Parents and Tough Love

If people don't applaud you for every single thing you do, it doesn't mean you've done a bad job. It simply means that they have high expectations of you, they think you are capable. Words are just words, but the feeling inside us knowing that we're onto a good thing, that's what makes my gut peaceful and puts a smile on my face :)

Thing is, we all like affirmation. When I was little, I always wanted affirmation from my parents, but they never gave it to me that easily.

• I remember topping the class in primary school only to be told: "That's expected of you."
• I remember topping my Mandarin studies two years in a row in the final years of our studies only to be told: "This is your cultural duty."
• I remember getting first place at an art competition in high school only to be told: "Was there no one else who entered this competition?"
• I remember getting the "Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award" in grade 12 at the graduation ceremony only to have my dad say: "Maybe it's because I donated quite a bit towards the building fund." (Dad, these two things are administered by two complete separate departments! And also, no offence, but your donations have got nothing on what the other rich kid families are giving. I can dish out tough love back to them too.)
• I remember being promoted from one of my first part-time jobs within 4 months as an 18 year old only for them to say: "Oh okay."
• I remember getting a Faculty Award in second year for Architecture, they said: "Wow, what a pretty piece of paper." 

I could ramble on and list so many other things but there is no point. My parents wanted me to learn how to be content with myself rather than deriving happiness from other people. It really sucked as a kid but I'm really thankful for that. Because I feel it now, even though no one has praised me or patted me on the back for the things I've done, I'm still very happy. This week, I've managed to score quite a few interviews and opportunities. Two within architecture (omg! In this economic climate, you'd be laughing if they'd even RESPOND with a rejection letter!), one of which is a prominant three-surnamed firm. I've also scored an internship with a small start-up company called ANTV doing work within production as a show host/MC as well as assisting them with events organisation. I've also been screened and invited along to a recruitment day to be a flight attendent (company name purposely omitted). None of these I have told my parents yet (admittedly, I also haven't had the time to call them during this time of the semester), but I can probably guess that they will simply respond by saying: "Have you eaten yet?"