Friday, September 28, 2007
Top 3 Moments with Annika
Annika and Jani
Annika and I met sometime in 2005 when we were both applying for the national office of AIESEC in Finland. Since Janne and Tomi already fed me a lot of great stories about her, I really did not have the chance to have a first impression of her. In any case, our first encounters were marked with more tension than anything because by no fault of hers, I was extremely stressed with the selection process.
Gladly, this tension dissipated and was replaced by friendship -- a friendship that in a year has been tried and tested through heaven, hell and everything in between. I know that she has accepted me for what I am and I have accepted her just the same.
There are people who come and go in your life, and I can only hope that Annika remains in my life. From Annika, I have learned how it is to be honest, to love and to be generous. I know that part of the reason why I have become so honest with myself and with others is because she (and Jani) never demanded anything but being genuine.
No matter how much I try, I could not really describe how much Annika means to me. I mean how can one describe how a person has just learned to accept you for who you are without any conditions? How can I describe the patience she has showed to me? How can I describe the concern she has shown? Well, I can´t. So I will just try to describe some of the best moments I had with this girl. :)
THE SMS IN PARIS - This still is one of my funniest memories with the Possibles. I remember getting a phone call (in distress) from Annika telling me how Jani and Shreya are fighting about bus routes to Amsterdam. At that point, I just felt so "motherly" and Annika so "daughterly." She was genuinely stressed because of the situation! For those who know Annika, you would know that this girl wants everyone to be happy and to feel special. She is a natural mediator and she will always make sure that everyone feels heard!
LIVING IN KANTSU DURING SEPTEMBER - Another one of my top memories from the term! After the International Congress in Poland, Annika and I somehow ended up homeless and we slept in the living room of Kantsu for 2-3 weeks! Everyday, we would watch movies, chat about life and just enjoy the company. It was at this point that I think we realized that we cannot really escape from each other´s lives no matter how hard we try. :) It was during this time that I saw Annika´s great way of taking care of people i.e. cleaning up, making food, etc. :)
ANNIKA VISITING ME IN THE HOSPITAL - She was my first visitor when I was sick and was my constant contact to the "outside world." She was so caring and understanding during those times that I feel very lucky that she is in my life. I know that no matter what happens I have a friend who will never ever give up on me (unless I try to kill her or something). She is a very giving soul and will go out of her to share her time, resources and love to people she cares for.
To Annika, I am glad that we ended up sharing a year of turning points. I wish you the best for the year to come. I hope our friendship will be blessed with more joyful moments. Happy, happy birthday!
2 comments:
Thank you Erica!
I don't know what to say, either...
I love you,
Annika
You are welcome. :)
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