Monday, August 09, 2004

A sad but cute story of love and playing with love...
Peter and Tina are sitting in the park doing nothing, but just gazing into the sky, while all their friends are having fun with their beloved half.

Tina: I'm so bored. Just wish I have a boyfriend now to spend time with.
Peter: I guess we're the only leftovers. We're the only person who isn't with a date now. (both sigh n silence for a while)
Tina: I think I have a good idea. Lets play a game
Peter: Eh? What game?
Tina: Eem..It's quite simple. You be my boyfriend for 100 days and I'll be your girlfriend for 100 days. what do you think?
Peter: Oookay..Anyway I don't have any plan for the next few months.
Tina: You sound like you aren't looking forward to it at all. Cheer up. Today will be our first day and our first date. Where should we go?
Peter: What about a movie? I heard that there is a really great movie in theater now.
Tina: Seems like I don't have any better idea than this. Lets move. (went to watch their movies and sent each other home)

Day 2: Peter and Tina went to a concert together, and Peter bought Tina a keychain with a star.

Day 3: They went shopping together for a friend's birthday present. Share an ice-cream together and hugged each other for the first time.

Day 7: Peter drove Tina up onto a mountain and they watch the sunset together. When the night came and the moon glowed, they said sat on the grass gazing at the stars together. A meteor passed by. Tina mumbled something.

Day 25: Spend time at a themepark and got onto rollercoasters, and ate hotdogs and cotton candy. Peter and Tina got in the haunted house and Tina grabbed someone's hand instead of Peter's hand by accident. They laughed together for a while.

Day 67: They drove pass a circus and decided to get in to watch the show. The midget asked Tina to play a part as his assistant in the magic show. Went around to see other entertainments around after the show. Came to a fortune teller and she just said "Treasure every moment from now on" and a tear rolled down the fortune teller's cheek.

Day 84: Tina suggested that they go to the beach. The beach wasn't so crowded that day. They have their first kiss with each other just as the sun is setting.

Day 99: They decided to have a simple day and is deciding to have a walk around the city. They sits down onto a bench.

1:23 pm
Tina: I'm thirsty. Lets rest for a while first.
Peter: Wait here while I go buy some drinks. What would you like?
Tina: Eem...Apple juice will be just fine.

1:43 pm Tina waiting for about 20 minutes and Peter havent return. Then someone walked up to her.
Stranger: Is your name Tina?
Tina: Yes, and may I help you?
Stranger: Just now down there on the street a drunk driver has crashed into a guy. I think its your friend.
Tina ran over to the spot with the stranger and sees Peter lying on the floor with blood over his face and her apple juice still in his hands. The ambulance came and she went to the hospital with Peter. Tina sat outside the emergency room for five and a half hours. The doctor came out, and he sigh.

11:51 pm
Doctor: I'm sorry, but we did the best we could. He is still breathing now but God would take him away from us very soon. We found this letter inside his pocket.
The doctor hands over the letter to Tina and she goes into the room to see Peter. He look weak but peaceful. Tina read the letter and then she burst into tears.

Here is what the letter said. >>Tina, our 100 days is almost over. I had fun with you during all these days. Although you may be greedy sometimes and less thoughtful, but these all brought happiness into my life. I have realize that you are a really cute girl and blamed myself for never taken the time to knowing that. I have nothing much to ask for, but I just wish that we can extend the day. I want to be your boyfriend forever and wish that you can be beside me all the time. Tina, I love you.

11:58 Tina: (sobbing) Peter. Did you know what was the wish I made on the night there was a meteor. I asked God to let us last forever. We were suppose to last 100 days so Peter! You can't leave me! I LOVE YOU, but can you come back to me now? I love you Peter. I LOVE YOU.

As the clock struck twelve, Peter's heart stopped beating. It was 100 days.

Friday, August 06, 2004

Weddings
Weddings always make me cry. I hope tomorrow, at Leah's Wedding, I may fight the urge to cry.
Why do weddings make me cry? Well, maybe because weddings are full of hope. Maybe because when we marry someone, we forget what he/she has done in the past and we look forward to the future. Maybe because its an expression of love, it may be one-way, but it is still an expression of love (Athough I have never been to a wedding that the couple was forced to marry each other). Maybe because I see parents, genuinely hoping and praying for the success of their children's success. Whatever the reason, I shed tears because it makes me genuinely happy.
I hope the wedding tomorrow will be a success. I am again on the verge of getting sick, I have a sore throat and a throbbing headache. And the fact that we still have to travel 8 hours tonight is not going to help my situation. I do hope I get better tonight. (",)

