Thursday, September 14, 2006

My First Award


Wow! I can't believe it! This picture is a trophy of the Toastmasters. At the last meeting of the Toastmasters, I made an impromptu speech. Then, I was chosen...the best table speech speaker of the week!!!

Last Monday, I went to my first meeting after I became a formal member of the Toastmasters. When "the table topics" were told, I was called as a speaker! Wow! I just became a member...there was NO BREAK during the Toastmasters' meeting! My topic was "my favorite card game." While I was walking toward a platform, I tried not to be nervous, and said to myself as follows:
1. Smile!
2. Be confident!
3. Speak clearly and slowly with a big voice!
4. Say something funny & possitive!
Then, I made this speech:
" My favorite card game is blackjack even though I have never played. My husband and I love to go to Las Vegas. Last time before we went there, we talked: If we win in a casino there, we would buy a plasma TV! However, when we watched the blackjack games in Las Vegas, we were devastated at the reality. Everybody bet much money! When we saw the game, one coin was $500. A young boy piled up four coins. The amount was... $2,000! That would be our plasma TV! The young boy lost his money soon, we were dissapointed at the reality. However, it was fun to make a contrast between our daily lives and a millionaire's dream!"

I have to say to you. I didn't make this speech fluently! Because I hadn't practiced!! Additionally, I made a lot of grammatical mistakes! Other speakers who did table speeches were Americans except for one Guatemalan girl. Why was I chosen as a best speaker? After I came home, I listened today's meeting tape that I recorded.
Maybe, because... I had dynamics. I have been working on to enhance my vocal range in the Voice for the Actor class and voice trainings from Mrs. Paine. Especially, last Monday, I went to the meeting just after I acted "being robbed" play with vocalizations! Mmmmm, it 's interesting! I have been focusing on what I want to do, so every activity is related to each other? I hope so!!!
What? You think... This award may be "a welcome" award because I am new?
Yeah...could be!!!

3 comments:

Chiung-Ya said...

Congratulations!

I don't think that they gave you the trophy to honor you as a new member. In several lessons I received for preparing presentations and teaching, the instructors always told us that vocal is a very important part of "talking." I think your practice definitely helps you in making conversation and speech. Besides, your voice is sweet and your story is funny too.

Anyway, Axel and I are very happy for you!

keiko said...

Thank you, Axeya! I love this name♪ The voice is very important, right! I hope I can make my "singing" range wider!! Huh-uh, it's more difficult!!

keiko said...

Liz! You have gotten atcing, singing, drawing, playing instruments awards!? You are such a TALENTED girl!!
I don't remember whether I got an award when I was a young girl like you... Maybe, essay contest or something?
Anyway, try to do MANY things, and PURSUE what you like most!
You are young, so if you purse something from now on, you would be a SPECIALIST of that!
If you are interested in learning Japanese most, that would be great!
(Anything you want to do is OK, whatever) You use Japanese sometimes, which is wonderful!
I am also trying to use French when I send e-mail to my French teacher. (Although I did it just twice) We go for it!!!