DONE

As of April 28th, year 2010, Wednesday, 3.36pm, I am DONE with my last examination.

Gone are the days of cramming for exams, rushing assignments.

I thought I would be relieved and be light as a bird, floating into the sky.

I didn't. Perhaps the law of physics has grounded me.

I actually feel kinda empty inside.

It's always the anticipation and tensions before an exam that makes post-exam period seems like a paradise, the nirvana, the oasis, the ultimate state of being (for me at least).

What you get is rarely what you thought it was.

I am absolutely astounded by the power of imagination, fantasy and expectations - the last "hope" that Pandora released, thousands of years ago.

Okay, brace yourself, for REALITY, and the true warmth, the chilly breeze, the noisy chatter from dramas, and all the music in life.

The ride is just about to begin. *aaaahhhhhh* *taking the plunge from my roller coaster*

须交有道之人,莫结无义之友。饮清静之茶，莫贪花色之酒。

开方便之门，闲是非之口。多门之室生风，多言之人生祸。

莫妒他长，妒长，则己终是短。莫护己短，护短，则己终不长。

做事不必与俗同，亦不宜与俗异。做事不必令人喜，亦不可令人憎。

Celebrating Graduation

The gang of charades, potluck, UNO, bubble island, ping pong, and tons of memories, frozen in one glamorous moment.

After the Storm

Conflicts + arguments + debates + excuses + justifications + discussions = A dedicated effort to communicate one's ideas through verbal means.

I truly hope that no one took the short communication lesson to a personal level.

Well, like the Chinese proverbs say, the more people argue, the closer their bonds will be.

Besides, I don't think anyone will fight with anyone or over anything they don't care about.

The 100/0 Principle in relationships, by Al Ritter

The 100/0 Principle: You take full responsibility (the 100) for the relationship, expecting nothing (the 0) in return.

STEP 1 - Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not.

STEP 2 - Do not expect anything in return. Zero, zip, nada.

STEP 3 - Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying!) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait.

STEP 4 - Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

Avoid Knower statements/ thoughts like "that won't work," "I'm right, you are wrong," "I know it and you don't," "I'll teach you," "that's just the way it is," "I need to tell you what I know," etc.

Instead use Learner statements/thoughts like "Let me find out what is going on and try to understand the situation," "I could be wrong," "I wonder if there is anything of value here," "I wonder if..." etc. In other words, as a Learner, be curious!

Principle Paradox

This may strike you as strange, but here's the paradox: When you take authentic responsibility for a relationship, more often than not the other person quickly chooses to take responsibility as well. Consequently, the 100/0 relationship quickly transforms into something approaching 100/100.