I used to be the shyest person in the world. I hid behind my older sister, whenever I had to speak to a(n) 1 person-including the McDonald's cashier, or even a distant relative.
2 asked to speak in class, I could hardly 3, much less speak. Even among the few friends I had, my high, timid (羞怯的) voice earned me jokes-about being a girl.
Then in the seventh grade, my sister suggested I 4 voice lessons. After a little bit of 5, I did as long as it stayed a secret. I began a series of vocal (发声的) exercising. After exercising a lot, I finally gained 6 in my voice.
A few months later, I was asked to sing for some retired people. I thought I would do better than before 7 the voice lessons. I opened my mouth and nothing. I couldn't remember the words of the song! My face turned hot. The 8 pianist whispered a prompt (提示), and I remembered just enough to keep singing.
Then the thought 9 me: I've embarrassed (尴尬)myself enough in front of this 10. There's really nothing else to lose. So in my second song, I just 11 and felt the energy of the song lift me. And I did much better.
After that, I started singing to myself as 12 as I could in my own room. That's something I would never have done before.
On a recent school trip, I was asked to sing again. It was 13 how much people liked my singing. One classmate 14 said that I should be in the school's talent show.
I am not a shy person any more. 15 has made me more outgoing. Today, I'm almost a loudmouth. I can meet people without being afraid. I can also stand in front of the whole class and give a big speech. I am proud of myself.
