Copyright by ssquilling June and July have been two great months brimming with an abundance of high energy in various aspects so much so that the happenings motivate me to pen them down so as to forever capture these "million-dollar" moments. Relationship wise, it was exceedingly stupendous and fulfilling as the high energy seemed to spill onto it, bringing with it a bonanza in terms of relationship building - a row of six parties from long-lost friends which collectively add a splendid splash to my social life, making me wanting for more! These events cause me to better able to understand and appreciate the fact that all human beings have one such universal need - that of affectionate connection with others.
The hors-d'oeuvre of these bashes started with a party by Govindeep, a long-time friend whom I got to know since primary school days. It was an evening poolside party filled with many people, mostly his Punjabian relatives and some of his parents' friends. One acquaintance asked my friends and I whether we felt outstanding at the party as most of the guests are Punjabians. If I was observant enough, there were only six Chinese folks amidst a couple of some over fifty Punjabian guests. The setting was a comfortable place to chill out. Yet we left earlier after about one hour being a "loyal" guest as another friend coincidentally kicked off a party on the same day and at about the same time.
The next stop was at Yong Tat's home. Quite a long-time and long-lost friend too (hence our insistence to attend this bash eventhough it clashes with Govindeep's), he invited mostly his primary-school friends. Much as I can recall, I perceived this soiree to be the most exciting of all. Mostly because this party assembled together a group of former classmates whom I had lost touch with and had not seen for almost a decade! One classmate seemed to had "metamorphosed" as I did not have a scintilla of ability to recognise who he was. Of course this was due to his plump physique. At least how I perceived it, this was the merriest party as Yong Tat's relatives live on the same floor as him at the flat - hence they literally packed and "booked" the whole floor for the night, savouring every moment to the fullest!
Another bash was Chong Yong, also a long-time classmate. Getting to his home at Jinjang really took some time for we had to endure the long traffic and going through a sort of labyrinth in his neighbourhood - yes, there are many roads in this part of residential area! Upon reaching his home, I found myself very hungry as upon handling him the present, I went straight to the food spot to fill up my stomach. After that it was the usual chat and pleasantry with friends.
The very next day is another party thrown by Kian Joo, who made the invitation while we were at Chong Yong's party. This is the friend whom many could hardly recognise for it seemed that in all those years that we never met, he was flown to another kingdom and was treated in a princely fashion - the sort of life where one eats like there is no tomorrow and always enjoys the company of single and dazzlingly rounded ladies. Oops... It was a great party with good food. As his home is in a hilly area, one can be forgiven for thinking that we were in Genting Highlands.
Last two parties were hosted by Hui Jia and Eng Yap. Good food over there as well. Hui Jia's was a steamboat buffet whereas Eng Yap's was a buffet-style Chinese food. All in all every parties had successfully brought together reunion of close and old friends. Stagnating friendship got rekindled. Blossoming friendship got even stronger. It is always good to organise such parties to get to know each other better despite everybody's seemingly busy schedule for such holds the promise of continuity of relationship - be it among family members, friends, colleagues, business partners or political allies.
To do so requires the cultivation of values such as respect, loyalty, honesty, kindness, generosity, humility, patience and other related values - both in terms of how one acts and how one relates to others. Of course this is easier said than done. Most people have not thought of practising this (myself included). But one of life's blessings is that whichever level of our development we can always start to improve - to take actions to ameliorate things for the better. And therein lies the happiness...
The hors-d'oeuvre of these bashes started with a party by Govindeep, a long-time friend whom I got to know since primary school days. It was an evening poolside party filled with many people, mostly his Punjabian relatives and some of his parents' friends. One acquaintance asked my friends and I whether we felt outstanding at the party as most of the guests are Punjabians. If I was observant enough, there were only six Chinese folks amidst a couple of some over fifty Punjabian guests. The setting was a comfortable place to chill out. Yet we left earlier after about one hour being a "loyal" guest as another friend coincidentally kicked off a party on the same day and at about the same time.
The next stop was at Yong Tat's home. Quite a long-time and long-lost friend too (hence our insistence to attend this bash eventhough it clashes with Govindeep's), he invited mostly his primary-school friends. Much as I can recall, I perceived this soiree to be the most exciting of all. Mostly because this party assembled together a group of former classmates whom I had lost touch with and had not seen for almost a decade! One classmate seemed to had "metamorphosed" as I did not have a scintilla of ability to recognise who he was. Of course this was due to his plump physique. At least how I perceived it, this was the merriest party as Yong Tat's relatives live on the same floor as him at the flat - hence they literally packed and "booked" the whole floor for the night, savouring every moment to the fullest!
Another bash was Chong Yong, also a long-time classmate. Getting to his home at Jinjang really took some time for we had to endure the long traffic and going through a sort of labyrinth in his neighbourhood - yes, there are many roads in this part of residential area! Upon reaching his home, I found myself very hungry as upon handling him the present, I went straight to the food spot to fill up my stomach. After that it was the usual chat and pleasantry with friends.
The very next day is another party thrown by Kian Joo, who made the invitation while we were at Chong Yong's party. This is the friend whom many could hardly recognise for it seemed that in all those years that we never met, he was flown to another kingdom and was treated in a princely fashion - the sort of life where one eats like there is no tomorrow and always enjoys the company of single and dazzlingly rounded ladies. Oops... It was a great party with good food. As his home is in a hilly area, one can be forgiven for thinking that we were in Genting Highlands.
Last two parties were hosted by Hui Jia and Eng Yap. Good food over there as well. Hui Jia's was a steamboat buffet whereas Eng Yap's was a buffet-style Chinese food. All in all every parties had successfully brought together reunion of close and old friends. Stagnating friendship got rekindled. Blossoming friendship got even stronger. It is always good to organise such parties to get to know each other better despite everybody's seemingly busy schedule for such holds the promise of continuity of relationship - be it among family members, friends, colleagues, business partners or political allies.
To do so requires the cultivation of values such as respect, loyalty, honesty, kindness, generosity, humility, patience and other related values - both in terms of how one acts and how one relates to others. Of course this is easier said than done. Most people have not thought of practising this (myself included). But one of life's blessings is that whichever level of our development we can always start to improve - to take actions to ameliorate things for the better. And therein lies the happiness...