My journey as a Toastmaster

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I've been a member of Toastmasters International since April 2010. My best friend invited me there so I can see the club she's been telling me about. During the first meeting, I was really impressed with how they handle a meeting and how the club would truly help anyone who would like to have better communication and leadership skills. 

I have to admit though that when I was watching the tabletopics portion(a portion where the speakers are asked to do impromptu speeches) and the prepared speech portion(speakers will deliver speeches basing on the manual they'll get from Toastmasters International), I thought that what they were doing is really very easy. I thought I'm better than any of the speakers(except the first one during the tabletopics portion who became my crush after weeks..hihi). Maybe because then I have this pride of being a Debate Society member. I joined the club because I thought the meeting was fun and the members there were very welcoming and warm. 

Competent Communication Manual

The next meeting, I delivered my first speech from the Competent Communication Manual. I even planned on finishing all the speeches in the basic within 3months but then, it took me 2 years!I finished the 10 speeches just last April. While I was working on that manual, I also worked on the Competent Leadership Manual which I finished 3 months earlier. I wouldn't have been able to finish the manuals if my president didn't push me.haha!

During the first week of May, I joined the program called LEAP(Leadership Excellence Achievement Program). The program is 60-80 days and within those days, we're to achieve whatever goals we set. So, one of my goals in the program is to finish my Advance Communicator Bronze within the period of the program. The advance manuals are more difficult than the Competent Communication Manual so I was nervous but I was able to achieve the goal in 51 days(2 months). 

Advanced Communicator Bronze Pin

Just this morning, I received a mail from Toastmasters International. Since I became a member, I've only received monthly magazines so I thought the mail sent is for me as the club President.

Air Mail from Toastmasters International

Five-member Sponsor Outstanding Initiative Pin of Toastmasters International

When I saw the pin, that's when I remembered that last June, I was able to invite 5 of my friends in the program to join our Toastmasters club. Initially I told them to join another club since that club was formed by members who finished the program that we were taking but they said they wanted to join our club instead. Who am I to say no?hehe. Because of the 5 of them whom I was able to invite to be members, I received a very rewarding pin. Whenever I see this pin, I will always be reminded of my capacity to enroll people to what I am saying and enroll them on what I can do as well. 

Now, I'm an Advanced Communicator Bronze and a Competent Leader and I'm currently working on my Competent Leader Bronze norm. :)

My entry for:

Inspire Me Monday, Miscellany Monday

Etude House Lip and Cheek Tint

Almost 3 of years ago, when a Korean friend of mine came back here in the Philippines, she brought me this Etude House Lip and Cheek Tint. I did my best to give her my best smile just to show her that I like her gift even if I really don't. It's not because I don't like the product. The thing is, I don't wear make-up. I only wear loose powder, cherry chapsticks and eyeliner and I'm good to go.

One day, out of the blue, I wanted to look cute and girly so I tried the Lip&Cheek #2(Lovely Angel). They said I look really pretty with it. Since I got great compliments, I started using the product and I used it whenever I go out(up until now and I still get compliments.hihi!). I even started using other etude house products because this is one of the brands of make-up where I don't get pimples. It's more expensive than some make-up brands but I have to say, it's worth the price. :)

1st Day in Davao

When we went to Davao last April, we booked for a flight a day before the convention. We arrived at Davao Airport at around 1:00PM and we didn't have a clue where we'll stay because we were booked at the hotel for the next day. Since me and ate were moving on a tight budget, we were thinking of looking for transient houses in the city. One of our fellow Toastmaster from Baguio, being as nice as ever, told us that we can go with him to his sister-in-law's home. yey!we're saved! :)

buttered shrimp and tomatoes dipped in soy sauce

When we arrived at Tita's house, she welcomed us so warmly that we felt like she's our sister-in-law also. teehee. She prepared lunch which is just good for her and Tatay because she didn't expect to have us but, the lunch prepared was even good for 8 people. The lunch was indeed very delish..

the veranda

 Their veranda is very relaxing. A great place to have afternoon naps.

birdies :)

 What makes the veranda a total package for relaxation is its view and the lovely birds.

the guest room

Yes. Their guest room. Even if she was not anticipating 2 more "guests", there's always a room ready. The room is very hotel like. There's a television, mini ref, coffee table, a wonderful view and a clean and spacious restroom. The room is even air-conditioned. yey to that!

Because we were so tired(6hr trip from Baguio to Dau, 30min trip from Dau to Clark Airport, 2hr flight from  Clark to Davao and a 30min cab ride from the airport to this lovely home--yea we got lost), we immediately took a nap that lasted for 4 hours so perhaps, I should say, we slept. Then we had dinner, then we went back to sleep.Great!

The next day, we already went to the real reason why we went to Davao- the Toastmasters District 75 Convention. :)

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