Sunflower 2009

It was a rainy Tuesday evening, Sunrise Toastmasters Club had their New Year Mock Countdown Event at their last meeting at Taipei City Library Wan guan-yin Branch, December 30th, 2008. It was a windy Wednesday evening, I walked into Sunflower Toastmasters Club year-end Party at Golden Flying Club, December 30th, 2009.

After D67 Fallcon 2009 in late November, Toastmaster Athena Lien, District Governor 2003-2004, thanked me for counting her in Taiwan Toastmasters Chorus to sing at the diner party. She was also happy to visit the elderly home and perform singing the previous day. She told me that she was amazed by my enthusiasm and energy to bring toastmasters together to reach out people in different communities.

After being flattered, I couldn't turn down her invitation to the Year-end Party at Golden Flying. One more reason prompted me to the party is to check out the new look of Golden Flying after a recent remodeling. I admire Athena's determination to devote herhself to English education in Taiwan. She started Golden Flying Training Center single-handed more than a decade ago.

My eyes were wide open to two big tables covered with turkey, stuffing, salad, vegetable soup, fruits, desserts, red wine food, drinks, when I walked into Golden Flying, a full house of party goers. My mouth watered and I felt at ease surrounded by many familiar faces, more than half of the attendants.

The party program started at 7:50PM with a short greeting from Toastmaster of the Year-end Party Bill Wan, followed by President Skylar Hu's Reminiscence of 2009, and many talent shows. After a while, I finalized realized it was the year-end party of Mandarin-speaking Sunflower Toastmasters Club. I was probably the only guest from other Toastmaster club.

At the end of the party, President Skylar Hu lead a session of gratitude by saying thankful words to her members, holding a candle in her hands. After her inspiring speech about what a warm and supportive toastmasters club is to develop members together, she circulated the candle among members from one to another. When I got the candle, I stood up to talk about my coming visit in Mongolia in January to charter a Toastmasters club to nourish the learning attitude of human beings in the north. Every member came to greet me after my announcement.

I arrived at Sunflower Toastmasters Club's Year-end Party as a stranger, I left Sunflower Toastmasters Club with lots of blessings from the members, including a young gentleman from Sweden who is an eager student of Mandarin in Taipei. I shall always remember this evening. I wonder what would take place in Toastmasters, on the 30th of December, 2010! Let's wait and see!

Masquerade Christmas Ball 2009

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year! Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin, glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

Fun time is with family and friends. Fun time is for Christmas. Fun time is at the birthday party of three golden ladies, Pamela, Irene and Linda. Pamela booked a country cottage log house for ten at Yangmingshan National Park, Linda prepared the main dish of chicken soup hotpot for at least a dozen stomachs, plus three bottles of booze, Irene bought many side dishes enough for an army.

It was a special masquerade slumber party for eight golden ladies. Thanks God, it's Friday, we could dance all night, till the sun came up. In the wee hours of the morning, I ventured out of the wood cabin in the rain to take a good photo of a bunch of middle-aged women pranksters. Who cared what people said about our wacky behaviors, they were just jealous of me and you. We wish people could feel and act as we did on Christmas, dancing all night till we dropped merrily exhausted.

Saturday morning, we jumped out of warm beds to welcome the new day in unison like high school girl scouts in the winter camp. We didn't snuggle one another in bed, we dressed up as soon as we could for a big buffet breakfast at the restaurant. Before twelve noon, the check out time, we played a few group games, Do As I Say, Simon Says, Heart Attack, with the twin kids of Pamela's European friends.

The rules of "Do As I Say" were simple. If I say one, people raise the right hand. If I say two, people raise the left hand. If I say three, people clap their hands. If I say four, people clap their hands twice. If I say five, people jump from the ground. In stead of calling the numbers, I sang the song of 533, 422, 1234555; 533, 422, 13551; 2222234, 3333345, 533, 422, 13551, or GEE, FDD, CDEFGGG; GEE, FDD, CEGGC; DDDDDEF, EEEEEFG; GEE, FDD, CEGGC. Can you decipher the musical notes? Sing it out and try out the game yourself for fun!

After Christmas, it is the last week of year 2009. In stead of flipping through thousands of memorable photos in the past, it's time we planned an extraordinary year of 2010, aimed at audacious New Year resolutions, left ebullient footprints on the hearts of people around us.

Toastmasters Friends from Afar

Toastmaster Watanabe Yoshihito was curious why my husband Azen would allow me to study in Kyoto for one year by myself ten years ago. "Sherry doesn't belong to me, she belongs to herself," Azen responded. "Every morning I prepare breakfast for my wife. She works very hard. At home, I do the housework. So my nickname is Yoshiko," Yoshihito introduced himself at dinner. "Me, too, I make breakfast for my wife. I do the housework. Sherry doesn't work, she is busy with charity affairs. She is my QUEEN," Azen saluted me.

Toastmaster Watanabe invited two Japanese toastmasters to join his four days tour in Taipei, Area 33 Governor Kazunori Toyomitsu (also IPP of Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club) and Toastmaster Kiichiro Saito of Akabane Toastmasters Club. Watanabe had visited Taiwan for more than ten times, but it was the first time he took the challenge to speak in Mandarin. In addition to delicious Chinese food, Watanabe seemed interested in Chinese culture and Chinese language. He was thinking about delivering a speech in Mandarin in Taipei in 2010 and he planned to charter a Mandarin-speaking club in Tokyo in 2011.

Friday evening, a big welcome dinner of Peking Duck, Peking hotpot, shrimp dumplings was held at a famous Chinese Restaurant in Ximen District. A second party of coffee and tea was followed at McCafe. It was after midnight when I got home full of excitements. Saturday afternoon, three Toastmasters from Japan joined the last regular meeting of Peace Toastmasters Club in 2009. In the evening, we enjoyed a boisterous Year-end Karaoke party for three hours and called it a night early, because Watanabe and Saito needed to join the half marathon in Taipei early Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon, we ventured to the hot spring resort in Wulai. Even though all hot spring houses in Wulai were booked with tourists because of the cold front in town, we were satisfied to see the beautiful Wulai waterfall. Toastmaster Toyomitsu admired Wulai Waterfall very much and compared it with the famous Kegon Waterfall in Nikko.

Farewell dinner was served at my brother Jimmy's place. He prepared a full table of dishes, from fried soybean noodles to pork radish soup. We drank a bottle of aborginal millet sake I just bought in Wulai. It was a joyful and cheerful gathering of Toastmasters friends! My family looks forward to Toastmaster Watanabe & Friends' next visit to Taipei in 2010!

Division H Christmas Party 2009

Grand Toastmasters Club hosted Division H Christmas Party 2009 this evening. I volunteered to lead a dancing session to lift up the holiday spirit. "Dancing PK", as I called it, involved all participants at the party. Two groups, men and women dancers, were formed on the spot. Dancing PK contains two parts, the traditional dance (hula dance for women and aboriginal dance for men) & modern dance (Wonder Girls' "Nobody" for women and SuperJunior's "Sorry Sorry" for men).

In Toastmasters arena, everyone is no stranger to impromptu speeches. Members are called upon to answer table topics without prior preparations. At D67 Fallcon 2009, some toastmasters experienced a so-called impromptu singing for the first time. This evening, it was the first time we took the challenge of impromptu dancing. Every participant was excited to twist his or her body for fun with fellow toastmasters, including incumbent D67 Governor James Lin, DTM.

After a brief and short explanation of basic dancing steps of Hula, Aboriginal and two most recent popular dances of Korean Rock groups, the finger guessing winning group started to dance. For traditional dance, women dancers claimed the trophy with their sexy Hula Dance. For modern dance, men dancers did an amazing job dancing Sorry Sorry, because several young toastmasters already learned the hot dancing steps by heart.

Dancing PK is more than dance. Not only does it tickle the bones of members to shake their booties, but it also motivates members to be the best dancers they can be. On top of that, Dancing PK is good for health. It warms up the party atmosphere. It brings people together to dance on their two feet. I look forward to another impromptu Dancing PK at Toastmasters gatherings soon in the future.

All's well that ends well. The last meeting (party) of Grand Toastmasters Club was meaningful. Many toastmasters membrs of Division H came join us to rejoice the birth of Jesus Christ and to say farewell to 2009. We look forward to a properous Grand in 2010 when Grand will celebrate her 35th anniversary.

Ballroom Dance Party

Toastmaster Lydia Lin invited me to a ballroom dance party to support her dear ballroom dancer friend Lillian Wu, Sunday evening, December 13th. The moment I walked into the huge dancing hall, all my nerves were tickled at once. My eyes were wide open to all dancers on their best shoes waiting at the rim of the dancing floor. It was like every couple of dancers were eager to claim the trophy of championship on the arena in the most elegant or passionate way. I felt like an ancient Roman observer full of excitements to see the gladiators at the Colosseum.

It was the first time I realized that there was no better way to explain the better half than the dancing partner on the floor. Be it Modern or Latin ballroom dance, every dancer exerts the best effort to dance to the music, with his or her partner. They see none other than the better half in their own eyes.

What a joyful and successful evening we had, even though all kinds of small accidents happened on the floor, such as eyelashes, earrings, head decorations of female dancers flew out of the rim. Fortunately no couple bumped into each other and fell off on the ground. All male dancers were excellent leading partners with an extra of cautious eyes on their back.

