We have all been through many camps, just like the one I'm 1 hr away from. Most camps are fun, the activities silly, the people great and the organizers deserve a pat on the back. Actually, I feel that how successful the camp is comes down to the logistics, the different personalities of the organizers as well as the participants.
Logistics, because there is a lot of leg-work and research to be done to come up with the list of activities that everyone will enjoy. It's no mean feat as the participants are all different resulting in different likes and dislikes. That said, it's not possible to accomodate all of them. It's more possible to cater to most of them. That might be one of the reasons that the activities end up being pretty common and generic. The onus is on the team to come up with new and creative activities and therein lies the challenge.
The different personalities of the organizers i.e CLs also play a part in the success of the camp. Whether they are enthusiastic, humourous, outgoing etc. will directly affect the flow and outcome of the activities planned. The traits I mentioned earlier are those that I feel are pretty important to the camp though some may beg to differ.
Then we come to the last but ultimately probably the most important factor which is the particiapants. Again, enthusiasm is a must for if someone doesn't share the same enthusiasm as the others, it would affect the general mood of the other group participants. Since we use the word participants maximum participation with minimum fuss is always the great hope. Even slightly less may result in a less than satifactory experience for the CLs as well as the participants.
On a more personal note, I'm feeling pretty good vibes for the camp I'm going to. Hopefully, it would be an enjoyable one for all of us. After all, we are going to see each other at least for the next 1 yr! Till next time, may the invitation for our parents to attend the cermony come early because my parents are feeling a little worried. :-)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Lifebook - Fujitsu?
I'm really not talking about the Fujitsu Lifebook. Really. Though I don't mind a Fujitsu laptop, it's all a misunderstanding if you really thought the topic of the day was about a laptop. So without further ado, here's the topic of the day...
Our lifestory. How is it like? Will it be fruitful? Will it bring you tears of sorrow or tears of joy? Will it be interesting? Or will it be dull as grey? Questions like these can't be so easily answered. This is because our lifestory only has one author - ourselves. Our lives can be viewed as a story, one in which we get to decide what to put in it. We may choose to add a little comedy in it by adding some jokes that made everyone laugh. We may choose to make it heartwarming by including all the good family events in it. In short, we have all the power. Chapters will flow just like water, characters will rotate in and out of our lives, the good times will linger, the bad times will change, the book will be completed. What kind of book do you want your lifestory to be like?
University life is a new chapter in my life. I'm fortunate enough to be able to experience it. A new flavour beckons. A place where I will spend the best part of 4 years is bound to give me an exhilarating time. Looking forward to all the friends I will make, as well as all the fun I'll have.
Till next time, may everyone always have fun in their live! We can't be serious all the time right? :-)
Our lifestory. How is it like? Will it be fruitful? Will it bring you tears of sorrow or tears of joy? Will it be interesting? Or will it be dull as grey? Questions like these can't be so easily answered. This is because our lifestory only has one author - ourselves. Our lives can be viewed as a story, one in which we get to decide what to put in it. We may choose to add a little comedy in it by adding some jokes that made everyone laugh. We may choose to make it heartwarming by including all the good family events in it. In short, we have all the power. Chapters will flow just like water, characters will rotate in and out of our lives, the good times will linger, the bad times will change, the book will be completed. What kind of book do you want your lifestory to be like?
University life is a new chapter in my life. I'm fortunate enough to be able to experience it. A new flavour beckons. A place where I will spend the best part of 4 years is bound to give me an exhilarating time. Looking forward to all the friends I will make, as well as all the fun I'll have.
Till next time, may everyone always have fun in their live! We can't be serious all the time right? :-)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Goals
How I wish I was talking about soccer. Then I can tell you about Ian Rush who has scored some spectacular goals for Liverpool one of which was a running volley which bulged the net. Or I could tell you about the time Diego Maradona dribbled half the pitch, beating half a dozen defenders to score one of the goals of all time. Alas, that's not really the topic of the day. In fact, the goals I'm talking about is centered on something on a different plane.
