after 18 years.............

of educating myself into computer world, i am now a blogger! blog... blog... blog...
if my friends can do it, why can't i?

 at first, i consulted mr. Google on how to "blog"........ lemme give you some stuff about me....

yes, im hot......
       im definitely a shoe-addict!!!! 60 pairs and counting..........
       and im now a mummie!!!

TURNING POINT

TURNING POINT 

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

          Its 2:34 pm, I can’t believe I slept for 12 hours! It’s a fine Sunday afternoon and I’m 34 minutes late for my tennis game. I still need to get ready for 26 minutes. Now I’m going to be late for an hour, unbelievable. When I got up and tried to make my bed, I felt as if there’s a strong earthquake. So I sat down on the side of the bed, then I just realized that Cambodia has no natural disaster like earthquakes, typhoons, etc. What was I thinking? I’m so silly imagining things that are so surreal. Then I felt a big kick in my stomach, it was bad so I went to the directly to the toilet. While in it, I felt nauseous and so thirsty. I tried to remember what did I do the night before or what did I have for dinner. 

          I remembered, the smell of scent of lemongrass. I had dinner in one of the fanciest restaurant in Siem Reap, had the most scrumptious and the juiciest steak matched with the most divine mashed potatoes and some luscious buttered vegetables. In a fancy restaurant like Meric, a steak is always served with a glass or two of their best finesse red-wine available. Right after dinner, I went straight home, read a few pages of a very interesting book, watched a little tv and slept. In short, the dinner was awesome and it was in the place that I would never expect to be serving bad food. So, food poisoning’s already out of the list. 

          After a quick flashback from last night, there’s just one thing left in my mind. I got a half-a-liter of water in the fridge, drank the whole bottle; put on a shirt and a pair of jeans, got my car keys then drove myself downtown. I already know what to buy and where to get it. Upon my arrival in the pharmacy, I immediately asked the attendant to give me 5 sets of early-pregnancy-test kits. I asked 3 of the best brands then 2 cheaper ones then went to straight to the cashier. I was just in a short line with 3 or 4 people ahead of me. I can hear my heart beat palpitating. I can feel the cold sweat running down my face. I can foresee how everybody will react if ever those 2 pink lines would appear. I can even hear my friends cursing and my parents crying inside my head. Since my family back home in the Philippines is a conservative Catholic, I’ve been thinking of some moral issues. What will the whole say? How are they going to react? Am I going to be persecuted? Will my parents forgive me? Am I ready to be a mother? Its as if, everything is just a glimpse and in slow-motion but it isn’t. As soon as I heard the “ka-ching” sound of the cash register, I gave the money to the attendant, got all stuff I bought and left the pharmacy without getting my change or even looking back. All I was thinking is to go back to my apartment and check if it’s positive or negative. 

           The town is 15 minutes away from my place but I just drove it for 5. Didn’t realize it till I saw the time in my car when I parked. Before got out of my white, second-hand Toyota Camry, which I named Camille, I grabbed my keys and just slammed the door. My hands were shaking rapidly, as if I have Parkinson’s disease same as my late Grandma’s. It took me over 10 minutes to open door of my house. I got mixed emotions. I was so scared, a bit excited, a little nervous and surprisingly curious. Finally I got inside my small apartment, fully furnished and very neat and tidy, well maintained by my Khmer house help. I opened the 5 boxes of the EPT kits, read all the instructions and went straight to the bathroom. I tested 5 times because I want to make sure of the results and be somewhat accurate. 

          I tried the first kit. My right hand was shaking as I look at the result. I saw 2 pink lines meaning positive. I did the whole thing until I used the 5th kit, and all I got are the same 2-pink-lined results. Then it finally came to me. I am pregnant. Every single feeling I had for the last hours were down now to excitement. I’m actually excited and ecstatic that I’m going to be a mother at 27years old. Unmarried, in a relationship for 15 months and at the peek of my career, at that time I was on a turning point of my life. 

           At that moment, all I can think of is the question if I’m ready to face the responsibilities of being a mother. I said to myself, its good that I have some savings that is enough for my next journey. I didn’t even think that I might lose my career and my life in Cambodia, or even had any second thoughts if the father of my child’s going to marry me or support me with my decision. All I know is I’m very happy that God gave me a gift and an opportunity to bear a child. I always pray and thank Him for everything He has given me and everything that He will provide in the future, whether a sweet and smooth journey or a walk on a bumpy road. I decided to live life as normal as possible. That’s what I did for the next 273 days.

