Yesterday my best friend back home sent me this text:

"Friends are the ones you don't have to speak to everyday, who understand why you didn't take their advice and the ones who call you at 4am to let you know they are drunk. Who tell you you are stunning even when you're crying and remind you that you can do better than the guy who doesn't treat you like a princess. They listen when they've heard the same story 1000 times, who call you to gossip about nothing and whether you're dancing on the table or passed out drunk they'll turn and say, 'Yeah, that's my friend'."

That made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, as I thought about my friends. I talk about them a lot on my blog, so maybe it's time I told you more about the lovely protagonists in my life.

Let's start with K. I met K a week after I landed here in May. She'd been here a month longer than me, so we were getting to know the place and helping each other settle in. Oh, she succeeded.

I had my first proper Berlin night out with her, and didn't get home until 6am. And I've blogged about that weekend, that started with her party. That was one hell of a weekend - we still refer to it as 'that mad weekend'. And she was here when the police came to shut down the party at my place. She's my co-saviour (Stephen is the other one) when I'm lost and need train directions, which still happens every now and then. But never, not once, did she complain about me being a directionless retard. When I was going through a really hard time one particular day, she called me and asked if I was at home. I was in bed, ignoring the world. When I told her I was in, she asked me to let her in, because she was downstairs. She came armed with the biggest bunch of flowers, one rose, Milka chocolate and the sweetest postcard, with encouraging words. She never tells me she's busy when I need to talk, even though she must be sometimes. She listened to my whining on a daily basis when I was locked in the bathroom at work crying because I was losing my mind, and called me after work to cheer me up and reassure me that it would be over soon - she even started a countdown. She taught me the best drinking game ever, one where not many people can remember the turnout - it's that good. She gives me thoughtful 'cheer up' gifts and tells me everything will be fine. She does give me advice, but she encourages me to do what I want to do, unless what I want to do is completely irrational - then she tells me so. She has great ideas: whether it's a pros and cons list, or a question that makes you think about the answer, she knows how to make you have a good time. And let's not forget the jokes. She knows the most awful jokes, which are so awful and cute you have to laugh your head off. There hasn't been one that wasn't hilarious. They're certain to lift up your spirits.

So here's to K *lifts up glass of water (I'm never drinking red wine again)* - one of the biggest reasons I'm glad I moved to Berlin. Love ya girlie!

(She taught me the choreography to this song, too.)

Lots of love,

Mon xx