SPECIAL SONG FOR MY FRIENDS

CONCLUSIONS

Friendships are an important part of life, but many of us find it difficult to find, make or keep friends. Life events, such as moving to another neighbourhood, starting a job or having a baby, can isolate us from our former support group and make forging new friendships more important than ever. In other cases, shyness or poor social skills can prevent us from taking the first step in forming a friendship.

HOW TO MAKE A NEW FRIENDS?

1. Show up. Just as Woody Allen said that “Eighty percent of success is showing up,” a big part of friendship is showing up. Whenever you have the chance to see other people, take it. Go to the party. Stop by someone’s desk. Make the effort.

Also, the mere exposure effect describes the fact that repeated exposure makes you like someone better – and makes that person like you better, too. You’re much more likely to become friends with someone if you see him or her often. I’ve seen this happen over and over in my life. I’ve become close to unlikely people, just because circumstances put us in constant contact.

2. Join a group. Being part of a natural group, where you have common interests and are brought together automatically, is the easiest way to make friends: starting a new job, taking a class, having a baby, joining a congregation, or moving to a new neighborhood are great opportunities to join a group. If those situations aren’t an option, try to find a different group to join. Get a dog, for example. Or pursue a hobby more seriously. An added advantage to making friends through a group is that you can strengthen your friendships to several people at once -- very helpful if you don't have a lot of free time.

3. Form a group. If you can’t find an existing group to join, start a group based around something that interests you. My children's literature reading groups – (yes, now I’ve helped start TWO of these groups -- the first one became so large that we had to close it to new members) are among the top joys of my life. Studies show that each common interest between people boosts the chances of a lasting relationship, and also brings about a 2% increase in life satisfaction, but I’m confident that my kidlit groups have given me a lift in life satisfaction much higher than two percent. Movies, wine, cheese, pets, marathon-training, a language, a worthy cause…I know people in all these sorts of groups.

4. Say nice things about other people. It’s a kind way to behave; also, studies show that because of the psychological phenomenon of spontaneous trait transference, people unintentionally transfer to you the traits you ascribe to other people. So if you tell Jean that Pat is arrogant, unconsciously Jean associates that quality with you. On the other hand, if you say that Pat is hilarious, you’ll be linked to that quality.

5. Set a target. This strategy sounds very calculating, but it has really worked for me. When I enter a situation where I meet a new set of people, I set myself the goal of making three new friends. This seems artificial, but somehow, this shift makes me behave differently, it makes me more open to people, it prompts me to make the effort to say more than a perfunctory hello.

6. Make an effort to smile. Big surprise, studies show that the amount of time you smile during a conversation has a direct effect on how friendly you’re perceived to be. In fact, people who can’t smile due to facial paralysis have trouble with relationships.

7. Make friends with friends-of-friends. “Triadic closure” is the term for the fact that people tend to befriend the friends of their friends. So friends-of-friends is an excellent place to start if you’re trying to expand your circle.

with love :

Nor 'Ashikin Bt Mohad Dom ( A 128838 )

Seetha A / P Supermaniam ( A 128601 )

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY

August 2 is International Friendship Day for 2010, time to recognise your friends and their contribution to your life. Friendship helps to bring peace and positivity to the globe - a great reason to celebrate!

Friendship Day occours on the second thursday of August - only once a year - so make the most of it! :) Friends come in many shapes, sizes and guises: school friends, work colleagues, siblings, partners, parents, pets and neighbours. Pull out all the stops and
let your friends know they are truly appreciated!

Celebration Ideas Need some suggestions on how to celebrate Friendship Day and show your friends they are special? Read on below for some suggestions and links... Write a nice card for your friend telling them how much you appreciate their friendship. Spill out your heart to them as though there is no tomorrow. Buy or make them a small present - flowers, chocolates, friendship bands, a cake, a dreamcatcher, friendship journal or anything that catches your imagination! Consider leaving the gift anonymously for added intrigue! Hug someone, preferably your friend! Make a point to call every one of your friends on Friendship Day to let them know you care. POSTED BY : Nor ' Ashikin bt Mohad Dom ( A 128838 ) Seetha A / P Supermaniam ( A 128601 )

Top 10 Friendship Songs

Friendship has been precious to the people who understand its value. Friendship is a very pure relationship; it is a love of different kind. It is the feeling of someone being there if you need them. This true feeling of friendship is celebrated through many songs. Many famous writers and singers have created many heart warming songs. Not that all the songs have happy notes but these friendship songs convey all kinds of feelings. There are sad songs, happy songs, songs about betrayed friendship or songs about lost friends.

These songs have given the meaning to true friendships very melodiously. These songs are sung across generations and have become all time favorite to all. The lyrics of these songs create magical effects on the minds of the listeners. Another interesting fact about these songs is they leave long lasting impression on old as well as young people.

You can gather all of these songs in CD and gift it your friend. Whenever your friend listen it, he will instantly bond with you. It will help strengthen relationship between and your friend.

We have assembled a list of ten most popular friendship songs.
These are popular all over the world.

