Is the World Fair?

The world is flat, but not fair. Some countries are rich in natural resources. Other countries are rich in human resources. Some people excel in academic performance, others are active on the race tracks. Human beings are not born equal. We have our likes and dislikes. We have our own preferences. No matter how many judges training courses we have attended, we can't avoid bias.

At Division H Humorous Speech Contest Sunday afternoon, October 19th, I felt strongly that I received favoritism from a few judges to be placed as the first runner-up. I didn't perform well, far behind my expectations. Being an emotional person, I was so upset that I couldn't find one of my crystal earrings before my name was called. I became absent-minded and forgot the main paragraph to lead to my message in the speech. I was amazed at the cognitive abilities of judges and audience to follow through my speech. Or they were simply super Toastmasters cheerleaders!

It was a true story about my recent encounter with a direct marketer of health products. She invited me for brunch, took out a weight scale, gave me a health check up, and tied to thrust all beauty and health products to me. I changed HER to HIM and invited Winston Churchill and Lady Astor to open and close my speech about A Responsible Eater to add impact onto a sarcastic scene. But, I made up the last sentence in order to give the speech a good wrap-up, and it was not true (Lady Astor passed away one year before Winston Churchill). I am glad I didn't win, I could stop giving false information. The speech itself is good with a strong message to advocate people on diet to watch the calorie intake on daily basis.

No doubt, I was lucky to be the first runner-up of Humorous Speech Contest and the second runner-up of Evaluation Contest. I didn't feel bad at all about not winning because I was not ready. From now on, I shall set a goal to begin collecting my top ten speeches in my pocket in order to "WIN" at Annual Convention of Toastmasters International. There is an Italian saying, those who walk slow, walk long and far. Why in a hurry, if there is a goal in front of me? So what's next? Of course, District 67 Speech and Tabletopics Contests 2009!

Halloween Meeting 2008

I won, I won, I won the Spookiest Costume Award Thursday evening, October 16th. Upon President Carrie Chiang's request, every member brought a flash light to the special Halloween meeting this evening. It was the first time I attended a meeting with a bunch of witches, vampires, phantoms in a dark hall with a spine-tingling background music. Surprisingly, nobody seemed to be particularly scared, neither was I. I was immunized to Halloween ghosts in New Orleans twenty years ago.

I remember the first Hawlloween I had in the US. On October 31st, 1979, in the middle of Medical Microbiology class, two medical students dressed in skeleton costumes walked into the class and sat next to me, one to my right and the other to my left. I was in a total shock trembling and must have turned pale. I couldn't remember what the professor taught for the rest of the class, I could only remember the two huge ghosts snikered at me and bet I wouldn't dare to leave the classroom at once. They were right, my feet got cold and I was stunned to death. Who can be more frightening than ghosts? Of course, those mock ghosts pretended by human beings, who else?

I was assigned as the individual evaluator for Rock Chen in order to hone my skills before Divison H evaluation contest this coming Sunday afternoon, October 19th. Rock delivered his 4th speech "How to Say it" of the communication manual. He told us a touching story of Pablo Casals about how he let us know Bach. Out of instinct, I turned into Pablo Casals under my mask and costume, and thanked Rock for introducing me to Taiwanese people. I also mentioned how much I missed my friend Pianist Alfred Cortot and Violinist Jacques Thibaud. We were called the Trio of the Century. At last, I gave a high praise of Yo-Yo Ma's "Bach Inspiration Concert" in Taiwan. Strangly, I didn't feel at all uncomfortable speaking up at age of 132. I even played a short Bach's Cello Suite No. 1. It felt good to be in Taipei.

Trick or Treat aside, it was a very special evening. First, a long time no see member Ellen rejoined Grand's family. She passed the government examination test successfully and started working for Taipei City Government from this Monday. She invited all members and guests to be her guest at the second party even she hadn't received her first paycheck yet; second, two second timers guests decided to join Grand as new members this evening.

At the second party, President Carrie and I got a lot of encouragement from members to compete at the coming Division H Humorous and Evaluation Contests Sunday afternoon, October 19th. Go, go, go, Carrie and Sherry, go bring the trophies back to Grand!

I Have a Dream

In front of me, I set a goal. I shall produce the third musical with toastmasters in 2009.

