Alternative Rx

Friday IA and i had a girl's night out before she shipped out the next day (haha).

IA is one of those friends whom i see no more than once a year but when we get together again, it's as though there's been no gap. On this night it was only dessert as IA doesn't drink (*scream*!!!!!) but we had a blast. If laughter is the best medicine, we were really poppin'.

"You can't get this infectious laugh from email," IA said, indicating that, not only did she miss laughing with me, she'd missed my laugh.

The concept that someone actually likes the way i laugh is foreign to me. Growing up, my boisterous ways were always curbed and frowned upon. In adulthood, whatever comment my friends may have (i think they usually call it "unique") would just make me self-conscious and stop laughing. Others who didn't call attention to it i figured didn't mind it as it was a non-issue. It was as if on this night, for the first time in my life, i considered someone could actually like my laugh, not just tolerate it.

I told IA how my laugh would be considered unladylike, especially in Asia where women are expected to behave demurely. Except in the bedroom. (I didn't say the last part.)

IA threw me this incredulous glance. "It's so hearty!" She said of my laugh.

Aww... i'm hearty. Like chicken soup. Slurp up, folks. I say, slurp up.