Evaluation at UPS Toastmasters Club

Still no swim.
This blog's been inactive lately. It's cold in the morning and it's so difficult to proceed to the pool. However, I realize now that everyday, there's heavy traffic right infront of the office. It's about a 500 meter stretch and it's frustrating to get stuck in the traffic around 7am for 15 minutes. So next week, I'll force myself to get back to the pool to at least avoid this stupid traffic everyday. I noticed before that after finishing the swim at 8am, the traffic there isn't as bad. So... we'll see.

Toastmasters Update:
Yesterday, I was invited to evaluate speakers at the UPS Toastmasters Club at NOL Towers. It was the other night though that Gov. Dona Ado texted me to assist in the evaluation. There were supposed to be 5 prepared speech speakers and 2 table topics speakers. For evaluation there were supposed to be 4 of us guest evaluators (Rema, Lolet, Beth and me). All three are ATMs. Rema is DG (Division Governor) while Lolet and Beth are AGs (Area Governors).

The evaluators’ job last night was taxing to say the least. TMs Lolet and Beth didn’t make it so it was just up to us, TM Rema and myself. I evaluated Anne and Cecil (speech num1 and num2) and the 2 table topics speakers Eva and Cris. We did manage to pull through though. It was good also that the President, SB Lim had the foresight to start the session on time. Rather than wait too much for the other evaluators, he didn’t waste time and proceeded to start with the business matters. And I’m glad he did coz the meeting promptly ended at 8:00 – much to my delight. It also helped that everybody kept their time as attested by the Timer. Overall, an overly enthusiastic and productive TM meeting.

Today I attended an officer's meeting. Sigh. So many issues - hopefully we will overcome. See all my Toastmasters Speeches online here!

Typhoon Glenda

No swim because of Glenda
What a sexy name for a typhoon. Glenda's here and so is Ate Glo's SONA. No school for NCR. DH was late making lunch for Sandra so I had to bring Sandra's lunch to school.

I attended the Toastmasters Officer Training yesterday at Bureau of Customs Bldg, NAIA. Lots of officer toastmasters and met some new toastmasters too. Other than myself, there's Doc Noy and a couple of nurses from the office clinic. I guess I'll be the VP-Public Relations for this term. The training was good. It was conducted by the bubbly and energetic Gina Mapua. Her slides and her training were interesting. Breaktime was late, but still forgivable. The thing that irked me and I guess some of the others too is how some senior governors noisily yakked away while the training was ongoing. These senior shitmasters acted like they owned the conference room and just didn't care about the training and the new officers. I guess they didn't learn much listening skills on their journey towards attaining their DTM's and ATM's. Shame.

I finally met Elisa Tay from the Durian Toastmasters club in Davao. She was articulate and spontaneously funny even though she had a short talk. One of the toastmasters there looked suspiciously like Michael V.! He spoke a few words and promptly seated himself infront. I mean he was right just there infront of me and I had to keep myself from blurting (or even whispering) out "Bitoy". He's got this glazed look in his eyes and was coughing the whole session. He looked so sleepy (and drunk) and would occasionally glance at the audience - still, with the glazed look in his eyes. It was I guess to look for some pretty faces to keep himself from snoozing. I was practically waiting for a camera to show up and a few guys to shout 'Yari Ka!!!'. Scary.

Sun's Out

Just like yesterday

Sun's finally out. Did the same tricks as yesterday. I'm almost sure I gained weight coz I'm so buoyant! I could do the elementary backstroke easily with just my legs. My arms could either be behind my back; or my hands (just hands, not arms) in front sticking out of the water. Weird, but fun. However today, I felt some tightness in my neck and upper back so I didn't stay too long.

I learned from the resort cashier that the signboard about the place for sale is just a joke among the workers there. Hmmmm, could've fooled me. The sign looked professionally made albeit old and dirty. So what's up with that? I don't know for sure. But the same old dorks are still there 'cept for this guy who acts gay. So, no, there doesn't seem to be any reduction in 'work' force. From the pool, I went to the apartment coz one of the tenants locked herself out again.

Some Bad News?

