A Letter

This was an email i received in 2001 from a very good friend who is now based in Canberra. Its one of those friendships that can cut across time and you're just proud to have. We dont often communicate but thats the best part because whenever he is in town we always pick up right where we left off. Hmmm, the last time we met was June '06.

There's always room for a good walk, quiet moments when our thoughts are doing the talking, a piece of a song, his guitar strings, cuesticks and tofu, big laughs till we couldnt breathe, and just a remebrance that never fails to encourage the spirit and warm the heart.

I look back and I am blessed to have found a true friend. He saw me at my worse, knows my darkest secret, and held my heart when it was falling. I think he was the one who made me try sodoku knowing how bad i was (and still am) with numbers. Taught me to play billiards when for years i sucked at it. Inspired me to go back to my grad studies when i completely abandoned it. Helped me find myself when i was just about ready to lose it. He taught me honesty.

And if i never had the chance to say this before, for the record i want to say Thanks to God. Not to the guy because he might just forget, or might think of it as one of our dialectics. But most importantly a meaningful thank you to God, for bringing him into my life that i may never forget the identity and value of a real friend.


Hi Majorie,

As promised, a reply. How are things? I trust Crossover is running efficiently as usual. Still, I'm wondering how you are and how you're feeling about life in general. Do let me know when you have the time.Tell me about the revitalising manila trip.

The 'concept' with me is that yes I have decided to accept USC's offer for next semester. I will teach the graduate course in history and an udnergrad anthropology course. I am quite looking forward to it, though I'm feeling very sad because I will again have to leave many things here that I hold dear. But one must do what one has to do.

This next phase will be very different from before. I do not intend to live in walingwaling. I've decided that I should rent out an apartment or pension house of some sort. I was hoping that you could give me some ideas on where and how much a good place might be -- somewhere near the rotonda. You know how i value independence maje. I think I owe myself the simple pleasures of once again having my own space.

I have been corresponding with Stefan and my European trip in September is a certainty. He tells me constantly about Kofi (I asked him to take care of him for me) and always coughs when he feels a heart attack coming along. Problem is, I can't stop him from constantly exposing his shaamhaar. Damn German.

Emotionally, I'm terrific. I've reestablished my rightful position within 'the loop' of my circle of friends. I was right in anticipating that I would miss them more than I knew. Sorry about that jazzy email the other day by the way -- it was an accident. But at least now you know the types of things we get up to and how we go about planning them (that was a great great great night by the way).

Gotta go, mein freund. I expect nothing less than a thoughtful response about the concept with you alright? I will be waiting.

Take care.
xo
J.