Prelude
I first had the idea to produce a musical, it could trace back to more than a decade ago. After Past Council Governor Harry Fong (Lydia's better half) saw the entire The King and I at District 75 Spring Convention in Cebu, he repeatedly mentioned about the impressive collective efforts of toastmasters to sing and act together on stage. I thought if Filipinos Toastmasters could do it, so can Taiwanese toastmasters.

The First Musical
Immediately after I returned from Hokkaido last November, I brought up the idea to produce "Hairspray" with golden ladies (I saw the movie on the plane from Chitose to Taoyuan), I had their support with one consent on the spot. Without much ado, we started rehearsing songs and dances immediately. Saturday afternoon, December 23rd, five golden ladies and a golden friend performed the first Musical "Hairspray" at Division C X'mas Party for ten minutes at Ming-yiu Citizen Hall, Taipei. The debut musical was a big success!

The Second Musical
The second musical was another breakthrough. It was performed bilingually (English and Japanese) Saturday evening, October 11th. The scale of Mamma Mia Musical was bigger and longer (it involved 11 dancers and singers and lasted for 15 minutes and 23 seconds), we achieved more imposing and satisfactory effect beyond our imagination. The valuable experiences we gained from Hairspray were of great help for me to foresee the entertaining and amusing outcome. I incorporated 27 powerpoint slides (more than 50 photo clips from Mamma Mia 2008) in Japanese to explain the love story to Japanese toastmasters (Mamma Mia will be showing in Japan from the end of January 2009). It was another big success!

The Third Musical
What I have in mind now is a musical of 20 people for 25 minutes for golden ladies' third musical. I couldn't forget that Trini wrote an article about It Serves Every Purpose to Name That Song in April 2007. I want to make Trini's dream come true, if not more colorful and majestic. If Trini and I can work together to write a love story based upon a dozen popular Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English songs, we surely have something to be proud of ourselves. If British playwright Catherine Johnson can make such a successful stage musical Mamma Mia based upon the hit songs of ABBA in the second half of the 70's. We should be no second, if there is a will.

People often ask me what it is like to be a full-time homemaker. My answer is busy, very busy, extremely busy, dreaming~~~

I have a Dream a Song to Sing
To help me Cope with Anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail

Beautiful Sunday

I had a strange sweet dream. Kiminari waited for me at the end of the long red-carpet aisle to exchange vows, Takaaki took a diamond ring from his pocket, Toshiaki gave me a red rose, Steve sang "I don't want to sleep alone", and Masaki held my hand tightly. I was exhausted when I arrived home at seven o'clock, Sunday evening, October 12th. I took a short nap and immediately I started flying in the sky, I turned into Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia Musical, I was in love with them all around me!

National Palace Museum
I like Chinese calligraphy. Thanks to Japanese toastmasters, I had the opportunity to see the 40 days special exhibition of Chinese calligraphy from October 10th to November 20th at the National Palace Museum. I was thrilled to view a few master pieces of Wang Hsi-chih (303-361), the "Sage of Calligraphy" in Chinese history, with toastmasters friends from afar.

It is hard to believe that from the 3rd century, Chinese calligraphy witnessed the maturation of various script forms, regular, running, and cursive scripts. I was impressed by the scholar calligraphers who pursued the forms of writing to achieve a realm of utmost beauty and perfection in calligraphy. In stead of writing with brushes, I spend most of the day in front of the desktop, tapping the keyboard. Time has changed, for the better?

Taipei Astronomical Museum
At a quarter past twelve, we arrived at Taipei Astronomical Museum, not to study Astronomy, but for lunch, It was the first time I ate at the huge and spacious Hunan Restaurant downstairs. It can accommodate at least five hundred people, mainly the tourists from all over Taiwan as well as abroad.

We were divided into three tables with each table eight members. I sat with three female members from Kumamoto Club and right in the middle of Toastmasters Azuma and Miyajima. While savoring the delicious Hunan cuisine, we didn't waste a single second. A warm up tabletopics session was held for two contestants, Toastmasters Miyajima and Noritomi, at the coming Division E Tabletopics Contest this Saturday, October 18th. Toastmaster Azuma was the timer. He used all kinds of colorful vegetables to indicate the time, green, yellow, red pepper, just to name a few. After the intensive training of eight table topics, I'm not surprised that Miyajima or Noritomi would claim the crown.

