Relationships According to Harry & Sally

Harry Burns: Would you like to have dinner?… Just friends.

Sally Albright: I thought you didn’t believe men and women could be friends.

Harry Burns: When did I say that?

Sally Albright: On the ride to New York.

Harry Burns: No, no, no, I never said that… Yes, that’s right, they can’t be friends. Unless both of them are involved with other people, then they can…

This is an amendment to the earlier rule. If the two people are in relationships, the pressure of possible involvement is lifted… That doesn’t work either, because what happens then is, the person you’re involved with can’t understand why you need to be friends with the person you’re just friends with.

Like it means something is missing from the relationship and why do you have to go outside to get it? And when you say “No, no, no it’s not true, nothing is missing from the relationship,” the person you’re involved with then accuses you of being secretly attracted to the person you’re just friends with, which you probably are.

I mean, come on, who the hell are we kidding, let’s face it. Which brings us back to the earlier rule before the amendment, which is men and women can’t be friends.

Quotes from the 1989 movie, “When Harry Met Sally”

(screenshot from the movie where Meg Ryan fakes her orgasm at a diner)

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I love this movie. Every New Year’s Eve in our old house along Nancy St., my sisters and I sit in front of the TV, glued to RPN 9 as they played this yearly tradition. It has all the ingredients of a wonderful movie about love and relationships – it’s set in New York, it has great conversations, jazz music in the background, and happy endings. It explores “the rules” in dating and love, and then pulls the rug from under you.

***

In the past weeks, we’ve been having discussions in the office on how men and women think when it comes to relationships. It’s quite interesting really, because there are insights that I have learned from my friends. Some points I find valid, others absurd. Sometimes, I wish I can give advice…but I don’t know, it depends on the context or the situation.

I even asked my older sister her opinion on how guys should act around girls they want to date. Here is great advice, “Quit the stylistics.” No need for trying to be someone you’re not. Women are all for guys who are comfortable being themselves. Self-awareness is sexy.

So, if you really really like someone, just go for it! And maybe it’s fine to ask friends from time to time if you’re doing OK – and not making a complete fool of yourself ofcourse.

Cherry Blossoms

our time is made short
love ripens, then falls away
like cherry blossoms

d. s., 2009

(above is a screenshot from the movie, “5cm Per Second”)

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We watched a japanese anime movie last week entitled “5cm Per Second”. The film consists of 3 segments, all beautifully drawn and colored. From its wikipedia entry, it explains that the movie’s title comes from “the speed at which the cherry blossom petals fall, petals being a metaphorical representation of humans, reminiscent of the slowness of life and how people often start together but slowly drift into their separate ways”.

A friend of my boyfriend, an American living in Japan, was here for the week to visit the Philippines. While we were watching the movie, she noted the fascination of cherry blossoms in Japanese culture. Interestingly, she said that the cherry blossoms ripen in a week to 2 weeks, then all  the flowers fall from the trees like snow. Locals and tourists come out at this time of the year to stay under the trees and experience this surreal and beautiful event. She added that as much as they celebrate the short span of time these flowers bloom, they too mark its sweet passing.

After watching the movie, it again reminded me that our time is short and things will continue to remain uncertain. There may be nagging questions about the future, but I guess it is always best that we continue to remain mindful and expressive of our love. Cheesy, I know.

I wish I can be in Japan next summer and experience this phenomenon myself. I would really love to be there. I want to see the flowers in full bloom and wait for them to fall on me like pink snow. That would be really amazing.

Poems and Songs

Collecting poems along the way…

And sharing a beautiful song by Billy Bragg, from his album “Mr. Love and Justice”.

I Keep Faith

If you want to make the weather
Then you have to take the blame
If sometimes dark clouds fill the sky
And it starts to rain, and folks complain
And though your head may tell you
To run and hide
Listen to your heart, and you’ll find me
Right by your side
Because…

I keep faith, I keep faith
I keep faith, I keep faith in you
Yes I do, I keep faith in you

If you think you have the answer
Don’t be surprised
If what you say is met with anger
And contempt and lies
No matter how hard you want to
Just walk away
Reach out you’ll find me there beside you
All of the way
Because…

I keep faith, I keep faith
I keep faith, I keep faith in you
Yes I do, I keep faith in you

All the dreams we shared
I never knew no one who cared
About these things the way that I’ve seen in you
It doesn’t matter if
This all falls off the cliff
Together we are gonna see it through

I know it takes a mess of courage
To go against the grain
You have to make great sacrifice for such little gain
And so much pain
And if your plans come to nothing
Washed out in the rain
Let me rekindle all your hopes
And help you start again
Because….

I keep faith, I keep faith
I keep faith, I keep faith in you
Yes I do, I keep faith in you

Hello World!

And we sail on to 2009!

I’m really looking forward to this year. I’ve got lots and lots of plans, ofcourse. Looking forward to more adventures, travels, lots of art and love!

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” Omar Khayyam

I hope all your dreams come true.