Back to my student stage, I started to learn spoken English in a summer holiday of the third year in University. From then on, I have been crazy about English. If you had been in Tianjin, where I have studied in, you would have met me in every famous English Corner. Every time I could meet familiar face in different English Corner. There were a bunch of guys, including me, participating in many English Corners. We thought we were kind of like a club. We talked and encouraged with each other. That gave me a belonging feeling. As time went by, learning English was not just about learning language anymore. It’s a part of my life. It’s a positive attitude to life.

After I moved to Beijing, the most I missed, except my family and classmates, was those English Corners I had used to be and those people I had talked with. Period of time I felt lost in BJ. Actually, there are more activities, and I have attended many of them. But I just couldn’t get that feeling back until I joined this Toastmasters Club.   

In this busy and big city, we, every single member, get together in certain time at certain place. We are learning with fun and love. We support each other, no matter who you are, where you are from. Now I want to write something about my experience in CHIC Toastmasters Club.  

People who know me in our CHIC may think that, don’t deny, I’m not an easy-going person, kind of tough person. I don’t attend many meetings or activities. I don’t talk much with people. I don’t have a sense of humor. I didn’t take many roles before (now it’s better). I clearly know all of my bad impression that I have left to people. Actually, do you believe that I want to change?

I have asked myself for million times that, why do I act like that? You may don’t know every time before I attend our meeting I told myself that you should be more activity. But when I sit there, I don’t why; I just can’t leave my seat to talk with people. Even guests can feel more relaxed and enjoyable than me. If things went like this I could have quit from CHIC Toastmasters Club. But things have changed.

Have you ever thought that if a person who don’t have any relation with you put a lot of efforts to encourage you, what do you feel? I feel shame. If a bunch of guys always take small action to involve you to their activity, but you still can’t involve, what do you feel? I feel embarrassed.

The person is our president. Those guys are our members and my mentor. So for any reason I should change. Now for my crazy-business-trip-work reason I still can’t attend many activities. But as long as I can I will be there. I know I’m still not be known by many members, but I will do more things to let you all know me; to really be a part of CHIC.

So why do I join CHIC Toastmasters Club in Beijing? The reason is that it is a warm and positive family.

Author: Lynn Gao