Step Up!

Hah,,, I don't know how many times I sighed after I came back home from the toastmasters' meeting. It was the third meeting for me as a visitor. Last Monday's meeting was more advanced than the other two meetings.

In the meeting, the person who gave the topics of impromptu speeches brought one book which is about "political jokes." As she quoted one potitical joke, she appointed one member to make an "impromptu speech" related to "the joke..." I turned pale! I couldn't understand even why those jokes were funny!
However, appointed members did great jobs! They told their private stories using the jokes! Can you do that? I CAN'T!!!! I knew the toastmasters' activities were challenging for me. But today, I just realized "the reality..." I said there were some international students in the club. It's true, but all of them are Ph.D. students!
Thus, their English abilities are much better than mine!! I am talikng about not only speaking, but also listening. Among the four fields of learning language (speaking, listening, reading, and writing,) my weakest point is definitely listening!!
I can take my time to read and write. I can use my words when I speak in English.
However, if the speaker spoke really fast, I couldn't catch up with his/her speed. Also, if the speaker said something very unexpectedly, my thinking about the meaning and my English listening speed became imcompatible. AH! Now I know, why I have'nt been a good student!! I AM STUPID!!

However.. I came to myself. I don't have time to hesitate! Because I don't have so much time to stay here. I will leave the U.S. in 1-2 years. I don't have much time to make my English perfect, and I know I need to participate in the toastmasters' activities to make my dreams come true. JUST DO WHAT YOU NEED TO!!!
I forced myself to fill out the application form to be a formal member.

Then, I recollected. " I think I had this feeling before..." Yes! Remember, since I came to the U.S, I have done several things which were challenging to me at that time. When I attended very advanced classes, the first time when I made an English presentation.. and so on. What did I do there? I wanted to run away, but I just continued to do that, be stuck there. Then, it became a "not so difficult thing" after awhile. At the end of the meeting, I asked everybody's permission to record the meetings. I will be STUCK here, but I need to do something to cover my "disadvantages."

After the meeting, I drove out of the parking garage. It was 8:30 pm, but already dark. My fourth autumn in the U.S. will come soon. It will be challenging season for me.
However, don't take it so seriously. Just step up, and do your best!
Someday, you (we ) will be more forward than we expect.. hopefully.

(In this picture, these are the Toastmasters' trophies! If you become "the best speaker of the meeting," you can get one of them. This image is from this Web-site
http://www.toastmasters.org/)

"Astro Boy"

A few day ago, I got a PLEASANT letter from Liz!! (This picture♪) Liz is a 13-year-old (is that right, Liz?) cute girl, the daughter of my friend, Annette. Can you guess which character she wrote about? Yes! The "Tetsuwan(iron-armed) Atom!" The "Tetsuwan Atom" was originally a manga comic started in 1952 by Osamu Tezuka, who is known as the "god of manga." He was a physician, but he wanted to entertain children. Therefore, he quit his job, and became a manga creator. He produced many comics and animations. However, the "Tetsuwan Atom" is one of the most famous of his works!! In the U.S. and other Western countries, the "Tetsuwan Atom" is called the Atsro Boy. One day, I found the DVD series of the Astro Boy. Immediately I was reminded of Liz.

When I visited Annette's house, Liz showed me some Japanese animation DVDs and games, like Inuyasha, Sonic the Hedgehog... She said she loved Japanese animations. She always watches them with English captions, but the captions seem too short. She wanted to understand everything the characters were talking about!
She said, " I want to learn Japanese!!" to me. I tried to translate Japanese characters' speeches, but it was hard for me to be like a simultaneous interpreter...

However, I was glad Liz was interested in Japanese language and culture. I should thank Japanese animation creators! They have been making many works which attract young people all over the world! My Venezuelan friend told me that she really loved Candy Candy and the A Dog of Flanders.(フランダースの犬） My Spanish friend sang to me, the Doraemon( an advanced robot's name) song and the Crayon Shin-chan song. My Chinese friend said, she was addicted to watching the A girl of Flower: Runrun (花の子ルンルン) and the Saint Seiya ( セイントセイヤ. ) Even though many young people do not give much attention toward Japan politically or economically, they may become interested in Japan through fantastic animations!!

