Dedicated to a Friend

One challenge of being close friends with someone overseas, is that we can't quite do the usual girl-bonding activities, such as shopping, gossiping, ogling at cute guys (mostly in Korean dramas; the streets are devoid of handsomeness).

Over the past two years, however, we've adapted. Shopping? Web links, emailed photos and online sprees. Gossiping? MSN. Ogling at cute guys? Google and Dramawiki.

In all honesty, it is so much easier to lose relevance when the interaction opportunities drop to almost nil. Out of sight? Out of mind. Life's frenetic pace has made moving on and drifting apart such accessible choices. Many friends have dropped out of my radar that way, but not for want of trying on my part.

Because like relationships, every friendship takes mutual effort. Even more so for an overseas pal.

Which is why the time, energy and commitment that has been taken to maintain the friendship also becomes much more significant. And in this context, like how Meredith has Christina, I'm glad to have a "person".

Thanks for being there when I needed someone to give me perspective and bring me back to center, for sharing inane thoughts when I was bored, for emotional support when I just needed a sympathetic ear. For allowing me to be myself, even when I'm mean and bad. For fuelling my fanaticism in earrings, fashion, travelling and Korean dramas.

Ok ok don't tear. I know you're very touched. Haha.

Happy birthday, girlfriend!