Sylvia's long distance relationship blog

Campus news article on serious relationships

Here I'm quoted in another great article dealing with serious relationships written by the soon-to-be legendary university journalist Allison Duncan:

http://www.hercampus.com/love/together-forever-reality-serious-relationships-collegeSerious relationhips

 

University newspaper interview on long distance relationships

Seems like more people are getting involved in long distance relationships these days. Here's a great  article on LDRs written by Allison Duncan for The University of Missouri "Her Campus" newspaper:

 

http://www.hercampus.com/love/how-make-long-distance-relationship-work-over-summer

 

Thank you, Allison, for being part of the solution to this challenging relationship hurdle :)

Across the evening sky all the birds are leaving...

That feeling of bittersweetness that accompanies long distance often carries me back to this haunting but lovely song.

Fairport Convention was one of the most innovative and influential 1960s British bands and still record and tour today. The lead singer during their greatest period was Sandy Denny. Perhaps the greatest female vocalist of any era, the dynamic emotional range of her voice has been unsurpassed by any other singer. Thanks to Elfman101 on YouTube for posting.

 

 

Another long distance relationship song "See you in the Spring"

This moving long distance relationship song titled "See you in the Spring" by Jakob Dylan and the Court Yard Hounds. This one is edgier than "Hey There, Delilah," but I like it because it shows the disharmonious struggle that often occurs when trying to be together. I think the couple in this song should learn something about compromise or they might not ever manage to come together, don't you?

 

 

A long distance relationship song "Hey There, Delilah"

I dedicate this song to Marcia and Joe :) Lately I've heard a couple long distance relationship songs emerge on the air. "Hey There, Delilah" by the Great White Ts is one of them. It has the kind of pining and anxiety that go hand-in-hand when you're braving your way through an LDR. Embedding isn't allowed, so you'll have to click on the "Watch on YouTube" link. I hope you enjoy listening to it. OH-OH: Embedding has been disabled, but you can still click on the YouTube link.  

Crazy About Layla?

Ever wonder if there is meaning behind the name Layla? By 'Layla' I mean as in the song by Derek and the Dominos (i.e. Eric Clapton). And that maybe it's more than just the code name for Pattie Boyd, who was the object of Eric Clapton’s obsession, and the wife of George Harrison (a former Beatle)?

 

Pattie Boyd & George Harrison

 Well, there is.

 

As you might already know, I teach English at the UAE University in the Middle East. The other day I asked my students how to pronounce the ‘q’ sound in Arabic, as in the name ‘Qais,’ a common Arab boy’s name in the old bedouin days.

 

This led to a discussion of the ultimate long distance relationship love story ‘Qais and Layla,’ of which I had seen hanging pictures in the hallways drawn by students in the past, but thought it was a modern romantic creation.  My students informed me that this love story stems from an ancient Arab oral tradition that has been passed down for over a thousand years.

 

What I came to find out following this discussion was mind-boggling.

 

According to Wikipedia, the story of ‘Qais and Layla,’ also known as ‘Majnun Layla’  (Driven mad by Layla) was a true story created in 7th century Arabia.

 

Two versions of this love story exist. In the first one, Qais the poet tended the flocks as a boy with Layla and came to fall in love with her. In the second version, Qais the poet falls in love with Layla at first sight. He writes love poetry to her, but Layla’s father rejects Qais’ marriage proposal, (scholars disagree as to why: either because they were from separate tribes or due to his love poetry having caused a disgraceful scandal) thus driving Qais absolutely crazy.

 

Layla’s father forces her to marry another older man and they go to live in what is now Iraq. When Qais hears the bad news, he begins wandering the desert day and night heartbroken and devastated, writing poetry for Layla. Meanwhile, Layla becomes sick and dies. Not long afterwards, Qais is found dead near her grave. Before he dies, he carves three verses of love poetry into her tombstone.

 

Here is an example of one of his many romantic poems Qais wrote to Layla:

 

“I pass by these walls, the walls of Layla

And I kiss this wall and that wall.

It’s not Love of the houses that has taken my heart

But of the One who dwells in those houses.”

