XLTM Meeting Minutes for January 07, 2007 (by Minghui)

The following members attended the meeting: Len, Eric, Brick, Jin, Ning, Irene, Jenny, Connie, Stan, Robin, Cindy, Will, Joby, Sudhin, Sherry, Brick, Cunlin, Josh, and Minghui.

Robin was the Toastmaster of the day. She started the meeting on time even though some members on the agenda were still missing. She first congratulated Connie and Xian, who had participated in the Karaoke contest the previous week; then she made a quick agenda update. Although this was only her first time being Toastmaster of the day, the confidence and skills she demonstrated gave us the impression that she had been doing it for a long time. We were wondering why she did not try this role earlier. Great job, Robin!

Joby gave his thought of the day. He was not the word master, but he had a strong opinion about the word “alien,” which is frequently used for “creatures from other planets”. He does not feel comfortable that the immigration agency uses this word for people from other countries. He claimed that even dogs are called companions these days, and wondered why human beings have to be called aliens. He suggested we all try not to use this word. Since we did not have a word master that day, it was decided that “alien” would be the word of the day. This was the first time that the reason we learned a word was to NOT use it.

Stan told a Joke about planting tomatoes in the garden. A man decided that he wanted to plant some tomatoes, but he told people that he could not do it because he had hidden something beneath the garden. A few days later, when his wife told him that she had found some holes in the garden, he said, “Great! It is time to plant our tomatoes.” Since I also have a garden and spring is close, I am expecting someone to dig some holes in it. By the way, I hid some gold there last year and can no longer find it.

Cindy gave her seventh speech from the basic manual with the title “Culture Shock”. She first asked a list of questions about the symptoms related to culture shock, then talked about the four phases of a normal immigration to another country: P1-Honey moon. Everything is just wonderful. P2-Everything is awful. P3-Everything becomes OK. P4: Reverse culture shock. She pointed out that everyone suffers culture shock to some degree, depending on the education, personality, language skills and many other factors, and suggested the following to overcome culture shock:

1. Get occupied physically.

2. Contact an ethnical group.

3. Get used to the new culture. Go out and socialize. Learn the language and gain confidence.

4. Do not try to absorb a lot at once.

5. Simple is good.

6. Allow yourself to be sad. Appreciate the value of the local country.

7. If you have any problems, remember you can always get help.

She concluded that going through culture shock can be painful, but it is also a good opportunity for learning. Be brave, face the challenge of all different things with positive thinking.

Sherry gave her eighth speech with the focus on “Comforting for Video Aid”. Her topic was about the Impressionism era. Some Parisian-based artist broke the rule of academic painting, and moved painting from indoors to outdoors. Painting in the open air, catching the momentary transition of the sunset or sunrise and emphasizing nature color & light are some of the characteristics. When the famous painter Monet was asked about the view from a window, he said it was not a view, but an impression. Thus was created the word impressionism. Someone said that it was the reflection of fragments of everyday life in art. It took some time for the public to gradually accept this new form of art. Sherry said that she would find her own style sometime...

Ning was the table topic master. Her topics all concentrated on family and education. Listed below are the topics and those who answered the questions.

1. What is the one thing you want your significant other part to change, and why? -> Jin

2. What is the one thing you want your kids to change, and why? ->Josh

3. What is the most challenging thing you are facing right now-> Len

4. Which summer programs you would like to send your kids to->Irene

5. How to win trust from your kids->Jenny

6. How to get your kids to pickup sports -> Cunlin

Minghui was the general evaluator. Two of our experienced Toastmasters, Will and Eric, evaluated the speeches of Cindy and Sherry and provided them with helpful, constructive feedback. Some of our new members played big roles for the first time. Sudhin did a great job as grammarian, and Connie delivered an accurate time report. There were no guests today, and several members could not make it. But we still had 19 participants in the meeting, which reminded us again what a progress we have made.

At the business session, Josh reminded us on the speech contest of the coming week, and Cunlin collected the latest information on the contestants.

Robin concluded the meeting at 2:50 pm.