Good Evening Mdm President, fellow members and honored guests. Today on the occasion of my first prepared speech, I have the pleasure of introducing myself to you a surrealist. Now, how am I a surrealist? Before I elaborate further, I need to define what exactly is a surrealist? According to the most trusted encyclopedia of our modern day, the Wikipedia, a surrealist is one that thrives on dreams, make-belief and alternative realities, and today, may I present, a true surrealist in the making, yours truly, me. So, in what way am I a surrealist? Well, although I have to admit that I would not dare to place myself on par with true surrealists like Salvador Dali, Valentine Hugo and Andre Masson, I believe that I truly have a surrealist lurking somewhere deep within me, the reason being, the choice of books that I read over the years of my life. Therefore, tonight, allow me to share a bit of myself, through my love for reading as a life-long hobby that I have always had.
I vaguely recall that my earliest childhood memories consisted of not Barbie dolls, teddy bears or little cute cookery sets, but books, and not just any books, but books on fantasies and science fiction. I come from a family of bookworms, which essentially is quite an understatement. My father is a Chinese teacher and he immersed himself in Chinese poetry that is his passion. My mother is.. what you know, a Chinese teacher too, and she loved Chinese history and in particular the literary history of Chinese opera. As such, from young, the only toy that is in abundance in our house are rows and rows of books. So what a bored little girl do, but read?
In Primary School, my first story book was by Enid Blyton, and I recall, it was The Faraway Tree. It talks about climbing up a very very tree to reach a magic world where adventure begins. Very quickly I devoured the whole series and moved on to his Wishing Chair series followed by the Adventure series. Very soon, my room was just full of his books and I loved every single one of them. In such books, Enid Blyton talked about worlds other than the reality, of places that were filled with magical creatures such as fairies, globins and elves; and exciting adventures that did not involve studies and exams. Enid Blyton opened my eyes to a whole new world of fantasies that can only be found in books, and it is through such stories that I gain such out-of-this world experiences! Many years later, when I grow up and sometimes when I think back, I realized that while Enid Blyton talked about strange places and exciting adventures, he is really talking about life, joy and hope of a beautiful future for a little girl that lies on her bed, reading away. And so, by primary six, and many Enid Blyton books later, my parents was dismayed to find that they had to get me glasses and forbade me to read in bed!
Come Secondary School, my appetite for fantasies and adventures led me to the most famous and longest running, highly successful science fiction series of the world universe – Star Trek! I followed Captain Kirk to “boldly go where no man has gone before” and moved on to the next frontier of worlds filled with strange civilizations such as the Klingons and the Vulcans. I got so addicted to them that not only did I read, I even follow every episode of the series on TV, including the re-runs! Like every teenager, I go through the age of idolizing movie stars and it was no surprise that my idols during that time were William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Deforest Kelly. Granted they were not the most famous or most handsome of all actors of that time, they were nonetheless idols that I dreamed about in my sleep. So needless to say, instead of being a McDonald kid like the rest of my classmates, I spend my time in the fiction section of the public library. And yes, I was by far the most nerdy looking girl in my class.
Some people say that we grow out of silly childhood obsessions as we grow older, but I beg to defer. My Star Trek days turned into more serious fantasies, and darker magic, worlds made from Gods and kingdoms ran by witches and wizards. David Eddings became my new love in my Junior College days, influenced by my classmates. His Belgariad and Malloreon series accompanied me through many late nights and even days of skipped classes and missed tutorials. My addiction was very bad, to the point of failed exams in my first year of college, and I had to give up Physics. How could I cope with studies while trying to cast a spell and learning curses? I am no superman. I always used to tell myself, Physic is never a subject for me, because it is too logical, too mathematical and too real. Secretly I think I am a witch, a good one at that. Where in the world of physics would you be able to defy all 3 laws of thermodynamics but in the world of fantasies?
Sad to say, as I moved on the university and subsequently working and pursuing a career, I lost the chance to ever pick up a book to read regularly. Finally, fantasy books gave way to Time magazine and Management books by Steven Covey, and I became an ordinary human being again. But, I never forget those wonderful days where I lose myself in a world of make-belief, and one day, I vow to pick up a book again, where fantasy and reality blurs and science and magic merged. Till then, may I leave you with a word of encouragement, pick up a book sometime, and may it be a fantasy one that brings you on a wonderful adventure. Live long and prosper! Thank You.
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This is a prepared speech prepared for Project 1 - Ice Breaker and delivered at the toastmasters. This is the speech as it is written originally. The actual delivery differs probably about 30% of the time.
Self-evaluation: Too long, lacks time control, too nervous, no eye-contact and could not remember bits from the last few paragraphs.
Speech evaluator's assessment: Grammar is bad and gender's mixed up for Enid Blyton. Need to pay more attention to details. Need to end with reference to the beginning for completeness.
Ah-counter: 7!
