Test Speaker

There's no better way to improve your public speaking skill than to present a speech and get evaluated. And there's no better place to do it in the evaluation contest. You can't find that many people evaluating you. Speakers' Dream proved to be a challenging club to do a test speech and it's a privilege to become a test speaker, two consecutive years.

Speaking of how I became the test speaker, hmmm...it was luck. Last year, I joked to one of the Area Governor that I would like to try test speaker, since I have tried all the roles in a contest (yes, even judging). She has seen me many times at different contests, even at other Division. And the test speaker for SD happened to turn down on the organising chair (The Area Governor), two days before the competition. She called me and said, 'Jing Yi, I'm not joking, you are going to be the test speaker for my club contest.' Feeling bad about turning her down, since she's been nice to me, challenge accepted. I took once of my previous speech and presented the speech.

Although I spoke a test speech at Taylor's earlier but I didn't get the evaluations expected. SD is the place I was looking for.

Pictures taken by TARC: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255190244501438.64819.170576959629434&type=3

It was absolutely nerve-breaking, to present a speech in front of many accomplished Toastmasters, DTM K Loghandran (some one who I really look up at) was one of them. In the end, I received not only the evaluation from the contestants but the audience as well. (Tang Sum Chee, Cheong Kok Sum, Chan Siew Peng)

My speech delivery has improved A LOT since then even I could believe it.

This year, I was lucky again to visit their meeting, 3 weeks before their club contest. Knowing about my promising commitment, I was asked to become the test speaker again. Since I have more time, I wrote a new speech in conjunction with the Olympic Games.

SD's blog: http://sdtmc.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/speakers-dream-humorous-speech-speech-evaluation-contests-2012/

It was a fruitful night for me again. Evaluations. To make me a better speaker.

Anyhow, I think better not become a frequent speaker in the club as test speaker should normally be kept anonymous, so I think better find another place next time. There are more clubs out there, or I can even try the Area Contests. =)

I'm glad with the decision I made which has made the changes.

死穴

有时在想，自己做事的原则和理念是什么，别人又是怎样看我的作风呢？

我承认自己有些我行我素（人家好意提醒：你是个有想法的人），但是只有少数人知道我是不爱做选择的人。当然在这几年间一直秉持的原则和理念并没有改变，反而变得有想法，而不再我行我素。学会聆听是一门学问，学会取舍也需要智慧。

聽，以耳为王，十目一心

我要何时才能领会‘聽’的智慧

取舍，有舍才有能取

我不曾害怕输在起跑点，因为我已知道要怎样漂亮的跑完，更重要的是原则和理念没有动摇，反而给我方向。

毕竟我跑过的故事不曾有过完美的起跑，却又很多漂亮的终点。

我的对手就是我

这或许是优点，或许是死穴。

如果是优点，那就好；

如果是死穴，那就给我个痛快，我要是死不去就会很快爬起来。

这次死不去，反而让我看到方向。虽然还看不到终点，但是我知道，我不会迷路。

The graduation trip

It's been a week since I return from my graduation trip and I've been busy editing all the videos. It's the greatest enjoyment of life when you get to flash back to all the sweetest memories. And this trip is certainly one of them, I will cherish the friendship till the end of time. The greatest thing you can give is forgiveness, and I'm so glad that we have each other for 4 years.

I didn't take many photos because I find video making more enjoyable, I couldn't stop laughing looking at ourselves.

Day 1 &2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbl43tIoSTY&feature=youtu.be

Day 3&4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUMlUX70JXg&feature=youtu.be

Day 5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCLBw6ll3KY&feature=youtu.be

Day 6:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuutjRcfe4&feature=youtu.be

Day 7&8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp3GTLoIbkY&feature=youtu.be

As usual, our random and absolutely normal act:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHxHHTdlZIg&feature=youtu.be

And those not appear on the big screens:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5PprFVM7U8&feature=youtu.be

I seriously believe that we can make a movie, judging from our acts. Looks professional and authentic. I mean, what else can you ask for, a bunch of friends that are willing to act funny.

Penang Trip with Coursemates

Can't actually describe my feeling, it's all written in the videos.

It was quite disappointing that only 8 out of 13 of us made it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSdchOQZfbI

Food on Day 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM5YT7_i9rE

Food on Day 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCZZDjfUrZ0

Food on Day 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPJvooqHfY

Our playful side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4koNBAuxhE

The scenery of the places we went to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc8tYSQXzZk

Behind the scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox5YXEwufv0

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.