The differences between "H" and "K"
I didn't know that I had difficulties pronouncing consonants H and K till today. After the heated tabletopics luncheon, I volunteered myself to be the Karaoke master and introduced the background of Fort San Domingo as soon as we got on the charter bus to the Little White House.

I was puzzled why he said, "Yes, I do I do I do I do", when I invited Toastmaster Azuma "to translate (honyaku)" for me. Everybody was joyful to hear I say "to marry (konyaku) me". Then Azuma invited everybody to attend our wedding ceremony at the Little White House and thanked everybody for the big red envelope.

When we arrived at the Fisherman Wharf, I told Toastmaster Inuzuka that the best place to see the sunset (夕日 Yuuhi) is on top of the Rainbow Bridge, but he thought I was talking about courage (勇気 Yuuki). Through the consecutive two mistakes, I learned that I should pay attention to my h consonant when I speak Japanese in the future.

An Encounter with a Pink Lady Pig
At five thirty Sunday afternoon, the deck of Fisherman's wharf was packed with strollers to enjoy the famous Tamshui sunset and cool sea breeze, why not? I was among four senior toastmasters members, Alex Hsiao, George Liang, Toshiaki Kishikawa and Masaki Oshiumi. Guess what? The moment we ran into an unusual pet, a pink lady pig, dressed up elegantly, she approached us with delight. Her family gave us her food, let us play the hide and seek game with her, and took several photos of us. It was the first time I fed and held a pig in my arms. I didn't have the time to inquire of the owners why they would have a pig for a pet. But, being a Chinese, I just couldn't help thinking how the pink lady pig would taste immediately after we left her in the sunset.

A Serendipitous Recruitment of Potential Toastmasters from India
Michelle Chen of Innovative Club and I said goodbye to toastmasters from Japan when we arrived at MRT Tamshui Station. It was a serendipity that we stood next to three young and smart PhD students in Physics at Academia Sinica. I broke the ice first and five of us started talking and exchanging ideas non-stop about language, culture, life in India and Taiwan from Tamshui to Taipei. Michelle recommended NLFD (National Laboratory of Food and Drugs) Toastmasters Club to them because of the geography proximity between NLFD and Academia Sinica as well as the similarities of their research interests. It would be simply wonderful if Michelle and I could recruit all three into our Toastmasters family.

My husband woke me up and asked me if I'd like to have a hot bath with him. I was back to my everyday life again. But the melody of Beautiful Sunday will linger...

Sunday morning, up with the lark
I think I'll take a walk in the park
Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday
This is my, my, my, beautiful day
When you say, say, say, say that you love me
Oh, my, my, my it's a beautiful day

We Are Family!

It was nine thirty when the Express Train pulled in Taoyuan Station. Eric Chou of Grand Club and Daphne Wang of Peace Club helped me carry luggage full of costumes. Reifon Tong, Yu-chi Hung, Jane were waiting for us at the station. As soon as six of us arrived at ChinaTrust Hotel, we started the rehearsal of Mamma Mia again and again without any delay at the Cambridge Room. Eric shouldered the responsibilities instantly to offer the last minute advice for Welcome Hula Dance, Aboriginal Dance and the Dance of Honey Honey. It was 12 noon when we left the Cambridge Room, the splendid venue of Joint Anniversary Ceremony and Dinner Party Saturday, October 11th.

The Joint Anniversary Ceremony

At 1:30PM sharp, the music of opening dance was on. Five young and energetic dancers (four female students and one male student) of Yamakawa Toastmasters Club performed an eye-opening Rock 'n' Roll dance to the most popular Taiwanese rock song. Following by the Recital of Chinese Poetry lead by Master Sun, more than a dozen members from Pacific and Peace Toastmasters Clubs recited two famous poems related to Kumamoto.

I left the ceremony venue and went back to Room 1416 to get prepared for the evening program after chanting with the poetry recital group on stage. It was indeed a pity that I missed almost the entire afternoon ceremony program. Fortunately the joint anniversary was videotaped, and I hope I could have the chance to view it in the future.