I put on eyelashes of spider web designed by Shu Uemura, but mine felt dwarfed comparing with the fashionable and exaggerating ones worn by ballroom dancers. Being an aficionado of eyelashes with a huge stock of eyelashes, I shall put on the most shining ones garnished with diamonds for my next ballroom dance party!

Lillian Wu danced gracefully on the dancing floor. Her smiles beamed with joy when she waltzed in the arms of her partner. I adored her joyful spirit and feminine feature very much. Will I glide into the dancing floor one day? Well, it only depends upon my better half if he is willing to hold me in his arms to waltz, to tango, to chacha. I am ready anytime to join Lillian Wu and Lydia Lin to mingle among the beautiful and graceful ballroom dance couples on the floor.

Yangmingshan National Park Year-end Party

There are an array of scenic spots in Yangmingshan National Park. The best place to see the autumn leaves is the Boy Scouts Training Center where Yangmingshan Volunteers Interpreters held the 2009 Year-end Party today.

The main lobby of Boy Scouts Training Center was huge to accommodate more than two hundred people. But we had only a group of 90+ volunteers today to welcome the new volunteers to join our big family and to welcome long time no see veterans for homecoming. It felt a little cold especially in the rainy morning!

I knew ahead of time that it was going to be a challenging job for me to serve as the master of ceremony for a group of independent interpreters. Volunteer interpreters are good at natures, but they are not party animals. Unlike Toastmasters, volunteer interpreters are less sociable. They are not using to telling jokes in public. They are not trained to deliver tabletopics (impromptu speeches) any time and any place. So I designed a few group activities in advance to involve as many volunteer interpreters as possible.

The bingo game was a success to begin with. Every participant was given a bingo sheet at the entrance with a matrix of 25 squares (five by five). Each participant was required to put his or her number (registration number) in the middle and have numbers and signatures of 24 participants on the same sheet. In this way, every participant has a motive to say hello to acquaintance and/or to break ice with the strangers.

For the group activities, two groups of volunteer interpreters were asked to compete with each other, the finger-guessing game, eagles and chickens, relay race with various objects, in various forms. The winning group was given a signifying handmade trophy. All new volunteer interpreters were invited to play the "follow my order" game. The winners were awarded with presents. All participants were invited to play the Limbo Rock game to show off how good they could twist their bodies.

In addition to colorful Christmas decoration, audio Karaoke facilities, we also provided many costumes of Mr. Santa, Miss Santa, clowns, to add a great deal amount of seasoning flavor to the atmosphere. Every participant was eager to try on different caps of clowns to have photos taken.

By the time when the year-end party was over, every participant was satisfied and exhausted. In the afternoon, the sun came out to greet us to cheer the success of building solidarity among volunteer interpreters. If I have a dream, that will be a masquerade party of 200 volunteer interpreters. That will be simply historical and awesome!

Autumn Leaves — Nat King Cole
The falling leaves drift by the window,
The autumn leaves of red and gold,
I see your lips, the summer kisses
But I miss you most of all my darling,
When autumn leaves start to fall. ...

The First Grandson Shower

Toastmaster Linda Tseng invited golden ladies to celebrate the birth of her first grandson at home. Be it the Toastmaster magazine reading gathering in December, we spent most time enjoying the sumptuous lunch of traditional dishes for the new mothers during the time of childbirth, sesame oil chicken, mushroom glutinous rice, just to name a couple. We didn't see Linda's daughter-in-law, we didn't see Linda's first grandchild, either. Both of them were still in after birth caring center for mother and babies.

As a fashion queen among golden ladies, I love to visit Linda's big house in Wu-gu, because her two daughters had a big warehouse of fashionable clothes at home. Linda told me that her daughters had been extremely busy with their shop at the newly opened Taipei Bus Department Store. I was lucky to catch both of them today to browse their new product lines. I like their brand "So That's Me", a perfect name for me and their products of an affordable luxury. So, I bought a pair of winter leggings and a scarf for myself today as early Christmas presents.

After shopping and lunch, I didn't stay to join golden ladies to read the Toastmaster Magazine November issue. Linda offered me a ride to rush to an award ceremony for volunteers in Hsin-chuang. Trini and Pamela must have read something. But, I shall definitely find time to read the magazine by myself sometime soon. Many congratulations to Linda for being the first grandmother among golden ladies and many thanks to Linda for the wonderful kickoff party of a newborn grandchild in busy December 2009.

Toastmasters & Yangmingshan National Park Volunteer Interpreters

Four Toastmasters from D76 decided to meet with Mount Aso visitors at the Visitor Center of Yangmingshan National Park (YMSNP) Headquarters in stead of attending the D67 Fallcon 2009 this morning.

After the glamour dinner party yesterday evening, Toastmasters Rio Imamura, Masaki Oshiumi, Yukio Horie and Teiko Uemura stayed overnight with me at my friend's hot spring house at YMSNP. Rio and Masaki retired for the night early after a good hot spring bath. Teiko and Yukio, the first timers to YMSNP, joined me and my friend for a night snack till midnight. Five of us had an early morning in the park, visited the famous Flower Clock and Statue of Philosopher Wang Yangming before we enjoyed a traditional Chinese breakfast at my friend's restaurant.

At nine, two dozen YMSNP volunteer Interpreters were waiting for nine Aso Museum Interpreters from Japan in front of the visitors center. It was the first encounter of YMSNP volunteer Interpreters and Aso Museum Interpreters. Both parties were excited because YMS and Aso are both known for volcano. Five toastmasters witnessed the meaningful event of one hour friendly gathering, followed by a visit to Small Fumarole, a scenic spot of volcano eruption and secondary hydro-thermal deposit.

D67 Fallcon Dinner Party

In stead of watching people play, I like to be a player on the ground. At D67 Fallcon 2009 Dinner Party, I was one of the players among many toastmasters, including four toastmasters from D76 (Japan).

I love Toastmasters, especially the semiannual Toastmasters conferences. If possible, I love to take the opportunity to bring toastmasters from different clubs together to excel on stage to bring happiness to the participants. This evening, we wowed a big audience of 800 toastmasters and friends at Zhong-shan Building with the debut performance of D67 Toastmasters Chorus.

I was proud that I took the initiatives to charter D67 Toastmasters Chorus in September. Having been busy coordinating the singing activities for the past two months, I couldn't feel happier for the historic move when 15 Taiwan Toastmasters Chorus members sang in harmony with four toastmasters from Japan on stage.

Read more about Taiwan Toastmasters Chorus from Toastmaster Rio Imamura, you shall share our joyful achievements. Learn more about the repertoire of Taiwan Toastmasters Chorus debut performance, Akatonbo and Amazing Grace.

D67 Fallcon 2009 Welcome Party

I had never sat next to a visually impaired person at dinner till tonight. What a great honor it was for me to sit beside D67 Fallcon 2009 Keynote Speaker Dana LaMon, World Champion of Public Speaking 1992.

Toastmaster Dana LaMon has a very different outlook in life from most visually impaired persons in the field of massage business in Taiwan. Dana became blind at the age of four. He got mathematics degree from Yale University, and law degree from Southern California. Dana joined Toastmasters in 1989, won the world champion of public speaking in 1992, and aspired to be a professional speaker in Toastmasters. Dana is blind, but he proves visually impaired persons can achieve just as much if not more.

When D67 turned to Toastmasters International for potential keynote speaker candidates at D67 Fallcon 2009, Dana was the first accredited professional speaker who answered the call. He responded in less than two hours when D67 Jame Lin placed the request on line. Dana stood out and won himself the chance to inspire Toastmasters in Taiwan for the first time.

Sitting by an outstanding Toastmaster and a world class motivation speaker at dinner, I watched him analyze the Chinese food with his fingers, I imagined him drawing the picture of a big table of mouthwatering seafood in his mind.

I couldn't help being curious about the life master deprived of visual capacity from childhood. Dana's sense of humor brought a full house of laughter. Dana's powerful recognition of people around him impressed us. In addition to many touching stories, Dana also demonstrated that blind is what he was, but not who he was.

One week before Dana came to Taiwan, I walked into Taipei City Library for Visually Impaired for the first time. I wanted to know more about the world of the blind, so that I could serve as a better interpreter for Dana's one-hour motivational speech "The Driving Force" at Taipei School for Visually Impaired to talk about what drove him achieve the things he did. Luckily I opened the door of the Parents Association of Visually Impaired. In the end, I bought one of the donated pianos at the Association. It was Dana who added a new dimension to my life in 2009. Thank you, Dana!

Nursing Home Birthday Party

I joined a small community volunteers group in Hsin-tien three years ago. One of our jobs was to visit the Taipei Nursing Home to entertain the wheelchair ridden elderly every month for two hours. It had been a challenge for me ever since.

What could I do to change the moods of elderly? How could I involve as many elderly as possible? What kind of group activities would cheer up the elderly? What games would do good to rehabilitate the elderly for a little for a short period of time?

The first time I walked into the care center for the disabled elderly at the nursing home, I saw sad faces on the wheelchairs. Without too much of thinking, I tried my best to engage the elderly with various group games at once. It was such a sensation to see the sad faces turned into smiling faces. Shouldn't people feel happy more often regardless of the age? Shouldn't people feel contented when they walked on the last part of their life journey?