 

Nizami, a 12th century Persian author, wrote a famous adaptation of their love story in which the young virgin lovers meet at school and fall desperately in love, but are forbidden to marry due to a family feud. Some scholars debate as to whether this love story influenced Shakespeare’s 17th century Romeo and Juliet.

 

Below is an illustration from Nizami’s Khamsa of Nizami, titled Laila and Majnun at (mosque) School, published cerca 1432 A.D.

Layla & Majnun at School

Getting back to modern day culture, Eric Clapton learned about the love story ‘Qais and Layla’ from a friend during the time he was driven mad with passion over Pattie Boyd. Fueled by unrequited love, the classic Arab/Persian tale helped inspire the creation of his album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. He even credits Nizami for his contribution on his album.

 

I Am Yours - Derek and the Dominos

Aside from its title track Layla, the song “I Am Yours” is a direct quote from a passage from Nizami’s adaptation of Layla and Majnun.

 

I Am Yours Lyrics:
I am yours.
However distant you may be,
There blows no wind but
wafts your scent to me,
There sings no bird but
calls your name to me.
Each memory that has left
its trace with me
Lingers forever as a part of me.

I am yours.

[ Lyrics found at www.mp3lyrics.org/J7K ]

 

To find out other love songs that have been attributed to her, and for more fascinating insights into their famous love triangle, you can read Pattie Boyds autobiography titled Wonderful Today, or visit this link to an article written by Pattie Boyd: www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-473174/Pattie-Boyd-My-hellish-love-triangle-George-Eric--Part-One.html

 

Eric Clapton & Pattie Boyd

 Thanks for stopping by!

 

The Long Distance Relationship literary review & romantic DVDs

 

Today I received in the mail a literary review from Writer's Digest for my published book, The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook, for entering it in a worldwide contest (alas, I didn't win the Grand Prize:). The following are the Judge's comments on what she liked the best about my book The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook:

You offer an interesting, needed, easy-to-read product. I like the personal stories (Case studies) sprinkled throughout, and the practical tips. The book's title are complimentary and front cover graphics helps portray romance.

Speaking of romance, here are a few of my favorite romantic films for couples in long distance relationships:

French Kiss

The Holiday

Ladyhawke

Under the Tuscan Sun (Full Screen Edition)

Before Sunrise

The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition)

Letters to Juliet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by my long distance relationships blog!:)

Long Distance Relationships Interview

Long Distance Relationships Interview

 

Cassandra Kapp, an award-winning first-year journalism student at Northwestern University, recently interviewed me on the topic of long distance relationships.

 

What’s a long distance relationship (LDR)?

An LDR is a long distance relationship in which a couple regularly spends time apart from each other whether days, weeks, months, or years.

 

To me, long distance relationships are a kind of glorified relationship, one that is full of romance and excitement, and urgency and celebration, harkening back to the medieval times of courtly love Long distance relationships allow time for a couple to 'fully  ferment'. A strong loving long distance relationship is one of the powerful, awe-inspiring kind of relationship you may ever experience in your life.

 

Cultural profile of a student coming to college in an Long Distance Relationship:

Long distance relationships among incoming college students are more common these days because there are many cheap and fast ways to stay in touch. I think incoming freshmen started their long distance relationships in high school and doesn’t want to end it simply because their locations differ. I think it is a mature thing to do, to stay with that partner even though it may be personally and socially inconvenient at times. Making a dedicated attempt to stay together shows flexibility, a willingness to compromise, and dedication. All of these qualities are crucial for turning any ordinary relationship into an extraordinary one.

 

Now that it has become more affordable and common for younger people to travel, they do just that—travel across the world and wind up falling in love with someone from another country, most likely speaking a different native language. Normally these affairs might be labeled summer romances, but now since communications and transportation has become cheaper and easier, there isn’t a good reason for a couple to simply split up (if they are truly in love) unless they prefer only to be in a relationship in which their partner is physically present, or if they believe it is impossible to be together in the future.

 

What are some other qualities needed in a long distance relationship?

Love is necessary and having a romantic nature helps too, but also:

• Respect
• Determination
• Openness

Are college students more or less successful in maintaining long distance relationships than older folks?

