Arts and craft class is almost a right of passage in our society, a grueling test of the human spirit in which young initiates strive to force rubber cement, pipe cleaners, modeling clay, and papier-mâché to bend to their will. And few of us can claim to have managed to avoid the experience of creating an object--be it ceramic mask, napkin holder, or the obligatory ashtray--only to be confronted by and empty expanse demanding that you do something, anything, to decorate it.

A plain white coffee mug of your own design sits ready for the kiln and is staring at you in blank anticipation. You have chosen to use blue glaze; now, if only you could decide on the pattern....

Which of the following patterns do you paint in blue on the mug?

1. Stripes.

2. Polka Dots.

3. Checks.

4. Wavy lines.

There's something magical about a night at the symphony -- a sense of expectation and pure pleasure. Imagine being able to take a place on that stage among the other musicians, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform at your very best.

If you could join the orchestra, what instrument do you see yourself playing?

1. Violin
2. String bass
3. Trumpet
4. Flute

Every once in a while it's nice to take a break from your busy schedule and experience the world of art firsthand. Some of us go to concerts or plays, some take up dance or musical instrument, others try their hand at crafts. And of course there's always a trip to a museum...

You are standing in front of a painting at an art museum, hands clasped behind your back as you try to take it in, when a total stranger comes up alongside you and says something to you. Which of the following does the stranger say?

1. "Isn't that a beautiful picture?"
2. "What do you think of this painting?"
3. "Excuse me, do you have the time?"
4. "You know, I happen to be a painter myself."

My Answer: #3

Key To Pictures At An Exhibition

When a stranger suddenly speaks to you, there's always a momentary mix of apprehension and expectancy. In this imaginary scenario, the words the stranger spoke actually reflect how yu react in chance encounters and when meeting others. Your answer reveals what kind of impression you make when meeting someone for the first time.

#1: Your firendly and positive nature creates a great first impression on almost everyone you meet. Your only concern should be that people may not take you seriously at first.

#2: You're the type who likes to feel out the other person's temperament before committing yourself to anything. People can sense the hesitancy, and it may color their reactions to you. You won't step on any toes with your cautious approach, but you may end up living on other people's terms.

#3: To half the world you seem like an all right sort, but to the other half you look just a little strange. You create a first impression of living life at your own pace and maintaining an individuality that some would call eccentric. You don't place much importance on what others may be thinking or feeling. For better or worse, therein lies the secret to you.

#4: On first meeting someone, you come across as a little bit nervous and overeager. Maybe you're just trying too hard to be liked, but the harder you try, the worse an impression you make. Don't worry so much about making people think you're great - they'll like you better if you just loosen up and relax.

Kokology (Kokology 2, Nagao) berasal dari dua kata yaitu:
1) kokoro (Jepang) yang berarti pikiran, semangat, dan perasaan
2) logia (Yunani) yang berarti ilmu.
Kokologi diartikan sebagai seri permainan psikologi baru untuk menyingkap emosi dan sifat tingkah laku seseorang atau respon situasional (Kokology 2, Nagao).

Dalam bukunya Kokology 2, Nagao menjelaskan tentang Kokology dan cara bermainnya serta tips memainkan setiap permainannya.

Dari setiap permainan (ada 53 permainan dalam buku ini) ada penjelasannya untuk masing2 permainan.
Permainan ini mencoba untuk menguak karakter atau perilaku seseorang (pembaca) dalam menghadapai sesuatu. Walaupun tidak 100% tepat untuk menggambarkan karakter tentunya, sebagaimana yang saya alami dalam membaca buku ini :D . Dari permainan-permainan yang saya lalui dalam buku ini (belum semua permainan dalam buku ini saya lalui), tidak semua penjelasan yang terkandung dalam buku ini tepat dengan karakter dan perilaku saya :) .

Sebagai bacaan pengisi waktu luang dan hiburan buku ini cocok untuk dicoba, dan mainkanlah apa adanya, jangan berusaha mengira2 jawaban atau malah membaca penjelasannya terlebih dahulu :D . Santai dan cobalah mainkan sesuai petunjuk.

Saya akan berikan satu contoh permainan dan penjelasannya dalam buku tersebut.

Judul : KAPAN SEBUAH PINTU BUKAN SEBUAH PINTU ?

Tidak setiap hari Anda sempat meluangkan waktu berjalan-jalan santai di lingkungan sekitar: berjalan-jalan tanpa maksud dan tujuan, merentangkan kaki, membiarkan pikiran mengembara, dan berkenalan kembali dengan beberapa pemandangan indah. Di tengah perjalanan, mungkin Anda akan mampir ke keda kopi, menjelajahi jalan-jalan di taman, atau menyempatkan diri melihat-lihat keadaan sekitar. Ada saatnya Anda membiarkan kaki menentukan tujuan ...