Here we go! This whole entry was triggered by a not so coincidental meeting with CL. We were actually going for a book fair organized by NLB at Expo. After making our purchases, we settled down at BK just to talk. The subjects were varied but with purpose. One of the subjects is the setting of goals. It's a real wonder then that we all have goals. But the extent of putting thoughts into action can be quite different. Goals are set because we believe in them. We believe that through our hard work and perseverance, we would achieve them. They represent our idea of limits. In a way, they are there as an aid to break through our limits. My OBS friends would probably know that I'm a process person so whether we get there is not as important as the process of getting there. If the process is right, then the product will arise eventually. This is where WL's view of the PPP model sets in. The people, process, product is actually 1 single entity rather than 3 different ones. We need all of them. We start with the best people we can find, then we get the correct process and the product will be what we want it to be. It's a step-by-step process. Anyway, back to goals. I realised we shared the same goals. But to be honest, the determination that came with CL's goals far exceeded mine. Yes, as you all have probably guessed, determination can come out of the act of setting goals. This made me think where I could get the same determination. CL went on to explain something so simple that it evaded my common sense completely: You have got to believe in it first. It is the manifestation of thought(CL thank you!) into action that will bring about the consequence. Believing whole-heartedly in your goals can give you that upsurge of power that you badly need to start off the day. After no small amount of thinking, I figured that I did not yet have the same amount of belief that CL has. Hopefully time will fill the void that I currently have.
Though CL and I disagreed on a number of subjects (sorry bro!) I felt that I have definitely gained something from our meeting. I'm exceedingly glad that you are my roomie! By sharing this little bit of information, I hope that you, the reader, have also gained something.
Till next time, may it please not rain on a day when I planned to go out! Though I do so love the purity of rain, it's quite a bother if I plan to go out and not sleep in. Thor if you are listening to my request thank you! One more hour to the meeting...
Here we go! This whole entry was triggered by a not so coincidental meeting with CL. We were actually going for a book fair organized by NLB at Expo. After making our purchases, we settled down at BK just to talk. The subjects were varied but with purpose. One of the subjects is the setting of goals. It's a real wonder then that we all have goals. But the extent of putting thoughts into action can be quite different. Goals are set because we believe in them. We believe that through our hard work and perseverance, we would achieve them. They represent our idea of limits. In a way, they are there as an aid to break through our limits. My OBS friends would probably know that I'm a process person so whether we get there is not as important as the process of getting there. If the process is right, then the product will arise eventually. This is where WL's view of the PPP model sets in. The people, process, product is actually 1 single entity rather than 3 different ones. We need all of them. We start with the best people we can find, then we get the correct process and the product will be what we want it to be. It's a step-by-step process. Anyway, back to goals. I realised we shared the same goals. But to be honest, the determination that came with CL's goals far exceeded mine. Yes, as you all have probably guessed, determination can come out of the act of setting goals. This made me think where I could get the same determination. CL went on to explain something so simple that it evaded my common sense completely: You have got to believe in it first. It is the manifestation of thought(CL thank you!) into action that will bring about the consequence. Believing whole-heartedly in your goals can give you that upsurge of power that you badly need to start off the day. After no small amount of thinking, I figured that I did not yet have the same amount of belief that CL has. Hopefully time will fill the void that I currently have.
Though CL and I disagreed on a number of subjects (sorry bro!) I felt that I have definitely gained something from our meeting. I'm exceedingly glad that you are my roomie! By sharing this little bit of information, I hope that you, the reader, have also gained something.
Till next time, may it please not rain on a day when I planned to go out! Though I do so love the purity of rain, it's quite a bother if I plan to go out and not sleep in. Thor if you are listening to my request thank you! One more hour to the meeting...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A story...
Once upon a time, there was a boy. Now he was not some ordinary boy but a very special one. He was destined to become the greatest magician of all time. No, his name isn't Tom, Dick or Harry. It's not even Merlin. His name was Cogiz. Cogiz had no parents, nor was him born with any. No one really knew where he came from except that he was found by some villagers as a tiny little toddler in the woods. Many people marvelled that he was able to survive in the wild for so long and claimed that he was a miracle baby. 'Cogiz' was his first words and it stuck. He was known as Cogiz thereafter. His journey would prove to be the start of a legacy...
