Fuzed Issue 2: Friends 4Ever

In your childhood home surrounded by pictures of you and yours, You hand me a cup of tea.

Mint with a spoonful of honey, my order comes second nature as if it were your own.

My teacup, porcelain with pink and yellow daisies The same one I’ve used since we met years ago.

I burn my tongue taking the first sip of the tea only made when I’m over.

A glass cup of water is placed in front of me, and as I drink its contents to soothe my scorched buds, A napkin appears as water escapes the corners of my upturned lips.

CIARA LALOR-LINDO “KIM’S”

EUNICE NA “PHOTO”

In the shadows of our aging years, Our friends become a beacon clear.

A bond to help us navigate the unknown, A guide that helps us find our way back home.

Through the highs and lows of our existence, They stand by with love and persistence.

Lifting us up when we are cast down, And helping us rise to wear our crown.

But friends are more than just a shoulder to cry on, They also speak truth when our ears may be prone To hearing only what we wish to hear.

They tell us things we need to know, Not just what is dear.

So let us hold our friends close to our hearts, For they are the memories who never depart.

The ones who see us through it all, And help us find purpose and meaning Though their words may be small.

DANNY CHANG “ON FRIENDS”

When time is no longer kind to us, And we have outgrown our bodies, I hope they bury us together.

I hope flowers adorn our graves from the families we’ve built Their love for us memorialized by petals and stems, Each detailing stories of the life we shared.

The grass that grows over our bodies, concealing all the secret conversations we shared under the covers in the dark night when everyone else was sound asleep.

Will time ever be kind? Or is it always cruel?

One day, our flesh will decay and worms will eat through our heads, And all the precious memories

we once shared as legend around dinner tables full of laughs?

And will they recount them the same, how we once did, years later?

When our bodies become earth, will you still hold my hand, as we did long ago as young girls?

When moss starts to clothe our tombstones and over the etches of our names, Will you still listen and laugh at my jokes?

When our great grandchildren come to visit us, I hope they know that I have never felt a love as great as yours. e.n

EUNICE NA “HERE LIES BEST FRIENDS”

Everyone knows the heartbreak of losing a so-called ‘soulmate’, but does everyone know what it really feels like to lose a friend?

Not the “Oh we just grew apart” type of friendship. But the type that cuts a hole in your life. Not being able to reach out to ask if they’re okay, wondering if they are ever thinking about you, that type of heartbreak.

As I grow up, I understand why an adult’s circle of friendships get smaller and smaller. We are busy people. Balancing work, mental health, family, and friendships, and it all gets exhausting. When you’re in highschool the most important thing as an adolescent is to make friends and be accepted.

I don’t want to put in the effort for some people I’ve grown apart from – I’m tired. I want to grow up, and if that means losing friends along the way then I have to be selfish for once in my life. The reality is people grow apart. Friends grow apart, and that is okay.

I’m learning how to put myself first, and to finally learn how to love myself before loving others.

The idea of being friends forever is so enticing. However, loving yourself first means a lifetime of peace that overflows into friendships one day.

Now, that is the least of my worries. My whole life I have been a people pleaser. Constantly wanting friends and making sure I did nothing wrong to ever break their trust. I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I am just exhausted.

ANONYMOUS “FRIENDS NOT 4EVER”

Friendship is comfort, Friendship is healing, Friendship is security, Friendship respects your feelings.

When no one was there for me, My friends became my family.

When life is unfair to me, My friends can understand me.

Constant connection Together we are tokens of strength -Together we find protection Constant bonds unbroken by length -To feel safe is to have them around.

My friends are a family where the unconditional love is unbound.

INDIANA ROTONDO “WHAT DOES FRIENDSHIP MEAN TO YOU?

KENDRA LYTLE “IS MY DAD THE NEW GHANDI?”

ADAM EASTBURN “EATING PIZZA FRIEND”

LHEKDUP TENZIN “HONESTY”

Friendship is a beautiful thing, a bond that enriches our lives and makes us feel truly alive. It’s not just a word, but an experience that touches the very core of who we are. For me, friendship is about being there for each other, no matter what. It’s about sharing our joys, our sorrows, our hopes, and our fears. It’s about giving and receiving love, kindness, and support, and knowing that we’re not alone in this world.

about embracing them, acknowledging them, and learning from them. It’s about being vulnerable, honest, and authentic, and knowing that we’ll be accepted, respected, and loved for who we are.

Friendship is about showing, not just telling, how much we care. It’s about going the extra mile, doing the small things that matter, and being there in the big moments. It’s about listening, supporting, and encouraging each other, even when it’s hard. It’s about being a safe haven, a sounding board, and a cheerleader for each other’s dreams.

As a man, I know that friendship can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it can help us grow, learn, and thrive.

It can give us a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning. It can help us discover new passions, interests, and talents. On the other hand, it can also hold us back, tear us down, and make us feel like we’re not good enough.

It can create a sense of competition, jealousy, and toxicity that undermines our confidence, our trust, and our self-worth.

And most of all, friendship is about creating a community of love, respect, and empathy.

