Hi, it's been a long time since I wrote the last post!. I have been working on my final task, I will graduate this year in September, wish me luck!. Hehe, I am fed up with it anyway so, right now I need to call it a day. In this post I will tell you my experience of getting my very first achievement in my life. It's a little bit boring I guess, but if you really want to know about this story, welcome home :D . Well, if you are asking why this post is written in English?, because I just want to ensure that my English is not fading. To be fair, new language will be usually fading if you do not use it very often in your activities. Okay, it's done for the introduction. I am not wasting my time to write a single paragraph of introduction lol.
Story Telling Competition
What is that ? It's a competition about student's ability to tell a story (it can be about about tales, legends, fables etc) using English language. This competition is annually held by a reputable high school in my town. Every participant is from around the city, specifically for junior high school students.
Why did I join this competition ?
I don't know lol. My teacher made me following this competition. She saw me having a good potential, I guess haha. She put a trust in me. Well, I am kind of a person who really can't let people down (who believes me).
How did I prepare it ?
Firstly I don't know who choose the topic. But the chosen story was Malin Kundang and it was a far-fetched story, An epic educating legend from Sumatra (if I ain't mistaken, sorry :( ) . Everyone from the 90th-2000 should have known this story. But, I do believe kids from this crazy era know nothing about this haha. Their phone is on the cutting edge now, they have no time to read fables or books or anything lol, Let me tell you a very short summary about this.
--- once upon a time there lived a poor mother with her son. Her mother nourished him everyday. Her son has grown up as a goody-goody man. Until one day, her son went away sailing to help his mother to live their life. year by year has passed. Her mother lost him for years.
Malin came to his birth island, his home for a purpose. Then he met his mother. His mother was very exited about his coming, he turned into a very rich man and already married a beautiful woman but unfortunately, he didn't admit his mother as his mother... then her mother cursed him, and he became a big rock in the seashore ----
Here are some preparations I did :
- I memorize the text ? Really? Yes! I memorized about 2 papers of the given story. It hurt at first, I mean I didn't use to memorize things. I directly speak with lots of errors in grammar lol
- I speak in front of the mirror, Mirror, it was the only friend I had at my room lol, this activity aimed to get myself used to speak confidently in front of the audience. I speak a lot.
- I did not doubt myself, I was over confident wkkwkwkw. This is kind of a suggestion to take over your mind that you are the only smartest, most handsome and the luckiest person in the world. Of course being too proud of yourself is not good. But, for me I must do this to emphasize down of my nervous feeling.
- Pray a lot. He will be always with me and you. Ask Him whatever you want. Don't stop praying and believing in his miracles :)
- Do your best, Just do your best!
On the competition day
I was so nervous, My biggest concern was forgetting the whole passages I memorized. Then I drunk some water too much to overcome my gut feeling of being in the competition room. Well, I was shocked!, there were questions! the judges would gave the questions and it took me aback like.. heeell yeeeeah!. All participants has shown their best, now is my turn.
--- On the stage
I dared myself to go, didn't know what would I get. I began it smoothly. But.. Nobody gave their attention on me, even the judges did the same thing. And I was like, "hey, don't ever underestimate the power a bullied guy who grows up with dreams!". Then, what did I do ? I started speaking loudly, I enhanced my body language, I stared their eyes with my shiny eyeball.. I acted like a Malin Kundang's mother (I gave it some real actions). And I succeed to amuse and hypnotize them. people gave me applause, Yes I did it, I did it! hahaha. Well, the competition didn't stop there, it was inadequate. I must be suffered again due to the questions they would give me. However, it was solely given to test my English skill. And how did it go ?
---Questioning time
There were 3 judges, they were all women, but I am no sure lol. My heart beat faster!, I was afraid of making mistakes in the answers. Well, I forget their question but, I could answer the questions very well. The only question I remember is with who do you come here ? or who taught you english ? (I really forgot the questions to be honest, but these both are alike). I proudly shouted "My teacher, there she is". I aced the competition and yes, I was all refreshed.
--- Announcement
I asked my teacher, "what if I failed...", "it's okay you have done your best!". I was totally confident. I went into the room to see the announcement. and one by one of the winners were called.. I had been fully depressed until they called my name, Yes I got the third expectancy. It was a miracle. I was so exited, I wanted to thank my teacher for guiding me all the way since I knew nothing about English.
---But
yes, there was something wrong. One of the winner whom I thought didn't perform very well (I am implying her English and performance was worse than mine) was in the second place. How could it be ? . My teacher said, "it's okay, if you are wondering why this could happen. It is all common here, money can buy anything...". "Oh, I see it now" .
To sum up
I really got a kick out of having that trophy. It's my very first trophy, ever!. I kept my nose to the grinstone and I prayed a lot. So in the next chance i will do the same thing :)
Here is my winning picture :
Thanks a lot for reading my story guys :) , I will post other motivating stories of mine in the near future. Have a good day :) .
I forgot one thing. I won it in 2009 in SMAN 4 Bangkalan Madura :D