A Colourful World! When Chee Wah proposed this theme, I thought to myself, how do I relate that to my opening address? Turns out, it wasn’t very hard. Because everywhere I looked, I saw different colours. In the colours, I saw different hues. Can anyone say with absolute certainty that you are the exact same colour as me? I won’t be surprised if you end up asking which part of me am I talking about? Even I am not made up of only one colour.
Then, when I look deeper, in the underlying layers of each person, I see even more colour. The red of passion and anger; the blue of calm and serenity; the green of harmony and sometimes, envy; and the yellow of joy, happiness and excitement.
And that’s the beauty of this world – we are all different. Not only in colour. But in personality, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses. We are all individuals. Flawed, imperfect. And sometimes we forget that, focusing so much attention on our flaws, we neglect our strengths.
[video presentation – visit http://yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com/2009/04/film-we-made-recently-commissioned-by.html]
Again, that’s the beauty of this world. Flawed. Imperfect. Yet, perfect. In the eyes of all those who love you.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
President's Address - 12 Feb 2009
I am a "failure". At the age of 30, I don’t have the things I coveted as a child. I’m not happily married to a wonderful man, I don’t live in a cottage-like house, and I don’t drive a sexy sports car.
I blamed my mother for her nagging; I blamed my father for his contentedness; I blamed my brothers for being smarter than me; I blamed God for giving me the worst traits of man – laziness, average intelligence, poor figure. I blamed everything and everyone else for my own shortcomings.
But looking back, who chose to watch TV instead of study? Who chose not to exercise? Who chose to give up the opportunity of a higher paying job? Who? Let me share with you a story.
During the legend King Arthur’s time, he had an advisor, the wise wizard called Merlin. His wisdom annoyed two young princes who decided they were going to challenge him. They ran to the tree by the stream, and caught a little bird in their hands. They were going to ask Merlin if the bird in their hands was alive or dead. If he answered alive, they would crush it to death. If he answered dead, they would let it go free. They were confident their plan was foolproof. They ran up to Merlin and mockingly, asked him, “Merlin! Merlin! Is the bird in our hands dead or alive?” Bending down, he gently replied, “My children, the life and death of this little bird is in your hands.” The life and death of this little bird is in your hands.
Our lives are in our own hands. What happens, and what doesn’t happen for us, is the result of our own doing. If I had studied instead of watch TV, I could’ve got straight As. If I had exercised instead of eat 24/7, I wouldn’t be this fat. If I had switched jobs four years ago when I had the chance, I would be making double my current salary.
I don’t know how you feel about your own life. I don’t know where you stand. But I do know I don’t want to be a "failure" anymore. I am the choreographer of my own life. You are the choreographer of your own life. Let us, be the change.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
I blamed my mother for her nagging; I blamed my father for his contentedness; I blamed my brothers for being smarter than me; I blamed God for giving me the worst traits of man – laziness, average intelligence, poor figure. I blamed everything and everyone else for my own shortcomings.
But looking back, who chose to watch TV instead of study? Who chose not to exercise? Who chose to give up the opportunity of a higher paying job? Who? Let me share with you a story.
During the legend King Arthur’s time, he had an advisor, the wise wizard called Merlin. His wisdom annoyed two young princes who decided they were going to challenge him. They ran to the tree by the stream, and caught a little bird in their hands. They were going to ask Merlin if the bird in their hands was alive or dead. If he answered alive, they would crush it to death. If he answered dead, they would let it go free. They were confident their plan was foolproof. They ran up to Merlin and mockingly, asked him, “Merlin! Merlin! Is the bird in our hands dead or alive?” Bending down, he gently replied, “My children, the life and death of this little bird is in your hands.” The life and death of this little bird is in your hands.
Our lives are in our own hands. What happens, and what doesn’t happen for us, is the result of our own doing. If I had studied instead of watch TV, I could’ve got straight As. If I had exercised instead of eat 24/7, I wouldn’t be this fat. If I had switched jobs four years ago when I had the chance, I would be making double my current salary.
I don’t know how you feel about your own life. I don’t know where you stand. But I do know I don’t want to be a "failure" anymore. I am the choreographer of my own life. You are the choreographer of your own life. Let us, be the change.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
President's Address - 8 Jan 2009
This recent Saturday, my uncle invited my family for dinner just behind my house. So after eating, we all went back to my place. As always, my uncle started telling us his stories. And we love listening to him. He’s so animated and so entertaining! We really get into his stories ourselves.
My uncle enjoys going to the flea market near Petaling Street in the early hours of the morning. One day, he saw this man coming out of a taxi with pots of bonsai. Different shapes, different sizes. Beautiful pots. But for some reason or other, the man sold the plants at only RM9 per pot.
The man had one particularly persistent buyer who swiftly picked up the pots of bonsais, paid the right amount and hurried off to the other end of the same street. And lo and behold, guess what he was doing?! The buyer was re-selling the bonsais he just bought for RM9 each at RM100 each. And the beauty of this story is that people were buying them from him!