Two senior Toastmasters friends from Kitakyushu toastmasters joined us to bring joy to the elderly at the seasonal birthday party of nursing home. We sang one Japanese song "Akatonbo" and one English song "Amazing Grace" on stage of the big auditorium. We wowed every body by proving people were never too old to learn new tricks. We proved that people should not give up chance to entertain people to bring joy and to add color to life.

Being the first Toastmasters group of different nationalities to perform at the birthday party of the Nursing Home, we caught the attention from a big audience of 100 elderly. Old people can show up on stage. old people can sit in the audience. People can bring joy to people. People can be the source of delight and happiness if we believe in ourselves.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2009

The Thanksgiving dinner 2009 was special. It was a family dinner of Toastmasters singers of Taiwan and Japan. Toastmasters Rio Imamura, Scott Weaver, Frank Yeh, Helen Chen were first timers to my brother Jimmy's dinner party this evening.

Toastmasters Rio Imamura and Masaki Oshiumi just arrived in Taipei from Fukuoka this afternoon. They came to Jimmy's place before five to practice singing "Akatonbo" and "Amazing Grace". Even though I sent them the MP3 of both songs in advance, it was still a challenge for me to work with them and vice versa. Fortunately, we had an ample amount of time to sing again, again, and again, before our performance at the Nursing Home Birthday Party Friday afternoon.

Jimmy impressed a full house of Toastmasters with a big table of home made Chinese food. Rio was moved with the blessing to have a Thanksgiving Dinner at a Chinese family for the first time. He was interested in all dishes Jimmy prepared this evening. Rio might have thought Chinese also celebrate the Thanksgiving as the Americans.

After dinner, we had an intensive training on the articulation of Chinese lyrics of Akatonbo for Rio and Masaki. It was a joyful singing dinner party at Jimmy's. I'm thinking of inviting more toastmasters to sing at Jimmy's in the future. Maybe we can organize a small chamber choir of Toastmasters to meet at Jimmy's twice a month. It's thrilling to fill Jimmy's place with laughter and music.

Scorpion Birthday Party 2009

Toastmaster Lydia Lin invited golden ladies to her Karaoke lounge this evening. It became a rule of hers to host a singing party at her mansion to celebrate her birthday every November. Golden ladies loved to get together to give her all the best wishes for her happiness and joyance we could possibly offer.

Besides eating, singing, dancing, we took the opportunity to rehearse the two songs "Akatonbo" and "Amazing Grace" we were about to perform at D67 Fallcon 2009, November 28th.

Toastmaster Harry Fong, Council Governor 2000-2010, the better half of Lydia joined the second half of the party. He took many photos of the sexy eightsome and videotaped our dress rehearsal of the dinner party. My, my, in less than a week, we would stand up for our debut performance on stage. We had a lot to do (sing) this week.

The First Joint Rotary Luncheon

When Toastmaster Athena Lien, District Governor 2003-2004, invited me to attend the first joint meeting of Taipei Rotary club (English) & Tokai Rotary club (Japanese) at Hotel Royal Taipei, I felt flattered to participate in the significant event. I didn't know that there were two Japanese Rotary clubs in Taiwan, one in Taipei and the other in Kaohsiung, till this afternoon. It was indeed a delight to be a part of the versatile community in Taipei.

The Keynote Speaker Kumiko Hirano (平野久美子), a Japanese Journalist, talked about the Japanese engineer, Shinpei Torii (信平鳥居) who constructed the first ecological dam in Taiwan. Hirano-san published her book "水の奇跡を呼んだ男" in June, 2009. I was impressed by her intensive research on the underground dam in Ping-tong.

Born in the south of Taiwan, I knew many Japanese engineers devoted their lives to the development of the Chia-nan Plain. Hirano-san inspired me to study more about the basic infrastructure lay by Japanese during 50 years colonization period from 1895 till 1945.

After the joint Rotary meeting, I was lucky to buy the last copy of Hirono's book with her autograph. Buying the book gave me the motive to explore more history about the wartime in Taiwan. I should make it one of my goals in 2010 to finish reading the book and hopefully to see the dam with my own eyes.

The long-time-no-see Toastmaster Scott Weaver was at the joint meeting. How nice it was to have two dear old toastmaters friends at the same meeting. With Athena's consent first, followed by Scott's to join the singing performance at the Nursing Home Friday afternoon, November 27th. Thank you, Athena! Thank you, Scott!

Mamma Mia

I was the first one to arrive at the 7th chorus lesson this evening. Conductor Chi-ling's daughter-in-law opened the door and two of us chatted about everything, from her family in China, her mother-to-be experience, to her everyday life in Taipei.

The substitute conductor Chang Hsin-ting was the second one to arrive. I thought she was Pianist Yi-hwa, I kept playing piano, talking at the same time. Conductor Hsin-ting is a young and friendly high school teacher of arts and humanity. We became instant friends. Without wasting any minute, I asked Conductor Hsin-ting to comment on my solo of "Akatombo" and "Amazing Grace" in both voice parts. It was an awesome opportunity to sing. I exerted my every effort to articulate the lyrics of Amazing Grace.

At 7 o'clock, we began a series of vocal skill practice for 20 minutes, followed by singing "Fireflies", "Akatombo", and "Amazing Grace" again and again before the intermission. Only eight members showed up at the 7th chorus lesson in the rainy day. It was Ron's lucky evening to be surrounded by nine beautiful ladies singers, including the conductor and pianist.

Soprano: Green Chen, Kate Hsu, Michelle Liu
Alto: Maggie Chiu, Gina Fu, Lydia Lin, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen

After the intermission, we attempted Mamma Mia for the first time for 20 minutes. As we were more occupied with the coming two performances in the coming week, we were less interested in learning any new song at the moment. We told Conductor Hsin-ting we were about to perform "Akatombo" and "Amazing Grace" on stage at the Nursing Home Birthday Party Friday afternoon, November 27th and at D67 Fall Conference Dinner Party Saturday evening, November 28th. Conductor Hsin-ting was generous to give her best effort to coach us to sing both songs A Cappella. Conductor Hsin-ting was pleased and impressed with our voices, so were we.

After Conductor Hsin-ting's valuable input this evening, we became more confidence of our vocal skills. We became more assured of ourselves singing in harmony in public. Now we need to memorize the lyrics of both songs by heart.

The Taste of a Beginner Conductor

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.- Hilary Cooper

Michelle arrived at 7 o'clock with a box of Tiramisu. Jimmy prepared a full table of ham and cheese sandwiches, fruits, corn on the cobs, drinks. While waiting for Bill to join us, Jimmy, Michelle and I started practicing "Amazing Grace". When Bill arrived, the warm evening of Chamber Choir of Four began. We sang Akatombo and Amazing Grace again and again, until all of us four could memorize the lyrics by heart and sang in harmony!

Amazing Grace John Newton (1725-1807)
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, 奇異恩典 何等甘甜
That saved a wretch like me. 我罪已得赦免
I once was lost but now am found, 前我失喪 今被尋回
Was blind, but now I see. 瞎眼今得看見

When we've been here ten thousand years, 將來禧年 聖徒歡聚
Bright shining as the sun. 恩光愛誼千年
We've no less days to sing God's praise, 喜樂頌贊 在父座前
Than when we've first begun. 深望那日快現

Soprano: Michelle Liu
Alto: Sherry Li
Tenor: Jimmy Li
Bass: Bill Wan

Michelle and I recorded Akatombo in Mandarin for Toastmasters Rio Imamura and Masaki Oshiumi this evening, so that they can practice in Japan. I'm so excited that D67 chorus will join hands with toastmasters from D76 to give two consecutive performances at Nursing Home Birthday Party Friday afternoon (11/27) and D67 Fallcon 2009 Dinner Party Saturday evening (11/28). How meaningful it would be if we could take our breath away as well as others on two important occasions before the end of 2009.

Many thanks go to Bill, Jimmy and Michelle for a lovely and wonderful chamber of choir evening. I enjoyed singing and conducting for the first time. I learned to look beyond the differences and find a way to guide people to voice out in harmony. It was fulfilling!

Blissfulness in front of Eyes

心事數莖白髮，生涯一片青山。空林有雪相待，古道無人獨還。 張繼 歸山　

Lydia was very kind to invite me to her mansion to practice the alto part of "Amazing Grace". She sang the holy spirit song at Toastmaster David Chen's funeral with more than a dozen Toastmasters last July.

Upon the invitation of D76 Toastmasters, D67 chorus would sing "Amazing Grace" at D67 Fallcon Dinner Party in honor of Keynote Speaker Dana Lamon, DTM, the World Champion of Public Speaking in 1992. Lamon says, "when I was four years old, an event occurred that changed my life. I became blind. But I didn't choose to live a life in self pity or self imposed limitations, because I understood that this life is the only one I have and I've got to make the best of it."

As much inspired by Dana Lamon, Lydia and I practiced singing hard nonstop for two hours. Being a member of YMCA Oratorio Choir for more than two years, Lydia gave me a lot of singing advice. I found myself become a better singer each day. After the morning singing practice, Lydia and I decided to reward ourselves with a good lunch at Hotel Westin. To our surprise, Westin was packed with patrons today.

