Napanood niyo na ba ang Milan? Tagalog movie yun oo pero nagustuhan ko kasi para sa akin nakitaan ko siya ng saysay....sabi ng iba exaggerated nga raw yung ibang eksena pero isuspend na lang natin ang belief natin paminsan minsan...Totoo. Totoo lahat ng nakasaad doong sakripisyo ng bawat OFW. Tingnan ko kung sasang-ayon kayo sa akin.
Simula nang mangibang bayan tayo, may maling notion ang mga kamag-anak/kaibigan sa Pilipinas lalong lalo na ang mga kapitbahay natin. Na kapag nakapangibang bansa ka na, akala nila mayaman ka na. Hindi ganun yun. Hangga't hindi nila nasusubukang makipagsapalaran dito. Hinding hinding hinding hindi nila kelan man maiintindihan.
Mahal natin ang ating mga magulang/pamilya, walang duda. Kaya nga andito tayo sa malayong bansa para sa kanila 'di ba? Pero bakit parang ang hirap hirap isiksik sa kukote nila na hindi natin pinupulot dito ang pera. Kala yata nila, nakatago lang ang bawat diramo/lira/dolyar sa kung saan-saan at ang trabaho lang natin ang hanapin ito...Hindi nila narerealize na hindi biro ang lungkot na pilit nating nilalabanan dito. Tsk!
Eto pa, kung nadidelay ka ng padala....halos isumpa tayo sa galit. Feeling ko tuloy minsan, Bangko Central ako na hindi dapat maubusan ng pera. Kahit ilang beses mong ipaliwanag sa kanila na hindi kinsenas magpasahod ang ilang bansa lalo na sa UAE, hindi pa rin nila maintindihan yun. At hirap rin silang intindihin na may mga hindi kaswertehang manggagawa na super sa late magpasweldo ang kumpanya. Parang ganito ang naririnig ko sa kanila, "Ah basta, katapusan na, magpadala ka na, kung mas maaga, mas maigi."
Hindi maiiwasan minsan na naa-out of budget tayo mismong mga OFW, kaya naman hindi tayo makapagpadala ng sobra. Syempre meron tayong dapat bayaran din dito tulad ng tirahan natin, pagkain, pamasahe sa araw araw, o di kaya naman panggasolina kung nagmamaneho, credit card na sa kanila rin naman napunta ang pinamili. Kung meron man tayong pinamili...yun ay mga bagay na kailangan talaga natin.
Imbes na magpasalamat, ganito ang maririnig mo: "Bakit kulang naman ang pinadala mo, alam mo namang kailangan nating bayaran si ganto, si ganyan."
Kapag hindi ka pa nakakapagpa WESTERN UNION, naaalala ka, panay ang text, tawag, email, basta kahit anong klaseng pagpaparamdam, kaya nila....pero once you have sent them the CONTROL number, pucha....limut-limot na...
At ang higit sa lahat...ang pinakanakakalungkot ay ito: Minsan sa gitna ng problema, mga pagbati at pangangamusta ng mga mahal natin sa buhay ang pinakamasayang natatangap natin sa kanila, ang masarap na pampawi ng lumbay. Pero masama talagang manggahasa ang kapalaran. Ito pa ang maririnig mo sa kanila:
"Huwag mong kalilimutan sa kapatusan ang allowance namin ha! Siya nga pala, nagbilin si Auntie mo ng alahas, padalhan mo daw siya....at si anak ni Uncle mo, size 12 daw na rubber shoes, yung bago daw ng Nike na pambasketball. Anak/mister, malapit na ang birthday ni GANYAN, ano kaya ang magandang bilhin na regalo para sa kanya? Si bunso nga pala, nagrerequest ng computer, kung makakabili ka ng laptop, mas maganda para hindi na mamomroblema sa espasyo sa bahay, mejo masikip na eh, pwera lang kung makakapagpadala ka ng pangrenovate...kasi nga nakakahiya sa kapit-bahay, nasa abroad ka pero bahay na lang natin ang hindi naipapagawa. Sige na paubos na ang load ko, ok?"
Ganun! Ganyan ang kadalasang naririnig namin para sa mga hindi nakakaalam. Hindi man lang kamustahin ang kalusugan namin dito, puro pabili, puro hingi, ni wala mang tono ng pag-aalala. Wala mang bahid ng pagkasabik. Meron pala, sabik sa padala.
