Close friends would agree that I am not the kind of person who lavishes heaps of praises that would boost one's ego. When friends fall too too far down a pit of trash, and if a bucket of cold water is what it takes to make that fallen friend float up again, I would pour the water in. Ten buckets, if that's what it takes.

I belong to that group of people who will not appreciate empty promises, flowery sweet talk and other types of words or actions, said just to make someone feel good. Making you feel good is not my idea of being a friend. You need to know I GENUINELY CARE.

I think it is ALSO because I'm not able to provide time and money to be with troubled mates all the time. So when I see you, and if my opinions are fresh, I'll speak my mind, yes. And if I think you're wrong, you'll get it. I expect the same of my friends, and fortunately, they're almost all like me. When I fell, April was there to shout at me, and sometimes, her words were harsh, but they were good. Medicine that's good for you aren't ever sweet you know, the bitterest pills are the best ones to cure the ailment. When I flopped, Mei was there to point out to me, 'You shouldn't do this lah.'

And Elaine would go, 'OMG babes, what on earth are you thinking?'

A long time ago, a very close friend who is now too far away for every day meet ups, had to slap me just to stop me from wailing too much about a broken relationship. I had resorted to making up stories just to make myself feel good, but instead of feeling good, I found myself getting more and more entrenched in a sea of wallowing self-pity. That slap hurt like hell, but it woke me up and had a great deal of effect in my later choices for life.

I call myself lucky that I have friends who are good for me. You know, a varsity senior told me that friends are reflective of the character you are. I've been through many sets of cliques since young, and fallen out with friends who later became mere acquaintances, because those empty phrases and blind support never did serve the purpose of helping me brave through life. And because of course, the way one's friends behave and show support will speak volumes for one's character, I take extra care in making sure my friends do not make fools out of themselves.

The ones I'm close to share my darkest secrets, and they are there because they have never been afraid to give me their two sen, and I am grateful for them.

This post is dedicated to Yuh Shan, Rooban, Boon Leong, April, Elaine, Nicholas, Xian Wei, Calvin, Michelle, Theresa, Yet Lin, Edwin, Carmen, Vivien, SPOT!, Edrei, Mabel, Vincent, and finally of course, Eric who has always been the first to reprimand me whenever I make a wrong move.