MY VERY OWN 'DISASTER' :)

SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

Speech and Oral Communication Class

A few weeks ago, we were told by our speech professor that we'll have newscasting and poetry interpretation as our exam for midterm. The poetry interpretation was set today, September 7. Three days before the scheduled poetry exam, I was able to memorize the first 2 stanzas of my chosen poem, Evening Solace by Charlotte Bronte. However, the night before exam day, I failed to finish memorizing the poem because our practice for choir ended at about 10 pm and as I reached our house, I just felt so exhausted so I decided to sleep first and review my piece early in the morning.

It was September 7 and I woke up 6 am. I still have four hours to master the remaining two stanzas of the poem. I was impressed by how fast I was able to memorize the last 16 lines. I was very confident that I can interpret the poem well in front of the class. I even asked some of my friends to listen to me as I deliver the lines ten minutes before the class started. Thinking that I might forget some lines from the poem, I asked Jom, Ariane, Jam and Roanne to give me a hint or a clue for me to be able to recall and think of what to recite.

To cut the long story short, I started delivering the poem in front of my classmates and my professor. At first, it was okay. I'm a bit satisfied by my performance, but not until I reached the 3rd stanza--the one I wasn't able to memorize well.

I forgot the next line! I felt my hands trembling. I looked at my professor with disappointment in my eyes. I know I memorized this part. How come it seems like I can't remember anything?? :(( That very moment, I wanted to panic. However, I said to myself that I'll never do that. NEVER. I can't just allow myself to stop without even trying. Though I felt like I wanted to give up, I looked for my friends whom I asked to give me a hint on what I am going to say. Luckily, I saw Ariane, doing some gestures and trying to give me a clue until I heard the word 'sky' from her.

Ah! SKY! I remembered the next line, haha...

And, while the sky grows dim and dimmer

Feel no untold and strange distress

Only a deeper impulse given

By lonely hour and darkened room,

To solemn thoughts that soar to heaven,

Seeking a life and world to come.

At last! I was able to finish the poem! (though it took me a veeeeryyyy long time) I can't explain how happy I was that time. I felt very blessed. It was a relief, really.

After class, my professor asked me to go to her office to get our journal notes to be distributed to my classmates. When I went there, she asked me what happened to me while I was in front. She asked me if that was because of mental block or I just didn't memorize my piece. I told her that I really don't know what happened. I know I memorized the poem but when I started to forget some lines, it appeared to me like I don't know anything--like I was lost! haha. Eventhough I felt a little bit disappointed, I was relieved when she told me that there's nothing to worry about it. Anyway, it's not just the basis of our grade for midterm, we still have class standing and newscasting, the first part of the exam.

BOTTOMLINE: Always be prepared. Don't panic. Believe in yourself. Learn from your mistakes :)