Pero sigurado ako na hindi naman lahat ng mahal natin sa buhay ay ganyan. Meron din talagang marunong magpasalamat at marunong magpahalaga sa bawat biyaya na iniaambon natin sa kanila. Masakit lang isipin na mas kakaunti sila.
Sa susunod niyong pagtawag, pwedeng kamustahin niyo naman muna kami? Pakitanong naman kung masama ba ang pakiramdam namin at kung nagvavitamins ba kami para hindi magkasakit. Hindi birong magkasakit ng mag-isa ha...Lalong nakakapanghina ang magkasakit ng walang nag-aalaga, sarili mong sopas, ikaw pa ang magluluto, sarili mong PANADOL, ikaw pa ang bibili sa pharmacy. Mahirap, sobrang hirap. Sana lahat ng sakripisyo namin ay mabigyang-halaga ninyo. Yun lamang po. Bow.
Ikaw, ano naman ang karanasan mo na pwede mong ibahagi?
salamat nga pala kay Od3ck, kasi pinaalala mo itong pakiramdam na ito. Inuman na tayo!
Sa halos tatlong taon kong pagtigil dito sa Gitnang Silangan, ngayon ko lang naitanong sa sarili ko kung bakit ako nandito, kung bakit ako nagtitiis sa klima na alam kong masama sa aking kalusugan, kung bakit ako nakikipagsapalaran sa bawat araw na inilalagi ko dito. At kung bakit hindi ko iniinda ang taas ng presyo ng bilihin, ng tirahan, ng mabagal na daloy ng trapiko, ang nakakadiring dahak ng mga patan at malabari sa daan at higit sa lahat, hindi ako makapaniwala na natitiis ko ang anghit ng mga taong nakakasalubong ko sa lansangan na ipinanganak yatang walang salitang H Y G I E N E sa kanilang bokabolaryo.
Una sa mga napakarami kong rason ay ang aking mga magulang. Tutal, pareho naman na silang tumatanda at parehong may iniindang sakit, naisip kong akuin na lamang ang responsibilidad na itaguyod ang aming pamilya. Ang tapang ko...o baka mayabang lang ako. Akuin? Kaya ko ba? Mahirap maging isang anak hindi katulad ng iniisip ng iba na masarap. Masarap nung musmos ka pa lang dahil lahat ng atensiyon ay nakasentro sa iyo, lahat ng materyal na bagay na pwedeng iabot ng magulang mo ay sa iyo, hindi ka nila pwedeng ikumpara sa ate at kuya mo dahil nga, hello nag-iisa ka nga di ba? Pero sa paglipas ng panahon, hindi mo alam kung paano ka bullshit-in ng tadhana, paglalaruan ka talaga nito hanggang sa mapiga ka, masimot ka at tuluyan ka na lang bumigay. Sa sitwasyon ko, hindi ako sumuko, nawalan kami ng kabuhayan dahil sa mga mapangabusong tao na inakala mong mapapagkatiwalaan mo, pero sinamsam pa rin ang lahat. Masisisi ko ba ang magulang ko? Oo, para sa akin oo, pero hindi ko na lang ginawa, bagkus, inintindi ko na lang silang dalawa sa kabila ng lahat.
Naiiyak ako sa tuwing naaalala ko kung pano, kinuha sa amin ng bangko ang aming munting tahanan, ang aming mga sasakyan, ang mga pinakaiingatang muwebles ng aking ina at higit sa lahat ang aking Yamaha keyboard na hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin napapalitan. Nalulungkot akong isipin na muntik na akong hindi makatapos ng kolehiyo sa kawalan nila ng pantustos. Hindi ako dapat magmukmok sa isang tabi at maghintay ng himala. Kinailangan kong umaksyon at kung hindi, patuloy akong papasok sa eskuwela na ni pang photocopy ng mga lectures namin ay wala. Kung hindi ako kikilos, maski ang paborito kong sardinas at tuyo ay hindi ko na mabili. Kinausap ko ang nagpapatakbo ng aming dormitoryo. Pumayag naman na mahuli ako ng pagbabayad dahil naiintindihan niya ang aking kalagayan at kilala niya ang aking mga magulang.