I think if a strong love is shared by two people, whether young or old, then the couple will survive the obstacles. Older couples in long distance relationships, such as the ones serving the war overseas, often have practical reasons such as kids and a house, in addition to feeling a strong bond. However, when it comes to love in its purest form, I would say that college students are more successful at maintaining their long distance relationship than older people, simply because younger people often have more energy and passion in everything they do; they are hopeful and excited about love and believe in the good of its power.

 

How does long distance affect a couple in general?

Absence prevents the daily interweaving of events, big and small, in each other’s lives, which is crucial to feeling emotionally connected to each other. But with a lot of effort, you can interlock your lives together so that your relationship is resistant to vulnerabilities.

 

How do long distance relationships affect students in particular?

In addition to juggling school, work, hobbies, and friendships, a lot of time and energy is needed to maintain an LDR. Some people argue that non-long distance relationshipsare more time-consuming since the partner is present, but at least they can overlap their activities, such as eating and talking, or studying at the same time.

 

In my opinion, long distance relationships often cut into time a student should probably be studying or sleeping due to long hours many long distance relationship couples spend on the phone most nights.

 

Socially and personally: Some students find that their social life is imbalanced. If you’re too involved with your relationship because you’re always flying back and forth and glued to the phone or internet, then your LDR may overshadow your social and personal life.

 

Financially : Students don’t always have a lot of money left over at the end of the month or semester due to phone bills, flights, hotel stays or extravagant visits and gifts.

 

Academically : Everybody loves a good reason to put off writing a paper. When you’re having a problem that you’re not able to resolve in your long distance relationship, it can be very difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

 

Emotionally and mentally : If you are in an LDR, you have to expect some ups and downs as in any relationship, except that in long distance relationships they can be more intense and frequent. These emotions and mental states include depression, jealousy, guilt, demotivation, distraction, and an inability to enjoy university life.

 

It can be a lonely path at times since the partner isn’t around to share all the triumphs and disappointments. On the other hand, it is important to remain grateful that they are blessed with having someone special in their life, even if he or she lives 3,000 miles away.

 

What advice can you give to students in long distance relationships?

Sometimes phoning and chatting aren’t possible when time zones clash and there you are sitting in class feeling distracted because your boyfriend who lives 1,000 miles away hasn’t contacted you in two days.

 

Find as many ways as possible to interweave your lives together so that it is as richly textured and tightly woven as if you were an emotionally close couple physically together.

 

Imagine a braided rope. Each strand symbolizes a way that you relate daily to your partner. One strand represents reach out to your partner, for example sending a postcard or a CD compilation. Another strand represents interacting with your partner such as phoning or video conferencing. The third way signifies synchronizing your actions, for example watching the moon or eating the same kind of chocolate at the same time. The more strands you use to braid your rope, the more resilient it will be to stress and strain. This idea of synchronicity is in the “Cruising Altitude” chapter my book The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook .

 

Any other advice for couples in long distance relationships?

Remember that even though things don’t go according to your expectations sometimes, that it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your relationship or partner. Learn to express your concerns in a straightforward, calm way when you are not upset. Pour as much positive energy as you can into your relationship—make this time the most memorable and breath-taking stage of your relationship.

 

Please visit my long distance relationship blog again soon and share your own concerns and experiences.

 

I’ll leave you now with an inspirational quote: "Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are." ~ Bernice Johnson Reagon (singer, songwriter, historian).

 

Sincerely,

Sylvia Shipp

Author of The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook

 

 

Striving couples in long distance relationships!

It looks as though I haven't written on my long distance relationships blog for a month, but actually the comments on the last post have kept me busy with this blog lately, as well as the writing I've been doing on a historical fiction novel I'm trying to finish before the end of the year (please check my other blog if you're interested in that kind of stuff:)

I have a proposal for all people in long distance relationships..please reply to this post or send a private email with a brief description of how you stay in touch with your partner. That means modes of communication, frequency, any communication rules you might have. I'll summarize your comments and post it here within the next couple weeks. It's my way of staying up to date with how couple use technology today to stay connected. Eventually, I'd like to update my book, The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook, but for now it works fine since the ideas in it are timeless and adaptable to most if not all situations and couples.