CAMBODIA. KAMPUCHEA. CAMBODGE

CAMBODIA. KAMPUCHEA. CAMBODGE 

A TRUE KINGDOM OF WONDER 

                                                       Cambodian Flag

               

          After the tragic and heart-breaking Khmer Rouge, the genocide and Polpot’s reign during the 70’s, Cambodia is now on its recovering period. One of the things they want to promote is their country’s tourism. Cambodia, strategically located in Indochina, between the countries Thailand and Vietnam, is now a popular travel destination in Asia. There are thousands of tourists visit this beautiful country each and every year from around the globe. You’ll find so a lot of tourist attractions, it truly is in reality challenging to choose a couple of among them. You name it, and they have it! That may be the beauty of this country, with its numerous globe heritage sites which includes the Angkor Wat and all the other temples , the historic Mekong River, lakes, floating villages, beaches, cuisine, museums, sceneries, along with the list goes on. 

Angkor Wat Archaeological Park

Ce Mois @ Angkor Wat

        The most popular tourist attraction is Siem Reap, with its rich cultural heritage. Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap town, serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and the legendary Angkor Wat whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in a class with the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal. Unlike many other world class monuments, the ruins of Angkor are as yet unspoiled by over-development. This will not be true in a couple of years. Though the major temples are relatively well touristed these days, it is still possible get away from the crowds, to explore the area and discover Angkor. 

Rice Paddy in Siem Reap

Floating Village @ Tonle Sap

              Siem Reap Town is where you will stay during your visit to Angkor. The area has been receiving foreign visitors to the temples for over 100 years. The town is actually a cluster of old villages, which originally developed around individual pagodas, and later overlaid with a French colonial-era center. Note the colonial and Chinese style architecture in the town center and around the Old Market. Nowadays, Siem Reap offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops including several upscale hotels and dozens of budget guesthouses. Often missed are the many opportunities to experience traditional Cambodia: ‘Apsara’ dance performances, craft shops and silk farms, road tours through rice-paddy countryside, boat trips on the great Tonle Sap Lake to fishing villages and bird sanctuary, and much more. Angkor Wat temple is identified around the globe for its architectural beauty and surely it really is a photographers delight. Apart from these globe renowned sites, Cambodia offers some with the most panoramic sceneries. 

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh City

Independence Monument

            Its capital city, Phnom Penh has lots of things to offer as well. Phnom Penh, the name can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic. The once "Paris of the East" Phnom Penh is struggling to pull itself out of decades of war and turmoil and regain its lost glory. But it’s also a city on the move, as a new wave of investors move in, perhaps forever changing the character, and skyline, of this classic city. Phnom Penh is a crossroads of Asia’s past and present, a city of extremes of poverty and excess, of charm and chaos, but one that never fails to captivate. It is beginning to look for ways to have a good time and a modern look, and the numerous travelers are welcome to join in. New attractions are emerging constantly. Phnom Penh and its environs now have a lot to offer, from the Royal Palace to the ancient rummages to a revived national dance troupe to playful casinos to enjoyable elephant rides to the killing fields. There is even a firing range, open to the public, where you have to only make nominal payments for the bullets. With the re-emergence of Phnom Penh, tourists are flocking in large numbers to the city. The Phnom Penh travel guide offers a wide range of useful information including when to go to Phnom Penh. 

Big Clock, Phnom Penh City

            To know when to go to Phnom Penh it is essential to have a very good idea about the city climate. Phnom Penh has a tropical climate with predominantly hot weather all year round. Due to its tropical climate, Phnom Penh experiences bright sunshine all through the year and has high average temperature. The dry and the monsoon season are the two distinct seasons in this area. The hottest month is April, when temperatures can soar to over 40C. The average temperature ranges from 27 to 40 degrees Celsius. The wet monsoon season runs from June through October, with southwesterly winds bringing strong winds, high humidity and very heavy rains. Seventy five to eighty percent of the annual rainfall can be witnessed during this period often with intense splurge for an hour at a stretch with fantastic lightening displays. The otherwise short lasting rain during the monsoon is quite predictable. The coolest and most comfortable climate exists from October to January. 