1. You've Got A Friend By James Taylor
2. That's What Friends Are For By Dionne Warwick & Friends
3. Lean On Me By Micheal Bolton
4. With A Little Help From My Friends By Sam & Mark
5. Friends Never Say Goodbye By Elton John
6. I Turn To You By Christina Aguilera
7. I'll Be There For You By Backstreet Boys
8. Ben By Michael Jackson
9. The Wind Beneath My Wings By Bette Midler
10. Thank You For Being A Friend By Golden Girls Parody

Hope u' ll love it....^^

by,
Kwan Yoke Teng (A 127422)
Chen Hsien Nee (A 127923)

Inspirational Friendship Story -- The Old Man and His Dog

Do you love dogs? If you do then this story is perfect for you, A touching inspirational friendship story about friendship. A must read for any dog lover!

An old man and his dog were walking down a dirt road with fences on either side. The country they were traveling through was strange to them and a little unsettling.

On both the left and right the man saw a magnificent panorama of fields, streams, hills and valleys - just the sort of country a man and his dog can only dream of - but all long the fences on either side large "NO REPASSING - KEEP OUT" signs were posted every few feet, so they walked on.

Soon the two companions came to a magnificent gate chased with gold and crusted with precious stones. An imposing figure in a flowing robe of the purest white stood there beside it.

"Welcome to Heaven" the man in the robe said.

The old man was stunned beyond words. He hadn't even realized that he was dead! At least, he thought, his hound, the closest friend he had in all the world, had made the trip with him. With a sigh and a smile, the old man started through the gate with his dog at his side, but the gatekeeper stopped him.

"Dogs aren't allowed." he said. "I'm sorry but he can't come in here with you. He'll have to stay out on the road."

"What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs?" asked the old man. "If he can't come in, then I won't either. I'll just stay out here with him. He's been my friend all his life. I can't walk away from him now."

"Suit yourself," said the robed figure, "but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his place. He'll promise you anything to get you inside, but the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road. There's no room in Heaven or in Hell for a man's dog."

So the old man and his dog went on their way.

In time, they came to a rundown fence with a gap in it - no gate, just a hole where a few boards had fallen off or been removed. Another old man, humble in appearance, was fishing in a pond just inside the fence. The man and his dog stopped at the gap.

"Excuse me, Sir", the old man said. "My dog and I have been on this road for a long time now. We're getting mighty tired. Mind if we come in and sit for a spell?"

"Of course!" said the man inside the fence. "Come right on through.

There's some cold water under that tree over there. He gestured toward a huge old oak tree with majestically spreading branches. At it's roots bubbling spring rose, cool and refreshing. "Make yourselves comfortable. You're welcome to stay as long as you please."

"You're sure my dog can come in, now?" the old man asked. "The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere around here."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?" asked the fisherman.

"No sir, I would not!" the old man replied. "That's why I didn't go to Heaven back down the road.

The man there said my dog couldn't come in with me." He shrugged and continued. "We'll be spending Eternity on this road, I suppose, just the two of us. A glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now, but I won't come in if it means my friend here has to wait on the road."

The man behind the fence smiled a big smile and said, "Welcome to Heaven, friend."

"Hold on, now! You mean THIS is Heaven?" asked the old man, quite surprised.

"Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road told me different?"

"That was the Devil back there." St. Peter replied, for indeed, the old, ordinary seeming man behind the fence was none other. "He gets all the people who are willing to give up a lifelong companion for a little comfort. They soon find out their mistake, but by then it's too late."

"The dogs can still come in here," he continued, " but the selfish people stay back there. God wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, He created them to be man's companions in life, how could he separate them in death?"

A smile that went from ear to ear broke out on the old man's face. He reached down to his side, ruffled the fur on his dog's head and said, "C'mon, boy!" And with that, the two of them passed through to the other side of the fence.

The two of them walked up the gentle rise to where the shade of the oak and the cool water from the spring awaited their coming.

inspired by,

Earl Hammer
The Twillight Zone

posted by,
Kwan Yoke Teng (A127422)
Chen Hsien Nee (A127923)

HOW TO BE A TRUE FRIENDS?

1. Think of what you have been through. Make sure you won't make the same mistake to another, as someone already did to you. You are not perfect or their fairy godmother; try your best to be the true friend everyone should be.

2. Don't pressure them into doing things that are potentially to the person. Everyone feels pressured at some point, but make sure that you're not the one persuading a friend into doing bad things. Have each other's back.

3. Stick with them no matter what the situation. When they are down, cheer them up. If they are having problems at home, stay with them or invite them to stay at your house. Listen when they have problems and show them that you'll stay with them through it all.

4. Be yourself. Don't pretend to be someone you are not. Don't act like you're the top dog of an important friendship. Treat each other equally.

5. Understand when a friendship just doesn't work out. No one likes to see a friendship go down the drain, but sometimes feelings get hurt beyond repair. Do what you can to make things easy, but realise that not every relationship lasts forever.

6. Listen. It's important to know that if you need to vent, someone's willing to listen to what you have to say.

7. Help one another to be the best that each can be. Encourage a friend to do the right thing. Give them the best possible advice.

8. Learn from one another's mistakes. Mistakes help us to improve ourselves, and they give us the wisdom we need. Teach a friend from your own experiences and learn from his/hers. Nobody needs to make all the wrong choices themselves in order to learn.

So, guys...how you all find and try to be a true friend?

Posted by :
Nor 'Ashikin Bt Mohad Dom (A128838)
Seetha a/p Supermaniam (A128601)