Room 1416

Thanks to Toastmaster Masaki Oshiumi of KitaKyushu Toastmasters Club, we could use his single room 1416 as the headquarters for dinner party rehearsal from the morning till the evening. Just imagine his room crammed with a dozen dancers, his bed covered with rundown sheets, clothes, flowers, sewing equipment, bells, anything you could think of for the dinner party.

Fortunately the housekeeper did a wonderful cleaning job at 8PM upon request. When Masaki accompanied me to his room to fetch my black dress for Ode to Joy finale, Room 1416 was tidy and neat.

Golden Ladies' Full Support

Trini arrived at ChinaTrust Hotel at eleven o'clcok and rushed to join our rehearsal of Mamma Mia for one hour before we all retreated to Masaki's room on the 14th floor. She didn't leave the room till five thirty in the afternoon to get ready for the evening show. Trini helped me sew the costumes and accessories till the last minute.

Lydia and Cecilia came to Room 1416 around three o'clock. While Cecilia rehearsed Mamma Mia with Trini and me, Lydia learned to display the powerpoint slide show deligently. When Masaki came back to Room during the intermission, Lydia and I rehearsed Ode to Joy with Masaki on the 14th floor. After the dinner party program, Cecilia drove us back home in Taipei and Trini gave Eric a lift to Taipei Train Station. It was a hustle and bustle day full of joyful moments for golden ladies and friends.

The Spirit of Teamwork

I wish I could stop the time to present the Joint Anniversary Dinner Party at its best to Japanese and Taiwanese toastmasters. In the past decade, many toastmasters from Japan have attended D67 Spring and Fall Conventions, but the party programs were mainly tailored to English speaking toastmasters clubs members. Therefore, I had a dream. I wanted to organize a super dinner party program for Japanese speaking toastmasters only. I admit I had a high expectation of myself to showcase the spirit of Japanese speaking toastmasters in Taiwan. And we made it happen with the encouragement and support from toastmasters in D67 and D76.

Before the dinner party, I felt like an octopus. I saw many directions at the same time, but I only had a pair of tight hands. Gratefully, I received a lot of helping hands and understanding hearts from Toastmasters members to build an order in the chaotic situation. Daphne Wang took my place to go over the entire party program with her party master partner, Toastmaster Inuzuka of Nagoya club. Trini took my place to explain the love story of Mamma Mia to Inuzuka and his role as Sam. They rehearsed on their own. Reifon shouldered the responsibilities to explain the roles of her three possible dads, Toastmasters Azuma, Inuzuka, Lee, in "Thank you for the Music". Toastmaster Tu and Eric helped me with the logistics on the spot. All golden ladies stood by me for any last minute instructions. Together we demonstrated the teamwork spirit to ourselves as well as to other Toastmasters friends.

The Joint Anniversary Dinner Party

It was ten past six. The welcome hula dancers were standing by in two separate rooms at two ends of the stage without an intercom. Just imagine what it was like when the Hula music was on, a bunch of flowery Hawaiian dancers ran on stage bare feet, dressed with colorful lei on necks and hands, wrapped with pink silk tapa around the waists! We wowed anybody in the audience.

Beautiful Daphne and handsome Misao walked on stage and welcomed everybody to the dinner party. After the Joint Toast by Success, Kumamoto, Pacific and Peace Club Presidents, the evening program began with exciting shows one after another, including folk songs, folk dances, magic show, quiz, bingo. Toastmaster Miyajima donated four songs with her bamboo flute and invited members from the floor to sing along.

Mamma Mia Musical

I didn't deny that I had a big ambition to tell six love stories in a musical of 15 minutes and 23 seconds, i.e., to arrange six couples to sing "I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do" together on stage, including Donna and Sam; Tanya and Harry; Bill and Rosie; Sophie and Sky; Lisa and Beach Boy X; Ali and Beach Boy Y.

I thought I was cleaver enough to arrange 8 songs in sequence, 1. Overture / Prologue by Sophie; 2. Honey, Honey by Sophie, Ali & Lisa; 3. Money, Money, Money by Donna, Tanya, Rosie; 4. Thank you for the Music by Sophie, Sam, Harry & Bill; 5. Mamma Mia by Donna, Tanya, Rosei; 6. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do by Sam & Donna & five couples; 7. I have a Dream by Sophie & Sky; 8. Dancing Queen by Tanya, Rosie & Donna. All singers and dancers could take turns changing costumes.