I gave the series of the Astro Boy DVD to Liz. She sent me this lovely thank-you card♪ She said she really loved this, and thought she got something authentic! She also said she loved the sense of mystery behind the characters. Thanks, Liz! I'm glad you like it!! Later, she said, " I will study Japanese. I want to go to Japan, and enjoy having conversation with the Japanese someday! I love the culture and people!!" Liz, when this dream comes true, you can stay at MY HOME☆

My First Bride and Groom

This story is about four and a half years ago, when I just started a wedding emcee job in Tokyo, Japan.

While the bride and groom were leaving the reception place, I saw tears in the bride’s eyes. Even though it was awkward, the groom was trying to smile to show thankfulness to their guests. While I was watching them, I felt satisfied. One month before, I could never imagine this scene. “You are my first bride and groom. I will never forget you.” I whispered to myself.

Before I got this first job as a wedding emcee, I had met many gorgeous couples. Being a wedding emcee at “gorgeous” wedding places was my dream. One of the reasons why I picked my wedding emcee office was they made contracts with fascinating, trendy wedding places. In some of these places, I saw some celebrities attending wedding parties.

When I was offered my first job from my office, I was very excited meeting “my” bride and groom. Before that, I had met many beautiful brides and grooms, but they were my senior’s clients. I was an assistant emcee of them. Finally, I had my client! The wedding place was a traditional famous restaurant. If I compared other places where our office made contracts, the restaurant was not so gorgeous. “But, it’s OK!” I said to myself. “I know that restaurant has welcomed many friendly nice couples! My bride and groom also must be nice!”

One month before the wedding, I went to the restaurant to have a meeting with the couple. I was wearing a new suit, had a lucky charm to wish my first job’s success. When I entered the room where the couple was waiting, I made full of smile. “Hello! How are you? I am your emcee, Keiko! Nice to meet you!” I greeted them with big smile and loud voice like a professional emcee. But.. the bride and groom had no smile at all. “Sorry, we are busy. We have to leave here in an hour. Is this OK?” The bride said. “Ah…of course, OK.” Trying not to show my hesitation, I said to her. The groom remained silent. Brides and grooms were supposed to be in the middle of happiness, so most of them were friendly. However.. “my first” bride and groom were definitely different. I started to be anxious. “Let’s start our meeting. How many guests do you have?” I tried to keep my smile. “16.” The bride said. 16.. the smallest wedding I had ever heard of. “That would be a nice, intimate wedding. What kind of event do you want to have?” A wedding emcee should be always positive. I was reminded my boss’s teaching. “Actually, we do not want to have events.” Finally, the quiet groom spoke. Even though I should be positive, I had no idea what to say. No event!? So, why did you hire me??? “We do not like traditional, typical wedding events. We want to just enjoy talking with our guests.” The bride explained. “OK… So, how about interviewing guests? This is new wedding trend. It is not formal speech, so guests do not have to prepare. You can enjoy their comments. Isn’t it nice?” “Hahn.. but, interviewing quests may make them be nervous. Also, I do not want to let them make formal speeches.” “I..see…” This was my first job. But, it was the most difficult meeting I had ever seen and they were most stubborn couple!!! Feeling the pressure of the time limit, I was trying to find the best way.

However, when I asked them their stories, such as how you met or their hobbies, the mood had changed gradually. The groom who spoke little suddenly became eloquent. The groom was a clerk of a court. The bride was a nurse. They met by their friend’s arrangement, but they didn’t think they would become a couple the first time they met. He thought she was not friendly. However, when he had a promotion exam, he had bad cold. Then, the bride took care of him very kindly. He was so impressed that he decided to get married to her. While he was telling the story, the groom was like a child who was talking what he did a good job. Also, I saw the bride finally smiled to look at him. “I was not wrong. Every bride and groom is in the middle of happiness.” I saw the light of hope. This wedding may be successful. I had to do my best.

A wedding emcee can meet just once before their wedding day. However, I wanted to know them more. After the meeting, I called them often. Whether the wedding was small or big, the couple was friendly or unfriendly, they had gorgeous events or not, it didn’t matter. The wedding should be one of the best moments for the bride and groom. I had to proceed the event. I should be the biggest fan of the couple. I should know them. The more I called, the more both of them talked about themselves and guests. The bride said her mother and father divorced recently. But, she invited both of them. That was why she refused to have the “interview” event.

