English school I work for has "counseling weeks" a few times a year.
In those weeks, we don't have regular classes, but we have irregular classes to figure out what kinds of classes will be popular among students.
Beside customary TOEIC preparation classes, the irregular class I had was...
"Sex and the City" class!! ...Correction...it was named "movie and drama without captions" class, but I picked one episode from the season 5 of this monster TV show.
Because everyone (especially girls) likes the show once they start to watch, and I thought language learners could enjoy the main character, Carrie's sense of humor in English.
Also, we could learn American culture through the TV show.
I dictated the whole lines from the episode (it took two hours and a half!) and explained them to my students.
For example, I made come comments about blue parts, cause if they will not guess the exact meaning unless they know only the literall meaning
Carrie, Narration(N); Meanwhile, Miranda is back at the office. She was politically incorrectly, happy to be there.
Carrie, N; Meanwhile, Charlotte was working on her perfect plus one. Justin Anderson the Third.
Carrie; Oh’ that’s great. You have a wildly successful career and a relationship. I was worried we.., you know, women only get one or the other...But you have it all!
Also, I interpreted some jokes an punning, like red parts.
Carrie, N; When your career is better than ever, it’s hard not to get a big head.
Carrie, N; Miranda and Walker had shared one night of great sex BC-before child.
Carrie, N; She invited him to be her plus one at the book party since she knew she’d be conveniently minus one(she meant Miranda's baby).
Carrie; Justin was just in time. Because Charlotte was finally ready for a new relationship.
The class actually worked well. Everybody in the class seemed enjoy.
I would like to continue the class at the time o f the next counselling week!
There was a 82 year old decent lady in the class...was it really OK to teach her the "Sex and the City class!??
...I guess it's fine! She has a very young spirit, and she said she enjoyed the class!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
American Idol
Here comes this season again...yes, American Idol new season has started!
In America, it starts in January every year. Since I moved to America in 2003, I watched the reality show & voted the year's my favorite. Carrie Underwood, Katharine Mcphee, Jordin Sparks... After I came back to Japan, I've been still excited to keep watching the show from Japanese FOX channel!
Because the Japanese FOX channel airs the show one month later from America, I usually check the American Idol's website, checking who stays the show and who is kicked out.
However, when I watch regional auditions, I can say who is going to Hollywood or not without confirming the results from the Website, because it's obvious the difference between contestants who can sing or not!!
When I watched an audition in Nashville, there was one really interesting guy.
He didn't look "American Idol" type. He looked a "professional wrestler type," with a lot of tattoo on him. He didn't sing "American Idol" way. He sang a local heavy metal concert way.
So, it was apparent he is not going to Hollywood... But he became the most impressive contestant for me, so far.
When the judges said "no" to him, he smiled and said.
"It's cool. We're all just who we are. I love criticism. If you tell me," no, I'm not feeling you,"I just gonna make me get home and practice ten times harder.
Even the greatest musicians all times fail auditions once or twice in their lives.
There's a reason for everything in this life. So...thank you, guys!"
Isn't his great!?
I just couldn't stop my feeling that I want to fly to Nashville soon to see him!
Yeah, we're all just who we are. And, there's a reason for everything in our lives.
These two are like big two philosophies we should keep in mind!
I love to find those "heroes" next door (he is not my next door actually, he's in Nashville..,) that's why I love reality TV shows!
In America, it starts in January every year. Since I moved to America in 2003, I watched the reality show & voted the year's my favorite. Carrie Underwood, Katharine Mcphee, Jordin Sparks... After I came back to Japan, I've been still excited to keep watching the show from Japanese FOX channel!
Because the Japanese FOX channel airs the show one month later from America, I usually check the American Idol's website, checking who stays the show and who is kicked out.
However, when I watch regional auditions, I can say who is going to Hollywood or not without confirming the results from the Website, because it's obvious the difference between contestants who can sing or not!!
When I watched an audition in Nashville, there was one really interesting guy.
He didn't look "American Idol" type. He looked a "professional wrestler type," with a lot of tattoo on him. He didn't sing "American Idol" way. He sang a local heavy metal concert way.
So, it was apparent he is not going to Hollywood... But he became the most impressive contestant for me, so far.
When the judges said "no" to him, he smiled and said.
