Be a HOST

Having talked so much about the idea of being a HOST (Happy, Optimistic, Serene and Thankful) in class, I'm starting to be a real host now. This afternoon before our HC class began, I joined a small meeting about the promotion month of HC in May. I've signed up for a member of the cabinet of this meaningful activity and have been selected. My job will be organizing a sharing session with Year 1 students on May, 7th.

With quite a lot of things to do at hand, I still consider this activity a valuable chance to get more experience of coordinating and team-working. Cathy and I are going to select some photos of HC students and design a banner with the help of James. Besides, we need to make arrangements for the run-down of the sharing session and design as many interesting activities as possible.

I've hosted some in-class activities in my high school, but none were as big and formal as this one. It is a challenge, and I enjoy challenging myself! I'm looking forward to May! ^^

Let's go travelling in SPRING!

I'm happiest at this time of every year, because it's spring now! Since I was very young, it has become my habit to go out into the nature in spring, and this year I went farther. First let me show you some pictures. Can you guess where I was?

If your answer is Japan, I'd be extremely happy, since you've been taken in by these beautiful flowers which are famous in Japan. But I was not in Japan, instead, I went to Wuhan, a province in centural China. Acturally these pictures were taken in the University of Wuhan, and the flower trees were gifts from Japan from decades ago. Each year at the end of March, the University of Wuhan welcomes tourists from all over China, and even from all around the world.

I was lucky that I have a high school friend in that university, and she was really an excellent tour guide! Besides visiting her campus, she also took me to taste all kinds of delicious food of Wuhan. Below are pictures taken in a street selling those special food and snacks---they were really yummy!

This is my first time to travel to another city all by myself. From booking the air tickets to arrange my schedule with my friend, I've gained lots of experiences from this trip. If I can be given another opportunity to travel alone, I won't be afraid any more!

Holidays are always short. After this wonderful trip, I'm back to my projects and exams agian. Wish me good luck in all of them!

Upcoming BBQ!!!

During my coaching session with Dr. Udani, I was assigned the job to organize the next outdoor activity of HC---BBQ at Coloane! Although I've never organize a BBQ before, I'm confident that with the help of the other five co-organizers, we can accomplish this task successfully---and it will be a lot of FUN!

My next step is to decide on the date and contact a BBQ shop to reserve our food. Thankfully, Jackon said there was such a shop near his home! We would also need to design some team-building activities and interesting games, so that everyone will have a wonderful time eating and playing :)

I've been to several BBQs since I came to Macau, and here I'd like to share with you some of my pictures. Hope I can see the whole class at our next BBQ!

An Enriching Lunch Break

Today, Happy and I had a nice lunch with Dr. Udani---the food was nutritional, and our conversation was more nutritional. We first talked about our summer plans, as both Happy and I are going on the summer exchange programs. Compared to regular academic study, we found that joining summer schools is more about experiencing and having a taste of different cultures. As I'm going to France, hopefully I can get to know more about European culture, and I know I will.

Then we focused mainly on our personal growth in HC. However, when asked about what significant improvements I have made from last September, I couldn't come up with a ready answer at once. Yes, I have made improvements, but in which aspect? Finally I got my idea. I said that since the concept of "leadership" has been instilled in my mind, I'm now more spotaneous to take a leading role when holding an activity or doing a group project. That's true. Actually I've never imagined I would take a leadership course in university, but now I know it's not impossible for anyone to be a leader, only if he/she puts his/her heart in it.

We also talked about our friends in HC, our personal purposes, and what we can do to help those who are in need. I think personal coaching sessions are very effective, since we can share more and dig deeper into our mind. Besides, I can feel I'm an important part of the HC. My progress and my help really count!

Looking forward to my next coaching session! ^^

Hot Pot on a Hot Day

For me, who is from northern China, hot pot is always held in the freezing winter. However, here in Macau, hot pot can be held at any time of the year! Tonight the HC students and our professor Udani had a wonderful time at 乾坤阁，a small but cozy restaurant for hot pots.

To our surprise, some Year 1 students also joined us, and I was sitting next to Tiffany, a lovely girl who was very interested in the Honours College. In our conversations, I explained to her what we are learning now, how to apply for the HC, and what to prepare for the interview, etc. It made me feel good to be looked up to, but meanwhile I could sense the weight upon my shoulders. I think this may be the very situation of leaders. To achieve a distinguished level, they must have put in great efforts. But it will never be the end of the story when they have reached this position, since they are looked up and motivated by all their subordinates, who may not be so kind to tolerate any of their mistakes.

Sorry I've gone too far from the Hot Pot...When a string of thoughts are formed in my mind, I can seldom stop myself from writing them down.

Tonight's dinner reached its climax when Udani made his address for toast. Every glass was raised, every good wish was exchanged, and everyone's face had been flashed by the cameras.

