a tribute to my friends

Throughout my twenty-something years (please notice I have age issues - must be getting old) I have met a lot of people. I kept in touch with some, forgot others, needed to forget others and some of them managed to cross that barrier of trust, becoming what I consider to be friends. I have very specific criteria regarding this "job" and all of the people I'm describing now have met them fully. Please remember, I will always care about you and even though we don't always stay in touch on a daily basis, I think of you all the time.

So here goes :

1. Vlad - we met in 2003 when I went to the States for the first time. Because of him I had some serious self-esteem issues - I always admired the way he carried himself, the way he dressed, the way his confidence just seemed to radiate. I wanted to be just like him. Then I realized I can be his friend, and instead of desperately wanting to be like him, I can be me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Though we met in person 6 years after that summer, the friendship blossomed. He pointed out some great music for me : Within Temptation, Amethystium, Sleepthief, Blue Stone (for which I shall be forever grateful), inspired me to evolve on so many levels, always there with an advice or a funny remark. His personality is a mystery to me - he can be childish sometimes, but at other times he shows great wisdom and maturity! Vlad, thank you for being my friend!

2.Nana - out of all my friends, I've known her the longest, since we were in the 5th grade (a long time), however the friendship started when we were both at the university. Actually it is thanks to her I got to work in the waterpark, me wanting to work as an icecream vender at first (what was I thinking - listening to that musicbox song all that time). We spent 2 glorious summers in the States, enjoyed all those all-you-can-eat meals, sneaked into movie theatres - actually we paid for one movie and watched 3 (sweet). She is definitely a movie-holic - i don't dare ask her how many movies she has seen (i don't think even she knows). She likes to dance, A LOT - and has the great moves for it, trust me on that one. She travels a lot and then complains she has no money (go figure), but at least she is seeing the country, or maybe she has an ulterior motive - only she knows. Short tempered, kind hearted, pathologically afraid of dogs, she is a founding member of the CURD (that stands for COOL NERDS - we both finished medical school so that's saying something) team (me being the other and we have the matching rings to prove it). And whenever we go out, we always have truly interesting stories to share. Can't wait for the next McDonalds/KFC lunch, but first we need those meal tickets.

3.Dawn - she is my spiritual guide. I met her also in 2003, while working at the front desk in the US. There is a connection between us that only we can explain, and sometimes even we think it's a mystery. She showed me how to evolve spiritually, whenever I was suffering I knew she was there with me in thought. I received a gift from her way back then, a pentagram I cherish and wear. She also accepted me for who I was and am, the whole weird package, and for that I love her. She gives great advice and is a good listener. Loves cats, riding motorcycles, books and tea. And she has an amazing talent with the tarot cards, among other things!

4.Karen - my all time favorite american girl. She was there to pick me up from Greyhound back in the day, talked her ears off I'm sure so many times, we shared so many amazing moments : Mississippi, New Orleans, swimming in the Tisa on December 31st (it was more of a dip, most of it mine), dancing in the car while returning from Vienna. She is responsible for my financial ruin due to books. Why you ask? Simple. She keeps recommending all these great books, and me, the addicted that I am, can't help but buying them. It's a conspiracy I say. And for this, plus for the facts that she listens to me all the time, is there for me whenever it's necessary, for giving me an accurate description of my inner self on the road back from Minnesotta, for taking me to spend Thanksgiving with her family, she will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart!

5.Dina - she is my best girl friend. Have known her for 9 years but we became friends about 5 years ago. She is my "to go to" person. Whenever I feel like venting, she's there. She always gives me dirty looks for not taking any chances, always puts me in my place, rolls her eyes whenever I discover something obvious, but she's also there when I need help, of any kind. Of course I couldn't help it and fell in love with her, but from this our friendship grew even stronger. She taught me to drink and threw some amazing parties during our student years - some of the best years of my life. We spent great times together - trying to build a fire with toilet paper and a lighter (you had to see it), almost frozen in a cabin on New Years, bored to death at another New Years - what can I say, good times!

6.Cris - my best friend. We went to high school together, got soaking wet in a water fight with him in 9th grade (don't worry, it was summer, we dried pretty quick), sat next to each other since 10th grade, laughed in classes as hard as we could (him being always the one to get caught), then went to nursing school together (for a year), then university. He told me I helped him get out of his shell. The truth is, I also learned a very important lesson from him - never lose hope, always believe in yourself and never forget your dreams. They may not come true NOW, but when they are ready to. He used to drive me insane with all his lady-chasing days, but it paid off for him - he's married, a father and a doctor in Germany (he even tries to lure me to the bratwurst side, but I stay strong and not give in).

So these are my dear friends. I will always think of them as my stars - though I can't always see them, I know they are there! Love you all!