"It's cool. We're all just who we are. I love criticism. If you tell me," no, I'm not feeling you,"I just gonna make me get home and practice ten times harder.
Even the greatest musicians all times fail auditions once or twice in their lives.
There's a reason for everything in this life. So...thank you, guys!"
Isn't his great!?
I just couldn't stop my feeling that I want to fly to Nashville soon to see him!
Yeah, we're all just who we are. And, there's a reason for everything in our lives.
These two are like big two philosophies we should keep in mind!
I love to find those "heroes" next door (he is not my next door actually, he's in Nashville..,) that's why I love reality TV shows!
glee
Although a popular high school musical TV drama, glee 2, has been aired for 5 episodes in America, I only could watch the first two episodes as the Japanese FOX's preview, last Sunday.
I love this show not only because the actors' performances are outstanding, but also it shows American society's hierarchy.
In the glee club, most members are minorities. Blacks, Asians, Latinos, single-parent kids, physically challenged, and...gays. They are facing the situations of being bulled, but they don't stop expressing themselves. In the club, there are some members who are supposed to be the top of the hierarchy in a high school, like football players and cheer leaders. There was a conflict between them first, but they became understanding each other, practicing performances.
I really like their ways of mixing the traditional hierarchy.
Also, adults around the high school kids are so attractive in the show.
One of my favorites is Burt, Kurl's father. Kurl(a boy) is gay. Burt (a single parent) is an old-fashioned American guy, who loves football, but he tries to understand who his son is.
It's very nice the way he loves his son the way as he really is.
Here is my most favorite scene from a episode of glee 1.
In this episode, Burt starts to see Finn's mother, Carole, also a single parent.
Burt invites Carole and Finn to his house to live together. Finn and Kurl ended up to live in a same room. Kurl(a gay) was excited to live with Finn( a quarterback star player) because Finn is also a glee club's member. However, as a star foodball player Finn, it seemed humiliating to live with "a gay." After Kurl decorated their room up, Finn just yelled at Kurl, saying, "everything is faggy in this room!"
...Burt heard what Finn said, and here is what Burt told Finn.
Burt;Did you say faggy? Is it OK to say my son FAGGY!?
Finn;..No, sir, I didn't mean so...
Burt; I know what you meant! You think I didn't use that word when I was in your age?
I did! When some kids were caught in practice, I told them, "Shake it off, stop being such a fudge!" We meant exactly the way you meant it, "being a gay is wrong. It's some kind of punishable offense."
...I thought you were different, Finn.
I thought you've been a glee club, and being raised by your mom...
You're some new generation dude who thought this differently. You came in the world, knowing, what is taking on me years of struggling to figure it out.
I guess I was wrong.
I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I love your mom, and maybe this is causing me hurt.
But my family comes first.
I can't hide the poison around. This is my home. He is my son.
I don't know what you want, but not under my roof.
If I'm in his shoes, I don't think I can say those words on the spot!
Finn is his girlfriend's son, and they just started to live together.
However, Burt protects his son, Kurl. Also, his words are honest and sound thoughtful even to Finn. Burt is the man of men!
So, Burt and Carole broke up because of this happening!?
...I don't know yet, but I'm thrilled to know what is going on between two of them, while everybody cares for young couples' updates.
See you on the FOX!!
I love this show not only because the actors' performances are outstanding, but also it shows American society's hierarchy.
In the glee club, most members are minorities. Blacks, Asians, Latinos, single-parent kids, physically challenged, and...gays. They are facing the situations of being bulled, but they don't stop expressing themselves. In the club, there are some members who are supposed to be the top of the hierarchy in a high school, like football players and cheer leaders. There was a conflict between them first, but they became understanding each other, practicing performances.
I really like their ways of mixing the traditional hierarchy.
Also, adults around the high school kids are so attractive in the show.
One of my favorites is Burt, Kurl's father. Kurl(a boy) is gay. Burt (a single parent) is an old-fashioned American guy, who loves football, but he tries to understand who his son is.
It's very nice the way he loves his son the way as he really is.
Here is my most favorite scene from a episode of glee 1.
In this episode, Burt starts to see Finn's mother, Carole, also a single parent.
