For Tin again, because she’s a TRUE friend.

Dear Tinny,

I just read your blog. Thanks so much for appreciating my little gesture. I hope you know I wrote that with great love and nothing in mind but your awesome awesome being.

Something you said in that web log struck me.

True friends can’t be understanding all the time especially if you don’t appreciate them.

In this lifetime, we’ll meet a lot of people. Some of those people we’ll regard as friends. There are many types of friends; there are the I’ll-always-laugh-the-most-with-you friends, there are the I’ll-always-find-comfort-being-senti-and-emo-with-you friends, there are the I-only-consider-you-a-friend-because-I-love-you-even-if-you-don’t-give-back friends, there are the I-only-consider-you-a-friend-because-you-seem-so-attached-to-me-because-I’ve-always-been-there-for-you-but-really-I-can’t-open-up-to-you friends (whew! haha) there are barkada friends, drinking buddies, etc etc etc. 

However, I’ve learned that those kinds of friends, although we REALLY TRULY IN OUR HEART consider them friends, are but friends in particular moments. So in my mind, I’ve developed a new category. 

I regard a few people in my life “true friends”/”life friends”. These are the friends the whole world may not know we have (because we haven’t announced it), but we know for ourselves they’re special. There’s like.. a secret bond between you. You just connect. And you just know, without having to declare it officially, that that connection will forever be special, unique, unparalleled. 

Tinny, I regard you as my true friend. Thinking about the few I have, I’m thinking you’re all strong, and naughty, and sensitive. My true friends are all sensitive. You guys always know what’s going on. And you will always respond to it. You never let moments pass by. I think that’s it. That’s the common factor. For some reason, keen people impact me, and I connect with them in an unusual way. Of course, you guys are also my true friends because you are considerate of me. You truly listen to what I have to say. You guys know who I am. You APPRECIATE me, and that is important for me as it is for everyone of us. We need friends who are appreciative. We have the same idea of “funny”, “bad”, “good”, “fake”, but we are always open to each other’s new and different-from-our-own ideas. And oh! My true friends are NEVER EVER boring. :)) I had to duly note that.

As you can see, I can’t explain it well. But I hope you understand somehow. I just want you to know that I consider you my true friend Tin. And that’s really something to me. 

I am looking forward to more sharing. :)

Love always, 

Jasmine 

To Ms. Perfect: Happy Birthday Tinnydoo!! <3

This is my friend, Kristine. I call her Tinnydoo. I only have pet names for people who are really dear to me and I hope she knows how grateful I am to be considered her friend—- because Tin is a lady extraordinaire, and you’re lucky if you ever meet anybody in the world like her. 

(By the way, she calls me Jassy, and for some reason, it always makes my heart melt. I just thought I ought to mention that) 

Tin had her birthday last October 11 and of course I sent her a birthday message (how could I not, this is TINNY we’re talking about!) 11 days later, I find out she didn’t receive it. :’( We both felt bad that we both thought we ignored each other. I decided to make this entry, not only to make it up to her, but also because it’s high-time to write about someone who inspires me a lot. 

Tin is a gorgeous girl. This photo I took using my low-tech camera did her no justice at all. I always call her “tumblr girl”. It suits her a lot. She is a real individual and she expresses herself beautifully; she’s sexy, smart, deep, strong, talented, and compassionate.

I’d like to expound on each of these words although it must be noted that whatever’s written will not be enough to describe the depth of her soul. This is Tin as she is to me and how I’ve always seen her, but I know there is more to her than this. I always see this mysterious side of Tin too. It’s part of her beauty. In the years to come, I know I’d understand more and more of her. And I’m excited about that. 

Sexy. I am not even kidding. She is slim like a model. And she HAS a figure. Like this ).( Hahaha. I really had to show it. She’s one of those people who was just BORN with a great figure, long legs and all. Some people could gym all they want; who could slim down drastically, and they’d never have this figure that warrants a bikini. Tin is not only naturally and effortlessly sexy, she chooses to be sexy. She has two tats, and one of them’s a group of stars (just about the best shape in the world). I think it’s sexy when you’re brave enough to express yourself and decide it’ll be who you’ll be for a lifetime. It’s sexy when you don’t fear what’s permanent and you brandish yourself with it. Her clothes are chic too, they flaunt her assets perfectly. On top of that, her Hispanic features are looovely.