Natuto akong magtinda ng AVON, Natasha at iba pang pahulugan. Nuong una, nahihiya ako kasi hindi ako sanay, noong una natatakot akong baka laitin ako ng mga kaibigan ko, pero masuwerte naman ako at hindi nila ginawa...natuwa sila sa akin at sila ang naging parukyano ko sa aking 'maliit' na pinagkakakitaan. Naisip ko, taas noo pa rin naman akong makakaharap sa lipunan dahil nagbebenta lamag ako ng mga sapatos at salawal hindi ng PURI ko...
Kapag wala naman akong pasok, hinihiram ko ang TRIKE nina buchokoy....yung rugbee boy sa Gastambide. Pumipidal ako sa kahabaan ng Mendiola, Lerma, at Quiapo ilalim para lang may maidagdag sa laman ng bulsa ko. Masuwerte ako kung may magbibigay sa akin ng bente singko hanggang trenta pesos sa paghahatid ko sa kanila sa kani-kanilang destinasyon. Pawis, dugo at luha ang naging puhunan ko para maka-survive sa pagsubok sa akin ng Diyos. Sa tuwing sasapit ang gabi, naiiyak na lang ako ng palihim sa awa ko sa aking sarili. Pero sa tuwing kakausapin ko Siya, gumagaan ang aking kalooban.
Hindi nagtagal, nakatapos ako na malinis ang kunsensya, masaya at nakakuha ng ilang magagandang trabaho. Purchasing officer, Secretary, Call Center Agent pati ang sumulat sandali sa isang palabas sa isang tanyag na istasyon sa Pilipinas ay nagawa ko na rin. Pero nanatili pa ring mailap sa akin ang swerte. Call Center after call center ang ginawa ko.....call center hopping nga raw sabi ng ilan sa aking mga kaibigan.
Pangalawang rason, tinalikuran ko na ang PRIDE, minsan nasabi ko sa aking sarili, eh ano naman kung hindi ko magamit ang tinapos ko (nagtapos nga pala ako ng MassComm)? Ang mahalaga, makahanap ng trabaho sa ibang bansa at masiguro ko na hindi magugutom ang aking pamilya. Kaya ako napadpad dito kasi, may kasalanan rin ang ating gobyerno.
Bakit nga ba patuloy na naghihirap ang 90% na mga Pilipino? Dahil nga ba sa gobyerno? Bakit hindi nila tayo mapagkalooban ng magandang pasahod? Bakit maraming hindi kumakain at walang tirahan? Bakit nga ba mataas ang antas ng kahirapan ng ating bansa? Dahil sa mga TRAPO? Na walang ginawa kundi magpayaman at magnakaw sa kaban at ariin ang pera na dapat ay sa atin. Na dapat tayo ang naghahati-hati. Bakit kelangan nilang tayong patawan ng malaking buwis? Para saan? Para sa pagpapagawa nila ng kanya-kanya nilang mansiyon? Para mapagaral nila sa US at Europa ang mga punyetang unico hijo at unija hija nila? Marami sa atin ang nananatiling mangmang at salat sa edukasyon dahil ang mga State Universities natin ay hindi na karapatan ang handog sa mga estudyante....kundi ang anakpu&%#$@ pribelehiyong edukasyon. Saan ka naman nakarinig ng ganun?
Masama ang loob ko, inaamin ko. Pero hindi lang siguro ako nag-iisa at hindi lang ako ang nakakaramdam ng ganitong hinaing. Habang nagkakaedad ako at naiipon ng naiipon ang magkahalong pangit at maganda kong karanasan, kasabay na rin na nawawala ang aking pag-asa na mabago ang ating bulok na sistema ng gobyerno. Wala akong sapat na kakayahan at ganun din kayo na baguhin ang naging tradisyon nang pulitika sa ating bansa, dahil imbes na mawala ang mga TRAPO paunti unti...paunti unti naman silang parang mikrobyo na nagkalat, dumarami, pumapatay at nagnanakaw sa ating tunay na bahay, ang Pilipinas. Dapat nasa Pilipinas ako....dapat andun tayo kasama ang mga mahal natin sa buhay.
Dati ang communism ay isang ideya lamang....ideya dahil hindi maisakatuparan...mahabang panahon ang gugugulin para makamit ito....pero para sa akin, ang pagbabago ng ating gobyerno ay parang komunismo na rin....ideya na lamang...panaginip....pangarap.....
