FROM: Melody Abuan <[email protected]>
SUBJECT : OF FRIENDSHIPS, GROUP HUGS, BEER BOTTLES, FRAPUCINNOS, LUNCH BREAKS AND BROKEN
HEARTS
DATE: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 05:08:06 +0000 (GMT)
I do not consider
myself lucky but rather I’d like to think of myself as blessed for I am truly
blessed to have developed great friendships in this lifetime. I admit I’m not
the easiest person to get along with (my family can readily attest to that). I
have my flaws and idiosyncrasies and I’ve also lost count on how many times
I’ve failed and screwed-up, and yet in spite of all these we still share that
special bond of friendship that keeps us together.
There’s Cherry, my bestfriend to whom I can be myself without any worries and inhibitions. We
usually spend time together malling or just simply relaxing and devouring one
frapucinno after the other while talking about our dreams, our “once in a
lifetimes” and other mundane topics under the sun. Even though we seem to have
different opinions on certain things, we still manage to come to a compromise
most of the time.
There’s my college barkada whom I’d like to call as my “tropa-troops”. How can
I forget the good old Baluarte days or the times spent at the Orchidarium, the
UTMT, the Nayong Pilipino and most especially Zareth’s former house in Sampaloc?
Or my first taste of Emperador (in which I have Lyra to thank for)? Or the
pathetic way I tried to learn to drive or play volleyball? We often have so
much fun when we’re together amidst examination worries, drinking sprees,
defense jitters, drinking sprees, marketing plans, drinking sprees, feasibility
studies and drinking sprees (you get the picture???). Even though organizing
get-togethers with them is beyond doubt, a test of patience and determination
due to our erratic working schedules (Irene and Czar’s are still the undisputed
MOST erratic!) and other gazillion responsibilities to attend to, we surely have
fun every time we meet as if we’ve always stayed together all along.
Next are my “nomad” friends from Graduate School. These people taught me a lot
of things and eventually view life in a different perspective. I learned to try
new things in which I never would have tried on my own. Through them, I learned
the intricacies of counterstrike (Kuyang Ric has a patience of a saint!) and the
best Divisoria and Quiapo has to offer. Together we explore new places,
overcome the complexities of the GE Model and the BCG Matrix (I think Prof.
Santos will be oh so proud if only he can see this!) and to top it all, managed
to lose all negatives every time we went on a trip (thank heavens for digicams
right now!) but the most important thing I’ve learned from them is that, not to
put myself confined in a box but at least try to be a “jack of all trades (kahit
Management ang kursong tinapos ko!)”
There are also other friends worth mentioning such as Lea and Anne who often
told me not to take things personally because more often than not, what people
say are just manifestations of their “unrealized” dreams and goals in which I
get to live (on their behalf, that is –hey, who says life is fair????).
And lastly, but certainly not the least, are my lunch buddies Mel T. and Tracy
whom I share a penchant for food and travel. Getting back on time after lunch
breaks seem to be more and more difficult as days passed. Overtimes and
overstays suddenly become bearable and enjoyable in spite of the varying degrees
of “stress levels”. But what I really look forward are our weekend shopping
expeditions either in Divisoria or Greenhills wherein we always try to outsmart
the seller to have the best deal out of the bargain. (thanks to Tracy, the
negotiator).
All in all, my friends and I have been through our fair share of triumphs, difficulties,
heartaches and “down” moments but it only comes down to one thing -- I know
these guys will always be there for me and I for them, no matter what. They’re
the people who laugh with me as we celebrate one’s good fortune and blessings in
life (Congrats to Cherry on her well-deserved promotion, to the Cadornigas on
their beautiful wedding, and to Tracy on her new house). The same people who
showed up during my dad’s wake (even though I don’t even remember calling them
in the first place, and to think that some of them even came first thing in the
morning or traveled all the way from Antipolo and some has to get off from work
earlier than usual) to whole-heartedly offer their condolences and sympathies,
they’re the very same faces who cheered me up when I dropped out of Law School
and encourage me to continue and strive even harder, all the while believing
that I have it within me to succeed…. (Susy, I’m really touched with your testi
during that time, Aldine & Brian thanks for the advices and Cherry thanks for
your “unshakable” faith in me).
I know, these sounds mushy and corny and I’m also well-aware that I’ll be the object of their
jokes the next time I see them but then again, I’ll take my chances and I’ll say
it anyway….thank you for everything you’ve done for me and for always being
there. I know I’m not the epitome of a perfect friend (though I’m trying my
best to be one – ang hirap lang talagang maging mabait). I’ll just keep on
praying that I will have the opportunity to extend the same kindness,
understanding and generosity you’ve always shown to me.
To Cherry – next BagaB and frappucino is on me and
congrats on your new Starbucks Planner
To my Tropa-Troops, here’s to one big group hug, more San Mig Light’s to share
and more get-togethers to look forward to; To UE peepz, I’m excited about our
upcoming Mindoro-Boracay Trip (should I take swimming lessons na ba ??? hehehe)
and there’s still 7,000++ islands still waiting to be explored. To Anne and
Lea, I’m so happy for both of you for finally finding your respective Mr.
Rights; and To Tracy and Mel T., I’m praying for our increase in you-know-what
so we can finally embark on that Bohol Vacation. And finally, to all of us,
here’s to another year of long-lasting friendship and great company.
