C1 speech: Ice Breaker

Content
As Aristotle put it, know thyself is the source of wisdom. To start with that, I am not so sure if talking about myself should be really that easy as stated in the Toastmaster manual.

Toastmaster, dear toastmaster fellows and honorable guests, I believe it would not be too interesting if I just simply take out my resume, read it, and explain item after item. Therefore, I would love to introduce myself through a story. The story is very special even to me, for I had no memory of it, not until I heard it from my uncle and my parents. Why? Because it happened to me when I was only 2 weeks old.

2 weeks after I met this world, my parents brought me back from the hospital. My grandparents were very happy to meet their second grandson, and everything seemed just perfect at that time. Perfect…until two days later.

2 days later, my mother found something strange about me. I started to vomit whatever they fed me. My eyes turned yellow, and what terrified them most was that I started to urine blood. They were so scared that they couldn’t wait any longer and rushed to the hospital.

The first doctor couldn’t identify the reason why I got into that situation, but my parents chose not to give up. They asked if any other doctor would love to help and did some checkups. Few hours later, the only American doctor came and identified that I may have G6PD deficiency.

So what’s G6PD deficiency? In Chinese it’s called 蠶豆症. People with this genetic disease have different red blood cells. They cannot have horse beans, smell mothballs, and have to avoid a quite long list of medicine use. If they fail to follow the rules, their red blood cells will start to break and melt, causing great burden to the liver, that’s why patients’ eyes would turn yellow, and the melted red blood cell would urine out of the body through the major metabolism system kidney.

I was born and grew up in Yunlin, which is the biggest farming county in Taiwan. To prevent from unwanted insects from coming into the household, mothballs were placed all over. To a small infant, the dose is certainly too high for that small body. Oh, believe me. 26 years ago I was a small infant, too.

The correct diagnosis did not mean the termination of the problem. It just meant the source of problem was finally identified. When all the doctors there knew that the only solution to the problem was to change all the blood in my body, there was a second problem to be solved: no doctor was willing to operate for me because the mortality rate is 50%.

My mother burst into tears and lost control for she thought she would lose me. My father knelt down and begged for help. To operate or not to operate, was not the question for us since we had no other option but to give it a try. Finally, the foreign doctor who identified my disease nodded and decided to help with my parent’s signed agreement on not suing him even the operation failed.

They signed with great gratitude, and the operation was carried out. Blood donated by my father and my uncle came in from my navel, and went out from my ankle. I recovered, thanks to the courageous doctor to take the responsibility and followed the Hippocratic Oath he took and my parents and uncle’s love and support.

So, what influence has it on me? I learned from the doctor that if I am the only person who can get the job done, even I have to do it with facing great danger and risk, still I will go. Not to mention if there is barely risk, then definitely I would do anything that I can help. From the love the support I received from my parents and the doctor, I know it so well that I am destined to come to the world to help others, just as they helped me when I was weak.

That’s why I joined the Emergency Medical Technician volunteer when I was in college. In those years, I soaked my hands in the blood and helped people come out from the car wreckage. I pressed the chest and did CPR for those who were in diabetes coma. I bandaged bleeding heads and send them to the hospital. That’s why I became high school teachers few years ago, for I believe knowledge is what can truly empower people to head toward higher dimension. That’s why I am doing my master in the Institute of Education right now, because I am working on an educational application that can truly make some difference to the society.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Roy Lee, who has a face willing to smile, ears open to listen, and hands ready to help. I would also love to dedicate this speech to my parents, my uncle, and to all those who have been so brave and stand out to take the responsibility to help others. This is for you. Toastmaster.
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Improvement suggestions from evaluators
1. Time Control.
2. Talk more stories in Ci Ice breaking instead of only one.
3. Shorten the conclusion, end with "hands to help".
4. Slow down a little bit.
5. Tell us more about yourself.
6. It should be operate "on" somebody, not operate "for"
7. More vocal variety and eye contact on the whole area instead of only one.

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Won the prize: most improved speech.