Between the 5th and 6th songs, I reserved TEN seconds of silence for the wedding ceremony scene. Sophie and Sky decided not to get married and pursued their futures first. While Sam proposed to Donna, everybody sang on stage to encourage Donna to accept Sam's proposal. I was too optimistic about what we could do in ten seconds. It was alright during the rehearsal. But, do you know what it turned out to be?

Nobody was on stage, when the song "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" was on. I wish I could stop the music immediately, but I couldn't (In fact, I could. I learned a lesson this time. I should have arranged a sound track assistant standing by in case we were behind the schedule or everything could possibly take place). Donna, Sam, Tanya and Rosie rushed to the stage to finish two thirds of the long song. So, in the end, I was only successful matching one Toastmasters couple in the musical on stage.

The Dancing Queen took the audience to a new height. Trini, Cecilia and I put on our own handmade dazzing bell bottoms. Everybody stood up and danced with us from the floor. Before the music came to an end, all singers and dancers got on stage to thank the laudable applause from the audience. What a crazy and joyful Saturday night fever we had together!

Ode to Joy Finale

It was the most breath-taking moment of the dinner party. When all lights were off, the videoclip of Kitakyushu Freude Chorus played on the big screen. Two hundred and fifty members sang the fourth movement of Ode to Joy for less than one minute. I saw the energy and power transmitted from the screen to all toastmasters members. Everybody held their breath with the eyes and ears wide open. Everybody was enchanted by the great melody of Beethoven and passionate lyrics of Schiller. It was simply phenomenal to see all toastmasters were united as brothers and sisters at the single moment. Masaki's impeccable tenor accompanied by two altos (Lydia and Sherry) behind him won a big round of applause. Not to mention the total joy when the trio invited everybody to sing Ode to Joy in Mandarin. We made it, to take the audience to the climax of the day. Viva, Masaki!

Till We Meet Again

Be it a small dinner party of 60 people, it was the most rewarding one I'd ever attended. I would brag without reservation that most participants would echo my comment. There were many first cross-districts 67 & 76 activities during the dinner party. Two party masters, one from Japan, the other from Taiwan; ten singers and dancers in Mamma Mia with two actors from Japan; the gorgeous trio with Tenor from Japan, and many other joint singing and dancing activities brought toastmasters members together. There was no more geographic distance, no more language gap, no more culture shock, only a moment of joy, happiness, and contentment. And our collective memories will last for a long time till we meet again!

PS: I've got a habit to document everything I produce in Toastmasters. But I didn't take any photos of the dinner party program nor did I videotape any performance. I didn't know what had been on my mind. Don't laugh at me if I tell you that I was hoping the dinner party could finish as soon as possible, so that I could go home and have a good rest!

Friends From Afar

I was 30 minutes late for the morning rehearsal of Mamma Mia with Sophie, Lisa, and Sky on the double tenth, at the Golden Arches near Taipei Train Station, because the surrounding streets of the Presidential Palace were completely blocked for the purpose of National Day Celebration. And I got lost in Taipei, the city I called home.

After one and half hours rehearsal, I hopped on the Express Train to Taoyuan, coincidentally Toastmaster Masaki Oshiumi and Michelle Chen were on the same train. As soon as we checked in Room 1416 of ChinaTrust Hotel, I showed Masaki how to use my laptop to rehearse Ode to Joy and left the most popular movie "Cape No. 7" for him to see if he felt bored by himself at night.

We three had a quick light Taiwanese lunch near Taoyuan Train Station. Being a shopping queeen, I bought a brown trilby hat at a boutique nearby. How could I ever forget to wear a hat in such a sunny day? I needed to cover my face from the sunshine badly, I'd just had a laser resurfacing treatment a day before.

It was before two o'clock when we arrived at Yingge Station, 30 minutes ahead of schedule to join Toastmasters from Kumamoto to visit Ji-chou Kiln. While we were having coffee and desserts, I received a phone call from Success Club member, asking us to go to Ji-chou Kiln by taxi by ourselves. We three arrived at the Kiln before the rest members and had an opportunity to chat with Master Hsu, the owner of Ji-chous Kiln for twenty minutes.