Friday, July 02, 2004

Graduation
I've finally graduated! I am now Engr. Tiong, Master of Engineering, Major in Computer and Communications, also Master of Reporting! Ha! Why did I say so? I can count in one hand the courses that I took in the program that didn't require me to report on a topic of choice or present answers to problems assigned to us by our professors.
Anyway, graduating from the Masters also signifies something else, it means that I have to move on from the academe to the industry. I've promised myself even before I graduate from college, that I will attend graduate school before moving on to the industry. Why then am I having a hard time moving on? Well, I've made friends and I have been given great opportunities. That's why I am feeling rotten about the whole "moving on" thing. I don't want to be ungrateful, I never asked for anything, it was willfully given to me, because of my qualifications not because of friendship. But what’s really buggin’ me is the fact that I am not happy with what I am doing anymore, I am not built to teach.

Thursday, March 11, 2004

An Inspiring Story
One thing I learned from this story is to never accept payment for kindness... Read on...

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He d rank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied.
"Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness."
He said... "Then I thank you from my heart."
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side as she read these words.....

"Paid in full with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, GOD, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

MULI (again)
I love this song, to listen, click here

Maybe because I can relate, but basically I like it because this was sung by my favorite singer of all time, Miss Regine Velasquez

MULI
Muling hinahanap
Ang dating paglingap na mula sa'yo
Muling umaasa
Sa dating nadaramang laan sa'yo
Mula ng magwakas, tapusin ang lahat
Ay naritong nagmamahal pa rin
Pa'no kaya maibabalik
Ang damdamin mong dati

'Di ba't ikaw pa
Unang may nais na tapusin na
Habang panahon
Pinilit limutin ka hanggang ngayon
Mula ng magwakas, tapusin ng lahat
Hindi maikakailang ikaw pa rin
Papa'no kaya maibabalik Ang hangaring dati

Refrain:
Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa
Bakit magwawakas
Pag-ibig na wagas
Ma'ri bang mangyari pang
Ibigin pang...Muli

Kung muling iibigin
H'wag sanang lisanin nang tulad noon
Pagluha'y di na kaya
H'wag na sanang isipin nang tulad gayon

Hanggang sa nagwakas,
Natapos ang lahat
Ay naritong nagmamahal pa rin
Paano pa ba maibabalik
Ang hangaring dati
(Ma'ri pa kayang muli....)

REFRAIN:
Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa
Bakit magwawakas
Pag-ibig na wagas
Ma'ri bang mangyari pang
Ibigin pang...
Muli

Nandito lang ako
(bago lumayo sa pilling mo)
Higit kang kailangan kailan man
(hanggang kailan kaya naman)
Mahala kita (tila) hanap ka (sana)
(tunay kaya ito)
Minsan pang bigyan ng daan
Pag-ibig na sa'yo nakalaan

REFRAIN:
Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa
Bakit magwawakas
Pag-ibig na wagas
Ma'ri bang mangyari pang
Ibigin pang...
Muli

Saturday, February 21, 2004

Friendships...
Friendster ROCKS!!! I find it really cool. I got to talk to my old friends from high school even in grade school through friendster. How one service can bring people together again. It really rocks!

Friday, February 20, 2004

This came from an email. Sometimes I need to be reminded of these things...

If you're mad with someone , and nobody's there to fix the situation... You fix it .
Maybe today, that person still wants to be your friend .
And if u don't, tomorrow can be too late .

If you're in love with somebody , but that person doesn't know... tell her/him.
Maybe today, that person is also in love with you .
And if you don't say it, tomorrow can be too late .

If you really want to kiss somebody... kiss her/him.
Maybe that person wants a kiss from you, too .
And if you don't kiss her/him today, tomorrow can be too late .

If you still love a person that you think has forgotten you... tell her/him.
Maybe tha t person have always loved you.
And if you don't tell her/him today , tomorrow can be too late.

If you need a hug of a friend... ask her/him for it.
Maybe they need it more than you do.
And if you don't ask for it today, tomorrow can be too late.

If you really have friends who you appreciate... tell them.
Maybe they appreciate you as well.
That if you don't and they leave or go far away today , tomorrow can be too late.

If you love your parents, and never had the chance to show them... do it .
Maybe you have them there to show them how you feel.
That if you don't and they leave today , then tomorrow can be too late.

sniff..


