Monday, November 26, 2007

Sandakan Toastmasters in Medan

Last weekend, a few of Sandakan Toastmasters namely, Madame President herself, Datin Grace, CL Norman Chin, CL Amy Hiew, TM Bee Lin, CL Dusun and CC Margaret attended the District Semi Annual Convention in Medan.

So here's Norman's testimony on his trip to Medan...

“ Medan , here I come!”

That’s what on my mind when I boarded Air Asia AK5161 flying to Medan , Indonesia .

I finally went for my first ever District convention after joining Toastmasters Club for 5 years. Six of our club members, Bee Lin, President Grace, Amy, Magaret, Dusun and myself, went for the Medan Convention 2007, it turn out we have a wonderful and memorable time in Medan.

Being inspired by Past Internation President, DTM Dilip Abayasekara, outstanding speech was my best bid in the Medan Convention. I was also inspired by some of the outstanding Toastmasters who had shown great leadership skill, courage and dedication during the convention. By observing, I gain the momentum to serve the club and Toastmasters in better ways.

I enjoy Medan convention because I like to visit new places. Medan , Indonesia , is a brand new destination in my journey of traveling. Being in Medan , I have been able to try out different things such as their food, culture and languages. To be honest, Indonesia food was not really my type of food, but in life, we do have to try and enjoy something different once a while. As for the Indonesia culture, I learn the Indonesia people ways of dancing and I also learn a word of greeting “Horas”, which means welcome in Indonesia Language

On the last day of the convention, we were entertained by the finest speakers from varies Division competing in the Evaluation Contest and Humorous Speech contest. I am impressed by those top speakers and I certainly enjoy listening to their speeches and evaluation. Hopefully, our club representative will be competing in the stage soon.

This convention was really an eye opener for me, I believe I will attend more convention in the near future be it for fellowship, listening for great speeches or visiting new places, I enjoyed every moment of it. "

Sounds fun aye peeps?

Oh well, here're some snapshots of our members in Medan along with other Toastmasters.


For more updates and writes up; do visit Tawau Toastmasters site and our Area K2 site.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Inspire and Be Inspired!


Do not wait to be inspired. Why not search for it. Inspire yourself and those around you. For now, I would like to share a story that had inspired me and I hope it will inspire you too.
Who You Are Speaks LouderThan Anything You Can Say
By Lee Ryan Miller


I teach economics at UNLV three times per week. Last Monday, at the beginning of class, I cheerfully asked my students how their weekend had been. One young man said that his weekend had not been so good. He had his wisdom teeth removed. The young man then proceeded to ask me why I always seemed to be so cheerful.His question reminded me of something I’d read somewhere before: “Every morning when you get up, you have a choice about how you want to approach life that day,” I said. “I choose to be cheerful.”
“Let me give you an example,” I continued, addressing all sixty students in the class. “In addition to teaching here at UNLV, I also teach out at the community college in Henderson, 17 miles down the freeway from where I live. One day a few weeks ago I drove those 17 miles to Henderson. I exited the freeway and turned onto College Drive. I only had to drive another quarter mile down the road to the college. But just then my car died. I tried to start it again, but the engine wouldn’t turn over. So I put my flashers on, grabbed my books, and marched down the road to the college.“As soon as I got there I called AAA and arranged for a tow truck to meet me at my car after class. The secretary in the Provost’s office asked me what has happened. ‘This is my lucky day,’ I replied, smiling."Your car breaks down and today is your lucky day?" She was puzzled. "What do you mean?"“’I live 17 miles from here."I replied. "My car could have broken down anywhere along the freeway. It didn’t. Instead, it broke down in the perfect place: off the freeway, within walking distance of here. I’m still able to teach my class, and I’ve been able to arrange for the tow truck to meet me after class. If my car was meant to break down today, it couldn’t have been arranged in a more convenient fashion."
The secretary’s eyes opened wide, and then she smiled. I smiled back and headed for class. So ended my story.I scanned the sixty faces in my economics class at UNLV. Despite the early hour, no one seemed to be asleep. Somehow, my story had touched them. Or maybe it wasn’t the story at all. In fact, it had all started with a student’s observation that I was cheerful.Deepak Chopra has quoted an Indian wise man as saying,


“WHO you are speaks louder to me than anything you can say.” I suppose it must be so.

On a different note: Do a check. How do you feel about yourself today?
A comic strip for your entertainment.

Love Yourself People! :)


Tuesday, November 13, 2007

This was during last 1st training meeting for the month of November.
Madame president addressing her report

ACB David as the Toastmaster of the Evening



Luna was the November Babe. Happy Birthday Woman!

P.S. Today she leaves for Melbourn. Bon Voyage. Visit this site often to know how we are doing and we love to hear from you too!

Luna cutting her cake

Charlie Chong receiving award for best table topic taker


Prince and Princess Bollywood
We have our new CCs. :) Another goal achieved. Yipee!

Next Toastmasters of the Evening is CL Norman Chin

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Greeting to all my Marvelous Toastmasters!


Come and join in the fun, with the festive mood of "DEEPAVALI" at "THE MARK'S LODGE" (Bandar Indah) at 7.30pm - 10.30pm.


Share with us your hidden talents and present your best speech, be it your "ICE-BREAKER" or projects on your Competent Communication Manual, Advanced Communication Bronze, Silver or Gold.

For Members who had completed your CTM Projects, do charge your battery and go for your Competent Leader Achievements. Only Members who had serve as officers, can still present the projects on the OLD Competent Leader Manual till June 2008. Don't procrastinate, as time is important , as after 30th June 2008, members can only present their Competent Leader Projects with the NEW CL Manual.

For your information, the Toastmaster of the Evening is David Chong ACB. who join Sandakan Toastmasters Club in Sept, 2007. He is also a member of Tawau Toastmasters club and serving as their club secretary, who won the Division K Award last year, for his contribution to Tawau Toastmasters Club. Let us put our hands together and support him as the TME. Members, who are willing to take up roles or present their speeches, please kindly contact him at 0198336762, or VPE Norman Chin at 0138633907. Your commitments is their greatest support.

This is not all. As the theme for the coming training meeting is 'Bollywood Nite', there will be an award for the prince and princess of Bollywood. So, dress your best to match the theme and win a gift home sponsored by Your Madam President.

On another note, there will be another prize for the best Table Topic speakers sponsored by your President. Do come to join in the fun and at the same-time you are sharing your best with us.

Be that extraordinary person, as David Chong ACB had taken that lead. It is a choice to be extraordinary and it begins with yourself, then your team and finally the whole organization will excel.

Your attendance and participation is greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to your presence.

Yours in Toastmasters,
Grace Chiu CL
President 2007-2008.

Friday, November 2, 2007

4th Exco Meeting & Fellowship Dinner Sponsored by Luna Chua 7pm @ Mark Lodge Function Room


Correction: CL Datin Grace is on her 8th Speech, not 7th as written in th picture caption.



Cheers everyone!