SUSHI LOVE RICE: An Article I Wrote For The School Magazine

Great Things Happen When We Believe

It almost felt like a dream, a fantasy that could only happen in lives of the talented and gifted. No, it could not be possible; to be given the luxury of a free plane flight across half the world; to be blessed with an opportunity to do, see, hear and feel things that I have only dreamt about; to be an honorable guest of the one of the world’s most renowned and historical university; to be referred as the representative of “Malaysia” alongside only the finest young speakers of other countries. No, that could not be for real.

My name is Bong Yang. I started college in TARC just like any one of you in 2008. I used to gaze upon the fluently articulated emcees during Mass Call and thought how great it would feel like to be able to speak so wittily to such a big crowd. I admire the seniors that greeted us during our first days of college who shared their success stories, of how possible it could be to both excel in studies and also be champions in other activities. I was truly inspired, but never thought it was possible. Success stories were for a few, I was just another freshman among the thousands of others. Why would I be the successful one?

The years went by as college life molded me to start believing and dreaming big. Even so, I had no idea something bigger than my dreams was coming my way. I was told by Ms. Val, my English lecturer that there was an English examination from Cambridge and the International winner would get an MBA scholarship. I actually broke out in laughter. It sounded so bizarre and farfetched that I thought I should definitely give it a try.

Bizarre indeed it was. Being one of the highest scorers of the examination, I was invited to the “National Level Cambridge English Speaking Competition” that was coincidentally held in that exact hall that I first dreamt of speaking on stage. The winner of the competition would be flown to Cambridge in UK to compete for an MBA scholarship. It was unbelievable. I held on tight to my guts, surrendered the rest to God and enjoyed my brief moment on stage. The next thing I know, they were announcing the winner and I heard my name and went up stage. I didn’t really know what was happening back then, probably looking back now, it was simply too good to be true. Cambridge? Really? Where in the world is Cambridge?

+Photo with the judges after winning the National Level Cambridge English Speaking Competition in TARCollege

Cambridge is 80km north of London, says Wikipedia. On the 4^th of July, I arrived in London after a 12 hours flight. A RM500 taxi ride brought me to Cambridge (Cambridge paid the bill) where Isaac Newton and many other scientists that we never bothered memorizing from out text books used to study and do their research. Cambridge was really a great host, having given a room to myself and abundance of food to enjoy, I was prepared to face the competition!

The competition came swiftly the next day while I was still jet-lagging. The finalists were required to present a speech about “The economic impact of Olympics towards its hosting country”, an impromptu speech and a Q&A Session. The crowd roared when I ended my speech. Be it out of passionate cheer or plain courtesy, I walked off knowing I gave my best. Before the announcing of the results, many from the crowd came to me and commended on my presentation. It was a little overwhelming as the comments they gave sounded pretty conclusive. However as they announced the winner, my name was not mentioned this time.

+ Presentation during the competition

Although disappointed, I knew winning was not the most important thing. The experience of being in an International competition was fulfilling in itself. Having given the chance to see the world and travel the UK was amazing, especially when you have a passion for photography.

One of the most rewarding experience was the honor to mingle with the finalists from different countries. All of them were champions from their country, fluent in their language, sharp in their thinking and ability in articulating their thoughts. It was indeed satisfying to be competing as well as befriending them.

+New found friends from different parts of the world

We were all like little ambassadors of our country. Through each other we learned of the history, culture, happenings as well as the concerns of the very people of each country that the media would never tell. The differences in values, belief and manner were very tangible but yet through that I learned to honor and respect differences, to embrace unity in diversity and not conformity. Being able to know one another and share thoughts and ideas definitely widen our perspectives that so often bound us to a limited world-view. The world indeed is much bigger than the one we see through our lenses.

Truly, from a freshman who thinks he would have to helplessly live an ordinary life to one that has been sent overseas to speak on behalf of Malaysia, sounds too good to be true, a fairytale-liked dream that could only happen to the very few gifted and talented. The truth is who says fairytales cannot come true? Every one of us are gifted in our own ways, we have talent buried inside of us that yearns to show up. The last thing we would want to do is to think small of that God-given potential, much like me when I first joined college, and thank God that He totally ruined my plan of being mediocre an ordinary.