what the ELLE?!

       It’s not that I believe traditional romance and relationships to be long dead and gone, I just feel like we’re being subscribed, and in turn, subscribe ourselves to the notion of a happily ever after. Am I starting to sound cynical yet? Hear me out. In my limited experience I’ve found romantic relationships to be a lot of work. One thing with which I definitely can say I firmly agree is Shakespeare’s words that “the course of true love never did run smooth.”

Tom: Summer, we don’t have to label what we’re doing. I just… I need-

Summer: I know-

Tom: Consistency. I need to know you won’t wake up tomorrow and feel a different way.

Summer: I can’t promise you that. Nobody can. Anyone who does is a liar. I can only tell you how I feel right now… or I can show you.

       I’m going to go ahead and point the finger of blame on corporations such as Disney for such fantastical ideas being implanted and engraved into our minds. Relationships are far more complex than any simple animated or live action film can convey. I appreciate television shows and films, like 500 Days of Summer, which show the many layers of relationships. It’s not always black and white, there are more factors that come into play than just love. We like to call it proper timing, but maybe - just maybe it’s fate.

       I’ve never really been rejected before, at least not when it mattered. Sure, there have been times in my life when I’ve frivolously thrown pieces of my heart around but those were mere fragments. I’ve had some of those said fragments lightly tossed at me, gently handed back, even spat on, thrown to the ground, and stomped on, before kicking it back my direction - but those didn’t really matter that much to me. I consider this my first “real” rejection because I’ve stepped away from my comfort zone and actually let someone know a truer side of me than I’ve shown the others. I guess I’ll call this “growing up.”

       As adults do, we go about our lives consciously and subconsciously making connections. We pursue some of these connections more than others and, if the timing (as well as several other factors) add up correctly, we’ll proceed with the next step. The relationship I’ve been cultivating with one individual led me to the point of suggesting we go on a date. He properly declined and replied with a heartfelt and honest rejection to my offer. I was crushed at first but stepped back and realized that while this current road has been blocked, there are several other paths for me to follow. Who knows, maybe I’ll come across this road again and there’ll be a bridge waiting for me?

       In a world where technology and social networking rule, how does one find an equilibrium between face time and Facebook time? I, myself, am on at least five different social networking sites. How do I manage them all at once? I don’t. How, then, does one make it so that their worlds online and offline can come together, if only for a brief meeting, realization that the person on the page is not who you thought they were, and awkward goodbye?

       I’ve had my fair share of awkward goodbyes. That’s why I’ve resorted to making sure that my friends on Facebook are actually my friends, or at least that I’ve spoken to you on more than one occasion, and actually care about your icon popping up on my News Feed. It then begs the question of mediation time spent online and offline with these people. Take Z, for example.

       I’ve had a pretty big crush on this variable for quite some time and have spoken with Z on and offline. What, then, is the best way to ask Z out on a date? Most would say that one-on-one is always the best approach. I would then point out that the miracle that is modern technology would allow us to bypass this potentially awkward and embarrassing event by simply sending an online message or text. Lame? Sure, but what if you’re too shy to actually do it in person. Is it acceptable, then?

       Well, Z, let me begin by saying that you are not only extremely attractive but are a pretty awesome person. It also helps that I like your friends and, I think, they like me. I’ve replayed my asking you on a date over and over in my head and have recently come up with a (possibly) cute way of doing it via Facebook - then again it could just be really lame and you’ll publicly reject me for all our mutual friends to see on their News Feed.

Status: [Elle Estanol] has been thinking of the perfect way to ask you out but is way too shy to do anything about it.
Z’s response after liking the status: [Z Variable] Aww, you want to ask me out?

       I would then proceed to make a new status that read [Elle Estanol] Oh, God! @[Z Variable] knows! Well, I guess the Meowth’s out of the bag. Want to go out with me? :3 To which Z would respond with a “<3 of course” and we’d have an awesome time.

Wish me luck?