Annual General Meeting - 26.06.2008

Hello Everyone,

If you are not aware that our term 2007/2008 is coming to an end, you better be now. Having said that, the AGM will be held on this coming Thursday (26 June 2008) at Mark's Lodge (Function Room), 7pm.

Do come and support the outgoing and incoming EXCO.

See you on Thursday!

p/s: Anyone hasn't buy a ticket for the installation yet? Please contact me or Norman. Thanks.

Appreciation Night.

We celebrated Father's Day a little bit different this year, we attended the appreciation night dinner organized by Mdm. President at Higashi Tei. We, in turn, being thanked for our efforts contributed, in one way or another, to our beloved club during this term that is going to end soon. *kudos for the generosity of Datin Grace*

It was pouring cats and dogs last night but the dinner was cozy and fun, with about 20 members turned up, we enjoyed the delicious Japanese delicacies and a lot of toasting that came with warm wishes.

Last night, Datuk Hassan grabbed this golden opportunity to present a brief speech and that's the spirit of toastmasters. Like he always emphasize to us, his hobby is talking and there you go, he did what he's best at doing and he's such a motivation to most of us.

I believed everyone enjoyed themselves very much during the dinner because there were blatant laughter, non-stop chit chatting and of course, endless supply of red wine, that's why do not be surprised that everyone was blushing and tipsy, except me *hehehe*

The ever bubbly Amy was very popular last night, thus we have so many shots of her and with her, see....

On a another note, Mdm. President was already handling over her "throne" to her successor, Norman while she prepares to conquer another role as the Area Governor, not forgetting to urge us to give our full support to him and continue to support her as the Area Governor. Of course we will, don't worry, you are not alone.

Like i always say, happy moments passed by so quickly that they seemed like a glimpse when you recall them. New term is around the corner and please be reminded that the Annual General Meeting will be held on 26 June 2008 at Mark's Lodge, Function Room. Your attendance will Make A Difference to the club and you are always welcome to show your support to the outgoing and incoming EXCO members and officers.

I will end with a fav photo from last night, reminds me of New York Girls, although only 3 of us in the photo.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow" - Albert Einstein

TM @ Borneo

The trip to Bahvest, Silam was organized by the very hospitable Mdm. President Datin Grace, she picked the right time, the right date and without hesitation, invited all the members who wished to join the fun. Even though some of them could not go, those who went would bring back vivid description, heartfelt joy and picturesque photos of the place.

The day started off as a sunny bright morning and even though we departed later than we had scheduled, the journey was all in good hands. When we arrived at Lahad Datu, we were served the most delicious chicken rice and fish balls in the town at a restaurant named Do Vist. Yeah, the name said it all, do visit the restaurant if you are going to Lahad Datu. Following by the lunch was the journey to a place where i would describe it as a "Hidden Eden".

Once we set foot at the rest house, we were welcomed by the cooling sea breeze, then when we looked around, the only thing we saw was the magnificent view overseeing the vast ocean with turquoise blue water, i think everyone was amazed by the beauty of the place despite there was no swaying coconut trees nor powdery white sand. Soon, we were led by the friendly staff to tour the fish sanctuary. After the educational tour and with curiosity kills the cat type of mindset, we ended up knowing a little bit more about different type of fishes.

After touring the entire fish sanctuary, we proceeded with our training meeting. Albeit it was an outdoor meeting, the meeting was conducted properly with a proper agenda just like our ordinary twice in a month training meeting. The table topic session was conducted by ACB Luna Chua, with the acronym BAHVEST (Borneo Aqua Harvest) where the speakers were allowed to boast about their power of imagination and wide range of knowledge. Nevertheless, CC Melissa presented 2 CL projects in a row where she gained her CL successfully from this trip.

After the meeting, everyone wanted to relax and enjoy the surrounding better. Therefore, some chose to chit chat with each other while enjoying their daily dose of caffeine and others were all geared up and wanted to dip into the turquoise blue water with countless live corals and sea urchin underneath.

It was getting dark and it could only mean one thing - dinner's time! Thanks to the generosity of the host and hostess, we were served a variety of sumptuous BBQ dishes and seafood. The staffs were being very helpful in preparing the food, from marinating to grilling and served us. Not only that, we enjoyed the raisin cake baked by Dora as dessert and drinks after the dinner.

After a day of joy and fun, everyone fell into slumber land and prepared for an early morning "round-the-island" trip on the next day. The kind host brought us for a boat ride to witness for ourselves what's hidden at the opposite islands. To our amazement, it was truly an eye opener moment where there were countless colorful corals underneath us, reflected more vibrantly by the blue sky and sunny day light.

Happy moments passed by quickly, soon after the boat ride, we had to leave for Sandakan. However, everyone left the place feeling recharged, contented and grateful for what we had indulged in over the weekend.

This trip does Make A Difference to us. Thanks to Mdm. President, Datin Grace!

In the end, there is a new beginning...

It is June now. The term is coming to an end. However, already promising a new, optimistic, challenging, and definitely, a fantastic term.

A lot has happened over the year. Mostly good stuff.

When Sandakan Toastmasters charged into the new term just twelve months ago, I recalled everyone was so enthusiastic. Re-born. So determine to take up the term's challenges. Ever positive that the club will march its way again to a President Distinguished Club. True enough, the club succeed with an excellent 10 out of 10 goals.

New blog, wider exposure, new members, new friends, new meeting venue, outings, conventions, contests, occasional fellowships etc and more are among the things that revolved around the club.

It had been a great journey. :)

Anyways, Madame President Datin Grace would like to invite members of Sandakan Toastmasters to an Appreciation Dinner to be held at the following:-

Date: 15th June 2008 Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Higashi Tei, Bandar Indah

Do confirm attendance, k.

Last but not least, to view pictures on recent outings to Borneo Aqua Harvest Fish Farm, Lahad Datu, click here

Our journey on 31 May 2008.

* This post is a REAL bandwidth killer. You have been warned*

When Mdm. President organized this trip, i was so eager to go along, not only because it's a long weekend holiday, it's because how others who had been there kept praising how beautiful the place was and how they missed it. We went to a fish sanctuary that claims in its official website that "....... pioneers the commercial mass production of consumer high value marine fish species, with focus on marine fish breeding and hatchery to research and development activities in Malaysia.....". To find out more, please visit Borneo Aqua Harvest Berhad * clickety click*

Ok, good things come to those who wait. I'll summarize our trip with lotsa lotsa lotsa photos, that's why this post is a bandwidth killer, please do not proceed if you are encountering snail speed Internet service recently, ok?

The opening, of course it has to be started off with a group photo! So nice...*blink eyes*

We had our stomach filled at a place called Do Vist in the township of Lahad Datu where we enjoyed delicious chicken rice, curry, tempura vege, fish balls, young coconuts etc and yes, we were full, then the journey continued with bumpy road.....

The staffs were kind enough to show us around and explained to us patiently about the types of fish they are having and the whole process to get them from fries to big fishes that are fit to be exported. Unfortunately for us girls, it was a super sunny day....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meeting Time ~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the meeting....we proceed with more photos.....=)

The end.

What? You want more? Come back to visit us for more updates, perhaps. Or at least wait till i'm recovered from my island withdrawal syndrom.

Bye bye!