Division H X’mas Party

What would have been a better thing to do on a chilly winter night than perform a Russian Dance? If you picture us running here and there, jumping ups and downs with a full house of Toastmasters and friends, plus four full tables of pizza, fried chicken, fresh tropical fruits, wine, vodka, beverage by the fireplace, we had it all at Division H X'mas Party Saturday evening.

Division H Governor Assam Chan hosted the X'mas Party at his newly bought grand and luxuious Southern California Mansion in Chu-wei. His lovely better half Wini greeted all participants warmly. She walked around to take good care of Toastmasters and friends with her 9 month pregnancy. Assam and Wini's first child will be born before the Chinese New Year. Before the party intermission, Wini lead Grand's Russian Dance Troupe to the dance room of three mirror walls to have our dress rehearsal of Kalinka for the last time. We felt grateful to Wini and we were ready to break our leg.

President Gina kept us waiting at MRT Chu-wei station in the cold wind for more than 30 minutes because she had to fetch Grand's new club banner. Being a group of 11, including 8 Kalinka dancers, Gina, Roy, Joel, Grand placed No.2 in terms of the total participants, next to Sunrise Toastmasters Club's big crowd of 30 participants. Seven Toastmasters Clubs in Division H participated in the X'mas Party, including Formosa, YWCA, Sunrise, Sunshine, Motorola, LV, Grand. Grand was the only club with a banner at the party! Our club banner with the new Toastmasters logo meant the Toastmasters in a new era!

The cheerful and joyful X'mas party was full of laughter and prizes. The show time featured musical instrument playing, including keyboard, cello, harmonica, guitar, ukelele. After a group of kids performed modern jazz dance, Grand brought the party to a new height with our colorful and exotic Kalinka Russian Dance. We won a super big round of applause from the floor! President Gina was pround of her Russian costumes design. Roy was amazed at our outstanding performance. Joel stood behind us hanging Grand's club banner on his neck.

After the party, Wini saw us off at the gate. Erin, Joel, Victor, Sharen, Brian and I hung around at Mos Burger on our way to Chu-wei MRT station for the 2nd party. We chatted until 10:30PM. It was windy and chilly in Tamsui Area, but we felt warm among the big Toastmasters family members.