It was the first time I knew porcelain vessels "sing" when the door of the kiln opened. The sudden drop of temperature made the vessels contract and produced unique cracking sounds like the wind bells in the summer breeze. Master Hsu was kind enough to lead us to visit his studio full of his creative and prize-winning masterpieces for two hours.

We headed for a famous Hakka restaurant for dinner. We were divided into two tables, I sat with four members from Kumamoto. Three of them are female toastmasters, and we exchanged many ideas about Hakka cuision. Success Club President Emily Yu who sat next to me, is Hakka. She explained how to make each dish in details. After dinner, I asked the owner to pack the doggy bags to take away all leftover home. Michelle and I took the Express Train from Taoyuan at 9PM back to Taipei.

As soon as I arrived home in Taipei, I started burning the midnight oil to finish compiling the joint anniversary party program. At 2AM, I didn't finish my work yet, but I was so tired and I couldn't focus on what I was doing. I set the alarm clock at 6AM. It is going to be a long and exciting day in front of me.

Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in October

Eleven ladies came to the Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in October at Diamond Tony's Italian Restaurant Mitsukoshi Department A4 Building this evening, including four first timers, Pamela Wang, Pamela Yang, Janice Hsu, Cecilia King. It was a big dinner party for runaway animals from Taipei City Zoo. Now you can guess what the dress code was for this evening's reading gathering! But there were more human beings than animals, and I was one of the four tigers.

We were supposed to discuss about three assigned articles in Toastmaster Magazine September issue, Meet Toastmasters' 2008-2009 International President Jana Barnhill, DTM, AS, page 8; Opt to Be an Outstanding Orator by Richard R. Bonner, CC, page 12; The Power of Publicity by Joe Cooke, ATMB, page 16. I was absent-minded throughout dinner and got very much preoccupied by the coming Joint Anniversary of Success and Kumamoto Toastmasters Clubs this Saturday. The melodies of Ode to Joy and Mamma Mia kept lingering on my mind.

Coincidentally Virginia and I were born on the 9th of October. Together we received 11 free birthday cakes plus 5% discount for all. Six young and handsome waiters lined up to sing happy birthday song to us. I was contented! Virginia is still in her forties and would rather stay outside of golden ladies' circle. I turned 53, but I felt 35. My little secret is that I had my second carbon laser resurfacing treatment this morning (my first was in June this year and I am hooked). What can I say? The clinic is within the walking distance from home. I can't resist the 50% discount on my birthday. Believe it or not, I was the oldest person waiting in line to receive the resurfacing treatment at the clinic.

Among 11 toastmasters, I was the first to call it a night and rushed home to take care of the pending tasks for the Joint Anniversary. I'm so excited that I shall greet toastmasters from Kumamoto Club tomorrow afternoon. It's going to be another fruitful toastmasters day.

Ode to Joy

"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Masaki, Happy Birthday to You", Masaki blew the candles with tears in his eyes. He celebrated his 82 birthday in Taipei this evening. Being born in Korea in 1926, Masaki has special feelings towards people in his neighboring countries, especially Koreans and Taiwanese.

In order to support the Joint Anniversary of Success and Kumamoto Toastmasters Clubs Saturday, October 11th, VPPR Masaki Oshiumi of Kitakyushu Toastmaster Club arrived in Taipei Monday afternoon. He came with an aim to practice Ode to Joy as much as possible before his performance at the Joint Anniversary dinner party. Ode to Joy is popular among Japanese. On New Year Eve, it is one of the Japanese customs to sing Ode to Joy to welcome the New Year. Masaki sang Ode to Joy with Kitakyushu Citizens Chorus of 250 members at Well City Kokura Grand Hall December 22nd, 2007. Masaki was happy to share the emotions of Beethoven and Schiller at the unprecedented gathering of toastmasters from D67 & D76.

Early Tuesday morning Masaki and I practiced singing together (Masaki Tenor, me Alto) at the open-air concert plaza in 228 Peace Park in the rain for a couple of hours. This morning, we practiced singing together again at the open-air concert plaza in Daan Forest Park in the sunshine. It was like our duet concert tour in Taipei, with no audience.