It’s about breaking down the walls that divide us, and building bridges that connect us. It’s about celebrating our differences, and finding common ground. It’s about creating a space where we can be ourselves, without fear of judgment or rejection.

But true friendship is different. It’s not about who’s the strongest, the fastest, the smartest, or the most successful. It’s not about hiding our weaknesses, our flaws, or our mistakes. It’s

As I reflect on my own friendships, I realize that they have been a source of strength and support for me during some of the toughest times in my life.

When I first learned about

my mom having cancer, it was my friends who were there to talk me through it and lend an ear when I needed to talk. When I was struggling with anxiety and depression, it was my friends who would check in on me and make sure I was doing okay. And when I achieved a major goal or accomplishment, it was my friends who were there to celebrate with me.

But friendship isn’t just about being there for each other during the hard times. It’s also about having fun and creating positive memories together. Some of my

PARSA NAVIDI “UNTITLED”

fondest memories with my friends are from the adventures we’ve had together - road trips, concerts, hikes, and even just hanging out at home playing games or watching movies. These experiences have brought us closer together and strengthened our bond.

One thing that I’ve come to appreciate about my friendships is the diversity of personalities and perspectives that they bring into my life. I have friends who are outgoing and extroverted, friends who are introverted and reflective, friends who are artistic and creative, friends who are analytical and logical, and everything in between. Each of them has something unique to offer, and I’ve learned so much from their different

viewpoints and ways of approaching the world.

Of course, like any relationship, friendships also require effort and maintenance. It’s important to stay in touch, make time for each other, and show appreciation and gratitude for the people in our lives. And sometimes, friendships will go through rough patches or even end altogether. But even in those situations, I believe that there are lessons to be learned and growth to be gained.

So, to all my friends out there, I want to say thank you. Thank you for being there for me, for accepting me, for supporting me, and for loving me, flaws and all. Thank you for teaching me what true friendship means, and for helping me grow into the person I am today. And to anyone who’s still searching for that special bond, I want to say this: keep looking.

Keep reaching out, keep showing up, and keep being yourself. The world is full of amazing people, and one day, you’ll find the ones who will change your life forever.

It may be easy to share good moments, but it is not so easy to share the bad ones.

I have experienced seasons that are heavy on the heart and hard on the soul.

But you have constantly been present.

You are there to assure me in ways that, at times, I cannot seem to do myself.

You are there to support my healing through any heartache.

You consistently bring me to my higher self.

You heavily contribute to the woman I aspire to be.

Thank you are words that come short of my gratitude towards our friendship.

But thank you.

Thank you for rooting for me, humbling me, and allowing me to be a part of your life as you are mine.

MIRI KANG “TO...”

오늘의 기분 작은 일에 스트레스 받지 맙시다.새롭게 시작하자. 더 이상 부정적인 생각을 하지 말자

오늘은 귀여운 느낌

나는 후회가 없다. 우리를 가장 사랑하는 사람들에게 집중하자. 최고가 되고 싶어. 사랑해!!!

YOORI LEE “오을에 기분”

ADAM EASTBURN “NAIL POLISH”

DANA WON “DEAR MY FRIENDS: COCKTAIL EDITION”

YSABEL ARBOLEDA “IG STORY”

ADAM EASTBURN “NAIL POLISH”

Siargao, Philippines - My first friend in the tech data analytics space! We bonded over the struggles of learning in such a fast-paced industry. We kept each other accountable, celebrated all things from career wins to personal milestones.

Even though he has since left the tech space, I still learn so much from him on things such as life in the Philippines, the connection of the mind, body and brain, and some damn good surf.

Cape Town, South Africa I’ve made a few friends from around South Africa but two in particular I met when I taught English in South Korea. One of which I bonded over memes and casual shouting matches, and the other whom I bonded with over kpop and the ups and downs of moving o anotnher country by yourself.

Xi’An, China - During my 6-week humanitarian trip here, I made a friend who I hold dear in my heart. Although we have no way of keeping in touch, the impact she has made on me is something I still feel to this day, even after 7 years. I learnt so much about the challenges and criticisms of the political and socio-economic climate in China - but most importantly I was able to empathize with a community and a culture that has given me so much perspective about the different worlds we were living in. I hope to be able to express my experiences, learn more and continue to advocate for the people of this country.

Vienna, Austria - I first met this friend in the middle of an Australian desert, a week long trip in Uluru, where we bonded over the echoes of her opera singing against the natural cave homes of the Indigenous people.

Canberra and Sydney, Australia - My beautiful Aussies. From the rugby friends I made here that witness me tear my ACL, to the children of diplomats and public servants I met in school on exchange.

Bali, Indonesia - The hub of digital nomads, yogis, and surfers. I have one particular friend here, a yoga instructor and an avid surfer, whom I met out in the water on Canggu one afternoon. She taught me how to become more familiar with my board and the swell. I hope to surf alongside her the next time I visit here.

Stockholm, Sweden - An engineering mentor I met via my work’s skill exchange. We ike to bond over Fikas (the Swedish term for a 15-min coffee break, typically including a cinnamon roll).

SYDNEY BANG “FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD”

ANONYMOUS “DAY ONES”

ADAM EASTBURN “HEART UNLOCKED”