MY NEW FRIEND PEARL

I remember the first day I got her. Black, red & silver with a mirror on the back. Shaped like a regular rectangle but with the top right & bottom left corner curved in. The infamous Nokia whatever edition (I still can't remember.) I love limited/ unique/ customized stuff. They're the best.

My brother gave it to me as a graduation present; straight from Vietnam to my tiny little hands. It was the most complex & entertaining device I had ever seen in my life: Mp3 music player, movie player, film maker, photo caller id, internet, memory card... the works. It might sound typical now, but mind you this was 3 or 4 years ago; before anybody even knew that music on your phone was even possible.

The reactions were always great: "What's your number?" "404. 5. Whoa! What kind of phone is that?!" "Oh, it's just a... *insert explanation here*" It was cool to have a phone that everybody loved & complimented over. Cuz I'm a gadget freak. And I love having cool stuff. lol.

We've had conversations, good & bad. Pictures that are definitely worth more than a thousand words. Messages that make or break your day. Songs & videos that entertain. We've been through it all.

I dropped her a couple of times (Ok, many) & it was very painful. I don't know about ya'll but I don't like dropping stuff, especially my phone. It's the worst.

Years later, as with all things, my little Nokia started to deteriorate. Bit by bit she wore down & out. I was sad. I tried to nurture her, heal her, but to no avail.

Reluctantly I got another phone. Turns out my little Nokia had already told her friend about me: what I liked & needed. Ergo me & little miss Blackberry met & shook hands. "Pearl" she calls herself. She's beautiful & smart too. Adorned with silver jewelry & bright, shiny, red lipstick, she catches everyone's attention. I mean, you should see her lipstick! It's the most amazing red I've ever seen in my entire life! It's shiny apple, new car paint red.

I've only known her for what? 2 days now? We've gotten off to a good start. I love everything about her so far & I'm excited to learn more. She's just so interesting. I have a good feeling that this will be a long lasting friendship, hopefully as long as it was with Nokia.

I still have her by the way (Nokia.) I'm looking at her right now. In a couple of days we'll say our final goodbyes as she goes back to Vietnam with my dad. He'll find a nice place for her to stay & might even fix her up for good. Even so, I might just let her stay there & go on a permanent vacation. She deserves it. Don't we all?