The truth about 'hanging out'

I woke up about 30 minutes ago for who knows why and unfortunately, I can't go back to sleep. I'm still hoping that after I've done this blog post, I'll be able to go back to sleep.

Hmm... So what can I blog about? My brain is still in a very sleepy condition so bear with me if I'm not making sense in this post. I truly am sorry if at this rate, I am wasting your time with nonsense.

Oh! Ok, now I have a topic. It's not really something I would really want to blog about but hey, it's better than nothing, I guess.

So yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with a good friend of mine. Interesting because it's a conversation that had me trying to convince her that I know what I'm saying and I know what I'm actually doing.

She asked me: "What's the difference between hanging out and going on a date?"

I admit, it was a little hard to answer the question only because I didn't really know how to explain it properly. But whenever I get asked if I'm dating somebody, I always say no. It's true, I'm not dating anybody. I haven't been dating for the past two years. BUT -- yes, there is a but -- I do hang out.

People these days, they think that just because a guy and a girl go out, it automatically means they're dating. Well, folks, sorry to burst your bubble. But there is a big difference between "hanging out" and "dating."

When my friends ask me if I'm dating this guy, I immediately say no. Because we're really not dating. We're simply hanging out. We hang out because our meet ups are usually spontaneous, unstructured, even. We invite each other to doing things that don't necessarily involve romantic feelings whatsoever. That, in my opinion, is hanging out.

A date, on the other, well -- call me old fashioned, but for me, a date begins with a formal invitation, like "Would you like to go out on a date with me?" It's planned, it's structured.

When dating, it usually means that two people have this ongoing, exclusive relationship. Hanging out is more ambiguous; it doesn't connote exclusivity.

I say I hang out with a guy because we share time together. I'm not saying that when I'm hanging out with someone, it won't lead to dating. I'm just saying that at this point, this is what we do... We hang out. I mean, who knows, maybe in the future, after spending much time together, an attraction builds up between two people and ultimately, that will lead to dating.

What can I say, I'm really a very old fashioned person. Is there anything else I should be explaining?

That, my friends, is the truth about "hanging out."

Ok, time to hit the sack again.

Early bird random blogging.

I have been awake since 4 o'clock in the morning and even though I should just go back to sleep and wake up at 6am, I opted to turn on my computer and log in my blog.

November. Yeah, it's November already. I'm still in a bit of shock at how fast time goes by. In just 53 days, Christmas is already here and yes, I am already thinking of my Christmas wish list. And I will be posting them some time soon. Hehe.

The past month has been interesting, to say the least. It's been a good month, actually. Despite being the very busy person that I am, it's amazing that I have made time to go out and just hang around some places. No, unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to out-of-town trips since I've a lot of things to do in Manila but I still had my moments of going out and just relax.

I'm very excited about this month. Really, I am. I'm excited that I'm seeing my friends again and go to dinner with them to catch up on stuff. I'm excited that I'm going bowling with my other friends soon. I'm excited to attend to my friends' wedding in less than three weeks. And most of all, I'm so excited to go to that out-of-town trip that I have been hoping for since my birthday!

I was looking back at my blog on my to do list when I turn 24 and it's just hilarious! I look back and say to myself, "What the hell was I thinking when I did this?" Hahaha! Here's an update...

1. Go on a trip on my own --> doing it on November 27-28

2. Organize my closet --> I've been cleaning my closet every week

3. Buy one gadget I really love --> Not yet, but SOON!

4. Watch a play --> Cats is love... Hehehehe

5. Go to a spa --> Aaack! No, I haven't done this...

6. Start writing a book --> Maybe not yet the right time. I don't even have a clue how to begin

7. Reconnect with a childhood friend --> I have! But that needs a repeat...

8. Go on a weekend retreat --> By end of the month...

9. Swap books with a friend --> Yep yep yep

10. Start a travel blog --> I couldn't find the time to start this one... Tsk tsk... Or maybe I shouldn't start a travel blog... Maybe just another blog... Hmmm....

