Thoughts on My Grand Boracay Getaway

Peter and I at Stavros before watching I am Number 4

Peter and I have been going out on movie dates practically every weekend this month. I guess we just want to make the most of our time together as I will soon be going on a personal Boracay island vacation and my hubby and I will be apart for some time.

I used to think that I can't live without Peter. When we were still newly married (2002), even if we have already been friends for seven years at that time and exclusively dating for three years, I physically felt paralyzed and out of my mind every time we were apart. We used to do everything together. Then come January 2008, I was given an opportunity to marshal the 20th Neil Pryde Boaracy Funboard Cup. It was the first time I've been away from Peter and it felt like the longest one week of my entire life! I was crying at the airport before I left but I knew I had to do it for the sake of reclaiming that sense of happiness, independence and individuality I once had on my own. Peter can't be with me all the time and I had to relearn how to take care of myself or be without him for a little while. I guess I'm lucky to have the most understanding, loving and supportive husband I could ever hope for. It was an emotionally difficult week. I was surrounded and being flirted at by tons of gorgeous and sexy men and all I could think of was going back home, back in my hubby's arms.

Peter and I at Greenbelt before watching Just Go with It

The following year, 2009, I was given another opportunity to explore Jakarta and Bali with my girlfriends Lora and Jowi for almost a week. It still felt difficult, I was once again crying at the airport before I left. But the moment I was with my girlfriends, I wasn't as sad as I used to be. I think, at that time, it was Peter who felt sadder coz he wanted to go with me but he couldn't because of work. But then, the thought of spending one week in Boracay right after my vacation in Indonesia helped us get through that week of being apart once again.

Then in 2010, I practically spent the first 8 days of the year touring Asia (Vietnam-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur) with one of my best gals, Jem. I didn't feel that sad anymore. There was still a huge emptiness in my stomach when Peter brought us to the airport but at least I didn't cry anymore. I think I was really getting used to enjoying myself without Peter. I still missed him though. I would rather be with him but due to time constraint (Jem and I just did a spontaneous decision to do an Asian tour on December 31 and by January 1, we were flying back and forth those three countries), Peter couldn't take a leave from his work just like that.

Peter and I at Southern Flavors before watching Adjustment Bureau and Rango

This year, 2011, I am about to fulfill one of my dreams which is to stay on an island, for at least a month without Peter and live like a local of that island, as a culmination of my search for self. If I can do this, if I won't freak out in the middle of this trip and all of a sudden decide to go home, if I can totally be independent for one whole month, then I can finally say that I have conquered myself and who knows, I might end up surprising myself and do other amazing things! While I call it a culmination, I know this is also just the beginning of something greater.

So this is why every free moment we have, we spend it out on a movie date coz it's one of hose things we love to do whether at home watching DVDs or at the cinemas. I'm still quite anxious about doing this whole island vacay thing but I'm starting to feel excited about it too. I'll tell you more about it soon. I barely have a week to prepare. For now, I shall start packing a month's worth of clothes and what-nots. 6 weeks actually since Peter will be with me during the first and 6th week. Oh my! Wish me luck!