D76 Division E Evaluation Contest in Fukuoka--October 27, 2007

When Professor Murata met with me at the lobby of Rihga Royal Hotel at 10 o'clcok Sunday moring, she was impressed with my two huge suitcases plus one back pack. With her helping hands, we transported the cargo smoothly on the sky corridor to the adjacent JR Kokura station. When we arrived at the station, President Moe and Toastmaster Nakashima of KitaKyushu Toastmasters Club were waiting for us. Toastmaster Oshiumi joined us at the next station on the way to Hakata.

Prosident Moe was a kind gentleman to help me carry the biggest suitcase on the train. He was not left with much room with a suitcase by his chair. We sat next to each other with the aisle in-between, but we talked cheerfully and happily just the same, about life in Japan and in US. I was most eager to remind President Moe of the judging criteria of evaluation contest.

Time flied fast when toastmasters engaged in public speaking business. In no time, we arrived in Hakata Station. Professor Murata, a good planner and action taker, seemed to know everything and everywhere. As soon as we arrived at Hakata, we followed her steps to a Japanese restaurant, all you can eat, for only ￥700 per person.

Then we rushed to catch the city bus to Fukuoka City Women's Education Center. On the bus, the toastmasters clan of five was phenomenal. As natural and trained improv performers, we laughed all the way till we got off the bus (it must be a relief for the bus driver to get rid of us). I was planning to perform a manzai, a duet stand-up comedian show President Moe in English and Toastmaster Oshiumi in Japanese when I return to Kitakyushu Toastmasters Club next year.


President Moe claimed the second place of Evaluation contest and Toastmaster Laura Grahan from Hiroshima Toastmasters Club was the champion. After the contest, Laura and I took shikansen together. We kept talking for more than an hour till she got off at the Hiroshima Station, and I kept smiling till I got off at Okayama station.

PS:My impromptu table dance during the evaluation break was surprising to many Japanese fellow members in the south, but it was the most memorable and daring toastmaster-in-action in my life!