18th Meeting (26th March 2013)

Hello again everyone! Hope you've had a blessed Good Friday, and looking forward to a rejuvenating weekend! :) 

Initially, I thought writing this write up was probably going to be hard because, prior to me leaving Celyn Hotel the other day, I realized all my hand-scribbled notes were GONE!! But as I recap the awesomeness of our last meeting, it was still clear in my head and suddenly, words were coming back to me! :)

Chartered Themed Meeting has always been a dear occasion to the hearts of KKTMC members. For this was the month in 1990, when a group of visionary professionals who ignited the torch of KKTMC, 23 years ago! So when we gather our senior Toastmasters back in our midst, it's just mind-blowing! 

Here are just some of the highlights of the evening:

Our TME Abu Bakar Sheriff, DTM took the extra mile and got KKTMC a lip-smacking cheese cake for KKTMC's 23rd Anniversary! I especially liked how he had prepared a few ordinary things like a toothpick, a rubber band, eraser... and with that incorporate a life lesson to them. One that really stuck was when he showed us a rubber band and told us to be flexible in life! :) 

Our first timer Table Topics Master, Paul Chen, CTM, made the session a little different by putting up a slide with D.A.R.H tips to help members in their attempts at his questions! Well done Paul! :) 

We had 5 speakers and they all did commendably! Here's a glimpse of their speeches:

Janice Tan (CC2 "After 12") shared the many importance of sleeping at least 8 hours a day, while Eilvane Chieng (CC9 "Get Moving") persuaded us to get up and start exercising! 

Jasmine Leong, ACS, ALS (ACG9 "Beethoven") brought the famous Beethoven and his music back to life with his story! Fia Iskandar, CC (ACB5 "Presenting an Award") presented an to her hero and her most respected person of all - her Father, and Nora Ridzwan, CC, ALB (ACB9 "A Walk to Remember") captivated us with her as she read to us a chapter from the famous story of Nicholas Sparks! 

As I mentioned earlier, we had the privilege of having some of our seniors back with us this meeting! So we decided that we should hear from them! We had not just one, or two, but we had 4 enthusiastic senior members who shared with us their nostalgic memories with the club and with their words of affirmation, encouraged us to push on in our journey with Toastmasters! Thank you Datuk Casey & Datuk Adeline Leong, Uncle Iskandar Ahmad and Uncle Christopher Liew! 

With that my friends, I hope you've loved your journey with Toastmasters and I look forward to seeing you again at our next meeting  on 9th April!

Yours in Toastmasters,

Jamie

17th Meeting 2012-2013 (12th March 2013)

Dear Toastmasters and Friends, 

Hello again from your President! With the flash of light, we're already nearing the end of the week! Hope yours was productive thus far? 

After every meeting, I try my best to write a recap, so for those who were there, can re-live our journey and perhaps cast a smile on your memory; as for everyone else who couldn't make it, hope this little recap bridge a connection and keeps you updated. :) 

In the short span of our last meeting, we have learned...:

1. That our Emylia was an athletic and competitive girl, who was a freelance model and now a teacher! (Emylia Philip, CC1 "The Day I was Born")

2. That Dean has found the Elixir of Immortality..... WATER! (CC3 "Elixir of Life")

3. That daring to be wrong & curious is a journey to redefining ourselves (Vijay Panickar, CC5 "Recreate Yourself")

4. That a doctor's life may not be as glamorous as it seems (Raoul Yong, CC6 "Underneath the White Coat")

5. That adding some Green (vegetables), Yellow (banana), Red (tomatoes) colors to our diet is healthier that the shades of Brown - fried chicken, buns, fries (Eilvane Chieng, CC8 "You are what You Eat")

All the speakers have of course, did a commendable job! I'd have gladly expound on what they have spoken, but what I really want to share with you this time is a reflection of how I was inspired and touched by the thoughts and actions from the members of our club. 

First, I thought it was really sweet of Amanda Chung to have brought us a chocolate cake made by her students, and shared it with us, also so she can celebrate her upcoming birthday with her Toastmasters Family!! She could have shared this with anyone else but she chose to share it with us! And whenever this comes to mind, I am truly moved by her simple gesture. :) Ooh! Not to mention, she was the Table Topics Evaluator to our seasoned "uncle" Yee That Hian!! It's definitely not an easy task, but I think she passed with flying colors!  

