I only know that today is Celine’s birthday at the 11th hour. When I found this piece of information out from her, it was too late for me to get anything for her. I was just at my friend’s place and it would cause too much trouble if I were to ask for a lift somewhere just to get a gift. She’s a friend I never expected to befriend before I came here. In fact, how we met was almost coincidental. We were introduced by a mutal acquaintance, and we hit off after our 2nd meeting.

She has been a great source of help in times of need – she helped me booked my first ticket to London, and again this time round, helped me reserve some tickets to a secret place. She provided a bed for me to sleep over at her place whenever it was too late, I missed my bus home, and was simply too tired to trek home. It’s a 1 hour uphill trek by the way. But above all, I just simply enjoy talking to her; I enjoy her company, and I appreciate and am thankful to her kindness, affection and concern for me.

Although not really a believer, my heart aches for her. It’s something really new to me. I wonder if what Jo taught recently caused it. And if it is, it must be the workings of the Holy Spirit.

So I’m writing this entry at 2am in the morning, after a walk around the centro storico di Verona, catching some soccer news at a bar, walking, chatting, eating a pizza, toasted cin cin with aqua, singing happy birthday halfway to her in Chinese because I cannot remember the tune and lyrics, and sending her off at the train station. Thank God for such a friend.