I have a wonderful surprise when I visited Alice's blog this morning and found out that she has presented me with a Great Buddy Award.

Like family members, friends means a lot to me. After I started this blog, it has opened a new world to me and I am glad to befriend a lot of bookbloggers and call them as friends. They have became part of my life even though I have not met them in person. I want to thank them for their comments, their encouragement, their patience for hearing me rave or ramble, their kind gesture (Thank you, Wendy, for offering to send me the book!), and of course their friendship!

Alice, Julia, Wendy, Iliana, Nymeth, Debi, Naida, Trish and Shana ~ This buddy award is for you!

Before I end this post, I want to dedicate this poem to ALL my blogging friends who never fails to read my blog:

"Portrait of a Friend"

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
~ Unknown