At half past one, we finally got a seat at Gion Restaurant. We were told there was a special autumn campaign now, spend NT$1,000 and get a coupon of NT$500. Our shopping spree nerves were immediately tickled and we ordered two mini full course of luncheon at NT$1,480 per person. The food was superb, the ambience was serene, with a touch of Gion atmosphere. We also ordered an extra cup of hot coffee to complement our meal. What a luxurious day at Westin on Lydia's scorpion birthday.

It was after three when we drove out of Westin. On our way back to Lydia's place, we saw many purple trumpet flowers blooming on the wall and fence in the sun. It was too beautiful to miss, we got of the car, took a bunch of photos before we ran for family chores on separate ways.

When I got home, I noticed for the first time that the purple trumpet flowers also bloomed at the back veranda of my apartment! Wow, what an afternoon! I see the blissfulness right in front of my every eyes!

A Diva Was Born

I stood tall and soloed O Sole Mio with all my strength in front of D67 chorus members before we ended the 6th chorus lesson this evening! What a rewarding singing night when Conductor Chi-ling complimented me by saying, "Sherry, you sang like an Italian!"

At 6:30PM, I rang the bell of Conductor Chi-ling's studio, I was the first member to arrive, Pianist Yi-hwa was there. I grabbed the once-in-a-lifetime chance to attempt O Sole Mio, I could memorize the song by heart. No sooner than later, Yi-hwa played the piano, I uttered the first word "Che" courageously, continued the first half of the famous Italian folk song with joy, but when it came to "Ma", the highest key of the entire song, I choked up and had to do it again. After I completed the whole song, Conductor Chi-ling joked, "Sherry, you sang like a Taiwanese!"

At seven o'clock, we started the 6th chorus lesson on time, but more than half of the chorus members were absent. Lucky George was the only male vocal this evening. Conductor Chi-ling decided to coach each chorus member the vocal skills. It was an unexpected vocal lesson. Every member was called upon to voice out and Conductor Chi-ling gave each chorus member specific directions for personal improvement.

Soprano: Jorie Wu, Green Chen
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Maggie Chiu, Lydia Lin, Sherry Li
Bass: George Yen

Singing is like speaking, we use our body as an organ, if not more. It's more than obvious that we won't sing unless we exercise our organ as often as possible. There is no short cut to master any skills. If we do not hone vocal skills on daily basis, our organ won't function the way we wish. I'm determined to practice singing everyday either with a group or by myself. "Singing for Fun" is my new motto!

Area H1 Humorous Speech Contest

It's Halloween Day today. I dressed up like a witch on purpose, with a pair of zebra legging, an orange sweater, and a black witch cap, to win the Area H1 Humorous Speech Contest. Being the only contestant, I exerted my best effort just the same to add spooky atmosphere by acting like a trick-or-treater on the special day.

Area H1 Humorous Speech Contest took place at Room 201 of National Taiwan University (NTU) Gym. To my excitement, there was a grand piano at Room 201, a training room for NTU students. As soon as I saw the piano, I sat down to play a few familiar children songs for the audience to add joyful atmosphere to the humorous contest.

Gina agreed to join the humorous contest at the last minute upon my invitation. Both of us are from Grand Toastmasters Club. I delivered my speech first, by greeting everybody "Happy Halloween", then told a story about my acquisition of Hubris Syndrome in Toastmasters. Gina talked about her happy aging journey in Toastmasters. I won the contest and Gina placed the second.

After the intermission, Christine Choi delivered her target speech "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" for Evaluation contest. Christine is a junior at Department of Electrical Engineering. She has been in NTU Toastmasters Club for two years. Believer it or not, she is only 18! At the first sight of her, I could tell Christine is a smart kid by her mannerism and her power to focus and concentrate. Christine has completed her advanced manual-Speak to Inform on probability. She wants to study computer science in the future.

Area H1 Humorous and Evaluation Speech Contest was a happy gathering of 15 toastmasters members, including six contestants, five judges, and one target speaker for evaluation contest. From piano prelude, two humorous speeches, one fable story, four evaluation speeches, we enjoyed a splendid Halloween afternoon in 2009.

Humor on Hubris
Fellow Toastmasters, I have a confession to make. I'm nobody, but I think I'm somebody! I've got the Hubris Syndrome. It is incurable. I acquire it in Toastmasters.

Wednesday noon, September the 9th, Gina and I had lunch together. While we read the Apple Daily about President Ma handing the unprecedented natural disaster in southern Taiwan caused by Typhone Makarot, it was said that President Ma had the Hubris Syndrome.

"Arrogant, Attractive, Focus on personal image, Love public speaking...," Gina squinted at me, placed a checked mark from the beginning to the end, "Sherry, you also have the Hubris Syndrome."

Wow, that was not a compliment, nevertheless I was flattered just the same to be compared with handsome President Ma. In the evening, I told my dear husband about Gina's comment. "Honey, for the past two decades, you have always been on the top. It's time we changed position." "But, you told me you had acrophobia on our wedding night".

What is Hubris Syndrome anyway? It is an acquired personality disorder, among politicians and public speakers, George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, just to name a few. Just in case, you are not familiar with the psychological term, it's called the BIG HEAD syndrome in Taiwanese. Fellow Toastmasters, if you could please take a close look at your neighbors next to you, the Hubris Syndrome can be found among many TOASTMASTERS, especially the veterans, particularly DTMs.

After Gina's diagnosis, I saw my psychiatrist Dr. Dennis Brown, the following week. Dr. Brown looked sorry and said, "Sherry, it's hard to cure your Hubris at the moment, you're sexy and beautiful, people, I mean, men, follow your command, right or wrong. Wait until you're old and senile, nobody will pay attention to you. There goes your Hubris. Okay, my time is up. Here is my humble bill. "My god, the bill is outrageous! Why do I see a hubris doctor to cure my hubris syndrome in the first place?

Just about when I was at the crossroads whether to quit Toastmasters to cure Hubris Syndrome, obsessing in helping others (competing with others), saving the world (if not destroying the world), Past District Governor Harry Fong came to my rescue. He invited me to join High Performance Leadership (HPL) Program with him and International Director George Yen. Now you know how I got my Hubris Syndrome from. I told Harry that I didn't want to aggravate my personality disorder. It was not the right time to give a thought to HIGH performance of LEADERship.

Harry replied at once, "Hi Sherry, I have come a long way. It wouldn't be easy to get over it within a short while. Please practice Ho'oponopono to see if they help. When you feel the peace inside, you will soon regain your energy & power. If it works for you, please send the message to President Ma, too."

Ho'oponopono, what a funny name? Is it something like the Lamaze Technique to help the childbirth? Is it breathing in and out by chanting hooponopono? Being desperate to cure my Hubris, I surfed on the internet for more info on about Ho'oponopono. It's simple! Just repeat four mantras, "I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you". So I practice ho'oponopono with my life partner, looking into his eyes, searching for the dollar signs, and found the peace in me. Harry, it works!

But I'm still in a dilemma. Should I leave Toastmasters? Take it, Leave it? ......Oh, I'd better take it, because I still have one major task on my shoulder. That is to rescue Toastmasters from getting Hubris Syndrome.

So, I'm here to show you my big head problem. It is an acquired personality disorder. Chances are, you have it, too, if you are in Toastmasters long enough. Win or lose, I'm here to warn toastmasters about the dreadful Hubris Syndrome to make Toastmasters a safer place for all! Keep in mind that we are not somebody. We are nobody!

The Charity Concert of Rotary Club 2009

Autumn is the best season for concerts. Six District 67 chorus members walked into Zhongshan Hall this evening to enjoy the Charity Concert of Rotary Club 2009 from seven thirty till nine thirty.

Alto: Marian Hsiao, Maggie Chiu, Sherry Li
Tenor: Edward Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh
Bass: Bill Wan

I couldn't recall when was the last time I went to a concert at Zhongshan Hall, maybe never before in my life. At 7 o'clock sharp, the long queue started moving, my heart started pumping. When I stepped on the red carpet of the hall, I couldn't help been amazed by the grandeur interior and remarkable history .

Zhongshan Hall was former Taipei City Hall, constructed from November 23rd 1932, completed in November 26th, 1932, the forth-largest City Hall of Japan at that time, smaller only to the City Halls of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Ide Kaoru (井手薫) was the main architect. After World War II, the former Taipei City Hall was renamed Zhangshan Hall and functioned as an official meeting place for welcoming foreign guest of honors.

This evening, we enjoyed three marvelous choruses. Many thanks go to Conductor Hung for six free concert tickets.

Charity Concert Program
Earth Choir Conductor Hung Chi-ling
Wu-ling Elmentary School Choir Conductor Lin Su-hwei
Intermission
Taipei Chamber Choir Conductor Chen Yun-hung
Wu-ling Elementary School Choir School Choir Conductor Lin Su-hwei
Grand Assembly Choir Conductor Hung Chi-ling

It was a successful urban rural cultural exchange concert. The Wu-ling Elmentary School Choir from the East lead all choir performers to close the concert with a group singing and won a huge round of applause from the full house. The aboriginal tribe kids were like angles from heaven. Their voices lingered for a long time.

After the concert, we had a joyful snack at Rido Cafe' near Zhongshan Hall. Maggie agreed to shoulder the responsibility of the D67 Toastmasters Chorus for the second term, from December 2009 till January 2010. What would have been a better news than that? We shall continuing voicing out in harmony in Toastmasters in Taipei.