It's not easy to write a story. The above few words already stretched my limits. That's why let me take this opportunity to congratulate relf on his story! It's really interesting and for those who have not read it yet, here's the link: http://thelegendofdoria.blogspot.com/
Highly recommended!! From the above, I guess that most of you already figured out that I love to read. From my younger days (now I'm feeling all of my age) I started with Enid Blyton and her Famous Five and Secret Seven. Graduated to reading The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon in upper primary and also R.L Stine's Goosebumps series. At this juncture, I also liked game books especially from The Lone Wolf series by Joe Dever. This carried on to secondary school where I continued to read. At this stage, I was probably adopting the wrong way of reading, speed-reading by taking in all content and minimal language. Let me just make it clear that this isn't the right way because the author took great pains to use wonderful language as well as content in his story. Then I started to move into adult fiction like Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series of mystery books. Read a few books by Jeffery Deaver and quite liked his The Eleventh Commandment. Went into courtroom books by John Grisham who was the author that gave me my first taste of the drama that exists in the judicial system. As I read his books, I was even thinking of studying law since it seemed so interesting. Lee Child came along armed with the charismatic hero Jack Reacher. An Army MP and decorated serviceman, his knowledge of the weaknesses of the human anatomy and the different arms never cease to amaze me. His ability to remain invisible in a city, only bringing along the clothes he was wearing and a toothbrush, would definitely be a great ability to have for secret agents. The list goes on as I strive to satisfy my craving for books...
The legacy was fulfilled. Cogiz became the greatest magician since Merlin to ever live. He never misused his powers and worked together hand-in-hand with the king to ensure peace and prosperity in the land. And so, the world was at peace once again, the magic balancing the sword, showing the world that 2 powers can coexist side by side and even support each other. It's a lesson well-learnt and passed down from generation to generation. The story of a magician and his king that evoked a million feelings, would forever remain in the chapters of history.
It's not easy to write a story. The above few words already stretched my limits. That's why let me take this opportunity to congratulate relf on his story! It's really interesting and for those who have not read it yet, here's the link: http://thelegendofdoria.blogspot.com/
Highly recommended!! From the above, I guess that most of you already figured out that I love to read. From my younger days (now I'm feeling all of my age) I started with Enid Blyton and her Famous Five and Secret Seven. Graduated to reading The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon in upper primary and also R.L Stine's Goosebumps series. At this juncture, I also liked game books especially from The Lone Wolf series by Joe Dever. This carried on to secondary school where I continued to read. At this stage, I was probably adopting the wrong way of reading, speed-reading by taking in all content and minimal language. Let me just make it clear that this isn't the right way because the author took great pains to use wonderful language as well as content in his story. Then I started to move into adult fiction like Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series of mystery books. Read a few books by Jeffery Deaver and quite liked his The Eleventh Commandment. Went into courtroom books by John Grisham who was the author that gave me my first taste of the drama that exists in the judicial system. As I read his books, I was even thinking of studying law since it seemed so interesting. Lee Child came along armed with the charismatic hero Jack Reacher. An Army MP and decorated serviceman, his knowledge of the weaknesses of the human anatomy and the different arms never cease to amaze me. His ability to remain invisible in a city, only bringing along the clothes he was wearing and a toothbrush, would definitely be a great ability to have for secret agents. The list goes on as I strive to satisfy my craving for books...
The legacy was fulfilled. Cogiz became the greatest magician since Merlin to ever live. He never misused his powers and worked together hand-in-hand with the king to ensure peace and prosperity in the land. And so, the world was at peace once again, the magic balancing the sword, showing the world that 2 powers can coexist side by side and even support each other. It's a lesson well-learnt and passed down from generation to generation. The story of a magician and his king that evoked a million feelings, would forever remain in the chapters of history.
THE END
Friday, July 18, 2008
Lazing around
I'm pretty sure that many people have done it before. The sun is up at its glorious best, while there are no deadlines to meet, no projects to complete and best of all no exams to study for. So what do we do then? We laze around. Well some poeple do stare at the clouds. Clouds are really special. They are so white and fluffy, sort of like wool. Changing shapes at will, sometimes they adopt human-like shapes, other times they look like trees...But before I get too carried away with my cloud-watching, other people tend to just lie flat on the bed and inspect their eyelids. Maybe take a nap or something. It's something I don't generally do because I don't really have the habit of it unless I played a round of overnight mahjong the previous day...Some people define lazing around as doing something fun without dealing with the stress of everyday life. An advocate of this particular form of lazing around, I highly recommend chatting with friends, going out for a meal or movie or even just playing board games. No effective work is really done except to have fun. After all, all work and no play makes Jack(or Jill) a dull boy(girl). While lazing around is fun and all, do remember that there's a limit to all these activities. When the time comes, it's back to work and the books especially for those studying.
