Chapter 27

Over lunch at the clan association yesterday afternoon, one successful elder made this comment:

你知道人老了哪三个老最重要?
1. 老伴
2. 老钱
3. 老朋友

And at the close of this chapter, it is time again to look back and list the things I'm grateful for for the past year...

Gary: Mr Chan, even if I am disappointed in you, I am really really grateful that you've pulled through and still remain around to annoy the hell out of me. So even if I won't get to see you,I'm just happy to know that you are still you somewhere in some parts of Singapore. Thanks for staying alive, that, to me, is the best birthday present ever from you..

Honghui:

My Japanese movie watching partner! Despite never figuring out how we grew closer only after NJC, I'm super impressed how you know me (err... or am I too easy to read?).. Just a simple "Nodame is coming out on 11 March?" and you concluded that I wanted to watch the movie. Not forgetting the crazy thing of watching 2 seasons of a drama so that I could watch another movie with you.. It doesn't matter how/when we grew closer, but I'm glad we did, Mr Ho!

[21/12/2010: I really didn't expect Mr Ho to get me the two things I wanted from last year (a mug from Chicago somemore!) and this year (the car). It's always an extremely nice feeling to be remembered by an important friend. By the way, what I wanted was those cheap toy cars for me to re-enact my accident matters. Obviously I can't bear to try it on this one! Still.. thank you!!!]

Koon:

2 crabs for 2 persons. I'm beginning to think that you've the impression that I can really eat, and therefore you should feed me as much as possible. Haha.. It's been 11 years since we were first classmates and I seriously seriously have no idea how you could have tolerated all my strange behaviour throughout the years. But you know what? Even when things are down, I'll always be able to stand up again because you are always there to lend a hand, or a listening ear. Mr Tay.. thank you ever ever so much, k?

LiJia:
Through adversity, we somehow grew closer over the past one year. No, that is not to say that I'm glad that things happened the way it did, but at least it's over and it brought along good things too. Thank you for being ever so protective over this year, including my birthday cake and balloon =) And not forgetting your friendly sms to Jiahan (Eh.. that's cheating!! Haha.. still, thanks!)

Weiguang:

You know, selfish me still holds this view that the actual birthday without you is just simply incomplete. Thank you so ever much for your presence every 20 December for the past many years. In spite of the umpteenth "Sorry, we've ran out of your order", lunch was still perfect because it was spent with you.. Not forgetting, I really really really love the bracelet. It's the thought that counts, and you know what? I'm so going to put it on for you to see the next time we meet. So that you'll know that the bracelet's simply lovely!

Xlei: The year hasn't been as wonderful as it should have been for you this year, and I doubt I've been as good a friend as I should have been. Nevertheless, thank you for still being there, through our ups and downs at work and in our personal lives. May both of us get prettier, stronger and even more powerful in the coming year. And I hope your prince turns up soon in the coming year!! You are, and do deserve to be loved wholeheartedly for being the wonderful person you are beneath your seemingly strong shell

Last but not least...

My prince charming: I should just put a full stop right after the phrase. Because that in itself says it all. From bundling me into your car, to staying up with me (even through the nights) when I'm working late, to my late night porridges, to the never ending array of yummy food at all times of the day, to coming to work (or rather, in your case, to read papers) on weekends, to boing boing, to the hike to my office in the hot sun just to deliver a Happy Meal, to the absolutely pretty tulips, to our nature walks, to the all the time massages, to playing bubbles, to my apple crumble, to my watch...See, just a preview of some of the things you've done and it's already one huge paragraph. Thanks for anything, everything and most importantly, for being you! (Err.. and for doubting my race *grinz*)

And with that, I close this colourful Chapter 27.