Three's Company

Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. ~~Forrest Gump

I didn't know my dear brother Jimmy sang till this evening. When he and Bill sang together, I was so impressed with their beautiful voices. Unlike the previous five choral lessons of D67 Toastmasters Chorus, I was the only female vocal this evening, with two big tenors singing next to me.

Bill Wan was the only chorus member who showed up at Jimmy's place to practice singing this evening. The moment Bill sat down, Jimmy and I gave our sincerest hospitality by displaying a full table of fruits, desserts, and drinks. After a warm-up party of the threesome, eating, drinking, chatting, Jimmy joined us to sing 'O Sole Mio and Akatombo to my surprise. I guess Jimmy was obliged in the beginning, but he was happy along the way, and he became a part of the three's company!

While we were singing happily, Conductor Hung called and offered us six free concert tickets at Chungsan Hall Thursday evening, October 29th. I am sure Conductor Hung must have overheard our singing to the CDs. She should be very pleased with our diligence and enthusiasm in singing.

Soprano: Sherry Li
Tenor: Bill Wan, Jimmy Li

Brother Jimmy is a shy and introverted person. He doesn't have many social activities after my parents passed away ten years ago. But thanks to Bill, I saw a new Jimmy this evening full of joy singing 'O Sole Mio with Bill. Jimmy even invites Bill to join the family Thanksgiving Dinner with Toastmasters Rio Imamura and Masaki Oshiumi, Thursday evening, November 26th.

When I complimented Jimmy about his beautiful voice, he told me with humility that we were from the same family. If I can sing, so can he! I am grateful to Bill for being a friend to Jimmy this evening. I hope Jimmy can meet with more toastmasters to cherish his happy future surrounded with joyful family and friends!

'O Sole O Sole Mio Sta Nfronte A Te ... Sta Nfronte A Te.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

"What a relief," every chorus member sighed at last after we reached the conclusion NOT to perform at District 67 Fall Conference 2009 Dinner Party. I don't know about the rest of the chorus members, I personally have been torn between the two, to perform or not to perform, ever since the first choral lesson of D67 Toastmasters Chorus in the middle of September!

It all started out with a wishful thinking we could ride on a fast tract to bring together music lovers in Toastmasters and to excel on stage at the opening ceremony of D67 Fall Conference 2009. But, things just didn't turn out the way we wanted. We were not given a chance to perform at the closing ceremony, either. Dinner party was the only option we were offered, to perform at the noisy dining hall of Yangmingshan Chungsan Building.

It was the fifth choral lesson this evening. Every member sang with joy, no more suspending chorus performance, no more rushing from amateur singers to professionals, no more invited singers to back us up on stage. We can be ourselves. Every member can sing for fun! Conductor Hung even cheers up with promising us a singing and dancing lesson of Mamma Mia in the future.

Soprano: Jorie Wu, Linda Tseng, Green Chen
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Maggie Chiu, Lydia Lin, Sherry Li
Tenor: Erick Suen, Ron Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh
Bass: George Yen

Every cloud has a silver lining. The initiative of organizing D67 Toastmasters Chours is rewarding. Even we don't perform at the dinner party, we learn to sing in harmony together. We become friends beyond our home clubs. Take myself for example, were it not for the D67 Toastmasters Chorus, I wouldn't have started my piano lesson. I wouldn't have explored the world of music to add another dimension to my life.

I didn't know CDEFGAB last month, now I know how to put alphabets on and between the lines, EGBDF & FACE. I know the cycle of fifth or fourth, a cycle full of sharps and flats. I know how FCGDAEB & BEADGCF work. I have a new hobby to caress 88 keys on a grand piano whenever I have a chance. What else could I have expected more?

One Song at a Time

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

In the rain, you rush to the fourth choral class, feeling excited as it were the first class. You have been singing "Can you hear me?" for the past week, imagining you are the child loss of hearing, sitting on the park bench, on a sunny day. You walk into the classroom. The young and petite accompanying pianist Yi-hwa is there. You feel fully charged to sing "Can you here me?" in front of Ron and Kuo-hwa without reading the music notes.

At 7 o'clock, the fourth choral class began. Only nine chorus members showed up this evening. Luckily Conductor Hung invited six female vocals from another chorus group to support us. As usual, we had a warm-up vocal practice for ten minutes. Then we rehearsed "Aka Tombo", "Fireflies", and "Can you hear me?" one after another intensively.

Soprano: Kate Hsu, Linda Tseng, Green Chen
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh
Bass: George Yen, Bill Wan

It was another evening full of tension, a lot of melodies, a lot of lyrics, a lot of foreign languages, plus a lot of emotions to interpret the choral songs. And yet, our concert is still in the air. So many unknowns are yet to be unveiled in the coming week. I can't think, I can't plan, I can't expect. All I can do is to sing to the best of my ability with my fellow Toastmasters members.

This evening, we were given a 20 minutes intermission to mingle with six invited female vocals. Four of our precious male singers were extremely quiet this evening, perhaps they were overwhelmed by the female power in the studio. At a quarter to nine, we attempted the fourth choral song, 'O Sole Mio by Enrico Caruso, the most admired Italian operatic tenor of the early 20th century.

I thought of Federica Giusto immediately. Federica and I were exchange students of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto in 2000. She and I were immediate neighbors at the International House. Everyday we enjoyed freshly made cappuccino after school. My life in Kyoto was very Italian. I fell in love with Italy ever since. In 2006, Federica invited me to visit her in Naples for a few days. Naples offers the best pizza in the world. Upon my request, Federica burned the midnight oil to translate 'O Sole Mio into English.

'O Sole Mio is a popular song in Taiwan, everybody knows the melody, but singing in Italian is another story. When Conductor taught us how to pronounce the lyrics of 'O Sole Mio word by word, I saw Enrico Caruso singing 'O Sole Mio on the ancient cobble alley in Naples. Oh, how I missed the sun in Naples!

The 4th choral class ended at a quarter past nine. Every chorus member looked a little bit lost, except those invited female vocals. I'm not worried at all. Pianist Yi-hwa agrees to give me a private piano lesson once a week from tomorrow afternoon.

I feel thrilled to acquire a new hobby. If not now, when? Who knows, maybe I can start a rock'n roll band? Now, I have a piano keyboard of music, in addition to my desktop keyboard of letters. I'm busy playing....the role of a good housewife.

'O Sole Mio Enrico Caruso

Che bella cosa 'na jurnata 'e sole
n'aria serena doppo 'na tempesta
pe'll'aria fresca pare gia 'na festa
che bella cosa 'na jurnata 'e sole.

Ma n'atu sole cchiu' bello, oi ne'
'O sole mio sta nfronte a te!
'O sole o sole mio
sta nfronte a te ... sta nfronte a te.

Luceno'e llastre d'a fenesta toia;
'na lavannara canta e se ne vanta
e pe'tramente torce, spanne e canta
luceno'e llastre d'a fenesta toia.

Ma n'atu sole cchiu' bello, oi ne'
'o sole mio sta nfronte a te!
'o sole o sole mio
sta nfronte a te ... sta nfronte a te.

Quanno fa notte e'sole se ne scenne
me vene quase'na malincunia;
soto a fenesta toi restarria
quando fa notte e'o sole se ne scenne.

Ma n'atu sole cchiu' bello, oi ne'
'o sole mio sta nfronte a te!
'o sole o sole mio
sta nfronte a te ... sta nfronte a te.

MY SUN
(translated by Federica Giusto on October 14th, 2009)

Such a beautiful thing is a sunny day
chilly air after the tempest
Fresh air …looks like a feast
Such a beautiful thing is a sunny day

There is any sun more beautiful than you
My sun …it's in front of you (on your forehead)
My sun, my sun
It's in front of you

Light came up from your window
A washerwoman is singing and proud of that
She is hanging out, sewing and singing
Light came up from your window

There is any sun more beautiful than you
My sun …it's in front of you (on your forehead)
My sun, my sun
It's in front of you

When the night arrives and the sun sets
I'm feeling a sense of melancholy
I would like to stay under your window
When the night arrives and the sun sets

There is any sun more beautiful than you
My sun …it's in front of you (on your forehead)
My sun, my sun
It's in front of you

Libra Birthday Party 2009

Toastmaster Virginia Lee and I were born on the same date, October the 9th. Both of us are Yangmingshan National Park Volunteer Interpreters. Having quite a few common interests, she and I have been celebrated our birthday together for the past few years.

Toastmasters Lydia and Yi-hsin joined our birthday party at "Michelle's Kitchen", an adorable French restaurant in the neighborhood of Virginia this afternoon. Upon our entrance, we were lead to a reserved table of four by the window and we were offered a free bottle of grape juice immediately. After dinner, a sweet song of "Happy Birthday" in French by the friendly Chef Michelle and her staff. It was another pleasant and lovery Libra birthday party! There are more to come, of course!

Can You Hear Me?

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." - Plato

It was 6:45PM when I arrived at Conductor Hung's studio, wearing a huge silver treble clef earring, feeling the joy about the evening. It was the third choral class with toastmasters, but the first with Conductor Hung at her newly renovated studio. I was excited to show off what we had accomplished in the past two weeks, so were the other chorus members, I believe, as we all arrived before the class started!

Fourteen members showed up for the class, including two new comers Erick Suen and Green Chen. Now we have five sopranos, five altos. We are still short of male singers! Japanese Toastmasters Rio Imamura and Masaki Oshiumi are tenors. We need three more bass singers!