Phnom Penh City

             Keeping in mind the extreme climate of Phnom Penh the best time to visit Phnom Penh is during the cooler months of the winter season. It is during the months of November, December, January and February when tourists can escape the excruciating hot climate and can enjoy their trip. The monsoon season is also a good time to visit Phnom Penh as the tourists can enjoy the lush greenery with the rivers and lakes full and can also experience the entertaining rain. Due to the extreme weather and climate of Phnom Penh it is suggested to the tourists to have knowledge beforehand on when to go to Phnom Penh so that they can plan their trip accordingly. 

AMOK Fish

Cambodian Curry

KUYTEAV, Cambodian Noodle Soup

           Cambodian cuisines are now becoming more famous and available in some parts of the world, but there is certainly a various kind of pleasure in experiencing the taste in its homeland. So, don’t miss the fish Amok, the papaya salad, the Cambodian curry, Rice-Noodles among others while you are visiting Cambodia. And the most important thing, don't forget to try their exotic treats: sweetened tarantula spiders, salted bugs, roasted roaches to name some.

Roasted Bugs

Fried Tarantula Spiders

Khmer Snacks

     

    

     One of the reasons that Cambodia tourism has flourished so quickly has to be the friendliness of the locals. Cambodia is known as the “Land of Smiles” and truly lives up to its moniker. Despite their tragic history, Cambodians are a naturally happy, friendly and kind people. Few people who have visited Cambodia would leave with anything but warm and fuzzy memories of the Cambodian people they encountered on their journey.

                                       - jessie marie

SOME PHOTOS:

Bantey Srei Tempe

Ce Mois @ Main Entrance of Bantey Srei Temple

My former Band, CAMBOJAM taken @ Kravan Temple

Chres Village School & Orphanage Siem Reap Tour

Sokvan, a 14year old orphan ( very bright & fluent in English)

I was a volunteer English Teacher @ Chres for 3 years

The famous TA PROHM Temple featured in a movie of Angelina Jolie, TOMB RAIDER  

Bayon Temple (The Temple with a thousand faces of Jayavarman)

A lake at Angkor Wat Archaeological Park

Kids having fun @ Kbal Spean

Snails, favorite snack of the locals

Firedancing in the beach

Longest Manmade Bamboo Bridge in Kampong Cham, Cambodia

FACEBOOK: CONTROL YOUR DEFAULT PRIVACY

FACEBOOK: CONTROL YOUR DEFAULT PRIVACY

“If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.” - Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google

          “Like”. “Comment”. “Share”. “Post”. “What are you doing now?” These are just some famous “clickables” in Facebook.

It was in middle of the 21^st century, when a nerdy Harvard Student made and developed the most successful and commonly used social networking site, Facebook. Originally called thefacebook, Facebook was founded by former-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (while at Harvard) who ran it as one of his hobby projects with some financial help from Eduardo Saverin. Within months, Facebook and its core idea spread across the dorm rooms of Harvard where it was very well received. Soon enough, it was extended to Stanford and Yale where, like Harvard, it was widely endorsed. Before he knew it, Mark Zuckerberg was joined by two other fellow Harvard-students – Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes – to help him grow the site to the next level. Only months later when it was officially a national student network phenomenon, Zuckerberg and Moskovitz dropped out of Harvard to pursue their dreams and run Facebook full time.¹

          

          After its success for more than 6 years, Facebook has now almost 600 million users worldwide (according to Socialbakers - http://devilsworkshop.org/facebook-nearing-600-million-users/) . If the website were granted terra firma, it would be the world’s third largest country by population, two-thirds  bigger than the U.S.. More than 1 in 4 people who browse the internet not only have Facebook account but have returned to the site within the past 30 days. ²  Facebook is fully loaded of intimate opportunities for example, you can celebrate your nephew’s first birthday or mourn the death of a close friend. The feelings you experience on Facebook are heartfelt but the date you are providing feeds a bottom line.

