Friends

Came across 2 quotes that speaks to me with regards to friendship today.

"When you're up in life, your friends get to know who you are. When you're down in life, you get to know who your friends are."

"Oh I'm sorry.  I forgot I only exist when you need something."

Can you relate?

I want to share about something interesting - friends!  Everyone's got some and they come in all kinds,  don't they? =)  

Well, recently one of those contacted me.  It started out with questions.  After a few questions, I started to have this sinking feeling that I'm being hooked (unwillingly) into doing something for the person.  You know what I mean?  I'm referring to conversations that may or may not start out like this :

Friend : "Hey, what are you doing now?"

Me : "Nothing much. Why?"

Friend : "What shift is your hubby working this week?"

Me : "Morning.  Why?"

Friend : "Which day are you free this week?"

Me : *starting to get suspicious and hesitates in my reply* "Not sure.  I need to get back to you on that.  Maybe Wednesday?  Why?"

Friend : (starts to go into a series of explanation to what I am not sure)

Me : (quiet as I kind of see where this is headed) =/

Friend : "So you see, I need "

Me : (Sees no way out) "Okay." (T-T) 

This so called friend, now knows that I am free on a certain day and has managed to trapped me into helping with whatever favor it is.  I sometimes feel that this kind of friend prey on our weakness.  They know that I have difficulty saying no. Now, I'm not saying that the above is exactly what happened, but you get the idea, it usually involves a lot more questions where I really get cornered into going along with whatever is "suggested."

Anyway, I suppose this is my own fault - no boundaries.  It just irritates me to no end, that they kind of exploit my weakness and clearly just want me to perform some favor.  And it's usually out of the blue, when something is needed.

On the other hand, I have friends who are just straight-forward.  I love these people.  They just come right out and say what's on their mind. "Hey, can you help me with this and that?" If I am able, I will surely help them.  Friends should be straight with each other right?  If we can't be straight with one another and have to resort to tactics, can what we have still be considered as friendship?

In KAZ's Kitchen...

Simple Meatless Tom Yam Rice Noodles with Greens

As part of the food we are bringing for a gathering tomorrow...

The instructions say that it needs to be set in the fridge overnight, so we did it tonight...

Japanese Konnyaku Jelly with Peach and Jackfruit.