11. Buy a friend coffee --> Done this too... Hehehe

12. Buy a new pair of shoes --> This year, I bought 3 pairs of shoes since January

13. Try out a new cuisine --> Done. But where to, next?

14. Record an album --> Hahahaha! I can't believe I actually did this... check out my acoustic sessions 1 and 2

15. Ice skate at the SM Mall of Asia ice skating rink --> I live like 5 minutes away from MOA and yeet I haven't done this. That is bad.

16. Go bowling --> Doing this in two weeks

17. Go out of town with friends --> Haven't done this... Who wants to go out of town? Hehe

18. Wear my knee-high boots --> Haha! Not in season...

19. Go somewhere abroad --> Was supposed to but had to postpone till next year... Oh well...

20. Take random pictures everyday --> Ok, I wasn't able to do this everyday, but I do take random pictures

21. Have a flatter tummy --> Tsk tsk, I think I got bigger. Must have flatter tummy by January!

22. Hug a friend --> Who else wants a hug from me? Hahaha!

23. Go on a photo shoot and be the model --> Hehe, as much as I'd like to do this, I haven't...

24. Go on a date --> Seriously, what was I thinking? A date? I haven't done so in 2 years...

Well, I should be getting ready. Till my next blog entry... Soon, I promise.

Finally back to blogging.

I realized it's been over two months since my last blog entry. And while I would really like to post an entry, I am either very busy with work that I don't have time to log in to my blog account or I am so tired from working that I am absolutely blank whenever I would open my blog. Yet here I am, at six minutes after four o'clock in the morning, ready to blog after a few months hiatus.

I have missed blogging. I've missed it a lot! I miss having to write without any templates or word count or anything. Everything just free flowing. I should really do this more often.

Earlier last month, I had recorded another set of acoustic session with my friend, singing a couple of my favorite songs like "Baby I Love Your Way", "More Than Words", "If" and "Forevermore". To listen to all the songs I've recorded on my second acoustic session, visit my Multiply site. I hope you like listening to it as much as I have enjoyed recording the songs.

You know what's funny? Recently, I've heard from my officemates that I look different. In a good way, from what they tell me. They said I've looked prettier than before, that there's this positive aura around me. I don't know how they could possibly think that, since I feel that I've been stressed out the most this month. The past few weeks have been so hectic, I can barely remember what day it is. And in reply, I would always tell them (jokingly, of course), "Anong kailangan nyo ha?" *Sigh* I don't think I'll ever get used to getting compliments like that.

Hmmm... Right now, I'm watching Criminal Minds. Oh how I love watching these kinds of TV series. It's all so intriguing!

So today's a Saturday and I don't really have an idea on what I'm going to do. I know that at some time today, I need to go out to buy groceries. I just need to decide where -- Mall of Asia or Landmark. After the grocery shopping, I intend to have some R&R! I don't know how yet but I just want to get some well deserved rest!

Time to log out now, but rest assured, I will be back.

Ciao!

Even in dreams, I sing...

Just this week, I've been waking up at 5am. Not that I set my alarm on that time, I just do. And I've noticed that I'm more inclined to blog at this time. I guess it's because I haven't started anything yet, so I could think more.

But here's the real score. I had a rather weird dream. I always say weird when the dream involves me and a guy. Hahahaha! I don't know why, it's just a little strange for me to have those kinds of dreams. Oh the dreams when I've eaten something delicious for dinner. Hehehe...

I was in a restaurant with a group of friends. We were having dinner, having lots of laugh, enjoying the band on the stage performing. Out of nowhere, the band called my name to come up on stage and sing with them. After much prodding from my friends, I got up and felt this sort of adrenaline rush inside. I ended up choosing the song "I'd Still Say Yes" by The Braxtons (This is probably because I've been listening to this song for the past couple of days now). I could hear my friends cheering for me (This scene is oh-so-familiar).

After I sang, I went back to my friends and laughed at the whole thing. And then I hear one of the guys from the band calling my other friend to sing with them. To all our surprise. He got up, went to the band and said, "Mags, for you." The song: "Single" by Anoop Desai (This is one of the most current songs I've been listening to in my iPhone for the past two weeks). And I just loved the way he sang the song. It truly melted my heart.

And after he sang...

I woke up. Damn, I don't know what happened next. Hehehe...

Well, maybe next time. But right now, I need to get ready for breakfast.

Ciao,