spurtin’ out ma thots

The Scientist, Scholar and Business Woman were having a meeting at the library. Suddenly, the Scholar invited me to join a Public Speaking Seminar on the next day.

I agreed, in the sense that it would do no harm for me to accompany her.

I was okay for the first half session. When it came to the practical part, I started trembling. I am not the type who can actually speak in front of the public with an unknown topic given 5 minutes before the presentation. What more in front of a total new public and in a given new environment.

I could not prepare well because of the noise and the nervousness. While presenting, I bluffed a lot and faked up my confidence. The only thing I had in my notes was the structure of my points. The rest was totally depending on my language as a BENL student.

I felt like committing suicide.

But at the end of the day, something unlikely to happen had actually happened; I got the 2^nd Best Speaker Award..!

I am not telling this because I am proud of myself. But rather, I really think I don’t deserve the award. I am completely a stranger to my own self while I was on the stage and I hate that fact.

Anyway Dayat, thanks for giving me the chance to do something new (which I am not). With today’s experience, I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life. I’ll keep the award as a memorable event I had with you.. =)

They think they’re clever by putting the banned book under restricted collection.

I was required to show an official letter by the department. Then, I can spend three hours of reading per session. (Duh~ only three hours for all the troubles I need to go through in getting the permission letter?)

Me? I spend the three hours given at the photocopy centre. Haha..

And suddenly there’s a guy coming in with loads of books. I permitted him to take my turn since I’m still not done selecting pages. His response was:

“Sayang awak…”

Erk, hello bro.. Don’t you think you’re pouring too much affection in that sentence? What more to a total stranger, especially in the library, with the Islamic environment that we’re supposed to observe…?

And suddenly, without being asked, he told me that he’s a lawyer.. working on several cases and that’s why he was there at the library…

So what?

I took my stuff, smiled and blah.. ahahah..

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann