Happy Deepavali

Vanessa in the centre, flanked by the first and second runner-up.

Today is Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus throughout the world. I understand that the Indians who are Christians do not celebrate Deepavali.

Last evening, we had the Toastmasters' International Celebration at the Grassroots Club at Yio Chu Kang. About 350 toastmasters turned up for the evening of fun, good food and dancing. There was an Elvis Wannabe Contest where participants had to dance Elvis style to the rock-and-roll played by the DJ. We coerced our member, Louiis Tan, to go up and dance. He came in first, winning a bottle of red wine as his prize. Louiis generously shared his wine with the rest of us at his table. Our lovely and attractive Vice President for Education, Vanessa Yong, came in first for the best dressed lady. She looked really stunning in her gold braided kebaya. I hope I am not being too opinionated when I say that Vanessa looked even more beautiful than our Miss Singapore, Miss Carol Cheong, in her outlandish evening gown!!! We were above the moon, with two of our members sweeping the first two prizes. Vanessa traded her prize of a lovely rice cooker with the prize, a bottle of Baccardi won by Tim, a British working at Walton Landbanking. Vanessa wanted to share the bottle of Baccardi with everyone of her colleagues.

I was somewhat disappointed to see that the great majority of the members left early and did not stay on to dance like all our club members did. Hence it was heartening to note that Mr. Gea Ban Peng and a few key personnel stayed on to dance till almost closing time! After all, isn't life all about making use of opportunities presented before us? At Dennis Wee Realty, we all try to emulate our great boss, Mr. Wee. We work hard and play just as hard! In playing hard, we actually refresh ourselves for the following two days of endless viewing of properties!!

This is Choo, wishing all her Indian friends, "Schub Diwali. Bhagwan apkah bala Kareh". Happy Deepavali. God bless you! (Hindi) and "Depavali Varthugal. Kadavur unaii arsi vadipar. Happy Deepavali. God bless you! (Tamil).