This book is LOVE. <3

“Felicity” shaped my teen years

The dialogue below is one of my absolute favorites. SERIOUSLY. I get so kilig everytime Ben and Felicity get together. <3 I LOVE. And Ben Covington? SWOOOOON.

*  *  *  *  *

Meghan: This is how I know Felicity still likes you. You ready?

Ben Covington: Yeah. Wha… what is it?

Meghan: Sarah McLachlan.

Ben Covington: What?

Meghan: When Felicity showed up last year, head over heels for you, Sarah McLachlan was all she listened to. If “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy” wasn’t in the CD player, it was only so “Solace” could get a little airplay. I started calling it ‘Ben music’… not to her face but behind her back. But then it went away, and I thought Sarah was gone for good. I almost started celebrating. And then you showed up again. You offered Felicity this cross-country trip of a lifetime, which means I got to memorize every lyric from “Surfacing”… all 10 songs! This year started off McLachlan-heavy, until the big break-up, and then all of Felicity’s hair went away, and so did Sarah. Until you guys broke into the pool. Now maybe it was a coincidence, but guess who started to make a comeback? It was gradual, but constant, and now if you want me to, I can sing any song from “Mirrorball” which really annoys the hell out of me! So if you’re ever curious about whether Felicity has the hots for you, just check her boom box.

Ben Covington: That’s the dumbest theory I’ve ever heard.

In the shifting
of the beach shells
lies the secret whispers
of an ‘Us’ that never was.

The trickling of
each grain of sand
poured out our story
of an endless
summer night talking;
me,
huddled under the bedcovers,
while you were
blanketed by
the magic of a starlit night.

Eventhough apart —
we shared the beach.

Your voice was the
wind – sticky and sweet,
soothing me.
Your laughter were
waves that crashed
towards the shore –
tickling, teasing,
touching me.

As the night melted
into the dawn
and our giggles
lulled me to slumber,
I knew I would
hold this image of us
in place –
apart, but connected,
barely together,
joined by the shared magic
of Summer dreams
and innocence.

– 2:42 PM
– July 8, 2009

*  *  *

One exercise in writing poetry is to write something you’re not feeling strongly about anymore. Revisiting old feelings, when you’ve found closure in them already. I admit to being a “fair-weather writer.” I rarely write poetry when the emotions aren’t high. But since last year, I’ve been training myself to write because I need to, and not because the emotions are there.

This poem has been one of those times. I forced myself to write it. It was difficult getting started, and even more difficult ending it. :p

Anyway, old memories back in 2004, I think.

Photo by me, sometime in 2007.

When I start missing someone, I answer blog surveys

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Tanya Roberts

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
oh… hmmm… I don’t remember. 2 or 3 weeks ago?
Oh wait. I cried watching ‘Tayong Dalawa’ last week. Kill me now.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITNG?
sometimes.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAL?
hmmm… that really depends on my mood.

5. DO YOU HAVE KID(s)?
nopes.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
why not?

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
oh yeah.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I think, yes. But it would have to be an impulsive decision, ’cause I’d probably back out after FIVE minutes of agreeing. hihi

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
honey stars

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
yup

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Dark Chocolate with real choco bits

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their faces. and height! (’cause more often than not, I have to look up at them!)

15. RED OR PINK?
PEEEEENK!

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
my height. i’m too small

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Ima

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
it won’t ruin my day if that’s what you’re asking

19. WHAT COLOR OF PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
blue jeans, black heels

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
some R&B song

22. WHAT COLOR CRAYON ARE YOU?
yellow

23. FAVORITE SCENTS?
peppermint, coffee beans, and the beach

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Michael.

25. HOW DO YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
she’s my sister

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Basketball and Tennis

27. HAIR COLOR?
black, dyed dark brown

28. EYE COLOR?
dark brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Clear lenses, ’cause I’m legally blind without them.

30. FAVORITE FOODS?
japanese, chocolates

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
In the theater – Ice Age 3
On TV – 13 Going on 30

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
faded old rose/salmon (it’s a very vague color!)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summerrrrr

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Bear HUGS

37. DESCRIBE YOUR PENCIL CUP.
purple Eeyore mug Sharkboy got for me from Singapore

38. FAVORITE ARTIST(s)?
excuse me, are these ART artists? or MUSIC artists?
‘Cause that would be too many to list

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Haruki Murakami’s Dance Dance Dance

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don’t have one in the office.
At home, it’s a cutesy little green errr… thing.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Tayong Dalawa and 13 Going on 30.

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S).
old songs

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES
BEATLES BEATLES BEATLES

44. WHERE IS THE FARTHEST PLACE YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY?
Umm… Cebu?

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can… hold my breath longer than others :p (WHUT)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Lourdes Hospital Sta. Mesa Philippines.

47. FAVORITE PIECE OF JEWELRY?
my silver ring, which mommy gave to me, and was originally my great grandma’s.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.
one fine day, we were introduced to each other as co-workers.
then we became friends, then the rest is history.  <3