Monthly Archives: March 2012

Skiing

Winter has been particularly mild this year in New England. But that did not stop me and my daughter, Justine, to go up the mountains and ski.  Most ski resorts have snow making capabilities anyway and the mountains in northern New England usually have natural snow.

Aside from the usual skiing trip to Wachusett Mountain, which is only 35 minutes from our house, this year we also went to Bretton Woods in New Hampshire and Okemo Mountains in Vermont with my wife’s friend, Dick.

I used to hate the snow. I don’t like to clean up our driveway after a snow storm.  It’s so much more comfortable to curl up in front of the fireplace. 🙂 And I don’t like to drive in the snow because it can be dangerous.  Several years ago, my car spun 360 degrees in the highway.  I was lucky there was no other vehicle near my car.  And I grew up in the tropics, so warmer weather is much more suited for me.

But there is no way we can avoid the snow in New England.  We need to find outdoor activities to avoid cabin fever. So, two years ago, my daughter and I signed up for skiing lesson, and soon realized that we loved it.

I also realized that it’s a good activity to bond with my daughter.  I’m glad we tried skiing and I’m looking forward to many skiing and bonding trips with my daughter for many years to come.

Toastmasters International Speech Contest

I just won first place at the International Speech Contest at our Toastmaster at Abbott BioResearch Club today, March 13, 2011.  I was very honoured to compete against three other seasoned Toastmasters.

My speech was about how I lost weight and why my daughter inspired me.  The title of my speech was “Persevere, Overcome, Succeed.”  The event was very well attended.

I’ve been with the Toastmasters Club for more than five years and I have completed my Competent Communicator (CC) award last year.  But this is the first time I joined the speech contest.  There was a different feel to it compared with our regular Toastmasters bi-weekly meeting, knowing that I was competing. But, it was a very rewarding experience.  I had to write and practice my speech three weeks in advance.  I guess it paid off.

On to the Area E, District 31 speech contest on March 27, 2012.