love: coffee date pt. II

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

 



Okay. It's official. I suck at this whole blogging/updating on a regular basis kind of thing. I feel like someone should be throwing tomatoes at me or something...

Anyways, since my last post was almost two months ago, I thought we'd have another coffee date to catch up. Sound wonderful, yes? We'd sit down at some little college town coffee shop where their coffee is cheap and the baked goods are fresh and delicious. I'd order a café au lait and insist on paying for your coffee as one of many ways to make up for my being such a shitty friend.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd tell you that my life has been... well, let's just say that calling it eventful would be somewhat of an understatement. I'll start from where we left off in the story of Mr. Wit. Man, this is like a dark and twisty fairy tale with many ups and many, many downs.

Last I remember writing about was our unresolved situation. Me + him + friend with benefit = 2 out of the 3 very unsatisfied people.

What I was saving for another post, and never got to it, was the story of his friend with benefit. Perhaps I'll revisit the idea but for now, I'll deliver the cliff notes version. Essentially, she is polyamorous, which was something I had no idea about until I got involved with Mr. Wit. In my opinion, it takes commitment issues to the next level. Or perhaps, for those who over-commit. Sorry, I'm getting off track here. The important part of the story is that the friend with benefit -- we'll call her Mercury for the sake of anonymity -- was a little more than a friend with benefit. The whole idea of polyamory is that you love multiple people, meaning... she was essentially a girlfriend... with other boyfriends as well.

I know. Blew my mind too. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea but to be honest, it has left a horrible taste in my mouth.

Mercury has been amazing for Mr. Wit, as much as I hate to admit it. She found him in a point of his life that was very dark, and it was like someone turning on a light for the first time in years for him. She's also been terrible for him. The multiple partners, the deep hurt, he felt terrible every day.

When Mr. Wit and I actually got involved, he was still seeing her. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure exactly what I was getting into and kept saying 'yes' when he kept asking "are you sure?" Just by the way he talked about the whole affair, he was unhappy and didn't want to do the whole polyamory thing anymore. But that was just it. What I didn't understand, and what I do now, is that he was trying it out too. The way he explains it is that he really felt like he had no choice, which is understandable. If you're with someone choosing to live that lifestyle and you're not happy with it, the only options are to try it or end it.

So after many tears, long, late night talks, arguments, and very deeply hurt feelings on both of our ends, Mr. Wit finally ended things with Mercury.

In a previous post, I mentioned "putting on the boxing gloves." If we're going with the whole boxing analogy, this is a good way to describe it: I entered the ring, kept my guard up, threw in a couple of punches, and gave it my all And he picked me.

Now they agreed to still be friends and everything, which I get and am happy for him. Am I uncomfortable with it? Of course, but she makes him happy and that's all I want. I want him to be happy.

A week later, Mr. Wit uttered those three words, eight letters.

Hopefully more on that in a separate post.

I was overjoyed, my heart bursting out of my chest, and tears close to pouring out of my eyes. What did I say? Of course I said it back. I had been waiting to say those words. I hadn't exactly been planning on saying them any time soon, but perhaps when we got back to school -- see how things were going. But there we were -- the timing not exactly the best, 1,365.6 miles away from each other, recently broken up -- saying those words and at that moment, that's all that mattered.

Despite the distance, things have gotten really serious between me and Mr. Wit. We've made plans to meet up this summer when he goes to another city for a job and I pass through. We've made plans for me to meet his family. That's just it. We've made plans. We've made plans to do things together way far in the future, like December, far into the future. Now, I know that doesn't sound like a long time from now, but it's six months away. You never know what could happen in six months. And yet, here we are... making plans.

Things had been going great between us up until this past weekend where we talked about a sensitive subject for the both of us: Mercury. As I mentioned earlier, they decided to stay friends which I support and I understand. They had seen each other for the first time last week and had a talk about lingering feelings. It's barely been a month and the compassionate part of me understands completely. She had been with him for a year -- a very important year -- of his life and had been a best friend. How do you not miss that? It takes longer than a month to not feel the same way about a person that you're so used to feeling that way about. So yes. Wanting to kiss that person? Totally normal.

But another part of me is so hurt by that. When Mr. Wit told me, I could feel the walls of my room closing in on me and it was like someone had taken a vacuum cleaner and sucked all of the air of it. The idea of them together haunts me. It's like being punched in the stomach over and over before the attacker finally puts you out of your misery and just rips your heart out of your chest. Okay, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic but heartbreak is a painful thing. It kills me that he still gets really down about her because 1. I can't do anything to help 2. He's still upset about someone else 3. It makes me mad at her for being so damn selfish. And to some extent, it feels like he cheated. Having a talk with another girl about their feelings and how they still wanted to kiss each other? It's devastating.

The important thing to remember here, and something I need to keep remind myself is that he didn't. He didn't kiss her and he told me about all of that and for that, I am so grateful and thankful for.

But in the moment I was so hurt that I feel like I kind of just spewed my feelings out and I know it hurt him too. Honestly, part of me wonders if he knows how hurt and torn up I get about all of this and I think that's why I said a lot of the things I said. It breaks my heart to hear about her -- especially something like that -- every time. I'm also a little mad at myself for letting myself get up caught up in this fantasy. I don't usually do this -- let myself make plans, and be this vulnerable with someone, trust this much, depend on them for certain things.. I don't. And I have and just for a moment, I watched all of it slip through my fingers before returning to me. But when they returned -- the plans and hopes for us -- they were tainted with a reality check.

Ever since our talk, I notice myself making plans or dwelling on happy thoughts and before I know it, that little voice that warns me to be cautious and to protect myself and to not get my head stuck in the clouds is speaking louder than ever.

And he's been a little weird ever since we talked. I don't think it's just the fact that the conversation didn't go very well between us but also other things that we talked about that are plaguing his mind (Mercury). Communication hasn't be great the past few days and he ignored any attempt I make at trying to lend a helping hand.

It may just be the ridiculously, irrational, overly emotional part of me that is waiting for the end. I know I'm being a little stupid, but I feel like I need to be prepared for everything.

Something I realized from all of this was just how much I really love him. It's sad that we don't realize how much we love, appreciate, and adore something or someone until it's threatened to be taken away. Little reactions or responses that have been normal with Mr. Wit -- let's just call them Mr. Wit-isms -- haven't occurred and when provoked, the Mr. Wit-isms wouldn't be there and it would catch me off guard and almost sting a little. That's one way I knew something was off today. I realized how much I take it them for granted as well and if we get back to a good place again, I can't tell you how stinkin' much I will appreciate them. Or really, just him. The prospect of losing him is devastating and makes me realize how much I love him. This isn't a silly school girl crush. This is the real deal.

