Jusz & some life lessons

As one of the few friends with whom I share a common interest of finding joy in the blogosphere, Justine, I bet, would be delighted to receive a dedicatory blognote on her big day, so I wrote her one. This would also be a good a thank you gift since she did something similar for me on my birthday.

While thinking of things to write about, I came across thoughts of how, over the years, we’ve had our teeny-tiny differences; yet, we still managed to be bigger persons and get past them. In this regard, let me share some precious things she taught me. (Your nightly fix of telenovela drama is here. Ready your hankies, fellas. LOL!)

• First impressions DON’T last. Nope.

Jusz and I go way, way back. We started out as classmates in first year high school. The first time I saw her I was quite sure we were never gonna get along well. Cranky, snobbish and maarte – those were the initial impression. I thought I often saw her roll her eyes on anyone she didn’t like, and I thought I was one of them. The bitch and the nerve. Hahaha! Kidding! In short, I didn’t like her. Well, it was more of I didn’t know and care much about her; she didn’t know and care much about me, so we just left things at that and went about our daily lives. We weren’t off to a good start, were we? Haha!

I was wrong, though. While I was right with the maarte part (haha! more on that in a while), the rest was a mistake. Later on, I’d learn that she actually has a good heart. She can be objective about things. She can be fun without going out of line. She can be really supportive of her friends’ endeavors (even when they can be ridiculous). What she really is is a nice, considerate and caring friend. Above all, she is a smart girl. (Ayan, bumawi na ako. Haha!)

• Being girly-girly can be goodie-goodie.

If you ask Justine’s friends to describe her, kikay or maarte is most likely the first thing that will come to their mind. Jusz is not Jusz without the curly hair, polished nails, blushing cheeks, and glossy lips. If it’s cute or girly, she’ll love it.

I used to misinterpret her being girly as an off-putting trait. I was in the habit of acting boyish before, so I thought her vanity was way over the top. I also guessed it was that notion that put up a wall between us to begin with. But as I softened to ladyhood (good for me. mwaha!), I came to realize that being girly could actually be a nice thing. She was just doing what a girl who cares about herself should do. And knowing her now, her kikay-ness would never be something that could border to slutty, always just the right mix of pretty and decent.

The good part was, as I began seeing being kikay as something positive, I used her as one of my motivations. I took a leap of faith and tried it out for myself. One thing led to another. And before I knew it, I already had daisy dukes and skirts as my closet staples. As it turned out, I could actually even be girlier than her. Haha! In my defense, I was just trying to make up for lost time and trends when I was still the old boyish me. Haha!

The point is, she helped me see and explore a side of me I didn’t know exists, so thanks, Joo.J

• Your enemy today can be your friend tomorrow. (Enemy’s too strong a word, but it sounds catchy that way so let it be. Haha!)

As I already mentioned, my first impression of Jusz wasn’t generally pleasant; thus, it could easily be expected that we did not become super friends in HS. We were classmates; we had a lot of common friends, and that was that.

Come college, we took up the same course in the same school. Why hello there, playful destiny. Haha! Once again, we were stuck with each other.

     

In between those four years, the time we spent together showed that we could get along well, and that, in fact, we could even be great friends. Time proved it well.J

Now we are always on the same wavelength finishing each other’s sentences, digging rather silly jokes, loving jibberjabbers, exchanging meaningful and evil glances (haha!), and bullying the same friends and strangers. (Now that’s one awesome friendship right there. Haha!) In most of the most fun experiences I’ve had since, she’s been there with me. I feel like get-togethers are not complete without her anymore. Of all my friends, it’s her whom I have spent the most time with. That much isn’t surprising as she is the common denominator which links both my HS and my college best buds, which also makes her special.

It’s crazy how funny life can be, huh. Seven years ago, I never would’ve thought we’d be this close. I never would’ve imagined myself entrusting my feelings and secrets with her. I’m glad we’ve gone this far. *wipes tears* Hahaha!

Thank you for the friendship! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MULTIMEDIA PRINCESS!

XOXO