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My First Ever Movie Date With Myself

For the longest time, I avoided going to the cinema on my own because I just didn't feel confident enough to be sitting in a dark room next to strangers. Actually, I've got to be honest. It was the fear of being judged that prevented me from going to the movies by myself more than anything. I was scared that people would think that I didn't have friends or that I must have been lonely or worse, unwanted. I don't know but there was something about doing things on my own that freaked me out before. It was not until I came to New Zealand that I gained full confidence in doing things alone.

So yesterday I went on a movie date with myself for the first time ever. 

J dropped me off at The Roxy cinema in Miramar after lunch. I went straight to the till and asked if I could have "a" ticket to see Pete's Dragon. No, I didn't feel judged at all. In fact, it felt like watching a movie alone is a normal thing to do. I even asked for popcorn to complete the experience but unfortunately all they had was a popcorn bar which is really not the same. So I left it.  

I had more than hour to waste, so I decided to order a trim latte and a bran muffin instead. I sat on a table for four and in between deleting photos from my camera and chatting with my friend on messenger, I was reflecting on dates with myself in the past, which was nothing but a few random trips to Starbucks or some cafes to pass the time. I was so absorbed in the moment (of reflection) that I almost didn't realise that the film was about to start soon. I rushed upstairs only to find eager children still hanging out in the lobby with their adult companions. So I took this opportunity to explore the cinema and take photos of some of the artworks on display. And then I decided to go in.

When I entered the room, all three people inside the cinema looked at me. I'd like to think it's because I was early just like them, but it's most likely because I was alone. As I was getting comfortable on my (assigned) seat, a girl excused herself and sat beside me, her friend following her. I wondered if they were accompanied by any parent at all so I asked, "Are you guys on your own?". The girl beside me said that his Dad will be coming after. I said "okay" but I knew that Pete's Dragon is rated PG. I'm sure their parents also knew. I whispered to myself to just mind my own business.

After a few advertisements and future films presentation, the film finally started. I sat in anticipation with my legs crossed and my fingers interlocked on my knee. This got to be a good "first" experience, I thought. Then I caught myself smiling for no reason. And then I realised that for the first time, I was humming into Disney's logo jingle.

I couldn't have chosen any better film for my first ever movie date with myself than Pete's Dragon. I cried ten minutes into the film, from the moment young Pete picked up his book, put it in his backpack and clutched it to his chest. And then I cried many more times after that. 

I am no film critic but this film definitely pinched my heart. I felt that there was so much love in the film that I almost missed the whole point of the villain.  But he's got to be there somehow. I was so engrossed in the film that I felt the sincerity in every word spoken by the characters. Almost every scene to me was heartfelt. I was crying until the end of the film. Don't ask me why.

I stayed until the credits (one thing that I learned from J) and I fell in love with the end credit song immediately. It's entitled "Something Wild" and it's currently my favourite song. 

I left the cinema with so much love and hope, and a few words to live by:

Mr. Meacham: Well, just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there.

Grace: And just because you say it's true doesn't mean it is.

Mr. Meacham: If you go through life only seeing what's in front of you, you're going to miss a lot.

Mr. Meacham: There's magic in the woods, if you know where to look for it.

Mr. Meacham: It's magic. It changes the way I see the world- the sunshine, trees, you.

And I found magic in watching a movie all by myself. 

It was indeed a magical first experience and perhaps I would go on a movie date with myself again soon.


tintin x

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