Monday, November 12, 2012

Last Words?

Indescribable.

Isn't it always such an overwhelming feeling whenever you're nearing the end of something?

In retrospect, how much have I exactly been present in the classes? I could have been there physically, but was I really there? I can't help but feel this way, always. I was looking back at my previous posts, and I recalled all the assignments we had to do, the discussions and activities we had in class and of course, those rare times the class managed to share beyond lesson hours.

Sadly, they were all but blur images initially. Twelve weeks breezed by and it amazes me how much we have actually accomplished over time. But as I calmed down eventually, they became clearer and more vivid.

I'm most impressed with the idea of blogging for this module. Even though blogging is basically just all about writing without writing, but writing formally and professionally has always been a huge challenge for me. Whenever there was a blog post due, like now, the thing I'd fret about the most was stringing my casual thoughts into serious words that made sense, and thoughtful sentences that were coherent.

The first few posts were really difficult for me as I was at a loss as to how I can sound professional. I wanted to be taken seriously for once. My posts were always published with so much apprehension. I still recall vividly how mind-blown I felt the very first time I read Laura's and Han's posts. I told myself, "These people can write. Do something about yourself, Huiyun. Write something decent."

Along the way, I picked up constructive comments that helped me grow. I wouldn't say I've changed my writing style, but I've certainly tried to incorporate whatever feedback I've received to mould my style into one that could finally suffice in justifying my incoherent thoughts. Reading others' blog posts have also proven to be helpful, as I observed the different writing styles and how they can be applied in different situations and contexts. I'm not sure if my writing has improved at all, but I certainly do hope they sound more coherent than before!

Having a blogging group was also fresh. It motivated me to write because I knew there would be at least someone who would be reading my posts, even if you may argue that it was simply out of pure obligation. And my mates would also send me gentle reminders to update when my blog became too stale nearing the deadline. All I can say is, that really helped me a lot so thanks guys!

Lastly, I'd also like to take this chance to tell all of my classmates: Even though I haven't commented on each and every of your posts, but I've read through every single word and it's been a real pleasure getting to know another side of you through your very own words. Thank you all for making my Tuesdays and Fridays so much more bearable!

And to Brad: I'm so grateful I didn't get outbid for this class, thank you for showing me that learning how to communicate can also be this versatile, and enjoyable! The liveliness of your teaching style has left me much to reflect on, and I'm looking forward to the day I can finally be a professional communicator like you!

It has been a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience for me, albeit fraught with the endless exhausting deadlines. As much as I'm dreading the arrival of this coming Friday, I hope the friendships forged throughout these past few months will be able to last beyond The World Without Walls!

And of course, may these not be my last words, yet.

20 comments:

  1. Hi Hui Yun,

    Actually, all along when I read your blog posts, you sounded coherent and your style of writing is definitely formal and professional. I had the same feeling as you when I first read Han’s and Laura’s blogs and I was wondering to myself what have I been doing during my English and GP classes in secondary school and junior college which could have caused my command of English to be so bad compared to the rest. After these twelve weeks, I believe that you would have improved in all areas and you are on the way to become a professional communicator. Let’s look forward to Friday’s “closing ceremony” for this module to conclude what we have learnt the past twelve weeks. You do not have dread the arrival of Friday lesson as we have already fostered the friendships with one another and it will definitely last beyond The World without Walls.^^

    Cheers,
    Yong Sheng

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yongsheng!

      Thanks for your encouraging comments! Yes I was glad Friday turned out to be a rather nice chapter closed! Haha you're definitely not alone, I was beginning to doubt my presence in all my English classes too. Guess it's a lucky thing we took this module, so much for us to learn and so many talents to learn from! Let's all be on our way to become professional communicators!

      Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Hey Hui Yun,

    I hope you're not mindblown by my posts anymore. Using the passive voice is a quick and dirty way to put a formal and haughty vibe on sentences, like how Yoda speaks. You appear quite comfortable with your style and from what I'm reading, you've definitely done a great job adapting it to suit professional communication. Since you take great pride in your work, you naturally improved over time; you definitely sound very coherent here.

    The group definitely didn't intend to rush you for the blog post, do take care of yourself first, your well-being is always the most important assignment.

    Finally, take comfort in that every end marks a new beginning. Thanks for making our Tuesdays and Fridays more bearable! See you again on Friday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Han,

      Unfortunately, once mindblown, always mindblown, haha! I guess it's also partly due to my unfamiliarity with the passive style of writing that makes it particularly outstanding. But thanks for your encouragement, I'll definitely try writing beyond my comfort zone to see how far I can sound like Yoda!

      And no! I'm actually very grateful for all the reminders, because I tend to value procrastination at the wrong time. So that was very useful to get myself working on the assignments, thanks!

