The Death of Romance?

I saw this commerical once. It was raining outside and this guy with an umbrella went up to the door to pick up his date. Once she opened the door, something about her was so captivating that the umbrella slipped out of the guy's hand. How romantic is that! I could name a couple of other fictional scenes from movies and books that melted my heart but I'll spare you the vomiting episodes. After years of reading unforgettable scenes of undying devotion (mind you, not those trashy romance novels) and watching the heart-wrenching chemistry of two lovers on the silver screen, I wondered if this phenomenon called romance would happen to me.

But as time passed, I began to realize that I had become fooled by fictional romance. The cynic in me began to bubble from the surface. I watched as my friends went through heartbreak, stay in relationships that were already dead on arrival, suffer through neglect from their significant others and worst of all, I witnessed the all consuming feeling of giddy love transform into cold indifference. Does romance exist? Not the faux grand gestures that surfaces its ugly head during the chase for the sole purpose of winning their prize but the loving gestures that one does to express how they truly feel for their significant other. An unexpected flower to put a smile on her face, reassurance that even though she's tired and down that she's still the most beautiful person in his eyes, a random note or email letting her know how much she means to him in his life. As you can see, I refer to the female as the receiver of these loving gestures only because a woman in love shows it without second thought. Our capacity to sacrifice and let our partner know how we feel is second nature.

From my experiences and observations, here is the way I see it, when you're in a relationship, genuine grand gestures that we call romance are far in between and only happen every other blue moon. I may sound like a cynic but guys only put on these grand gestures, if that, in the beginning for a reason. As the relationship gets comfortable, romance is something of the past. Romance eventually wilts and dies. The chase is over and one of the party takes the other one for granted, that reassurance that no matter what they'll still be there. So the wooing and constant bursts of expression are no longer needed. That inexhaustable need to see each other everyday, talk to each other everyday, be with each other fades. Maybe there are couples out there that defy my generalization. I'd like to think so. Although I think the idea of romance in the modern day world is dead but I hope for others' sake and my own that at least a glimmer of it remains alive.

So to the guys out there, let your gals know how much you love them. Don't just tell them but show them. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Romance is not a single "I love you" to satisfy her need for romance but it is the gestures, the things you do for her, sacrifice for her to let her know that you love her. Because I know every girl out there yearns for romance, no matter how cynical or jaded they are.

The Tale of The Dead Signal Lights

Amidst the hectic and unlawed roads of Malaysia, a Volvo goes through and fro. Through the congested roads, through the demented monkey-like drivers, through the roads that make no sense the tank-like Volvo goes. But there is something missing! Alas! What could it be?

The big Volvo that could has lost its ability to blink. When it turns right, it does so with caution and speed. When it turns left, it does so with caution and speed. For it cannot express its desired destination.

Yes, folks. I've been driving without signal lights for almost a week now. A bit of a pain in the ass when I need to change into a congested lane but when in Malaysia, do as the Malaysian's do, right? Err, well, some of it. I'm more relaxed than I should be, seeing that only 50% of the population here actually uses that function in the car. So in some ways, I have assimilated into the Malaysian driving scene. Thank goodness I drive a large vehicle! Scare those other bitch of Malaysian cars to give me way!