(1) I'm sorry, (2) It was my fault, and (3) How do I make it right?
Very often, people miss out (3). (3) brings out the sincerity in the apology.
Some people even miss out (2). The apology then becomes superficial, or what we call in Chinese, 敷衍.
A good promise, in my opinion, also has three parts.
(1) I promise ... ... (and mean it), (2) Actually remembering and completing the promise, and (3) If, for some unforeseen circumstances, you cannot complete the promise, apologise (for good apologies, see above) and offer an alternative.
An if you are unable to do the above, then please refrain from making any promises. The greater the expectations, the bigger the disappointment. It's cruelty to bring others to the high grounds of hope and let them fall flat on their face.
2008 has breezed past without even me realising much. Like last year, I'm going to do a summary of my year! But first, let's see if I've done what I set out to do last year...
1. Remain optimistic
Well, I guess it wasn't that hard. :)
2. Continue giving more than 100% in the things I do
Similarly, I guess this have to do with personality. Like they say, a leopard never change its spots. This is natural. :D
3. Take initiative to do things that I want
Hm... I probably didn't do that much on this, since there wasn't a lot that I wanted?
4. Keep my temper under check, especially towards people I love
Ha, quite a good job for the first 6 months, 'cos I was away. :X Maybe I should keep my mood under check instead.
5. Read more
I finished a few short stories book, in Chinese. But I guess I really didn't try hard enough for this... Unless, of course, if you count journals.
6. Speak good words, do good actions, cultivate good thoughts
Actions, okay. But I think I scolded more of the f word this year. More so than ever.
7. Be generous with my love and spread the goodwill
Wah, I am generous, but I think I showered them on a few people only! :P
And for the list of major things I did in 2008...
1. I left Singapore for 6 months. 6 months alone in China, Shanghai. It was indeed changing and eye-opening!
2. I experienced an earthquake! Although it was supposed to be a major disaster for the people of Sichuan, but the tremors felt over in Shanghai was enough only to excite and let us experience our first (and hopefully, only and last) earthquake.
3. I saw SNOW! Need I say more?
4. I lost my Ah Gong. :( But he gave me the power to do much more.
5. I learnt to treasure those around me more than ever. The 6 months absence and the loss of my loved one made me care more about those who really matters. Others? They can step aside till I have the time and energy for them.
6. I became a "counsellor". Though I was not involved per se, I was stuck like kaya/jam/melted cheese. Terrible times... >.<>
7. I have wonderful FYP mates! ^^
8. I found someone special! >.<
Overall, the year has been enriching. Life is about winning some and losing others. You gain something, but you also lose something else.
And the wishes for 2009? I don't know! I seem to fare quite badly at coming up with resolutions and wishes. They are too 'practical' and will almost 100% achieved!
On second thoughts, my first big wish will be to get a dream job (and hopefully, with a dream pay too)!
It may stem way back from childhood when we read about princesses and princes living happily ever after.
It may also be due to those pretty dresses that we were made to wear.
It may probably be explained by the little girl in us that calls and craves for "special treatment" and tender loving care.
Whatever the reason, all girls want to be treated like a princess by at least someone.
When she was young, that "someone" will be her dad. Little girls are always the princesses in their daddies' hearts.
Fetching her around, making sure she have enough to eat, bringing her to the beach to play and piggy-backing her to the doctor when she's sick/injured... All these little things show that she's the princess in his heart, that he will never turn her back on her, that he will always love her.
And when the girl grows up, someone else wants to take over that role. Fetch her around, make her happy, take care of her...
But sometimes that person forgets.
Afterall, who can be as selfless as one's parents?
1. Sleeping in without setting an alarm 2. Breakfast (contradicting, I know) 3. Having the radio play one of your favourite songs 4. Having many favourite songs so the chances of the radio playing one of them is higher 5. Mousehunt-ing (it's an application on Facebook and it's ADDICTIVE!)
We hear promises of tax cuts, interest rates reduction and more, but such actions (some to the extent of drastic, I would say, for certain economy type) may make things worse. Perhaps, the best economic plan now is to address the confidence issue.
The question is, how?
Where did you get your news from? Newspapers? Television newscasts? Online?
Perhaps it's time for some 'developmental media' to work it's magic together with the governments all over the world.
That, of course, is based on the assumption that most of us are vulnerable to media influences. :)