Burt invites Carole and Finn to his house to live together. Finn and Kurl ended up to live in a same room. Kurl(a gay) was excited to live with Finn( a quarterback star player) because Finn is also a glee club's member. However, as a star foodball player Finn, it seemed humiliating to live with "a gay." After Kurl decorated their room up, Finn just yelled at Kurl, saying, "everything is faggy in this room!"
...Burt heard what Finn said, and here is what Burt told Finn.
Burt;Did you say faggy? Is it OK to say my son FAGGY!?
Finn;..No, sir, I didn't mean so...
Burt; I know what you meant! You think I didn't use that word when I was in your age?
I did! When some kids were caught in practice, I told them, "Shake it off, stop being such a fudge!" We meant exactly the way you meant it, "being a gay is wrong. It's some kind of punishable offense."
...I thought you were different, Finn.
I thought you've been a glee club, and being raised by your mom...
You're some new generation dude who thought this differently. You came in the world, knowing, what is taking on me years of struggling to figure it out.
I guess I was wrong.
I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I love your mom, and maybe this is causing me hurt.
But my family comes first.
I can't hide the poison around. This is my home. He is my son.
I don't know what you want, but not under my roof.
If I'm in his shoes, I don't think I can say those words on the spot!
Finn is his girlfriend's son, and they just started to live together.
However, Burt protects his son, Kurl. Also, his words are honest and sound thoughtful even to Finn. Burt is the man of men!
So, Burt and Carole broke up because of this happening!?
...I don't know yet, but I'm thrilled to know what is going on between two of them, while everybody cares for young couples' updates.
See you on the FOX!!
Social Network
Even the movie, "the Social Network" has been sweeping lately, I personally don't trust people who contact me through a social networking site.
If I haven't met the people "in person," they seem like virtual for me.
Without meeting in a real world, I don't think we could build a real friendship.
However, there is an exception.
If we have a common thing, especially, if we have a similar passion, we might contact together.
These days, I've been trying to expand my "MC network."
That became one of my resolutions this year.
Last Wednesday, I had dinner with three MCs. Two of them are originally my friends from my former MC office, Nozomi and Hanako. The other is from my current MC office, Ms. M.
Actually, Ms. M was the reason why I belong to my current MC office.
When I was looking for a new MC office, Nozomi recommended Ms.M's official blog to me.
Nozomi has sympathized with Ms. M's professionalism as a MC, and I felt the same when I read her blog. Therefore, I joined the MC office she belonged to.
And Hanako heard about Ms. M's blog from Nozomi, then she has shared the same passion with Ms. M, like Nozomi.
I could say, Ms.M has been our "MC guru" in a virtual world.
...So, what was I doing!??
I said I couldn't trust people whom I haven't met in person, but I entered a company because I believed a person on a computer!
However, I finally met Ms.M last month, so she became my MC guru in a REAL world.
VEry fortunately,I found out she is a really nice person & very professional MC in a REAL world as well. Therefore, I asked her to be a "real guru" for Nozomi and Hanako .
I mean, I set up the meeting of four of us.
We had dinner together in Shinjuku.
We shared each other's stories of professional ones, and personal ones.
That was the day when my virtual network turned out a real, solid network.
On the same day, I had lunch with Yuko, also a wedding MC, whom I met at the conference of Bridal MC Alliance. Bridal MC Alliance is an organization I found virtually, I meant on the Internet.
Whenever I talk with other MCs, I learn a lot from their experiences, passions, the actual ways of their jobs, or how to communicate with clients.
My mentor, Ryoko, built bilingual MC's network and it's a part of her job...but I thought, I could develop my "private" network with my professional peers.
They could be MCs, could be English teachers, or translators...
To do so, I might use my "virtual" relationships on a social network site, and so on.
But, just a correction...the movie, "Social Network" based on a true story of Face Book.
As you know, Face Book is based on not a virtual network. On the site, you can see your "real friends" information, that's why it became really popular.
It's a complicated world!!
If I haven't met the people "in person," they seem like virtual for me.
Without meeting in a real world, I don't think we could build a real friendship.
However, there is an exception.
If we have a common thing, especially, if we have a similar passion, we might contact together.
These days, I've been trying to expand my "MC network."
That became one of my resolutions this year.
Last Wednesday, I had dinner with three MCs. Two of them are originally my friends from my former MC office, Nozomi and Hanako. The other is from my current MC office, Ms. M.
