NLDS 2005!!!

Last year I was a newie in NLDS 2004. This year I was a faci! The experience was amazing on so many different levels. It started with the faci meetings in the maadi office or in bon appetite...those meetings were long yes but we never felt the time. That was the first thing that amazed me...the way the faci group got along. We all didnt know each other but we were all working and all really wanted this conference to be a success. It was nice to see everyone working hard...nobody was slacking off so none of us were under too much stress nor did we have to pick up anyone's parts. Plus everyone was trying to make their sessions as interesting as possible so everyone's creativity came out. At the actual conference, that momentum continued. We'd meet at any time and any where and we'd just keep going even if we only had a couple of hours of sleep, and sometimes we'd give our sessions after only just receiving the material. So I'm really proud of our team and I honestly have never had a smoother "group project" experience in my life.
As the conference went on, more things amazed me. Arthur, our chair, was a truely inspirational person. I found myself getting really hooked every time he spoke to us, whether in a Faci/MC meeting or in the actual Plenary. He's speak and everyone would listen. I found myself smiling from ear to ear when he was talking to the newies on the last day and seeing all the newies (over a 100 of them) in total silence...absorbing all he had to say. I noticed the other facis also looking out at the newies and just smiling to see them so engrossed in something.
The newies themselves amazed me. Their energy was just contagious. The groups that were with me really enjoyed participating and they really wanted to learn. So much so that sometimes they'd come up with the conclusion on their own without me having to say it! That made my job easier and more fulfilling because I knew at that point that they were listening. I adored every single one of them. And I was glad to see that they liked me too. I considered myself lucky because I got to see the transformations that the newies went through even if they were small transformations...I got to see shy newies become more outgoing, newies voicing their goals when they realized they were in a comfortable environment to do so, non-dancing newies become the dancers of the conference...it was just great to see that we all did have an impact.
Lastly, I amazed myself a little bit too. I applied for this position because I wanted to challenge myself. I wanted to see if I could get people's attention and keep their attention with me. I wanted to see how creative I'd be in planning and executing the sessions. I had never been put in a situation where 30 eager learners would look at me and would actually be listening to every word I was saying. So I reminded myself that throughout the 3 days...make sure you know that what you are saying may stay with them for a while so dont say anything stupid! Hehe. I have to say I myself learnt alot about myself in NLDS. I was always the shy girl at school...and I had made the conscious decision to break out of that...that took years to get over and I still am shy but more willing to talk to strangers, more willing to speak in front of a large crowd, and definately more than willing to dance in front of a 100 people even if I didnt know all the moves! So NLDS helped me prove to myself that I had managed to change my shy habits and that you can as a person have the will power to change yourself.
Thanks NLDS for the amazing experience. This experience has really motivated me to take control of my life!
To check out the pics of this amazing event click here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/daoudmai/album?.dir=e002&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/daoudmai/my_photos