I told you earlier, guys, that I was planning to upgrade due to recent boo-boos I've committed at the office. Well, I started finding clubs to join wherein I can mingle with people who are motivated and pro-active - and I found one. While browsing the internet and key-in the word "toastmaster," I was directed by a link to its club directory. What I did was, I chose a place where I would be convenient on going in after office hours. I picked Manila Bay Toastmasters Club at which point the membership was open to everyone. I immediately called the club official (Sir Meo) and he presented me, verbally, on what to expect and what they were doing at the club. Cool.
Last Thursday (January 5), @ 7 p.m. I entered the Casino Espanol de Manila (the venue) a place where I am very familiar with, since I visited this place before in one of my trainings for JICA. I promised myself to create a good impression so that I would give an immediate impact. As I entered the room I was greeted by Sir Meo who gave me a seat on the west side of the room, a couple of seats away from the rostrum. I was just right on time for the invocation, singing of national anthem and of the club hymn.
I enthusiastically observed every participant and some of them were eating already or were having some orders, I was approached by my seatmate Shey from the Central Bank, if I were briefed by Sir Meo regarding matters on ordering of food, etc. I learned that if you want to eat you will just make an order to the waiter and pay it later. Ahh... ok. I thought it was free at first.
The first part of the the session was done by introducing himself or herself and since it was the start of the year the participant should say his or her New Year's resolution. I gave mine of course and the rest of the group and the method of doing the task was done clockwise. I giggled as I heard the first speaker Dr. Ben for he said that he will change his wife. Ha.ha.ha. I knew he was joking. Others told that they will minimize the use of their credit cards and I shared that I will try to be the best that I can be in the coming days.
After that, the word of the night was given by Dr. Ben - INSIPID. Insipid is an adjective and a word that means uninteresting, dull, flavorless, and tasteless. Everyone was asked to use it in a sentence to which few people obliged.
Then, speakers were called for their 4th s, 5th, and 8th speech - I been wondering why. I learned it later that I will do the same thing in the future should I become member, as well. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at them, some of them were very confident, others have prolong stop, and few talked while on a sideward position while giving their prepared speech. I told myself that if I my name will be called I would give a better performance.
And so, the next session was the giving of the table topics. A timer was set and a set of criteria was given. The first quotation was assigned - "If I speak I am condemned, If I stay silent I am damned," from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. I am so impressed with the first speaker (I forgot his name) but believed me I saw him on T.V. one time. Then an unexpected thing happened. My name was called. I sweated profusely. I didn't know what to do. The quotation was announced publicly - "Life is a banquet and everyone is starving to death." I understood that this made me a conundrum and I couldn't help myself. To be honest I am really puzzled on how to start but I am not a quitter so I rushed to the podium. But it was really difficult to link what you were saying to the group of professionals (lawyers, doctors, bankers, etc.) and students. I felt the butterflies on my stomach, I couldn't say a word. I felt that the more words I would say the more mistakes I would commit.
Where was the promised I made for myself that I would create a good impression? I am simply stupid. I failed, and I failed miserably!
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