The Vision of the Specs

I have a new eyeglass on... 

Life changing and challenging... This spec is irritating and overwhelming at the same time. Irritating because my vision now has borders. Overwhelming because I am getting a clear vision... I love and hate it at the same time. And I want people to know that. So, I wrote something about it and delivered it as a speech for my Toastmaster 4th basic manual project, How to Say It.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and guest/s.

The ability to see is one of the most significant, if not the best, senses of an individual. We all have eyes to see things around us. We were all born with eyes. Yes, there are some who are physically disabled; yet in one way or another, they find ways to have the ability to see. But how about us, normal people, do we value our eyesight? Do we find ways to see the real thing? Do we take care of our eyes?

It’s more than a month since I got these glasses and this is not the first time. I used to have one with coating that should protect my eyes but I feel my eyeballs were always on fire. Friends told me to get lenses but I snubbed it because of the possible harmful effects. Family asked me to undergo surgery but I have to consider financial priorities first. This time, I have to start putting this on again. My myopia is getting worst.

I love seeing things. I love watching whatever is happening around me. My vision is very important for me to gather and keep memories. I like watching leaves falling from the trees during autumn. I like seeing my breath forms a fog during winter. I like it when my eyes are dancing at the sight of the vibrant flowers on spring. I could keep numerous photographs of them in my mind.

But there’s a lot more than what our naked eyes can perceive. As the saying goes, the eyes are the window of the soul. We can see through people. Just looking at them makes us feel their emotions and understand their situations. Like the pain I feel in every kick my son gets during his Taekwondo match; or the frustration I share with my husband just seeing the road traffic 5 kilometers ahead. In my case, I would have a hard time to vividly see all those things without an eyeglass. Wearing this could be a lifetime commitment and I intend to do so faithfully. Aside from having the ability to see, I would also like to have the capability to see clearly.

In my case, life is blurred without glasses. Memories are stained. The images in my mind are smudged. We may have the ways to improve our vision with the use of the latest technology yet it goes with limitations. With eyeglasses, it allows us to reflect on ourselves from time to time and show us the opportunities to clean the blotches.

Though my view will be slightly obstructed, these glasses will give me the chance to clearly see Daddy and Mommy’s wrinkles; it will give me hope to see my husband’s crow’s feet as we grow old together and the tiny toes of my children’s children. Even if I feel weight on the bridge of my nose, this bridge will serve to connect the visions to my mind where good memories are kept.

Putting on these glasses is not just about protecting my eyes or correcting vision problems. Though there are inconveniences wearing this but the benefits that one can get will outshine them. Within the four corners of this frame, life will be brighter and memories will be sharper.

Milk..

..is the title of my 3rd speech in Toastmasters. I spoke about the significance of milk in someone's life. Actually, I wanted to talk about my sister and her condition, Down Syndrome, but I want my message to leave a mark on those who will hear it; so I had to tweak something in the story... I hope it will serve its purpose..

I don’t like milk. I know it’s tasty; but for me, it’s gluey.

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and guest/s.

When I was young, I was told to drink milk because it’s good for my health. When I get sick, I would be bribed to consume at least half of the glass. You know, I could only settle for chocolate or strawberry milk.

Let me tell you a story about someone I know who likes milk so much. Her name is Angelica. When Angelica was conceived, her mom would always crave for fresh milk. She will not last a day without drinking even a glass of it. Little did she know that her baby is developing an extra chromosome – a Down Syndrome. No, Downs is not caused by drinking too much milk. It is a genetic flaw.

So, Angelica has a Down syndrome but unlike other children with the same condition, she grew up with a physically-strong built. The milk her mom consumed has given her strong bones and muscles. Her skin is as fair and white as milk. She has speech defects but she talks fast. There are times she can be as smart as an adult and silly as a 5-year old. She can do household choirs on her own like dusting, ironing, washing dishes. She would mount on chairs to reach the cupboard and look for milk. She would skip meals just to eat powdered milk.

Angelica is the most precious member of the family. She had been through a lot without her realizing the sorrow and bitterness of life. She became the family’s source of strength especially when her parents were detained in the kingdom for selling liquor. At the age of 9, she was held in custody for several months along with her mom who was so remorseful because her daughter had to stay with her and not because of their misdeed. But Angelica gave her hope and taught her to accept the circumstances without ill feelings.