Soprano: Jorie Wu, Kate Hsu, Michelle Liu, Linda Tseng, Green Chen
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Gina Fu, Lydia Lin, Maggie Chiu, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh, Erick Suen
Bass: George Yen

Even it was only the third choral class, we didn't waste any second, went ahead to attempt the third choral song in a row. Every member was a little uptight about the speedy progress, but was thrilled at the same time to learn the new beautiful song by Bob Chilcott, describing the wonder of the world seen through the eyes of a deaf person. Conductor Hung interpreted the song with sign language. We learned hand gestures to convey our emotions in addition to our voices.

Immediately I thought of the invited keynote speaker Dana LaMon at D67 Fall Conference 2009. Dana is a blind African-American judge and the World Champion of Public Speaking 1992. What can be a better way for D67 to welcome Dana to come afar to share with us his experience of meaningful living by singing "Can You Hear Me"?

Conductor Hung is very precise and strict about vocal and choral skills. She asks us to imagine a nose on our tummy when we breathe, feel confident when we utter the first sound, and end each sentence with soft conclusion. She reiterates that singing is not about loud voices, but delicate emotions. We must feel the meaning of the lyrics and interprete the songs with sorrow or joy in harmony.

Conductor Hung also teaches us to analyze the structure of the song, find out the repetitive fragments, and string them into a master piece. Then we practice again and again until we are familiar with the melody and memorize the entire music notes by heart.

Without an intermission, we had a two hours straight choral lesson this evening. The third choral class was dismissed at nine o'clock sharp. Every member was loaded with notes, lyrics and melodies in mind. We have so much to "sing" on ourselves before we meet again next Wednesday evening, October 14th.

Can You Hear Me? Bob Chilcott
I look around me as I grow, I'd like to tell you all I know
I see life with all its energy, the city streets, the rush of time
This is my world, it's where I like to be, so much to see, so much to find
I sometimes sit and wait a while, I see the sun, it makes me smile
Can you see it? Can you see it, too?

I feel life with all its energy, the joy of waking every day,
This is my world, it's where I like to be, so much to do, so much to say
I sometimes sit and feel the sun, its warmth is there for everyone
Can you feel it? Can you feel it, too?

My world is a silent one, but it's enough for me,
I hear you through your hands, the movement sets me free
But it could be a special thing, to hear your voice, to hear your sing
Can you hear me? Can you hear me, too?

Wisdom of Humanity

開啟人類智慧有三把鑰匙：一是數字、二是字母、三是音符。知識、思想、幻想就在其中。 ~雨果~

Being a diligent student, I went to the second chorus lesson at Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra an hour before the class this evening. I carried a big children book of piano notes I borrowed from Taipei City Library in my bag. Luckily, Pianist Li Yi-hwa was there early, too, she helped me decipher the basic music notes.

With the combination of numbers from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, to 7, alphabets from A, B, C, D, E, F, to G, and music notes from Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, to Ti, I gradually felt the keys to wisdom of humanity in my hand. As I was eager to get to know more about the world of music, I looked forward to every singing class with D67 Toastmasters Chorus members in the future.

I confess, I have many secret dreams, one of them is to become a keyboard player of a Rock'n Roll Band. Therefore it's not a surprise I became a voracious early bird this evening. I gobbled as many worms as possible with the guidance of Yi-hwa. Young and petite Yi-hwa was so amazed at my enthusiasm to learn the piano at my golden age that she showed me how to move my fingers on the keyboard and introduced to me the basic music theory. Wow, I must "play" very hard from now on to make my dream come true.

At 7 o'clock sharp, we began our vocal practice with Conductor Chang yu-jing. Again and again we practiced with her how to breathe with our tummy by voicing out //ss// as many times as we could (it looks like, in no time, all members shall have a firm stomach, a splendid fringe-benefit of the chorus class), followed by vocal practice by articulating various vowels. Conductor Yu-jing also taught us how to open our mouth to allow more air in the vocal cavity, imaging placing a boiled egg vertically in our mouth. In addition, Yu-jing insisted we sit with the right posture. I knew this was to me, I sat at the front row this evening, and I kept my legs crossed most of the time. From now on, I shall keep in mind to discipline myself to sit with both feet on the ground.

After the warm-up, we learned a new song, a famous Japanese folk song "Red Dragonfly". I knew the melody and lyrics by heart, so I got a chance to sing the soprano part to cover for Michelle and Linda. Eleven chorus members came to the second choral lesson this evening.

Soprano: Jorie Wu, Kate Hsu
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Gina Fu, Lydia Lin, Maggie Chiu, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh
Bass: George Yen, Bill Wan

赤蜻蛉 作詞：三木露風 作曲：山田耕作

夕焼、小焼のあかとんぼ 負われて見たのは いつの日か。
山の畑の桑の実を 小籠に摘んだは まぼろしか。
十五で 姐やは嫁に行き お里のたよりも 絶えはてた。
夕焼、小焼のあかとんぼ とまっているよ 竿の先。

夕陽斜照 紅蜻蜓 在水邊舞飛
引我想起多少年前 難忘的童年
想起當年我的大姐 出嫁離家園
從此一去斷了音息 已隔多少年

Homeways on pre sunset
When was it that I saw them last on Mom's back?
Color deepening red dragonflies!

At age 15 my beloved maid got married
I haven't heard from her since
My first love!
~English translation by Toastmasters Rio Imamura of District 76~

Second half of the class, we reviewed "Fireflies" merrily and added another voice part when we approached the conclusion of the song. Three voice parts competed with one another trying hard not to be dragged away other voice parts.

From Red Dragonfly to Firefly, D67 Toastmasters Chorus experienced another happy and lovely evening flying high with voices high. When Conductor Chang yu-jing announced that class dismissed, we realized it was nine o'clock already.

Well Begun is Half Done

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo

It was the combination of the three; good opportunity, favorable geographical location and support of the friendly toastmasters. D67 Toastmasters Chorus had a splendid first singing practice at Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Ms. Chang yu-jing and accompanying pianist Ms. Li yi-hua this evening, September 23rd.

When I arrived at Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra at 6:30PM, I saw Immediate Past District Governor Marian Hsiao waiting at the coffee shop with Pianist Ms. Li. Ms. Chang was one step behind me. Without further ado, we started the voice part audition immediately. Marian joined the Alto, Bill Wan the Bass and Yeh kuo-hwa Tenor. To everyone's surprise, most chorus members showed up at 6:45PM. So, I took the good opportunity of the early bird time to share a sign language song "A Grateful Mind" I recently learned with chorus members. It turned out that Conductor Chang was more enthusiastic about the sign language song than me.

At 7 o'clock sharp, we started our first choral lesson punctually. Conductor Chang's vocal skills and teaching technique were impressive. She told us how to breathe and how to accentuate. She told us she loved singing since childhood. She just graduated from graduate school of music, spent most of her time coaching children. When she invited all chorus members to stand up to sing children song Lightly Row* with her lovely simile and movement, we were excited to practice the right breathing skills by walking around in the classroom to greet chorus members. It felt like we became children in kindergarten, like little bees, flying in the garden, working hard, and singing merrily. George Yen and Jorie Wu were the happiest bees couple. They just couldn't separate from each other flying around.

嗡嗡嗡 嗡嗡嗡 大家一起勤做工 來匆匆 去匆匆 走得興味濃 春暖花開不做工 將來哪裡好過冬 嗡嗡嗡 嗡嗡嗡 別學懶惰蟲

This evening, we started with an easy but beautiful choral song "Fireflies" composed by Prof. Yu Chang-fa (游昌發) in three voice parts. I didn't know whether it was because "a famed teacher produces great disciples" or "toastmasters singers of a feather flock together", or both, I heard the voices of angels this evening. Conductor Chang was impressed. Pianist Li was impressed. All chorus members were impressed with the sweet harmony of the first gathering of toastmasters singers at Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra.

火金姑 丟丟來 一鮮錢給你買鳳梨 火金姑 丟丟去 一鮮錢 給你買甲蒺

During the intermission, I saw many photos of Maestro Henry Mazer on the walls of the recital room. Maestro Henry Mazer was praised as a "gifted conductor" by New York Times. He made Taiwan his home for 16 years with Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra. I was very inspired by Maestro Henry Mazer's contribution to the development of music education in Taiwan.

After the intermission, we were enthusiastic to practice "Fireflies" again and again. Upon the instructions of Conductor Chang, we started with very small voices to mimic the fireflies coming out in the dark forest in one voice part, gradually we raised our voices in two parts of Alto and Soprano. Wow, it was such a beautiful harmonic evening full of happy fireflies beaming here and there!

Soprano: Linda Tseng, Michelle Liu, Jorie Wu, Kate Hsu
Alto: Marian Hsiao, Gina Fu, Lydia Lin, Maggie Chiu, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen, Kuo-hwa Yeh
Bass: George Yen, Bill Wan

I plan to attend the second singing class much earlier in order to know more about Maestro Henry Mazer and to enjoy a good cup of coffee at the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra before class. Care to join District 67 Toastmasters Chorus to have enjoy a fun and harmonic night? We welcome you with open arms and cheerful voices of angels.

*Remarks: The Lyrics of Lightly Row

Lightly row, lightly row, O'er the glassy waves we go!
Smoothly glide, smoothly glide, On the silent tide.

