keeping in touch…

With my Korean friends, keeping in touch is just as sweet!

Eddie, Montana, Ally, Jeong Ju Young, Alice, Rina, Cap, Sally, Lindzy, Charlie, Min Byoung-duk, Kim Chan Ho, Lee Moo Young, Michael, Bess, Jun, Sam, Yun Tae Jung, Jude, Sinclair, Sophia, Jenny, Mickey, Rebeca, Ann, Choi Jin Hak, Ppy-Ppy, Simon, Greg, Claire, Woony, Jin, Johnson, Hunter…and a lot more (not to mention Sir Jeong!)! Korean name or English name, they’re my students turned friends.  One of them, even a special friend, who have left an unforgettable mark in my life.

They’re different from me because of our nationality, the language we use, our practices, etc.  But that never stopped us from creating worthwhile relationships.  Friends are great gifts from God and so, no matter what our differences are, I treasure them with all my heart along with the memories we’ve made.  Along the way, I realized that in the end, we’re all the same.  Anywhere we go, we meet people.  We do things with them.  We create memories.  And most of all, we find friendships that are always worth keeping.

The friendships that I’ve made with these Korean people are a sure treat for me.  One day I met them.  We got to know each other more and more each day.  Then, after a few months, they left.  I missed them.  Then, eventually I got used to not having them around.  Now, I only reminisce about the moments we’ve shared..but there’s always a way to reach a friend.  Thanks to the high technology that we have these days!  Even though we’re oceans apart, I can surely reconnect with my friends.  We exchange emails.  We also chat or even call each other.  Sometimes, they even send gifts.  Our letters are always full of wanting to meet each other again in the future.  Telling each other: “If you come to Korea, I’ll buy you a meal. And we’ll go sightseeing!” or “If you come to the Philippines, I’ll meet you and we’ll eat BBQ and drink SMB!  I’ll show you my hometown.“  It’s always fun reading each other’s letters and it somehow leaves something to look forward to.  Something you could actually wish for.

For us, distance is a fact, but we never allowed it to get in the way of our friendship.  Keeping in touch is indeed sweet for me.  I recall my bonding moments with my friends every time I read their letters.  It brings me back to the times when we’re still together.  Even just seeing their name in my inbox makes me want to jump for joy and never fails to paint a big smile on my face!  It’s ecstatic!!!