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''My Birthday Surprise''
was created especially for
Hanako Suzuki
with love from
Kazumi Yamashita
January 31, 2004
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Yes, it was birthday time
again, January 31. Hanako Suzuki
of
Yokohama-city, had reached
yet another
major plateau in her life - age 28.
Hanako was a high flier,
a born
leader, and a man of many
accomplishments. There was no
doubt about it - Hanako was a legend
in her own mind.
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Kazumi, Hitomi and
Nanako had
planned a big birthday bash for
Hanako
this year. Hand-written
invitations had been sent to all
her friends.
Fortunately for Kazumi, Hitomi
and Nanako, the job had been very easy.
Only a few invitations had
to be written.
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Kazumi, Hitomi and
Nanako had spent
a lot of time developing a theme
for this special birthday party.
It was
Hanako
Suzuki
The ten keys to success
in your life
Obviously, the theme was a
very popular one. The party room
was packed.
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Kazumi, Hitomi and
Nanako started
her success story by explaining that
the path Hanako had followed through
life had been met with a series of
closed doors. 0ver the years,
judging from the shape of her beak
many of these doors had been slammed
in her face.
Despite these setbacks,Hanako
had still managed to become a
success in Yokohama-city. It was
evident
that these ten keys had worked a
miracle for Hanako.
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Hanako and the rest of the party
group were quiet when Kazumi, Hitomi
and Nanako announced the first key to
her success.
''Always be
full of hot air"
Hanako had devoted much of her
life to achieving this goal. Those
who knew her agreed that she was
definitely full of it.
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The second key of success was
''Stay young"
Hanako
maintained her youthful
appearance by following a strict
exercise program. her favorite
activity seemed to be jogging to the
refrigerator.
Unfortunately, staying young
was difficult after 28 birthday
celebrations. In fact, lighting the
candles on her birthday cake was
considered a fire hazard for Hanako
and everyone else present at the
party.
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Believing that
"No mountain is too
hard to climb" was another component of the
success
formula for Hanako.
Anyone who had ever seen Hanako
demolish a mountain of ice cream
topped with whipped cream and a
cherry realized the truth of this
statement. She could whittle it down
in seconds.
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The fourth key was a critical
factor in making Hanako the success
She
is.
''Surround yourself with intelligent,
responsible people" Hanako
always kept snapshots of
her trusted friends in her wallet.
Come to think of it, that was about
all you could ever find in her
wallet !
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The excitement of the party
had almost been too much for
everyone. They decided to briefly
interrupt this spell-binding
''Success Story'' and have Hanako
open
her many gifts.
Nobody had trouble buying Hanako
a present. After all, what can't
you buy for a man who needs
everything?
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After watching Hanako open her
gifts, the anxious crowd was eager
to hear the fifth key to her
success. It was
Don't be a horse's... behind. Unfortunately,
Hanako couldn't
help herself. It was just her
nature.
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The saga of Hanako continued. The
next key to her success was
''Enjoy the sweet
things in life.'' There are many sweet things in
life: the presence of a wonderful
companion, adventure-filled vacations
and lots of money.
Whenever Hanakoo wanted to enjoy
sweet things,she went to her pantry.
This was the only source of sweet
things for Hanako.
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The seventh key was vitally
important for social climbers like
Hanako:
"Don't forget from
whence
you came.''
On her long climb up the ladder
of success, Hanako never once forgot
her roots. She was so very proud of
all her ancestors.
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To really be successful, you must
''Only play games you can win.'' Talented individuals
likeHanako
pride themselves on their athletic
and business prowess. Very few
adults had ever beaten Hanako at
any
of her favorite games. Everybody
knew he would have a temper tantrum
if they did.
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''Blow your own horn'' was certainly
another vital part of
her success formula.
Everyone agreed that if Hanako
didn't blow her own horn, nobody
would do it for her. In fact, she
kept stacks of horns and whistles
handy for all the important moments
in her life. Hanako would do almost
anything to call attention to
herself !
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Hanako always maintained that,
to be
successful, you must
''Picture yourself as
you want to be.'' Hanako
thought that once she was
successful, her portrait would be
hung in the homes of all of her
friends.
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Dear Hanako:
Now you know the ten keys to
the success in your life. We had
originally planned to have you say a
few words, but we remembered that
brevity is not one of your ten keys.
Congratulations on yet another
"successful'' year. Happy Birthday!
Kazumi Yamashita1
January 31, 2004
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