I'm conflicted with all of this though. Last month, we had another argument like this that left me a mess for days. We've built this beautiful, safe, trusting thing together and yet it gets shaken to the core once or twice a month. It leaves me feeling like I've already lost him. I'm not sure how I get out of that funk but eventually I do. On one side is that voice in my head that warns me to be cautious and not give all of myself away but on the other side is this want to be vulnerable and to share myself with someone in the way that I already have.

But then something like this happens and the former side takes over once again. It's like there's this war going on inside my body and I'm not sure which side I want to win more.

And then there's this third side that says: "People are mean and I expect this from many of them but not you. You weren't supposed to be the one to make me feel this heavy heart."

Communication has been sucky and yet all I want right now is him. Isn't funny how when we're hurt, the remedy is really just the person who hurt us in the first place? Yeahh.. not so much funny. More painfully complicated and exhausting.

All I want right now is to be wrapped up in the sheets with him, legs intertwined, bodies warm, arms around each other and every opportunity to just reach up and kiss him.

They really meant it when they said this love stuff wasn't easy, huh?

It was good catching up with you and I hope to be a less shitty friend in the near future.

-- J

love: risk

Photo Credit: Pinterest

R-I-S-K.

Risk: a four letter word that seems to be dangerous enough as it is on its own.

A part of every aspect of human life. A word often with a negative connotation ...A board game?

NYU Stern School of Business defines risk plain and simply as: "Risk = Probability of an accident" in Chapter 1: What is Risk? In the corporate world, what's at risk here? Money? Integrity?

How about in the world of love?

Well... that's a loaded question.

Every day, we take a risk. We get into cars and onto roads trusting not only ourselves but strangers to operate heavy, all too dangerous machinery. We speak up in class. There's always the "risk" of being wrong, which, of course, is more important to some and less important to others -- either way, it's still a risk. And last but not least, we risk it in love: love with our friends, family, significant others. My belief is that love is unconditional, but regardless, there's always that sliver of thought that for some reason, that other person won't love you back.

NYU Stern continues build on their definition of risk by adding this next component. The Chinese symbol for risk is made up of two characters: danger and opportunity. Reading this really resonated with me. The symbol embodies both aspects -- which I think we tend to forget when looking at risk. There are two sides to risk: Danger -- the heartbreak, the pain, the rejection; and Opportunity: the beauty, love, the butterflies.

Photo Credit: Google

 

It all goes back to Mr. Wit. There are still so many obstacles for the two of us to face. I was walking home from my trip to the local farmers' market yesterday and got caught in the rain. It was thrilling, electrifying, and cold all at the same time. As I soaked in the rain, I let my mind wander where it wanted to: right to Mr. Wit. We've engaged in this flirtation for quite some time now and there were many moments where I'd stop and say to myself: "Why the hell am I still doing this?" There's so much unknown and so many risk factors that were big signs that said: "Turn around and save yourself the heartbreak." So why still stay?

The answer is plain and simple: Mr. Wit is worth the risk. Let's take a look.

The danger:

I think back to the countless amounts of times I go over in my head the facts I wish to ignore: the friend with benefit -- his, not mine; work place complications; the fear of attachment -- mine, not his; the age difference; the ex factor; is he really ready for something again? These are only few of the many obstacles we have yet to face but are ominously looming over my shoulder. I mean, what if ends badly? What happens if I hurt him? What if I start to depend on him? All things that one fears when heading for the big 'R' word: relationship.

The opportunity:

Love. For the first time... in a long time ever, I feel like I've gotten it right. Not in the sense of everything's perfect and fine and fabulous, but in the way that it feels right. The situation is messy and complicated and probably shouldn't have gone as far as it did. That's exactly it. It probably shouldn't have gone as far as it did but yet here we are. Mr. Wit and I feel right in the sense that we get to let go of the masks we've put up for the outside world and just to be together. Mr. Wit makes me feel incredibly happy and so damn good. I don't have those reservations like with S or Mr. Too Available. Although it makes me incredibly uncomfortable, all I want to do is throw my heart at him and say: "Here. When the time comes, please grind it into a million pieces. As for now, you can have this for a while."

I was working the other day and in the midst of talking to customers and folding over priced clothing, I had a thought. Scratch that. I had many thoughts. Too many thoughts. I don't want to be a part of your game, I thought to myself. With Mr. Wit and his friend with benefit (more on that next week), sometimes I feel like I've weaved myself into this web of polyamory and I'm not quite sure how. What if he doesn't pick me? I've endured months of -- since March, actually -- of someone else is still in the picture. "Sticking it out", really. Then things got serious between me and Mr. Wit and our relationship changed.

Forcing myself to pull my head from the clouds, some valid questions began to formulate in that over-analyzing brain of mine. Our relationship changed so does that mean theirs has? What does it mean for them? What if he wakes up one day and decides we were a mistake? What if he picks her? Does he know he has to choose? As well as the revelation of, He can't have both of us. Thank you, neurotic, over-active, over-analyzing brain of mine. And then it hit me. I stepped into the ring and put on the boxing gloves, ready and eager to enter the fight a long, long time ago. I've been fighting for him since... well, since I realized I had feelings for him which was back in February. I've been in the game for almost four months now.

So why, J? Why all this trouble for this guy? He's just a guy. Usually, I'd nod my head at my voice of reason and say: "You're right. He IS just a guy and there are plenty of other one's out there. This one's just too risky and if I step away now, I can protect myself from the hurt that's to come later. If I do it now, it won't hurt as much as if I'm in too deep later on."

But not this one. This one isn't just a guy with plenty of others out there. This one's special. I can just feel it. That's a lie. I know he's special. I would've taken off the boxing gloves a long time ago if he wasn't. It's the way his mind is so attractive. It's the way I find him so incredibly sexy when he speaks so passionately about music. It's the witty banter that passes back and forth between us. It's the way that, with one touch, I'm like putty in his hands. It's the way he sends me into a frenzy too.

Yeah. This one's pretty hard to come by, actually.

This one's worth the risk. 

Yours,

-- J

listen: it never entered my mind

"It Never Entered My Mind" - Miles Davis

 

As I walked down to the little farmers' market located in my hometown, I did a lot of thinking about me and Mr. Wit. 1,365.6 miles away from each other and I still can't get him out of my mind. I think back to the long nights of staying up talking and listening to everything from Miles Davis to Muse, discovering parts of each other we never knew existed, and looking at baby pictures. I think about the sweet words whispered to each other, the shared smiles, silly jokes, and the people we got to be with each other. I think about the way he looks at me like he wants to devour me -- pupils wide and bottom lip bitten.

I think about the whirlwind that he's swept me up into. There are still so many factors that make Mr. Wit such a risk: the friend with benefit, the distance, his commitment issues, my attachment issues, the age thing, the professional relationship -- well, the list could go on and on. But in my eyes, it's all worth it. It's worth the risk. How the hell did this happen? The relationship started out strictly professional and yet, here we are. How the hell did we end up here?

