The Good Life

ncheungy:

Project 366: 16 February 2012 -

In all the complexities and craziness of life, you hope to come across a group of people who have the ability to bring you stability.  In the world of college roommates, you also hope to come across a group of people who don’t want to strangle and yet still be able to share many memories and stories of living together.  I got both.  Meet Penney Libao, Jason Saengkhamphong and Paul Tiu.  They, along with I are the original inhabitants of Marias.  The name stems from when Paul referred to the landlord’s name, my mother,  when he was inviting people over and kept saying, “Come over to Marias!”  The name just stuck.  The two years we did live together was definitely not short of stories filled with laughs, tears, and fights (not really between us though).  It was filled with a cat, a dog, cold water, mountain of shoes at the front door, Christmas decorations hung year round, and endless supply of coffee mugs and glasses from Disneyland.  Despite not really having that many hangouts with the four of us together, somehow, the four of us managed to share a bond that continues to grow stronger till this day.  More often than not, our group hangouts usually ended with any combination with three of us, because, without a doubt, one of us always ended up with “something that came up.” Psh. It took strategic planning for us to get hangouts going whether it be a quick dinner or us going out to the happy hours, but we did it.  , it’s funny now because we probably hang out as the four us together now that were moved out then we did when we lived together. 

I am  glad that I can also share my own personal relationships with them individually.  Paul being my direct roommate with our beds in L shaped for two years never fails to make me smile .  I think it’s a grand task when the person you are sharing a room with for two years never gets into an argument or squabble with you about confined spaces, personal nick-nacks or poor cleaning habits.    Paul never fails to brighten the mood, even when it feels like world has gotten to shits.  His high spirits always seems to put you in a better mood, and his goofy personality becomes contagious.  Jason is also known as my SFL, sister for life.  As my gbf, we share stories that are endless.  I know I can count on him for a good talk about life or a good romantic comedy movie session. I don’t know what’s bigger, his heart of gold or his ambition for success in life.  Despite the unpredictability with him, there is always one thing I can depend on him for, our life talks.  Then there is Penney, who is probably my better half.  She really knows me better than I really know myself and is never afraid to call me out on my shit and to knock some sense into me when I tend to stray from myself.  With us, judgment is gone, entitlement is obsolete, and pure friendship is at its best. 

I am completely grateful with the friendships that I share with the three of them and the camaraderie that the four of us have.  I can just imagine us continuing to growing old together, attending each other’s weddings, our kids calling us auntie and uncles, and still remembering the good times we always had on 52 Fallbrook.

I thought words couldn’t describe the bond we share as Maria’s, but you proved me wrong Nick Cheung! Looking forward to a lifetime filled with Maria’s hangouts and reunions. :)