I am one of the expectants of the Jolie-Pitt twins and it's really amazing how the partners protected them from paparazzi, not to spoil of course the $14 million deal with People Magazine to take the rights of the twins first photographs. The proceeds will go definitely to charity.
But now, the most awaited images of the twins are finally out. Grab a copy now.
Bakit ka ba ganyan? Sa bawat kilos at salita mo, puso ko ay lalong naguguluhan. Hindi ko mawari kung ang mga sinasambit mo ay galing talaga sa puso mo o baka naman kathang-isip ko lamang. Hindi lang oras ang aking kalaban, o ang sitwasyong aking kinasusuungan, pati na rin ang taong nag-mamay-ari sa'yo na siyang dahilan na hindi kita pwedeng gawing akin kelan man.
Kalaban ko ang aking sarili, oo, pati ang aking sarili. Hindi ko naman sinasadyang mahalin ka, hindi ko naman sinasadyang mapalapit sa'yo. Ang mali ko lang siguro ay ang payagang kang haplusin ang aking puso at kung krimen ang patuluyin ka sa akin imahinasyon sa dalawang okasyon, ito ay ang araw at gabi....sige, papayag ako, papayag akong makulong at pagbayaran ang isang kasalanang hindi ko sigurado kung talaga bang kasalanan.
Hindi magtatagal, aalis ako...hindi para namnamin ang mga araw na hindi kita kasama, kundi hanapin ang aking sarili, at hanapin ang pag-asang balang araw, ambunan mo ako ng pag-ibig mo. Sana balang araw, lahat ng sasambitin mong salita ay paniwalaan ko at hindi ko na pagdududahan. Sana isang araw, masabi ko sa'yo at sa buong mundo na ikaw ay mahal ko, mahal mo rin ako....sana lahat ng ito ay hindi IMPOSIBLE.
Naligaw. Bumalik. Nahanap ang daan. Tinahak ang daan papuntang Ajman, makapitik lang! Ha ha ha, T'was fun being with them again.....Back in our playpen again....sarap ng kwentuhan, tawanan, tuksuhan at pitikan. Danny girl's APPLE PIE was surely yummy kaya lang, hindi ko na nakayanan ang kabusugan. After savoring MAMI's specialty - burger patty, hmmmmm which Tyfe and I drank ketchup with...(drank talaga?) Oo, umiinom po kami ng ketchup!
@Ivy - salamat sa paghanap ng daan at walang sawang pagbibigay sa amin ng walang hanggang kasiyahan....grabe ka, wala kang kakupas-kupas!
@Tyfe - salamat sa iced tea...sa pag-inom ng ketchup kasama ko, at sa matiyagang paglibang sa nagmamaneho para samin nung gabing yun. Bakit ba naliligaw pa rin kahit paulit-ulit na nating pinupuntahan? Hindi kasi tayo hinintay eh. Bwahahahaha
@Ram - salamat sa pasensya sa pagpopose para sa kaadikan namin at sa pagtiyaga sa kabaliwan namin. Tip: try mo minsan ang apple pie habang mainit init pa....
@Arnold - ang bagong hirang na best photojournalist of the year, bwahahahaha
@Sed - salamat sa pasalubong....for sure, ubos yun agad sa akin. hehehe
@Kritney - kamusta naman ang pakikipag-away mo 'raw' sa apple pie?
@Dana - maraming salamat sa lahat ng pagkain na pinakain mo sa amin....kapeng pinainom mo at sa walang sawang pagbabahagi ng iyong kaalaman. mwah!
Here are some of my snapshots using my new baby HUGH (except for Sed's photo, that was Dana's)
habang nagtatanggal ng kaba
kamusta naman ang mga expensive mobile phones mo?
isa sa mga kasama kong naligaw
@Kritney - alam ko pala yung Mobile...narinig ko na
The moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew and I felt that you are the one for me. I have seen a lot like you but my feelings for you is somewhat magical. I cannot eat, I cannot sleep, you make my heart skip a beat and the thought of you excites me. I have been yearning to have you and to be with you but time never permits us to.
You have been with other people. They are so lucky to touch you, to hold you and even sleep with you. I envy them....I always see myself like a green monster 'cause of envy...
