is it possible to remain friends with an ex-girlfriend?

the ex-files:
1. MAKE SPACE. You don't have to spend every waking hour together or talk every day just to prove you're friends. Being friends simply means that there are no bad feelings between you as you go on with the rest of your life.
2. MOVE ON. Date, gimik, do the things you couldn't do when you were together so you fight the urge to be with him out of habit. And never stray into friends with benefits teritory or risk a messy post-breakup disaster.
3. SHOW SOME RESPECT. If he's got a new girl, dis her behind his back if you must, but don't compete. it's what you'd want if the tables were turned. respect the laws of karma, then find your own Mr. Better Than Your EX!


--seventeen magazine(april2009)

Chorva Chorva Chenes Chenes

Our class in photo journ decided to have a tour to Sierra Madre in Quezon, the hometown of sir Jimmy. But sad to say Nhadz was not able to go with us because of some circumstances. But aside from that, there is an exciting and unforgettable moments to come. Our departure in school is set to be on Friday, February 19. The five of us: Mj, Karlin, Krystal, Venus and I were in Sir Jimmy’s van together with Kuya Loy. While the rest of the class was in Lyceum van drove by Kuya Bernard. It was already 2 in the afternoon when we left the school. The traffic was inevitable. While in the van, we are entertained by the music and the stories that sir is sharing with us. Then we had a stop-over at Shiela’s to buy some Buko pie. It took us about five hours to be in Sir Jimmy’s house in the town of Sampaloc. The first thing we did when we arrived is that we ate the Pancit Habhab , which is a specialty of the province. As he (Sir Jimmy) said you need to put some “Venegar” for it to taste better. Then we had our dinner. All the pips there were very accommodating. They’re the ones who cook our ulam. Later that evening, we went to plaza to watch a cultural show. After that, we went home, fixed our things and be ready for tomorrow’s activities.

The next morning, we had our breakfast, which were pan de sal and a hot coffee. While most of us were eating, Jeff and his company went to palengke with Kuya Topalits to buy foods that we’ll be eating in the camp site. Our day starts by 8am then. We are packed up and some of our things were carried by a horse going to the site. We spent about 2-3 hours walking when we finally get there. We were all tired and full of sweat. The good thing is there’s running water that is good for drinking which come from the spring. Our tanghalian were prito and ginataang tilapia. We were eating all together plus don’t forget the banana leaves and the bao that served as our plate. Then, after we had our lunch, we started our adventure. We climbed the mountains of Sierra Madre, which is a bit dangerous yet fun. Then we experienced to go in a cave to see some stalagmites and stalactites. We also learn how to take care of our belongings. Our trip lasted at around 6pm. Liesyl, Charmaine, Jonah and I decided to sleep in the kubo, which is up in the mountain. We called ourselves as the final four. Later that night, we were having a chismisan in the kubo without lights that made the place eerie. Then a knock from the outside made us creeps. The knocking repeated for about ten times. We were all afraid and nervous when we found out that it was only sir Jimmy, checking us if we were okay. To relieve our feelings, he shared with us their story of his wife. After our conversation with him, we fell asleep as soon as he step out of the kubo, maybe because we were all tired.

it was already sunday, which is our last day, we were awaked by a freezing temperature which I think is brought by the fog. Our breakfast was “patatas na hinaluan ng corned beef”. Then we had our last leg to go to the caves. Kuya Topalits and his company cooked adobong baboy. We had our lunch all together for the last time. We, the final four, go ahead to Sir Jimmy’s house because of the hot weather and we’re tired already and we wanted to go home. We all left Sampaloc Quezon at around 3pm. It was quarter to 9 when I arrived in our house. It was tiring but fulfilling experience.

i didn't expect it

June 25, 2008. nagtext sa smart number ko si hubert, sabi niya break na sila ni cherry. hindi ko masyadong pinansin 'yon kasi, madalas naman silang away-bati. wala akong pang text sa globe kasi unli ako noon sa smart. kaya sabi ko sa kanya, "sige itetext na lang kita pag unli ako sa globe". our conversation ended there.

the next day, nag globe na ako. tinext ko siya, nangangamusta. then nung gabi, habang magkatext kami, biglang napunta ang usapan sa kung pwede ba siyang pumunta dito sa bahay namin. okay lang naman sa akin, kasi kaklase ko naman siya nung highschool, kakilala, walang halong malisya. sabi naman niya, baka magalit yung nanay ko. tinanong ko siya kung bakit naman magagalit yung nanay ko. ang sagot niya, baka isipin ng nanay ko na NANLILIGAW siya. sabi ko naman, 'di ba hindi mo naman gagawin yun? at ang sabi niya, pa'no kung gawin ko? natigilan na lang ako at napaisip.

matagal na pala niya akong "crush" simula pa nung 3rd year high school kami. hindi ko naman siya masyadong close noon, kasi nga may girlfriend siya, si cherry.

first week ng july 2008 linigawan ako ni hubert. pero nasa state of shock pa rin ako. natuloy nga ang binabalak niyang pagpunta sa amin. nakilala niya yung pamilya ko. ayos lang naman ang lahat. hanggang sa dumating ang pinakahihintay naming araw.

july 19, 2008, nag date kami sa MOA. syempre date nga, kaming dalawa lang. doon ko na siya SINAGOT. and indeed, we became one.

pagkatapos noon, madami ng balita ang naglipana. kesyo wala pang isang month nagbreak si hubert at si cherry, naging kami na. at ang pinaka mabigat pa doon, magkatropa pa kami ng ex niya. as in "tropa". doon ko natanong ang sarili ko, may pinipili ba talaga ang love? nag iba ang tingin sa amin ng mga classmate namin. may iba, ayaw, meron namang iba, okay lang sa kanila. its awkward, i know. but, mapipigilan ba namin ang mga sarili naming magmahal? i doubt it.

most of the blame ay kay hubert. wala pa silang formal break-up ni cherry. kaya ko hinayaan si hubert na ligawan ako, kasi he needed someone who will understand and will take care of him. and willing naman akong gawin yun for him. hindi ko na-feel yung tinatawag na panakip-butas(ang tawag 'ko dun eh vulcaseal) kasi pinaramdam niya talaga sa akin na mahal niya ako.

our sweetness lasted for about 11 months. hindi na niya kasi ako masyadong mapagtuunan ng oras dahil sa studies namen. TIME is what our relationship is lacking. madalas naman kami magkita, but that's not enough to work this out. and on june 22, we broke up.

now, after a year simula ng maghiwalay kami. we are reviving our LOVE for each other. i must say na hindi nawala yung love na yun. kami na ulit, and i hope na it will last a life time pa.