Tuesday, February 10, 2004

ME??? ALone???
Today I watched Mona Lisa Smile by myself. I finally did it. I went to the movies by myself. It's a good thing that I watched it by myself because the movie made me cry. And I don't want my friends or my movie buddies to see me cry over a movie.

Being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Of course! I am complete by myself. As long as I am happy with what I have and what I do, what's the reason to be lonely? I enjoy my life, I get to do what I want without someone dictating over me. So who says I am lonely???

Friday, February 06, 2004

Hafi Balentines!
Valentine's Day is more than a week away, and its just getting cheesier and cheesier every year. What's the big deal? You get to celebrate love for one day? Why not celebrate it 365 days a year?

Thursday, February 05, 2004

MY FIRST POWERCARD!
3 weeks ago, I bought my own Timezone Powercard, I really enjoy playing at timezone, especially percussion freaks, time crisis and my all time fave daytona!
My friend Les told me if I loaded 5000 pesos on my powercard, I'd be a VIP member. Oh well, 4700 pesos to go and I'd be a VIP!
I really wanted to celebrate my birthday at Timezone. I wanted some time alone for myself, and I played for like 2 hours. I wasn't actually alone, my friends came to be with me, so my birthday didn't turn out to be so bad after all! (",)

Monday, January 05, 2004

Birthdays
I'm turning twentyfour in a couple of days and most people (at least those who celebrate birthdays) tend to be emotional or sentimental when their birthdays are approaching. And I am no different from those people. I heard myself saying yesterday, "24 is a marrying age!". I wasn't even referring to myself but to an actress whose future is being predicted by a fortune teller on national TV. Then is hit me, when I was in highschool, I wanted to get married at the age of 21 (that's why I pursued to finish my engineering degree at the age of 20); I wanted a child at the age of 25. I am now almost 24, very much single and uncommitted (well, except maybe to my career, friends and family). I didn't marry at 21, and the possibility of me having a baby (and a husband of course!) at 25 are slim to none. I've always said to my friends, my age stopped at 18, I guess I didn't change from when I was 18... Same old me, only a lot heavier.. I still stink in any sport I engage in, I am still as stubborn, and most of all I still am stupid when it comes to matters of the heart.
I may be chronologically and biologically almost 24, but other than that, I am still 18.
Maybe its about time for a change.
Maybe I should grow older.
Maybe I will.

Saturday, December 13, 2003

The Value of Giving
When I was younger, the Christmas season means gifts and money... gifts and money for me, that is. Gifts from my Godparents, relatives and especially the ones coming from my parents. They usually know what to get me.
Now, at tweenty three, the tables have turned, I am more excited with shopping for gifts for my Godchildren, relatives and friends. It's December 13 and I am done with my shopping. But when I am asked what do I want to receive this Christmas, I can't seem to answer. I AM COMPLETELY STOMPED. I don't know what I want. I seem to have outgrown the excitement of opening presents, I am more excited to see the faces of the people whom I've given presents to.
Forgive the cliche, but I found pleasure in giving rather than receiving. But sometimes I do go overboard. Sometimes I am too much of a giver to a fault, its just plain stupid.
I know sometimes I should learn when to stop and when to give to myself. But as of the moment, I still do not know what to give myself. I do hope that I find out soon.

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

I am HUMAN afterall...
I am human, my heart is not made of stone. I did feel compassion for my fellow. I thought I was an unforgiving bitch. I guess I thought wrong. I still am HUMAN afterall.

Friday, November 28, 2003

I like this song.... Can We Still Be Friends..
We can’t play this game anymore, But can we still be friends?
Things just can’t go on like before, But can we still be friends?

We had something to learn, Now it’s time for the wheel to turn
Grains of sand, one by one, Before you know, it’s all gone

Let’s admit we made a mistake, But can we still be friends?
Heartbreak’s never easy to take, But can we still be friends?