Actually, Ms. M was the reason why I belong to my current MC office.
When I was looking for a new MC office, Nozomi recommended Ms.M's official blog to me.
Nozomi has sympathized with Ms. M's professionalism as a MC, and I felt the same when I read her blog. Therefore, I joined the MC office she belonged to.
And Hanako heard about Ms. M's blog from Nozomi, then she has shared the same passion with Ms. M, like Nozomi.
I could say, Ms.M has been our "MC guru" in a virtual world.
...So, what was I doing!??
I said I couldn't trust people whom I haven't met in person, but I entered a company because I believed a person on a computer!
However, I finally met Ms.M last month, so she became my MC guru in a REAL world.
VEry fortunately,I found out she is a really nice person & very professional MC in a REAL world as well. Therefore, I asked her to be a "real guru" for Nozomi and Hanako .
I mean, I set up the meeting of four of us.
We had dinner together in Shinjuku.
We shared each other's stories of professional ones, and personal ones.
That was the day when my virtual network turned out a real, solid network.
On the same day, I had lunch with Yuko, also a wedding MC, whom I met at the conference of Bridal MC Alliance. Bridal MC Alliance is an organization I found virtually, I meant on the Internet.
Whenever I talk with other MCs, I learn a lot from their experiences, passions, the actual ways of their jobs, or how to communicate with clients.
My mentor, Ryoko, built bilingual MC's network and it's a part of her job...but I thought, I could develop my "private" network with my professional peers.
They could be MCs, could be English teachers, or translators...
To do so, I might use my "virtual" relationships on a social network site, and so on.
But, just a correction...the movie, "Social Network" based on a true story of Face Book.
As you know, Face Book is based on not a virtual network. On the site, you can see your "real friends" information, that's why it became really popular.
It's a complicated world!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Passion & Concentration
Today was my birthday.
I wrote my resolutions of this year already, but I'd like to note my "theme" of this year here.
That is...passion & concentration.
When I attended the Toastmaster's Christmas Gala last year, a former president Masako said, "I attended my relative's international wedding reception party. They had a bilingual emcee.
But she was...not good. Her English was not good, but most importantly, I noticed she didn't have passion for her job, and the couple. I felt how important an emcee is for a wedding! The wedding was not a fiasco, but not fantastic at all because of the emcee!"
At that time, I had a big wedding job as a bilingual emcee a few days later.
Listening to her talk, I determined,"I might not be a very experienced emcee, but at least I have to have passion for the job and the couple!"
On the last Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I was locked myself at home to prepare for the international wedding reception.
Then, I watched the Japanese Figure Skating Championship on TV.
I was so impressed by some performances. I noticed...when a skater was satisfied his/her performance and judges gave him/her a very high score, the skater looked so together.
S/he seemed very concentrated the performance. For example, Takahiko Kozuka's short program performance, and stunningly, Miki Ando looked having no other thoughts during her both performances.
When I watched those performances, I felt just breathtaking, and even sensed the time had stopped because of their...concentration.
Then, I noticed how important concentration was for performances.
My stage is not as big as the top skaters, but the importance of concentration is the same.
I engraved the words, "passion & concentration!" in my mind when I went to the wedding job.
Then...I did a good performance.
Two days ago, I went to a bilingual emcee's party that my teacher Ryoko Sumitomo designed.
The participants were so passionate even they have already great careers!
I want to be like them. I need to be like them. Also, I should try to meet the people whom I want to be like them.
Last year, I became "the year girl" on my birthday.
Can I become the "it girl" this year? I mean, by my career & English and so on...not my appearance, unfortunately... "Year girl"×3 and "it girl" are so different!!
I wrote my resolutions of this year already, but I'd like to note my "theme" of this year here.
That is...passion & concentration.
When I attended the Toastmaster's Christmas Gala last year, a former president Masako said, "I attended my relative's international wedding reception party. They had a bilingual emcee.
But she was...not good. Her English was not good, but most importantly, I noticed she didn't have passion for her job, and the couple. I felt how important an emcee is for a wedding! The wedding was not a fiasco, but not fantastic at all because of the emcee!"
At that time, I had a big wedding job as a bilingual emcee a few days later.