I've asked Mr. Wit this a couple of times and we usually just look at each other and laugh, shaking our heads in a shared disbelief.

Something that Mr. Wit and I share is a passion for music which is what is partially inspiring me to write another "listen" post. Yes, it's summer and I finally have time to tend to the blog. Believe me. There is nothing sexier listening to Mr. Wit talk about music. Listening to the raw passion of him discuss songs -- especially when going into detail -- is so much of an aphrodisiac. Besides, passion is a turn-on and what initially attracted me to him in the first place!

One night we were spending time together and as we continued our passionate lip lock, this song came on. It started out softly with piano before the trumpet came in, perfectly accompanying its counter part. It was a gorgeous jazz song that took my breath away -- not to mention the fact that with the music and the intimacy, I felt like I was in an episode of Sex and the City. (And as all of you know, Carrie Bradshaw is my girl). It was just too perfect. It was a rainy night with good company, good music, and damn good kissing. All we needed was New York City.

Miles Davis does an incredible job with the song. It's beautiful, soft, sexy in an almost melancholy way. It's the kind of song you play on a rainy day when one is in the mood to romanticize the rain. Oh, wait. Is that just me? Sorry about that... The trumpet riffs and the way the song dwindles off with the piano and the percussion in the end? Ughhh (in the best way possible)!

Although the lyrics (not in the Miles Davis version) don't remind me of Mr. Wit, the song always will for these moments. The title itself, "It Never Entered My Mind" are rather appropriate as well. "How the hell did we end up here?" I'm not so sure. But what am I sure about is that at the beginning, I never thought that this was where it would go. He was the last person I thought it'd be with... but yet... here we are.

It never entered my mind, Mr. Wit.

Just thought you should know that.

Yours always,

J

love: lessons learned

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

 

Once upon a time there was a little girl. This little girl dreamed of love and finding the perfect prince charming -- her perfect prince charming. She believed that every single person out there had their own prince (or princess) charming and would find them one day. The rest of the story goes like this: the little girl grows up to be a blossoming young woman, finds her prince charming, and rides off in a carriage with a horse and her prince into the inevitable 'happily ever after'.

What they didn't tell her is that she'd have to kiss a lot of frogs before she found that prince.

They didn't tell her that there are few true prince charmings out there.

 

They never told her that she could make her own rules.

They never told her to nurture the relationship she has with herself even when she's fallen hard for someone else.

I've officially finished my journey as a college freshman. It's over and I'm writing this post tucked safely in my bed at home where I can shower without having to wear shower shoes. Hah! Maybe the most important thing I learned this year has been to never lose sight of me. Life knocks ya down! It throws you around, grips you tight, and then gives you a good kick in the ass just because. Knowing who you are and what you stand for is the most important thing, I've learned, to get you back on your feet when life is fu-, well, "life-ing" you over and over again.

I've learned  a lot in the romance department as well. If I could go back and write myself a few bullet points before starting my freshman year, they would've looked a little like this:
1. Do not share your body with someone you don't care about.
2. Ignore the whispers. If you want to have a little fun, have a little fun! This double standard bullshit shouldn't keep you from doing what makes you happy.
3. Love works in mysterious ways.
4. You'll find love in the most unexpected places in the most unexpected people when you're not looking for it.
5. Be in the moment. Stop trying to worry about the future.
6. The only way you're ready to be with someone else is if you're ready to be with you.
7. Little boys vs. Men. Don't waste your time messing around with little boys. If you're looking for a love, you're not going to find it there. 'Nuff said...
8. Intellect is a turn-on.
9. Don't settle. If he doesn't give you butterflies, he's not for you.
10. Love fully with your whole heart and never apologize for it.

So thank you, emotional rollercoaster that was my past year. You've taught me well.

I can hear my year whispering back to me, "You did good, kid."

I'm so strange...

And on that note,

-- J

love: boy + girl

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The story goes like this:

Boy meets Girl. Boy and Girl establish a professional relationship. Boy flirts with Girl and Girl doesn't realize. Girl realizes and also realizes that she's very much attracted to Boy. Boy and Girl beat around the bush. Finally, Girl and Boy decide to start spending time together outside of work. Boy and Girl get very close. Boy can't have a relationship. Boy says 'no' while his actions say 'yes'. Boy and Girl know they shouldn't be together and try to distance themselves. Girl and Boy can't. Girl and Boy kiss

Yep, you know who I'm talking about.

After a little under two months, Mr. Wit and I have finally kissed. And it's about damn time too...

It was a Wednesday night when it happened. I went over to his place to just talk and hang out and the two of us were joking around and for about the bajillionth time that night, he leaned in, our foreheads touching, and our faces got closer than ever.

"Are we too close?" he asked me.

"No. But yes. But no," I replied, knowing that we weren't supposed to be anything more than friends but wanting nothing more than to kiss him. I then followed my last statement with, "Look. We could totally hate it so maybe this is just something we need to do to get out of our systems."

"I doubt that's going to be the case," Mr. Wit replies. I shook my head. I knew that it was dangerous territory that we were treading in, but nonetheless, Mr. Wit closed the gap between us and finally, yes, finally, kissed me.

We then followed up this day with kisses on Friday and sneaking around together on Saturday -- stealing kisses in secret corners and when no one was watching. We were in tech and then a run for a showcase and it almost became a game of which secret places we could occupy and for how long...and of course, who doesn't love the thrill of getting caught?

My name is J, and I'm utterly infatuated with Mr. Wit.

He's my escape; my breath of fresh air. The last couple of days have been incredible: long nights filled with converstion till the early hours of the morning, all twisted and entagled in each other; waking up in each other's arms and waking up to a kiss; the witty banter and word play; and of course, the added bonus: when things get hot and heavy.... I've never been one to skimp on the details but I'll leave you hanging just this once.

Nights full of whispers that send shivers down my spine: I adore you. You stun me. You're beautiful. You thrill me. I care about you. I could get used to this. Baby. You put me in this frenzy where I can't think straight.

And Mr. Wit keeps asking: "What is this? What does this all mean?" And I keep telling him, "It doesn't mean anything we don't want it to." As much as I would love to be monogamous with him, I know that right now he's afraid of being tied down and I'm not about to be the one to do that. I wouldn't do that to him. He's afraid of being limited and that's the last thing I want to do to him. And since last Saturday, we only had a week together before school breaks and I'm going back home exactly 1,365.6 miles away so I'm not too worried about trying to start anything right now. When I get back... well, that's another story.