           This bottom line is now called your privacy. Mark Zuckerberg said that the mission of Facebook is to make the world more open and connected. But is it really being realized? Are you sure you are protected on Facebook? Do you think you are sharing too much? Have you read the guidelines, the terms and agreement of the social networking site before signing up to it? Is it safe to include your location on every shout-out you post? Is Facebook redefining privacy since it was founded 6 years ago? 

          Face it-"Facebook privacy" is an oxymoron.It is a social network. The name alone implies a network of connected individuals who are social with one another. Asking a social network to concern itself with privacy is like asking a rock concert to try not to be so loud, or asking a swimming pool to not be so wet.³

We, as Facebook users have all the willingness to share and over share- from the descriptions of your new apartment (who cares?) to our bouts of food poisoning (disgusting) to some of our uncensored feelings about our bosses and colleagues (strictly a no-no!).

These kind of stuff are critical to Facebook’s success and as a result, it keeps on finding itself in the middle of  intense and serious debates about privacy. Facebook is getting ready to unveil enhanced privacy controls. The changes are coming on the heels of the complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on May 5 by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which takes frequent policy changes and tendency to design privacy controls that are, if not deceptive, less than intuitive. ⁴

             

      Facebook's privacy features give users a good deal of flexibility in who is allowed to see their information. By default, all other are allowed to see any information a user posts to the service. The privacy settings page allows a user to specify who can see them in searches, who can see their profile, who can see their contact info, and which fields other users can see. In addition, the privacy settings page allows users to block specific people from seeing their profile. As per the usage agreement, a user can request Facebook to not share information with third parties, though the method of specifying this is not located on the privacy settings page.

 

          It is said that you should look before you leap, so think a thousand times before posting something on your wall or giving unnecessary comments on others’ posts, or even posting and uploading tacky and inappropriate photos. All of us want to share some photos online and let our friends view it. One of the features of Facebook is that other users or your friends can tag you on whatever photo they uploaded on Facebook. As a precaution, be aware that Facebook allows you to de-associate yourselves from unwanted data, but in the case of photographs, the data remains on the server. This is a problem even though you already un-tag yourself from a photo you would not want to associate yourself with, it is already there in the cyberspace. A better way is to ask or request your friends to delete the said photo/s or they can just upload necessary and decent photographs. 

              

              Users should be aware that there are effectively no access controls on pictures, and that they should only upload the pictures that they would feel comfortable having anybody on the Facebook viewing. In addition, realize that their high school friends or their family may view the photos that you upload of other people. Don't post anything of them doing anything that you wouldn't want your families, bosses, colleagues, friends, etc. to see you doing.

 

              Zuckerberg believes that most people want to share more about themselves online. He’s almost paternalistic in describing the trend. ⁵

“The way that people think about privacy is changing a bit. What people want isn’t complete privacy. It isn’t that they want secrecy. It’s that they want control over what they share and what they don’t.” 

                                                                 - Mark Zuckerberg ⁶

It is vital that Facebook users everywhere appreciate the potential for use of the system by administrators. I advise strongly all Facebook users to restrict access to their profiles. Do not post information of illegal or policy-violating actions to your profiles and to be cautious with the information they make available.

This lasting change will only come with time and understanding. Nobody can fault Facebook for people making questionable decisions, but the environment that Facebook creates should be one that fosters good decision-making. Privacy should be the default, encryption should be the norm, and Facebook should take strides to inform users of their rights and responsibilities.

Notes:

1-     1-http://mashable.com/2006/08/25/facebook-profile/

2-     2- “Friends Without Borders” by Dan Fletcher, Time Magazine May 31, 2010 p. 17.

3-     

          3 http://www.pcworld.com/article/243733/facebook_and_privacy_dont_mix_well.html

4-     

       4"Friends Without Borders” by Dan Fletcher, Time Magazine May 31, 2010 p. 18.

5-     5 “Friends Without Borders” by Dan Fletcher, Time Magazine May 31, 2010 p. 20.

6-    6  “Friends Without Borders” by Dan Fletcher, Time Magazine May 31, 2010 p. 20

                    Jessie-Marie

LA PREMIÈRE COUPE EST LA PLUS PROFONDE

la première coupe est la plus profonde

(FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST)

Green trees. Rocky pathway. Humidity. Jacquelyn is walking towards the bamboo bridge. She wasn’t scared at all. There were a few people in front of her, and there are some behind her walking towards the same direction. There was no familiar face except for one.

