The leaving of a dear friend and sister from Melbourne on Saturday really felt like a turning point in my own life here in Melbourne.
You have no idea how big a part of my life you’ve been, Andrea! I left for the music practice rooms after you and Tim and Yon left for the airport, so I was able to lose myself in the piano for awhile. But the moment I left the rooms, and passed by Uropa, the thought that, “Melbourne feels so different now” hit me like a bolt. You’re gone – and the Melbourne that I’ve come to love and treasure as my second home is no longer the same Melbourne that I know while you were still in it.
I think it’s so true – it’s not actually the place in itself that you will miss – it’s the relationships, the friends, the people, the experiences, the journey that you share together in that place that you will miss the most. And your leaving reminds me that my time here in Melbourne is not going to last forever as well.
Over the years, I’ve seen so many come and go, but none has made such an impact as yours did. But our journey won’t stop just because you left! It still goes on, in spite of the distance between us 
(Thank God for the invention of technology! – in spite of certain inane applications that we can certainly do without! ;p)
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I can’t wait to see you in Singapore again soon.
Mandy Tay Ching Yee!! Was away at camp for the weekend, and I had barely time to stop. I promise you, I didn’t forget your birthday! I actually wanted to call you Friday night, but things were pretty hectic, and I didn’t get the chance to. But better late than never right??
You’re unique and a great friend – know that you’re very much loved 