Submitted by Cherry C.
This
meeting was filled with Chinese New Year snacks, surprise red pockets and lots
of laughter. Only exceptions, I was looking for wine and Melanie K was
looking for fortune cookies and we found none. Sergeant-at-Arms Estella
M. decorated the room with Chinese New Year blessings and the 12 red pockets
represented the 12 signs of animals as shown (see pictures). Everyone
opened a red pocket to discover one or two chocolate coins and a list
of characteristics for each animal. Two members found lucky
money in their red pockets; the Rat and the Pig. This year being the year
of pig and the rat being the 1st animal in the Zodiac. Toastmaster Cherry
C started the meeting by telling us all about the “Year of the Pig.”
For those who were born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, or 1995.
W e learned that Pigs are the symbol of wealth, their chubby
faces and big ears are signs of fortune as well. Those born between
the months of January and February may have a dual or overlapping personalities
between two animals. As per the Lunar calendar, there are either 29 or 30
days per month, thus it is approximately 11 days shorter than the Solar
calendar. Therefore, Chinese New Year falls in either January or
February. Estella made a great speech about the 12 Zodiac signs. In
addition, we had five table topics speakers, evaluations and we also got to
read the rest of the red pockets to learn about the characteristics of each
animal (https://activitiesforkids.com/chinese-zodiac-bookmarks/).
This was Estella M’s first venture into humorous
speeches. To warm up her audience, she told us why the tiniest Rat became
the first among 12 animals and the pig being the last in 12. Estella
lives in a power house with an ox, a lamb, a dragon and a tiger. Because
of love, their house always produces the best result, the
optimal collaboration and harmony in all things. The audience was
not only warmed up but also filled with awes that Estella was not only able to
put together a power point speech overnight but also delivered a fun‑filled
humorous speech with lovely gestures and smiles. Rick L was Estella's speech
evaluator who gave a very thorough evaluation expressing what he liked and
areas for improvement.
Eileen S, led
Tabletopics, had questions on some not well‑known Chinese New Year customs and
asked five intriguing questions, which required lots of imagination. Both of
our guests Rohit and Susan took part in table topics. Rick L won
the best Tabletopics telling us he was born in the year of dragon; therefore,
he didn't have to pretend, he gestured toward his body with confidence and
said: "What 
you see is what you get; all
here!" Edith's granddaughter Susan graciously accepted the role of
Grammarian & “ah/um” Counter. Susan had natural listening skills in noting
all the Word of the Day (Pig) used and accurately counting all the ahs/ums. In
addition, she also accepted the challenge of Tabletopics speaker. Melanie
juggled between responding to a Tabletopic and General Evaluation, but we all
know that she handled it liked a breeze!
Rick
won the best evaluator and the best Table topics; he was also our timer.
Come join us February 19 at 7 pm Revera
Residence at Riverbend. Melanie K will be out Toastmaster and our Area
Director Nayyer Ahmed will also be attending.
