Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in January

On January 20, Athena, Irene, Kate, Linda and Michelle were present at the 1st reading gathering of 2008. It was a wonderful gathering. The atmosphere was warm and relaxing, and the learning was effective and productive.

Kate volunteered to be the first one to report what she learnt from "Reframing Three Major Fears About Public Speaking". Like removing a stone from the road, if we forget about our faces, past bad experience and perfectionism, the journey of public speaking will be smoother. Kate's past disastrous experience with Table Topics 30 years ago made her chickened out from the Toastmasters. However, she happily found that her 5-minutes report without preparation was like a good table topic answer, which was well presented. Thanks to the Toastmasters for 10-year training.

Michelle introduced Julie Bawden Davis' conversion from a producer to a pianist, how relaxing Julie was when she talked and performed her song. Michelle also stressed on the important message conveyed in the article. Practicing a speech all the way through, not stopping and staring again and again when we make a mistake. The most diligent golden lady, Linda, went on the net suggested by Malcolm Kushner and enjoyed the discovery of funny messages.

Two friends who have the names starting with "B" – Beauty and Beast, which one would you like to be with? Irene connected Judi Bailey's article "Beauty and Beast" to people around us. Beauty is happy, encouraging and positive; Beast is negative, critical and discouraging. Looking things from the bright side and keeping away from negative people can help us have a happier life. Irene claimed that her Toastmaster friends who are positive always encourage her.

Athena, who is not yet an eligible golden lady in terms of age, when she talked about her interaction with her son, amazed us all. She applied of lot of skills learnt from the Toastmasters and led her son to have a good communication with her. Athena is not only an outstanding Toastmaster, but also a marvelous mother.

We ended the meeting at 6:00pm sharp and said good-bye to each other with a hug. By Kate Hsu