       3 hours ago, Jacquelyn Renaud was standing in front of her mirror crying her eyes out. She said to herself, 

“How come I’m back here? Why did it happen again? Why, of all people, another loser break my heart?”.  

           Apparently Philippe, her boyfriend for 2 years broke up with her.

Jacqy,  as most people call her is on her late 20’s and is a very successful University Professor, recalls  how the breaking-up conversation happened. Philippe is 34 years old and a General Manager of a 5-star hotel. He is intelligent and good-looking man. One lazy Sunday afternoon, Philippe just came from a tennis game came home to the apartment. He  greeted Jacqy with a kiss on the forehead, and whispered, 

“Babe, we have to talk”.

 Jacqy replied, 

“Just a minute babe, I’m just gonna send this email to my students. I’ll be in the lounge in a sec." 

The excited girlfriend had something in her mind like,  “Is he going to propose? Are we going to move out and move to  a new apartment? Are we pushing thru our Euro Trip?”. Loads of questions are playing in Jacqy’s mind, while closing her lappy and walked towards the lounge. While she was walking towards the Philippe, she saw him sitting on the couch with a huge frown, as if something's wrong. Then Jacqy asked, 

“Babe, are you alright?”. Philippe didn’t reply. Jacqy asked again, “Phil, baby, what’s wrong? Did you lose the game? Is it about work? What’s bothering you babe?” 

Then Philippe, held Jacqy’s right hand, looked at her in the eye and said  

“I’m sorry babe. I don’t think this is working. You don’t deserve me. You deserve someone else. I love you, but I’m not inlove with you anymore.”

“He is no longer inlove with me?” Why do I have a lot of unanswered questions? Why did I let him go?” 

Jacqy couldn’t help but to cry while looking at her reflection in the mirror. She just moved back to her old apartment and was about the unpack her stuff. For the past 150 minutes, she didn’t do anything but to cry and listen to old and classic love songs. Then she looked at all her stuff in the boxes she couldn’t help but to cry again and again. So she got up, tied her hair up, wore a big shirt over a black leggings and put her running shoes on. She got her car keys and drove off to the hillside to have a quick run or maybe a long walk. After 15 minutes, she arrived Lusha Mountain. Jacqy got off her car and started running.

Lusha Mountain is located in a suburban area and there are just a few locals who go there and do some bit of a body stretch. Jacqy followed this pathway where everybody else is going. She ran as if someone’s chasing her. Jacqy didn’t realize that she is crying while running. People saw her and started wondering what’s up with this beautiful and smart looking woman. She is crying her eyes out and tears on  her face. On her 3^rd lap, Jacqy, panting and trying to catch her breath, stepped on a small rock and suddenly fell on the ground. It was a hard fall. There and then she realized she’s hurt. Her heart’s broken into pieces and the man she thought would be with her forever left her helplessly. She had a quick flashback of every memory she had with Philippe, from the day they met in a Art Opening Exhibit till the day she moved out of his apartment.

At that point, everything became so clear to Jacqy: Philippe’s gone and she has to move on and move forward. Then she got up, wiped  and cleaned her face, breathed three times and started to walk. After a few steps, she saw this small light in the opposite side of the road. She then followed this light without knowing where it leads her.

        In awe, Jacqy grinned while staring at this familiar face. She said to herself, 

“ I know this person, I Just don’t remember his name and how we met”. 

Then after 2 minutes, this person whom Jacqy saw approached her and said, 

“ Hi Jacquelyn, do you still remember me?”. 

Jacqy replied, 

“I’m sorry I have a bad memory , though its possible that we know each other because you really look familiar.”

        Then the person responded, 

“Its Noel, we have known each other since we were kids. We were neighbors back then till we move to Corsica. We even went to the prom together.” 

Jacqy was so amazed with this guy’s memory. Suddenly she remembered and replied with sarcasm, 

“Oh, you are the first person who broke my heart. Thank you very much. This isn’t a good time. Have a great  life!” 