Now, I'm not saying a kiss is just a kiss. I would love to, and am, falling head over heels for Mr. Wit. Dangerous territory... I know... especially when neither of us know where this is going to go. Mr. Wit's constantly harping on how he's not a good guy but his actions speak differently. It's the little things: kisses on the forehead, a glass of water next to me when I wake up in the morning, the silliness the two of us get up to, and the way he looks at me with such adoration and care. One morning he once said to me: "If only you could see what I see." What he doesn't know is that I feel the exact same way about him.

"How are you so comfortable with me? And with us?" Mr. Wit asked me.

I shrugged and replied to him, "I have no idea."

"It's funny how chemistry works like that, huh?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

Just the other night, we were spending time together. He was writing a paper so I curled up on the couch in a large, cozy blanket. While dinner was in the oven, we went to our prospective places in the living room to do our own work. I thought maybe it'd be awkward and I'd feel like I needed to fill every silence with words but there was no need to at all. I read and he worked on his paper and when he needed a break... well, I was happy to lend a hand. We're getting very comfortable with each other.

"Are we getting too close?" Mr. Wit asked me that night, as we lay wrappe up in each other. Seriously...?

"I don't know," I responded, hesitantly. "All I know is that we're getting pretty damn comfortable."

And on that note, I'll share with you a song that Mr. Wit shared with me.

"These Arms of Mine" - Otis Redding

Yours,

-- J

love: the ballad of mr. wit

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

So I said that I'd get updated... and yet weeks have gone by and no posting. I know, I know... I'll get better at this, I promise! Instead of trying to make up for all of it, I've decided that I'm going to just catch you up on what's been going on in one long, epic post.

Now where did I leave off..?

Oh, yes! Breakfast with Mr. Wit and trying to figure out what the hell was going on between us pretty quickly. Well, we did and it's been quite an odd story that has only just begun. But let me back up to the beginning, first.

The week after breakfast was great. We were texting every day and before the every show he'd send me something telling me to have a good show in his own quirky, goofy way -- always bringing a smile to my face. And then that Friday night, he picked me up around midnight after our Friday night performance, taking me back to his apartment for a night of good music, good talk, laughter, and back massages. Can't really argue with that, right? That week was followed by more fun and games with Mr. Wit. One night he biked over to my place and we walked over to the river to just sit on the dock and enjoy each other's company.

The thing I love most of about Mr. Wit is how I get to let my hair down with him. I get to be myself (a big goofball), do silly things, and just laugh -- and I believe that when you find someone you can really do that with, you should keep them around because it's pretty damn rare.

But like I said before, I better figure out what was going on before I fall too hard. And that's just it. I can hear the little voice in my head asking myself: "What's wrong with what you're doing? You two are having fun. Why need clarity?" But that's just it. After about a month of daily texts, late night dock visits, watching movies, baking together, and laughing together till 3 am, there was no kissing and I knew it was time to get down to the bottom of things.

"I mean... what're we doing... because sometimes it feels like it's more than just friends?" I asked, nervously. I didn't know how else to bring it up and it kind of just came tumbling out of my mouth. Like ripping off a band-aid. I told him that it felt like we were trapped in this awkard grey area/limb-like land and that I just needed some clarification. He completely agreed. The conversation got heavy after that and he responded that he really didn't know what we were doing, but at the moment he wasn't looking for anything. And I completely understand.

Little did I know that Mr. Wit had gotten out of a six year relationship barely a year ago -- the barely a year ago part I had no idea about. I'm glad we had the talk. I think he and I learned a lot about each other from it. What he's learned from relationships is that they're limiting and it's obvious that he's terrified of feeling so tied down again like that. He confessed me to me that he's terrified of hurting me as well and thinks that he'd break me. It just felt he was trying to push me farther and farther away.

What hurt about that, was that it felt like he was asking me not to care about him which is something I can't do. Believe I tried. I tried to not care and just to mash it down and look where that got us! Closer than ever. So I asked, "So did I make this all up in my head?" And he shook his head, "No, I think you were just responding to what I was giving you." We agreed to not let things get awkward and to keep things between us the same and that we didn't want to lose each other just yet. Essentially, he's not ready. It became clear that in our conversation that he was thinking with his head and I was thinking with my heart. It's actually a little creepy how much Mr. Wit is like Mr. Big. Not in the regards of being a total asshole sometimes, but he's got that old, nostalgic charm and the way he pushes me buttons verbally with all the witty wordplay. We also tease each other about age the way that Carrie and Big do (e.g. "Blood, sweat, and tears? Wow. Shouldn't this be in a museum?" "Be nice." Season 4, episode 18).

Regardless of our agreement, things between us were awkward a little that following week which was even more uncomfortable because we were just starting two new projects together. We kept professional and then the personal relationships began to fill in again and that Friday, I went over to his place to hang out.

It was perfect and just what we needed. We had said that we'd keep things the way that they were, but how do you do that? That Friday was a reminder for the both of us that we could resume whatever we were doing. The trickiest part, however, was that the flirtatious aspect was always apart of us and remained. And that's when it hit me. The most painful part of this whole "keeping things the way that they are" thing was that when we're together, it feels like he's mine.

The next week was hard. We saw each other when we were in the work each day but the personal conversation got less and less. And I realized why it was so hard, especially the idea that he did feel like mine when we were together. The version of him that I know, IS mine. That person I get to let my guard down and just be myself with IS mine and no one else's. If you really think about it, it's true. That's the person you know and you're going to love that person in your very own way.

"Wait, there's more? So why the hell stay, J?" is what I'm sure you're asking and I've got one simple answer for you. I care about him. Damn it, feelings! But he is my friend first and I truly do care about him. I just want him to know that I care about him for him -- not for any alterior motive but because he's an amazing guy.

And this is where the lines get blurry and the grey area makes a reappearance. Well, the grey area was always there, it just got... more grey, if that makes any sense.

Last Thursday, I went over to Mr. Wit's to watch a movie which progressed instead to life talk and a couple of beers, along with hanging out with his roommate. The night ended, however, in a tickle fight. When a man tells you that he isn't looking for anything and then you end up holding his hands to keep him from tickling you, his forehead pressed against yours, you're a little confused, am I right?!

I'm not overly distraught about like I usually would be, but I'm starting to get the idea that he may not know in his brain, but he somewhere there, he does know how he feels.

Again, I'm not waiting around, but the option is not closed.

And I think it's for the best that Mr. Wit and I don't start anything soon. I'm leaving in about week when school gets out to go back home, exactly 1,365.6 miles away from here. He's made it clear that he can't do long distance again like he did with his ex and I would never want to do that to him. I also don't think it's wise to start a relationship and then try for 3 months, something we really don't even know about.

