Nally's Speech Class

It's a hilarious day of such revelation and self reflection. First it started out with an emotional morning of tug-of-war about a speech i thought needed memorization and this sermon on suffering in the car that was practically triggering all kinds of flashbacks for me. Then it was the 10.30 presentation.
First i had to tell you about Nally's public speaking class. It is a class of 12 kids ALL and i mean ALL Asian. Mostly Chinese and some Indian. It was hilarious. I mean a demographic that is unheard of in Palo Alto but it makes to total sense. We Chinese are not known for our social confidences and public speaking.
So this morning, as i struggled with Nally i had visions of these Asian parents forcing their kids, beating them with clubs to get them to memorize this 3-paragraph poem the kids had crafted themselves. One of the kids actually came in with a science fair board instead of the scrappy piece of paper that ours came in with and i thought " some parents! "
But when the first kid went up to present, it was a shock back to reality. Most of the kids were shell-shocked, hiding behind a piece of paper, preoccupied with reading or better yet sobbing and refusing to get up on stage.
It was hilarious to see the parents. They quietly switched seats and were whispering furiously into their child's ears trying to convince them to take the stage. I don't want to know what kinds of bribes or threats they were resorting to. One child had several grown ups try different lectures to no avail. One mom actually stopped the teacher before her son started and asked in front of everyone for her to zip up his fly!
He was so embarrassed when she went up on stage stood in front of him and zipped it up herself. It was downhill from there.
It made Nally seem like a star, because she was 2nd to volunteer. Went up, read her lines, and although she got lost in the middle, made a recovery and even spontaneously talked about one photograph. i can see the teacher's coaching of voice projection, eye contact and holding the paper down so that people can see her face.
She actually went up and tried to encourage the 2 scared girls who refused to go up ( who sat on either side of her ) by rubbing their backs. She got a bear and tried to encourage that boy.
I realize, i have so much issues with my own ethnicity. So many things to prove, so many triggers and so many fears. i despise their competitiveness yet it strikes age old fear into my heart.
But today, as my little girl stood up there, i realize, she's from a different world. Even in America, she is not from the Chinese world of Cupertino. She is her own person and i loved how forthcoming she was to volunteer, how she was relaxed up on stage, didn't freak out when she made a mistake and was present enough to improvise.
Here is her speech. It didn't catch all the sound so listen up : )

Comments

[AhMah]

There's this poise of confidence about her. Think she's very comfortable sharing with her audience..much eye contacts..good job!

[Anna]

so adorable!! nally did great. she is such a great comforter to her classmates. that is amazing for her age!!

[Bitsy]

Nally looks like she is a naturally reticent child - kudos to you and your husband for bringing out the best in her. Such confidence can only come from being loved unconditionally by her family!