It’s a strange sad affair, Sometimes seems that we just don’t care
Don’t waste time feeling hurt, We’ve been through hell together

Can we still get together sometimes?, Hey babe, can we still go on?
We awoke from our dream, Things are not always what they seem
Memories linger on, It’s like a sweet, sad, old song

>>> The reason why I like this song is because I can relate, I am tired of the same old cycle of being friends and then enemies with an old flame. I'd like to think that not once have I ever said anything negative about him, for the reason that I believe that I loved him, and that all his good qualities will outshine his bad ones.
>>> Now I believe that I can never be friends with an old love. It would be difficult because one will keep on bringing up the past, and why the love has failed. I just hope that I am not that one.
>>> I've invested much on the relationship, more than he ever knows. I hate talking with him about the past, because I don't want to ever think of the "what ifs". I don't want to regret anything that I may or may not have done in the past. I live in the present and look forward to the future.
>>> I hope he is happy with his life right now, as I really am happy for him. I hope he'll also be happy for me, with what I have and what I have accomplished.
>>> I'd like to say that I loved him, more than life itself. That I almost cried myself to death when we parted ways. That I was willing to fight heaven and hell for him. That I was crushed when he didn't fight for me.
>>> Nobody had ever and will ever replace him in my heart and life. But life must go on. And I have moved on. I hope you did too.
>>> Can We Still Be Friends? <<<

Tuesday, November 04, 2003

CHALLENGES
I am faced with new challenges in my life. I will be given a new responsibility. This new responsibility is keeping me tossing and turning at night. The hard part is, I am not at liberty to tell my friends and siblings this new responsibility. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought that this challenge will not break me, it will make me a better person.
I've just concluded my Practicum 1 defense, it felt like a thorn has been pulled out of my chest. I do not know if I should be happy with the results or not, I could have done better though. No time to rest, I have to start with the documentation of my Practicum 2. haaayy...
Challenges keep on coming.. But I will keep on going... Because if it doesn't kill me, it will only make me stronger... :)

Wednesday, September 03, 2003

I AM SICK AND TIRED
I really am sick and tired, I've been in this very heavy routine since the start of August. I have my practicum in the morning and I have my job in the afternoon and the evening. Plus I also have to attend classes on Saturdays and I have to prepare my practicum defense. It's so funny that I can still find time to watch a movie or go out with friends, because I really am tired. But inspite of it all, I am still happy. No one can bring my spirits down because I know I am loved, and I love those who love me. Its really ineviitable that there will be rough times, because without the rough times, how could we appreciate the good times? Its a matter of seeing the glass as half full or half empty. I see my glass as half full. I am thankful for all the blessings. I've made a couple of good acquaintances from my practicum and they made me feel very much welcome in their group. I know I am not being coherent with all of this because I REALLY AM SICK. I've had the flu since Monday, Aug.25, and I have been going to work and practicum ever since, I did have a one day rest though because I had a very high fever.
So, where is this going, I just want to share that I really am thankful for all of the challenges, new acquaintances, old friends and family. Eventhough not everyone has been supportive, it's still ok because the people that matter to me are very supportive. I am happy despite the pressures and "coldness" from other people. I am thankful that I can still be me, eventhough not everyone agrees with the real me.
Lessons
I have learned that people get angry for two reasons: when you've done something wrong to them or they become jealous of you. I admit, I've been been jealous before, but I let the person know that I am jealous of them or of what they have. That's the way I deal with jealousy because I don't want to hate the person for no reason at all. Jealousy makes me realize of what I want out of life. So jealousy for me is a reaction of people who do not have something that another person possesses. Jealousy is really not a bad thing, its how we react to the feeling.
Excitement
Two good news were reported to me this week: one being a dream come true and the other, well, all I can say is, we will be having an angel.
A Dream Come True:My friend asked to accompany her to a certain "event". For me its a big thing because I really want to go to this "event". Though it's still in the planning stage, but I really am excited, I really want to see this certain person.
Angel: One night, a friend texted me this good news, we were going to be added with an angel soon. Because of this very good news, the three of us were not able to sleep. Excitement and nervousness dawned upon us. But more of excitement, rather than nervousnes....

Sunday, August 24, 2003

I finally do have an answer to the question in my previous blog and the answer is I AM. The answer came without warning, a realization that hit me in the middle of listening to my favorite songs nowadays (a certain “boyband” who happen to have absolutely very good looks but very little singing talents).
I never thought it would be possible, and I am very happy with myself and my latest discovery. I am satisfied with what I have now, it may not be much, but I AM REALLY HAPPY. Now I know that you feel happiness when you are satisfied. Don’t get me wrong because I still aspire to do so much in life, but looking at what I have and what and who I have become, I am satisfied.
I am satisfied with the company of good friends, special friends and family. Although I still have to “retie ties” with a friend, but now is not the right time, I still can’t face to retie those broken ties. The tie was broken on a special occasion, actually a birthday; maybe a special occasion will also help us to retie those ties. Good thing that friends understand the things I am going through right now.
PRESSURES
I actually am under a lot of pressure right now. With my first practicum expiring this term, accreditation paper works and requirements need to be finished, an actual project for a certain company, and of course WORK. Actually, the real pressure comes from the practicum, I have to graduate my masters’ degree this year or else my regularization will not push through. I do not want my more than 2 years of hard work to go down the drain, so I have to work hard on that one.
I know I have the strength to do all of these. And the good news is I am actually inspired to do all of these. Who inspires me? That remains to be found out….

