The last time 99S31 stayed overnight in a chalet was most probably about 8 years ago. Hahaha... Thank you Destdest for organising this. Brings back quite some bits of really nice memories... Lua and I originally wanted to return home after the bbq, but somehow we all stayed back - everyone actually. Played cards... I guess we won't exactly have that kind of energy as before as 18 year olds in the past... but there came a particular moment when I smiled amidst the playing... :) We'll be meeting again really soon - next week, for Yvonne's wedding dinner! Two more years... and it'll make ten.

I was telling Lua on the bus on the way to the chalet... that we've known each other for 12 years. He freaked out - he refused to admit that we're getting older. Hahahaha...

Friendships do mature and grow with time I guess. :)

And then there's always this bunch of Kakis. Today we met up at Central to celebrate Ray's 30th hatchday. Ramen followed by tea followed by cake blowing at Central. This bunch of friends... godsent. Ray had to go off earlier for another appointmnet - stayed back and chatted with gpp before heading home. And it's as always... refreshing. :)

I briefly read an article sometime back about friendship... how the author categorized it into three types - friendship based on utility, friendship based on pleasure and friendship based on who they are.

Friendship based on utility hinges upon how useful the person is in relation to you. It can be subtle - like how friendships are formed in classes and social groups - you are friends because you belong in the same place for that particular time frame, and they're there to provide company and support. That, according to the author, is the weakest form of friendship.

Friendship based on pleasure sits in the middle; you are friend with another person because you feel good being in the company of the person. The distinction between this and the last type is that it is still self centred.

Friendship for who they are... basically means that you choose to be a friend not for what they can provide you with. It may have something to do with life's stages... but I realised that I'm really shifting into this portion quite a bit.

And that's where true friendship blossoms.

It's pretty much the same as how true love begins when one stops falling in love.

When it becomes a decision, both in the heart and mind, when a commitment is set in stone. And yeah... I guess most of the time it's a progression along those three stages... and for those who've landed there at the final stage... :)

Will be officially recording the following song I've written about five years back... and come to think of it. I'm really thankful to see how friendships mature with time. :)

FRIENDS FOREVER

Remember the first times
when we got to meet together?
Awkward faces everywhere
As we tried to know one another
We're starting on this journey
Of love, of hope and faith
A new beginning
As we start to find our way

As time passes by
We have grown to be more acquainted
Our conversations seem
Much longer than they were
The times we have together
We'll cherish till the end
It's not by chance
That I have you as my friend

We are friends together
Now and forever
Till the end of time
We share our joys
Our woes and sorrows
We never say goodbye

Even if we go our separate ways
I know we'll meet again someday
Friends forever
Let our hearts beat as one
We are friends together
Now and forever
Till the end of time
We share our joys
Our woes and sorrows
We never say goodbye
Even if the sun forgets to shine
Still can feel this warmth inside my heart
Friends forever
You and I

We'll be together
We're friends forever
We'll be together
Forevermore
We'll be together
No matter where we are
We'll be together till the very end