Friends, by choice!

Photography courtesy Corrie Bond

I have been staring at this picture for hours. The colors, the look, the model, everything about the picture seems to calling out to me. 

What you see in the picture, is how I feel this weekend! 

So this weekend, I was visiting a friend of mine [who called me shallow, remember?]. She is soon going to graduate from Grad School and fly away to another continent. This trip was special for many reasons. One of which was that I was seeing her for the first time since I got married. [She is happily single!] We both are extremely opinionated-free-spirited-women who enjoy yapping non-stop about everything under the sun. In last few days we have discussed everything under the sun from politics, world economy, religious views, emerging markets, hospitality industry, fashion industry, food and .... [I can go on ... and on ... and on] and of course the usual quotient of gossip!


That's what I had been missing! Someone to have an mentally stimulating conversation with which does not stop at absolutely anything. She is my middle school friend, with whom I wasn't that close in school but we re-kindled our friendship few years back and it has been worth-our-while, ever since. She is someone who will call a spade a spade, which is one of her endearing qualities. [Caring, ambitious, friendly and intelligent are few adjectives I would use for her]


You know, one always hears that old friends are the best ones or that eventually you are only left with a handful of friends, or some other cliché like that? I some how do not agree with any of them! I have found friends at different walks in my life and most of them have stayed. I have different, yet significant friendships with each of them! I think after a while any friendship can sustain as long as they give each other breathing space, independence and doesn't impose over-familiriaty [personal opinion!]. 


The best part of the weekend [besides her amazing hospitality ...]? She complimented me [for a change, should I say? :P] that I haven't changed 'at all' after marriage and she appreciates that I am still 'my-own-person' [in her words!] and I haven't lost my life to the role of a wife. I like it! 


Her only advice was that I should consider doing a MBA at some point in my life 'coz she can picture me 'doing it'. Unfortunately, I do not think that is going to happen in this life time [I am so over with the whole studying part of life!] so let's move on to the pictures ...


Below is actually an account of my outfits, proving my point from the previous post - The Packing List

Day 1. Straight from the Airport. I promise you, this is all the luggage I landed with!

Day 2 spent chilling and sipping wine with friends and catching up! Thank God for the sun :)

Day 2 (Evening) Changed clothes for a girl's night out! First Dinner & Margarita's at Border Cafe then Parrrrty! ....Parrrty! ....*thud* [off to sleeeep]

Day 3. Ready for the brunch at Hi-Rise Bread Company with more friends!

Day 3 (Evening) Chilling by the river ... Perfect! :)

Sitting by the river and enjoying the view. P.S. 2nd pair of shoes besides the booties! :P

Day 4. Lunch at the best Pizza place called - Figs! Yummm!

A jail converted to a Hotel - The Liberty Hotel

Day 4 (Evening) - Back from an interesting dinner at a Middle eastern Restaurant - Oelana