I'm trying pretty hard to brush up on my english. That is why I accept any comments or corrections on my grammer and spelling. After all, it has been some time since I've been using proper english. (most times I use the SMS shorthand to chat with people so please forgive my indiscretion :-) )
Till next time, may the clouds represent our lives - ever-changing and vibrant in every aspect!
I'm trying pretty hard to brush up on my english. That is why I accept any comments or corrections on my grammer and spelling. After all, it has been some time since I've been using proper english. (most times I use the SMS shorthand to chat with people so please forgive my indiscretion :-) )
Till next time, may the clouds represent our lives - ever-changing and vibrant in every aspect!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Economical?
I used to think that the word economical had something to do with economics and the economy and it did! Wonders! Then I thought maybe I could go 2 for 2 and say it's related to the environment since it does seem to have a prefix 'eco'. Guessed I should have stayed at 1 guess. What is economical is something that many people in the world curently mull over. Is it more economical to drive a car or take public transport? With the recent talk on introducing lower prices for transfers for buses, public transport seem the way to go. Indeed having a gridlock on the business destrict will certainly cause ceaseless complaints from the public which was why the introduction of many new gantries. Now people are complaining about something totally different...Let's continue with the theme of things. Oil prices are skyrocketing. US$140 plus per barrel was the highest recorded I believe. With it comes another set of questions on economy. Oil is a very precious resource since it is finite. Tough though that it's controlled by a powerful conglomerate. Anyway, oil affects us in ways that we haven't even imagined. The most immediate concern is transport since they do run on petrol or diesel which is a derivative from crude. So sales of vehicles have crashed a little. General Motors was the latest to have reported losses. Sports utility vehicles are really using too much petrol which was one of the given reason for the poor performance. There are other reasons but would not be mentioned here. Food has also taken a hit with rising oil prices. The percentage leap can be quite astounding if you do bother going to calculate. Seldom does it reflect the percentage jump in oil since like my friend WL likes to point out, prices try to jump minimum 50 cents since no one likes 1 cents and 5 cents. So then maybe we should all eat 'economical rice' at home since it's the cheapest? YF told me my paragraphing is a little haywire but then maybe I can say I was economical in the usage of space. :p
Anyways, that's the end of my entry. All good things must come to an end for I believe that the end is just the start of a brand new beginning of a good thing. Loops right? Till next time, may the economy stage a fightback and change the grizzly to a metador!
Anyways, that's the end of my entry. All good things must come to an end for I believe that the end is just the start of a brand new beginning of a good thing. Loops right? Till next time, may the economy stage a fightback and change the grizzly to a metador!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Happiness
A milkshake. A painting. A game. Seemingly unrelated, but nevertheless share a certain trait. They are capable of giving happiness. Let's take the simple case of milkshake. Picture a sweltering day, the temperature is in the high 40s, and you are typically stuck outdoors. Being able to enjoy an ice-cool milkshake will bring about a bounty of happiness.
Second case, a painting. I must stick a disclaimer that not everyone is able to appreciate a good painting but I'll try with the description. An aquamarine lake shimmers with the crescent moon. The reflection actually looks like a treasure chest full of gold coins. Weeping willows sway in the gentle breeze and appear to beckon you towards their secrets. The contrast of the twinkling stars on the backdrop of bleck velvet are just like diamonds basking in their glory. The picture is completed with a pair of wolves running into the forest. Their vigour and enthusiasm brings out all the regal qualities of these majestic animals and made them worthy creatures of the night. A painting can also give the art lover plenty of joy.
The third case I'll use soccer then. Soccer may be a mindless game of 22 people chasing after a ball for some, but for others it's more than life and death. (see Bill Shankley) Soccer can bring plenty of excitement and satifaction, but it is also equally able to bring sadness and misery. But let's not dwell on this since it's pretty unrelated. Watching how skillful players employ the 'samba' to beat each other, how they are able to manipulate the ball just like an extended limb and more importantly how they are able to call out to the ball so that it acts under their directions, what's not to like about soccer? Soccer lovers can empathize. Need I say more?