Ladies and gentlemen, my initial reaction was that this was the joke of the year. After settling down, and giving the first man the benefit of the doubt, I’m sure for reasons of his own, RM9 per pot was good enough for him. I wish I was there to interview him for answers.
But let’s take a look at the second man. Undoubtedly, he saw something of value. On top of that, he must be a pretty good salesman because he obviously capitalized on his ability to market and sell. The two qualities - knowledge and ability to sell - put together became a potent combination. His knowledge equaled ten-folds in revenue.
This calls to mind the saying of an American entrepreneur, Robert Schuller. He said, “High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately.”
Think about it - there are 20, 30 of us here today from different backgrounds, with different expertise. If all of us pooled our resources together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. Just that would seal DU Advanced's position as the best darn Club in the Klang Valley and propel us forward towards meeting the mission of Toastmasters International and the Club.
Let’s be the change in this new year 2009.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
My uncle enjoys going to the flea market near Petaling Street in the early hours of the morning. One day, he saw this man coming out of a taxi with pots of bonsai. Different shapes, different sizes. Beautiful pots. But for some reason or other, the man sold the plants at only RM9 per pot.
The man had one particularly persistent buyer who swiftly picked up the pots of bonsais, paid the right amount and hurried off to the other end of the same street. And lo and behold, guess what he was doing?! The buyer was re-selling the bonsais he just bought for RM9 each at RM100 each. And the beauty of this story is that people were buying them from him!
Ladies and gentlemen, my initial reaction was that this was the joke of the year. After settling down, and giving the first man the benefit of the doubt, I’m sure for reasons of his own, RM9 per pot was good enough for him. I wish I was there to interview him for answers.
But let’s take a look at the second man. Undoubtedly, he saw something of value. On top of that, he must be a pretty good salesman because he obviously capitalized on his ability to market and sell. The two qualities - knowledge and ability to sell - put together became a potent combination. His knowledge equaled ten-folds in revenue.
This calls to mind the saying of an American entrepreneur, Robert Schuller. He said, “High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately.”
Think about it - there are 20, 30 of us here today from different backgrounds, with different expertise. If all of us pooled our resources together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. Just that would seal DU Advanced's position as the best darn Club in the Klang Valley and propel us forward towards meeting the mission of Toastmasters International and the Club.
Let’s be the change in this new year 2009.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Thursday, September 11, 2008
President's Address - 11 Sep 2008
Date: 11 September 2008 (Thu)
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club!
The other day I was having tea with my 13-year-old niece when she suddenly started jumping excitedly in her seat. “Debbie jie jie, Debbie jie jie, let me tell you a story.” Before I could say anything, she began,
“One day, a teacher asked her students to list their ideas about the modern Seven Wonders of the World. There were some disagreements, but the following got the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica, and
7. China's Great Wall.
While collecting the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student did not turn in her paper. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.
The girl answered her teacher, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, and then she read out loud, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch
2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear
5. to feel
6. to laugh, and
7. to love."
To be honest, that was not the first time I’d heard this story. Today may not be the first time you are hearing this story. It’s all over the Internet. Think about it though - we are always looking for, we’re always in awe of the biggest, the tallest, the longest, the oldest structure to remind us of greatness. But we forget the greatest wonder of the world – US. For without us, there would not be great structures.
Let us start each day reminding ourselves that we have the best gifts bestowed upon us – the gift of warmth, the gift of sight, the gift of sound, the gift of emotions, the gift of love – it is only when we appreciate our wonders can we then be able to share and touch the lives of others. Love ourselves and enjoy our gifts! Be the change!
Thank you.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest
Opening Address
A contest is defined as a competition; as a struggle for superiority, or victory between rivals. Today, D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters compete.
Good luck to the men and women who dream of victory in today’s contest and have moved one step closer to realizing that dream through the spirit of competition. As Leon J Suenes said, “Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”
Let the contest begin!
Closing Address
There may be winners. There may be losers. But Steve Young, a former San Francisco 49er quarterback said, “The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” And I like to think we all are.
Thank you again to the contestants, role players, organizers and last but not least, the audience who have each contributed, albeit in a minor way, to the major success that is this evening. I hope to see all of you again at our next meeting on 11 September 2008. Drive safely. Thank you and good night!
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
A contest is defined as a competition; as a struggle for superiority, or victory between rivals. Today, D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters compete.
Good luck to the men and women who dream of victory in today’s contest and have moved one step closer to realizing that dream through the spirit of competition. As Leon J Suenes said, “Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”
Let the contest begin!
Closing Address
There may be winners. There may be losers. But Steve Young, a former San Francisco 49er quarterback said, “The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” And I like to think we all are.
Thank you again to the contestants, role players, organizers and last but not least, the audience who have each contributed, albeit in a minor way, to the major success that is this evening. I hope to see all of you again at our next meeting on 11 September 2008. Drive safely. Thank you and good night!
