Toastmasters' Speech Project # 5 (Your Body Speaks)

The event that transformed my life totally Do you remember any event that transformed your life totally? Dear Fellow Toastmasters and Distinguished Guests,

I completed high school and was waiting to enter University. I was having a good time as there were no exams nor were there any time tables. One evening, I was returning home from my friends… to find my parents and sisters were waiting for me. I was puzzled as it was a bit unusual. I looked at their faces but could not find any clue. Then I approached my father and asked him "Dear Father, what is going on?" After a little pause, he showed me a telegram. First I looked at them curiously and quietly opened it. After reading it, I became so thrilled; I jumped up and down. I was so happy and started embracing each one of my family members. I have won a scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering in Russia. Every one was looking at me and was sharing the joy with me. But this joy did not last long in their faces. Their faces became sad as they started thinking about my leaving them soon to go overseas. I had only a few weeks to prepare. I had to get a new passport, stitch new clothes, buy warm clothes, etc. I had to go to many offices to process various paper work. One of the major tasks was to get the passport. It was a very happy occasion to receive my first. I also had to collect the Airline ticket and the visa from the Russian Embassy. Now I am ready to fly. I was so elated… The house was full of visitors. All my classmates came home. There was a big dinner party. We all enjoyed together. They all wished me well. The departure date was fast approaching. I had to visit my grand parents, uncles, aunts and teachers. They all gave their blessings. My cousins looked at me as if they are looking at a hero and greeted me heartily. Finally, the departure date came. My father hired a bus to transport the relatives, friends and other well wishers to the airport and back. He also employed a professional photographer to cover the occasion. At the airport, I had to go to each one of them wish them good bye. The hardest was to part with the family members. I embraced my three sisters and kissed them good bye. They all were in tears. I knelt down and got permission from my parents to leave the country. This is one of saddest moments in my life. They kissed me profusely and were so sad to see their only son leave to an unknown country at such young age. I left them with tears still in my eyes and joined others who were also going to Russia. After the formalities and a long wait, we all walked to the plane. We were all asked to pose for a group photograph on the tarmac before boarding the plane. Can you recognize me in the photograph? I am the first one from the right. Then I looked for my family and friends who were eagerly waiting outside the fence. I waived at them profusely and climbed the steps that led me to the airplane. There too. I waived and entered the plane and also a complete new life. This marked the beginning of a big and eventful chapter of my life which transformed me from a schoolboy to a young professional with a mature outlook on life. Back to the Toastmaster of the Day.

Video of the speech - Part I

Video of the speech - Part II