The meaning of friendship

There are many ways to define friendship. To me, it's not about the times you hang out with someone, it's about their actions when you need them most, it's about how they react when you're not looking. The people who make you smile just by being there (be it physically or not).

As I have mentioned in past posts, meeting people in China has not been easy. I have resorted to means that I would not have otherwise considered, and (I think) have been pretty lucky thus far. In my short time here, however, I have been reminded (over and over) of the incredible friends that I have around the world. The people who have always been there for me (even when I wasn't willing to listen), the ones who know when to hand me a drink, or just give me a hug, the ones who inspire me to be a better person and who believe in me (even when I don't believe in myself).

Friends come in all shapes and sizes and you never really know when you are going to be fortunate to make a new one. Being here I have realized how much we all need our friends and how we all seem to looking for people to talk to (even if you don't say much). I have met people here in China who like me seem to be yearning for connections to someone, anyone that resembles something they find familiar. In no way do I mean to speak ill of the Chinese, they have been spectacular hosts, but in the end they are very different to anything I know (and as it turns out, I am not the only one who feels this way).

I guess in the end that is what friendship means. It means finding a piece of you in someone else (however small or ridiculous that piece may be). That is what we are all looking for, whether it's in China, Saudi, expat or native. We all want to meet people we identify with, people who understand us when we talk, people to share something (anything) with. For me, it's not about how many friends you have, but about surrounding yourself with friends that are going to make a difference in your life.  I think that some of the people I've met here will become a part of that group, and not a moment too soon.