Friday, May 18, 2007

Being receptive HELPS!

Had my very first presentation of the semester this morning. It went pretty well, judging by my fellow coursemates' responses to the skit, visual effects and random things that I blurted out while touching on the nutritional status for children with nephrosis.

The presentation for this module is slightly different from the rest.

Firstly, the whole tutorial group, consisting of 27 students, is being divided into two sub-groups. I was in sub-group A; Andy's group. Whereas the other group was under Shidah.

Both groups did their presentations today and after each group had finished, the lecturer gave us comments on how we could each improve on our presentation styles, concepts and also gave members of the other group a chance to provide us with feedback on how we did overall.

Let's be honest here, shall we?

There is no such thing as "a Perfect Presentation". No matter how well you speak, how good your voice projection is, how indepth your research is, how brilliant your concept is, the lecturer will ALWAYS have something to say. If it's not the colour or size of the fonts used, it's something about how you should try to do this instead of that to cater to the audience.

During the feedback session for my sub-group, I wasn't expecting Miss Leong to go, "Bravo! Excellent! Perfecto! A job well done! Here's your Diploma in Nursing!!".

It was good enough for me (and the rest) that she appreciated our efforts and only pointed out two ways on how we can improve. To me, our performance had what it takes to bring home an Oscar. My groupmates and I met up almost everyday of the week to share our findings, to rehearse and poor Jue had to spend her entire weekend completing the Powerpoint slides. I won't deny that I'd prefer it if lecturers quit telling us how to go a step higher, but c'mon lah... there's a Chinese saying that goes "Huo dao lao, xue dao lao" right? So as long as you're still living and breathing, there's ALWAYS room for improvements!

Back in Year 1, whenever my group had to present and (if) there were any negative comments from the floor, I'd be very sarcastic towards them. Andy once pointed out to Miss Doreen that I spoke too quickly and he "catch no ball". I turned around to face him and said a very loud and sarcastic, "Wah! Thank you ah! Thank you hor!".

Yeah, sounded so bratty right?

In the second semester of Year 1 though, Andy became my sub-group leader and I think it was Dory who asked the members of other sub-groups on how our group could step up our game during the ICAs (In-Course Assessments). One feedback from my coursemate was that I had the tendency to be very defensive. Whenever I heard something I felt was unfairly said, I would never hesitate to snap back.

I forgot who I had a long talk with about how those who're not in my sub-group never fail to give me negative comments, but this person told me to be receptive and listen to what these people had to say. As a presenter, it is my job to have others listen to me when I speak and if I don't take their feedback seriously, I'm the one who's at the losing end because I wouldn't know how to "seduce" them the next time I present.

Anyway, back to today's presentation, I kept quiet and accepted the "criticisms" from the other sub-group. Nothing personal lah! Now Year 2 already... grow up already. HAHAHA! Guys, will try and do better for the other modules!

Someone else in sub-group B wasn't able to take what my sub-group had to say about her group's performance. I have tonnes of respect for this lady because she's always so enthusiastic about learning new procedures and she's there whenever I need help in my work. But the kind of attitude she portrayed today was... childish?

According to her, Moonie's comments were "all negative" and "too direct". Since she gave our group both positive and negative feedback, she expected the same from us.

My gosh.. I'm stunned.

Let me make it clear that I don't have anything against her (or the others from sub-group B), but where got such thing as "I said both good and bad things about your group so you must do the same for my group!". It's not logical. Plus, I don't get what she meant by "too direct". If Moonie doesn't speak her mind and go straight to the point, we'd probably still be sitting in class until way past lunch-time.

So what's up with all this talk about "unfairness" man?! That's life, face it! Life's unfair, life's a sickening bitch and the only way to survive this sickening bitch is to take everything in our stride! Accept things for what they are and DON'T COMPARE! My sis and I are very different people with absolutely NOTHING in common apart from our surnames. If I were to keep comparing myself with her and complain that she's leading a more pampered life, there wouldn't be peace at home and there will be no end to it.

How come she's white and I'm black?! Why is she stick thin when I'm so fleshy? Why did dad buy her an Mp3 whereas I had to earn my own money and buy mine? Why my parents are so supportive of her rock-climbing but discourage me from attending Judo trainings? WHY, WHY, WHY?!

ASK GOD LAHH!

I've had enough of politics at work. Fuck politics! We're a class and we're suppose to enjoy each other's company for as long as we're in NYP. It's only gonna be a mere three years and after that, what are the chances of us getting back together? It's superly duperly low lah! We'd all be too busy working and starting our own families... Duckie even has plans to migrate Down Under to live on a farm and milk cows(?!). So let's just stop this cold war alright? Conflicts over such trivial matters is so unnecessary. We're still in school now, so save the politics until you enter the real world. FUCK POLITICS!

PS: I have no idea what inspired me to write such a cheem post. It's been a long time though! I welcome back "cheem-ology".


Shadow stepped, body touched, soul crashed at 11:25 pm.