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Some time ago, in the quiet recesses of the library I was talking to Jan Kee about friendship. Now I don't claim to be an expert on that topic, but I'd like to believe that my perception and the principles derived from personal experience holds some sort of truth to what is true friendship. And these thoughts are subjective, but purely because they have been influenced by my encounters with the colourful true friends that have dotted and enriched my life.

So now, how then can you classify someone a true friend?

Personally, I think that there are more traits to a true friendship than just enjoying each other's company. This though, requires some sort of foundation upon which the pillars that strengthen the friendship are built upon. And these can be several defining factors like trusting someone with secrets, feeling completely at ease with someone's presence, knowing and taking comfort that they'll help you out the best way they can when you're in trouble or having some problem, or having sharing conversations that go beyond superficial or surface level subjects among other things. But this takes time, even though you can see the tell-tale signs appear during the prelimary stages in meeting some new friends, though not all. Being true best friends means you know each others likes and dislikes and habits and idiosyncracies and remain there through thick and thin for each other.

Take for instance my clique of good friends: We've known each other as a group now for 5 years, and despite the fact that since the St. Andrew's School (SAS) days most of us have gone overseas, everytime some of us return to wee little Brunei, we meet up and we pick off where we left off the previous time as if time hasn't elapsed, particularly those who are preoccupied with their current lives and haven't had the time to keep in contact all that much. And this isn't just limited to that particular group but also a lot of other people I consider true good friends. As good friends you show that you genuinely care for a person and understand and accept their flaws and themselves as individuals, and maybe it is this above all that is familiar and comforting among true good friends. I seem to be stuck in a loop =P. Haha pardon me.

Anyway, recently I flew back to Brunei for that short but highly enjoyable December break in which I spent the majority of the time hanging out with friends. It feels good to meet up with people you've pushed to the back of your mind from things currently occupying your thoughts, nice to blend in, laugh, joke and mildly curse. Good to probe into people's lives and find out what they are currently doing to get by. And this might be a tad late considering its mid-January already but a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to all who read this post, be they the funky new friends or the wonderful old ones; here's to another year of good friends and good fun. I'll leave you with some pictures from KL and from Brunei:

Last outing before the Christmas break/Post-Summative outing =P

the Housemate Tracy and me

Curly Peishern and Me

Eve and gangster Seng



Mervin, Marvin and two cigars. (which were YUCKY haha)

Puss in comfy chair

Sophie!

4 a.m. snacking and candidness

erm.. I wasn't ready haha.

Peek-a-boo!

The Big Fat Long Schlong Kedong-dong. Property of Nu'maan. Haha looks about right except for one =P.

Tic-tac-toe on a fogged up car windscreen. Never done that before i bet =P.

Marvin's defeated face after he addressed me as 'Marv' twice. Puss was witness to that! Keep in mind that everyone confuses our names at one point or another except ourselves. Not anymore haha.

This look familiar to anyone? =)

Kermit Shoes =D

Grocery frenzy back in KL.

Have a blessed January people =).