It was a few months ago when I realized that I very seldom use our home landline. I haven't used the house phone in such a long time, that I sometimes catch myself answering at home 'OIC Events, this is Tami speaking...' or dialling out starting with 8 + number. Sad isn't it?

Its been almost two years since my last telebabad. There are still a few calls now and then, but its mostly just 30 minute to 1 hour updates or arranging meet ups. In bitter revenge, I've stopped answering the phone, unless I am the person nearest to it, since I am seldom the recipient, anyway.

I miss talking until sunrise. I miss talking until my throat and sinuses hurt because of the cold morning air. I miss the familiar ache on my ear after the first hour of conversation. I miss putting my feet up against the thin metal bars separating the hallway from the outside. I miss pacing back and forth when my butt has grown a dimple from sitting too long or when my back starts to hurt after curling indefinitely on an uncomfortable monoblock. I miss counting the lizards that play hide and seek in the wooden branch... thing hanging on the wall above the phone. I miss dodging flying roaches, moths, beetles (salaguinto at salagubang - you name it), and even tiny frogs during the rainy season! (Yes, we have obviously not heard of good pest control measures.)

I really miss those days...

Separate lives have kept my friends and myself too busy even for 5 minute phone calls, especially with the advent of online messengers and SMS-ing. But for some reason, I'm quite happy I don't do telebabads anymore. Because in its place, I now do long nights out - sometimes until morning - and ramble with friends over coffee, beer, dinner or simply a squidball, arranged of course via YM or SMS. =)

Maybe it comes with age. Or technology. Or greater freedom/flexibility. Or more spending power. Whatever it is, I know I will never ever trade it back because what I have now is way, way better =)