Overview

It’s Week 3, guys! Can you believe the month of January is almost over? I can’t. 😭 There’s so much I want to do before this year ends and it feels like the days are just slipping through my fingers.

I think I can say this year has been off to a normal start. Well, besides my on-going challenge, which you guys have been so supportive about by the way, thanks for reading. 😊 And since you are such faithful readers, I bet you know what time it is – Weekly update on Week 3!

However, this past week my aunt came to visit so I thought it best for me to take it easy on the challenge. But don’t worry, I did go out. Twice.

Hey, out is out. I fulfilled the basic requirements. 😌

[…not much photographic evidence though😔]

Week 3 Analysis

I don’t know if it was the friendly smiles, the lightning-fast Korean exchange, or the lack of sleep from the night before, but I couldn’t help but feel a teensy, weensy bit shy. I breathe deep trying to calm my fraying nerves and shrug off the safety of the warm padding. All eyes are on me as I half-toss my padding in the seat next to me and claim my spot next to a bubbling girl who is already chatting up a storm.

How it went down

“I’ve heard so much about you!” She gushes. “It’s finally nice to be able to put a face to your name.”

I smile politely but don’t respond unsure what to say.

“My name’s Elaine.”

I nod warmly. “Julena.”  

My attention is drawn from her to John sitting across table. He’s been stealing glances at me since I arrived, and I can’t help but feel a little bashful.

“Hi,” I say in a half-whisper.

“Hi,” he responds with a soft smile. “How was Vietnam?”

I pause momentarily. He remembers?

“Uhh.. g..good.” I stutter surprised he remembered our exchanged from weeks prior. “Just relaxed. Didn’t do anything special.”

He smiles softly. He opens his mouth as if to say more when another voice speaks, calling my attention the guy across from him.

“I hear they have lots of good food there.” The voice belongs to Caleb, a more extroverted member.

“Oh yeah, me too. Wouldn’t know though. Didn’t really go out to eat. Kinda spent the whole time in the hotel,” I admit embarrassed. Everyone chuckles.

I take a sip of the warm Uja Lemon tea and a take a deep breath as my eyes flit over to John one more. He catches it and locks eyes with me momentarily before I break it looking away, dying a little inside.

“Wanna play a game?”

During the Week

Even though, the rest of the week, was less eventful than my Sunday. I was still able to enjoy hanging out with some friends on Saturday when I went to church. Unfortunately, I only went to the gym two times last week. But, hey, baby steps are still steps, right?

I may not be able to regale you with stories of the past week, but the week wasn’t a total loss. I did spend my time pondering the answer to the question I was recently challenged to answer. In the post, “Is It Important to be Wooed and Romanced?”, I share some questions that my friend challenged me to answer. You can check it out for more info. 😏

Today, I hope to answer the first one.

Why Romance?

Okay seriously, what kind of question is this?

Who doesn’t like knowing that someone loves them? To not just know it but feel it in their soul? To look into that person’s eyes and see themselves fully reflected back at them? Feel fully seen by just one person?

Who wouldn’t like being the object of their lover’s affection? To be surprised with unexpected romantic gestures or even just thoughtful ones?

I mean I feel like those questions answer everything.

.

.

.

Okay, okay, I guess I can share my own personal reasons.

Romantic Gestures

To love and to be loved…

Look, I know it may sound utterly ridiculous, but I just want to be swept off my feet.

[Not literally… I’m afraid of heights.]

Honestly, I want to experience a romance that is unique to me. Something to keep the spice in my relationship when things get rough. I’m not naïve. I know that life isn’t some kind of rom-com, and that love isn’t a feeling. Real love is tough. It’s grit and hard work.

It’s principle.

[Blah, blah, blah. I know all that.]

But to me, romance isn’t about excess declarations of love, or grandiose acts of bravery or charms; it’s about being moved to spice up the life person I’ve chosen to be with. Making the hard times together a little bearable. It can be something as small as locking eyes with me, holding my hand, a kiss on my cheek, or even cracking a joke to make me laugh, to as large as buying me a car or cooking me a meal.

[That last one tho… 😏🥵]

How I Want to Feel

To be really honest with you, I’ve never seen romantic love in real life. A romance which continues between two people other after life hits them.

It’s heart breaking.

For me, romance is important because I want to feel seen by the person I’ve chosen and who has chosen me. I would want to hear the sweet words said to me in the beginning, when he was trying to woo me, throughout our relationship and marriage. I want to feel like he’s still into me, ya know?

So yeah, I think that’s why romance is important to me.

Side Thought:

You know, I was just thinking about it and ironically, I don’t think I’m a romantic person. I don’t really know how to make grandiose gestures…..or even small ones. 🫢🫣🫠

Perhaps that’s why I long for it…?

Anyhoo, I may not know how to romance someone, but hey, I’m willing to be taught.

Know any good teachers?😂😅🤭

Well, I think that’s all for this week. I suppose we’ll find out what next week has in store. Surprisingly there are no new challenges underway. I think I am finally starting to understand and really enjoy this challenge.

I may not find a man by the end of this, but I think I’ll definitely come to terms with myself, my needs, and wants which is still success in my book.

Still, wish me luck!

✌️