Listening to her talk, I determined,"I might not be a very experienced emcee, but at least I have to have passion for the job and the couple!"
On the last Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I was locked myself at home to prepare for the international wedding reception.
Then, I watched the Japanese Figure Skating Championship on TV.
I was so impressed by some performances. I noticed...when a skater was satisfied his/her performance and judges gave him/her a very high score, the skater looked so together.
S/he seemed very concentrated the performance. For example, Takahiko Kozuka's short program performance, and stunningly, Miki Ando looked having no other thoughts during her both performances.
When I watched those performances, I felt just breathtaking, and even sensed the time had stopped because of their...concentration.
Then, I noticed how important concentration was for performances.
My stage is not as big as the top skaters, but the importance of concentration is the same.
I engraved the words, "passion & concentration!" in my mind when I went to the wedding job.
Then...I did a good performance.
Two days ago, I went to a bilingual emcee's party that my teacher Ryoko Sumitomo designed.
The participants were so passionate even they have already great careers!
I want to be like them. I need to be like them. Also, I should try to meet the people whom I want to be like them.
Last year, I became "the year girl" on my birthday.
Can I become the "it girl" this year? I mean, by my career & English and so on...not my appearance, unfortunately... "Year girl"×3 and "it girl" are so different!!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
How to improve TOEIC score
Last November, I took the TOEIC.
A month later, I got the result. I forgot to keep the result on this blog because I was busy around the time. But now I remember...
I felt very happy to see the score because my reading score was 490, just 5 point short of the full score(495!)
My listening score had been a full(495) score, but my reading score hadn't been improved for a few years. It had been from 450-465. (The original TOEIC consists of a listening test and a reading test.)
I thought that was an obstacle I couldn't take the full score, and I had no idea how I could improve the reading score.
However, a year ago, I decided to subscribe an English newspaper.
I didn't think I could catch up with reading a daily newspaper, so I took the weekly one.
I've been reading the English newspaper...that's why my stagnant reading score has improved!?
Maybe...
My students often ask me, "what should we do to improve TOEIC score?"
I recommend them to study TOEIC reference books, and study basic English, half and half.
For example, if you study English one hour a day, take thirty minutes to learn TOEIC book, and take half an hour to look up English grammar book.
Do I do that? Actually, no... I shouldn't excuse, but it's hard to make time to sit down in front of the desk, and study everyday. But I try to use English all the time.
So, I also tell my students, "Learning a foreign language is like working out.
Don't think too much, just move your body! Your body learns how to do it before you think of it."
You could read English (newspaper, book, Internet..,) write (anything! blog, diary, e-mail, money book...)in English, listen to English TV shows or dramas, and speak in English to...anyone. You could talk to an international tourist, "May I help you?" when you see someone, wondering in an unfamiliar place.
Many Japanese hesitate to use English, saying,"I'm not fluent in English!"
But I want to say it in a loud voice. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE PERFECT ENGLISH!!"
If you keep using it, English would become a part of you.
My English is not perfect too. I'm also one of the people who are "struggling" with English.
But I just keep learning, so I know, if I don't stop learning it...I'll get "reward" sometimes.
If your TOEIC score is not good, don't care about it too much.
Take another chance. You have "saving" of studying English, and you just didn't use your saving for the test.
But I also know, you would be very glad if you took the right score.
TOEIC is just "a test," but IT IS A TEST.
To get the "reward," I mean, getting a good score, just keep trying!
...So, my TOEIC score was almost full because I got a almost full score of reading test?
NOOO! My listening score had been a full score, but this time, it was not.
Therefore, my score was 955. Just 5 points above the last year.
I improved 5 points, should I say "only" 5 points or "as a big step" 5 points??
...I'll get the answer this year, or the following year because it takes time to acquire a skill.
...Am I forgetting my listening skill (score) has fallen down??
...It takes time to recover a skill as well, you know...
A month later, I got the result. I forgot to keep the result on this blog because I was busy around the time. But now I remember...
I felt very happy to see the score because my reading score was 490, just 5 point short of the full score(495!)
My listening score had been a full(495) score, but my reading score hadn't been improved for a few years. It had been from 450-465. (The original TOEIC consists of a listening test and a reading test.)
I thought that was an obstacle I couldn't take the full score, and I had no idea how I could improve the reading score.