I dreamt of you when I was young...that's when I knew that I was/am meant for you. I know I really am. But one day, I woke up seeing you beside me, lying in my arms, so beautiful. God listened to my prayers. He gave me you, Hugh. I promise to take care of you and love you.......
so into you,
Iris
postscript: to those who want to take a glimpse of my Hugh...I provided some of his photos
People have different reasons why they choose to spend or save.....I respect people who do not want upgrading their accounts from free to premium....but do you think it's fair enough to give remarks like "idiotic marketing strategy" or other negative comments? Everybody has a freedom to choose and freedom to decide....anyway.....Multiply is not forcing us to upgrade and does not eliminate free accounts, right? If you wish not to pay and keep your existing free account...walang masama dun.....di ba?
sabi ng iba....na against sa premium kasi it's kinda costly which is not true....($19 lang per annum), wala naman daw magandang dulot kasi deceiving ang marketing strategy ng multiply....
but for me: 1. Ok picasa is there (which i love using too), flickr is there (which by the way blocked in UAE, unless you have *illegal* connection and when you access it through a commercial connection)...free sila....ang multiply may bayad to store your hi res photos forever....
2. Pero di ba mas convenient kapag meron kang multiply account...where your contacts/family/friends can access it....view and have the photos zoomed....plus you get to see and read their messages and comments at the same time.... super accessible...
3. Multiply is my online journal and photo storage at the same time so kahit na magbayad ka ng konti.....you can still feel the comfort...
After all, opinion ko lang naman ito...and you are also entitled to your own opinion...let's just avoid semi-bad mouthing about this new feature....kung ayaw mo ng premium eh di wag.....ganun lang yun kasimple...ganun kadali...
Peace man!!!
(isa pa....may sentimental value sa akin ang site na to....dito ko nakilala ang mga tunay na kaibigan....di ba di ba?)
ano ang size ng paa mo? --- size 36 minsan 36.5 (it's very seldom that it's available though)
ilan ang sapatos mo? --- hindi ko alam.....meron ako sa Dubai at sa Pinas...
mahilig ka ba sa high heels? --- Ohhhhh yes!
mahilig ka ba sa sandals? --- hell yes!
mahilig ka ba sa slippers? --- hindi gaano
mahilig ka ba sa rubber shoes? --- oo naman and sneakers.....Chucks i like
naniniwala ka ba na lahat binabagayan ng black shoes? --- opo naman
ano mas gusto mo, black or white? --- red (bwahahahaha)
ano ang pinakamura mong sapatos? saan mo nabili? ---15 dirhams....Claire's
ano ang pinakamahal mong sapatos? saan mo nabili? --- affordable din ang sa akin....Aldo and Le Chateau kasi ang hiyang ng paa ko...tapos Mendrez sa Pinas
ano ang pinaka-ayaw mong sapatos mo? --- yung sapatos ko na suot ko sa header ko....maganda pero masakit..hindi ako makapagcartwheel na suot sya
papatay ka ba para sa sapatos? --- hindi naman
ano ang pinaka gusto mong sapatos mo? --- Le Chateau, white sling back with glass heels
lovelife or shoes? --- sana pareho
cellphone or shoes? --- shoes!
house or shoes? --- House and a loft
food or shoes? --- pareho
gusto mo ba yung sapatos ni cinderella? --- kung may malambot na glass eh di pwede na rin...bwahahaha
pinaka ayaw mong brand ng sapatos? --- pareho kami ni janis....design concious kami hindi brand concious
pinaka gusto mong brand ng sapatos? --- gucci, prada, manolo, roxy and CHUCKS!!!!!
kung bibigyan ka ng isang sapatos? ano un? --- yung magic shoes....yung pwede akong dalhin kahit saan....hindi na kelangan ng VISA...hehe
Last Friday, nagpunta ako ng DCC para i-meet ang mga ka DPE ko....ang saya saya, lahat ng pag-usapan, hindi pwedeng walang hagalpakan...heto ang ilan sa mga napagusapan sa Columbus Café...
Tita to Danabelle: "Ah, sya ba ang kasama mo sa kalokohang ito?" (refering to Doxy)
Doxy to Konan: "Uy Canon (huh?), bakit hindi mo i-shoot ang girlfriend mo?"
Sed to Doxy: "Shinoshoot niya yun....private nga lang."
Kuya Arn-arn to Ice: "Uy Ice, wag kang magagalit ha....base sa mga pictures mo sa multiply, kala ko ang tangkad mo...."
