Friendships Friends are very important in our lives.

Friendships are easily formed when we are young and do not demand too much out of it. According to studies and research, humans tend to form highest number of friendships at kindergarten and primary level. However, one tends to have less friends as one grows older and wiser. This is because we realize there are good friends and bad ones. The saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed is very apt in this scenario because good friends are those who are reliable and trustworthy. at a younger age, our demands are not too high regarding friendships as we rely mostly on our parents, siblings and relatives for important things. The friends we formed at this age are merely considered playmates rather than companions and confidants. Thus, our expectations of them are not high. ore serious friendships are formed when one enters puberty and achieves certain level of maturity. the latter allows one to forge fellowship with those who share the same interests, passion as well as similar moral and religious values. Thus, it is not surprising to observe that in some Asian country, mature students at the upper secondary level have friends of the same ethnic and religious backgrounds. At the university level, it is even more apparent. !ven the inistry of education has voiced concern over this phenomenon where polarization is prominent. The "ndians, #hinese and alays hardly mix with each other and are seen usually in the company of their own kind. $ne of the main reasons for polarization among university students is that as they reach a certain level of maturity, common binding factors such as religion, customs and traditions play important role in selection of friends or mates. "n addition, since ma%ority of these students come from rural backgrounds where there is not much cultural interchange, they feel rather awkward to forge friendships with students of other races. However, this does not mean the students are racist or suffer from superiority complex. Thus, the university should introduce more programs that allow cultural and religious mixing and understanding of the other. &.The 'ational (allery dominates )ondon*s Trafalgar +,uare with its neo-classical columns and portico designed by .illiam .ilkins ad%oining the s,uare where it has been pedestrianised. +ome of the finest examples of !uropean art, ranging from /&01 to /211, are included among the &311 paintings filling its halls and rooms. Holbein*s *The Ambassadors*, *The Hay .ain* by #onstable, and 4an 5an !yck*s *Arnolfini arriage* are %ust some of the ma%or attractions. .orks on display also include those of 6otticelli, onet, #onstable, 5an (ogh and 7embrandt. This really is the place to come for top ,uality artwork spanning a wide spectrum of styles and periods. From the !arly 7enaissance to the 8ost"mpressionists, every significant stage in the development of painting is represented in its collection, often by masterpieces. $riginally established by 8arliament in /9&:, the collection belongs to the 6ritish public and every effort is made to encourage the public to visit, view and experience the art; free entry, free events, free talks and free tours support this ethos of encouragement and enthusiasm. 7egular activities include; audio tours, guided tours, sessions for visitors with a visual impairment, lunchtime talks, live music and late night openings on Fridays.

+omerset House, once the site of a spectacular Tudor palace, now includes a magnificent /9th century art gallery housing celebrated collections belonging to the #ourtauld "nstitute (allery, as well as the !mbankment (alleries <which replaced the Hermitage 7ooms and The (ilbert #ollection - the latter reopened at the 5ictoria and Albert useum in 4une &112=. !dward +eymour, >uke of +omerset and )ord 8rotector of !dward 5", built the great mansion on the banks of the river to match his new-found status and rank. Following the >uke*s execution for treason in /??&, the house passed onto @ueen !lizabeth " and then Anne of >enmark and 'orway - wife of 4ames " - who christened it *>enmark House*. #harles "*s @ueen, Henrietta aria of France, was the next royal occupant. Having lived through the #ivil .ar, the (reat Fire, various refurbishments and other regal guests including @ueen #atherine of 6raganza, the palace fell into disrepair in the /A11s and was eventually demolished. +ir .illiam #hambers was commissioned to design a replacement building whose purpose was to house various learned societies of the day. The current building still looks and feels like a palace with its great courtyard and elegant fountains, riverside terrace and magnificent collection of art and sculpture. "t*s easy to imagine a time when kings, ,ueens and courtiers graced its grounds. odern-day concerts now held in the courtyard echo the dramatic and musical mas,ue entertainments popular during the reign of Anne of >enmark. .hile visitors have to pay to view the main galleries, admission to the courtyard, riverside terrace, restored +eamen*s Hall, 'elson +tair, interpretation gallery and /9th century #ommissioner*s 6arge are all free. 3.Have you ever noticed that successful people who have their lives in order are also more active, involved, and generous with charity, church, and volunteer organizationsB They find time to make giving a top priority in their lives. The fact is your success is an outcome of how much you do for others. Cour deeds have lasting impact, not your stuff, power, position or busy schedule. +uccessful people make more time to serve others. 6ecoming a success is directly proportional to what you give. "tDs a fine lineEsome people give to getEbut that wonDt work for most. .hat you get is a 7!+F)T of what you giveG " receive an overwhelming return on my investment every time " give my time, talent, and money. (iving is the outward expression of your inner commitment, character, and dedication. There is a direct conduit between your heart and your wallet. A banker once told me that the first line he looks at on a loan applicantDs tax return is Hcontributions.I He tells me he can usually %udge a personDs true integrity and sincerity by looking at that one single entry. 8eople who donate money generously and on a regular basis can be trusted. 8eople who donDt find time or money to give to others are self centered and canDt get everything in life they want. 8eople who donDt give are the only ones who complain about giving. (ive giving a try. " guarantee you will get more in return than you ever give. Albert !instein said, H$nly a life lived for others is worthwhile.I " built my business with the slogan; H>o a good %ob for the customer and the money will come.I 8utting others first always works in both business and life. +o go out and give, get, and en%oy what youDve gotG