Let the winds and waters be Mingled with our childish glee.
Sing and float, sing and float In our little boat!

Far away, far away, Echo in the rock at play;
Calleth not, calleth not, To this lonely spot.

Only with the seabirds' note Shall our happy music float.
Lightly row, lightly row, In our little boat!

The Hubris Syndrome 2.1

This evening, I won the in-house humorous speech contest at Grand Toastmasters Club by delivering a not-so humorous speech. Judging from the response of the audience, I needed to work a lot harder to make people laugh. This is only the beginning of the long journey to claim the championship of National Humorous Speech Contest at D67 Fall Convention 2009 in November.

Fellow Toastmasters, I have a confession to make. I've got the Hubris Syndrome. It's a personality disorder! Just in case you don't know the psychological medical term, it is 大頭症 in Mandarin. It is incurable. I acquire it in Toastmasters.

Wednesday noon, September the 9th, Gina and I had lunch together. While we read the Apple Daily, Gina announced the major symptoms of the Hubris Syndrome of President Ma, managing the Typhone Makarot flood in southern Taiwan. "High Attitude, High self-esteem, Over-confident, Over self-pride, Focus on personal image, Love public speaking," Gina looked at me and laughed. "Sherry, you also have the Hubris Syndrome," Gina continued. Wow, that is a bad news, but I was flattered to be compared with handsome President Ma. In the evening, my dear husband echoed Gina's diagnosis, "Honey, for the past two decades, you have always been on the top. It's time we changed position." "But, I remember you told me you had acrophobia on our wedding night".

What is Hubris Syndrome anyway? It is an acquired personal disorder, among politicians and public speakers, George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, and most recent President Ma Ying-jeou. Fellow Toastmasters, please take a look at the fellow toastmasters around you. The Hubris Syndome can also be found in many TOASTMASTERS.

After Gina's diagnosis, I saw my psychiatrist Dr. Dennis Brown, the following week. Dr. Brown looked sorry and said, "Sherry, it is hard to cure the Hubris, after you work hard to get it. You're programmed to think positively. You're programmed to help others. You're obsessed in dreaming of being leaders to save the world." Oh, my time is up. Sherry, you are rich and beautiful. When you got it, flaunt it. You have every right to have Hubris. Here is my humble bill.

Just about when I was at the crossroads whether to quit Toastmasters, Past District Governor Harry Fong came to my rescue. He invited me to join High Performance Leadership (HPL) Program with him and International Director George Yen. I turned down his invitation by saying "there is a long way before I could think of HPL. I'm more concerned about my Hubris Syndrome."

Governor Harry replied immediately, "Hi Sherry, it seems to me that this syndrome is bothering you now. It would not be easy to get over it within a short while. Please practice Ho'oponopono to see if they help. Feel the peace when you practice Ho'oponopono. When there is peace inside, you will soon regain your energy & power. If it works for you, please send the message to President Ma, too."

Ho'oponopono, what a funny name? Is it something like the Lamaze Technique to help the childbirth? Is it breathing in and out by chanting hooponopono? Being desperate to cure my Hubris, I didn't waste a second to practice Ho'oponopono. It's a simpler process to repeat four mantras, "I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you". Immediately I practice ho'oponopono with my life partner. "Honey, I love you for letting me be the leader at home. I'm sorry I insist to be over-the-top. I forgive you when don't listen to me. Thank you for not running away!"

Now, I am in a dilemma. Should I leave Toastmasters? Take it, Leave it? ......Oh, I'd better take it, because I still have many important tasks on my shoulder. 1. Grand is going to celebrate the 35th anniversary in 2010. Celebration party, without me, the party queen? 2. I am the Charter President of Kyoto Toastmasters Club, I am the bridge between D67 and D76. I can be the bridge between Japan's new Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio and President Ma Ying-jeou. A successful sino-Japanese dialogue, without me? 3. I can rescue Toastmasters in the world in time from getting Hubris Syndome. If not me, who?

So, I'm here to tell you my Hubris Syndrome. It is an acquired personality disorder. Chances are, you have it, too, if you are in Toastmasters long enough. I hope I can win the Area H1 humorous speech contest and to win National humorous speech contest at Fall Convention in November, so that I can save Toastmasters from acquiring the Hubris Syndome. Win or lose, let's make Toastmasters a safer place for all!

The Hubris Syndrome

Oh, my god, I have the Hubris Syndrome. It is an acquired personality disorder! It is incurable. President Ma Ying-jeou is the worst case in Taiwan and I am the worst case in District 67.

Wednesday noon, September 9th, Gina and I had lunch together. We read the Apple Daily. Suddenly Gina read the eight major symptoms of the Hubris Syndrome of President Ma, She looked at me and I heard she say "check" from the first till the last. "Sherry, you have Hubris Syndrome," said Gina. Wow, it is a bad and good news. I have the same syndrome President Ma does. In the evening, my dear husband echoed Gina's diagnosis. "Honey, for the past two decades, you have always been on the top. It is time we changed position."

What is Hubris Syndrome? Hubris syndrome is popular among politician and public speakers, George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, and most recent President Ma Ying-jeou. Their symptoms include, 1. focus on personal image; 2. love public speaking; 3, want to save the world; 4. over-confident; 5. act on adrenaline. Do these symptoms ring the bell? They are also applicable to TOASTMASTERS. Hubris Syndrome is an acquired personality disorder! And I acquire it in Toastmasters. One of my long time American friends proved it by saying, "toastmasters are hubristic, interested in counting how many ahs people make in public."

Just about when I was at the crossroads whether to quit Toastmasters, Past District Governor Harry Fong came to my rescue. He invited me to join High Performance Leadership (HPL) Program with him and International Director George Yen. I thanked him for your invitation. I told him there was a long way before I could think of HPL. I'm concerned about my Hubris Syndrome at the moment.

Harry replied immediately, "hi Sherry, it seems to me that this syndrome is bothering you now. It would not be easy to get over it within a short while. Please practice Ho'oponopono to see if they help. Feel the peace when you practice hooponopono. When there is peace inside, you will soon regain your energy & power. If it works for you, please send the message to President Ma, too."

Ho'oponopono, what a funny name? Is it something like the Lamaze Technique to help the childbirth? It's a simple process to repeat four mantras, I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. And Thank you.

Now, I am in a dilemma. Should I leave Toastmasters? Take it, Leave it? ......Oh, I'd better take it, because 1. Grand is going to celebrate the 35th anniversary in 2010. Without me..; 2. I am the Charter President of Kyoto Toastmasters Club, I am the bridge between D67 and D76. I can be the bridge between Japan's new Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio and President Ma Ying-jeou; 3. I can help Toastmasters in the world from getting Hubris Syndome. If not me, who?

So, I am here this evening to pay my membership fee to win the in-house humorous speech contest. I shall represent Grand to claim a trophy at the Fall Convention in November. I am confident, I am proud to say that I will win!

MEET & GREET

I like September. Just looking at the covers of fashion magazines on the shelf in the city library, I feel so much uplifted to embrace the harvest season. The leaves are ready to change colors in the cool morning breeze. People are ready to change wardrobes to welcome colorful Autumn on the way.

What's more exciting about Fall 2009 is, of course, none other than the Mouth Opening Ceremony of D67 Toastmasters Chorus Wednesday evening, September 23rd. Thirty toastmasters members will get together for the first time to venture into a world of MUSIC.

Toastmasters Rio Imamura of Kita-kyushu Toastmasters club wrote, "On Sat. August 29, Kitakyushu Toastmasters hosted the Division E Officers Training session, welcoming12 club officers (from Hiroshima to Miyazaki), District instructors and officials, totaling approximately 70 Toastmasters. During the reception time, Masaki Oshiumi and I had a chance to announce the D67 Fall Convention in November and the proposal we received from the newly organized Taipei Chorus Toastmasters to sing together songs of common interest at the opening, and asked their possible participation. The chartering ceremony picture was passed around."

George Yen kindly suggested five beautiful and funny names for D67 Toastmasters Chorus, Frogs of The Golden Pond; Li Li La La; The Croakers; The Wannabees; and The Toastees.

Now let's meet and greet fourteen chorus members in four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass as follows,
Soprano: Linda Tseng, Michelle Liu, Jorie Wu, Trini Ding, Kate Hsu
Alto: Pamela Yang, Gina Fu, Lydia Lin, Maggie Chiu, Sherry Li
Tenor: Ron Chen, Erick Suen
Bass: George Yen

Four voice parts sing in a different range, and each part has a very different personality. According to Guide to Choir Singers by un unknown author, the four voice parts can be easily distinguished. Wow, that certainly tickles my curious nervers to know more about our fellow toastmasters from the musical point of view!

The sopranos sing the highest, therefore they think they rule the world. They have longer hair, fancier jewellery, and swishier skirts. Sopranos have varied attitudes toward the other sections of the chorus, though they consider all of them inferior. Altos are to sopranos rather like second violins to first violins - nice to harmonise with but not really necessary. All sopranos have a secret feeling that the altos could drop out and the piece would sound essentially the same, and they don't understand why anybody would sing in that range in the first place - it's so boring.

