Mélange loves talking with people – sometimes, at least. In terms of oral communication, Mélange is at her best with small talk or one on one conversations. Communicating her skills to an interviewer at a job interview, or having tea at the cafe with a friend is a walk in the park. When meeting new people, she is always full of questions, probing at each newfound discovery – What does your name mean? Where did you grow up? Are you from Brooklyn?  The personal interaction between two people, bouncing off ideas and newly learned information is what excites her, and is itself the best, most authentic form of communicating. When asked to speak in front of an audience, given a question in class or asked to recite a speech, for instance, is when Mélange loses her spark. Perhaps it is the fear of being harshly judged or the rivalry between finding the right way to communicate a point that will appeal to the audience – Is this point relevant? I could look it up later; would I sound too smart if I say this? I could ask the professor after class; and the chain of “If’s” in conjunction with delayed attempts eventually dissolve into a pool of unspoken thoughts and once again Mélange goes unheard, with such a loud mind but a whispered voice.

Mélange wasn’t always this shy, as she has an adequate level of public speaking experience. She has given speeches from classroom presentations to auditorium assemblies. In her younger days, public speaking in front of large crowds was almost second nature. However, over time things have changed. Now as an undergrad in college, there is still an inner drive towards having her voice heard – but that urge is more often than not overpowered by shyness. This issue is most obvious during class. Everyone – even the professor – knows deep down, the communicative character has something to say, as she is very bright, talkative and full of great points to add to the conversation, but would much rather keep her thoughts to herself or neatly written out on the sidelines of her notebook.