On their wedding day, the weather was not good. But I tried not to care. When the bride’s mother and father met, I say they stared each other with wrath. However, I tried to smile and be cheerful. Instead of formal speeches or interview, I asked every guest to talk about some memories of the couple and show their congratulations. Even though it was very small party, the bride and groom seemed to be nervous. However, every guest talked with full of pleasure. The bride’s cousin told us how the bride was an active girl when she was young, and she cried with excitement. The bride laughed, and cried.

Because I communicated enough with the bride and groom, I heard about every guest's information from them. The wedding reception was two and half hour longs and had no events, so I had time to talk with every quest. Everyone was surprised how I knew about my bride and groom. They thought I was a friend of them. When I talked with a guest, I saw the bride’s mother and father finally talked. They were smiling.

After the wedding, the bride and groom said to me “Thank you very much, Keiko. We have never imagined we could have such a nice wedding party. It’s because of you. You made this warm atmosphere. We are very lucky to have you.” They did not know, but it was my first job as a professional emcee. Actually, I made some mistakes. However, they did not care. How I showed my feelings of celebrations was important to them.

Since then, I have met over 100 couples. Some of them were not so nice. I can not choose my clients. However, “people in the middle of happiness” are not bad people. Some may be unfriendly, but they are my precious clients. If I try to know them, they would open their hearts. This is what I leaned from my first bride and groom.

Sweat Suit

Usually, I like to wear a blouse and a skirt or a one-piece dress. However, if you see me on the Purdue campus every Monday or Wednesday morning, I wear a sweat suit like the picture. Why? Because I have the "Voice for the Actor" class!! In the class, the instructor, Stacie, requires us to wear workout type clothes. We are supposed to stretch and exercise to make proper voice for actors!!

Last Wednesday, we did some exercises for the first time. We lay down on the mat closing our eyes. Stacie turned the light off, and started to give us instructions.
"Put your hands on your stomach. Feel your breath." In the dim studio, we recognized our breathing from the sound and the feeling of our hands.
"A good speaker is a good listener. Listen to the sounds around you carefully..." Stacie said gently. But, there was NO SOUND without our breathing in the quiet studio!! Then, my stomach started to growl, and I heard one boy was snoring!!
I'm not kidding!!!

Anyway, we made many poses. Following Stacie's instructions, we did a child pose from Yoga..We huddled, but stretched our arms. A banana pose? We leaned back as if we could touch our legs from the back.
Making all poses to recognize our abdominal breathing. If you do the "thoracic respiration( breathe from your chest)," you would run out of breath soon. Also, you would push your vocal cords. For actors, singers, emcees, announcers... everyone who uses his vocal cords has to breathe from his abdomen.
This is a very basic exsercise for voice, but it's very important!!
However, what we learned most today was: we should have breakfast and enough sleep before the class...

I'm looking forward to seeing what's going on the next class!!
So, what will I do after the class with this cute sweat suit? I know? Let's go to a GOLF RANGE!!!

See you, Xiaowei!!

Last weekend, one of my BEST friends left Lafayette. Her name is Xiaowei, who is from Beijing, China. When I met her in the Purdue ESOL school at the first time, I was impressed by her delicate figure and beautiful small voice. I thought she was a very quiet girl. However, gradually I knew she was a determined, assertive, and humorous girl.

About a half year later since we became friends, she was accepted by the Purdue University as a graduate student of the Masters of Business Asiministration.
Yes, she is smart, and a hard worker! But also, she is an easy-going person. That's why we have been compatible. We visited each other's homes, had lunch at restaurants, had tea at cafes, cooked together, went to movies & concerts...
After she became a graduate student, we couldn't often meet because she had so intense schedule. However, when we met, we just forgot time! She loved to learn some tips of applying make up from me. Sometimes we "searched" about that from Japanese magazines.

When we went to the Kelly Clarkson's concert, she said,"Keiko, why don't we go on a trip to Japan and China together someday? We can guide each other. It must be fun!!" In the noisy concert hall, I shouted, "That would be fabulous!!"

When she was in Germany as an exchange student of Purdue, she sent an e-mail to me. "Keiko, I had a dream last night. You and I were traveling in China and Japan! It was soooo realistic!! I think it will become reality!!"