Ah-counter: first role in Hsinchu Toastmaster

第一次在新竹Toastmaster所扮演的角色就是Ah-counter

以下是收到幹部對於這個角色的說明

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你的工作是幫助演講者矯正在說話過程中加入不必要的贅字的習慣。你將會負責紀錄所有人所使用到的贅字數目。雖然名稱為「Ah-counter」，但實際上要紀錄的包括任何會干擾聽者注意力的贅字，如：「err....」、「You know」、「um...」、「well」、「so」……等，不過如果使用者在使用如「so」、「well」……等字上看的出是刻意安排（在演講稿中的），而非為了填充腦筋空白而加入的，則不需計入。除了贅字，不必要的重複也是紀錄重點。
會議前
-準備一份簡單的說明稿，以便在會議中應Toastmaster要求說明Ah-Counter的工作內容。
抵達會場時
-準備一張白紙和一隻筆以備紀錄
會議進行中
-當被Toastmaster介紹到時，起立解釋你的工作。
-整個會議過程，仔細紀錄所有的贅字與重複。
-當被總講評要求到時，起立報告所有人的贅字(unnecessary word)與重複(repetitive word)數目
（新竹演講會中，建議只要紀錄準備演講者(prepared speech)、即席演講者(table topic)、個別講評(individual evaluator)的Ah數量即可）

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今天就這樣在聆聽演講的過程中詳細的記下了每個人的贅字跟重複字詞
另我驚訝的是有兩位講者的演講技巧是如此的純熟
以至於一個一個贅字都沒有
另一個則只有一個贅字
真的很了不起

這次也是第一次獲頒獎項
得到的是Best Table Topic Speaker
讓我再次確定了個人故事與經驗在演講中的力量

President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago

歐巴馬勝選演說（中英對照）

Hello, Chicago.

哈囉，芝加哥！

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

如果外頭還有人懷疑，美國是否真的是任何事都可能發生的地方，懷疑我們開國先賢的夢想今天是否依然存在，懷疑我們民主的力量；今夜，就是你們要的答案。

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

這是個用這個國家僅見，環繞學校、教堂的無數人龍，所說的答案。這些人，苦等三、四個小時，許多還是生平頭一次，因為他們相信，這次一定要不一樣，他們的聲音就是明證。

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

這是個由不分老少、貧富、民主黨、共和黨；黑人、白人、拉丁裔、亞裔、美洲原住民；同性戀、異性戀人；肢障與四體健全者，大家共同訴說的答案。美國民眾向全世界發出訊息，我們絕非一盤散沙，也不是由紅州、藍州拼湊而成的集合體。

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

我們現在是，未來也永遠是，美利堅合眾國。

感謝你們的支持

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

這個是引領國人把手放在歷史拱弧，再度讓它指向明天會更美好希望的答案。長久以來，這些國人一直被許多人灌輸，要嘲諷、害怕和懷疑我們自身的能力。

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

這個答案遲遲未出現，但是今晚，由於我們在這個投票日關鍵時刻的所作所為，改變終於降臨美國。

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.

今晚稍早，我接到馬侃參議員打來，態度非常懇切的電話。

Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

馬侃參議員已打完一場漫長艱苦的選戰。他為這個他所熱愛的國家所打的仗更久，更艱苦。他為美國的奉獻犧牲，是我們多數同胞難以想像的。因為有他這位勇敢無私的領袖的奉獻，我們才能過比較好的日子。

I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

我向他道賀；也向裴林州長道賀，為他們所成就的一切。我迫不及待想和他們攜手合作，在未來數月更新這個國家的許諾。

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

我要感謝我的選舉搭檔，這位先生全心全意競選，為與他在史克蘭頓街頭一起長大的男男女女代言。在前往德拉瓦州的路上，和我一起以火車為家，他就是副總統當選人，拜登先生。

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady ... Michelle Obama.

如果沒有過去十六年來堅定支持的摯友，我今晚不可能站在這裡。她是我家庭的磐石，我一生的最愛，國家未來的第一夫人蜜雪兒‧歐巴馬。

Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us ...to the new White House.

