Journal Writing 2 - Shafiqah Nurul

This week's topic is on your view on friendship. Take a moment to reflect and think thoroughly before you write. There are 3 parts, so do be sure you answer all!

Part One

Who are your best friends in life?
My best friends are usually people I enjoy being with, and people who I can interact with very well. I have a best friend since 10, and we are still together and best friends until now. Although she is not in the same secondary school as me, we always talk in the phone and chat using the Internet. We always get trouble after communicating for so long XD My best friends in secondary school are very complicated. It is not that I don't have any, but I do not know who are my best friends, and who are not. Basically, everyone who I hang out with most of the time can be considered my best friend =).

Are they of the same race as you?
Some are the same race as me and some are not. Race does not mean you are mean, envious or happy. What is more important is your character and who you are inside. Your skin colour certainly does not mean you're more of a straightforward person, or any of your character. Same goes for your race. Character shines through more than what you look like. I do not have any liking in any race, I believe every race has different types of people and thus different character. ^^

If they are, why so?
I agree that having the same race means you get to communicate better, but it does not mean the relationship you have with that person is better because of your race. That is being very bias and an obvious racist act.

Part Two

Rank the following factors on their importance in your friendship with a person. 1 being most important, 5 being least. After each choice, give a brief explanation of how the factor is important.

gender - 3
Gender is indeed very important as you cannot talk to boys about good looking guys and about your crush. It's pretty much in the middle because sometimes relationships can work with a person with an opposite gender, but sometimes things don't work. It depends on their perspective of the situation.

age - 4
Age is also important as it gives better communication. Although it is not the most important characteristic in someone, age is quite an important matter. Age similarity has a lot of advantages. You can understand the person a lot better and will have no difficulties opening up to that person whereas is there's an age gap, you may feel a bit uncomfortable.

race - 1
Race is the least important criteria because your race does not mean anything other than your mother tongue language or how you look like. In my opinion, race sometimes bring very troublesome issues such as racism. We should not see someone with their race, but instead who they are. In other words, character.

character - 5
Character really brings out the person in you. Character is certainly most important because if your character is such as being insensitive and cruel, no one will want to be your friend and will be hated by many. You should learn to care for other's feelings and be fair to everyone, hence having a good character. A good character is essential for making friends and getting a job. No one will want to hire a bad-character person.

circumstances (eg. classmate, groupmate, cca-mate) - 2
I think circumstances is not important as now you have high technological devices such as handphones, online chatting and emails. Even though your friend is miles or countries away from you, you can still communicate with that person easily. Although circumstances is not such an important criteria, it certainly makes things easier for the relationship to grow because it is very easy to communicate and you do not have to switch the internet connection on to talk, you could just approach the person for a talk.

Part Three

Do you think Racial Harmony Day has served its purpose?
I think Racial Harmony Day has served its purpose as it reminds others about all the races that is living in the same country as you. Racial Harmony Day also reminds you to appreciate other's races and cultures. Racial Harmony Day definitely tells me other races and cultures are as nice ad mine, and I should try having a day in their culture =)

~pUnkrOckIngEEk~

what a long journal xD