Ice: "Bwahahahahaha...kala mo lang yun." (sa loob loob ko, may napeke na naman ako)
For most, the idea of borrowing or stealing another woman's man is unthinkable. And that's exactly why the OW is such an object of fascination: Why does she do it? Does she want to get caught? How does it feel to be her? Full confession: I was an OW years ago, and I can tell you it felt destructive, decadent, impossible, inevitable. And it was also lonely. Every day I vowed to end the damage I was inflicting on my life, his life, her life … But then he'd pull me into bed and my good intentions would fall away as quickly as our clothes. The highs of loving someone you can never see enough of (and thus never get tired of) are downright addictive.
Why am I admitting to being a former man stealer, home wrecker, [insert unflattering noun here]? It's not something I normally broadcast. But somehow, after interviewing the women you're about to meet, my past doesn't seem so shameful. We all can learn from our mistakes. So here you go: seven true stories of heartbreak, hijinks and huge life lessons told by OWs (whose names and identifying details have been changed—you'll see why!) and the women whose relationships OWs have rattled. Decide for yourself, but I'll bet you'll find these other women aren't so "other" after all.
I was the other woman—and I got pregnant with his twins At 25, after divorcing my husband of only a year, I met a man who made me feel alive again. Unfortunately he was married. I fought off sleeping with him for months, but eventually I did. At the time I was very thin and not having regular periods, so I was shocked to find out three months into the affair that I was pregnant—with twins, no less! What had I done?
I gave birth with a friend by my side instead of the father, who by that time wasn't part of my life. I felt greatly remorseful and believed I'd been given my due: The children were a blessing, of course, but raising them by myself sometimes felt like a punishment. I'd grown up in a Christian family, and I felt like I had a scarlet A on my chest. Maybe that's why, years later, when he called to say he'd gotten divorced, I let him back into our lives.
It was hard, but we were trying—until I found out that he was seeing someone on the side. I'd gone from being the other woman to being cheated on, just as my friends had predicted. These days, he visits our daughters, but we're over. I learned that two clichés are true: What comes around goes around, and a leopard never changes its spots. —TERRI, 35
I joined forces with his other girlfriend The entire time I dated a guy I'll call Hef—yes, after that Hef—he insisted on keeping me a secret. He said his "crazy" ex would hunt me down if she knew anything about me. At first, I had no reason not to trust him. But before long he told me about other girls he was seeing. Why did I put up with it? I guess because it was a hard time in my life and I was down in the dumps. Besides, he assured me that I was his "alpha dog" (I know—ick). Eventually, though, I felt strong enough to tell him our relationship was over, and I moved on.
A few months later I heard that Hef had actually proposed to one of his supposed on-the-side girls. I was hurt, so I decided to reach out to his "crazy" ex to get her perspective on the situation. Turned out they'd been together the whole time we were, and he'd told her that I was the crazy one. We'd both been played. After that first meeting she and I stayed in touch, and now we're good friends. And we eagerly await the day he sees the two of us together. Hopefully at his wedding reception, which we fully intend to crash. —ESTHER, 23
I caught my boyfriend in bed with another woman My boyfriend and I had been together seven years when I unlocked the door to his apartment with the key he had given me and saw him, a tangle of limbs with another woman! He didn't even get up; he just froze, staring at me. I stared back in shock, then left—but not before opening a drawer and taking a pair of socks and a bottle of perfume. I have no idea why!
I never spoke to my boyfriend again. I was heartbroken then, but today I can tell you that while the experience was horrible, it was also one of the best things that has ever happened to me. That *&%#! was no good, and everyone had seen it but me. Every day I thank God—and weirdly, that naked woman, whoever she was—for that moment! —JENNIFER, 29
I was a married-man magnet From ages 23 to 25, I attracted nothing but married men. I didn't seek them out, but I realize now that I gave off a "come hither and I won't ask for much" vibe because I didn't feel worthy of real love.
It started with The Lawyer. I didn't know he was married, but I wasn't looking for clues that he was, so I guess I was in denial. After a few months, I got an angry e-mail from a woman who said she was his wife. He claimed it was just a prank, but I did a little sleuthing. Turned out she was his other mistress, who was pregnant and trying to get The Lawyer's wife to divorce him! I told him it was over.
