ICE.COLD.COFFEE

We had a horti bbq last evening. My batch and our seniors and grand seniors came, plus a couple of Mun Bbun's friends.

Out of the people I knew, there were Kim, Mel, Wen Zhe, Jiayan, Wei Sheng, Mun Bbun, Kaijun, Teng Wen, Esther, Venkat and Shan Ren.

It was at Mun Bbun's house. The place was super nice! The function room had a nice pink sofa, and there was music.

It was drizzling a little at the begining, but it didn't dampen our spirits.

Mun Bbun's Mum helped out a lot, and she was really nice. The food was great. We even fried nuggets using a metal tray filled with oil placed on the bbq pit. So smart!

I think Teng Wen is the ultimate bbq king. While I was at the bbq pit with the guys, I saw the expert display his skills. He's damn good!

Yin Ren is another bbq king. During the previous bbq at my house, his chicken wings were cooked to perfection. Not burnt outside, and cooked inside. Too bad he didn't go yesterday. He called me at the last minute to say he has guard duty. What a pity...

We also played cards. Me, Kim, Mel and Wen Zhe played pig. Super funny!

We also went to Mun Bbun's house to play mahjong. Couldn't tell that Wei Sheng is a mahjong expert. I picked up a few tricks while watching the others play. Can prepare for Chinese New Year when I play with my cousins. Haha...

Yesterday was also Wen Zhe's 21st birthday. So happy that she decided to spend such a special day with us. Today is Wei Sheng's birthday, and 29th is Jiayan's, with Esther on 2nd Feb. We had a super yummy chocolate cake and took some group photos.

Then we went back to play mahjong and xbox.

We had some money problems though. Everyone was supposed to pay $10, and it would be enough to cover the cost of the bbq. But because some people came only for a while, or couldn't come at the last minute, we collected less than we were supposed to. But the food for the original number of people had already been ordered. If they didn't come, it meant that we couldn't cover cost! In the end, we were short of about $100. I wonder how Mun Bbun's going to handle that since he paid for everything first. I felt really bad cos he had to do so much of the planning, and now even has to fork out so much money.

Though Yin Ren offered to pay since he had to back out at the last minute, we felt it wasn't right to collect money from him.

I was in charge of collecting the money, and it was really difficult cos I even had to collect from Wei Sheng and Esther even though they came for only a little while and barely ate. When I collected money from Wei Sheng, the others asked "what did he eat?". And it was terribly awkward for me cos I had no choice but to be thick-shinned and just collect the money since we were already short of so much.

But I don't think I was at fault for doing that. He was supposed to come early. It's not my fault that he chose to come late, and ate so little right? I'm not angry with him or anything. That's just the way things are, I guess. I don't everyone can understand that.

When I handed the money to Mun Bbun, I felt bad inside cos we were short of so much. But I don't think it was my fault or anything. He invited the grand seniors and a couple of his friends whom I barely knew. You can't expect me to just go up to them and collect money right?

I got really troubled by this matter towards the end. Haiz...

But since it's already over, I suggest we skip the unhappy bits...

All in all, I thought the gathering was a really nice one. The guys are all so funny. And even though we didn't know everyone, we just joked around and the atmosphere was really nice.

We played till 11.30, then some of us left to catch the last train.

Mun Bbun's leaving for Australia on the 23rd and will finish his studies in only 4 years time. I wonder if we'll ever get to meet up like this again.

On the way back, I couldn't help feeling sad that now that we've left JC, most of us will probably go our separate ways. It's going to be really difficult to find a time when everyone can meet up again. That's why I keep wondering if this may be the last time I'm meeting the horti seniors since Mun Bbun's leaving real soon.

I think I feel this way towards all my good friends in JC. When Janice and I join the swimming girls for training, how will we know that if that's our last time meeting them? Even Jas, Sheryl, Amar, Jo, LY and I haven't met up for a long time since we're working and LY's in China already.

I know keeping in touch requires effort. But effort alone is sometimes not enough I guess. There are constraits like finding a time when all of us are free, and in some cases, we even have to consider geographical boundaries -- how are we going to meet up with a friend who's overseas?

I really don't want to leave such good friends that I've made and move on. I know I'll probably make good friends in uni too. But I believe it takes chance and fate to meet people that you really enjoy spending time with. It's just such a waste to let such friendships fade with time...