Jacqy then walked a few steps  back and went to another direction, and started crying again. Noel, followed Jacqy’s path and tried talking to her, 

“Jacquelyn, please wait. I didn’t mean to bother you. I just got back from Corsica a few days ago. I went to your house but your dad said, you’ve already moved  out. Since you are the only friend I’ve had in this neighborhood, I paid a  visit. I was planning to meet and catch up. I’m sorry if I caught you in the wrong time.” 

Noel took a pause and stared at his first love. Then, Jacquelyn said, 

“ I have already moved on and forgot about my past. You are one of them, so I don’t think I still have words to tell you. I have changed. I don’t think I’m still the same Jacqy you knew 15 years ago. I’m really sorry, I have to leave now. Bye!” 

Jacquelyn left in a hurry as if she is running a marathon.

          When Jacqy reached home, she found herself a glass of  Cabernet Sauvignon, her favorite Chilean wine, turned on her iPod, put it into speaker and played some jazz music. Norah Jones’s songs are her favorite comfort-music. At this time, Jacqy really wanted to cry, but she can’t. She doesn’t know how is she going to handle everything, her life, her career and her heart.  All she wanted is just to be happy, to be contented and to be loved. She thought of traveling to Greece to unwind and relax. She wants to be away for some time so she can find herself and know what she really wants. She poured another red into her glass till she finished half of the bottle. Right then and there, she fell asleep. No more dreams nor nightmares.

        Then morning sunshine peeked into the window and woke Jacqy up. She didn’t realize she slept through the night without eating dinner. She got up, took a shower, grab a blue top and her favorite jeans. She decided to drive herself to the her favorite fast food to grab a big breaky. After finishing almost a bottle of her favorite wine, she is craving for pancakes with maple syrup, some strips of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and a big cup of freshly brewed coffee. After 10 minutes, she arrived at Tiffany’s, sat on her favorite spot and ordered everything that she was craving for. At this moment, Jacqy is feeling so optimistic and confident with herself. She’s looking forward for what’s going to happen, and thinking of putting back all the pieces of the mess she made. While she was waiting for her food, she looked around. Most of the tables are occupied by same old customers, particularly enjoying their breakfast at Tiffany’s. Suddenly, a guy, came in. He looked around for any free table but it seemed he cant be accommodated, even in the bar. Then Jacqy realized she knew the guy so she called him and asked him to join her.

“Noel! Noel!”, 

       Jacqy shouted. The guy, saw her and smiled. 

“Hey there stranger. Come and join me.” 

Noel approached her table and sat. 

“Good morning sunshine!”, he greeted Jacqy.  “Thank you for inviting me over your table. Seems it’s a busy day here in Tiffany’s.”, Noel added.

 “You’re welcome. You seemed so hungry. I thought to myself, what a pity you have to drive another 15 minutes just to go to another place. Hahaha!”, Jacqy replied with a laugh. 

“I’m happy you’re in a good mood, Jacq!”, Noel said with a bit of excitement.

Within 2 minutes, the waitress approached them and asked Noel’s order. 

“I’m hungry so I’m getting 2 pancakes in maple syrup, some crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, make it soft and easy and lastly a big cup of coffee!”, Noel answered. 

Then the waitress, grinned and said, “Whoa, its great to know both of you have the same tastes! Well guys, you’re food is comin’ right up!” 

“Thank you!”, Jacqy and Noel answered in the same time. 

“Going for a big breakfast, huh?”, Noel asked. 

“Yeah, was so hungry. Didn’t eat last night, all I had was half-a-bottle of red wine. I even slept in the couch.”, Jacqy explained. 

Then Noel said softly, 

“I’m so sorry if I you got upset yesterday. Didn’t mean to. I realized that I caused you so much pain since I left. It already happened, we cannot bring the past back, explaining everything to you won’t help, I just hope you accept my apology. When I saw you yesterday, the guilt feeling I had for years grew and until now, I’m still being punished for what I’ve done. I’m really sorry Jacq.” 

Then Jacquelyn stared at Noel, smiled at him and said. 

“I have realized that life is full ups and downs, and I’ve caught most of those downs. I’m not perfect. All I did was to care for someone and love that person with all of my heart, not thinking I need to leave at least 1 percent of the love for myself. I’ve already been heart broken a couple of times but what happened to us was my biggest heart break. We were young, immature and vulnerable but we were so madly inlove, that’s the best thing. I know you had your reasons. I know I had my faults too. I think all we have to do now is to forgive and forget all those heartaches we have caused to each other. Life is short, we have to move on and move forward as mature people.” 