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Thursday, August 14, 2008
President's Address - 14 Aug 2008
Date: 14 August 2008 (Thu)
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club!
Today I am going to do things a little differently. I am going to begin with a demonstration. May I have a volunteer?
[Demonstration on self-affirmation. Sorry you can’t view it!]
You saw it for yourself. The power of self affirmation, which is a subset of autosuggestion. Negativity breeds negativity. Likewise, positivity breeds positivity.
And we can employ this method for anything in any way, at any time. It doesn’t have to be only for the big things in life. Even simple things in life, such as driving. How many of us here drive? Driving comes very naturally, doesn’t it? You get in the car, turn the ignition, engage the gear and you’re off. Very methodical. Very simple.
Not at all. I had my driver’s license for ten years. But never used it. I was afraid. I was fortunate that I have a good friend. She was patient enough to teach me how to drive again. And in her Mercedes at that!
When I finally had enough to courage to drive alone again, I would go to work in my car, Madison. Maddy and I cruised the streets of PJ together. One day, my friend asked me why I always took the longer route home. I was afraid. To cross the busy junction behind my house.
One day, I woke up and told myself I was going to cross that busy junction. I told myself “I can do it.” I didn’t. The next day I told myself again, “I can do it.” Twice. I didn’t. I must have said it a million times to myself before today. And now, I really can.
Self affirmation. Autosuggestion. If there’s anything to learn, I think it’s important for us to make self talk an everyday activity for ourselves. It worked for me. It can for you too.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club!
Today I am going to do things a little differently. I am going to begin with a demonstration. May I have a volunteer?
[Demonstration on self-affirmation. Sorry you can’t view it!]
You saw it for yourself. The power of self affirmation, which is a subset of autosuggestion. Negativity breeds negativity. Likewise, positivity breeds positivity.
And we can employ this method for anything in any way, at any time. It doesn’t have to be only for the big things in life. Even simple things in life, such as driving. How many of us here drive? Driving comes very naturally, doesn’t it? You get in the car, turn the ignition, engage the gear and you’re off. Very methodical. Very simple.
Not at all. I had my driver’s license for ten years. But never used it. I was afraid. I was fortunate that I have a good friend. She was patient enough to teach me how to drive again. And in her Mercedes at that!
When I finally had enough to courage to drive alone again, I would go to work in my car, Madison. Maddy and I cruised the streets of PJ together. One day, my friend asked me why I always took the longer route home. I was afraid. To cross the busy junction behind my house.
One day, I woke up and told myself I was going to cross that busy junction. I told myself “I can do it.” I didn’t. The next day I told myself again, “I can do it.” Twice. I didn’t. I must have said it a million times to myself before today. And now, I really can.
Self affirmation. Autosuggestion. If there’s anything to learn, I think it’s important for us to make self talk an everyday activity for ourselves. It worked for me. It can for you too.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Installation Dinner Speech
Date: 2 August 2008 (Sat)
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Royale Bintang, The Curve
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to record thanks to the organizing chair, Lee Wei Seong, for his gallant effort tonight. It is probably the first event in the last year that he has organized. Without my help. Also, thanks to his carefully chosen organizing committee, specially invited guests, representatives from other respected Toastmasters Clubs, and most of all, to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters for gracing this event with your presence.
I received an SMS this morning from a fellow member who missed the last meeting and is not present this evening. It read, “Have fun at installation dinner tonight. The work begins tomorrow. Hahaha.” I sent out this reply, “Hahaha, the work began a month ago actually.”
The executive committee is privileged to be selected to run this term. Thank you for the honour and confidence in us to take you through your TM journey in 2008 / 2009. We are here to meet your goals and needs, to be competitive, and to be in the company of other like-minded Toastmasters.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I personally had a wonderful term as VPE last year with many fond memories I’d like to share. But I am not here to talk about the past. Let’s talk about the future.
I foresee a bumpy road. And I am sure as we move along on this journey, there will be butterflies in the stomach. Yet, the anxieties, many as they come, will make our journey towards becoming better and greater communicators one worth travelling.
Collectively, the EXCO, we want very much to be able to be there, to provide you the platform, the support, the encouragement, the mentorship. It is a privilege for us to be there for you. Indeed, our job is to create the opportunity for you to meet your goals every step of the way.
I learned in the last term not to have lofty goals. So this year, I am going to say - it’s not about being President’s Distinguished Club or champion of the world. We do not promise you great things. But we are determinedly realistic about our desire to help you take one step forward from last term towards achieving your goal. And hopefully, along the way, we do become President’s Distinguished and champion of the world. As my boss always tells me, “It’s not the winning that matters. It’s the process of getting there that makes a difference.” We want to see you "Be The Change", which coincidentally is the club's theme for the year.
Division B Governor, DTM Zaharah Ibrahim said earlier in her address that she once visited a DU Advanced meeting, but she didn't have the courage to join the club. I tell you honestly, Zaharah, "I'm glad I did!"
Thank you and good night.
Best regards,
Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
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