17th October

… with friends.

Week 3: Drinks

The rhythm of the internship is starting to set in. The days are structured, the work is engaging, and the learning curve is still steep. By the time Thursday rolled around, the need to switch off was real. I caught up with a few friends over dinner and drinks, and it was the perfect way to cap off the week.

We slipped back into that easy conversation that only comes with old friends. We shared some gossip, compared notes on how our respective internships were going, and just talked nonsense for a couple of hours. To be honest, there was nothing of great substance discussed. No grand plans were made, no deep philosophical questions were answered.

And that was exactly the point. It was about the simple act of de-stressing. It was about laughing at silly stories and complaining about small things with people who just get it. It was a much-needed reset button, a reminder to step away from the professional world for a moment and just be yourself.

Week 4: Korean Food

Another week, another welcome reunion. This time, I met up with a couple of people from my old committee for Korean food. As always, the conversation quickly turned to work and how we were all adapting to our new routines. Amidst the bubbling stew and shared side dishes, we talked about our projects, our teams, and our daily grind.

We couldn’t help but miss the last member of our clique, who’s currently on an overseas exchange. His absence was felt, but it also made us appreciate the time we had together.

A common theme emerged as we talked: we all genuinely enjoy our internships more than we enjoyed the final stretch of university. It’s a strange thing to admit, but it feels like we’re finally being useful. Instead of just cramming theories and facts into our brains for an exam, we’re applying skills to solve real problems. We’re contributing, even in small ways, to something tangible. That feeling of purpose makes all the difference.

Week 5: Birthdays Dinner

The main event this week was a birthday dinner for two of the boys, Hazim and Joaquim. We all gathered for a meal, the primary objective being to celebrate them. The food was great, the conversation flowed easily, and the familiar banter was in full swing.

As the evening went on, I had a simple but clear realisation. It doesn’t really matter what we eat, or even what we specifically talk about during these meetups. The details are secondary. What truly matters is the act of showing up for each other, of carving out time to simply exist together and decompress from the pressures of work and life.

It’s the shared laughter over a joke, the quiet comfort of presence, the unspoken understanding. These are the small, seemingly insignificant moments that make life feel rich and worth living. This is the good stuff.

  [················    ]