Wishlist: A Girlfriend

(written in February)

Sometimes when I'm done with my chores and duties as a devoted wife and have (more than) a few hours to spare, I watch chick flicks. And watching the heroines glam themselves up in their perfect hair, toned bodies and fabulous careers, I can't help but look back on my "glory days." I may not really have that perfect hair, body and a successful career, but I know that I've lived. I miss that... The feeling of being an empowered woman. Of course my husband respects my femininity, but that's not what I mean.

It's just that, at times I feel really guilty being on my husband's case all the time. I hang out with him, even if its just basketball practice. I'm used to hanging out with guys, but sometimes I feel like I'm in a bad mood because I don't feel pretty and I feel insecure. I have a limited wardrobe here, and I haven't even visited a salon ever since we arrived here in Abu Dhabi.

I guess I just miss being a girl; prettifying myself, taking care of my body, doing girly things like fashion and gossip. But most of all, I miss having a girlfriend around. C'mon. Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, what is common among the three? When they have a dilemma in their homes or in their relationships, they just call their girls out, kick back their heels, unwind and dish out their problems, over-analyze things and come up with silly theories. They just talk nonstop over coffee, or cocktails, without even pointing a finger to a solution. Just as long as they let it out of their systems, they're good. That's what girls do.

I miss my girlfriends right now. Especially my homegirls (consisting of my sister, my cousin, my bff and closest girlfriends). I miss trying on outfits for parties or concerts followed by a sleepover and brunch, where we mindlessly talk of fun things over and over again while sampling desserts, feeling equally guilty and indulgent. I miss doing our regular beauty routines like a wax every month and mani-pedi every other week. I miss that I can go on and on with my talking and they won't take it against me (guys do that) and not judge me because they know me as me, and not just as this guy's wife (which is how most people know me here in Abu Dhabi). Most of all, I just miss being with them; how their loud catty comebacks, the sarcasm, wit, and their fun-loving vibes rub off on me. And I still want a part of them with me here. If I can just bring them here with me...

I want to be that girl, the girl that I was before moving here. Girly, fun-loving, easygoing, I'd like to say witty instead of sarcastic and mean. But honestly, I don't know if I can pull that off here. I have no girlfriend to give me a boost, a wink and a pep talk. It's amazing how being with a girl can do to another girl's confidence.

But this place is full of surprises. Who knows? There might be someone who's looking too, and who will appreciate a pal or a shopping buddy like me. I'll just do my best to attract that person and then I'll finally have my Abu Dhabi girl friend and we'll have some much fun.

Well, in that case, maybe the glory days are here to stay.