Several thoughts ran through my head last Friday - I wanted to check out the Photoworld Asia 2010 in Glorietta Mall in Makati City, but the distance of the mall from our house made me double think about it. Since I already told Joey I will be in Makati on Friday, I decided to push through with it, because if I cancel again, he might not talk to me ever again.

Arriving at the Activity Center of the mall, I was hoping to see the gallery of photographs (as mentioned in their poster), but I didn't see any. Instead, I saw booths after booths of different camera stores. I cannot really relate to it because I am not really into shopping anything about photography. Good thing the Canon booth had models, which photographers in the area - me included - took pictures of.

Checking the Canon booth, I felt each and every camera on display. I am very overwhelmed with how much DSLR cameras and lenses cost, but I was more overwhelmed seeing so many people sporting their own cameras. Like what I said in my previous posts, I am at a crossroads when it comes to what camera to buy, and I have been checking this point and shoot camera for a while. It does look a lot like and it has features of DSLR, but the only thing was that the lenses cannot be changed. It does have a powerful 20x optical zoom, making me feel this is an "all in one" camera. However, I am still torn because of its price. I just hope by the time I am ready to purchase one, I can decide what to do.

By 6PM, Joey came to pick me up. After a long six months, we have finally met. We "met" online last July, and since then, he has asked me out on a date, but I kept on rejecting him because I was afraid of going out on dates and meeting up people. Rejections I have had in the past somewhat made me place an imaginary wall preventing myself to go out on dates, and I was really guilty that he has experienced my own rejections. Still, he would always ask me out every Friday nights. Talk about persistence! :) He's working in the city, and since we're both in the same place, might as well meet.

From Glorietta, we walked to Dela Rosa street. While walking, he gave me two options where I wanted to eat dinner - the bistro or the food court of the Enterprise Center. I told him I used to work at the Enterprise and I have eaten at their food court countless times already, so we went to the Bistro 110. He ordered a pizzadillo for us, and while he ordered bottles of beer for himself, I was already happy with my glass of water.

He and I talked a lot - from funny things to serious things. I felt so guilty that I declined his invitation over and over, and I was happy he understood me. Still, he gave a run down of "lectures". Anyway, he told me that somewhere in the past, we talked about me having a drink if we do meet, but the bistro didn't have margarita. I settled for a glass of Banana Bailey's Shake - which was delicious.

A band performed, but we only listened to three or four songs because he said he had to be home early for he has so many errands to do come Saturday. I live very far from the place, so getting home early sound so great in my ears. We walked along Makati's streets to where he parked his car. We exchanged jokes, stories, and we even walked hand in hand. It was really great.

Inside his car, he asked where he could drop me off. I told him he can drop me off in any point along EDSA, because it's where I can get a bus that would take me straight home (well, just outside the neighborhood basically). We were all set to "go home," until I started singing to the song playing in his car. Then, I danced to the tune, and he said that I was so fun to be with. Well, he was really fun to be with, too. He would throw jokes at me from time to time, but he just said he wanted me train me to be less sensitive.

I have no sense for directions, but I did notice that we were heading south. I told him my direction was north - he just said he wanted us to be together a bit longer. Oh sweet. Well, by the time he U-turned going north, traffic built up by the time we reached Ayala. His plans of dropping me off to Philcoa was suddenly changed to Ortigas, because we were already stuck in traffic for nearly two hours already.

It was really great that I was able to meet him personally. I know I caused him so many stresses, but I was happy that he stayed to be a friend of mine. I hate to burst your bubble, but he and I are just good friends. He is not really into entering relationships, but he did tell me he will ask me out again next time. I eagerly await for that time. Thanks for everything, Joey. It was so nice meeting you.

*** Jenn ***