Just Being Me, John Paul G

Everyone needs friends. Whether it’s to have a shoulder to cry on, a story to share with, a joyous occasion to celebrate with or just a simple hug to brighten one’s day. Some say they need only faith (religious) or lots of money to be happy, or just be with family but we somehow feel that lives’ more meaningful with friends. We have friends who are just casual ones, close ones, best ones and also friend’s friends who eventually become ours. It has become more of a need than a want to have friends these days. We go though our lives with so many challenges and unpredictable phases, that we somehow find ourselves in need of a friend.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed with so many different friends through the many stages of my life. Childhood friends, school friends, university mates, work mates, church youths, girlfriends, activity partners and distant relatives who have become more of a friend than family, have become so much part of my life, that I’m very grateful for.

The kinds of friends I’ve had over the years (Guess who you are?):

Friend 1: So many years ago, when I was in Kuala Pilah, this guy and I rode cows in the kampung! His family had cows, chickens, and ducks in their kampung house. He was my partner in crime when we ditched classes for so called Pengawas (Prefects) duties. We took part in sports and became the so called sports stars in our state of N. Sembilan. Dude, I so miss our kampong days and our MSSM days. We played 3 different sports for N.Sembilan; Cricket, Badminton and Athletics.

Friend 2: My longest lasting childhood friend. Arguably my best friend! Our mums were friends even before we were born. September babies as well (1982). He’s my solution provider for all IT questions; he even helped me big time in projects in University. He’s a good friend to all, and makes friends so easily. Girls find him extremely pleasant to talk to, and he’s such a gentleman. He’s a good listenter, and conversationalist. Btw, he’s into palm reading and a big Man Utd fan too, like me. And yes, to you girls seeking a nice dude, he’s still single!

Friend 3: This guy met me in Form 4. He never knew what hit him! From a stranger, to a local celebrity, he was thrown into a world of girls, lepaking and learning to be an adult, by yours truly. Till this day, he says I was the one who spoiled him. Please la, u learned all those on your own k! I just opened the door for you :-) Friends since we were 16, we’ve keep close all these while. Still irriates the shit out of me whenever we hang out, but he’s the best! The definition of a nice fella.

Friend 4: Probably the one guy who spend the most time playing sports with me from back in uni days and also in the first few years working. Badminton, squash mostly. I used to stay back over the weekends in campus to lepak with this fella, who only goes back to Ipoh during the semester break. A very humble, quiet Chinese dude. He’s into Korean pop music, and all mother’s think he’s a good looking fella ;-)

Friend 5: Probably the most disciplined friend among the lot. Works hard for everything, dedicated to his career, and recently got married. Used to my jogging partner at the Cyberjaya lake. We shared a lot about life and having a direction to a more purposeful future. We enjoy the occasional catching up over chilled beers at Tony Romas, coz it’s buy 1 free 1 on weekdays before 7pm! ;-)

Friend 6: Definitely one of my besties. Stuck with me through thick and thin. Knows me inside out, and can tell if the girl I was going out is right for me. Despite annoying, teasing, hurting her feelings and letting her down almost all the time, she was always there for me (but she makes me make it up to her always!) We hung out a lot before, drifted apart due to circumstances. She thought me to play pool :-)

Friend 7: She’ll always have a special place in my heart. Were introduced to each other by her cousin. We are very similar in so many ways. Talk about being in the same frequency, even the shit we faced is almost identical. Enjoyed hanging out with her when she was still in KL, now she’s up north. Was in the airlines before, now in telecommunications. She looks hotter than ever when I recently met her. Thought me a lot about women, not girls, but women!

Friend 8: My first, who kinda dumped me for an older guy later on. Thought me to be more independent and to understand that working hard pays off. Probably the only person I know who’s still studying for higher honours beyond the age of 26 who’s not doing medicine. My best friend for a short period. Wrecked her car some time ago in an accident. The most short tempered person I know, besides my own sister! haha

Friend 9: My sister (not my sister ann marrie). Like a guardian angel, always looking out after me. Calls and chats with me on msn almost every other day. Kept me out of trouble on a few occasions. And our birthdays are just a day apart, thus we’ve been celebrating together the past 3 years…wonder what’s the plan for this year :-)

Friend 10: Another sister, an inspirational person in my life. Also used to keep an eye out for me while I was in Shell myself. Kick boxing silver medalist at the world championships a few years ago, seriously, she can kick ass! Having a respectably high post in Shell. Leaving soon for the UK to work there, with her awesome, handsome and charming husband. Miss chatting with her over lunch breaks…

Friend 11: A new friend. Lights up the room whenever she walks in. At times, it almost seems my heart skips a beat at the very sight of her. Always looking gorgeous even when she’s dressed down, I wonder if she ever does not look as hot at any point in time. Even if she thinks she looks at her ugliest, she still looks Angelic to me. She’s funny and abrupt at times. A lil dirty minded, which is so me too! Annoying at times, but in a cute way. Complimented & flirted with her a few times, but I guess some things are not meant to be. Just a friend, as it’s meant to apparently be. Yes guys, she’s single and if you’re cute, have a good sense of humor, high respect for ladies and above the age of 26; she’s free for a date ;-)

I guess it’ll take me ages to cover every friend that is dear to me. To those who have stuck by me, accepted me for who I am, tolerated me, partied with me, cried with me, danced with me, flirted with me, fought with me, thanks for the experiences and memories. Through ups and downs, you will always be cherished. Thank you all , and you’ll always have a friend in me :-)

P/s I’ve kept out family and cousins out for this post. Just friends :-)

posted by John @ 5:35 PM