An A-entry
A few of us went for ラーメンafter work last night. Well, it was ok considering the fact that I just got back from Japan. The lady boss is a Japanese, from Okinawa and the food was just nice. While giving me a ride home, we were reminiscing the lives we had in Japan. It seemed to us that no matter how crazy or busy we may be with studies and part-time jobs, we still felt a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment at the end of the day. I guess it is just that we were really on our own, standing by ourselves, soaring towards our goals.
After my trip to Japan, I was reminded that (apart from God) my closest friends are the source of my strength and sanity. We all were busy with classes and part-time jobs, but it was during the times when we hung out for meals, chilling at Doutour or Gusto, a walk in the park just catching up… these were the times of the day that I look forward to. Return back to my room, relaxing in dim lights and Jazz, having roomies or a few friends over for tea watching TV, chatting or discussing fashion magazines… yes, I truly miss all of it.
After returning to the buzz of my Malaysian life, I felt so much alive since Monday. Dragging Ben out for lunch Monday to share my adventure in Japan was fun. He has never ever seen me so happy for a long time. He text me Tuesday evening inviting me for dinner but I got him to come over to have dinner with Karl and I instead. Mom and Su-Anne were out and I had to cook anyways. The evening was great with fun conversations over the table (like in the 食堂!) having fired chicken garnished with cabbage and cucumber and filling our tummies with bread and the left-over meat sauce I made for spaghetti the night before. Ben and I cleaned up and moved to the sitting room for dragon-fruit juice. (Oh, you have to ask me about that drink. Hehehe…) We had the best of times just hanging out and Ben played the piano. Well, I knew Ben plays but it was my first time ever hearing him play and man! He is good. He played a few pieces and I sang “The Holy City” and “キリストの愛我を迫れば” bringing back the nicest times at TCU. I thought it was cool that both of us found out something new about each after that evening, even after being pals for close to 10 years.
And not to forget, the other guy who brightens up my tiring week is Gabriel! Yup, he has started work in a computer company at the office building just behind mine. Laughs! Now Ben, Gabriel and I, friends from high school are working in the same area! Gabriel and I had lunch at O’Brien’s and caught up. I have to admit; it has been a long while since I did get to sit down with him to talk. It was fun and it was just like the good old days but we are clad in our work clothes now. Gabriel reminded me that I would always be Suemae in their eyes. The image of me being a brother in a skirt just never left him. Yes, these are the guys who will never be able to treat me like a girl, what more, a lady.
All my friends are dear to me—whoever they are, wherever they come from. I have to admit that catching up with them help me pinpoint who I am today. I am defined through the meetings and acquaintances I have with these guys from my childhood past, crazy teenage years, and life in Japan. I love them so much… I wonder whether they know?
A salute to you—my brothers, my friends, my source of sanity!