莎夏和瑪利亞。我對妳倆的愛遠超過妳們想像。你們已贏得即將和我們一起到新白宮作伴的新小狗。

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

還有，雖然她已不在我們身邊，但是我知道我外婆，也和造就今日之我的家族一起在看。今晚，我想念他們。我知道，我欠他們的，無法衡量。

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

我妹妹瑪亞、艾瑪、我的其他兄弟姊妹們，非常感謝你們給我的所有支持。我很感謝他們。

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best _ the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

還有，我的競選經理普羅費，這次競選的無名英雄，我認為他營造了美國史上最佳的政治運動。

To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

感謝我的首席競選策略顧問艾索洛，一路走來，他一直是我的得力夥伴。

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

感謝這個政治史上無出其右的最佳競選團隊，你們造就了這項成果，我對你們的犧牲奉獻，永存感激。

這是你們的勝利

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

總之，我絕不會忘記這個勝利真正屬於誰。它屬於你們大家。它是你們的。

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

我從來就不是這個職位最被看好的候選人。剛開始，我沒什麼錢，也沒什麼後援。我們參選的念頭，並非始於華府大廳，而是來自第蒙市後院，康科市客廳和查爾斯敦的門廊，再經由眾多男女，用他們從有限儲蓄中拿出，依法所能捐獻的五塊、十塊和廿塊美元，共同打造出來的。

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

經過那些拒絕承認他們是冷漠世代的迷思的年輕朋友加持，它成長茁壯，他們離開家，告別親人，投入待遇菲薄，永遠睡眠不足的工作。

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

經過那些年紀不算輕的朋友加持，它成長茁壯，他們冒著寒風酷暑，挨家挨戶向完全陌生的民眾敲門；經過數百萬民眾自發性的組織，證明這個民有、民治、民享的政府，在兩百多年之後，沒有從地球上消失，仍在成長茁壯。

This is your victory.

這是你們的勝利。

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

我知道，你們這麼做，不只是為了勝選。我也知道，你們這麼做，不是為了我。

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime _ two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

你們這麼做，是因為你們了解，橫在眼前的是千萬斤的重擔。因為即使我們今晚慶功，我們也明白，明天所要面臨的是此生最大的挑戰：兩場戰爭，一個處於存亡之秋的地球，及百年僅見的金融危機。

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

即使我們今晚站在此地，我們也知道，為了我們，美國的勇士們正在伊拉克沙漠巡邏，在阿富汗山區出生入死。

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

許多父母，在子女進入夢鄉後，仍輾轉難眠，擔心房貸、醫療帳單該怎麼付，或該怎麼存，才夠支應子女的大學教育費用。

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

新的能源要研發，新的工作機會要創造，新學校要建，不少威脅要對付，既有盟邦關係要修補。

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

未來的路仍遙，路上的坡仍陡峭，我們可能沒辦法在一年，或一任內抵達。但是，美國，我從來沒有像今晚的我，對我們的使命必達，更充滿希望。

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

我向各位許諾，我們會團結一心，一齊抵達目的地。

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

一開始，挫折和失誤在所難免。有許多人不會同意我以總統身分所做的每一個決定或每一項政策。我們也知道政府無法解決所有問題。

我需要你們的協助

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years _ block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

但我永遠會把我們面對的挑戰坦白告訴各位。，尤其是在我們看法不同的時候。最重要的是，我會邀請各位加入重塑這個國家的工作，以美國兩百廿一年來採用的唯一方法：一磚一瓦，胼手胝足。