The altos are the salt of the earth. Altos are unassuming people who would wear jeans to concerts if they were allowed to. Altos are in a unique position in the chorus in that they are unable to complain about having to sing either very high or very low, and they know that all the other sections think their parts are pitifully easy. They know that while the sopranos are screeching away on a high A, they are being forced to sing elaborate passages full of sharps and flats and tricks of rhythm, and nobody is noticing because the sopranos are singing too loudly. Altos get a deep, secret pleasure out of conspiring together to tune the sopranos flat. Altos have an innate distrust of tenors, because the tenors sing in almost the same range and think they sound better. Altos like the basses and enjoy singing duets with them - the basses just sound like a rumble anyway, and it's the only time the altos can really be heard. Altos' other complaint is that there are always too many of them and so they never get to sing really loudly.

The tenors are spoiled. For one thing, there are never enough of them, and choir directors would rather sell their souls than let a half decent tenor quit, while they're always ready to unload a few altos at half price. And then, for some reason, the few tenors there are always really good - it's one of those annoying facts of life. So it's no wonder that tenors always get swollen heads - after all, who else can make sopranos swoon? Tenors have a love-hate relationship with the conductor, because the conductor is always telling them to sing louder because there are so few of them. Tenors feel threatened by the sopranos because they can hit those incredibly high notes; by the altos because they have no trouble singing the notes the tenors kill themselves for; and by the basses because although they can't sing anything above an E, they sing it loudly enough to drown out the tenors. Tenors move their eyebrows more than anyone else while singing.

The basses sing the lowest part. This basically explains everything. They are stolid, dependable people and have more facial hair than anybody else. The basses feel perpetually unappreciated, but they have a deep conviction that they are actually the most important part. Despite the fact that they have the most boring part and often sing the same note (or in endless fifths) for an entire page. They compensate for this by singing as loudly as they can get away with - most basses are tuba players at heart. Basses make horrible faces when trying to hit very low notes. When a bass makes a mistake, the other three parts will cover him, and he can continue on his merry way, knowing that sometime, somehow, he will end up at the root of the chord.

I am an alto and I agree what it is said above, funny but true. While waiting patiently and ardently for sixteen more chorus members to take the challenge to join the chorus to voice out in harmony in District 67, I solicit your assistance in spreading the recruitment news to all toastmasters around you who are interested in singing and expressing themselves in Magical Do Re Mi.

Voice Out in Harmony

D67 Toastmasters Chorus was successfully chartered by fourteen toastmasters at the voice parts audition Tuesday evening, August 25th. I shouldered the responsibility to arrange the training sessions with Chorus Conductor 洪綺玲. Kate Hsu offered her helping hands as Chorus Secretary; Lydia Lin, Chorus Treasurer; and Gina Fu, Sergeant-at-Arms. International Director George Yen gave his consent to name the first Toastmasters Chorus in Taiwan with honor and pride.

Conductor Hung and I met for brunch this morning to discuss the recital repertoire of D67 Toastmasters Chorus. The moment I saw Ms. Hung, I was excited to tell her my proposal of four songs, "Amazing Grace" in English; "丟丟銅仔" in Taiwanese; "赤蜻蛉" in Japanese; "Ode to Joy" in Mandarin. To my surprise, Ms. Hung gave me a more comprehensive counter proposal of five songs immediately, "火金姑 firebugs" in Taiwanese, "Do you hear me?" in English & sign language, "赤蜻蛉 red dragonflies" in Japanese, "Ode to Joy" in Mandarin, and "O Sole Mio" in Italian.

I am grateful that Ms. Hung works out her tight schedule to lead toastmasters in District 67 to a new frontier in music. She plans the recital program for two parts female and male vocals to sing five harmonic songs, from the first song we sing "Firebugs" with flashlights, to the last song of "O Sole Mio" sung by all participants, if we are given the chance to perform at D67 Fall Convention 2009 in November. Of course, we shall need at least two wide-range microphones and a piano on stage.

Many thanks go to two dozens of toastmasters who sign up without hesitation to support the ambitious initiative of D67 Toastmasters Chorus. Many thanks also go to Toastmasters friends Masaki Oshiumi and Rio Imamura of District 76 for their support of D67 Toastmasters Chorus in Taiwan.

Last October, Masaki came attend Joint Anniversary of Success and Kumamoto Toastmasters Clubs in Tao-yuan. Masaki san arrived one week in advance just to practice "Ode to Joy" with Lydia and I and we won a big round of applause at the dinner party of the joint anniversary. D76 Speech Champion Azuma Kiminari was so impressed that he encouraged Masaki-san to go on stage at district conferences in Japan immediately after our performance.

"Stage time, Stage time, Stage time," the words of Darren LaCroix, 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking echoed in my ears. How exhilarating it would be if D67 Toastmasters Chorus members could be given the stage time at D67 Fall Convention 2009 with toastmasters singers from Japan. If we could be a little more optimistic and ambitious, let's hope we can perform at D76 Spring Conference in Japan in 2010.

Ten sessions (each session of one and a half hours) of chorus training from Wednesday evening, September 23rd, till the end of November, cost NT$2,000 a person. If you are interested in developing your vocal skills in width and depth, please come join D67 Toastmasters Chorus now. You will be surprised how much fun you shall experience with singing toastmasters. For more information about this once-in-a-lifetime event, please contact Sherry Li, D67 Toastmasters Chorus Coordinator.

Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in August

Michelle was in charge of Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in August. Upon Trini's request, Michelle advanced the reading gathering to this evening. Michelle also advanced the gathering to 5PM, so that golden ladies could go to voice audition for D67 Toastmasters Chorus at 7:30PM.

Many thanks went to Michelle for choosing the secluded Mr. Brown Cafe on the first floor of brand new Aegon building, selecting three articles in July issue, and naming the dress code of STRIPES, even though Michelle didn't make it to our gathering afterall, because she just helped her real-estate developing company close a big deal of 10 million US dollars in Viet-nam. Good for you, Michelle! Go, go, go!

Pamela, Trini, Marian, Linda, and I arrived early. While waiting for others to join us, we couldn't contain our desires to enjoy a summer splash in the a array of fountains in front of the building. What would be a more exciting way to welcome Immediate Past District Governor Marian Hsiao back from her trip to Toastmasters Annual Convention 2009 by getting wet in the sunset with her?

Among three articles to be read, Effective Solutions for Team Conflict by Renee Evenson, page 19; Cultivating Hope by Victor Parachin, page 24; In Times Like These by John Cadley, page 30, we only finished the first, the Rx for productive relationships, especially at the aftermath of the unprecedented 88 flood in southern Taiwan early this month. The one-hour reading gathering was effective and efficient as usual with Marian's valuable experience at International Convention and Trini's exciting tour in Italy.

It's a big evening in District 67, the birth of D67 Toastmasters Chorus. Fourteen toastmasters came to voice parts audition this evening. It is our sincere hope we can organize a singing troupe of 30+ toastmasters from all over Taiwan to excel our vocal skills at the opening ceremony of D67 Fall Convention 2009 at the historic Chungsan Building in National Yangmingshan National Park Saturday afternoon, November 28th, 2009.


What an ambition we embrace, from clogging toastmasters to SINGING toastmasters!

A Surprise Birthday Party for Gina

I looked at myself in the mirror wearing a low-cut one-piece silk dress I bought on the Fifth Avenue in New York 25 years ago. It was the first time I wore it in public. Does aging make me more daring? Or it is because women are more dauntless universally regardless of the age and nationality. No matter what the reason might be, I intent to flaunt what I had at the surprise birthday party for Gina this evening.

Kate began planning the surprise party for Gina two months ago. She brought three groups of people together to this special occasion, golden ladies, toastmasters, and Peking Opera instructors and lovers. As an early bird at the party, I got the chance to mingle with young Peking Opera instructors. It's nice to pick up Peking Opera I used to learn diligently two decades ago. Time flies for me, from a care-free lass to a fashionable golden lady, only in a blink of an eye.

Linda wowed everybody when she walked into the restaurant in a baby doll top and a pair of black satin leggings. From the size of Oprah Winfrey to that of Sarah Jessica Parker, Linda lost TWENTY-FIVE pounds in the last few moths. Linda gained the immediate attention from the floor, nobody was interested any more in peeking in my low-cut dress.

At six o'clock sharp, Kate gave us the instructions what to do before Gina's arrival. When Irene, the elder daughter, called Gina at home and asked her out, we were thrilled in the exciting conspiracy. Upon Kate's request, we acted as if we were obsessing with the delicious spaghetti at a cozy Italian restaurant when Gina arrived.

I won't forget Gina's facial expressions when we roared out Surprise! Happy Birthday, Gina! in unison. The unexpected tears in her eyes sparkled and she was speechless. Looking at her family and friends in fancy dresses, Gina asked if she could go home to change. Yi-hsin offered her helping hands in time to remodel Gina on the spot. Gina changed to a different person instantly to everybody's surprise.

In the middle of the birthday party, the lights were off all of a sudden. A big birthday cake decorated with 16 candles was brought in front of Gina to her surprise. It was the climax for Gina to celebrate her 16th birthday surrounded by two of her sweet daughters and many close friends. Gina made three wishes upon request, but she didn't disclose any of them.

Who doesn't like surprise parties, both the giver and the receiver? It is fun to play jokes on someone out of the goodwill to make him or her stunned out of balance and words. It is fun to be played jokes upon to add thrills in life. Who knows, maybe somebody would throw a surprise birthday on me someday. Oh, yes, I'm ready, please!