Living apart after an incredible summer

     Two months ago I posted "Give Me One Good Reason," which listed 10 reasons for having a long distance relationship. A young Belgian guy recently wrote to me, saying he had just spent a summer getting to know and falling in love with a young woman, then had to part ways. I was moved by his emotional bravery and determination to make things work out despite the distance apart, among many other obstacles I'm sure they're facing. And then I remembered...this is the end of summer when many travelers and students are returning home from their vacations. This is the time when the lucky, (and some might think cursed, but I prefer blessed) few who have fallen in love during past weeks or months must now say an uncertain farewell to each other. They don't know when and where they'll see each other again, but they know in their hearts and souls they are meant to be together and want to do everything in their power to make it happen.

     After all, how often does it happen in a person's life that he or she falls so absolutely in love? How often in life are we honored to take such a risk? How often does it happen that nearly every passing thought brings to mind your other half, or when you think of him or her, the butterflies in your stomach do a whirling dervish? Maybe once or twice if you're super lucky. It's not just a passing fancy or some kind of silly crush. It's a heavy aching and pounding in the heart and stomach that goes on almost non-stop for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years. It's an anxious feeling that something is terribly amiss because your partner is not by your side. Even hanging up the phone on good terms can be unsettling; you're left with the final words of your lover's voice resonating in your head until the next time you talk with him or her. This is love. It's love with obstacles and challenges and lots of distance. Remember, even couples who live together have their own set of problems, but whether together or apart, only love (and a lot of effort and discipline on both sides!) determine whether they will pull through.

     There are several things you might be experiencing if this is the first time you are apart. Some of these things might be frightening or confusing, but it doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with your long distance relationship, your partner, or with your own feelings of love. It just means you must learn a different way and routine for now, in which you can show each other on a daily basis how much you love and mean to each other.

     Here are some things I felt the first time after my partner and I went our separate ways after spending 5 weeks getting to know each other and falling in love:

• Love
• Euphoria
• Grief
• Anxiety
• Uncertainty
• Fear of getting hurt

     The last four points don't seem to coincide well with the first two points, but it makes sense that if you are truly, deeply in love with someone who you've just met and happens to live on another continent, then there is also going to be an element of uncertainty and fear associated with investing your heart, soul, time, and money on an incredibly special person and relationship, only to lose him or her. The stakes are much higher in long distance relationships compared to non-long distance relationships because of the added time and money as well as emotional investment needed to make this relationship work, especially in the beginning when you are trying to establish a firm foundation. Whether you are together or apart, losing the love of your life is preventable if the feelings for each other, attitudes, and goals are mutual.

     The advice I gave to Tijl, the young Belgian gentleman, is that although it's great that they regularly videochat in the early morning or evening, he should also find other ways to "breathe" each other throughout the day so that become entwined in each other's daily life. It's easy to get swallowed up in studies, work, and friends to the point where, although unintentionally, one or both partners gets shut out. So it's important to make a huge effort, especially for now while the relationship is new, to make your partner a part of your all day life in small pockets of time throughout the day. My chapter (Cruising Altitude) in my book The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook is packed with ideas for doing this. I believe this way of thinking and acting is what helped me and my partner get through the long hauls (up to a year at a time) for so long.

     I need to return to the novel I'm writing for now, but I plan to return here soon since these ideas and feelings are swimming in my head now. It must be sympathy pains.

     Readers, feel free to drop me a line anytime if you just want a little moral support. I know exactly what you're going through. Thanks for stopping by my long distance relationships blog!

Sylvia

Poetry and romance

When I was writing my book, The Long Distance Relationship Guidebook, I had originally intended to include some poems that underscored each chapter topic. In the end, I decided to go with the international flight theme and so the poems didn't fit well in the book anymore.

 

However, I adore those poems and want to share some of my favorites with you. The following poem was sent to me by a great friend of a friend from .  This is the 2,676th poem in Man'yoshu, Japan's oldest and most highly revered collection of poems.

 

"Hisakatano amatobukumoni ariteshika kimiwobaaimimu otsuruhinashini"

 

"If I were a cloud which goes around in the sky, I could go see you every single day"

 

I love this poem. Just a few telling words give you that floating, intoxicated feeling of being in love, and the bliss you get from seeing your partner's face.

 

Since our location is Japan, I'd like to share interesting kanji symbols I stumbled across. Is it me, or do the symbols look like they're smiling?

 

Romance (Renai)