Major Surprise...

Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Got a rude shock this morning. Now I know why my Japanese Teacher when I was a Temasek Poly student, Kubo Sensei, was so happy to hear that it is confirmed that I will be following on the trip to Beijing.

I was at TP collecting the balance amount for another of the student trip yesterday when my manager called to ask me to contact Kubo Sensei when I'm done. He needs me to pick up some stuff to bring back to my manager for the Beijing trip.

I am always the one to run any errands for my manager where TP is concern not just cost I stay 3 bus stops but also cos I'm very familar with the place as I was there for 3 years doing my diploma. And it was on one errands 2 years ago with my ex-supervisor that I got back into contact with Kubo Sensei.

Kubo Sensei was my teacher when I took Japanese as an extra module while in TP. He was also one of the teachers who followed on our exchange trip to Japan. He is a very jolly man while a big and loud hearty laugh. He was always excited to see me, just like his eagerness to introduce me to his students now. Especially since he knows that I am still continuing to pursue my interest in Japanese Language. These little things really mean a lot to teachers.

If you had followed my blog, you would have realised that this is not my first trip with Kubo Sensei since I left TP. I lead the group up to Vietnam last September and was sort of the main in-charge for the trip. That made my dear Sensei very happy. And post trip appraisal was good with Sensei telling my manager how happy he was that I was a good leader for the group and how proud he was of me taking such good care of the group. Not just because I was an ex-TPian but also cos I was his student.

Back to the topic.

So I headed down to the tutorial room to meet him. He was having his lessons. As usual, he was happy to see me. And even before I could ask him what he needed me to bring back to office, he asked who will be traveling to Beijing. 'You?' was the next question that follows. And then a hopeful look that he will get the answer he wants. When I told him that I am indeed following, he asked again, 'Confirm?' 'Really?' And when I assured him that I will definitely be going on the trip, he wasted no time to inform his class that I will be following them on the trip and made them greet me. And he also reconfirms my attendance in the up coming briefing session for the trip on Monday. I am really happy to be able to repay my teachers this way. Especially since they are just our optional modules lecturers. Though they are not the ones who teaches us on our main modules of study, they are still our teachers and play a very important part in our life.

This morning I finally know again why he was so happy about me going. My manager dropped the bomb, casually, admist all details that she say I had to be informed about for the dinner with special guest speakers. And just as casually, she informed me that Kubo Sensei wants me to be ONE OF THE GUEST SPEAKERS. It just exploded. I have a phobia of public speaking. And when I'm tour leading, I will never pick up the mic unless I absolutely have to. I always leave the talking to the guide. And now I HAVE TO BE A GUEST SPEAKER?! No Way!!! And Kubo Sensei was sneaky enough to get my manager to talk to me after he got her approval. He knew the chances of my rejecting and backing out of the trip is lower if my manager talk to me... Ha ha ha... This is so Kubo Sensei. Cos the students on this trip are taking 'Global Citizenship'. And Kubo Sensei thinks that I fit the bill as well since I'm out in so many countries. And then I was assured by my manager that it will be a casual dialogue session. And she happily put my name in the information booklet.

And the next thing I knew, now I'm a guest speaker cum tour leader.

I hope I won't disappoint Kubo Sensei or my manager on this trip.

Keeping fingers crossed.