Bayangkan diri Anda sedang berjalan-jalan menyusuri kota. Hari itu sangat indah.Anda sedang berangan-angan. Anda berbelok ke arah jalan yang tidak pernah dilewati sebelumnya. Selagi berjalan, Anda melewati rumah yang indah di seberang jalan. Anda berhenti sejenak untuk mengagumi rumah yang indah itu dan memperhatikan pintunya terbuka setengah. Mengapa pintu itu sedikit terbuka?

1. Rumah itu dirampok
2. Pemiliknya lupa mengunci
3. Pemiliknya berada di dalam, sedang menyapu pintu masuk.

Pilihlah jawaban Anda dari tiga hal di atas yang paling cocok dalam pikiran Anda (jika tidak ada yang cocok, maka pilihlah yang terbersit dalam pikiran Anda, jika tidak ada, pilihlah yang terdetik dalam hati Anda, jika tidak ada juga maka pilih yang paling mendekati atau yang paling mungkin menurut Anda, pokoknya harus milih 1 dari 3 hal diatas :D ).

Selamat bermain, dan temukan diri Anda yang tersembunyi di sana. :)

It's your birthday today, and when you check your mailbox you see you've gotten a card from someone you would have never suspected. Who is the sender? You have also received a number of gifts from family and friends. Of that group, who sent you the biggest package? (Give the names of people in your life when answering this quiz.)

My Answers: Actually, I thought of two friends. But just to explain my side, the friend I thought in the first question is someone whom I haven't talked with for a long time already. The friend I thought in the second question is someone who is really generous, but I make sure that I do not take advantage of him. 

Key to "On Your Birthday..."

The responses you gave signify your true feelings about people in your life, feelings you might not even be aware of yourself.

The person who undexpectedly sent you a card is actually someone you would like to care more about you or give you more attention. In short, the person you named as the sender is someone you worship from afar. Is it someone you barely know, someone you've been hesitant to approach, or just a friend you haven't heard from in a while? Maybe it's time you made the first move toward bridging the gap.

On the surface, you might associate the biggest package you received with good feelings about the sender. But from a psychological perspective, the person you named as the sender is actually someone whose affections you take for granted. This doesn't necessarily signify a lack of respect, but you definitely feel confident of their feelings for you. Be careful not to get overconfident. What feels like security to you may look like plain selfishness to others.

If you could join the orchestra, what instrument do you see yourself playing?

Violin? String Bass? Trumpet? or Flute?

My Answer: I want to see myself playing the violin.

Key To "A Night At The Symphony"

1. Violin - You see yourself as having the same awareness and skill in locating and playing upon your partners' most sensitive points. There's a sense of adventure in the way your hands can create such beautiful music by running over the same familiar notes.

2. String bass - In love, your skill rests in the ability to bend your partners to your will, taking complete control, and driving them onward to pleasures they never imagined they could experience. You never ask permission, but that dominating character is what makes you irresistible.

3. Trumpet -Your mouth is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. Whether it's whispering love talk in your partner's ear or exploring them with your lips, you have all the characteristics of the oral personality.

4. Flute - You show that same patience in the way you wear down partners with your persistence, determination, and stamina. Your lovers are often taken off guard when what they thought would be a brief recital quickly develops into a full concerto in six movements.

1. It stays black.
2. It turns back to it's original blue.
3. It turns white.
4. I turns golden colored.

My Answer: I go for number 4.

Key to The Blue Bird:  The bird that flew into your room seemed like a symbol of good fortune, but suddenly it changed color, making you worry that happiness would not last. Your reaction to this situation shows how you respond to difficulties and uncertainties in real life.

1. Those who said the bird stays black have a pessimistic outlook.
2. Those who said the bird turns blue again are practical optimists.
3. Those who said the bird turns white are cool and decisive under pressure.
4. Those who said the bird turns golden can be described as fearless.

The fascinating, addictive pop-psych quiz game that reveals the surprising real you.

Created by a famous Japanese psychologist, Kokology is the study of kokoro ("mind" or "spirit" in Japanese). Based on sound psychological principles, Kokology asks you to answer questions about seemingly innocent topics - such as the color of an imaginary bird that has flown in your window - and then reveals what your answers say about you. Kokology offers a unique approach to self-discovery and, when played with others, can provide hilarious insight into the you that they never knew.

Isamu Saito is a renowned professor at Rissho and Waseda Universities in Japan. he is the author of a number of bestselling books on psychology and relationships. He created Kokology.

