...The Rhodent Life Vol.2...
This past
week has been by far the most eventful week this term with: tests, assignment
hand-ins, tutorials (one deadline after another) and lots of other delightful
events as well. I sometimes felt like I couldn’t breathe, the pressure was just
too overwhelming and I often had to remind myself why I’m here and why I put
myself through such “torture”, as I often like to call it. You see exams are nearly here, in fact
they’re just lurking around the corner, and like most students panic mode is
beginning to creep in. One wonders whether they’re ready and what fruits shall
come of their labour. All is not gloom and doom though because end of semester
also means end of the semester parties. Rhodents never fail to amaze me! They
find every reason to have a “mare”/party. Common excuses are often, “it’s the
end of the week let’s celebrate” and end of semester is no different. What a
roller coaster year it has been though, one could say that having a “mare” is
justified! Although the end of the week took a turn for the better, or worst,
still remains to be seen.
Earlier
this year I decided it was high time I did something about my inability to
stand in front of a large crowed and say what’s on my mind. I think this fear
started when I was in primary school and I reached the dreaded teens. Like most
I developed acne, it was to be expected though because my mom, aunt and cousins
had all had it. It didn’t make it any easier though even though home was my
safe haven the rest of the world wasn’t. I was teased endlessly about it! I was
called names from gravel face to speed bumps etc. It wasn’t pleasant at all and
it made me dread going to school I’d even pretend to be sick just because I
didn’t want to face the world and how cruel it can be. By the time I reached
high school I’d mastered the art of keeping to myself, yes I became a book
worm! Everyone knew where to find me during lunch break, in the classroom going
through the work we’d just covered in class, just so I could avoid interacting
with the other pupils. But even that couldn’t save me from having to give
speeches in the language classes.
This year I
decided enough was enough! It’s time I said goodbye to sweaty palms and minor
anxiety attacks every time anyone mentioned that I had to present something in
front of an audience. It was time I put the butterflies into formation so I
joined Toastmasters, a friend of mine had been trying to recruit me since first
year but I’d never been able to bring myself to attend any of their meetings
and find out what it’s about. Every time he mentioned it I’d say “I’ll join
next year my dear friend” and so the routine went. Beginning of the semester
however, I did my level 1 speech where I had to introduce myself to the
audience. The speech was to be between 4-6minutes long! I remember thinking to
myself “what could I possibly say about myself that would last for such a long
time, are these people crazy!” but I was determined to get it over and done
with. So I presented my speech and realised that they weren’t looking at my
face and how bad my acne is but genuinely wanted to hear what I had to say, they
wanted to know more about me, not when did I start developing acne! And they
certainly weren’t trying to give me advice on how I could get “rid” of it.
I’m proud
to say that I’m in the committee for this very society, as treasurer to be
exact, and I’m looking forward to presenting my next speech later this week. I
do have to admit that I’m nervous but when the butterflies in my stomach start
doing summersaults I’ll simply tell them “its show time so get with the program”!
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Posted: May 17th 2011 05:50