I also think, especially now that I will 1,365.6 miles away, I need to focus on me again. I think Mr. Wit and I got a little addicted to having someone again, and I think us taking a step back is a good idea. I can finally take time to myself without having to worry about texting someone or planning something with anyone. I can just breathe and be. And with all this time, I've forgotten how not too bad company I am. To love someone else means you've got to love yourself first, right?

Who knows what next year will hold for us? Maybe by August, he'll be ready to tell me how he feels. Maybe it'll go the other direction. As of now, I'm just enjoying the time we have together because really, our friendship is what comes first.
So I'll leave you with these words,

Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

 

-- J

love: men and candy

Photo Credit: weheartit.com

(March 31)

As I sit here and stuff my face with Sour Patch kids, I realized something. Men are like candy You reach into the box and take three more pieces, promising yourself that this is it and there is absolutely no more. You declare it proudly before you realize that two minutes later, you're reaching for more. "Just three more!" you say to yourself. Ugh! It's infuriating! And before you know it, the box is empty and you're left feeling like shit about yourself.

Brings a whole new meaning to the word man candy, am I right? I guess you could say that Mr. Wit is my "man-candy".

Sticking with our candy analogy, I couldn't help but see the similarities. Sugar. You crave it. You finish the box/pack/whatever and you feel satisfied. Then comes the sugar high. It's a drug. It gets you so high only to pull you back down in just under an hour.

Men. You crave them. You consume. You're satisfied. And yes. There's that love/lust/like high too. They get you so high only to pull you back down again -- only it usually takes them longer than an hour.

See what I mean?

And right now, Mr. Wit's got me so high it's not even funny.

Why you ask?

Remember that breakfast date I told you about? Well, he and I finally had it. And by date, I mean how we agreed to cook breakfast together sometime.

I went over around ten in the morning and I'm not going to lie. I was nervous as hell. Not only was he there, but it was a new environment and I always feel uncomfortable at first because you never know what's okay and what's not. Can I take my shoes off? Are you sure I can sit on the counter? Etc.

But I soon eased into the atmosphere, realizing I had no real reason to be nervous. His Pandora station was set on a classic rock station (Yes!) and we began to cook around each other and just talk -- like two partners in crime in the kitchen. Hah! I made crepes and he made these incredible breakfast tacos. I'm telling you. It was the poblano chile peppers. And really. Come on, ladies (and gentlemen). A guy who can cook? Very sexy. Good music. Good food. Good guy.

Another Sunday morning well spent, yes?

By the time we were done, we sat down at the table to breakfast tacos and crepes. I had brough Nutella and Speculoos as well as some fresh fruit to put into the crepes and we had a lovely morning together of laughing, joking around, stolen glances, and talking. And we'd even do this thing when it'd get quiet where we'd just look at each other, exchanging glances and a small smile with each other.

The more time I spend with him the more and more I really like him. At first attraction it was his focus, passion, drive, and intelligence that drew me to him but now I'm seeing a whole new side to him. The wit between us becomes playful and jokingly teasing. He's sweet, goofy, and fun to be around and I feel like I can really be myself wit him. I'm starting to let him in too which is terrifying but exciting all at the same time. I find myself sharing things with him from my peronsal life only find that I want him to know.

And he makes me laugh which is also incredibly sexy.

When I left, he gave me this long, tight hug which threw me off a little bit. The whole time, I thought maybe he'd bring up what was going on between us or maybe even try to kiss me, but there was nothing. So when I left, I waited for the back pat but instead found myself in a long embrace, shocking me.

I better figure out what he and I are doing, quick, because from what it sounds like, I'm going to fall hard for Mr. Wit.

A good friend of mine, Zitro, and I were talking later that evening and he was singing the blues again about his girl. As I texted him back my best pep talk speech, I accidentally wrote "fell" instead of "feel" and now I'm starting to think that it may have not have been a coincidence.

My little type really caused me to think: Isn't that how it is? The more we feel, the more fall; the more we fall, the more we feel. Zitro's already six feet under for his girl and I'm starting to feel the cliff beneath my feet crumble into several pieces. How long till I lose my grip?

I don't even want to go there...

One more post until I'm finally caught up and yes, I WILL be updating this Sunday.

-- J

love: a morning well spent

Photo Credit: The Single Girl in Love

 

(March 24)

The reason I'm putting dates up at the top is because these were supposed to be published on said date but due to my insanely busy schedule, they were unfinished blog posts begging to be written. But I'm getting to them now and that is what's important! Onto the finer things...

 

I know it's a little bit grey and muggy out, but it really was a morning well spent. Can you believe that that's on my college's campus? It's gorgeous, I know. Perhaps I'll have to take another picture of it on a sunny day. Anyways, there's a river across from my school with this little dock that I like to go to, specifically on Sunday mornings.

Why Sunday mornings, you ask?

In a college town like mine, by Sunday morning, no one's up before noon and everyone's still hungover from the night before, leaving me to sit alone by the water and just listen. And this morning I had a lot on my mind...

Classes have started again and we're back from Spring Break. I honestly wondered how Mr. Wit and I would exist outside of spring break and it's been interesting. He and I are both very busy people and we both knew school would kick us in the assess the minute we got back. Would we have time? When would we see each other? Would we still hang out. It sounds pretty petty and small but at the moment, he and I have barely scratched the surface of spending time together.

Allow me to rewind a little bit, seeing as I never really gave much detail into Mr. Wit coming back into the picture. It's a little creepy because I was watching an episode of Sex and the City and there was a scene between Carrie and Big that made me stop and realize: "Oh my God. This is what we sound like." He's witty, indicated by his pseudonym and he and I go back and forth with our words.

Oh yes. And it's really hot...

On Saturday, the day after Mr. Wit's brithday, he and I met up for some coffee. This was decided that morning around 3:30-4 as we texted through his birthday get together. If that doesn't show like, I don't know what does. Four hours? Through his birthday party? I can't be making this all up in my head, right?

We met up and had a nice time just talking and drinking our coffee. We laugh a lot together and I love that he makes me laugh like that. He pushes my buttons in the best way possible and I think I push him too. Not in a rude way, but we tease each other and challenge each other a little bit, intellectually. Afterwards, he drove me to my rehearsal and we went our separate ways.

That night, though, he texted me to ask how rehearsal was and we talked for a little while longer until I fell asleep. We've been texting all day long. We're not talking anymore because his dad's in town which I completely understand but we've kept in constant contact which has been a little bit a surprise to me. The following was a little odd though. We'd text all day long and then go a day without.

Something that Mr. Wit and I have a problem with is that we dance around certain things. We both are good with words that I think we both know how to prolong cutting to the chase. For what reason? For me, I'm just a chicken. What happened was that it got brought up that the both of us love to cook and we danced around the idea of us cooking together sometime until we were saying goodbye and he said to me: "When you're not busy, you'll have to come over and I'll have to make you breakfast tacos sometime." And I simply smiled at him and said: "And waffles. We can't forget the waffles."

