Sunday, January 13, 2013

Between Mandom and Speaking Up

What does it take for one to be considered confident? We live in a country where "speaking out your thoughts" isn't necessarily a good thing. Considered rude even especially when it is expressed towards someone who is your senior. Do we lower our standards when we grade our confidence level then?

Sometimes, I think back and I just wish that I had participated more in activities that would have made me a convincing and charismatic speaker. Of course, it had all been Allah's plan. No room for regrets. School life is over for me. I've escaped from the safe cocoon I was in this past decade. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for the future. I was excited for the future even when I was in Asma. Perhaps just a bit intimidated by the people who might be in a different league than I am.

Alhamdulillah, not everything is a lost cause as I did participate in a few events. My confidence grew. Stage fright still dominates my thoughts though. Some friends say I'm not bad at all when I speak. I was baffled. Now I know that it was because of this "gift" I have:


A poker face. No, I think it's more of my blur facial expression. Some have called it muka cekang. Sometimes my blur face masks all emotions within. Not all times. I'm grateful to Allah for that anyway. Gone (maybe not fully) are the days when I wished I was more expressive. My blur side can get me into a lot of trouble to be frank. People think that I'm not sensitive enough, I look bored or people get bored talking to me. Well, you get the idea. As I said, Allah has planned it all.


“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (AI-Baqarah, 2:216)


I think I'm off topic. I didn't mean for this post to be so long. I just wanted to emphasize that it helps to have the confidence to speak up. Forget social norms that don't benefit you. We must speak up. Malaysians are considered reserved. Some say that we are shy. I think mandom is the word. Yes, that includes me. We should speak up when our rights have been taken. We should speak up when the older ones are doing it wrong. We should speak up when our religion has been taken for a ride. We have to learn how to.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Of Course We're Afraid

Now that the post-SPM jovial mood has settled down, everyone's staring to feel unsettled ey? And what with the rumor that results may be out in February, everyone is feeling rather edgy. (but really, when you heard it from someone who heard it from someone who heard it from someone.... lets just wait for the news shall we?).

People are asking around seniors and friends for future career options.I am no counselor so when someone asks me for advice I'd always give this link http://www.mymajors.com/ . It's not simply any career test. Lets just say its quite detailed. It lists about five career options and considers your strength and weakness as well. You have to register before taking the quiz and as I have said it's detailed so you gotta be patient. It's catered mostly for American students but you'll at least have an idea yeah?

Recently, a few of my friends have also me what are their strengths and weaknesses to help them decide on their future paths. Believe me, going on about their strengths wasn't really a problem because they've got great talents and personalities but the latter was quite nerve-wrecking. (I bet some of you are reading this)  Well, it's not really our culture to be straightforward so I deliberately chose my words. And Alhamdulillah, I managed and they weren't offended. Hopefully. 

So to those of you who are trying still confused, don't despair. Ask from guidance from our Creator and from those who can help. Mr. Internet is one of them. Please don't narrow your choices to really setreotypical careers such as medicine, engineering, accounting etc. They're not bad choices for careers, no I wasn't implying anything of that sort. Rather, I hope people would be more open to other options. Do your research and you might discover something. 

I realize that sometimes I talk as if I know a lot but that isn't the case. I'm also struggling to find the right path for my future. I'm planning to take humanities/social science for pre university. So foundation? A level? AUSMAT? SAM? ADP? What do you guys reckon?

People say it's only the beginning, nothing to be stressed about. They forget it's our future, how can we not be afraid?

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