all-you-can party for equality!

Tickets:

Php 160.00 each for buyers on or before September 7

Php 170.00 each for walk-in guests

Php 150.00 each for sponsors (15 tickets)

Contact Vien @ 09154377151 for more details.

--
I am a member of UPLB Babylan.

Agathe

2011-07-11T10:18:00.002+08:00

We had lunch in a quaint French restaurant and art gallery called Le Bistro d' Agathe in Makati yesterday. We learned of the place through CashCashPinoy, an online site that offers deals on products and services with huge discounts through vouchers. These vouchers are the boyfriend's current addiction and methinks we have enough vouchers to last all remaining weekends of the year.

Anyhoo, as much as I want to pull an Incredible Review here, I have neither have credibility on French cuisine nor the guts to pretend that I have one. So lemme just share some pictures and our thoughts on the food and the service.

Le Bistro d' Agathe is located in 1154 Lacuna St., Bangkal, Makati City

Now Google says that the place occupied by Agathe used to be Fat Michael's. I have no idea what Fat Michael's is but I must say that the neighborhood is really nice. Riding a pedicab from Evangelista St., we passed by several used stuff, handicraft, furniture and antique shops. The place has this very artsy feel to it.

We both had a three course set meal because the prices of food are on the steep side. Also, since we're not really familiar with the place and cuisine, set meals are safer choices.

My set meal.

For appetizer, I had green salad. It was good thanks to the vinaigrette. Too bad I have to skip tomatoes because I'm allergic to them.

Next to beef, chicken is my favorite meat so I had Poulet a la Crème et a la Mountarde. Nah, I can't pronounce that with dignity so I just said Chicken Mustard Cream.

The boyfriend liked it so much. It was okay for me. 4 out of 5 perhaps.

Dessert is always my favorite part of the meal. I was planning to have their Chocolate Cake with English Creme but unfortunately, it wasn't available so I settled for their apple pie. The verdict?

To die for.

On the other hand, the boyfriend had these...

The boyfriend's set meal.

Terrine is French meat loaf. It's very different and waaay better than your ordinary meat loaf. Perfect with the wheat bread they gave us.

5 out of 5.

Since the boyfriend started eating healthy lately, he went for Blue Marlin with Lemon Butter Sauce. The boyfriend finds this deliciously moist and fluffy.

I liked this more than my Chicken Mustard Cream.

Lemon Butter Sauce and fried baby potatoes. Potatoes are <3

Creme Caramel is Leche Plan minus the umay factor because of the latter's overwhelming sweetness. The boyfriend didn't like it much but it's 5 out of 5 for me.

Must taste.

The service in Agathe was as good as the food. The lovely waitress was very accommodating to noobs that were us. The chef, Chef Patrice Delobbe, made sure we enjoyed every food. A restaurant where the chef personally asks customers how they find food is just really nice.

I guess I don't need to say that we had a great time in Agathe. We're planning to go back as soon as we find an excuse for another visit. And yes, we're going back both for the food and for the service.

---

By the way, if you're interested in buying vouchers from CashCashPinoy, you can register by clicking here.

Smash

2011-06-28T12:01:00.000+08:00

This seems promising. And methinks this may be Katharine McPhee's moment.

Shift

2011-06-26T00:43:00.003+08:00

You wouldn't even kiss me in public. He said.

Funny how things can turn out. A few months ago I was worried about what dating a closeted guy could cost me. Sure the whole world doesn't need to know about us but I can't imagine being introduced to other people as just his friend. We'll exchange all sorts of bodily fluids for petessake. We can't be just friends. Also, dating a closeted guys is like having to put one foot back in the closet.

Seven months later and I find him complaining about me not being affectionate enough.

I felt really happy this particular instance when he was trying to cover my eyes from the sunlight with his hands and he knew people were looking at us and he didn't give a damn.

The goodbye kiss he asked from me just before I went on the bus as if there weren't people around.

I always get to walk on the safer side of the road.

When he hugs me and tell me he loves me when he's half awake.

He gets mad when I hurt myself, which, by the way always happen.

He let's me sleep on his arms. He doesn't mind (much) if I bite him.

The way he passionately kisses me.

His decision to stay with me despite my shortcomings.

Most importantly, his decision to take the scathed person that I was.

Each day I spend with him is a validation that the shift I made not so long ago was right, that I'm on the right track now.

First look. Sort of.

P.S.
Thank you Gilbey's Premium Strength and Coors Light for the drive.