Nikki

My new friend is the only friend I have in my age bracket here at Craig's which is mostly inhabited by 60+ residents. Nikki is originally from Thailand but grew up here in the US. I met her first at Walmart when we both grabbed the same bed sheet one day after a very cold night in Arcadia. The next Sunday, Greg and I attended a Church service at the recreation hall and Nikki and I both get in the hall at the same time screaming "You again?". Do you live here? She lives in the South, we live in the North but we are on the same street. Then we became friends and the rest was history.

I have never met anyone as thoughtful and as generous as Nikki. She would literally empty her house of anything and give it to me. Example: One day, she came by the house, I mean camper with wicker tray she picked up from the mall. By mall, I mean, it is the place at Craig's where you dump anything you don't need but might be useful to some, we call it mall. The next day, she came again with 2 Japanese umbrellas which I still have to find a place in the house. Last night she went to Tampa and got me vegetables: kangkong, broccoli leaves, basil, lemon grass, young coconuts and many more. When I offered to pay , she refused and said, its for me for free, pasalubong from Tampa.

Nikki, I know that thank you is not enough for all the things you did for me. I cant think of anything I know you will like, so I made this tom yum specially for you, I know my Tom Yum is not as good as yours, but I may I present to you my yummy tom yum, hope you like it. Thanks a lot!