However, a year ago, I decided to subscribe an English newspaper.
I didn't think I could catch up with reading a daily newspaper, so I took the weekly one.
I've been reading the English newspaper...that's why my stagnant reading score has improved!?
Maybe...
My students often ask me, "what should we do to improve TOEIC score?"
I recommend them to study TOEIC reference books, and study basic English, half and half.
For example, if you study English one hour a day, take thirty minutes to learn TOEIC book, and take half an hour to look up English grammar book.
Do I do that? Actually, no... I shouldn't excuse, but it's hard to make time to sit down in front of the desk, and study everyday. But I try to use English all the time.
So, I also tell my students, "Learning a foreign language is like working out.
Don't think too much, just move your body! Your body learns how to do it before you think of it."
You could read English (newspaper, book, Internet..,) write (anything! blog, diary, e-mail, money book...)in English, listen to English TV shows or dramas, and speak in English to...anyone. You could talk to an international tourist, "May I help you?" when you see someone, wondering in an unfamiliar place.
Many Japanese hesitate to use English, saying,"I'm not fluent in English!"
But I want to say it in a loud voice. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE PERFECT ENGLISH!!"
If you keep using it, English would become a part of you.
My English is not perfect too. I'm also one of the people who are "struggling" with English.
But I just keep learning, so I know, if I don't stop learning it...I'll get "reward" sometimes.
If your TOEIC score is not good, don't care about it too much.
Take another chance. You have "saving" of studying English, and you just didn't use your saving for the test.
But I also know, you would be very glad if you took the right score.
TOEIC is just "a test," but IT IS A TEST.
To get the "reward," I mean, getting a good score, just keep trying!
...So, my TOEIC score was almost full because I got a almost full score of reading test?
NOOO! My listening score had been a full score, but this time, it was not.
Therefore, my score was 955. Just 5 points above the last year.
I improved 5 points, should I say "only" 5 points or "as a big step" 5 points??
...I'll get the answer this year, or the following year because it takes time to acquire a skill.
...Am I forgetting my listening skill (score) has fallen down??
...It takes time to recover a skill as well, you know...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Where I am, who I am
How has your 2010 been?
Mine has been...
At first half, I had been under medical treatment, so I spent days kind of slowly.
Since June, I had been job-hunting as a bilingual emcee. Since September, I started to work as an emcee, being an English teacher as well.
The turning point of this year was the toastmaster's 10th anniversary party. It was in June.
I was an emcee. The party was big and gorgeous. I had a wonderful experience...
But right after the party, I felt "This isn't it."
I don't want you misunderstand... Toastmasters is wonderful club.
A great activity to participate in, but it is after all, "an extracurricular activity."
While I was emceeing at a Toastmasters party, I thought, "this is what I want to do, but not where I want to be."
I realized I wanted to WORK as a professional emcee.
Since September, I have done Japanese emceeing, and bilingual emceeing (Japanese and English.)
Frankly speaking, I had been frustrated with the job til recently.
I was an wedding emcee at restaurants and estate-style wedding venues before, but hotel weddings are completely different.
I need to be careful with choice of words, meeting with event planning companies...
I felt tired and even felt it might not be my thing.
However, since December, I started to enjoy my emcee job.
After three months I restarted my emcee job, I could finally "restarted" feeling, "I am a professional emcee."
Then, I've done the last job in 2010.
It was December 26th, the international wedding reception party between a Japanese bride and an English groom.
They have a lot of speeches. I needed to summarize them or translate completely.
The groom was an Oxford graduate, an Kung Fu European champion, and a great piano composer.
I needed to explain his study and Kung Fu skills.
I got a lot of pressure, but eventually...the wedding was successful.
I received thank-you e-mails.
The bride and groom said, "the day would not have been the same without your excellent services as our special master of ceremonies."
The bride's father said, "Because of your excellent translation skills, our family and Jer's family could share the same messages together. I think we produced the common background at the wedding party because of your wonderful skills. Thank you very much."
After the party, unlikely after the toastmasters' party...I sensed, "this is it. This is what I want to do, where I want to be, and what I can do. This is my professional service that I can make people happy."
I know I have several things I need to improve as a professional, but I thought, "An international couple should hire an emcee who can speak English, and who knows bridal service well. A wedding emcee for international couples should be able to both. I can do both."