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

廿一個月前發軔於隆冬的，不會就在這個秋夜結束。

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

我們追求的改變，不僅僅是這個勝利。這個勝利只是給我們機會實現我們追求的改變。我們若走回頭路，改變便不會發生。

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

少了你，少了新的服務精神，少了新的犧牲精神，改變就不會發生。

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

所以，且讓我們喚起新的愛國心、新的責任感，人人挽起衣袖，更加努力，照顧自己之外，更要彼此照顧。

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

我們不要忘記，如果這次金融危機給了我們任何教訓，那就是在尋常百姓生活困頓下，華爾街也不可能獨自繁榮昌盛。

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

在這個國度，不論興衰，都是全國與共，全民一體。我們一定要抗拒誘惑，不再靠已毒害我國政治許久的黨派之私、褊狹和幼稚。

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

我們不可忘記，第一個把共和黨旗幟帶進白宮的男士，正是來自本州。共和黨的建黨根基則是自立、個人自由及全國統一團結等價值觀。

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

這些也是我們共享的價值觀。雖然民主黨今晚大勝，我們卻始終謙沖自持，並決心彌合阻撓我們進步的裂縫。

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

正如林肯向一個遠比今天更分歧的美國所說的，我們不是敵人，是朋友。激情或曾使選情緊繃，卻不容它破壞我們之間感情的連結。

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

我要向那些我仍須努力爭取支持的美國同胞說，或許今晚我沒能贏得各位的選票，但是我聽到諸位的聲音，我需要你們協助，我也會是你們的總統。

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

對那些今晚在海外、從各地國會和宮殿觀看美國選情的人士，在為世人遺忘的角落圍繞著收音機的人們，我要說我們的故事各不相同，命運卻是一體，美國新的領導就要出現了。

To those _ to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

對那些想撕裂這個世界的人，我要說：我們會打垮你。對那些追求和平安全的人，我要說：我們支持你。而對那些懷疑美國這燈塔是否依然明亮的人，今晚我們再度證實，美國真正的國力不是來自船堅砲利、富甲天下，而是來自發乎我們理想、歷久不衰的力量，這些理想是民主、自由、機會和堅持到底的希望。

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

這正是真正的美國精神：也就是美國能夠改變。這個國家的結合可以更完善。我們已經成就的，讓我們勇於企盼我們明天能夠做到、也必須做到的。

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

這次大選有許多創舉和故事足供世世代代傳頌。而今晚浮現在我腦海的，是在亞特蘭大投票的一位婦人。她和這次大選無數排隊投票以表達心聲的選民沒什麼差別，不同的只有一點，安．尼克森．庫柏已高齡一百零六。

是的，我們做得到

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons _ because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

她出生於奴隸時代結束後那個世代；當時路上沒有汽車，天上不見飛機；而她這樣的人沒有資格投票，原因有二：其一，她是女人，其二，她的膚色不對。

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America _ the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

但就在今晚，我想到她在美國這百年人生的閱歷：心傷和希望；掙扎和進步；那些人告訴我們我們不能的時候，和那些高舉著美國人「是的，我們做得到」的信念奮勇向前的人。

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

身處女性聲音受壓制、希望被漠視的時代，她這一生親眼看到女性站起來，表達心聲，並爭取到投票權。是的，我們做得到。

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

就在塵盆地帶（指美國大草原的一部分，大致包括科羅拉多州東南部、堪薩斯州西南部、德州與奧克拉荷馬州鍋柄形突出地帶）陷入絕望，大蕭條席捲美國全境之際，她目睹一個國家以新政、新的工作機會、新的和衷共濟精神克服了恐懼本身。是的，我們做得到。

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

當炸彈落在我們的港口，暴政威脅世界之際，她親眼看見一個世代巍然挺身而起，拯救了一個民主體制。是的，我們做得到。

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.

在蒙哥馬利市（黑人）搭巴士抗爭，伯明罕市的水龍（警察以強力水龍對付抗議者），賽爾瑪城外的橋上（遭警察血腥鎮壓），來自亞特蘭大的一位牧師告訴一個民族「我們終必得勝」時，她都在場。是的，我們做得到。

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

一個人登上了月球，柏林一道牆倒了，一個世界被我們自己的科學和想像連結了起來。

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

而今年，在這次選舉中，她用手指觸碰屏幕，投下她的一票，因為在美國生活了一百零六年，嘗遍酸甜苦辣之後，她知道美國能夠有什麼樣的改變。是的，我們做得到。

這是我們的時刻

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves _ if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