The day befofe she left the town, we had lunch, and chatted in my home as usual.
She gave me a chocolate fondue maker. I gave her a Japanese hair accessory and a Japanese kitchen tool. After I gave her a ride to her home, we didn't say "good-bye." We said just "see you!" because we know we are going to cry if we said something more. She went to N.Y. next day. When will we meet again? We don't know yet. Where can we meet? Maybe in the U.S, or could be in China, or Japan..
But we will meet again, Xiaowei! As you said, "The dream will be real!!"

Voice for the Actor

From last Monday, I started to take a class at Purdue University. Correction: VISITED a class. I did not register for the class, but I asked an instructor to accept me as an auditor. Neither my hubby nor I is a student at Purdue. So I have to pay from $700-$1,800 (depending on how many credits the class has) for one class there. That is expensive for me. Therefore, I found the way to learn from this class without paying. Which class? "Voice for the Actor!!"

This class was limited 17 students. It's a small class! The class has been held at this building in the photo. The building is for art activities. The name is Pao Hall for Visual and Performing Arts. So, there are some studios and theaters in the building. The instructor of this class is a graduate student at Pudue. Her name is Stacie. She is a young, cute girl!! Fortunately, she accepted me! Thank you sooo much, Stacie!! The Voice for the Actor class is bacically for sophomores whose majors are theater. The ratio of the boys and girls? 6:4, I guess.

In the class, we introduced ourselves first. Second, Stacie explained about the syllabus. I was surprised how plentiful the requirements are for the students:
writing several assignments about voice, reading some parts of a THICK textbook every time, going to the theaters to watch some plays which the instructor recommended, writing impressions about those plays, working on a performance...and so on.
I'm fine because I don't have to PASS it or GET an A in this class... But other students have to pass it, and of course they have other classes!!
"Being a student" is not an EASY job in the U.S...

After the orientation, we moved chairs to the back of the room and made a circle.
Stacie said, "Let's play a game which is very helpful to remember everybody's name!" Can you imagine what we did? I'll explain:
One says his name, and made an action which represents himself. Everyone repeats the name & the action. The next one does the same things. Then, everyone repeats the first one's & second one's names & actions! Continue to the last person in the circle! The game makes you repeat everyone's name and action continuously.
What is "an action which represents you"? For instance, I jumped and raised my hands. One girl covered her face with her hands as if she was crying. One boy pretended to play a guitar. Another boy saluted.
This class is not "a lecture type one" at all... I JUMPED in the class!!
It is the first time for me to have a class at an American university, but I chose the one which requires me to communicate MORE than other classes!! However, this is a great game! Almost all the students figured out everybody's name. Me!? I'm not sure...

I was an instructor of (a kind of ) speech class in Japan. So,"making proper & strong voice" is definitely one of my interests! I'm looking forward to seeing how I will learn from Stacie♪

Summer Koushien in 2006

My friend, I know I wrote about this TOO MUCH....but please read this!!

Do you like baseball? I LOVE watching beseball games! Every summer, I used to be excited to watch "The National High School Baseball Tournament in Koushien" in Japan.
"Koushien" is the name of a baseball stadium in Osaka. Many professional baseball games are held there. But if a Japanese says "Summer Koushien," it means "The National High School Baseball Tournament" because it is soooo popular nationwide!! It started 88 years ago. This year, 4,112 high school's baseball teams participated in the LOCAL tournaments in their prefectures. Japan has 47 prefectures. Tokyo and Hokkaido( The northern land of Japan. My home town is in this land♪) have two local tournaments. Therefore, 49 high school beseball teams participated in the NATIONAL tournament.
" Having games in the Summer Koushien" is a big dream for EVERY high school baseball boy! " Becoming a campion team in the Summer Koushien" is the biggest dream for them! Many recruiters of proffesional baseball teams have been looking forward to seeing this. If you are very active in this tournament, you may become a pfofessional baseball player!! But I think most baseball boys do not pursue "private success," but "team victory" because so many Japanese support their home prefectures' team!! You also can become "a local" or "a national" hero!!