Tadahiko Nagao is the head of the Kokology Project Team, which is overseen by Professor Saito. Kokology has sold more than four million copies in all its editions in Japan.

Eight Tips For Playing Kokology

1. Say the first thing that pops into your head.
2. Play with other people if you can.
3. Don't try to predict the answers.
4. Be honest with yourself.
5. Be prepared.
6. Don't read ahead.
7. Watch people's reactions (including your own).
8. Keep an open mind.

A Desert Journey

Note: As much as possible, I don't want to copy the exact words from the book. I want to make it shorter, but still, understandable.

Scenario 1: You are at work... You still have lots of pending jobs to do. Overtime. Everybody is already going home. You are unsure if you can finish the work you are doing.

Scenario 2: It's time for the most boring subject you have in your class. There's still 2 1/2 hours left.

And now... let's imagine ourselves in a desert...

1. You are riding a camel in a desert. You really feel tired and exhausted. What will you say to the camel who has been with you all throughout your journey in the desert?

2. You are really thirsty. Luckily, you saw an oasis. But you are surprised to see that someone has arrived before you. WHo is he/she? (A person you know).

3. Finally, your destination is already in sight. How do you feel now?

4. You have to leave the camel now since you already reached your destination. Another person will now ride to the camel. Who is he/she?

My Answers:

1. When I first read this, I thought that I will ask the camel how is he, hoping that he is still okay. Of course, how can I go on without him?

2. Actually, I was thinking that if I have to go to the desert, I would probably joining my friends as we travel. So to be honest, the person I thought I saw in the oasis is a friend who I had some misunderstanding recently.

3. Seeing the destination makes me feel good. I forgot that I am tired. Maybe I will have tears of joy too. Hehe.

4. I thought of that person as a friend also. Just like what I said, I would really prefer to travel the desert with my friends all together. So if this person is a friend, maybe we still have some misunderstandings that have never been resolved that's why we try to avoid each other.

The Answers:

The desert and camel theme symbolizes the journey toward personal independence. Specifically, this scenario reveals your feelings about parting with a lover. Your answers show how you might react when the time comes to go your separate ways.

Meaning of your anwer to item #1: The words you spoke to the camel reveal what you might say to yourself when you realize love has been lost.

Meaning of your anwer to item #2: The person you encountered here could be someone who has helped or comforted you in the past or one you might turn to in times of need.

Meaning of your anwer to item #3: Your feelings upon reaching the town are your true feelings about finally getting over a lost love.

Meaning of your anwer to item #4: The new rider is a person toward whom you feel a secret rivalry, jealousy, or resentment.

I've done this before back when I was still in Blogger/Blogspot. Ice Breaker is actually a game where the players will pick one card from a set of cards. Each card has a question for the player to answer. Actually, these are (somehow) serious questions.

"Make new friends! Know casual acquaintances better! Discover secrets from old friends like you can never before! Understand close friends even more deeply. How else but through Ice Breaker! The fun way to enjoy each other's company while sharing of ourselves openly. Just be yourself and be a friend."

But for this blog, I'll be picking a card. And then I'll post my answer to the questions as a blog entry. And hopefully, people will share their answers too!

Kokology: The Game of Self Discovery (by Tadahiko Nagao and Isamu Saito)

Kokology is a series of psychological games designed to reveal your hidden attitudes about sex, family, love, work, and more; a popular term for the interpretation of the hidden meanings of human behavior and situational responses.

1. Wanita gila yang ingin membalas dendam dan mengancurkan semua orang yang dibenci.
2. Film beranggaran besar mengenai kapal yang tenggelam dengan para penumpang yang terjebak di tengah lautan.
3. Pembunuh kejam yang memilih korbannya secara acak.
4. Mahkluk ruang angkasa (alien) yag mendatangkan malapetaka di bumi.

Deskripsi :

Kita menonton cerita seram yang menakutkan dan mengejutkan karena ingin merasakan ketakutan secara aman. Walaupun dunia nyata itu sendiri pun sudah cukup menakutakan. Jenis gilm yang Anda pilih menyingkapkan sumber kegelisahan yang tidak hilang dari pikiran setelah film selesai. Demikianlah deskripsi tentang pilihan Anda di atas.

