When I left home a little over a year ago, I knew I signed up for an irrevocable change in my life. Drastic or otherwise, major or minor, it was entirely dependent on the choices I made along the way to cope with the new chapter and the perspective that I chose to look from.

One of the things I found to be most difficult was leaving some of my dearest and closest friends and along with it, the friendships that have been tried and tested, bonds that were strengthened and rooted and relationships that had bloomed and flourished over time.

And so, it began. The journey, the great expedition, the fresh chapter...

I marvel at the speed by which Time travels; swift, silent and steady.

In that time, I knew that with every call and in every text, when this friend of mine said that she missed me and that I am thought of, it was real. It was from the heart and never merely a matter of lip service, like it was the customary and polite thing to say after not seeing the person for a couple of months.

I was sure of it because I was constantly asked for the date of my return, ensued by plans to meet up and really catch up; even if it was just for a short few hours over a cup of chamomile tea (for me) and green tea frap (for her). 

I saw the excitement in her eyes when we see each other. I feel it when she embraces me with hugs. I hear it in her voice when she speaks. It's unmistakable. And, it makes my heart melt to a puddle of happy juice.

Five hours ago, she picked me up from my home and we set off for dinner to celebrate (yes, and the celebration continues) my belated birthday.

Italiannies, Gurney Paragon.

Classic Pizza

Shrimp Fra Diablo

THANK YOU (x 1,000,000) for the gift. I LOVE IT!