That made a difference.

Yesterday was 16 October, my papa's 67th birthday :D and also yiling's 20th birthday :D

Just 2 days back on Thursday afternoon I was invited by Darren to speak at SRJC. Darren was invited by one of the teachers in SRJC who also happens to be a toastmaster. We were there to actually speak to the J1 cohort about Project Work oral presentation skills. and I thought it was going to be really dry and boring... turns out it was so much fun and laughter and the students were really a group of receptive audience.

It was only on Wednesday night where I met Darren again at Hougang Toastmasters after years of not catching up since we left Xinmin. Somehow, seeing how much he has achieved today not only makes me feel exceptionally proud of him but also allowed me to experience the joy of seeing others grow. I guess this is one thing I will continue to look forward to in my profession.

5 years ago, we were all just typical Xinmin students (so called neighbourhood school students), without anything on the portfolio, no achievements no voluntary work.. life then only revolved around studies, and the many ccas we take part in , one of which is Debate. And in that year we were both at SRJC for a North zone tournament which got us our championships. Following that I lost touch of debate because of the turning point that made me lose all my stage confidence. And Darren continued his quest in debate as well as in public speaking.

Upon graduation, we went separate ways. Him to HwaChong and me to NJ. Although our schools are just opposite of each other, we never had a chance to bump into each other. All of a sudden recently I realised Darren also became a toastmaster, and he joined in February this year too. This day, we are both reunited at SRJC 5 years later, not for tournament this time as students, but there as guest speakers. (too bad no full reunion as the other person in our team is now in cambridge)

Darren's learning curve is a really steep one and I really look up to him on that. I am so proud of Saili and am especially proud of him. He is really making full use of his time in Army now (when he still doesn't need to juggle schwork and exams) ... to improve himself. Within 7 months in Toastmasters, I have just done my Competent Communicator Project 4, yet Darren has completed the CC manual, + 5 or 6 manuals from the Advanced Communicator Series, + took part in various contests even up to district level (meaning going overseas to compete against hongkong cambodia etc..) + took up office as the President of Punggol CC Toastmasters Club + juggling 5 tuition kids (of which 2 are in the SRJC cohort we spoke to) + giving training to institutions like what we have just done on Thursday.

And beyond all these, he is also planning to start his own enterprise - a public speaking training company, and all these will continue even after he starts school next August to pursue a double degree in Law and Business at NUS.

I can't help but feel really happy for Darren... so much impressed by how much he has gone out to achieve in life when we once started at the same level.

Sometimes when things get tough in school and when I start to feel like I really have to sit down and put in a little bit more time into my schoolwork, I will be reminded of people like Darren as well as others who were from Xinmin and NJC. These two schools where I meet many like-minded friends who don't just want to do well academically in life, but have many others goals and noble aspirations to help others. And so it didn't ever mattered to these people when they are drowned in schoolwork and tests and labreports etc. They might be complaining away, but deep down inside they know exactly what they are doing, and they are happy with things this way. My bestie is another example - medical school doesn't stop her from participating in the overseas aid trips and other activities alike.

All these people add lasting value to the lives of others - including mine! They never fail to make me feel much better about all that I am doing, because they show me by example, that the time sacrificed is worth it.
Just on thursday when I left SRJC after my second round of motivational speech, an indian girl who was sitting in the audience stopped me at the gate. "Thanks Diana!" I turned back, wondering if she was talking to me, cos it's impossible to recognise any of them when you just spoke to 800 of them and they all look the same in sr uniform. "Thanks for inspiring me." "welcome, my pleasure." :D and as I went home I told my mum about it. I felt awesome, it feels so great to know that you've managed to make a difference to someone. Though I guess she might never realise, that what she said made an even greater difference to me.