Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The day of presentation had arrived! Even though I’d memorized my lines perfectly since a week ago, my nervous attack would still be a problem whenever I have to face an audience. I was placed in Group B – Diya was in Group A – and that wasn’t the worst thing ever! My turn was the third last, right before Tim Hsu and John Ng! I swore if I could find whoever listed my presentation exactly before those two freakishly excellent Japanese speakers, I might do something to him/her!! Since morning, I was really nervous. I couldn’t pay attention to the earlier presenters because I started shaking like crazy. I mean, it’s only a simple presentation right? Plus, the KIT President couldn’t attend the presentation, so it should be easier. But I simply couldn’t stop shaking *doublefacepalm* I really should see a doctor about this.
And….it’s my turn. I presented “Eco-Garden” – something really simple, but I might start it myself in the future – exceeding my practice timing due to random stutters and periods to take deep breaths between lines. Nevertheless, the audience of KIT-IJST teachers and other participants applauded me wholeheartedly. I still remembered the faces of Fujii-sensei and Suda-sensei during my presentation; for every stutter I did, they nodded encouragingly for me to go on. Thank you very much, sensei! After that, Tim and John took their turns. Tim was exceedingly well in presenting his “Hybrid Car”, while John was unexpectedly nervous throughout his presentation. No wonder Tim won the best speaker of the group – congratz Tim! You deserve it!
To celebrate the day, a bigger group (us six girls, John, Matt, and Wakana-san) went to Karaoke Center once more. We rented a very big room, with a small stage and two sets of long couches in opposite corners of the room, enough to fit 20 people. But my personal favorite was the room we got on Monday – it has the coolest stage ever! Anyway, I chose to sit quietly at first and observed others having fun with their choices of songs. I didn’t actually remember, I think I sang a few songs (One Piece’s opening theme song, TVXQ’s Doushite, and maybe Utada Hikaru’s?). We spent almost 7 hours in the room. I drank countless glasses of hot cocoa (the drink was unlimited, so hey why not? XD) and almost fell asleep. Good thing, the others didn’t get beers, so none was drunk with alcohol. Instead, we were drunk with the happiness and fun spending time together for our last few days in Kanazawa.
Friday, July 23, 2011
We had the closing ceremony of KIT-IJST 2010-2011 this morning. Everyone was wearing nice suits and dresses. Before the ceremony started, we practiced the proper manner for when our names were called out later. It was pretty funny to see some bowed down in wrong angle, or said wrong greetings. After a few speeches from KIT Vice President, Head of Program, and John as our representative, we received the program certificate. I was getting teary as the ceremony progressing to its end. Some of the teachers had even started crying. Then, all of us got our picture taken. I still couldn’t trace whose camera used, and till now, I didn’t have the picture. We got together and said “thank you” and “see you again” to each other. Aaaaahhhh, it was truly a touching moment to remember. When I gave the teachers some gifts from US and Malaysia, I broke into tears when they hugged me tightly and bowed down to me appreciatively. I felt like we are now more than mere students and teachers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything!
After that, we returned to the hostel to change into casual clothes. The same group of us last night decided to grab our last dinner together at Tonkun restaurant since some of us would be leaving to Tokyo later that night. We booked a long Japanese table, and waited for Wakana-san from her evening class. I ordered cheese-baked mushroom – the one I had my eyes on the other day – but it was too oily! Alas, it was still good. We took pictures for our last memories together, and went back to finish packing. I couldn’t believe that the program had actually ended! I felt like I wanted to embrace everything: our hostel room, the river, the lounge, KIT classes, the self-study center, the cafes, the bakery, the teachers and staff, the Kanazawa wind, sunlight, smells, and all.
That night, we sent Tiana and Sam off at the bus stop. I was really crying before I went to sleep on my last night at KIT. I didn’t want to leave this place, how I wish I could repeat this experience again…
The day of presentation had arrived! Even though I’d memorized my lines perfectly since a week ago, my nervous attack would still be a problem whenever I have to face an audience. I was placed in Group B – Diya was in Group A – and that wasn’t the worst thing ever! My turn was the third last, right before Tim Hsu and John Ng! I swore if I could find whoever listed my presentation exactly before those two freakishly excellent Japanese speakers, I might do something to him/her!! Since morning, I was really nervous. I couldn’t pay attention to the earlier presenters because I started shaking like crazy. I mean, it’s only a simple presentation right? Plus, the KIT President couldn’t attend the presentation, so it should be easier. But I simply couldn’t stop shaking *doublefacepalm* I really should see a doctor about this.
And….it’s my turn. I presented “Eco-Garden” – something really simple, but I might start it myself in the future – exceeding my practice timing due to random stutters and periods to take deep breaths between lines. Nevertheless, the audience of KIT-IJST teachers and other participants applauded me wholeheartedly. I still remembered the faces of Fujii-sensei and Suda-sensei during my presentation; for every stutter I did, they nodded encouragingly for me to go on. Thank you very much, sensei! After that, Tim and John took their turns. Tim was exceedingly well in presenting his “Hybrid Car”, while John was unexpectedly nervous throughout his presentation. No wonder Tim won the best speaker of the group – congratz Tim! You deserve it!
To celebrate the day, a bigger group (us six girls, John, Matt, and Wakana-san) went to Karaoke Center once more. We rented a very big room, with a small stage and two sets of long couches in opposite corners of the room, enough to fit 20 people. But my personal favorite was the room we got on Monday – it has the coolest stage ever! Anyway, I chose to sit quietly at first and observed others having fun with their choices of songs. I didn’t actually remember, I think I sang a few songs (One Piece’s opening theme song, TVXQ’s Doushite, and maybe Utada Hikaru’s?). We spent almost 7 hours in the room. I drank countless glasses of hot cocoa (the drink was unlimited, so hey why not? XD) and almost fell asleep. Good thing, the others didn’t get beers, so none was drunk with alcohol. Instead, we were drunk with the happiness and fun spending time together for our last few days in Kanazawa.
Friday, July 23, 2011
We had the closing ceremony of KIT-IJST 2010-2011 this morning. Everyone was wearing nice suits and dresses. Before the ceremony started, we practiced the proper manner for when our names were called out later. It was pretty funny to see some bowed down in wrong angle, or said wrong greetings. After a few speeches from KIT Vice President, Head of Program, and John as our representative, we received the program certificate. I was getting teary as the ceremony progressing to its end. Some of the teachers had even started crying. Then, all of us got our picture taken. I still couldn’t trace whose camera used, and till now, I didn’t have the picture. We got together and said “thank you” and “see you again” to each other. Aaaaahhhh, it was truly a touching moment to remember. When I gave the teachers some gifts from US and Malaysia, I broke into tears when they hugged me tightly and bowed down to me appreciatively. I felt like we are now more than mere students and teachers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything!
After that, we returned to the hostel to change into casual clothes. The same group of us last night decided to grab our last dinner together at Tonkun restaurant since some of us would be leaving to Tokyo later that night. We booked a long Japanese table, and waited for Wakana-san from her evening class. I ordered cheese-baked mushroom – the one I had my eyes on the other day – but it was too oily! Alas, it was still good. We took pictures for our last memories together, and went back to finish packing. I couldn’t believe that the program had actually ended! I felt like I wanted to embrace everything: our hostel room, the river, the lounge, KIT classes, the self-study center, the cafes, the bakery, the teachers and staff, the Kanazawa wind, sunlight, smells, and all.
That night, we sent Tiana and Sam off at the bus stop. I was really crying before I went to sleep on my last night at KIT. I didn’t want to leave this place, how I wish I could repeat this experience again…
6:13 PM |
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cookies for me!
