To look life in the face

I have a Waterman ballpoint pen and a matching fountain pen. They were gifts for my 22nd birthday from my biology coursemates. The fountain pen hasn't been put to use, for I have yet to fill it with ink. The ballpoint pen, though, I have brought around with me sometimes. I do remember there being some debate when it was bought, if the engraving should read 'Xiao' or 'Xiaoyun'. And as usual, the nostalgic me says, 'Xiao' is fine, it reminds me of you all. I think I am starting to miss London.

Will one feel pressure working next to a genius? Yes, that is knowing if your work is being compared, but not if you don't have that competitive streak, that inferiority complex. But perhaps the biggest pressure comes from trying hard not to embarrass oneself while socialising, and such a situation has (thankfully) not happened to me yet (or at least I think), while still trying to get over the initial shock of the existence of such a genius. Worse, let a genius into your social circle, knowing that sooner or later it will be uncovered the fact that you're only a "Jack of all trades". I'm laughing at myself despite this - after all, we don't live on praises, and really what should be done is to live and learn. Ahhh… 

Hmm, on that note, I can't believe the guy who kindly asked me to vacate the studio he booked apologised for having interrupted me because "it sounded very good!" Hahahaha…