美國，我們已經走了這麼遠。閱歷了這麼多。眼前卻還有這麼多事要做。所以，今晚讓我們捫心自問，如果我們的子女能夠活到下個世紀；如果我女兒有幸如安．尼克森．庫柏般長壽，他們能看到什麼改變？我們又促成了什麼樣的進步？

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

此際正是我們回應那個召喚的機會，這是我們的時刻。

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

就在此刻，我們大家要重新開始工作，為我們的孩子開啟希望之門；迎回繁榮並推展和平大業；重新擁抱美國夢並再次確立那基本的真理，也就是我們同舟一命，只要活著就懷抱希望。當旁人嘲諷、懷疑我們，告訴我們我們辦不到時，我們會回以那歷久不衰、總結一個民族精神的信念：是的，我們做得到。

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

謝謝大家。願上帝祝福你，求上帝祝福美國。

John McCain Concession Speech

1. My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
2. In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans, who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
3. This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
4. I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
5. A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit — to dine at the White House — was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.
6. Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day — though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her Creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
7. Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
8. I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
9. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.
10. It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought — we fought as hard as we could.
11. And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
12. I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
13. I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
14. You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.
15. I am also, of course, very thankful to Gov. Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband, Todd, and their five beautiful children, with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.
16. To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times — thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
17. I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
18. This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend, Sen. Joe Biden, should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
19. I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.
20. Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
21. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
22. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.

中文全文

謝謝你們，謝謝你們，我的朋友們。謝謝你們在如此美麗的亞利桑納夜晚來到這裡。

我的朋友們，我們已經，我們已經走到了旅途的終點。美國人民已經說話了，他們說的很清楚。

就在剛才，我榮幸地打電話給奧巴馬參議員，對他表示祝賀。

祝賀他當選這個我們都熱愛的國家的下任總統。

在一個如此漫長、如此困難的競選中，他的成功本身就足以讓我對他的能力和堅忍不拔的毅力表示敬意。但是他成功地激起數以百萬美國人的希望，我對此深表欽佩和讚揚。這些人在過去錯誤地認為，他們在總統競選中沒有影響力，而且結果與他們無關。

這是一個歷史性的選舉，我意識到今夜對非裔美國人的特殊意義，是他們值得驕傲的一夜。

我一直認為，美國給所有勤奮及決心抓住機會的人機會。奧巴馬也相信這一點。

但是我們兩人也都意識到，儘管我們過去的那些不公義已經離我們很遠。但那些曾玷污我們國家聲譽，使一些美國人不能享受所有公民的權益的記憶仍然有傷人的能力。

一個世紀前，羅斯福總統（Theodore Roosevelt）邀請布克‧華盛頓（Booker T. Washington）在白宮共進晚餐曾激怒很多人。（註：布克‧華盛頓是一名非裔美國人）

今天的美國已經完全不同於當時那個充滿殘酷和醜陋偏見的時代。一位非裔美國人當選總統就是最好的明證。

讓所有美國人都慶幸自己擁有這個世界上最偉大國家的國籍。

奧巴馬參議員為他自己和這個國家達成了一個偉大的事情。我為他鼓掌，對熱愛他的祖母未能在去世前看到今天的一切表示深切的同情。儘管我們的信仰讓我們堅信她在她的造物主那裡獲得了安息，她一定非常驕傲自己撫養了那麼好的一個人。

參議員奧巴馬和我有許多分歧，我們並且為此爭論，他勝了。毫無疑問，許多這些分歧依然存在。

我們的國家正處在困難時期。我今晚向他承諾，將運用我的全部力量幫助他帶領我們面對挑戰。

我敦促所有支持我的美國人，加入我，不僅僅是祝賀他，還要獻上我們的誠意和最大的努力，找到必要的妥協，能讓我們一起化解分歧，幫助重建我們的繁榮，並在一個危險的世界中保衛我們的安全，同時留給我們的子孫一個比我們當初繼承的，更強大，更好的國家。