In short, what I'm trying to say is that happiness comes in many forms. (though admittedly my examples are pretty one-dimensional) Even the smallest things can bring with it a large amount of happiness. It's hard to quantify happiness but nevertheless there should be a gauge on how happy you are. The key idea is not to let all the unhappy things weigh you down. Life is too short to mull over your failures and disappointments. Seize the moment and experience all the happiness that you want to. Cliches are always useful in this juncture: You only live life once so go LIVE it!!
Okay, this is the end of a rather short post. (actually I do have shorter ones :p) Till next time, may the higher powers bestow their blessing on this fragile world we are living in!
Second case, a painting. I must stick a disclaimer that not everyone is able to appreciate a good painting but I'll try with the description. An aquamarine lake shimmers with the crescent moon. The reflection actually looks like a treasure chest full of gold coins. Weeping willows sway in the gentle breeze and appear to beckon you towards their secrets. The contrast of the twinkling stars on the backdrop of bleck velvet are just like diamonds basking in their glory. The picture is completed with a pair of wolves running into the forest. Their vigour and enthusiasm brings out all the regal qualities of these majestic animals and made them worthy creatures of the night. A painting can also give the art lover plenty of joy.
The third case I'll use soccer then. Soccer may be a mindless game of 22 people chasing after a ball for some, but for others it's more than life and death. (see Bill Shankley) Soccer can bring plenty of excitement and satifaction, but it is also equally able to bring sadness and misery. But let's not dwell on this since it's pretty unrelated. Watching how skillful players employ the 'samba' to beat each other, how they are able to manipulate the ball just like an extended limb and more importantly how they are able to call out to the ball so that it acts under their directions, what's not to like about soccer? Soccer lovers can empathize. Need I say more?
In short, what I'm trying to say is that happiness comes in many forms. (though admittedly my examples are pretty one-dimensional) Even the smallest things can bring with it a large amount of happiness. It's hard to quantify happiness but nevertheless there should be a gauge on how happy you are. The key idea is not to let all the unhappy things weigh you down. Life is too short to mull over your failures and disappointments. Seize the moment and experience all the happiness that you want to. Cliches are always useful in this juncture: You only live life once so go LIVE it!!
Okay, this is the end of a rather short post. (actually I do have shorter ones :p) Till next time, may the higher powers bestow their blessing on this fragile world we are living in!
Distant Friends
Have you ever felt like it's difficult to make friends? I do admit I suffer from this affliction as I appear to be hostile and cold on the outside. However, just like the M&M advertisement, I do melt pretty easily on the inside. Once people get to know me, they will find another side of me. The great big problem is how to get past the first step. This step is always the hardest and also the most necessary. Just as much as I would like to make more friends, it is just as hard for me to open up. One reason could be I'm more of an introvert kind of person. I go green with envy at those people who effortlessly go up to strangers and have a conversation with them. There's a place in my heart where I hope to emulate them and be as outgoing. It's omething I'm trying desparately to change even though I know it's not going to be easy. This happens to be part 1 of my entry. Part 2 is probably more important...
Friends are people who you know to certain extents. These extents determine what kind of friend he or she is to you. One group of people who almost always end up as your friends is your classmates. They are the people who you see every day in school. In other words, they could be the group who spend the most time with you. (maybe apart from your family) Friendships would have been established quickly as they share weal and woe with you. They are the support when you feel like giving up; they will be there at the finish line cheering you on; they are the the ones who eat lunch with you at the canteen; they are the ones who you find to have fun with...the list goes on and on. Everyone has positive memories about their classmates. This is also the time when the bonds are the tightest. The problem only comes when everyone graduates. This is the most crucial time in my opinion. If contact is lost at this point, the bridge will fall no matter how stable the foundation was. It breaks my heart that something so special can be easily defeated by a lapse of concentration from both parties. Although it is saddening, it happens more often than I wish. It takes 2 hands to clap and so it does. People deal with graduations differently. Some find it the end of an old life while some treat it like the prologue of a book. Effort is needed to maintain contact with peopl who you care for as well as people who care. Even if it is one-sided, have faith that it can change and be satisfied that at least you have done your part to keep the flame burning.
I have experienced my fair share of disapointments. While I'm no expert at keeping contact, I have resolved to change this. The first step in doing so is to recognize that there's a problem. What comes after that is courage, will and determination. Nil Sine Labore.
