So, I competed on Saturday...

I made a promise some time back that I was going to compete in the Toastmasters contests as soon as I was eligible again.  Okay, to be specific, the promise was made during my outgoing District Governor speech at the Spring 2006 District 50 Conference ... and it was something about how if you're afraid of something, maybe you should do it because there's a growth opportunity in there for you ... and my next growth opportunity lies in competing.

Anyway.  I had originally planned to compete in the International Speech Contest, but once the whole Dealer Meeting thing panned out for this year, I realized I was insane to even think about doing that at the same time ... I couldn't in good conscience try to prepare adequately at the same time I was traveling and speaking for work ... oh, and planning a wedding.  Yeah.  So this isn't my year for International Speech.

But they're doing the Evaluation contest, too, so I agreed to represent our club.

And whaddya know?  I took First Place at the Area 42 Contest Saturday morning...

Talk about a surreal experience, being the one standing in the middle of the photograph, holding the trophy, instead of all those years I was the one handing the trophy to the winner.  Bizarre ... but cool.

So now, I go on to compete at the Plains Division Contest on Saturday, April 19th.  We'll see how it goes ... for now, I'm having a really good time.  Evaluations are my FAVORITE thing to challenge myself with in Toastmasters, so this is all ... well, it's pretty cool.

Comments

[Mom]

You are so cute my future sweet Son In Love!

[Jim Key]

Congrats sweetheart; you completely ROCKED the contest! While I'm admittedly not objective, I'd say it wasn't even close.

As to Rich's comment about me needing a top-notch evaluator...:

1. I could not have accomplished the
things I have without accepting the
input of high-caliber evaluators, and

2. Of all the needs that Angie can meet
for me....evaluation ain't even close
to the top of the list. ;-)

[Rich Hopkins]

Way to go Angie! Jim probably needs a top-notch evaluator. ;-)