So I've been exhausted these past three weeks. It's called end-of-term-nightmare for teachers i.e. work life revolves around exams, marks, report cards, encouraging comments... while the rest of real life continues surging around you and you have to deal with that too.
I've had the great fortune to meet up with my group of girlfriends twice in this crazy period. The first was at the beginning of my 3-week sprint to the finish line - a sushi outing to celebrate Chinese New Year. Delicious way to get me out of my doldrums. The other, just this weekend, after I crossed the finish line, the girls came over to a Malaysian meal at my place. Both times, somebody mentioned that for someone who said she was "exhausted", I certainly did not "look" like it...that I in fact, looked great. I did not have to think too much about this one.
The answer was simple. I was honestly extremely tired, physically and mentally. But in both circumstances, I was in the company of a small group of people whom I knew loved me, affirmed me and accepted me despite all my quirks, my musings, my imperfections which strangely enough includes my perfectionist side.
I "looked great" because despite my fatigue, I was buoyed by and was feeding off all the "l-o-v-e" my friends had for me. I know. Corny. But true. In a weird way, these gals "completed" me when I was "incomplete". I know, not all of y'all agree with the line from Jerry McGuire which can be a load of hogwash (methinks so too) but that's another blog topic. :) In the instances I refer to with my girlfriends...the line Tom Cruise says to Renee Zellweger is true.
Do you have friends like my sister chicks? I hope so. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the gift of true friends... the ones with whom you can share your mountain-top joys and death-valley lows...ones who won't let you walk around with lipstick on your teeth (I know..maybe the guys who read my blog can relate to pals who don't let you "fly low" Hahaha!). I also understand that I cannot be "Best Friends" with everyone all the time nor they with me. I try to be less bothered by opinions of those who don't even know me and surround myself with people who know me well yet still choose to love me. Makes more sense, eh? Less nay-sayers in my life and more you-go-girl types!
What kind of friend are you? Nay-sayer? Or.. "You go, girl! You go, boy!"
You choose.
I end with a poem that's been circulating on the internet (yep, get a bunch of those). Once again, there is no specific reference to the original creator. Anyone who knows can tell me so I can give credit where it's due. Altho' it's got "girl language", I hope the boys who read my blog will find the guy-equivalent ideas for the seasons mentioned.
Hope to write more this week as my March break week is almost over...got something to say about post-grundge music. :O
GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE
When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
So whether they've been a friend for 20 minutes or 20+ years,
AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,
Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life
To make a difference. Including the one who sent it to you.
Thanks for being in my circle.
I love you girls, those who knew me in my younger "intimidating years" (some of you live thousands of miles away)...and those who know me now...and still you choose to call me friend. I wish you the best that life can bring. XOXOXO. A.
