I just realized that I’ve been using my mobile number for more than a decade now. My aunt, who used to work at Globe Telecoms, availed of an employee subscription plan sometime 1996. But it was my sister and I who took turns in using the number. Back then, networks weren’t as clogged as they are now; we still enjoyed unlimited texting within and outside the network; and it was still fashionable to text “how are you?” instead of “hw r u?”

After I graduated and started working, my sister gave up her right on the phone so I began using it full-time. After a few months, I had the account transferred under my name. During that time, mobile phones and texting had become the latest craze. Plus, I finally caved in to using shortcuts while typing SMS. And while I was still using my jurassic-like but reliable Nokia 2110 unit, everyone else was saving up to buy the very popular Nokia 5110 model.

In year 2000, I finally gave up my “antique” mobile phone and upgraded to the more stylish Nokia 3310. I changed phones about four more times after that, but never once did I change my mobile number.

After giving up my corporate life, I’ve been tempted countless times to switch to a prepaid account — the most prudent thing to do when you’re jobless and nearly broke. But I just couldn’t give up my beloved number. I love my number; it’s so easy to remember and I’m sure feng shui experts would say that it’s one lucky number. Having used it for more than a decade already, it would be difficult to let it go now.

Change is oftentimes good. But changing my mobile number is something I don’t intend to do anytime in the future, unless for security reasons. Besides, I want to be just a text away to my old friends and colleagues whom I’ve lost touch with during the past few years… assuming, of course, that they still have my number in their phonebooks.

P.S. One time, my son saw me busy with my cellphone and asked me what am I doing. I answered, “I’m typing.” Then he said, “No mommy, not typing… it’s tiksting(texting)…” Uh… right.