the triangle

Myself, Lou (blonde haired) and Manz (black haired) at Carnie Station - my triangle

I noticed it the other night. Manz and Lou came over to watch some grey's anatomy and have a glass of wine. Lou and Manz lounging comfortably on my sofa and me, as always, stretched out on the floor. I leaned back, glass in hand and clinked glasses with Lou, then over my other shoulder to Manz, after which i heard the two of them exchange their own cheers. And it hit me, that the three of us have become this unbreakable triangle. Lou and I, Manz and I, and Lou and Manz have formed an incredible friendship since living in and experiencing Korea together. We came here after living together for a year in St. Catharines with two other girlfriends as well. A house full of five girls, partying, relaxing, working, studying and just living life together. I thought the bonds of being a roommate with someone were some of the strongest you could form. And my opinion hasn't changed, after living with Mal for three years in a variety of housing and roommate situations I don't think there is anyone I know more intimately as her. The little nuances you come to know and love after waking up and going to sleep day in and day out with the same person under the same roof. But Lou, Manz and I have surpassed that roommate bond, we began our lives again in a different country together. We have leaned on each other on the days/nights where we miss home so much it empties out our tear ducts and leaves a dull ache. We have called and talked to each other every single day, sometimes even just to say "Hey how was your day?" when we know exactly what the reply will be. We have shared the experience of being a teacher to young children and delight in sharing the stories; good and bad. We have formed an entirely new group of friends here together and have heard from them what awesome girls we are (it's a pretty good feeling). We have also fought over the most ridiculous things and been forced to talk everything out until we can move on without spite or anger in our hearts. They have been my stability and gravity in a world where everything can seem upside down and backwards. My presences gives them an outlet from each other. Living as roommates can still be as difficult in Korea as at home. Lou gets to complain to me about Manz. And Manz gets to complain to me about Lou. Never anything major, just the little things you need to get out once in awhile. I'm an ear and a shoulder for both of them just as they are for me. We get together for dinners, television shows, cups of tea, shopping trips, movies, hanging out and of course, hilarious bar nights. These girls have become more than roommates to me. I will forever cherish my experience in Korea and every memory will be connected to those two girls. And to think, a year ago we were starting our second semester of our last year of university. Now a year later we're halfway across the world teaching English in a foreign country together.
Some of my favourite memories are going to be moments like last night. The three of us were at Manz and Lou's apartment getting all dolled up for our night on the town with our friends. Music of different genres blaring while we carried out the important tasks of outfit consultations, make up applications, hair fussing and drink making together. And sporadically one of us breaks into an inspired dance frenzy which naturally causes the other two to join in. And we seem to dance to anything and everything that comes out of Manz's speakers; a hip swaying reggae jam, a bum shaking hip hop song, a rocking punk tune and even romantic slow r&b ballad. Completely uninhibited and often ridiculous dancing that sends all of us into hysterics by the end of it. We'll resume our halted tasks until the next person decides to bust a move. Which is maybe why getting ready seems to take us forever. It's filled with so much laughing and dancing that simple things like getting ready for a bar can take us two hours. I would not have it any other way. Manz, Lou and I...our dancing, laughing, goofy triangle.