Sculling Mostly

What a hiatus. It was too long that I think I've gained tons of weight. Today, I passed by the pool and I'm glad I did. First, I brought Sandra's locker key duplicate to her school. She forgot her id (where her key was attached) at home. I learned from Tita Gay that she needed some books in her locker so she can review for exams. Fortunately, I had my copy of that key and so I didn't have to go home first to get her key. I've had the duplicate since Karen was still using it in HER locker. Finally had the opportunity to use it!

After giving the key, I just decided to go to the pool. It wasn't raining so I thought I'll try. The pool water was cool so I wore the swimcap. It felt like I haven't swam in ages! I mostly did some continuous sculling and some trick swims: hands behind the head while backfloating with frog kicks; arms behind back with frog kicks, legs 'bound' together with elemetary backstroking of the arms - all in good fun and stretch. I managed to gulp in some water though due to the switching from front to side to back.

From the pool, I went back to the bank for the update of time deposits. At the office, it felt like I've got blood pumping through my feet and legs again. I didn't have the 'foot falling asleep' syndrome today after sitting long at the office.

A bit of bad news. Looks like the resort I go to is up for sale. I just saw the sign today. I wonder why. Coincidentally the boss at the office is also quitting. Now that one, I'm not wondering too much as to why. But still. Things come and go. Maybe it's time to move on too.

Typhoon Florita

No swim for the whole week!
Florita. What an odd name for a typhoon. Over the radio, it sounded like Florida. It's been wet like... wet. I've taken the kids the school thrice in the morning due to the early morning thunderstorms. And school have been suspended for 2 days. There's just plenty of rain, day and night. Florita's gone to Taiwan but it's still wet here.

I'm wondering why Doc Noy can't still update my status at the TMI website. He sez different Toastmasters Clubs might be jamming the site for updates due to term's end. That's what he assumed. I don't get it. For a "big" website like Toastmasters, I find it strange that they, the webmasters, haven't thought about this dilemma and leave it to users to guess what's happening. At any rate, I've ordered 2 advanced manuals: The Entertaining Speaker and The Professional Speaker for the ATM-Bronze or AC-Bronze level.

Ester's Still Here

Still No Swim. Arggh.
Typhoon Ester's lingering at the moment. It's been a couple of days now that I drove the kids to school due to the thunderstorms in the morning.

I've asked Dr. Noy to help me get my CTM (now CC) certificate from TMI WHQ. Apparently the website where such requests are made has been down lately. He figures that the it's being blocked due to the volume of updates done midyear. We still haven't had our election of officers in our Toastmasters club and I'm wondering who will be the next set of officers. Hopefully the club will become very active again.

CTM Graduation Speech

Yesterday: 50 x 5 free.
I was surprised to see a family there (3 kids, 3 adults) at the pool on a Monday morning! And they had pool toys too. Either they thought it was a Sunday or the kids/adults had no school/work. Bizarre. I was gasping for air after every lap. Effect of the week-long absence due to colds was showing. Or was it the effect of the heavy breakfast of mechado?

Today: No Swim
I delivered my graduation speech, the 10th Toastmasters Speech (Inspire Your Audience) and last speech for CTM certification) today. This is my speech about Child Sponsorship through World Vision Philippines which is part of the overall World Vision organization.

Whew! Finally over! I missed a few lines that were not crucial but would've added more interest and impact. But the speech was good! For a brief moment, I felt I was in a daze and was on autopilot. I felt that I was there but wasn't very conscious of what I was saying or doing and it was weird. I don't know if the anti-allergy pill I took was the culprit. It sure felt funny. Did I inspire them? I don't know. But for a brief nanosecond, my voice quivered a little and I thought I would choke coz I myself was moved by my own speech. But I did see some glassy/teary-eyed looks so yes, I think I've inspired them.

UPDATE:
Later in the evening, I was invited to be evaluator at Kimberly-Clark (KCPI) TMC. I met there Area 78 Governor Bobbie Galang. She was the first evaluator and there were only two speeches. I evaluated the second speaker. This is my 3rd evaluation (Madel, Jenny, Machu) and I think I'm getting better. By smiling all throughout, I felt I was "friendlier" this time around and the audience was more receptive. I could improve though on the better choice of words.

See all my Toastmasters Speeches online here!