So this week's on and off communication threw me off a little bit. We're still getting to know each other and cooking together doesn't seem like a "Just Friends" kind of thing to do. All weekend we were kind of out of touch which irked me a little. So that's what's been on my mind lately. And I know he's been spending with his friend that occassionally benefits which makes me nervous too. He keeps referring to her as his friend and I feel like if they were something more than he'd let me know.

Breakfast this weekend didn't work out so perhaps next weekend? Who knows? I'm curious as to see if we'll keep it up. I mean, texting all week long? It's a little exhausting!!! And by a little, I mean a lot -- especially coming from a girl who hates texting. Remember Mr. Too Available? Yeahhhh.... I hate texting but I don't hate texting Mr. Wit which is a big surprise... because I really do hate texting. It's stressful and annoying and communication can be misconstrued very easily.

I feel like I'm stuck in this grey area of "I don't know" because in reality, I really don't. Mr. Wit and I have been in constant contact and have hung out a total of one time. Yes, things are flirty, but what are we doing? I know what I want but I'm not sure what he wants and I'm not sure where this is going. Is it just friendly or more? It certainly feels like more but then again, I don't really know! I could be reading it all wrong!

All I do know is I really like spending time with him and I'm really enjoying getting to know him and the more I get to know him the more I like him.

With love,

-- J

love: the battle of S and Mr. Wit

Photo Credit: weheartit.com

 

(March 17)

Can't sleep.

Ok, so I know this isn't really heping. Two minutes ago, I was lying in bed, tossing and turning, desperately begging my mind to quiet itself but no luck there. I usually sleep to music and yet the Lumineers seem to play through the album faster than normal. And soon enough, it's over and I have to restart it.

I can't sleep.

I turn on different music. I get on my laptop. Yes, yes I know that electronic screens tell the body to create a hormone that keeps you awake. I know this isn't helping.

So what is it exactly that's occupying my mind?

That's a funny story...

Let me reintroduce you to the characters: There's S, the cute, but manwhoreish friend with benefit; and Mr Wit, the sexy, brainy one. This story starts with Mr. Wit. If you hadn't noticed from my first post about Mr. Wit, I've got real feelings for him. What I didn't tell you about, is the fact that I wasn't/am not 100% sure of the fact that he is even available. I'm going to have to rewind to a couple of weeks ago.

Many members of our department left to go to a competition for a whole week -- Mr. Wit included. I kept my distance while he was away. I still wasn't quite sure if this was a good idea and well, the risk was daunting. And I knew he'd be coming back in a week so I let it be. And boy did I miss him. He returned and I was over the moon. It was good to have him back and in my own spastic way, I told him I missed him.

Cute, I know. But here's where it gets kind of college-girl slutty. During the week he was gone, S -- who hadn't gone to the competition -- and I were planning to hang out. The implication of hang out? Most likely drink and hook up. I almost shudder a little bit thinking about that. Have your fun. Seriously. I have mine, believe me, but I'm starting to reevaluate how fun that really is. But back to the story, S and I didn't end up hanging out, which was probably for the best.

To continue this story, we need a little background on Mr. Wit. Mr. Wit -- or so I've heard -- is a bit of a player, which I never would've guessed when I first met him (and really even now that I'm getting to know him). He has had this friend with benefit, kind of like what S is to me, for quite some time now. I was talking to a friend that Thursday and this friend revealed to me that Mr. Wit and his friend with benefit were... benefiting again and that it would potentially turn into more than friends with benefits. So with this information, I did something terribly immature.

Later that night, S sent me a text message asking me to come over. This was after 10:30 and we all know that that means booty call. I knew exactly what I was getting into but I went anyways and to be honest, I think a lot of the reason was the fact that it was starting to settle in that I couldn't have Mr. Wit. So I spent the night at S' house.

It feels good to be wanted. So I did just that. I let myself be wanted even if it wasn't for the right reasons.

With S in the game and Mr. Wit out, I was sure that I knew what I was doing.

But just you wait. About a week later (last night), Mr. Wit had a birthday and so I sent him a quick text message just to with him a happy birthday. We ended up talking till 5 in the morning and made plans to see each other the next day. We met up for coffee, talked, and had a really nice afternoon together. What surprised me the most was that I had a text message from him this evening, checking up on me and how rehearsal went.

So is Mr. Wit really back in the game? It certainly feels like it.

But we'll just wait and see. For now, I'm willing to ride out the madness mainly because dear LORD does he give me butterflies. It feels like the minute you're ready to say goodbye he pulled me right back in. I'm not quite sure what's going on between him and his friend with benefit but I'm willing to wait and see. More on that later. "

And what does this mean for S? Honestly, I'm not sure. All I know is, if things continue to go as well as they are with Mr. Wit, I will no longer want to benefit with S.

For now,

-- J

love: what happened to BFFs? a study on FWBs

Photo Credit: cwtv.com

 

I haven't been too badly with posting! Here's my new plan: Post once a week on a Sunday! Sounds like a pretty good goal so far, right? Let's hope that I can stick to it. Being a college kid is just so darn time consuming! It is also possible that I may post more than once in a week, depending on how desperate I get to vent.

But, moving on! Whoever said that this was a man's world had no idea how easy it is to be a girl. It really hadn't hit me until now, but my college days have opened my eyes to the mystical powers that us women know (or don't know -- in my case) we possess. Seriously. We only went to a few frat parties at the beginning of the year and it just never ceases to amaze me how penis-driven those boys are. If you showed up uninvited with five girls, you were golden.

And in our academic apartment, we have our own frat boys.

For anonymity, we'll just call him S. S and I have been good friends for a while and have hooked up on occassion. S is quite the catch: he's cute, he's fun, we have fun together, and he's sweet. The only thing wrong with him is the his best friend who is always on the prowl. Seriously. It's a little disgusting -- and by a little, I mean a lot. And unfortunately, S really admires this best friend, eagerly mimicking his manwhore-ish ways.

So this semester, S and I danced/drank/kissed the night away before parting separate ways and ever since then, things have been a lot more flirty than normal. Again, I would really consider him if he weren't flirting with a different girl every time I saw him. I feel like it's a lot different when you flirt with someone just to flirt and flirting with someone you know and care about. With S there's a missed connection when it comes to all the emotions.

This past weekend, S and I were at a party and he was flirting left and right with different girls. I, on the other hand, was less than pleased and did my own thing. That is until he roped me into his arms for a dance.

Yes, I know that right now you're thinking: "Don't do it! It's a trap."

It is indeed.

At this point, I'm thinking: "I'm not just a body and this can't just be out of convenience." So I played the "do you want me?" game with him.

Yes, ladies. We're all guilty of it.

