Let Go

Sometimes opportunity knocks, sometimes it doesn't.

It was Tuesday morning, just before I leave for National Achievers Congress, I got an email, it's from Lay Theng, a super nice lady I know from Toastmaster. The e-mail says:

[Dear Jing Yi,

Good morning, and I hope this e-mail finds you well.

First of all, I wish to congratulate you for leading your Club to achieve such an excellent performance for this term. Please keep up the good job!

I wish to have a chat with you (or to meet up with you) on your plan for your involvement in Toastmasters next term.

Please let me know when I can give you a call. May I confirm that you mobile number is 017 250 2406?

Thank you.

--
Tan Lay Theng

Division W Governor Elect]

I went out slightly late replying her mail. She called me that night. I thought she's going to chat with me regarding the Club's achievement for my term since the Division Governor has been promoting the club in the Division Facebook group.

To my surprise, she offered me to become the Secretary for the coming Division W committee.

"I have observed you and your leadership over the year and I want you to join me in my Division W team. Will you join me?"

I had a sudden numb but I was honest,"Actually I have been considering to become the Area Governor but the problem is, I have a contract with Petronas and I don't know where I'll be working in the future, so I have to put myself out this year. I'm in shock right now because I've never thought that I'm capable to serve in the Division level. Thanks for offering but I would like have one day to think about it."

"Jing Yi, I respect your decision, I know that you are capable of serving this role with excellence and passion."

I had a long conversation with her that night. It was too sudden, it was the toughest Table Topics ever given by a Toastmaster.

I could be the youngest Division W committee ever~but should I?

As a Libra, I tend to be indecisive but I know I need to decide. I didn't turn to anyone and today, I replied.

[Dear Lay Theng,

First of all, I'm honored to be invited as one of the committee member in Division W for the coming term. As a Toastmaster, I have learned not to reject when someone ask me for a favor, I am sorry that I hesitated last night as I would normally say yes. I have been considering all the uncertainties that might happen after my graduation and it would be totally irresponsible for me to leave my work in the middle of my service. I have been thinking seriously about it and I think it would be unfair if others need to take up my role half way during the term. I would like to apologize that I do not deserve the post just yet. I believe there are more chances in the future for me to serve Division W. Thank you for your understanding.

Once again thank you.

Jing Yi

with passion to serve.]

I felt bad to turn her down, I denied the Law of Attraction, I said NO. I am always fortunate to receive unbearable help and guidance from other Toastmasters and Lay Theng is one of them. I wish to help her back so much because she's a true and humble leader. But I have failed to serve a great leader.

Life is all about making decisions. This is a painful one.

Letting go is one of the longest lines in the wisdom sheet, I have lots more to learn.

The Interview

Yesterday, I attended the structured interview by Petronas. Before that I was briefed on the format of the interview so I knew they will be testing my softskills, critical thinking and analytical skill. The interview turned out to be one of the best interview EVER!

It's fun but yet mind boggling. I enjoyed the session very much. Conventional interview is always the 'they ask you answer' method but in this interview, I had to be on par with them and lead the discussion.

After this, I will consider conventional interview as BORING!

Perfect 10

Never in my life that I think I want to surpass or even to emulate people that are more experience than me. I always tell myself not to compare with others. I have my path, they have their ways.

University Malaya Toastmasters Club is a place where my friends and I have put a lot of effort

in. Today, the club has achieved President's Distinguished Club status by scoring a perfect 10.

The ex-president, Kimmy Foo, who is also someone I take in as a role model, told me that we have surpassed her term.

Then came the message from the Vincent Chow, the Vice President Public Relations from Speakers' Dream, the oldest Toastmasters Club in the Peninsular Malaysia, saying that we brush our shoulders with MAICSA and TTDI (the two strongest clubs in Division W that score perfect 10 every year).

The Division W Governor came with the greetings. We are the first club in the Division to score the perfect 10!

Flashing at those time when the club is nearing the edge of closure, the three of us stood, kept the club running. We did go through a lot of tough times but I never want to surrender, and the pure heart's quest is answered today.

I'm glad I didn't give up despite receiving demotivating words, being trashed around like garbage. It makes me stronger and ever tougher to die.

Yes, I never want to surpass or even emulate anyone. But I know when the time comes, you will have what it takes to set the standard for others.

Don't bother

Not admiring those who can multi-task and still able to hit high on all aspects.

Salute on those who are actually not really functional but pretend to be busy with something, complain about everything are and annoy everyone who work with them.

They can really make you sick just by hearing the name.

I don't bother to even talk, waste of my energy and my ears have to suffer more complaints after that. Stay away from that kind of people, just to make my world more peaceful.

跑

我爱跑步。

前面有人，就奋力去追；后面有人，就奋力抛开。

前面是目标，后面是经验，不管目标有多远，我只管追，身上的经历和体验，能让我更强。

向前冲，冠军只有一个，我已习惯成为一个失败的人。

失败不是最恶，最恶是没勇气，至少我奋斗过，我会勇往直前。

我从没后悔。

Thoughts worth thinking

What have we learned from the past?

The Earth sent its second warning, people are struggling and Malaysians are posting status updates.

We are too defenseless, staying in the comfort zone. What would happen if Sumatera is not standing between us and the Indian Ocean.

The Japanese, on the other hand, had learned a lot from the disaster last year. Safety is always the first issue that cross their thoughts and we are here posting status update.

What if the tsunami really hit us?

Developed nation? But where's the first class mentality?

The missing identity

Sometimes, I'm confused about myself.

Being trained as a long distance runner by my first coach, I was chosen to take hurdles by my second coach. I was the long distance runner, hurdler and relay racer for my secondary school team.

When I entered the university, I lost my strength and stamina. At some point, I nearly gave up, I've been running on the wrong type of shoes and having knee problems. I found new hope in myself after trying on Nike Air and is currently a Nike Lunar user. I started to enjoy running again.

When I've decided to extend my long distance running to marathon, I got a call from Sports Centre that I was selected as a track and field athlete. My third coach (although I think he doesn't qualified) told me that I'm a sprinter, I argued and he insisted. Due to team requirement, I need to do middle distance which is 400 metres.

I begin to think if I need to play different roles at different stages of life. If I really need to do so I am ready because we don't get to decide on many things in life. We have to evolve and adapt to situations.