I also have been supporting my home prefecture's high school! That is "Komadai-Tomakomai" high school. Itn't it a LONG name? "Komadai" is an abbreviation of "Komazawa University." "Tomakomai" is the name of a small city which is located near my home town, Sapporo, in Hokkaido. The "Komadai-Tomakomai" is a special high school for the "Summer Koushien."　(This is the team's photo: from http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/ ) Recently, the team became "the champion" two years in a row!!! So, if the "Komadai-Tomakomai" won this year, they would be the champion three years in a row!!! That was really a big thing, so many baseball fans have been interested in the team. Why is this such a big deal? The reasons are the following:

1. Members of high school baseball teams are changing every year. Seniors have to graduate, so if your team has talented players who are seniors, it would be difficult to win next year.
2. Players who are from the Hokkaido area have disadvantages. It is a very cold area, so they have A LOT OF snow every year. When they have snow.. they can't do the "usual" baseball practice. Also, it is an isolated land, so it would be hard to have games against other area high school teams. In fact, Hokkaido's teams used to lose the first games at the Summer Koushien! The Western summer around Osaka is so hot and humid. It's very different from Hokkaido's summer. It is not so hot, and comfortable. Many Northern players got tired because of the different weather.
When the Komadai-Tomakomai became the campion in 2004, it was the first time for northern teams to be a champion.
3. Now, in this world, you can get important information easily. Once you become a champion of the Summer Koushien, every high school team would try to get your team's information. If your baseball style is well known, it would be hard to win.

The "Komadai-Tomakomai" team overcame these difficulties;
1. The manager, Mr, Koda has been trying to let the sophomores or juniors in the major tournaments.
2. Even though it is in the middle of winter, they practiced on the snowy ground. Their "sense of balance" has been trained on the slippery icy ground by Mr.Koda.
When they played in the Summer Kousien, everybody was suprised how much difference this made.
3. Mr. Koda has tried not to make "a superstar." If your team has "a super star," he would be noticed by everybody. Your team's condition is supposed to change depending on his condition. Mr. Koda have tried to have "the team victory."

Anyway, the "Komadai-Tomakomai" continued to win, and they played the final this year! You know what? This is my THIRD Summer in the U.S. We can't watch live games of the Summer Koushien here. But since I came here, my home area high school has continued to win at this big tounament!!
Therefore, whenever the "Komadai-Tomakomai" has games, I have been STUCK in front of my PC for 2-3 hours. Some Web-sites provide "flash news" of the live games, so I often click "republish" key to know what is going on at the games!! Do you think "Oh, Keiko has so much free time?" I won't make an excuse...
I just believe I SHOULD SUPPORT MY HOME AREA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS!!

The result? It's hard to say... Eventually, they lost the final. I would say "the second final" because "the final" ended in a draw. Both of the teams got 1 point, but they couldn't get an extra point. The game went into extra innings.. but after they played 15innings, the game was stopped. There is 13-hour-time difference between Japan and here. It was Sunday morning here, and it was Sunday afternoon in Japan.
After "the Girl's Night!" party was over, I was just STUCK in front of the PC from 1:00am-4:30am!! This game reminded me of the intense extra innings of the last world series game in the U.S:The Chicago White Sox versus the Houston Astros.. The audience gasped at each team's play. Nobody expected which team would win.

The next day, they had "the second final." Unfortunatelly, my "Komadai-Tomakomai" team lost. The score was 3-4. It was very close to becoming the champion three years in a row!! However, I think players on the "Komadai-Tomakomai" have learned a lot from this defeat. I've heard some of them started to practice just after the "second final" was over.
Next year? I hope they will come back to the "Summer Koushien," to make me STUCK in front of the PC!!

By the way... can you say "Komadai-Tomakomai" without stopping? Like a tongue twister? It's hard to say even for Japanese. My husband has been saying,
"Tomadai-Komakomai!"

Thank you for reading this through! I appreciate you♪

Girl's Night!!

Last weekend, my hubbly went to Chicago to watch the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) tour with his colleagues. He was AWAY from our home. So...My friend & I had planned a "Girl's Night Party!!" It had to be a DRINKING party! When I go to parties in American homes, usually they don't have alcohol. I don't know why. For religious reason? Maybe, they are thinking about the drivers? We should drive to go to their houses here. Anyway, In the case of last weekend, my friends could stay at my home if they got drunk!

I cleaned rooms, prepared the food, chilled drinks, and set the table. Buzz!!!
Seven girls came to my home♪　 They were from Korea, China,Taiwan, Venezuela..
We made TOASTS in each nationality's language. Then we ate, drank wine or champagne, talked, laughed... We played "Cathy's card" game. Each one took turns to draw the card, and one should answer a question! The questions were; When was your first kiss? Was he a good kisser? How many EX-boyfriends have you had? Do you think a divorce is sometimes necessary? and so on... (Some questions came from "free question cards.")
That was FUN!!! You know, the advantage of "living in a HOUSE" is definitely this!! We can talk, laugh, or sing loudly (not VERY loudly)without annoying the neighbors!! (I hope we didn't...)