I found my professionalism the day.
Also, I realized how important concentration was.
The wedding's meeting with the bride and groom was three days before the wedding reception, so, I confined myself to my home, writing a script for the wedding.
Then, I watched the Japanese championship of figure skating.
I noticed, winners like Miki Ando or Takashi Kozuka, had no distraction during performance.
I determined, "I'm not an experienced emcee, but I'll do my best without having any distraction."
Finally, my clients were very happy for my service.
My biggest resolutions in 2011 would be, keeping doing the "what I want to do & what I can do" job, as much as I can do.
To make my clients & my students happier, I need to sharpen my skills!
My head teacher at my school got the full score of TOEIC, full score of TOEIC speaking and writing test, first grade of EIKEN, and special A grade of United Nation English test.
He must be much much busier than me, but he has brushed his skills up.
I need to look up him!!
So, I ended up writing my resolutions in 2011...
"Getting the first grade of EIKEN and the full score of TOEIC."
What!? The same as 2010!?
...See you the next year!! Have a happier, better new year!!!
Mine has been...
At first half, I had been under medical treatment, so I spent days kind of slowly.
Since June, I had been job-hunting as a bilingual emcee. Since September, I started to work as an emcee, being an English teacher as well.
The turning point of this year was the toastmaster's 10th anniversary party. It was in June.
I was an emcee. The party was big and gorgeous. I had a wonderful experience...
But right after the party, I felt "This isn't it."
I don't want you misunderstand... Toastmasters is wonderful club.
A great activity to participate in, but it is after all, "an extracurricular activity."
While I was emceeing at a Toastmasters party, I thought, "this is what I want to do, but not where I want to be."
I realized I wanted to WORK as a professional emcee.
Since September, I have done Japanese emceeing, and bilingual emceeing (Japanese and English.)
Frankly speaking, I had been frustrated with the job til recently.
I was an wedding emcee at restaurants and estate-style wedding venues before, but hotel weddings are completely different.
I need to be careful with choice of words, meeting with event planning companies...
I felt tired and even felt it might not be my thing.
However, since December, I started to enjoy my emcee job.
After three months I restarted my emcee job, I could finally "restarted" feeling, "I am a professional emcee."
Then, I've done the last job in 2010.
It was December 26th, the international wedding reception party between a Japanese bride and an English groom.
They have a lot of speeches. I needed to summarize them or translate completely.
The groom was an Oxford graduate, an Kung Fu European champion, and a great piano composer.
I needed to explain his study and Kung Fu skills.
I got a lot of pressure, but eventually...the wedding was successful.
I received thank-you e-mails.
The bride and groom said, "the day would not have been the same without your excellent services as our special master of ceremonies."
The bride's father said, "Because of your excellent translation skills, our family and Jer's family could share the same messages together. I think we produced the common background at the wedding party because of your wonderful skills. Thank you very much."
After the party, unlikely after the toastmasters' party...I sensed, "this is it. This is what I want to do, where I want to be, and what I can do. This is my professional service that I can make people happy."
I know I have several things I need to improve as a professional, but I thought, "An international couple should hire an emcee who can speak English, and who knows bridal service well. A wedding emcee for international couples should be able to both. I can do both."
I found my professionalism the day.
Also, I realized how important concentration was.
The wedding's meeting with the bride and groom was three days before the wedding reception, so, I confined myself to my home, writing a script for the wedding.
Then, I watched the Japanese championship of figure skating.
I noticed, winners like Miki Ando or Takashi Kozuka, had no distraction during performance.
I determined, "I'm not an experienced emcee, but I'll do my best without having any distraction."
Finally, my clients were very happy for my service.
My biggest resolutions in 2011 would be, keeping doing the "what I want to do & what I can do" job, as much as I can do.
To make my clients & my students happier, I need to sharpen my skills!
My head teacher at my school got the full score of TOEIC, full score of TOEIC speaking and writing test, first grade of EIKEN, and special A grade of United Nation English test.
He must be much much busier than me, but he has brushed his skills up.
I need to look up him!!
So, I ended up writing my resolutions in 2011...
"Getting the first grade of EIKEN and the full score of TOEIC."
What!? The same as 2010!?
...See you the next year!! Have a happier, better new year!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)