Food is limited in the detention center but Angelica would always beam with a smile, dance around and yell “Halib! Halib!” at the sight of milk. In that place, her round face was like moonlight in the midst of darkness.

Being the youngest, Angelica is a Daddy’s girl. She tails her father everywhere he goes. One time, she went with him. While driving Angelica’s father started to feel dizzy so he kept blinking his eyes. Angelica was unaware of what her father was experiencing at that time. She was just innocently looking out the window. Suddenly, Angelica asked to turn left and stop. Dizziness was becoming worst; so he parked on the roadside. Then, Angelica asked him to get down the car and buy her milk. It was only then did he realize that they stopped in front of a store. So, he went down the car with heavy feet but before reaching the store, he noticed that beside it is a private clinic and for unknown reason, it pulled him inside. There, he fainted and lost consciousness.

Angelica’s father was awakened by the voices of his wife and daughter. He was in a hospital bed and his hand was injected with an IV. He had hypertension that caused him to faint. It was a good thing Angelica asked him to buy milk or no one knows what could’ve happened to them.

We all know milk is essential in the development of bones, teeth, muscles and blood. It is what we drink when we want to recover from our illnesses. It is what we drink when we want to replenish nutrients in our body. For Angelica and her parents, it has become a very important part of their lives.

Now, the next time you are served milk, take it. Drink it and remember her story. Think of the milk that made her body strong despite having Downs. Think of the milk that taught them to accept challenges with no resentment. Think of the milk that became an instrument for them to continue living life. Think about Angelica, my sister.

T.T.

Huh?

T.T. stands for Table Topics.

I always think of the Table Topics session as the Miss Universe’s Q&A portion. It is much-awaited. Heart-pounding. Mind-provoking. And meme-ific. It is indeed challenging to come up with an articulate answer in a short span of time. It puts Toastmasters on trial to think quickly, accurately and intelligently. Miss Universe contenders must have a really comprehensive and first-rate training on impromptu speaking.

Last night, I was privileged to be the Table Topics Master. It was my first (and waiting for the next) time. I honestly didn’t know what to do and was quite nervous as there is only a week to prepare. I consulted fellow Toastmasters who were very much accommodating to provide tips and encouragement. My aim was only to make the session happy and gay. I prepared five questions but since we only had one speaker for the prepared speech session, we added more to consume the time.

The theme of the meeting was “Make It Happen” so I had to pattern the questions with having only choices, specifically two, and expounded that we could only make things happen if we practice our freewill and make a choice. I also had to put some little numbered cardboards at the back of the seats so they won’t have to shy away from volunteering.

Let’s see if you could come up with something for these questions.

If you will be given a chance to let you change your fate, would you want to be a hot and sexy wolf like Jacob Black or a forever-young vampire like Edward Cullen? Why?

Who would you like to be and who do you want to live with for the rest of your life - Snow White with the seven naughty dwarves or Beauty with the mean beast? Why?

If you will be given wealth, would you like to have a desert with unlimited source of oil or an island with abundant natural resources (e.g. crops, livestock, soil minerals)?

If you will be reincarnated, would you choose to be a stray dog or a stray cat? Why?

You’re broke and you sold all your personal belongings, properties and almost all the furniture in your house; but if you could have only one thing that will be left, what would it be: the toilet bowl or the stove? Why?

If you could possess something that has a supernatural ability, what would it be: Harry Potter’s invisible cloak or Thor’s hammer? Why?

If you will be given a role in the movie “The Other Woman”, who would you want to be: The Wife/Husband or the Other Woman/Man? Why?

If you will be transformed to an inanimate object, what would you rather be: an alphabet or a number? Why?

If you were a glass, what would you be: half-full or half-empty? Why?

If you will be a Spokesperson, whose side would you want to defend: Tito Sotto for his plagiarism or Cynthia Villar for her belittling statements. Why?

  

As I wished, hoped and prayed for and though there were only few of us who attended, the Table Topics session was a success. Everyone enjoyed the tickling and tricky questions; plus I got a bonus of being the best segment host for the evening. I must say I had a very good time last night.

Thank you, fellow Toastmasters, and I can’t wait for the next T.T!

Happy stimulating!