Whenever I meet new friends(especially, international friends), I just wonder what a beautiful coincidence this is! If I hadn't come to this town in the United States, and also if she hadn't come here, we would have never met each other. We may have stayed in our home countries. In this case, we were not supporsed to meet, and become friends!!
We have busy daily lives here. However, I want to try to find the time hung out with my friends more as much as possible, because we are here, in the same place, at the same time by a beautiful coincidence.
Additionally, what makes us CONNECTED? ENGLISH!! If we can't speak English, we would never understand those DEEP questions & answers!!!

There she comes!

"Hello, Keiko!!" It's been one year since I saw this BIG SMILE the last time!!
Krista (In the photo, the second one from me)came back to West Lafayette last Friday! She was my teacher in the American Culture class at ESOL, in the 2004 Spring semester. She was a very friendly, funny, and nice girl! Also, she was the YOUNGEST English teacher I had ever had at that time! Her age is almost the same as mine. So, we have been keeping a good relationship!
About one year ago, she invited me & other classmates to her wedding ceremony and reception. Just before that, she and her husband, Chistian(a German guy) moved to L.A, and recently, they moved to Denver! She is working on her PhD in Linguistics at Purdue, so she came here to meet her professor last Friday! That's why this wonderful reunion happened♪

　　 Krista, Xiaowei, Annette (The facilitator & teacher at Purdue ESOL), and I got together at Purdue ESOL. We talked, laughed, and had lunch at our favorite Thai food restaurant. She always has "a happy aura" because of her loving husband! She has always talked about him! What he said, how he acted, what kinds of reactions he had...etc. She spoke hurriedly (she is originally a "fast speaker, I think) by using many jokes.. She made us laugh, and also happy!
I love "happy couples" like Krista & Christian! That is one of the reasons why I love my wedding job☆　　　

　　　Two hours later, we said "good-bye." It was a great reunion. I am glad she is still very happy and fine! But what I was most glad about was... I DID UNDERSTAND what she was talking about!! Sorry Krista, while I was your student, I asked "TONS of questions", and you answered all of them with sincerity & enthusiasm. But I could understand what you were saying just...maybe, 50% or less!? My English listneng was not good (even though now, not "so" good yet), so I couldn't catch up with your speed!! However, don't worry Krista! Today, I UNDERSTOOD your conversation!
But not "everything"... maybe, 90%...or less!???

New Season

Last Wednesday, I had lunch with Xiaowei, Stephanie, and Connie at a Japanese restaurant "Heisei."
Xiaowei is from Beijing, China(In the photo, she is next to me.) Stephanie(the opposite side, the left one) is an Amrican, and my "conversation partner." A conversation partner is a volunteer who have an English conversation regularly with English learners. If you live in Lafayette or West Lafayette, you can apply for this "match-making(caution; not for marriages!)" system at the International Center. info@intlctr.org I have been thankful for this system and Stephanie! It has been one year and a half since she became my conversation partner. We have met once a week at my home, and have enjoyed "girl's talk!" like about accessories, our school lives, movies, etc. She is 18-year-old, nice, kind, decent girl!! Sometimes Xiaowei joined our sessions. Stephanie introduced her friend, Connie (is originally from Hong Kong, also nice, nice girl!!) to Xiaowei as "her" conversation partner.

Stephanie and connie became freshmen of Purdue University from this fall.
Actually, they were taking orientation lectures at Purdue at that time. They showed us the schedule. That was so intense!! Xiaowei graduated from Purdue University (Master degree) this year, and would go to New York.
These facts mean.. everybody have started " new season" in this fall!!

In Japan. "new season" means Spring. In April, "freshmen" start their new terms.
But in the U.S, it's the end of summer.. Right now!
I wish everybody's "new life" is going to be WONDERFUL!! Including...me!?