1. Menempati dunia yang penuh dengan milyaran manusia sangat menakutkan Anda. Hubungan pribadi bagaikan lubang yang tidak dapat diramalkan reaksi dan tindakannya. Mungkin Anda pernah terlibat dalam beberapa kisah seram yang dimainkan oleh teman, keluarga, atau pasangan. Kadang-kadang Anda hanya berharap dunia akan meninggalkan Anda sendirian dan pergi menakuti orang lain saja.
2. Anda sangat sensitif terhadap keadaan penumpang yang melompat dari ketinggian ke kedalaman keputusasaan. Anda hanya takut jika terjadi penyerangan terhadap gambaran positif yang dimikliki dalam hidup. Anda ingin percaya bahwa segala sesuatu dapat menjadi sempurna. Anda menggunakan cara sendiri untuk menghindari ketidaksempurnaan. Namun tidak ada kapal yang tidak akan tenggelam. Artinya, tidak ada kehidupan yang sempurna. Jangan biarkan hal itu menggangu Anda terlalu banyak. Kita semua berada pada posisi yang sama.
3. Anda mencari keamanan dengan melawan dunia yang kadang-kadang tidak bersahabat. Anda takut dipisahkan dari kelompok sehingga mudah menjadi mangsa. Anda kadang-kadang terlalu bersedia mengorbankan identitas diri agar dapat tetap diterima kelompok. Satu-satunya cara memiliki teman sejati--teman yang aka tetap berada di samping Anda ketika bahaya mengancam--adalah dengan memiliki keberanian menjadi diri sendiri.
4. Anda takut dinilai orang terlalu tinggi oleh orang-orang disekitar, yaitu orang-orang yang bergantung kepada Anda agar menjadi kuat. Anda takut kalau-kalau suatu hari akan ada massalah yang terlalu besar untuk diatasi. Santai saja, Anda tidak harus serba sempurna. Terimalah diri Anda dan keterbatasannya. Tak seorangpun mengharapkan Anda tidak terkalahkan--jadi mengapa ingin serba sempurna?

-Dikutip dari : Kokology 2 by Tadahiko Nagao dan Isamu Saito-

Bahkan orang-orang yang hidup bahagia, ada saatnya merasa hidup sehari-harinya nampak membosankan. meskipun sangat menyenangkan jika mengetahui bahwa esok akan menjadi hari yang baik, terlalu banyak mengira-ngira akan membuat anda tidak terinspirasi dengan hari esok. Tapi kita tahu cara melepaskan diri dari kegiatan sehari-hari, meskipun hanya sejenak saja. Jawabannya ada pada pencarian rangsangan dan gairah yang muncul setiap hari. Ini adalah rahasia menghargai nilai setiap pertistiwa dalam kehidupan sehari-hari.

Bagaimana kita membawa kegairahan dalam hidup? Menonton film, bepergian, dan berolah raga. Atau mungkin berjalan ke taman hiburan, atau ke tempat dimana kegairahan bercampur dengan fantasi. Mari kita kembali ke masa kanak-kanak yang penuh dengan kegembiraan dan kesenangan

1. Anda memasuki pintu gerbang taman hiburan. Roller coaster nampak dihadapan anda dengan barisan orang-orang yang menunggu giliran. Berapa lama anda harus menunggu di antrian sebelum naik kesana?

2. Giliran anda akhirnya tiba. Sekarang anda sedang diombang-ambingkan dalam roller coaster. Perasaan apa yang muncul dalam diri anda?

3. Pada saat paling menegangkan, roller coaster masuk ke dalam air. Anda basah kuyup terkena percikan air. Apa yang langsung anda teriakkan saat itu?

4. Kemudian anda memutuskan naik komedi putar. Tapi selama dalam perjalanan, karena suatu hal, kuda yang anda naiki rusak dan berhenti bergerak. Apa yang anda katakan pada kuda?

5. Perjalanan anda dengan roaller coaster sangat menyenangkan, tapi bukan seperti yang anda inginkan. Jika anda merancang roller coaster yang sempurna, jalur jalannya seperti apa? Gambarlah jalur jalan roller coaster!

-coba dijawab dulu kemudian lihat penjelasan komentar um zak di bawah-

Ulang tahun adalah satu hari dalam setahun dimana anda menjadi bersikap lebih sedikit baik daripada biasanya. Ada ucapan selamat, hadiah, kartu ucapan, dan bahkan pesta atau makan malam romantis untuk dua orang.

Hari ini ulang tahun anda. Ketika memeriksa kotak surat, anda mendapatkan sebuah kartu ucapan dari seseorang yang tidak pernah diduga. Siapa pengirimnya? Anda juga menerima beberapa hadiah dari keluarga dan teman. Dari semua orang tersebut, siapa yang mengirimkan hadiah terbesar?(sebutkan nama-nama orang dalam hidup anda ketika menjawab pertanyaan ini)

-coba dijawab dulu kemudian lihat penjelasan komentar um zak di bawah-