Cheers!!!

have you got a SEAT?

Today's leadership class began with an interesting discussion about SEAT. What's the big deal of a seat? Well, the "seat" we were talking about could not be so simple; instead, it stands for four important elements of a good leader.

S---Skill
E---Experience

A---Attitude

T---Talent

Now you know what it is, don't you? In my opinion, except for "talent", the other three can all be obtained through trial and error. Among them, I think "attitude" serves as the foundation, just like the saying goes, "Attitude determines your altitude." If I have a positive and right attitude when faced with difficult tasks, I may not get too upset and I can acquire valuable skills as well as experience from the process. Talent? I'm afraid I'm not a leader in nature; however, it doesn't mean I can never become one. Although I seldom play dominant roles, I'm friendly, patient, and helping, which I think may assist me in many ways. Next time when I ask you if you have got a seat, think twice before answering me, haha~~

I've noticed that in each class, our professor would ask us to communicate with others as much as possible. Sometimes we exchanged words of encouragements, sometimes we shared our happiness, and this time every one of us told the whole class what we need from the others. Everybody's need was somewhat different, but what I heard most often were "love", "support" and "encouragement". This is true. I think what distinguishes human beings from other animals is that we have spiritual desires. Especially when it comes to the relationship with peer classmates, the most precious gift they can give me is their support and their confidence in me. After I said this, my classmates gave me a warm applause, which proved their great confidence
in the girl called Christine.

Speaking up makes me feel sooooo good! It may seem a bit intimidating at first, but after you conquer this barrier and make your voiced heard, even the sky will become bluer.

Mar.10th class reflections

Every HC class is a trip of the soul, and yesterday was no exception.

First of all, I got to know the definition of "servant leader"---in short, a leader who is always willing to serve others. In this material world, I have to admit, many leaders have forgotten their role as servants. To them, leader may be an equivalence of status, wealth, etc. However, these rewards should be built on their service, their helping hearts, and their sacrifice for the well-being of their subordinates.

Fortunately, such leaders have not extinct yet. When asked about specific examples, the first that came to my mind was the past Chinese Premier Zhou En Lai, who was working in the same period with Chairman Mao. I believe he is the role model of a vast number of Chinese people, because he really made enormous sacrifice for the future of China. As a Premier, his life was incredibly simple; having adopted many children, he didn't have his own child; he didn't live a very long life, but his death was mourned nationwide. He achieved these not only becasue he has the "charisma", but he could whole-heartedly serve his people.

Around me, there are also such models. They are there guiding me to be a leader as well as a servant in the future.

Another touching moment in yesterday's class was the playing of a video about poverty. It made a heartbroken contrast between the extravagant life we are living and the impoverished life some other people are struggling with. Following the journey of a bag of "rubbish" from the KFC, we learnt how unfair the world is to some people, and how blessed we are.

As I shared with my classmates afterwards, I noticed that the poor family was smiling from the beginning to the end. From their smile, I can see bravery, hope, and faith. Then think about myself---how often do I lose them? How guity I am to live a life of such abundance? Just as one sentence from the background music said, "someone's launghter brings us to tears".

There's always so much to be thankful for...

Do It Anyway

Inspired, really inspired!

I’m talking about an inspiring piece of writing by Dr. Kent M. Keith---The Paradoxical Commandments. I met it in my HC class this afternoon, and I fell in love with it at the first glimpse.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway…

With “anyway” at the end of each line, I can say that no one with a less loving heart as this author could ever compose such a thought-provoking writing. Not only is “love” an essential part of being able to “do it anyway”, courage is also required so that we won’t be easily swayed by what other people say.

I feel very much inspired mainly because this article can be a valuable advice for me. I tend to think too much when it’s not necessary, or worry about things that are not even going to happen. At such times, it’s not the task that is intimidating me, but my own mind. If I can be like this author, believing in my decision and my creed of life, I will save much time and trouble trying to satisfy everyone else.

In today’s class, we were also asked to share a best piece of advice given to us. I chose “To be yourself”, which was given by my mother and my high school English teacher. It may sound cliché to the others, but it means so much to me. When I’m trapped in a dilemma whether to follow my belief or to “float with the wave”, I remind myself of the advice again and again, until I can see clearly what I want.

I’m not saying that shutting my eyes and ears will be helpful. For most of the time, listening to other people’s ideas and suggestions makes one reflect, and one may be enlightened by a piece of good advice like myself. Therefore, it’s not wrong to listen. It’s wrong to blindly follow everything you hear.

No one is liked by every creature in the world. If we are always trying to meet others’ satisfaction, we won’t meet our own, because we must have already forgotten who we are.

Will my peers agree with me? What will they think about my writing? Shall I post this in my blog???

Yes, I’ve heard your answer---post it ANYWAY!