All Shang'd Up

This is the sixth time (I think) that I have been to Shanghai, and I think this time rocks.

First, I saw RD without feeling like he would take away a piece of my soul with him. And you have no idea how much I needed to get past him and the belief that something really good could have come out between us if I wasn't married and had given it a go.

Second, I discovered Luna and had such a grand time jumping and singing along (or rather, shouting) with the rock band. I'm such a sucker for old school rock. I cannot even put into words how incredibly happy I was that night.

Then again, that happiness could also have been caused by the numerous shots of tequila I had.

Third, I experienced two really pretty hotels, both conserved buildings. The @ Gallery Suites Shanghai was my favourite. It was stylish and comfortable, and every nook and cranny of the suite is perfect for screwin'.


Plus, it has a very Hollywood dresser mirror that came with light bulbs round the frame! :)

The other one was the new Langham Yangtze Boutique. The lobby feels very baroque to me, but the rooms are too 'under-dressed'. Still, I love all the pink accents the hotel offered in the guest rooms. See more images on Facebook.

Fourth, it was a productive show. I made good friends with some Malaysian travel agency bosses.

Fifth, I made a decent reaping at H&M.

Sixth, I was satiated.

That being said, this trip also brought me to the darkest pits of my emotions.

A friend I caught up with over the weekend had a discussion about relationships, and he said divorces are morally wrong to him.

"A successful marriage is one where both parties are committed enough to compromise and make the marriage work," he said.

It set me thinking. Sure, compromising is key to all relationships, whether personal or business. But how far should one compromise?

Sexual satiation is, to me, key to any relationship. If Josh and I could click like the bestest of friends but our sex life is limited to the occasional chaste peck on the cheek and a five-minute routine once every two months, I think there is something seriously wrong. How can I compromise, especially on something so important to me at such a young age?

Such a relationship to me is merely of friendship then. But that does not mean I don't love him anymore. It is just a different sort of love I feel. And it is wrong for a marriage.

And I am sure this is a tough relationship for him too if he has to inject so much effort to keep up with my sexual wanting... and the temper I fly into when I am deprived for too long a time.

I wish I could tell my friend that from experience, major compromises in a partnership is just not possible because each would feel shortchanged for the rest of their lives, and they are deprived of meeting someone who is truly for them.