Toastmasters: CC#1 The Ice Breaker

I've been a member of Toastmasters since May 2012. I recently earned my Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM) in April. I've loved being a member of Toastmasters. I've learned a lot and have grown as a leader, a communicator, and also as a person. It's a wonderful organization to be a part of.

I haven't blogged much about my journey in Toastmasters, although it played a huge role this entire year I've been blogging. I guess I was focused more on foster care, TTC, and on my adoption. But now, I've found that my blog has been encompassing more aspects of my life. Which I think is a good thing! A place I can vent and share.

During my time in Toastmasters, I have served in various leadership roles. Right now, I'm a POTS aka "Plain old Toastmaster". I have no leadership roles right now. I needed a break and I needed to focus on other things. Toastmasters takes a lot of your time when you're volunteering for everything!

I didn't want to give up Toastmasters. I've made many close friends and it's one of those things, "you use it or you lose it." I don't want to lose all I've gained by being in Toastmasters. So, what's the next step? I think I'm done serving in leadership roles for now, as I don't have the time to commit to it right now. I've decided to essentially "start over" from the beginning. Meaning, I'm starting on my Competent Communicator Manual (first 10 speeches).

Last week I joined a new club and I completed my first speech, the Ice Breaker. Speech Objectives:

• To begin speaking before an audience.
• To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention.
• Time: Four to six minutes

It was strange. I was so nervous. I haven't given a speech since April! That's a long time and I'm a little rusty. My body movements weren't very natural and I've got a few things to work on where speech organization is concerned. That just goes to show you, that you really do lose it if you don't practice.

So, here's to starting this journey "over". I'm actually really excited about it, as I think that I'll gain something more out of this the second go-around. 

I have my next speech scheduled for next week, where I'll be completing CC#2 Organize Your Speech. 

Moving-Moving-Moving On My Mind!

I've been thinking a lot about moving. I'm getting more and more excited at the prospect of relocating! Right now, I'm planning for a May or June 2016 move.

Things I've been contemplating:

• Renting vs. Buying? Decision (for now): Rent. Get to know the area for 1-2 years before purchasing a new house. 
• Renting an apartment vs. renting a house/townhouse? This one I'm still contemplating on. There are a lot of benefits to both options. I've been looking at rental houses/townhouses and apartment buildings. The apartment buildings that I absolutely LOVE are a little bit of a commute... Not sure I want a commute while I'm renting. Also, it's a bit pricey. But it's almost like "resort living." Some even have dog-parks on site! Which would be great for my dog... But having a yard for my dog would be more "convenient"... Hmmm. 
• Drive Cross Country vs. shipping my car? My friend told me she drove cross country with her 2 year old and that her 2 year old screamed the entire time!! My Little Guy will be 2.5 at that time and he already has a hard time with road trips that are 5-6 hours... So, possibly driving cross country with just him, my dog, and me -- might be a bad idea! LOL. I'm going to re-consider this one when a set timeline is made. 
• To Toastmasters or not to Toastmasters, that is the question. I've been extremely active in Toastmasters for the last 3 years. I'm considering getting active in my new State as well. My company has a GREAT Toastmasters club! I'm definitely joining that one. But I think I also want to join a community club, so I can meet more people. Possibly get involved in District Leadership after I'm settled. My network of friends here is mostly through foster care and through Toastmasters. It would provide a great opportunity to start building a new support system. 

Now the big one!! Foster or not foster....? 

I've been a foster parent for almost 4 years. It feels like it's a part of who I am. Part of my identity. NOT being a foster parent just feels odd... At times, I think it would be great! No more visits, no more appointments, no more training, no more court visits, no more oversight. 

Then, there's the part of Fostering that has become a part of how I identify myself. I'm proud to be a foster parent! I have loved being a foster parent! It's given meaning to my life to advocate and help my foster babies. To just stop... It feels a little panicky. 

So, I started looking into agencies in the State I'm relocating to... and reading their policies. I called one agency and they were really nice! They said that I can "transfer" to the new State if my license is still open. I wouldn't have to re-take the MAPP classes. If my license lapses, I can re-open it within 1 year of closure without re-taking the MAPP classes. Anything past that and I'd have to start from scratch. Would need a new home study (of course) and to agree to their policies/procedures. They are also open to single foster parents - which is awesome! Seems like it would be a nice possibility to continue to foster... Decisions, decisions. 

Other things to consider. My life will be changing - a lot.!! 

1. Little Guy *should* be adopted...! 
2. I may have a new little Baby C or expecting a new Baby C (hopefully!!! Fingers Crossed!) 
3. I *may* be starting a new job shortly after my move (within 6 months - hopefully will find a good position that fits my strengths!). 
4. I'm going to be in a whole new State, away from everything and everyone I know! 

So, putting fostering "on hold" until I get settled makes total sense. Right? It still makes me feel like something will be missing... But maybe I just have to redefine things and it'll take me a little while to get used to my new life? 

Lots and lots to think about! What's for sure is, I'm REALLY excited about relocating!!! It's like fresh eyes and new look at what's possible in my life and for my Family C.

Distinguished Toastmaster Award

Tonight we had our "Distinguished Toastmasters" (DTM) Cermony. I joined Toastmasters in May 2012 right before my first foster daughters left. Toastmasters has been a great experience for me. At first, it was an outlet for expressing my feelings about foster care (good and bad). I was able to do speeches on each one of my foster children that came and left.

It eventually became my extracurricular activity, where I've volunteered hundreds of hours of my time & served as club officers, as an Area Governor, and a Division Governor. I've learned so much from my time in Toastmasters - my strengths and overcoming my fear of public speaking. Many of my foster kids came to Toastmasters meetings, contest planning meetings, & HPL (high performance leadership) sessions. Yes, you can be a single mama (or single foster mama) and still do things you love! 

Tonight, Little Guy helped escort me during my DTM Cermony :) He was all dressed up & he did so well. Compliments from everyone about how good he was and how adorable he is. It made the event just a little more special for me to have him there. He's my family. I also had two of my mentors, and vey close friends-that have adopted me into their families, escort me tonight. Very special night indeed. This is the main thing I will miss about here when I move next year, these special people that have become my family. 

It took me 2 years and 11 months to earn my DTM. I've gotten so much out of Toastmasters, I will have to share one blog entry on my Toastmasters experience one of these days :) 

Tomorrow I give my final report as a Division Governor and have just a few weeks left in my service... I'm looking forward to the Toastmasters year ending & getting to focus on improving other areas - such as possibly competing in speech contests & challenging/improving my speaking skills.