My History of Public Speaking

Ima shy guy. Betul!

Almost social phobic. Yeah Ive talked abit in front of people sometimes tho it was never easy and still not. Here're events which sorta changed my life. I owe to all the people mentioned and alot more not mentioned for making me who I am today. Allah bless them all.

Chronology of public speaking events (whichever I remembered and had special meaning to me):

1998- 2002 (Secondary school):
History presentation with En Sirajuddin (Disciplinary cum history teacher who pinch butts and spears in between whenever students were naughty), gave me encouragement after I stutter, stammer, laughed without being able to get a word out of my mouth everytime I presented. "Molek ar tu, mu present". The next teacher, an Indian history teacher (she slaps people man tho shes actly kind. Tough discipline) screamed to me when same thing happened,"Oy! Nak present present ar betul-betul!" That particular event stuck with me til today. I was partially cured from my social phobia.

Not really a public speaking event but more of a culture night during a KRS event in school. I directed a play and acted as well. Dont really remember what it was about but it was certainly funny and people liked it. I remembered becoming a weather man and rolled on stage after being blown by a hurricane and holding up a placard "untuk tontonan umum, hanya untuk tontonan masyarakat" and acting all silly. Most of all I remembered winning best group acting. People enjoyed it. Thanks to this kakak which I really tak igt name (tho I remembered people hated her cuz shes sooo sqema but I am indebted to her).

2003-2004 (IIUM Matriculation):
My personal renaissance? List of events that changed my life in Matric:

Becoming an MC for a LEADTRAIN function.
I guess that was my first public speaking event which later lead me to become MC for several other events (tho never really improved :p ). But that little moment behind the podium shot me to some sort of popularity in Matric. That's what some people say anyway.

Joining the Debate Club
I remembered this one very well. I was on the way to the chess club AGM. Amirul ajak gi debate AGM. "Cmon, ar Harta, ramai awek cun." I saw one and was convinced. Debate has been my training ground tho I was never good at debating (or arguing pon) but it did in some way help build my confidence. Muawwiz and Farhan also spurred and built my confidence in alotta ways.. Since then participated in some events and became a trainee adjudicator at an AUDC competition where I met 'you'....

My first debate
I don't really remember what happen tappi akku rase Amir kut was responsible for recruting me to become a speaker (2nd speaker) for the medic team. I sorta remember the motion was Space exploration is a waste of resources. I remembered Aliah (was in Sciencess during that time) was my opponent. Giler aggresive die tu! Ive never debated before and had crowds cheering ape2 je nonsense that came out of my mouth. To bad Aliah, I didnt take ur POI. But you went on to win second place anyway.

Organizing public speaking competition during RAFEST
To start the ball rolling to get people to participated, I talked nonsense on stage in the people ofa crowd (yang hopefully sibuk shopping to notice). Kenape ar aku buat benda2 yg tahape2. At the same time me and Jus responsible for the MEDCY stall.

Directing Interkulliyah Dean's Cup debating competition.
Being the boss puts me in position to talk in front of people yet again. I remember the drama I incited when announcing the results for those qualifying for the finals. PoYo gak ar I admit. I dont remeber giving a speech at the finals tho... But I DO remembered me meeting someone and having a brief brief 'affair'.

2004-2009 (IIUM Kulliyah of Medicine)

I remembered paticipating in a public speaking event for a compulsory curriculum event. Tho that was a bad memory. I remembered talking nonsense again and Aliah winning first prize. But she was really good. Everyone was, Abdul Rahman, Atiyah, and that Nursing student dude.

Besides that presented in alotta seminars and presentations at classroom level.

Eventually I learned to suck it up and ask questions in class without much shame. First in classes. Then later in bigger conferences and symposiums. This is a very big step for me to be braver and more confident tho everytime before I go up to the mike, I have those nervous palpitations and anxiousness but what the hell.

Latest achievement was when I volunteered with Atiyah to present an Islamic input class. It was well recieved Dr Samsul was impressed. Owed alotta people for that.


Now....

The Triple-I committees have asked me to become a moderator for one of their forums. Ive never done this before but somehow Id like to try take this challenge. Bile lagi? Ill be graduating soon. When all these activities Ive done in the past will be just memories. Or catalysts that had prepared me for more things to come (research presentations in an international forum? parlimentary debates? or just simple daawah?)

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Alhamdulillah these events have help build who I am today, one who is braver and more confident than before. However despite all this I doubt that Ima influencial speaker nor do I admit that I have overcome stage fright totally. But I ahve certainly improved but only with practice..

I guess in my future line of work, public speeches are necessary. Im gald I had the opportunity to have all these experience to help build myself. Theres still so many things I need to work on. Me being a moderator will hopefully with the grace of Allah be yet another experience that will help catapult me into excellence.