On Getting a Haircut

My friend asked me why I got a haircut. But what she actually wanted to know was why I was keeping my hair short instead of growing it long like I used to. (Short is defined as above the shoulder level, I guess.)

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A Night of "Shocks" and "Wonders"

Last night, I experienced quite a shock. Several actually. All from a friend.

The first: I met with a friend who I hadn't been in "good" speaking terms with from January to April of this year. Something came between us that almost destroyed our oh-so-fragile friendship. I'm soooooooooooooooo very happy (perhaps "deliriously happy" would be a better term ) it didn't because I like my friend A LOT; I enjoy my friend's company; plus, our friendship is something that I have learned to value and treasure.

The second: We actually had dinner again together. The first since January that had nothing to do whatsoever with the common "groups" (business and church) that we share. And, it also wasn't with anyone else from any of those groups. 

The third: I was a bit worried at first, when I was on my way over, that things would be awkward. That we would not have much to talk about. That there would be an uncomfortable silence between us. Well, shocking to say, it was as if four months of negative feelings never existed. We both chatted happily on, somewhat updating each other with the happenings in our individual lives for the past couple of weeks.

The fourth: My friend gave me a "pasalubong" (a roughly invented definition/translation: "a 'something' or souvenir gift or present given to another from one's trip or travel from somewhere or "stuff you bring home to family and friends from your travels"). Unexpected because of the January-April thing, not because my friend isn't the thoughtful type. It's a pretty li'l yellow harmonica that's just right for the mobile M.E.! So light (because it's made of wood–seems like teak) and so portable (because it's small–smaller than the one I already have; it would fit my back jeans pocket). It's painted yellow with drawings in pink, green, etc. painted onto it as well. . . . I tried to play last night; played it in the bathroom. It sounded great in spite of my "virtuosity" (or lack of it).

The fifth: My friend knows when my birthday is. Finally! Hahaha. (After a friendship of about two years, I think it's about time!) Hmm. . . Actually, missed it by a day. My friend thought it was on April 29.  Better late than never, I always say. . . .

The sixth: My friend gave me a birthday gift. The biggest surprise for me last night. It's a mini (?), brown, wooden boomerang that has a kangaroo carved onto it; two painted red and black geckos; plus detailed (yet seemingly complicated) instructions on how to throw it, "made in Australia," and the word "Australia" were also painted in white on it. 

The seventh: That we are friends after all. In spite of "oscillations;" frequent misunderstandings; widely differing personalities (but not likes and dislikes); "issues" caused by other people; "denials;" and an 11-year age gap. (No, no. . . I'm not THAT old! My friend's just THAT young! Haha.)

Like I always say (one of my favorite quotes): "I don't need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends I can be certain of."