Till next time, please give me your support so that I can change for the better. Honesty is the best policy and friends should not lie just because the truth may hurt. The intention to really help is what a true friend should do. :)
Friends are people who you know to certain extents. These extents determine what kind of friend he or she is to you. One group of people who almost always end up as your friends is your classmates. They are the people who you see every day in school. In other words, they could be the group who spend the most time with you. (maybe apart from your family) Friendships would have been established quickly as they share weal and woe with you. They are the support when you feel like giving up; they will be there at the finish line cheering you on; they are the the ones who eat lunch with you at the canteen; they are the ones who you find to have fun with...the list goes on and on. Everyone has positive memories about their classmates. This is also the time when the bonds are the tightest. The problem only comes when everyone graduates. This is the most crucial time in my opinion. If contact is lost at this point, the bridge will fall no matter how stable the foundation was. It breaks my heart that something so special can be easily defeated by a lapse of concentration from both parties. Although it is saddening, it happens more often than I wish. It takes 2 hands to clap and so it does. People deal with graduations differently. Some find it the end of an old life while some treat it like the prologue of a book. Effort is needed to maintain contact with peopl who you care for as well as people who care. Even if it is one-sided, have faith that it can change and be satisfied that at least you have done your part to keep the flame burning.
I have experienced my fair share of disapointments. While I'm no expert at keeping contact, I have resolved to change this. The first step in doing so is to recognize that there's a problem. What comes after that is courage, will and determination. Nil Sine Labore.
Till next time, please give me your support so that I can change for the better. Honesty is the best policy and friends should not lie just because the truth may hurt. The intention to really help is what a true friend should do. :)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Influence
What is this entity that seeks to permeate every corner of our lives? Can it even be classified as a thing? In our lives, there will be instances when people have influenced you or that you have influenced others knowingly or unknowingly. Nevertheless, how powerful is influence?
Let's talk about bad influences first. Most of these bad influences actually come from the people around you. There is definitely a higher possibility of a person taking drugs or smoking if his friends are all doing the same thing. This is popularly known as peer pressure. The person will be goaded into doing illegal things in order to get in his friends' good books. Unfortunately for him, his life was left in tatters the moment he succumbed to the poison apple. Lots of people understimate the power of peer pressure. People who do not have the opportunity to grow up in a nromal family are particularly susceptible to this kind of peer pressure. When there's no one to turn to, when your family doesn't show enough concern over your well-being, when you are at the age of rebellion, the heart is more likely to accept the darkness around. If you do know about people like this, lend a hand. Pull ther person before he drops into the abyss. A new-found friend can do wonders for anybody.
Next up are positive influences. They can come from anybody or anything for that matters. Self-help books are considered positive influences to some extent since they help you become a better person. Teachers are also a very good source of positive influences. They shape character and also play the role model. In fact, they are probably one of the most important people in your life. Teachers is a term I would use loosely. That is because anyone can be a teacher. What does a teacher do? He or she teaches and is the vessel of knowledge transfer. Teachers recount experience so that the student can learn and not repeat the same mistakes that were made. Teachers educate about morals so that the student can decide for himself in the later part of his life what to do and what not to do. Teachers offer possibilities and choices but they do not compel. At least, that is my view on teachers. Beacons of light that shine in the fierce seas, guiding trapped ships to safe harbor. Teachers are really quite similar to lighthouses if you think about it.
So a follow-up question: Is it better to influence or be influenced? Would it be all right to influence others to let then see your point of view? Or is better to listen what others have to say? Life is not about extremes so let me qualify the question. Which option, in your opinion, is more important in your life?
Till next time, when the start sparkle in the sky, the moon hanging in the sky like a medallion, and the clouds forming a picturesque background to the vibrant surroundings.
Let's talk about bad influences first. Most of these bad influences actually come from the people around you. There is definitely a higher possibility of a person taking drugs or smoking if his friends are all doing the same thing. This is popularly known as peer pressure. The person will be goaded into doing illegal things in order to get in his friends' good books. Unfortunately for him, his life was left in tatters the moment he succumbed to the poison apple. Lots of people understimate the power of peer pressure. People who do not have the opportunity to grow up in a nromal family are particularly susceptible to this kind of peer pressure. When there's no one to turn to, when your family doesn't show enough concern over your well-being, when you are at the age of rebellion, the heart is more likely to accept the darkness around. If you do know about people like this, lend a hand. Pull ther person before he drops into the abyss. A new-found friend can do wonders for anybody.