無論我們的分歧是什麼，我們都是美國人。請相信我，對我而言，這比什麼都重要。

非常自然地，今夜會感到失望。但是明天，我們必須擺脫失望，一起奮鬥，讓國家向前邁進。

我們奮戰—盡了全力的奮戰。雖然我們失敗了，但那是我的失敗，不是你們的失敗。

我對深深地感激你們對我的支持和對我做的一切。我希望結果會是不同的，我的朋友們。

道路自一開始時就是困難的，但你們的支持和友誼從來沒有動搖過。我無法適當地表達我對你們的虧欠。

我要特別感謝我的妻子辛迪，我的孩子們，我親愛的媽媽和我的家庭，及許多老朋友們，在這漫長競選中，不論時局湖壞，總是在旁支持我。

我一直是一個幸運的人，從沒有比得到你們給我的愛和鼓勵更幸運的了。

你們知道，競選過程對候選人的家人可能比對候選人本身更難過，這次選舉也是這樣。

我所能提供的補償就是我的愛和感激以及在承諾今後平靜的歲月。

我也非常感謝莎拉‧佩林州長，我所見過的最好的候選人之一，為共和黨帶來了新的改革聲音及我們強大的信條。感謝她的丈夫和五個美麗的孩子在競選的坎坷路途中所付出的不倦的努力、勇氣和優雅。

我們帶着極大的興趣希望她在未來能為阿拉斯加、共和黨和國家做更多的事。

感謝我所有的競選夥伴，瑞克‧戴維斯、斯蒂夫‧施密德和馬克‧塞爾特，及所有在這麼多月的競選過程中，努力不懈及勇敢的志願者們。非常感謝你們。你們的信任和友情的重要性遠勝於輸掉選舉。

我不知道—我不知道我們還能做些什麼來贏得這場選舉。我將讓別人去決定吧。每位候選人都會犯錯誤，我相信我也犯了不少錯誤。但我不會把時間用到悔恨上。

這次選舉將是我人生的榮耀。對這次的經歷的和美國人民在決定選擇奧巴馬參議員和我的老朋友喬‧拜登在未來四年中領導我們之前，給了我一個公平的，陳述我的觀點的機會。對此，我充滿感激。

如果我後悔命運讓我為這個國家服務50年，我就不配是美國人。

今天，我是這個我如此熱愛的國家的總統候選人。今夜我依然是她的僕人。這是每個人所能得到的最好祝福，她為我們每個人帶來福祉，謝謝亞歷桑納州的民眾。

今夜，比任何其他的夜晚，我的心充滿對這個國家和人民的熱愛，不管他們是支持我還是支持奧巴馬。

我祝福曾經是我的對手，現在將成為總統的人一路平安。我呼籲所有的美國人，正如我在競選過程中的經常呼籲，不要對現在的困難沮喪，而是永遠相信美國的偉大及希望，因為在這裡，什麼都是可能的。

美國人不會退縮。 我們永不投降。

我們從不躲避歷史。我們創造歷史。

謝謝你們，上帝保佑你們，上帝保佑美國。非常感謝你們。

什麼是DTM？

友人Beck問了什麼是DTM
所以決定介紹一下～

Toastmaster有升級的制度
概念如此圖所示
http://www.toastmasters.org.tw/d67web/ch/activity/95/950701/950701.png













一開始就可以選擇要走「領導人訓練」
或是「溝通訓練」
或是可以雙軌並行
雙軌並行是被鼓勵的
也是我決定要走的路

兩條路需要晉級的需求各有不同
各有專屬於自己的要求
例如以「溝通訓練」而言
每次升級都要完成十場演講以及其他相關要求

完成相關訓練就可以得到相關榮銜
http://www.toastmasters.org.tw/d67web/ch/activity/95/950701.htm
兩邊都完成的人就可以得到DTM的榮銜
意為Distinguished Toastmaster

之前在網路上面有看到有人三年拿到
我覺得很厲害
而且加上計算的話
他應該幾乎每隔兩次聚會就要演講一次吧

Toastmaster New Member Kit寄到了～

從十月一號加入開始，一個月就拿到Toastermaster的New Member Kit了！
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/roy722/ToastmasterNewMemberKit#

真不知道之前自己讓自己拖什麼
想做的事情拖了這麼久才作真的不對