My very First Speech

“Hey, girls! Let me tell you something. The new girl in our class doesn’t even know how to speak in Mandarin. I wonder is she a Chinese.” This is the statement that all my primary school friends used to describe me. I tried my best to speak in a proper way so that everyone can understand what I am trying to say. Eventually, it failed. Whenever I speak, they will look at me, and wonder what is this girl trying to say? It took me about 2 years to learn to speak fluently in Mandarin.

I grew up in a small town in Kampar, Perak. However, my whole family shifted to Muar, Johor when I was in primary 5. I was brought up in a town where everyone communicates in Cantonese. And somehow, I shifted to a place where nobody understands my language. So this is why I seemed like an alien to my new friends there.

It was very tough for me at first. There was a major change of environment and it was very hard for me to adapt to it. However, I am grateful that all my new friends are very kind. They really help me a lot during that rough moment. Without them, I would not be the person I am today.

After few years together, it is time for us to separate and go on with our own path of life. Some of them went oversea to pursue their study. As for me, I came to study at Kuala Lumpur. Maybe it is because that I’ve gone through many tough times before, so to leave my family and friends behind and move to a new place to study is not a problem for me. There is just one thing that I missed the most. It is my mom’s nagging.

After 2 years of studying, pursuing my diploma, I realized that I gain nothing much. Beside the diploma certificate that I am holding, what did I learnt? That is the moment I felt totally empty. I want to learn something. But what it is? It was then my ex-classmate, who is my current housemate, Erica bring me to a club. It was no other that Toastmaster. She was so excited, telling me a lot of stories about the previous toastmaster’s club.

She told me that people at the club can talk very well. I wonder what does she means. I feel that I can talk well too. That time, I told her, don’t worry, I confirm will join the club together with you. However, after my first visit to the club, I told Erica “hey, I don’t think I will join the club. Half of my confident is gone when I see them deliver their speech. I am very scared to join the club”.

After that she persuaded me to join the club several times. I know I wanted to join as well. Just that I am really very scared. Scared of what? I don’t know. After convinced myself for some time, finally I made up my mind to join. A thousand miles journey start with a first step. The hardest way is to take the first step. So I told myself, if I want to improve myself, I need to make that decision. I signed up as the member.

I thought that I’ve made the toughest decision. But well, it is not. After a tough decision, a tough action follows. It is to deliver the first speech. I got nervous whenever I think of my first speech. Finally, here I am. Challenge myself. Erica told me that, you will feel different after your first speech. You will feel very motivated to deliver your second speech. Is that true? I don’t know yet. However, I will find it out real soon.

I challenge myself to finish 10 speeches in 1 year start counting from today. When there’s a will, there’s a way. No matter how hard it is, I will try my best to accomplish my goal. Lastly, I would like to express my warmest gratitude to Erica for bringing me to join this club. Let us improve together.