How to be a good singer

Every Wednesday, I need much more energy than other days because I have a singing lesson from Mrs. Paine! Nowadays, we have been working on "The Star-Spangled Banner." As you know, it's the American national anthem. I love this melody, so I picked this song. However, it's difficult to sing!
After the lesson, I made an excuse. "Sorry! Today, I'm a little bit tired. That's why I can't make the highest (high B)note." Mrs. Paine said, "If you want to be a VERY good singer, don't put many things in a day. Don't do a stressful thing on a performance day. You should save your energy for your song." I agreed with her."That's true! Singing reflects the singer's energy. By the way, what makes you so energetic?"
My question became a TRIGGER to let her talk about her life.

She has been an "early-riser" since she was a child. Her father, too. They used to wake up at 5:30 am in the morning. They played tennis before he went to work or she went to school. Many people need an eight-hour-sleep, but a six-hour-sleep has been enough for her.
When she was a university student, she had two majors. One was dancing, the other was physical educaton. Physical education was really hard for students because they had to be able to teach many kinds of sports! Basketball, volleyball, tennis... She was a short, skinny girl, so she had a disadvantage for doing team sports. However, she got a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education & a Master Degree in Dancing!! Additionally, she was taking music classes as her minor!!

After she graduated, she became a musical dancer. After she got married, she gave the birth to two beautiful daughers. But she still taught her exercise class, dancing class, or singing private lessons.... She has been a member of a church choir & a local choir. Also, she taught music to children in a church, sometimes choreographed high school musicals... When I call her, she is almost always away from her home. Why can she do so many things!?Because she is still an "early riser!" She wakes up at 5:30 in the morning without an alarm. Then, she does household things now instead of tennis lessons. That's why she is a fantastic singer! She has sooo much energy to sing!!

While I was amazed at her story, her topic changed to famous American comedians. I don't remember why... She lent me the Bob Hope DVD series and explained about each guest who appeared in his show.

After we said good-bye, I looked at my watch. It said.. 5:50pm. The lesson started at 3:30 pm. I asked myself; Can I become a GOOD singer? Am I energetic enough? I DON'T THINK SO!! I already got tired just LISTENING to my teacher's conversation!!!

Toastmasters

The meeting of "the Lafayette Club" is held the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Mondays of every month. I visited the meeting yesterday. "the Lafayette Club" is one of the "Toastmasters" clubs. "Toastmasters" is an organization for people who want to improve their presentation skills. http://www.toastmasters.org/ Two and a half years ago, when I heard about this organization, I was excited to think "This is what I want to do!" However, my English was too poor to join the club at that time. My English hasn't become perfect yet, but I decided it's time to challenge myself!!

The meeting was held in one of the buildings on the Purdue University campus(the photo.) Last week, I visited another meeting which was for advanced members. I was recommended to visit "the Lafayette Club" because there were some "non-native English speakers," like me. I had imagined almost all of the attendees were university students. But in the meeting, half of them were students, and the other half were advanced members who were so-called "the toastmasters." They evaluated each other.

What went on in the meeting? Almost all members made impromptu speeches, and some members made prepared presentations. Evaluaters gave the presenters comments, and each member voted for the best speaker. If you made a presentation which was over "the requested time," you were not qualified to be voted on! Do you think it is a SCARY club? I agree with you!! Can I survive in this club? I don't know! Anyway, I decided to be a formal member.

While I was listening to their speeches, I noticed several things. The most interesting thing was "eye contact." Even though they were making good speeches, "keeping good eye contact" seemed difficult. Many speakers often looked at the president or the chairperson of the meeting. I was impressed by one African-American guy. He did a very good job! His speed, voice volume, stage presence, and the uniqueness of the content were outstanding. However, he always looked upward, not at the audience. This was weird..but later, he said " I am 80% blind." I was sorry for my misunderstanding..

At any rate, "Toastmasters" fascinates me! I was thrilled to be there! I was looking forward to having my presentation skills trained there! Just after the meeting was over at 8:00pm, my husband called me, and said" I'm coming home!" I replied, " OK! But now, I just finished the TOASTMASTERS meeting.." Then he said, "What!? The GHOSTBUSTERS !?" I know he pretended to mishear, I love his sense of humor...