I said to him as we danced together, "So what about that girl you've been talking to all night? Are you going to go for it?" Out of my periphery, I could see the two girls grouped together -- one of them being the one he had been flirting with all night -- dancing around him and laughing exceptionally loud to see if he would notice. He responded to me, holding me close, "I'm just flirting." And right back at him, "Are you sure I'm not stepping on your game? It doesn't have to be me. I don't have to be here right now."

And he smiled and told me, "I'm sure."

Oh, S...

And with a little more poking and prodding, I was satisfied with his answer. I think he got off on the fact that I was a little jealous too. I guess it was a win-win situation.

The only thing about S that I fear is that our attraction is purely chemical. Sure, we have fun on a daily basis but it's always flirtatious. It seems like that's all he wants from me sometimes. And that's okay, when it comes to S. I think maybe I could have feelings for him but I really just don't know. Friends with benefits, for now? Okay.

The next morning, I couldn't help but wonder about this whole friends with benefits thing. We see it all over the media: movies like Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached, that whole Felix and Brooke storyline on One Tree Hill-- it's a little impossible to escape. And something I've noticed is that a lot of college relationships are reduced to "just messing around" "undefined" and "I don't know what this is." Now, I'm not condemning friends with benefits. Seeing from my little anecdotes above, I'm all for it. But actually having a friend with benefit begs the question: does this really work?

What happens when emotions get involved? Someone always get hurt. I mean, isn't that the whole story arc that they use in the media anyways?

For men, I'm not quite sure what friends with benefits for them is like. Doesn't society tell us to believe that it's every man's dream? I know a few that don't feel that way (more to come in a few paragraphs). For women, I know that after sex, our bodies release a hormone that makes us attach to our partner. So how does that come into play with the friend-with-benefit thing? Can we stay attached as just friends? (I am genuinely curious about this one).

With S, I have no idea where this could lead. I could fall for him. He could fall for me. We could both fall together. Or one of us could realize it wasn't going to work. Regardless, at present, neither of us have real feelings for each other. They could be there... just not now and I am perfectly content with that. I know he is too.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, my friend DM is currently in one of these undefined college relationships. He wants to define things but she does not. It's obvious that DM is emotionally invested in this girl but still, she does not want to put a label on it. He feels like they're doing more than just messing around.

I'm afraid that DM's going to get his heartbroken. I honestly don't know if she'll ever be ready for a relationship. Who knows?

So with two contrasting stories, maybe it's a case by case thing. Maybe you can be friends with benefits depending on who you are.

Another thing that popped into my mind is that generalization that those in a friends with benefits relationship are "scary and damaged". Not all of us, but I think a lot of us are. For me, I don't have a lot of free time. I don't necessarily want a relationship unless it is the right person.

That or call me a picky committment-a-phobe. I've accepted it.

But then again, I may change my mind and I guess this is what this blog is for: my thoughts on love, venting, and documenting the stupid mistakes I make in college.

All I know is for now, I am perfectly fine with only being friends with benefits with S.

Ahh... someday I'll look back on this and have a good laugh.

This is it for now,

-- J

love: "they sing a song only you can hear"

Photo Credit: Pinterest

"You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear." -- Oscar Wilde

Smart man, that one. We're two birds of a feather; two peas in a pod; and of course, Aristotle's "a single soul inhabiting two bodies."

Sometimes you just recognize something in someone; that thing that hits you and turns you upside down and inside out.

Miss Carrie Bradshaw summed it up all too well in the very first episode of Sex and the City. Via voice over, she realizes when meeting Big: "Suddenly I felt the wind knocked out of me. I wanted to crawl under the covers and go right to sleep" all while sexy jazz music plays on in the background. The windows of Mr. Big's car are scattered with drops of rain as they ride through the city together. We all know that Sex and the City can be such a charicature of dating (along with the women and men) but there's so much truth to it as well. And beautiful story to tell, in addition!

Let me introduce you to Mr. Wit** who is slowly but surely creeping into John James Preston (Mr. Big) territory. We met because we work together. We had never worked together but knew of each other and had met on occasion.

You know when you meet someone, and there's just that spark? You know you've let an impression on them and whether you know it or not, they've left an impression on you.

Second semester starts up and finally, Mr. Wit and I's professional paths begin to cross. We begin to work together and I'm terribly intimidated. I didn't know what to expect and the kind of work he creates is beautiful. What if I didn't meet his expectations? What if I just sucked?! But it opened my eyes to this collaborative creative process that left me feeling whole.

So his work makes me feel artistically fulfilled. Okay. Cool. But seriously, J? Where does the romance come in?

Cue flirtation.

It all started as we began to get to know each other a little better outside of our work. It started with a: "You look really nice today" here and there which I never thought of much until he went out of his way to say something once. At this point I'm thinking: "Hm.. This is getting a little more frequent than normal... and he's going out of his way. Is there... an attraction here?"

It caught me off guard. I felt like I was going crazy. I mean... I had to be making this all up in my head, right? So I consulted who knew him really well and she only confirmed my suspicions. She said that he was a really flirty guy but that it was selective -- highly selective. At that moment, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it, but I knew there was an attraction on his part there. On my part? I wasn't too sure yet but I knew I was feeling something.

The next day I would be seeing him for another project that he asked me to work on with him. We met with the rest of our fellow team members and as we were going over the prelimnary things, I couldn't help but notice that my heart was racing just a little bit more than usual. He was so in his element and his work that he shared with us -- what he wanted us to be a part of -- was breathtaking. I watched as he worked and was captivated by his passion for it. In addition, he has a brain... which I'm starting to learn is pretty hard to come by.

Intelligence is sexy. Seriously.

And then it hit me. Even though I hadn't noticed it, I was extremely attracted to Mr. Wit. I felt my heart beating in my chest and like I wanted to just haul off and kiss him.

Of course, I didn't.

Not only was his art beautiful, but I felt like we got each other. We ran on the same frequency and that was appealing. He lent me books which was incredibly sexy, in my opinion. Just sayin'! Once I realized my attraction, I attempted to deny my feelings for him. "It's just an attraction!" I defended myself. But I knew it wasn't and it was soon revealed to me that my friends knew it wasn't either.

I was in so deep and there was no turning back. Normally, when I like someone, it's never really for the right reasons. A lot of the time, the initial attraction stems from a physical attraction. Mr. Wit hooked me with his brain, his creativity, and his sense of humor. The sexual attraction was all there, but wasn't at all what I noticed until... well, until I realized I had feelings for him.

And this makes it harder to get over.

But why give up something like that?

I'll be frank. I'm falling for his soul. He's a good looking guy, but that's not what I'm attracted to. He's smart and fun to flirt with. He makes me laugh -- I think we could sit for hours and just laugh together. He's kind and has an amazing heart. He gets me -- and that is invaluable. I connect with him on an emotional, spiritual, physical, and artistc level. That's pretty fucking hard to come by, especially nowadays, if you ask me!

