Friends

Had lunch with Aida on Friday and a very interesting topic came up which kept me pondering. 

What do you do when you see a familiar face from your childhood or teenage years approaching? Do you greet them with a smile, look right past them or duck? 

Ever since university days, I've always been living in the central or western areas of Singapore. Grange Road, Holland Village, Dover, Bukit Batok, Hillview, (yes I'm a nomad in my own country) etc. It's only recently that I find myself an unwilling cast in many episodes of "Blast From The Past" since moving back to the northern bit of this tiny island. I realized I'm adamant not to have anything to do with these people. People whom I've never really knew well enough to mean something to me. I know it sounds mean. But, I simply can't help it. I'm not looking forward to reminisce nor swap the missing years. I'm not interested to make small talk or even pretend for that 5 minutes that I'm interested in what's happening or had happened in your life.  Could it be because I was embarrassed by my geeky, gawky teenage years? Could it be because I didn't want to be reminded of certain events in the past? Could it be because I was afraid of QUESTIONS, where are you working now, what do you do, etc. 

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't a recluse. I had many "friends" back then, but I guess these "friendships" never did stand the test of time. These people were there during a certain phase in my life and we've all moved on. All I can say is that, they were people from my past, and I've packed all the memories into neat, little boxes and stored them away. 

However, I do notice I make a conscious effort in keeping the friendships I've made in my adulthood. My oldest friendship of 12 years started back when we were at university. That's pretty long isn't it? Could it be because we can tell who our real friends are as we get older? Could it be because we are more selective with whom we give our time to? Whatever it is, I know I'm blessed with fantastic friends who will come to my aid when needed. Friends who accept me for who I am, quirks and all. And I'm really thankful for them. 

So these few friends of mine met up over dinner tonight. Rosti, satay, chicken wings, salad and some Bah Kut Teh were on the menu. All painstakingly cooked by my very dear friend Shuf.