Thursday, July 24, 2003

Am I Honestly Over Him?
I've only been in love once, and ever since he broke my heart, I’ve been overprotecting myself from getting hurt. ‘Twas that time I told myself that I could endure any physical pain but never the pains of a broken heart. I still live by that line to this very day.
The question is: am I honestly over him?
How do I answer this question? If being over him means that I could look straight into his eyes without melting inside, then maybe I am. If being over him means that I’ve had other relationships, then maybe I am. But then, maybe I am not.
Some people say that I was not in love, that it was just lust. That it happened during the time when my hormones were raging and I mistakenly mistook lust for love. Maybe they’re right.
Maybe I am not completely over him. Because deep inside, I know that I still have love left for him. How much? Still I do not know, but everyday I realize that the love that I have for him is just enough to say that I fell for him once in my life.
Have I moved on? Of course I have. Am I ready for a new relationship? I still cannot answer that. Will I jump into that “CLIFF” again? Maybe I will.
Here’s what I believe in, I believe that love when lost, was not love at all. That is not a maybe.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

This was also sent to me via email by my friend ja9.. She was hinting me that I could relate to the article.. I found it very amusing.. Don't you think?

Just Friends?
By Leah Castaneda, Manila Standard

I'm sure those with email or have friends with email have gotten wind of this article written by Susan Nikaido on the widespread phenomenon
appropriately entitled "Just Friends?". With all the reaction the article has gotten from those victimized by the epidemic and those men who seem to live it, I thought, "Wait a minute maybe the topic deserves another shot!"

Nikaido starts her article by defining the phenomenon: boy and girl meet and they start spending a great deal of time together. They watch movies, go to the grocery or to the talyer together, hear mass, have breakfast, lunch or dinner together. It often extends to picking each other up or bringing each other home if the need arises. Their different circles of friends accept that inviting one means inviting the other and no one seems to have a problem with that arrangement. She's number three on his cellphone's speed dial (home, work, girl). She's the first person he thinks of when sending those god-forsaken text jokes. He calls her up three or four times a day, at the very least, and the conversation usually lasts for hours. Sounds familiar?

He begins telling her about the deeper things in his heart and invites her to share at this level as well. He sends her mushy 'friendship' cards and tells her that she means a great deal to him. He may become a little affectionate: the hugs begin to linger. The relationship has become wedged between friendship and M.U. (mutual understanding). After a long while and a million questions from her friends, the girl musters enough courage to ask the boy that mllion-peso q uestion: "What's the deal between us?" Translation: "Ano ba talaga?"

Of course, that question which obviously meant to jolt the man into thinking: "We do have to define this relationship. We can't be in limbo forever, therefore I'm going to ask her to be my girlfriend!", only makes him panic and run for his life. To her surprise, he does a quick about-face. He insists they are just friends. After that, he avoids her, leaving her hurt and bewildered. She feels rejected? she has lost not only a romantic interest but worse, a close and trusted friend. As she feels stupid. Joe, a man asked about the phenomenon, explained this by saying, "We were getting close, and it scared me." Single guys are normally on the look-out for women who are "girlfriend-material" so when they meet someone who they are not 100% certain fits the bill, they enter the Just Friends relationship. He starts calling her up and they start doing the boyfriend-girlfriend activities together. In his mind, they're not dating and they're definitely just friends. To her, he's probably just waiting for the right time to propose and she's sure he's in love with her.

Herein lies the confusion.

The Just Friends arrangement is great for the one who says "of course not,we're not dating!" Results of a random survey show that the guy usually plays this part. He happily goes on calling her and being with her, not knowing the extent and depth of her feelings for him. A plausible explanation for the fact that men are mostly the victimizers is that women do not normally choose to be with someone for a prolonged period of time if there is no attraction involved. If the attraction is not enough to bring the relationship one step further, we make sure from the very beginning that the guy does not mistake our closeness as "more than friendship." Why waste time?

Guys, on the other hand, gladly enter a Just Friends relationship because it's convenient? Having a quasi-girlfriend without the commitment.