Next up are positive influences. They can come from anybody or anything for that matters. Self-help books are considered positive influences to some extent since they help you become a better person. Teachers are also a very good source of positive influences. They shape character and also play the role model. In fact, they are probably one of the most important people in your life. Teachers is a term I would use loosely. That is because anyone can be a teacher. What does a teacher do? He or she teaches and is the vessel of knowledge transfer. Teachers recount experience so that the student can learn and not repeat the same mistakes that were made. Teachers educate about morals so that the student can decide for himself in the later part of his life what to do and what not to do. Teachers offer possibilities and choices but they do not compel. At least, that is my view on teachers. Beacons of light that shine in the fierce seas, guiding trapped ships to safe harbor. Teachers are really quite similar to lighthouses if you think about it.
So a follow-up question: Is it better to influence or be influenced? Would it be all right to influence others to let then see your point of view? Or is better to listen what others have to say? Life is not about extremes so let me qualify the question. Which option, in your opinion, is more important in your life?
Till next time, when the start sparkle in the sky, the moon hanging in the sky like a medallion, and the clouds forming a picturesque background to the vibrant surroundings.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
First Meetings
First meeting are always happy moments. Sure, there may be awkward moments but eventually they become joyous moments. The sense of excitement that builds up just before meeting someone new, gives a thrill which is not unlike riding a roller-coaster in a theme park. There would be this picture that in your mind that brings out all the positive attributes of the person you are going to meet, a beautiful portrait that would be worth a fortune. There is this sense of knowledge that the person would ake a perfect friend, one that is trustworthy and loyal. He would be prepared to jump through fire for you, offer you comfort when you are sad or depressed, celebrate with you when there's a joyful occasion and basically stand by you through the fiercest storms and cheering you on when faced with challenges. Then you meet the person and you realise that he far exceeded your expectations. Bonds are forged and a new friend is made. First meetings are beautiful and offers boundless opportunities. A chance, a sliver of hope, a breakthorough, I believe in all these things. Friendships all start with the first meeting and so they should be.
Till next time, always believe in the positives of life. May your first meetings always bring you the dreams that come true and the meeting of your guardian angels.
Till next time, always believe in the positives of life. May your first meetings always bring you the dreams that come true and the meeting of your guardian angels.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
El Nino
Yar I know this entry is coming pretty late considering the result has already been announced worldwide. But Spain won the EUROS!!! My prediction (or you can say my biasness) that Spain will emerge victorious came true. Now if only I can strike the Singapore Sweep that would be nice...
Let's talk about the new European Champions. Oozing with confidence, playing with both style and substance yet still finding it in them to dig deep when needed, it would be hard-press for anyone to deny that Spain deserved to win this one. Let's look at the heroes. In goal, we have who many people claim to have the safest pair of hands Casillas. In front of him is the ever-reliable Puyol and the sturdy Machena. On the wing-backs, we have the Man U target Ramos and on the other the bombarding Capdevillea. Protecting the back four is the strong and courageous Senna. The magical trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Silva produced one of the greatest sorceries of all time, weaving in and out, interchanging flanks, producing breathtaking skills and to put it simply, was the major force behind Spain's triumph. In attack we have Kop hero Torres and Euro's Golden Boot David Villa. With such a team of talented individuals playing together in harmony, it is little wonder the result.
Okay, that's enough for this post. Spain for World Cup 2010? The world is waiting with bated breath. :-)
Let's talk about the new European Champions. Oozing with confidence, playing with both style and substance yet still finding it in them to dig deep when needed, it would be hard-press for anyone to deny that Spain deserved to win this one. Let's look at the heroes. In goal, we have who many people claim to have the safest pair of hands Casillas. In front of him is the ever-reliable Puyol and the sturdy Machena. On the wing-backs, we have the Man U target Ramos and on the other the bombarding Capdevillea. Protecting the back four is the strong and courageous Senna. The magical trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Silva produced one of the greatest sorceries of all time, weaving in and out, interchanging flanks, producing breathtaking skills and to put it simply, was the major force behind Spain's triumph. In attack we have Kop hero Torres and Euro's Golden Boot David Villa. With such a team of talented individuals playing together in harmony, it is little wonder the result.
Okay, that's enough for this post. Spain for World Cup 2010? The world is waiting with bated breath. :-)
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