But two years later, during a low point in my life, I reconnected with him. Only this time, I was seeing other people as well—two hunky, unreliable workaholics who were good distractions. And guess what? Both of them turned out to be married too. I was miserable. Finally a girlfriend told me something that turned my life around. She said, "Every woman deserves to be loved exclusively." Simple words, but I took them to heart. I had to let go of these married guys and get emotionally healthy. So I got counseling, stopped partying so much and started dating nicer men. One of them became my husband two years ago. After years of compromising, I'm in a relationship that's sure and steady. And that's how I feel about myself now, too. —NATASHA, 35
I was his secret office fling; now we're married Todd and I started out as work friends—he had a serious girlfriend—but it quickly turned into a major flirtation: e-mails, meetings after work, lunches together. I still remember the day we were driving back from one, and he put his hand on my knee. It sounds corny, but I swear it was electrifying. Nothing else happened until a few weeks later, when I couldn't help myself: I gave him a hug, which led to a kiss, which led to a full-on make-out session. Before long, we were sneaking off together whenever we could possibly get away. We were both racked with guilt. I never thought I'd be "that" kind of girl, and he was really a good guy—really! And he still cared deeply for his girlfriend. We just couldn't stop. Not for anything. I pushed my guilt aside with that classic justification: If he were happy with her, he wouldn't be playing with me, now would he?
We carried on this way—secretive looks across the office, racing to meet at "our spot," laughing off colleagues' comments—for a year. Then one weekend, I went on a trip with another guy, and all I could think about was how much I wished he were Todd. As soon as I got home, I told Todd I loved him and wanted to be with only him. The way he looked at me, I could tell he felt the same. The following week he broke up with his girlfriend; she never knew about us, and I'm happy about that. I don't think anything good could have come from her knowing.
Four years later, we got engaged. We've now been married for more than two years, and have worked through our guilt over how we started. And despite what people may think, I don't consider for even a nanosecond that Todd would cheat on me. There's just too much history, love and potential for it to be worth it. And those are his words. —LISA, 36
I was the other woman—with a woman
Three years ago, I became the other woman. The twist in my case is that my lover was married to a man. I'm a lesbian; she's bisexual, and her husband said he understood her need to sometimes be with women. His one caveat: He didn't want her to fall in love with one. But she did, with me. From the beginning of the affair, she told me she would never leave him, and while I'd been fine with that at first, a year in I realized I loved her too much to share her. It's too hard to be the "other"—too draining, too negative.
One night, after she left my bed at 3 A.M., I realized I had to let her go. Otherwise, it would drag on, in all of its wrenching ambivalence, for years. My lover had needed me, a woman, to make her feel whole. But I didn't feel whole without having her completely. And so I let her go. My affair was the most selfish thing I've ever done. Giving it up might have been the bravest. —SANDRA, 38
You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.
You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.
You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.
You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!
You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.
You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.
You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.
You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.
You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you. You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe.
You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.
You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.
You are more of a rebellious person that really doesn't follow anyone. You are kind of mixed up and all over the place, but you love it that way. You are that kind of easy breezy person, you believe in letting things go, life is too short. You love to just have fun and be the life of the party. You always make a big entrance. You also believe rules are definatly meant to be broken.
Here's a gift from one of my BBF's, tetay....I love you to bits....thank you so much....you're right...you still know me...the old soul me....this poem is brilliant...well written, heart-felt.
Somersault
By Tetay
There you go again with your witty remark!
Just one phrase and it’s enough
to get me through the waking hours
and through the lengthy days and nights,
through the ups and downs, and the turmoil of life.
Say it again! Utter the words only heaven can conjure.
Send me whisking off into far away lands,
on powder-white clouds,and valleys green,
above snow-capped hills, and to lands unseen…
and known to only you and me alone.
One word and my heart flips.
One song and my heart leaps with joy,
going crazy over the melody of you,
doing somersaults in such a frenzy
that I miss the fact that you are elsewhere.
One moment here and then you’re gone the next!
Unpredictable, and so it goes…
that I did not predict how deeply I will fall
or how easy I cringe, and hurt and cry,
and afterwards just force it into inexistence.
I am but a voyager traveling through.
Just a soldier, strengthened by the battles fought
for you, against you, with you,
and just as I reach my journey’s end
I understand that you are not here, however still near.
You’re just a tune in my mind, a wind breezing by.