"The World Trade Center"

I went to a movie theater (the photo) to watch a controversial movie, "The World Trade Center" with my voice teacher, Mrs. Paine. I take private singing lessons from her once a week. She was a professional dancer & singer. Our lesson is supposed to be 30 minutes, but we often spend our time together for 2 hours or more... Why? She is so energetic that she never stops talking !
She talks to me about not only music topics like the history of music, kinds of musicals( sometimes accompanied by her dancing& singing,) but also current political issues, religious things, American history, and so on. I think I have learned "American culture" from her.

At the last siging lesson, while she was talking about how terrorists were insane, I was thinking to change our topic. (It had been over 2 hours since the lesson began, but her conversation got deeper and deeper.. That's why.) So, I said "Speaking about terrorism, a movie "The World Trade Center" starts today!" Then she said, "Yeah! Why don't we go togother? I will explain what you don't know!"
That was an unexpected reaction.. Anyway, I appreciated her suggesting that! Even though sometimes I'm tired( because I have been listening to her a few hours standing!), I like listening to her. She is a VERY energetic person, so sometimes I feel like she gives me some of her energy.

At the movie theater, Mrs. Paine had been talking about the history of the Middle-East area and some world-wide infamous dictators during the previews. While we were watching the movie, she explained the relationship of NY and her life, and some terminology. It was.. a wonderful movie! The actors did a very good job. I was just wondering why people fight each other, why they did this terrible attack, what victims were thinking before they died... Over 2,700 people died because of the 9/11 attack. It was... just awful. I was crying with Mrs. Paine.

After the movie, we were discussing about the impressions of the movie, walking from the theater to the parking lot. In front of her car, she recollected the government's reaction at that time, and started to talk about ethnic diversity. She mentioned how difficult it was for big countries like the U.S. to fight against terrorism.., and so on.
Forty minutes later, it began raining. Finally, she got into her car. The long lesson was over.

Golf Range

I went to a golf range today. Can you see two kids behid me? They were adorable!! Is there something weird in my picture, golf lovers? Yes, I use a tee when I shot with an iron... I am a golf beginner!! I played golf at a course last week, and it's been TWO years since the last time I did! Actually, it's been ONE year since I went to a golf range. Hahaha! I LOVE watching sports, but I don't like doing it so much. Anyway, I changed my mind toward golf, so now I will practice it once a week! Lafayette(the city I live in)has great places to play golf!!

I learned several tips from my hubby, as follows:
1.Don't lean backward after you shot. Push from your toes, not your heels!
2.Make your right arm relaxed. Assume that you shoot with just your left arm.
3.Before you shoot, make a "straight" line with your arm and club. Don't bring them near your back.
4. Look at the ball when you hit it! (It's a veeery basic thing, but it's difficult!)

If you don't play golf, you have no idea what I am talking about...
Anyway, my ideal score is 130 . Last week? I made a 98 score.
But it was a 9 hole course! I have a long way to go to"make it!" ...

My dreams

I have two dreams. One is being a "bilingual(Japanese & English)"wedding emcee. The other is being a teacher in a TOEIC vocational school.

I was a wedding emcee in Japan. A wedding emcee is.. like a combination job of a wedding planner and a D.J. Sometimes I planned wedding events, proceeded to whole events, and performed as an announcer. In other words, I was a "mistress of wedding ceremonies and parties." I loved this job because I could meet many "people in the center of happiness!!" They were really energetic and full of dreams. I was totally happy to support them! Now, I live in the United States, and have been studying English. I want to be involved in many "kinds of" weddings, like international weddings, American weddings...I'd like to meet a lot of brides and grooms all over the world by using English!!

Being a teacher in a TOEIC vocational school is the biggest dream to me. My Engish has not been so strong so far..but I'd like to "teach" something (hopefully, English) to people who are in their late 20s or 30s..the same as my generation. Most of them are experienced, polite and friendly enough to communicate with, but they are still young enough to have dreams in the future. One of the reasons why I love the wedding job is to meet such people in my generation. I assume people who want to study for TOEIC English are in their late 20s or 30s. I know how hard it is to improve English during adulthood. Since I came here, I have been frustrated with my English. Therefore, I want to help "adults"(especially, business people) who want to improve their English. English has many areas, so I need to focus on one area to be "a professional. "

I am not so smart, and not so good at time managiment. However, I have been working toward the two dreams (hopefully) everyday. Of course I enjoy my American life, too! I started this blog to improve my English skills, and let my friends who live all over the world know what's going on in my life. I would be happy if you leave a comment on my blog. Nice to meet you on the Web!!