Smart. Tin is a reader and a listener. She takes in a lot of the world. She observes keenly. She thinks AND feels. She has a lot to say because there is a lot she can talk about. There is a lot she can talk about because there is a lot in her brain. It only makes sense. Tin’s blogs are amaaaazing. She’s hilarious and yet, from her musings you realize many things. I have. Lately, Tin and I have been talking on twitter DM so I’ve been learning a lot. She really conveys her thoughts and feelings well. And they’re all of substance. She is definitely a no-nonsense person.

Deep. Tin has an open heart as much as she has an open mind. She has reveled in her emotions so she knows how they go; pain, happiness, suffering, joy, confusion, love—- she has explored and experienced things for herself. I can’t really put my finger on what compels me to say she’s deep, but I am sure of it. So so sure. It always appears to me that she’s taking in more than what’s there to see. I sort of.. feel her incorporating new discoveries into things she already knows. Like she’s melding thoughts so that they make more sense; so that they become more profound. Sometimes, I don’t feel her doing this intentionally. It’s just natural of her. People who EXPERIENCE life, who take unconventional roads, are always deep people.

Strong. Since highschool, I’ve seen Tin as someone who is sure of herself. I learned now, because we’ve become closer, that that’s not always the case. But deep inside, I also know that her strength has a solid foundation. She’s principled and she fights for what she believes is right. She never lets anyone step on her. She’s not one to sit in a corner and cry; she stands up and fights. I admire her a lot because of that. She rationalizes and justifies, as only a strong, smart, no-pushover could. She is confident because she knows who she is, and that she is someone innately good. Someone whose desires are based on what she knows is JUST. I hope Tin would always be reminded of how strong and deserving she is. That with her faith and might, she can fulfill her dreams. There can be nothing but a beautiful life ahead for someone whose will is strong and pure and undaunted. She will still have a lot of realizations about life and about what she wants. Everyday, her goals would shape and reshape. But in the end, I hope she knows there’s nothing but goodness in store for her, if she just continues to believe and persevere. 

Talented. Oh my goodness. Anyone who has never heard Tinnydoo sing has missed out on a lot in life. Hahahaha! But seriously, she has this cool, soothing voice that will remind you of cherubs and seraphs. Not only that, she plays the guitar.. and the drums.. As I said earlier, she writes well. She dances. And she can take GREAT shots. What more can I say? What more can we all say?? :)) This girl is talented to a T.

Compassionate. Another thing I really admire about Tin is her compassion. Some people can be so smart and deep but still not FEEL for the world. Not Tinny. She celebrates with the world, she grieves with the world. What burden you share, she feels in her heart and she tries her very best to help it off you. I remember when I had my heart broken and she was the only one who could really comfort me. When my other friends were too busy with the starting of our college lives (something I never really blamed them for), Tin gave time for me. She genuinely listened. You always know when somebody is just hearing you out or if they’re sincerely WITH you, listening and feeling with you. And I really really felt less alone when she would comfort me and give advises. I would’ve gone crazy that time, if it weren’t for her. Tin looooves loves loves loves animals. It has always been her dream to have a shelter for all the homeless animals. She’s so noble. Her heart goes out to those who are abused and treated wrongly. She REALLY gets MAD. She gets affected by just about anything because of her ginormous heart. She can’t not be. This also means, that when someone offends her, she takes it deeply. But another thing is, she forgives easily too. Especially if she has considered you a friend already. She’ll always love you, no matter what you do and no matter what she says. She’ll always be there to take you back in, and to go on appreciating whatever little act of love you show her. Her capacity to love is beyond proportion. The limit does not exist. And herein lies the reason for Kristine’s unparalleled beauty.  

Tin is beautiful, inside and out. I know it’s been said many times but this is the first time I’m using it officially, and I’m using it to describe her and only her. :)

I love Tin. I admire her. I believe in who she is. 

[Belated] happy birthday to the girl whose courage and individuality I’ve always looked up to; Ms. Perfect indeed—- Tinny. <3