In the past few days, I’ve been meeting my college best friend T.M. on Yahoo Messenger. It’s been awhile since we last spent time catching up. With the helps of webcam and mic, it is too much fun! Thanks to her hubby who’s away on a business trip. Such intimate bonding only happens every so often. I appreciate the intimacy and precious time! Despite the physical distance between us, we can chat online in real time! All this talk about our youth has made me feel quite nostalgic.
Something just does not change over time. When I get on the phone with my friends, they can hardly get a word in. Most times, they just listen as I unfold my latest stories or adventures. Every so often, I will pause and ask if they want to comment on anything.
There are exceptions. When I receive calls from friends and instantly I sense that they are looking for a listener. Then I will play my part, lend a sympathetic ear and only offer advice when they ask for it.
It seems like in my olden days, I had a need to be so brazen. Luckily, that’s all in the past. I have learned to become more reserved in order to counterbalance my outgoing (almost-too-much) personality!
There was a time when “Happy Hour” was my cue to let it all hang out and it could take place on any day of the week. Now I can putter around the house on a Friday night. It might seem unbelievable but I actually do not feel like I am missing anything.
Now I stay home a lot during the weekends. Every once in awhile, I might hit the nightlife and let it all hang out ‘till dawn. However, I have to pay for the price of an all night fun (drinking & dancing & socializing) and boy it is hefty. I spend two days in recovery. My body is not up for the “abuse” anymore and is unable to return to its normal condition after a night on the town.
Most people who know me are under the impression that I am a bubbly person and a social butterfly. The truth is that I enjoy solitude as much as the limelight. I am not needy at all. In fact, I do most things alone. I like to hit the bookstores, record stores and shopping malls alone. Recently, I started going to the movies by myself, catching the matinee at a theatre within walking distance from my apartment.
A few months ago, I traveled to Bali solo. I can get a lot of things done when I have total control of my time. Being independent gives me the chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude.
Even though I always feel like a jack-of-all-trades, a master of none, I am more content with the way I am and not everyone has to know me.
it's not about what your money can buy and how much you can spend. it's about how to get your money worth and have things that you can afford, according to your social and financial status.
This is how I see it. When a 20-year-old college kid wears a Rolex, there is something wrong with that. It’s likely that his pop bought it for him or the watch belongs to his old man. However, when a somewhat established 30-something with a promising career sports a Rolex on his wrist, people just think that he’s making good money.
A few boys in my high school used to parade their expensive cars around the campus. Every teenage boy dreamed of having a nice ride. Most of them would buy a second-hand as their first car as soon as they got their driver’s licenses. Everyone knew that the kids who drove fancy cars to school only wished to show off their family wealth and of course, the cars.
Today I officially become 31 years of age. Yap, I am thirty-one. Let me tell you, I’m truly happy to embrace my age and look forward to even bigger and greater things that will come into my life! I will age well because 1. I am Asian – we have good genes; 2. I do the best I can to take good care of myself and I have the ability to pick myself up and regain my composure each time my life hits a low; 3. It is all about the attitude – I am only as young as I feel. Therefore, it will take me a few more years to reach 30!
Happy Birthday to all the Scorpios!
A special shout out to my fellow Scorpios, Josh, Paul, Bruce, James, Joel, Dennis, and Kevin. You boys be sure to party ‘till you drop and have a drink for me while you’re at it!
