Specially for Yuka

This is a post specially dedicated to Yuka... Thank you dear Yuka, for our friendship. :)

To me, there are many different levels of friendships that you could have with someone. Some people just hit it off so well the first time they meet... Others take some time to warm up, but the friendship gets better over time. Some people take an extreme dislike to each other from the beginning, but then end up being the best of pals; others just remain very casual hi-bye acquaintances. :)

To me, a friend is God-sent. Because our priorities change, we meet new people and build new relationships daily and we move on in life, it is inevitable that some relationships kinda fade away or deteriorate over time and others get strengthened. A friend is God-sent because even if that friend is in my life just for that season and even if I had been very close to her during that point in time only, but we have somewhat drifted apart now, I know it's never a waste because through that friend, God must have wanted me to learn something, show me something or shape and mould me. There must have been a reason or purpose why our paths crossed. The energy and effort taken to build have not gone to waste and I would certainly hope that I have made a difference in my friend's life too. Pastor Phil preached last year that 10% of our destiny lies within ourselves and the remaining 90% is really intertwined with the relationships that you choose to form with the people around you! We have to be careful and wise in maintaining our relationships because we simply can't just go round trying to be everyone's best friend... No time n energy for that!

I met Yuka last year some time around October or November at KICC. KICC stands for Kobe International Community Centre and this is a place where foreigners can seek assistance and form support groups. For me, I was KICC's No.1 ardent supporter then and would make the trip there several times a week to have Japanese conversational classes with my volunteers, and at the same time, teach EL to them.

Actually Yuka and I see each other quite often, but we never really talked... and one day, we did. Ahha.. she is one of those 'instant hits'. We just chatted on and on, and wondered why we hadn't spoken to each other earlier on! She told me she had really wanted to talk to me even before that, but then somehow we just didn't talk.

Anyway, over Starbucks, over MacDonalds, over dinners, we got to know each other better. She is a very determined girl and one day, she wants to be an EL teacher to children. And she is really very good in her EL too. She works and studies EL at the same time, and it is certainly not easy coping with the challenges of both the workplace and examinations. Kudos really to her courage and perseverance. Yuka is also very open and friendly... Over time, we just got to know each other better and better.

Last week, I invited Yuka for service and she went with me, giving her heart to the Lord... I am so happy for her. No words can sufficiently describe my joy... :)

And I have learnt so much from her too. Haha... thank you ne.. for bringing me around to find the right kind of facial wash for my 油ぽい face, and also for introducing me to the very ooiishiiiii ramen! Ramen in Japan is a staple, especially during the cold winter. In my last post, I talked about sipping hot coffee in cold, cold freezing weather. Eating a hot, soupy bowl of Ramen brings about the same MU, if not more! This shop is near Hankyu Sannomiya station, and serves cheap and delicious ramen, with eat-all-you-want servings of kimchii and bamboo shoots.


This is miso-based ramen, with fried rice. Servings are large! And we both wiped everything clean. :) The price? A reasonable 750￥! That's about $10.


After that, we headed to MacDonalds for dessert... n I had one of the best chocolate pies in my life for only a 100￥. I didn't take any picture of it, but it is really really nice. Just think apple pie but instead, it's filled with hot, thick chocolate syrup with bite-sized chocolate bits. The crust is hot and crunchy, and as you bite into it, the chocolate oozes out and fills your mouth..Mmmmmm... (Eyes closed, savouring every single bite...) Simply heavenly...


Sannomiya Centre Gai - A popular shopping street lined with shops at both sides
Yeah, we were like excited girls. We had decided to bring along our cameras so we could snap the night away!

ありがとうね。日曜日またね。：）