One problem I realized about grown up adult is NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME for OLD FRIENDS. No, I did not just realized this just a second ago. I knew this phenomenon long time ago but never really make any effort to reverse the bad habit. Here are some of the possible reasons (of excuses if you want it) why grown up adult don’t have time for old friends:-
1. Too busy with works – it’s true, we spend more than 1/3 of our day at work, another 1/3 sleeping and relaxing and another 1/3 doing things which virtually add no value to life like stuck in traffic jam, day dreaming, taking off clothing to shower and etc.
2. Too busy with relationship – no man is an island, that’s what everyone say but I also found out that in many case every couple is an island. Believe it or not, when you have a life – partner you rarely have spare time for other kind of relationship like friendship. That is bad…
3. Distance – frankly speaking with Malaysia’s road traffic condition, sometimes I feel it is much better to stay at home than to go out. As if the traffic before and after going to work is not enough. With friends living at different locations, sometimes I feel really lazy to be on the road again.
4. Finances – I believe this is one of the major reason. Grown up adults have more commitments and commitment sometimes involved a lot of monies. Going out which is a kind of commitment, therefore, requires money. As a result, people go out less so that they can save more for other commitments like buying a house, car, getting married, buy baby’s milk powder and so on. They are important, don’t you think so?
5. Other commitments – These are the commitments other than relationship, works and so on. Other commitments involve going to gym, attending church, doing house chores and community service to name a few. With such commitments, how much time left for others?…
…
However, I am fortunate enough to meet up with my old friends two days ago. Some of them I have not met for almost 8 years already. Allow me to introduce to you my friends:-
1. Caryn and Cristin, my sister’s high school friends. No they are not sisters. Anyway, I came from boys’ school and my sister studied in the convent. I don’t quite remember how I met them and why they are closer to me than my sister (that is how I feel, maybe I am wrong). Caryn is staying permanently in KL after 2 years in U.K. and Cristin is living and working in U.K. I have known them for more than 10 years now but it feels like yesterday. But, I think I can use all my fingers to calculate how many times we met over the years. Sorry guys..
2. Damon and Wai Yeen, my best – est friend of all. I knew Damon since Standard 1 in Perlis and we’re best friend since then. I met Wai Yeen the first time in 1999 when Damon decided to bring me along to meet up with his internet friend. That was 9 years ago. Now they are residing permanently in Australia. It was amazing how they first met over the internet, then in person, fell in love and now they are already married. You are the best, Damon …
And of course Juleen and I. I knew her since 1998 at college but I am not sure she knew me then. She is pretty but I am not good looking. I used to stalked her in college but I don’t think she even knew I exist. Only able to get to know her better early 2006 and now she is my fiancee… 
But do you know how to gauge whether you have a good friendship?
A good friendship is when you get together with your friends after a looOoooog time and you still can continue the conversation when it last stop. You do not need a long warming up session to kick start the conversation. You just talk and laugh non – stop right after you meet. That is a good friendship. See, how we talk…(non stop and we laugh a lot)…
And with the right ambience everything will be just perfect. We met up at Bread & Olives Cafe located at Lookout Point, Ampang. It is a cafe located on top of a hill serving Middle Eastern food. The food is above average (a lil pricey too) but I enjoy the ambience. To know more about this cafe, click here.
Inside the restaurant…
And if you sit outside the cafe, your view will be this one… (beautiful)
And lastly our food..
and special Arabic Mint Tea, sponsored by Damon and Wai Yeen…
…
Before we part, I find myself a little sad because I am not sure when I am going to meet up with them again. One in Australia, one in U.K, one in Ampang and another one in Shah Alam. But I’m glad I make the right choice to meet up with them despite feeling a little tired that night. Or else, I will be sleeping at home and miss all the good laughter with them. I think this new year I ought to make more effort to keep in touch with old friends. At least give them a call. No more excuses. You should too.. PICK UP YOUR PHONE NOW and you will be glad you did…
DSLR is always the best… My n82 can’t even capture a decent photo in Lookout Point at nite.
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oh u know cristin too? through john ah?
[Reply]
ruehyinn Reply:
January 9th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Of course I know, I know since I was in St. John’s but only get to know each other better when she studied at Taylor’s. She is my sister’s classmates.
[Reply]
*waiting for phone call*
[Reply]
ruehyinn Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
When John is back, we meet up la….
[Reply]