School Reunion.

This morning I received an invitation to a school reunion on my Facebook.

Owh how I cringed.

Why, you ask?

I'm not the type that will agree to social around with a bunch of people am not comfortable with, worst, with those whom I have had issues with; now or then. I will not be able to adjust myself to a crowd of people I haven't met for years.

I know that whatever that had happened in the past should not be the reason that dictates the way I think of them now. I don't particularly care about any of them at all. It is just, I don't really need more friends at this point of time.

Sounds smug isn't it? But that's the truth. You will come to a point where, you no longer need a large number of friends in your life. I treasure quality more than quantity.

Let me tell you about my high school experience. I mingled with the same crowd ; those I liked and hated; since primary school. It was only natural that we progressed from Primary Convent to Secondary Convent, because both schools were located within the same compound.

-____-

Boring.

I befriended and de-friend-ed the same crowd for almost 10 years of my life. Out of hundreds, I stayed friends with only 5 of them. These are the girls I knew since I was in standard 1. We don't actually keep in touch or see each other as much, but deep down we have a common understanding that if we miss each other or long for company, we are just a phone call away.

In my book.. that is friendship.

Ok. Let's get back to this reunion thing.

We all know that Facebook is the culprit that brought all these unnecessary reinforcements in our life and causing inevitable consequences. It is hard to stay positively cheerful when people you don't fancy poke you and expect a poke in return. I had received a friend request with a message, "You still single? How come? Can't be!!". or "Eh fat now ah?". This message was coming from someone I hardly know and probably met for a few minutes 20 years ago. Of course I was skinny back then, I didn't even have boobs yet. pfth!

So with all these bad rapports that I had been receiving on Facebook, countless numbers of pokes and re-re-requesting friend notifications from acquaintances ( some I really can't recall), do you aspect me to attend a school reunion? Haha. I don't think so.

I know some of them were really genuine in getting back on the friendship wagon, but you must admit that there are a few quarters that would love only to catch up on all the goss and make stupid comparison on life's achievements.

I never practice this and I will certainly not let anyone practice it on me.

Unfortunately, in this close-minded circle/society, our achievement in life is based on how many children you have managed to plop out. Since I have yet to plop one out, I better not give them anything to talk about or making jokes like "Owh your standard is just too high, men are afraid of you" crap straight to my face. Not that they haven't started gossiping about me already eh?

If I want to stay in contact or catch up with them, they should have already received a private message from me by now.

Photos I love I

Under the Mirabeau Bridge.

Mirabeau Bridge by Guillaume Apollinaire

Under Mirabeau Bridge runs the Seine
And our loves
Must I remember them
Joy came always after pain
Let arriving night explain
Days fade I remain
Arm in arm let us stay face to face
While below
The bridge at our hands passes
With eternal regards the wave so slow
Let arriving night explain
Days fade I remain
Love goes like this water flows
Love goes Like life is slow
And like hope is violent
Let arriving night explain
Days fade I remain
The days passed and the weeks spent
Not times past Nor loves sent return again
Under Mirabeau bridge runs the Seine 

Translated by William A. Sigler

***

I braved the cold and breezy autumn weather of Paris and walked several miles in search of this beautiful green bridge; just so I could take this picture and email it to him with the caption

- I found the bridge mentioned in that poem you once gave and read to me. -

Love,
Lina.

***