According to Toastmaster Dilip G. , this expression is derived from a French expression “ La creme de la creme” meaning the elite of society. “ Only the French and nobody else would be a “ Dela Creme”, he added humoristically. Dilip also reminded us that cream rises to the top during the process of milk pasteurization – another French invention- whereby heat is applied to kill the bacteria. This information definitely adds depth to the expression: Heat- adversity will make cream- your best qualities rise to the top or… what does not kill you makes you stronger.
Tom B. and Isabella Z. acted as Grammarian and Timer respectively. The Word of the Day was ” Precipice”.
First speaker, Rodrigo R in his speech titled “ Confirmation Bias” which is is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. Confirmation bias also exists in sports . To illustrate this point, Rodrigo re-enacted, second by second, with football in hand, a key moment of a game between the Falcons and the Patriots.
Rodrigo presented project #2 from the CC manual.
Speaker number two, Brett S., presented project # 1 from the Interpersonal Communication manual. His speech titled “ Conversing with Ease” consisted of three parts; an introduction, a demonstration and a Question and Answers section. We learnt about the four levels of conversation from less to more intimate: small talk, fact disclosure, view points and opinions and personal feelings.
Speaker number three was Lidia S., presenting project #2 from the CC manual titled “Accidental discoveries that improved the quality of life.”, Lidia described how she enjoys the benefits of two accidental discoveries: the color mauve and Teflon. Mauve was created when an eighteen year old English chemist attempting to synthesize quinine from coal tar, discovered a way to mass produce color instead. Teflon was invented by Roy Plunkett while he was working on synthesizing various new forms of refrigerant. Teflon is Polytetrafluorethylene, frozen pressurized Tetrafluoethylene (TFE) which has water repellent qualities and is highly stretchable. Teflon is used in sports wear under the Gore- tex trademark. Lidia , who loves to ski, particularly enjoys her mauve gore tex ski jacket.
Speaker number four, Kathy M. , presented project #7 from the CC manual, “Eagle’s Spirit”. Kathy took the group on a short walk to admire a totem pole close by. The totem pole named “ Eagle Spirit” is a tribute to 52-year-old Cindy Sue James who lost a long battle with cancer. The pole honors family, friends, doctors, caregivers and God. Kathy gave us detailed explanations of how totem poles are made. She also explained the different characters on the pole.
Paula L. led the Table Topics.
Our next meeting is September 23rd.
What do Mauritius Island, fashion design, Vaclav Havel, Poutine and the Emerald City have in common? Me! All these ways have led me to ( drum roll...) the Seattle Sunrise Toastmasters where friends and great speakers are made! I look forward to sharing my stories with you!
