Month: January 2005

Sometimes in life you’re lucky enough to find a special friend. Sometimes when you’re extremely fortunate you find a few who are there for a lifetime. I travelled across the world to figure that out.

Often you hear that a friendship isn’t a friendship till it’s tested. Time and distance is one of the greatest tests of all. A part of me felt like I was gambling when I decided to leave the comforts of my lifelong friends almost a full seven months ago (oh my gosh, it’s been that long already?). I mean these are the friends who have seen me through the best and the worst of times. Through the good, the bad and oh so ugly! We’ve had fights, tensions, a period of long silence, misunderstandings, arguments and every possible scenario you could think of, ranging from many topics, which we won’t even go into. Some friendships were strengthened, and some you realised had reached their peak, and you learned to live with the limitations in which some friendships were meant to have.

I am often reminded of how awesome some of these friendships are. The phone calls from Ann and Jes, (our conversations are always funny, especially the impromptu ones) our e-mail-athons about anything and everything. Being in constant contact with them makes me feel like I haven’t left home sometimes. Which is comforting at my ‘Uhhh’ moments. It’s amazing how easily we transport our ‘self’ through e-mail. Jes is still, well Jes and Ann is Ann. It’s so hilarious to find the signature traits even through e-mail. ‘Uh, no no no!’ Sorry Jes, had to do it.

The other day I was reminded of another friendship that I continue to treasure, almost seven years of when it first started, (Oh my gosh it’s been so long since that fated day I was robbed of my pillow and sleeping bag at my very first Antioch Camp). Come to think of it, it was like the first of only three…but I digress.

For those familiar with and have no doubt heard this story numerous times would know I am talking about none other than Christian, (affectionately known as Vipo, or the thorn in my side). We’ve been trying to maintain connection through e-mails, and because of both schedules, and his ever growing family (aherm) commitment, we’ve both been slacking in that of late. What is comforting with what we have is that we both know that we can pick up from where we left off, as though no time had passed. As we’ve always been able to do.

This was proved only a couple of nights ago as we got to engage in a conversation, thanks to modern technology. It was amazing how easily it all came. The banter, the teasing, the laughing! It was awesome. For a moment we were back to the two crazy people wandering around NSW Art Gallery talking and being silly during someone’s lunch break, which he always exceeded, and my so called necessary research at the Sydney Library during my Uni years. Vip, I think now’s the time to tell you that you were a bad influence to my academic aspirations! There are certain parts of my psyche that only he gets, in turn because frighteningly he shares them. No one else gets my fascination with ‘Dream for an Insomniac’ and why I love it so much. He does! (Which is why I think I should get to do the review on the Tattler. I promise to keep it short and concise…I’ll only use one quote! THE QUOTE…of course!) When watching movies, we go ‘Oooohhh’ at the same parts. Christian and I have the ability to exchange nonsensical conversation for hours, in fact our friendship is based on it…which is always fun. There is never a dull moment. Actually it depends on who’s paying out on who!

Christian, is also my writing critic, cheerleader, motivator, in a hail Hitler kind of way no less. “Write something!”, “What was that?”, “That was lacking of zest!”, you get the jist. The funny thing is he is one of very few that I’ve ever shared my writing with. It’s funny every time I blog and he replies I feel like I’m being graded. In a really good way! His replies are a great read.

Some friendships are easy, and some take work, being so far away from home and the comforts of my old friends, it’s easy to appreciate what you had. Sometimes when something is just beginning, there is that fear of crossing boundaries, for something to be misinterpreted. Therefore the friendship is tested at a very early stage and at times, the friendship fails…but you learn and you move on with the knowledge of not making the same mistakes. You learn early on that you’re starting a new, that you’re working on the day to day basis, and you have to take it on those terms. I forget at times that some people whom I get along really well with, I haven’t known for awhile…therefore there is a danger to overlook that boundaries may exist where it doesn’t to those you’ve known forever. A lesson learned, when my being me, was misinterpreted into something that wasn’t intended. Feel free to use one’s imagination *rolls her eyes upward* Cest la vie!

Starting over is exciting, meeting new friends is an awesome experience. I have been blessed with great people in my journey so far, and getting to know them has been such a blessed experience. I’m loving it! I know I would have gone home within a week had I not met Cristina, Isabel, Lorena, Paloma and Julien. We had become our very own family unit at Finsbury being so far away from home. As a result I think we are all confident in knowing that we have friends in Sydney, Italy, France and Spain.

Friendships need to be nurtured, and it only grows with time and effort. As a self proclaimed snob (as many would agree – stop nodding your heads!), well more extremely shy! (…to my defense) I totally had to step out of my comfort zone. I was great at the whole maintaining a friendship (those who haven’t heard from me for awhile, I apologise now), but it was the actual introducing myself to strangers and starting from the beginning that was the freaky part…but one of the best things about deciding to move into a country where you don’t know a soul is that it forces you to really step out, and in a sense step up to the new challenges and meet them head on. Hillsong certainly helped in that!

I have met some great people, and a handful of them are currently in the makings of a great friendship. As an overly sensitive person, I quickly had to come to terms with the realisation that not everyone you meet becomes your life long friend, that some of them pass through for a season, fulfil a purpose and move on. I learned that I had to be thankful for that moment, no matter how brief, because it is part of the growth of who I am becoming.