      Indeed, glad Friday turned out to be a nice chapter closed for the class too!

      Delete
  3. Hello Huiyun,

    Incoherent? No. Chuck that idea out the window because you can write really well. I love your style of writing, and more importantly, the way you structure your arguments. You never fail to surprise me in each and every blog post of yours. You see things in an extraordinary perspective that I would never have done so if I had never read yours. I always learn new ways of understanding from your angle. And for someone else to understand a fresh new idea, I must say you have really done a good job for achieving so.

    Hope our great times do not end simply so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Shiying!

      Thank you for appreciating my style of writing! I am very touched by your comments and it's always very heartening to know that I've managed to connect with my readers.

      My incoherence largely happens whenever I'm speaking, and this is a common feedback I get from my friends. Perhaps when I'm writing, there's actually buffer time for me to reconstruct my ideas, and thus, making my posts seem more coherent. All the same, thanks for your encouragement!

      Our great times certainly will not end simply so!

      Delete
  4. Hi, my school mate for 6 years! I should have asked Charis to introduce you to me when we were both in Nan Hua, because you are really one of the nicest person I ever met and also the most cheerful one. However, it is still not too late to know each other now. Personal stuff aside, I actually enjoyed reading your posts (although I didn’t really read all of them). I personally find your style of writing very lively and enthusiastic. Nevertheless, like what you mentioned, your way of writing is still not very formal, but it takes time to improve a person’s way of writing, so don’t be too bother about it.

    I was also quite surprised when I first knew that we have to write blog posts for this module. I could not really understand the link between blogging and professional communication initially. However, after so many blog posts, I realised its usefulness now. We can have ample practices on writing formally and improve on our writing style based on feedbacks given by the rest of our classmates simultaneously.

    Lastly, hope that we can still keep in contact even after Es2007s has ended!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Yeawen!

      Exactly, why have we been hiding from each other for 6 years?! Thanks for having such nice words for me, I actually feel very lucky getting to know you too! You're really nice to get along with and easygoing, I felt bad that you had to be the one leaving the blog group during the start of the semester, I'm so sorry for that!

      Thanks for enjoying my posts! It's really very heartening to receive a comment like that. I'm also still working on the formal tone, but I guess it's more of a personal thing, so I'm just hoping I'll somehow eventually acquire that style of writing.

      Yes, I really think blogging is such a brilliant idea to facilitate communication among all of us, formal yet interactive. And it's good to see all of us benefiting from it!

      And of course, we WILL definitely keep in contact after this!

      Delete
  5. Hi Huiyun,

    After all the posts above, what else can I write? You are definitely a better writer than you think of yourself. I agree with Han that each person has their own writing style and I have enjoyed yours. I also agree with Shiying that you are writing from a unique perspective and it has been a pleasure to be surprised by your blogpost. It has been a memorable experience especially since you are the person that I have met the most; partly due to us being in the same project group and also your frequent visit to PGP for peer presentation with Chandra. I also hope that this will not be your last words in this blogpost and we can keep in touch in te future. All the best for your study and stay unique always.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Eric,

      Thanks for enjoying my writing style too! I'm so happy now. Haha I hope my unique perspectives weren't too queer! Now that you mention, yes I really do see you quite a lot! It's been equally memorable getting to know and work with you too. We will have to keep in touch yes please, especially after what we've been through!

      Thanks for your well wishes, all the best for your final year too! And see you around even after that!

      Delete
  6. Thank you, Hui Yun, for this well focused, honest post elaborating on your feelings about the blogging. I respect your willingness to admit that you were taken aback by the level of writing of some of your classmates. That can be an intimidating experience. You dealt with it well though, finding the motivation to work at your own needs, refining your craft in the process. Your ideas flow smoothly enough in this post, so much so that you've communicated adroitly with your audience and garnered many responses. The social bonds you've created are obvious in this as well. (And isn't that ultimately the main point?)

    It's been a great pleasure to work with you this term. Your cheerful attitude, positive demeanor and high EQ have added greatly to the class. Thanks for the effort, HuiYun, and for the river of smiles.

    Undoubtedly, we'll be seeing each other in the TechnoEdge, that source of so much inspiration. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Brad! Yes I was really intimidated (still am in fact), and in awe too actually, but that also made me realise I've so much to learn from! I really admire your laid back yet serene disposition a lot, thanks for returning my smiles!

      Indeed, and please don't mind me if I ask to join your table then! (:

      Delete
    2. I would like to join in!
      Ask me along! I will fly there from Science X)

      Delete
    3. Okay sure thing Shiying!! (: Science isn't very far too hahaha!

      Delete
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