On Masaki's 82 birthday today, Michelle Chen of Innovative Toastmasters Club and her mother invited Masaki and me for lunch at a famous Japanese restaurant in Xi-men. After lunch, Masaki and I went to Michelle's home and practiced singing Ode to Joy for a couple of hours. I invited Masaki to come to my home for dinner with my husband and my brother. We sang Ode to Joy for another one hour after dinner.

I am so impressed with Masaki's determination to sing at his best to touch upon the hearts of people around him. He would certainly make his Ode to Joy instructor proud to see him stand up and sing up on stage in Taiwan. Don't be surprised when Masaki sings Ode to Joy in Mandarin at the dinner party. Are you all ears?

快樂頌

青天高高 白雲飄飄 太陽當空在微笑
枝頭小鳥 吱吱在叫 魚兒水面任跳躍
花兒盛開 草兒彎腰 好像歡迎客人到
我們心中 充滿歡喜 人人快樂又逍遙
我們休息 在小山上 眺望美景真快樂
口中高唱 歡喜之歌 清風流水在應和
盡情遊玩 及時行樂 大好時光別放過
你也歡喜 我也歡喜 人人歡樂快樂多

Mamma Mia 2008

Late Friday evening, August 22nd, I received a phone call from Eric Chou, Immediate Past Area H1 Governor, "Sherry, I saw you in Mamma Mia. The role of Tanya was tailor-made for you. You must see this beautiful movie and enjoy a good vacation on Greek Islands in a cozy theater". Eric Chou, a member of Grand Toastmasters Club, works for a big Chain Hotel's Taipei Office, knows everything about show business. Of course, he wouldn't miss Mamma Mia, the first night in the movie theaters in Taiwan.

A week later, at lunch with Sophia Chen, a young make-up artist toastmaster of Grand, Sophia told me how much she loved Mamma Mia and she was impressed by the resemblance between Tanya and me. Well, I was obliged to see myself in other people's eyes. So, I saw Mamma Mia at once.

And I decided to produce a Taiwanese version. Firstly I needed to find Donna, Tanya and Rosie among golden ladies. I was extremely happy when Trini told me she could play Donna. She loved ABBA and she could memorize most of the lyrics of their hit songs. Indeed, golden ladies all grew up with ABBA when we were in college. Every golden lady can hum Dancing Queen, I Have A Dream, not to mention Mamma Mia. But, it turned out to be a bottleneck to find Rosie, as most golden ladies were occupied with family chores and/or office paperworks. I have to seek helping hands among other friends. Believe it or not, it is still pending at the last hour!

The search of young talents went unbelievable smoothly. I found Sophie, Ali, Lisa and Sky at Pacific and Peace Toastmasters clubs immediately as soon as I announced my intention. The young members are as passionate and enthusiastic in acting and singing as I am, if not more. About three possible dads of Sophie, it took me only one email to get Sam, Harry and Bill in the Musical, even Sam lives in Nagoya and Harry lives in Tokyo. Of course, I won't forget to find two lovely beach boys for Tanya. What a super cast!

Many thanks go to Sophie by Reifon Tong, Incumbent President of Pacific TMC; Ali by Yu-chi Hung, EVP of Peace TMC: Lisa by Daphne Wang of Peace TMC; Sky by Hsin-yi Wu of Pacific TMC; Donna by Trini Ding of China TMC; Sam by Misao Inuzuka, Incumbent President of Nagoya TMC; Harry by Kiminari Azuma of Yamato Bilingual TMC; Bill by William Lee, Incumbent Area C2 Governor; Beach Boy X by Eric Chou of Grand TMC; and Beach Boy Y by Shi-jun Tu of Pacific TMC.

If it feels blissful to be in love, I bet it also feels blissful to see people in love. In the great Musical of Mamma Mia, I am grateful that I could not only bring toastmasters together to sing and dance on stage, but I also arrange many Toastmasters friends to be in love. What an achievement! If you're free Saturday evening, October 11th, please come see Mamma Mia by Golden Ladies Toastmasters and Friends at ChinaTrust Landmark Hotel in Taoyuan. See ya~