Association of Calapenos-USA International

October 25, 2008 at Marriott Airport Hotel Burbank, CA, the Association of Calapenos-USA International held its 2nd Dinner-Dance Fundraising Event. It was a very successful activity meant to raise funds for its projects and for all of us to get together again. The event was chaired by its SoCal Coordinator, Dr. Ting Luna and the Calapenos Int'l President Jimmy Chua. Roger, my son Ohskar, and I went to the party and mixed around with old friends and acquaintances. I met Eleanor Collera and sister Estela with their respective families. They were my childhood friends in Ilaya. My Kumadreng Letty Cueto was in attendance too, with some of her friends from Alameda, CA. Other friends who graced the occasion are Juliet from NY, Luz and family from Las Vegas, Orville from Las Vegas, Mrs. Garong and family from Cerritos, CA, and many others. It was a fun-filled evening and it ended with a "Big Treat" at the suite of Ting Luna at Marriott. Filipino dishes were served, lots of drinks, and most of all, the never ending kuwentuhan. Roger and I retreated to our room at almost 1AM. Quite an exhausting week-end! Sunday, at 11AM we had a Committee Meeting presided by Jimmy and Ting. Next fundraising event will be in Las Vegas, our group's chance to host the occasion!!!

MY NEW FRIENDS IN TOASTMASTERS

I am back in Toastmasters. I recently joined the BURNT TOAST II TOASTMASTERS CLUB. We meet every Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Desert Pines Golf Course located at the corner of Pecos and Bonanza, North Las Vegas. I am fortunate to have met a good group of Toastmasters headed by its founder Jerry Simon, President Max Hooks, officers and members Shandra Edmond, Allan Frank, William Stover, Wayne Lueck, Anthony Aguillard, Lynn Jasames, and Timm. The club is quite small in membership, however, the quality is great. The membership is diverse. I am fortunate enough to have met this group of dedicated and service-oriented people. I am sure I will be learning a lot from this involvement as I had always been in my Toastmaster's career.

To my readers who may have no idea of what Toastmasters is all about, Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization whereby a person is helped develop and enhance his speaking skills. The member goes through a step-by-step development of his communication and leadership skills. In the process of his association with Toastmasters, he meets all kinds of professional who have the same intention of improving their speaking skills. He speaks in front of his club working on his speech projects to reach competency. He is evaluated by another toastmaster or toastmasters and in the process he learns, improves, and becomes more competent in speaking. He has the opportunity to compete in speech contests namely: Humorous Speech, Evaluation Speech, Impromptu Speech, Tall Tales Speech, and the International Speech Contests. Attending speech contests in area, division, and district levels is an advantage and an opportunity. Meeting people from all walks of life is another advantage for networking. Having fun meeting new friends and speaking in front of an audience are two most important skills one can learn through Toastmasters.