The Lesson

Many years have past since Princess Fiona's college days... One day, she recalled a lesson from Professor Hawkins in her Philosophy class. Professor Hawkins asked the class, "What is your perspective of life? What is it to you?" That spurned an interesting debate and discussion in class. Everyone seems to have something to say on this subject. Princess Fiona gave it some thought and concluded that the question is too difficult to answer. She figured she is still young and have many years to think about what is life to her.

Princess Fiona now, has a better picture on what is her perspective of life. She has lived it enough to witness her lives many ups and downs and it is becoming increasingly clearer to her. Imagine a circle that's filled with career/money/house/car, the material things that influenced the environment we lived in. A bigger circle goes around it that represents the people we interact with, family/friends/lovers/colleagues. Now, an even bigger circle is looped around the 2 smaller circles. What do you think is in the biggest circle of all?

For Princess Fiona, the biggest circle encapsulate the meaning of her life. It signifies feelings and emotions. Feelings stem from emotion and it is a conscious subjective experience of emotion. How then is emotion derived? Environment influences how you feel about certain things, for example money. If you were born in a well to do family, money does not seem to be an issue and is always readily available at your disposable. However, if you were from a poor family, money will be key to your survival.

People around you raises certain emotions in you. It could be anything from friendship, various forms of love, like, dislike, hate, rage, annoyance, curiousity and even feeling nothing is a type of feeling. Perhaps its their behaviour, or their character that causes these emotions in you. All these combined feelings and emotions give you thoughts and make you think because you will feel something about everything. Ultimately, this defines who you are.

Princess Fiona was jokingly told by a friend that she could possibly be one of the most emotional person that her friend has ever known. But of course, her friend was young and may not have experienced as much. Maybe, she is who she is because she has experienced things in life that she would never wished on others.

Rivendell

Has today finally arrived?? Gosh... I barely slept last night. I was so excited I kept looking at the clock wishing it'll turn faster. Today's the day I'm finally going to Rivendell, the college where all reputable princes and princesses go. All 10 pieces of my luggages have been packed and I'm ready to leave Far, Far Away. I got ready in a matter of minutes and skipped to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast.


My mom, the Queen was waiting for me there. She smiled a little tearily and we ate and chatted together. The horn sounded twice, indicating its time for me to go. I walked to the castle entrance together with my mom. My dad and sis was already there waiting for us. The carriages have been loaded and the horses drawn. My dad said, "Take good care of yourself, Fiona. Hold yourself with dignity and make us proud of you. We will await to hear your accomplishments in Rivendell." Tohru just smiled, gave me a kiss and told me to remember to write home, our owls will deliver the letters to her. My mom started to tear and I really couldn't bear to see her cry. I gave her a quick hug and kiss and jumped into the carriage. With a wave goodbye to everyone standing in the courtyard, I'm off!


Fairy godmother was really quite wonderful. She loan me her flying carriage and gave the horses wings. This way, my journey to Rivendell will only take me one fifth of the time! The land of Far, Far Away is now getting smaller and smaller from my viewpoint. Pretty soon, I'm only looking into the clouds and day dreaming about my new life in Rivendell. I'm going to make new friends, learn new things and maybe, just maybe fall in love with the perfect prince. The merest thought brings a dreamy smile to my face.


Sleep crept in and night fell. I awoke to the sound of someone tapping on the carriage door. I have arrived in Rivendell! I quickly got out of the carriage and looked around in wonder. Princes and princesses from all over the world seems to be walking on the castle grounds at this moment. The huge castle loomed at the background. Turrets upon turrets can be seen on top of the castle. The surroundings seem so vast and peaceful. I can't wait to see my own room in the castle. My driver helped me to unload my luggages and the porter was ready to transfer them to my room. My room was in bright sunny yellow with a cheerful feel. Its not as big as my room in my castle but this room feels good and welcoming. I unpacked some of luggages and got ready for the reception dinner.


The dinner was a grand event. Long tables laden with sumptious food just waiting for people to taste them. I mingled into the crowd easily and made some new friends very quickly. I made plans to meet with my new friends the next day to plan our classes timetable together. The timetable was completed and classes begin the day after. I was happy with my new life. I enjoyed all my classes and my friends were great. I was constantly getting to know more people and was learning how to be independent too. My new life became a routine after a while.

The Beginning

Long, long time ago.. in a land called Far, Far Away.. a little baby girl was born to a pair of loving parents. The parents decided to call her Fiona and since they were the rulers of the kingdom, she is thus known to the land as Princess Fiona.


Princess Fiona led a happy childhood. She had everything she could imagined. The most inventive toys, the prettiest dresses, doting parents, the best chocolates and ice-cream, admiring friends and thousands and thousands of books in the library. What more can a little girl ask for?


Over time, she became a little more spoiled than her parents intended. She was demanding of their attention, she wanted more and more attention and started creating tantrums to attract attention. The King and Queen became worried. What happened to their sweet little girl? You see, the King was always busy meeting his courtiers to oversee the Kingdom's affairs while the Queen was constantly with her Ladies-in-waiting tending to the castle and its occupants' needs.


One day, the King and Queen gave Princess Fiona a surprise, "How do you feel about having a little brother or sister?". Princess Fiona sulked. She doesn't want someone to share her parents attention! She wants to be their only special girl. She sulked for days. Her parents tried to make her happier with more toys and books while the Queen was heavily pregnant. Several months later, another princess was born. She is known as Princess Tohru.


Princess Fiona did not welcome the arrival of her new little sister. Princess Tohru was a cute, cheerful and happy baby. Everybody wanted to play with her and no one's paying much attention to Princess Fiona anymore. The Queen sensed Princess Fiona's unhappiness and decided to talk to her, "My dear, you have to start growing up and help us to take care of your little sister. You are her example in life. She's going to look up to you and she will seek your advice throughout your lifetime because you are her elder sister. You must show your love towards her and learn how to be a responsible adult."


Since then, Princess Fiona took more interest in Princess Tohru. She helps the Queen to look after Princess Tohru. She began to accept Princess Tohru in her life and learnt how to care for people besides herself. Life was good for the royal family. Before you know it, Princess Fiona is now ready for college life. This begans the other chapter in her life.