A "special" Wednesday afternoon

Yesterday I had a very special Wednesday afternoon, which began from 12:30 p.m. On the previous day, I was informed to attend a department meeting as a student representitive. Thrilled by the news, I was a bit worried as well, since I didn't know what to do in such a formal occasion. Fortunately, my mentor, who would be in charge of this meeting, proposed to have lunch with the four student representitives including me. ^^

In the lunch, my mentor not only talked about the main content of this meeting---the revision of English curriculum, but also cought up with all of us and introduced us to each other. The four representitives were from different years of study, and it was such a good chance to meet with other excellent students! What my mentor did showed his concern for students, which had always been one of his "charms" to me. I often take him as a model leader, because I strongly believe that a good leader CARES.


Returning from our lunch, we got to the meeting room to get ready. One by one our professors came in, and to our surprise, we were seated at such important places! This kind of attention paid on us made me feel so honoured to be there. I've never joined any department meetings before, and it was also my first time to meet with all the professors in the English department. Throughout the whole meeting, we felt we were treated equally as everyone else, and the head of department sometimes asked for our opinions as well! I raised one question about the required elective courses offered by our department, and made a suggestion to conduct a survey before deciding on which courses to offer for each semester. I was so happy to see the smiles of several professors, and even happier to hear one of them saying, "It's really a good idea!" Their attitude towards the opinions of students left a deep impression on me. Hope more and more departments can do the same!

I had to leave the meeting a bit earlier since the HC class would begin soon. In yesterday's class, Pro. Udani asked us to write some words of encouragements on a piece of paper, then give it to the person we wanted to encourage. I sent my encouragements to Shelly, wishing her all the best in the coming TOFEL test. Just when I was guessing maybe nobody would give me a piece of paper, I saw Happy smiling at me, and handed me her paper! She called me "my dearest princess", and suggested that I open up to more friends, so that I can be more energetic. I was really moved by her sincere encouragement, and meanwhile very regretful for not sending her any encouragements. How I wish I could have more than one piece of paper! Anyway, encouragements can be given to people at anytime, and I decided to send her some words of encouragements after class. This simple but meaningful activity let me feel how easy it is to draw myself closer to the people around me, and what a difference I can make by encouraging a person.

After the class I was quite tired, but I felt that I had been nourished in this special afternoon.