I was also inspired by a very new member Rogers Tiam Sinusun. He was our first timer Invocator and gave us "Positive Thinking Brings Positive Attitude"! And positive attitude was what he possesses! For when we were having our after meeting "yamcha" session, I found out that his job requires him to travel out of town, a lot! So he actually put his foot down and made a pact with his boss, every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, it's his Toastmasters Day!! Thumbs up to Rogers for he didn't have time for Toastmasters, he MADE TIME for Toastmasters!! 

The words from our District Governor Richard Gontusan resonates in my head "The best people you'll ever meet, are the people you meet in Toastmasters". KKTMC boasts of colorful people with many different things to offer, and I'm truly thankful to everyone for making it such a pleasurable journey for me with Toastmasters! 

With that, I look forward to seeing everyone again soon to yet another fruitful journey with Toastmasters!

Sincerely,

Jamie

16th Meeting 2012-2013 (26th February 2013)

Dear Fellow Toastmasters and Friends, 

As I'm sitting here, trying to recap our last meeting, I realized that words were just not enough to describe the magnitude of positive charge and vibrancy that we felt at our last meeting! But I'll try my best...

I'm sure many of us have received the heartwarming email from our guest, Paul... I must say that I fully agree with him! For a successful meeting is the result of the combined efforts from all the team players!

So I'd really like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart to all my EXCOs for their marvelous efforts and going the extra mile. I honestly think I'm the luckiest president because of this team! 

Of course, not forgetting two thumbs up to our TME Christine Yap, DTM and all the role players! There were a mix and matched of seasoned and also first timer role players, and senior members, assisting the more junior members with their roles. From where I was sitting, I noticed our District Governer, Richard Gontusan, DTM, a seasoned grammarian himself, didn't hesitate to guide Amanda through her first time as a Grammarian!

We had a variety of speakers that evening, a total of 6 quality speakers ranging from Ice-Breakers to Advanced Speakers.

Janice Tan (CC1 "First Impression), already a natural speaker herself with a good command of English and also a sense of humour! She shared with us a short story about herself, her life and her dream goals. She was evaluated by Aaron Vun, who was also a first timer evaluator, but did a great job in pointing out her strengths and points for improvement! Well done, you guys! :) 

Melinda Chua (CC1 "My Journey Starts Here"), started her speech with a thorough research on the origins of "Ice-Breaking", then led us smoothly into her main points of her speech. I really liked how she was so sincere in her speech when telling us about her reserved personality, and taking her first step out of her "comfort-lab" by joining Toastmasters!

Nanthakumar Kumaresan (ACB1 "The Fisherman and the Goblet") shared with us a beautiful story of how a princess who learned that love was all about the heart and not the appearance. It was a really good effort from our speaker who had spent almost a year away from us in India, and now, continuing his speeches. I salute to his enthusiasm, and really looking forward to better speeches from him! Well done! 

Nora Liew (ACB4 "Heroes of KKTMC) presented an award to not one, but three Toastmasters that she felt deserves of such award. I like her take on this because she awarded this to our SAA Darvis, Treasurer Adeline, and Bulletin Editor Amanda, the silent and unsung heroes of the club! I wonder if she were to really choose 1 person for the award, who might that be?

Nora Ridzwan (ACB8 "Silver Lining") with her quote that really struck me "Everyday you do not do what you're passionate about, a piece of you died". Teary eyes, and all, she gave us a heartfelt, flawless speech about finding the silver lining in life. Dancing was her life, but an accident almost tore her life apart. Strong willed she is, she found her silver lining again. Bravo!

Jasmine Leong (ASG8 "Who's your Gonzo?") gave us an interesting perspective. While we're used to inspiring speeches on how to get back up when we fall, Jasmine's speech was about helping others when they are lost. Through the captivating story of 2 huskies, she reminded us of a selfless moral - To find, and be someone's eyes in life, when they are lost. 

As an incentive to deliver their best, we were also voting for the best speaker and evaluator! The recipients are...... 

Best Speaker: Nora Ridzwan

Best Evaluator: Aaron Subash George

Congratulation and well done you guys! :)

We also welcomed the latest addition to our KKTMC family!! Fauziah Mat Noor, who has been a true supporter all this while and finally taking this step to challenge herself!! Welcome mama Fi!! :) 

Everyone did a commendable job that evening and it has truly been a lovely journey! Thank you to all who came, for your presence was what made last meeting such an AWESOME one!! 

Thank you!

Yours in Toastmasters, 

Jamie

Jamie Chieng

President, KKTMC 2012-2013

"LOVE THE JOURNEY"