It's like a country club membership without having to pay for anything
especially if she allows intimacy into the relationship. For the guy, it's icing on the free cake. "In effect, he is asking her for the rewards of a dating relationship ? companionship, emotional intimacy, even affection? without the responsibility. He is playing with her heart and her heart will probably get broken." Guys might think, "If she gets hurt because I told her that we're just friends, it's not my problem. I never said anything to make her think that I want to become her boyfriend." The heartbreak here lies in the fact that not only is the potential romantic relationship destroyed, but so is the friendship.

The logical thing to do for all those who have unfortunately gone through something as endlessly heartbreaking as being told after many months or years of "great friendship," "Huh? What are you talking about? We're just friends!", is to run like hell. Stop seeing him/her! The situation is like a hole you dig for yourself? The longer you stay there, the deeper the hole becomes and the more painful it gets because you know as well as I do that he's just going to keep calling you, seeing you, and texting you. The only way you can save yourself is if you can effectively take control of your emotions and develop a life outside of your relationship with the man. He'll complain and make tampo but just smile and say "I'm busy, eh" whenever he asks you to go with him to the dentist (like you used to). The balance this will create should enable you to quickly get over him once he finds someone
he actually wants to become his girlfriend because he will. He may wake up one day and realize that you're the one or he may not.

Until then, you're lunching in Tagaytay with your other friends. Turning the tables around, the fair thing to do if you find yourself spending time with someone interesting enough to go out with but you're just not sure, is to be completely honest with that person, especially if you have a feeling that the other person wants something & more than friendship. The trick is to be straight and firm without sacrificing tact. You must be able to control the urge to see him/her all the time. Usually, the feelings of the other person get sideswiped by this time and we can avoid this if, from the very beginning, your were upfront with him or her. You might say, "But I enjoy her company! Why should I sacrifice my desire to be with her?" Listen, there's nothing as vicious as unconsciously or consciously leading someone on for your own personal gain. There will never be an excuse for it. Find other people to hang out with (even if they're not half as fun or as smart as she is). Be like butter and spread yourself around. Remember, what we're trying to avoid here is the eventual pain you're going to inflict on her later, plus, we're trying to protect the friends hip. Now, take this time out to find out what exactly this woman means to you. If the feeling she gives you is the warm, fuzzy, safe, sunshiny type, then you love her as a friend and clearly, that's all you want. She's definitely your pal, your buddy, your ka-tight, your ka-G. But if the feeling you have for her inside consumes you, makes your heart pound whenever she's around, tortures you whenever she's not, and makes you slightly insane with the thought of her being with another guy and now that you're apart, has made your heart ache so much you can hardly breathe, pare, you're in love with her. What next, you may ask? Whatever you feel for her, gather the guts and tell her. She's been your friend for so long? that's the least you can do.

And then, you may say, "But what if it doesn't work out in the end?" What if it does? Live dangerously! Take the risk! Hopefully, by now you've made up your mind. Now don't try to be smart by saying "I need to spend time with her to find out how I feel for her. Find this out on your own! By this time, I'm sure you can already distinguish between romantic love and companionship. If you still can't, stay the hell away from her. Your confusion only means one thing? You're not in love with her. The sincerity in your objective if all you want is to be friends with her should be manifested in how you treat her. Susan Nikaido says, "But what if a guy does only want to be friends? Or wants to develop a friendship before he decides to date? It's pretty simple. He just treats the woman like all his other friends. He doesn't spend more time with her or call her m ore often than he does his other friends. He usually invites other people along when he gets together with her. He doesn't pick up the tab when just the two of them go out. He avoids compliments that might communicate she is "special" to him. He lets her know he spends time with other women. He's extremely careful about showing any physical affection? Even playful shoves or hugs."

I still believe that a platonic relationship between a man and a woman is possible but only if the level of their love for each other is the same and as clearly defined as night and day. Both parties should take care in treating each other as friends, if that's truly where they want to go. The in-betweens should not be allowed to get in the way to avoid needless disappointments, hurts and unmet expectations. In the end, there are very few rules to be followed in maintaining a "really just friends" relationship: Be fair, be true, be honest? and be certain.
This was sent to me via email: I found it very funny and some are very true..

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AS I MATURED

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just assholes.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better have a bigweenie or huge boobs.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more screwed up than you think.

I've learned that you can keep puking long after you think you're finished.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades, and there had better be a lot of money to take its place.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away.

If not...tough shit