I feel like Mr, Wit is going to be the death of me. I can feel myself diving in head first. I get butterflies every time I see him. I've found myself going out of my way or going to class a little extra early just because I know that I'll run into him.

Yeah, I know. I've got it bad.

But the way he makes me feel? There's nothing better than this.

Your head over heels pal,

J

** Note: Name change. Mr. Wit used to be nicknamed The Artist but there I changed the name because the more I get to know him, the more Mr. Wit suits him.

love: is being too available a turn off?

 

Photo Credit: weheartit.com

 

Right on schedule! It is Sunday, and I'm posting on this blog. Let's all hope and pray and cross fingers (and toes, arms, legs, whatever else an be crossed, etc.) that I stick to this.

 

So this begins part one of the whirlwind tornado that has been my love life as of second semester.

This story starts off similarly to the other "connections" I've made at parties but ends very differently. I know what you're thinking: This girl really needs to start making sober connections. Yes, yes, I know all this. This realization has hit me but more on that in future posts, I promise! But back to the story. It went a little like this:

Boy meets girl. Girl flirts with boy. Boy and girl kiss. Boy asks for girls number. Girl doesn't realy think she has any feelings for boy the next day. Boy texts girl constantly. Girl hates texting and starts to dislike boy. Girl explains she does not want a relationship. Boy respects this but still keeps texting girl. Girl is over it.

 

Very, very over it. Sick of it. We can conclude that I'm not any more of a fan of texting after that.

 

For the purposes of anonymity, we'll call him Mr. Too Available. When I met Mr. Too Available, I thought he was nice. I mean, he was cute and seemed like an interesting guy. Part of me now wonders whether I thought he was interested or just interested in me. It sounds like a shallow thing, but to be brutally honest, we all like attention from the opposite sex. There's no denying that. I mean, really... please feel free to disagree with me but I don't think I'm just talking about me here.

The morning after we kissed, Mr. Too Available was texting me throughout the day... and the next day... and the next. I could feel a burning in my stomach and a feeling as if I wanted to push him farther and farther away from me. We had known each other for maybe two days and he was already asking me out to dinner. I didn't even know the guy!

A friend said to me, "But that's what dates are for! To get to know him." I simply said to him, "Yeah, but dinner? That seems a little too serious way too soon." I texted Mr. Too Available back and told him that I was busy that night but we should grab coffee at some point instead.

To be honest, the coffee date never happened. After ignoring one of his texts and no contact for two days, he sent me a long message explaining that he completely understood that he was busy and was willing wait for me to make time for him. This made me slam on the breaks even harder. "Willing to wait?" I mean... we've known each other for less than a week. It was just all too fast! I barely knew the guy and he spoke like a candidate on the Bachelorette or something. It was just... cheesy. I diplomatically replied that I wasn't in a place for a relationship and if we did hang out, it should be only as friends.

 

And the thing is, at the time, I wasn't. I have a lot on my plate right now and making time and room for someone new was not on my agenda. It just felt like he was taking a pillar and ramming it over and over into the precious walls I've spent years building up. It didn't feel like he was courting me; it felt like an invasion.

Now I sound like some dysfuntional single woman, and yes, I've accepted that I am.

 

On top of that, I had heard from a lot of people that know him well that he wasn't necessarily a nice guy and treats women like shit, but that wasn't what made me so skittish about him.

But with all of the Mr. Too Available drama, it made me start to think about how we relate to men. We reject them if they're too unavailable but when they're too available, the outcome is the same. Is availability a turn off? With Mr. Too Available, I felt like he was chasing after me when I hadn't even started running (until I really did start running). It was too... forceful. But I guess I've always been a fan of the long courting of the good friend turned lover type. Is it wrong to want to get to know a guy without the pressure and expectation that things will become romantic?

 

If I had agreed to get to know Mr. Too Available, I feel like there would've been an expectation that it would turn into more from the beginning, at least on his part. I didn't want myself or him, for that matter, through that -- discomfort on my point and most likely disappointment on his.

So if men are too available and too unavailable and we still don't want them, what is "just right"?

 

I think another reason I couldn't dig Mr. Too Available was because, and I'll be honest. I do love a good chase.

 

My name is J, and I am a dysfuntional single woman.

Oh dear, lord...

 

-- J



coffee date

Photo Credit: Pinterest

If we were on a coffee date, I'd apologize a bajillion times about how shitty I've been about posting lately... as in like... for the past few months. Yes, yes, I know. But my interest in blogging has re-sparked. Ok, I'm not actually sure if that's a real word but hey, we're going to roll with it! I guess I just remembered why I wanted to start this blog in the first place. I'm not going to lie. It's a little daunting -- starting a blog. You don't know if anyone's going to read it or anyone's going to care. Is it a good idea?

Fuck it.

That's what I say. And I'd share this philosophy with you on this ideal coffee date. I want to have something to look back on: life, love, food, music. And when I first began this blog, I wanted to limit this blog and categorize it into a love blog but now I'm starting to see that it has potential to be so much more than that -- almost like an online diary. I mean, isn't that what people use blogs for these days?

In addition, let me redefine "love": In like love with boys, with life, fashion, with art, with what I'm doing, how I'm running my life, with no apologies.So many things in this life mindfuck me and make me fall in love with them; not just romantic love.

So here's the the single girl in love 2.0. I'm in it for real this time (Or so I say. Finger crossed. Knock on wood! Whatever other cliches there are out there).

Goals:

1. To post EVERY Sunday. It gives me a week to work on a post, right? That's one post per week and once I start meeting one post per week then maybe we'll up the posting.
2. Recipe posts! I've got some great recipes coming ranging from dorm life to recipes requiring an oven and a stove. As much as we love that darn microwave, it's nice to have a meal from scratch.
3. Love what I do. Find my voice. Enjoy the words. Speak from the heart.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd tell you that second semester was going well and it is enormously different than first. It's been a lot more work than I'd ever thought it could be and sometimes I feel like I can't catch my breath. In those moments of stress and tearing my hair out, I remind myself to take a deep breath and remind myself why I'm doing what I do. Why put myself through all the stress?

Because I love it. Plain and simple.

If I were on this imaginary coffee date, I'd then tell you that my romantic life has been a little crazy lately. Oh the stories I have to tell. I'd tell you the stories in turn with your story but for now, these stories are for another post(s).

I'm really looking forward to getting back into this blog. I think it's an outlet that is very much needed and I'm hoping to connect with at least one person through this blog. I've been inspired by a lot of blogs -- specifically lifestyle and sewing blogs -- and would love to do that for someone else.

Until we meet again,

-- J