I guess this is a tribute, to the friends of the past, current and future. Your presence in my life has an impact. So in d’cookster fashion (to those who don’t know, and I can’t believe I’m admitting this out loud, my nickname is Cookie and have been proclaimed ‘d’cookster’ by my beloved friends) I have slipped in the words to one of my existing theme songs!

So now it’s time for me to say a thank you

For the love you give

For all those times I’d lose my faith in myself

And you’d still believe

I wish, I could be a friend as true

You can depend on me as much as I rely on you

You are my friend and you will always be

Until this world is through

You’ll see me standing right there by your side

When times are hard for you

Even the darkest clouds can never ever

Make us fall apart

The rain may keep on falling

But the sun will keep on shining

Cause I’ve got the best in you

After all these years, it remains one of my all time favourite friend songs. So this is for all you! Awwww… Have a blessed week!

Happy New Year! 2005 brings with it a lot of promises. New hopes, dreams, and resolutions. At times it’s easy to get caught up in the resolution, what we want to accomplish, or what we want to avoid in the coming year. The new year brings the opportunity to start anew. To determine to not make the same mistakes, to set goals and determine to achieve them.

2004 was a huge year for me. Early in the year I had made the decision to finally stop dreaming about going to London, and just go! I booked my ticket before getting a Visa. An impulse brought on by a really bad day at work, but it was the best decision I ever made in terms of making a decision. Had I waited to get my Visa, I would probably still be postponing it. Booking my ticket made the decision real. Two thousand dollars does that. The following months was filled with a mixture of denial, excitement, apprehension, and anticipation. My first big trip, my life long dream. I had dreamt about it for so long, and even written about what the experience was going to be like, that it was as though I had already done it. Was I in for a shock when it finally happened?

Saying goodbye at work felt like I was leaving behind what had become a family unit. Rob certainly made our little OSU team feel like a family. I can say this now that I am so far away and can fully appreciate it…but Rob nurtured our little team. Spoiled us in many ways…and vice versa. Seeing Rob’s reaction as he saw our lolly jar filled with red raspberries was always fun to watch. MPC provided many friends of whom I treasure to this day.

My farewell party followed shortly after, which was a weird experience all together, and no not because of the amount of shots had that night, but because I knew the party was for me, and that there were pretty signs (courtesy of Jes – which I have to point out were still there when I left for the airport Philippine bound, wonder if it’s still there), it didn’t seem real. Saying goodbye to most of my friends that night felt like I was just saying goodnight. I remember blogging for the very first time on my “d’cooksterztrip journey”, which is always hilarious to look back on and read.

The days and nights that followed were filled with last minute arrangements. Last dinners, lunches, and meetings! I remember sitting in my Mom’s formal dining room on the night before I left. After Grace and my Kuya Arnold had gone home, I was sitting around the table with my nearest and dearest friends…Ann, Jes, Mer and Nige. Our little posse, and honorary posse member (sorry Nige)! We sat around talking as we had time and time before. Gas bagging about this and that. It was pointed out repeatedly that I was leaving, not that it sunk in or anything.

The turn out at the airport was extremely touching. I think almost every significant person in my life was there. From my immediate family (Stitch included), my Posse, to my high school best friend Jade, my cousins…not to mention my other cousins and Aunt had come that morning to say goodbye at the house. My departure finally hit home as I got ready to board. Tears were shed to say the least. All my sister’s fault! My palms were sweaty, my heart was racing. I was torn between excited and freaked out. Though I was upgraded into business class, thanks to my favourite brother, I have to say crying my eyes out dampened the experience.

Philippines was an experience. For so long I referred to Phils as home, and though it was something I had realised in my last trip, home it isn’t. I love my cousins and my Aunts, but my future lay elsewhere. My heart no longer yearned to be there as it once did. I was able to hang out with some of my cousins and Aunts, and enjoyed those times immensely, however I was waiting for my next adventure to begin with anticipation. When the time finally came and I had to say goodbye to my Mom and my brother at the airport along with my other family I fell apart!

London was definitely harder than I had anticipated through my naivety. At the same time, as hard as all that was, and how much easier things would have been had I done them differently, I believe its all part of the journey I am meant to take. Each road leads somewhere, and what you encounter along the way is part of the journey. The lessons you learn, brings you to the next level. The next part of your path. God has a plan for us, and each circumstance we face is a part of it all, however it is through the choices we make that determine how we get to the destination.

After a few weeks of getting no where in terms of finding a job and a place to live, by August I was contemplating accepting defeat and going home. But first I needed to see the one place I have always wanted to see…Italy! Lucky for me in Italy, I had connections. Thanks to Kuya Arnold and Ate Grace. For Cristina and Lorena, my beloved friends from Finsbury Residence. I loved Italy.

By the time I arrived back to London I was ready to give London another try. I figured London had won the first round, but the game wasn’t over till I quit, and I wasn’t ready to quit just yet. I gave myself a dead line, and Praise God a couple of weeks before my dead line was up, I got Pell and Bales, which lasted a couple of weeks before I got offered Harper Collins…a publishing company no less. How awesome is that…the job is hardly glamorous…actually not at all, but it’s my foot in the door. It enabled me to look for a place of my own to live, and I have met some really cool people there. Who shall remain nameless because they’ll just get a big head. If you’re reading this, you know I mean you!

The year ahead is an exciting one, and I cannot wait for what it holds. It’s limitless and I am determined to make it an awesome year ahead. To live each day fully. To leave what was in the past in the past and look right ahead, for what is ahead is bright…so 2005 bring it on.