Then the food came. 

“Hahaha, What a great timing to break the ice! Thanks!”, Jacqy, told the waitress. 

“Enjoy your breakfast!”, said the waitress. 

“Bon Apetit ma Belle!”, Noel said. 

“Merci mon mignon!", Jacqy replied. 

Those are French phrases they use to call each other as endearments.  Noel calls Jacqy “ma belle” meaning, my beautiful and Jacqy calls him back “mon mignon” meaning my cuties.

         Its funny how the two childhood-sweethearts are having breakfast on the same table, eating same food and looking as if its like 15 years ago. They shared sweet glances at each other. After eating everything on their plates,  they are had  their second cup of coffee. Jacqy uttered, 

“I ate like a pig, now I’m so full!!! Hahaha! What a great breakfast. I missed this.” 

Noel said, 

“Yeah, its still good as before. Seems like the old times. I miss those moments, you know.” 

Jacqy looked at him and asked, 

“Why did you come back?”. 

Noel answered, 

“Honestly, I came back for you. After I finished Uni, I didn’t had any serious relationship with anyone. I haven’t been in love since I left you. That was my karma. A kind of punishment that led me back here, to find you and ask for your forgiveness. I was a kid at that time, all I wanted is to move to Corsica, meet girls and have fun. I’ve been there, met girls and had fun. But love didn’t follow me in Corsica. I think I left  it here. With you.”  

Jacqy was just speechless. Noel continued, 

“I came back here, without expectations. Just wanted to see you and apologize for everything. I still love you. Even if it took me years to realize, you’re the only one for me.  Well, I think that’s all I can say for now. Any reactions?” 

Jacqy too some deep breaths and said, 

“ Wow, that’s unexpected. I just came from a break up, and just started to pick up the pieces within me that are broken. I don’t think this is the best time for me to decide on this. In a few weeks, I’m going to Greece for a month or so. I think I need some Mediterranean air to clear my mind. Its good to hear the things you just said. Its heartwarming and makes me feel loved. Haha!” 

Noel responded, 

“As I said, I’m not expecting anything. That’s good, you thought of traveling. I’m happy for you. And I hope you find whatever you are looking for. I will be here when you come back. Not until you find a macho Greek guy. ” 

Jacqy replied with a laugh, 

“We don’t know what’s instore for me in Greece. Anyway, just finished my coffee, I need to go now. Thanks for the wonderful time! Hope we can do this again!” 

Jacqy got some money from her purse and gave it to Noel but he refused, 

“No, this is on me. I’ve been waiting for this for ages! Thanks for the time. Please keep me posted.” 

The both stood up and gave each other a warm hug. 

“Merci mon mignon! Au Revoir! ”,Jacqy whispered. 

“Merci ma belle! Bisous!”, Noel answered. 

Then Jacqy walked out of the table and left Tiffany’s. She walked a few yards to her car, while Noel looked at her from afar! Before Jacqy opened the door of her car, she waved him goodbye.

       While driving her way home, Jacqy was smiling. She feels relieved and thought to herself how mature she handled the conversation with Noel, compared the other day. She is now very motivated to finish some work, file a vacation leave, book her tickets, pack her stuff, and off to Greece.

        2 weeks after, while Jacqy was queue in the check-in counter in Airport, someone approached her and whispered. 

“This time, no one will be left alone. I love you and I don’t wanna spend a day, a week or even a month not being with you. I’m going to Greece with you. Le plus grand faible des hommes, c'est l'amour qu'ils ont de la vie ¹.” 

Then suddenly, Jacqy didnt realize that she's already crying when she saw Noel. He, wiped her tears, hugged her so tight, and said 

“I love you. Are you ready for our Greek Adventure?”.


Jacqy nodded and said,


“Yes! I love you too. I am now ready to start a new beginning. I’m now ready to start a new life with you. Aimer et être aimé sera la grande affaire de toute notre vie2.”


Right then and there, they kissed.


Notes:

1- Man's greatest weakness is his love of life.
2- To love and be loved will be the greatest event in our lives.


by:
jessie-marie