I jumped, I screamed and, consequently, maybe tomorrow I'll cry.
I say this because tonight a very good friend of mine, a friend I've known for many years now because of boxing, surprised me at Hulk's -- Satoshi. He had come to Korea on business, like he usually does when we meet up, and yesterday he arrived. He didn't tell me though because he wanted to surprise me and wow was it quite the very cool surprise.
Being surprised by a great friend, awesome.
Hearing he phoned my former coach for directions to my new club, hilariously awesome.
Perhaps that means I'm a bit of a rebel for finding great delight in knowing Junior Mint must have cringed when he asked for directions but I can't say that's not karma popping its head.
Anyways...
Satoshi trained at Hulk's and then Snickers, King Kong and myself took him out for sushi, Korean-style. It was so great to see him; he's such a supportive and fun friend. Last time he was here in Korea, last time I had to say goodbye to him, I cried after we drove away. I think it's perhaps because we're both very much into boxing, both pro boxers and with us both being foreigners here we have a different connection than I do with my other friends here. He just gets it -- he gets me -- and our friendship is simple and drama free. I remember when he came to my fight in Japan and cheered for me among a crowd full of Japanese cheering for my opponent. I thought that was so awesome. And then, when he did it again but for Black Skinny's fight and then a third time for Snickers' fight, he went from being very cool to being the coolest. He's been a very faithful friend to me and this awesome friendship has extended to not only Snickers but our other teammates.
I've known Satoshi for probably about four years now and every year he comes to Korea once or twice. However, the last time he was here in Korea was last February. I was a bit sad tonight when he noted he's quitting his job and moving to the Netherlands for school. He'll be living there for two years and thus unable to come to Korea during that time. Snickers joked and said, "Well, we will have to go to Netherlands" but I hope to hold him to this regardless of whether it was said as a joke or not.
After all our dining on sushi, joking around the dinner table and chatting up a storm, we then drove him to Pyoungtaek. It was really late when we headed out but the drive bought us more time with him. He promised me he'd come by Hulk's tomorrow, for our "visitor shot" at the club front doors, but on Thursday he will return to Japan.
No comments:
Post a Comment