North! South! East! West! Toastmasters' Clubs are the best!

 

The Installation of New Exco at Teach Me Toastmasters' Club

 

Sam, a charming and outgoing leader, who often clinches the best speaker prize!

 

Members and guests at the Installation Ceremony of New Executive Committee of
Fuchun Toastmasters' Club

 

At one of the chapter meetings at Hongkah North Toastmasters' Club in Bukit Gombak

Whenever my siblings call me from overseas, and I do not pick up the phone, they would know that I am either in a company meeting or at a toastmasters' meeting. Though they initially felt that I was too involved in toastmasters' clubs, they also realise that it is one of the best clubs anyone can join. At least, it is better to be at a toastmasters' club than to be at a nightclub where people are prone to spending tons of money on drinking and clubbing!

If not for toastmasters' clubs, I would not have travelled to places like Chao Chu Kang where the Chao Chu Kang Toastmasters' Club is located, or places like Bukit Panjang where Zhenghua C.C. Toastmasters' Club is located. I would also not have the privilege of helping out at the Changi Prison Speechcraft with Mr. Michael Rodrigues and his team of committed volunteers. Recently I was invited to be a language evaluator at the Certis Cisco Toastmasters' Club, a new formed club for the administrative staff of the police force.

Even as I volunteer my services as an evaluator in all these different clubs, I always learn something new. At the Teach Me Toastmasters' Club, I em encouraged by the tenacity of the members who still persevere on their wheel chairs or crutches to attend club meetings. Most of them come by public transport. For some, speaking is quite a struggle because of their disability, but they still try their best. The inmates in Changi Prison often have touching stories to narrate. Many are determined to make good use of their time when they are released. It is heartening to notice their marked improvement each week as they deliver their speeches. While some are fairly well educated, and made the mistake in their moment of weakness and folly, the majority come from broken homes or abusive fathers. I can empathise with them. Sometimes I am moved to tears by their speeches. It is not for any of us to judge them. Who does not want to be born with a silver spoon? Who does not want to have a loving and supportive family? I have learnt that life will never be always fair. Nevertheless, whatever the situation and circumstances are, it is for all of use to rise up. As Vince Lombardi had said, "Life is not about falling down; it is about getting up again!"

Each time I go to a club to help out as an evaluator. But each time, I take away with me something new. Indeed, by giving, we receive even more abundantly!

Gan Chau

A Lovely Dog called Whitney

 

 

 

 

Whitney, sitting patiently on her master's lap while he was sharing with the group

When Jin Lu, an old friend, phoned me to ask for help in marketing her apartment, she excitedly told me she had just adopted a lovely, white Bishon Frise. I was very happy, for I always look forward to visiting friends who have dogs and other pets at home.

Whitney barked furiously when I first arrived. Yet, during my second visit, she recognised me and hence, there was no barking. How clever! She is an adorable dog, and warms up to visitors alike.

Jin told me that she could even recognise certain words. She is always alert when the phone rings, and when she hears the names of Jin's children, she would show excitement.
Whenever the family goes out, Whitney would rush to the bay window and look out. Very often, Jin would bring Whitney along to her parents' home where the family gather together for dinner. Whitney is agile and nimble. She could stand on her two hind legs for a fairly long time.

When Jin and Peter brought Whitney to my home for a National Day celebration, everyone immediately takes to Whitney. She is an intelligent and obedient dog. She would sit quietly and watch everyone around her.

A little dog has brightened up Jin's home. Indeed, dogs make our world go round! For those who have yet to take to dogs, try to appreciate them. They make wonderful pets and are ever so faithful and loyal.

Gan Chau

Bad Stewardship of Some Ministries and Stat Board

The other evening, I took my tenant, Jasmin, and his friends, Anu and Avinesh, to try the famous bean curd at Short Street. We had decided to walk back from Plaza Singapura, where we had just seen the movie, "Mummy". It is just one mrt stop away, and with the drizzling, the weather was quite cool I saw an empty building just opposite the shophouse. It looks like it had been empty for a long time. Obviously, it must be one of the buildings cited in the article which I happened to read a few weeks ago. I copy it from the Wordpress for those who have missed it.

I feel sad that while many private organisations are crying out for want of suitable offices and accomodation, there are buildings left vacant for years. Once, I wanted some help to transport some furniture. I found that the movers were a Christian outreach minstry for drug addicts. It is started by a couple who have opened up their 4 room hdb flat to house ten ex-drug addicts. The husband has given up his job and they earn some income by tranporting household furniture. As the group grows, the ministry hopes to find a bigger and more suitable place to house the inmates. Yes, I know that more established orgnisations like The Hiding Place and High Point have been given old buildings to house their staff and inmates. Kudos to the people and departments concerned.

However, it would be wonderful if EVERY Ministry and Statutory Board make every effort in ensuring that time should NEVER be wasted in renting out all vacant premises.


Govt property vacant for years
Auditor-General’s annual report raps agencies for not ‘maximising usage’ of state-owned buildings

GOVERNMENT chalets left to go to seed and unleased for over 14 years and other buildings and tracts of land left empty for years on end - these have come to light in the Auditor-General’s annual report.

Mr Lim Soo Ping has taken to task some ministries and statutory boards for letting this happen to properties under their charge.
In his latest report released yesterday, he urged these agencies to manage their properties better ‘to maximise their usage for the public good’.

He also recommended a review of how government properties pending development are allocated and reserved.

‘This is to minimise the opportunity cost arising from unnecessarily long holding and reservation,’ he said.

Among the buildings his office found under-utilised were staff apartments belonging to statutory boards, left vacant for four to 10 years. Some had vacancy rates as high as 80 per cent.

In his report, Mr Lim also took the Singapore Tourism Board to task for spending $1.51 million over seven years on feasibility studies, maintenance and reinstatement works to turn Capitol Theatre into a performing arts venue, only to find that it was not a viable project.

The building stood vacant until it was returned to the Singapore Land Authority last year. Mr Lim reckoned the rental revenue foregone to exceed $280,000 a year.

The report also highlighted the lack of transparency in the calls for tender bids and irregularities in payment.

One such irregularity was serious enough to have been referred to the police for investigation.

Acting on an anonymous tip-off alleging favouritism in the awarding of contracts to redevelop the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC), the Auditor-General’s Office found irregularities in 92 per cent of the contracts awarded to one contractor and another company with links to the contractor.

As the SDC - which promotes national education here - is related to the Ministry of Defence, Mindef referred the matter to the police in April.

Contacted last night, Mindef said investigations were still underway.

Asked to comment on the loss of rental revenue from buildings left standing empty, director of research and consultancy at real estate company Knight Frank, Mr Nicholas Mak, said that if the vacancy rate is high, the agency overseeing the building should consider marketing it better ‘or maybe it should relook at whether it really still needs the apartments’.

But Mr Mak said the solution was less clear-cut in the case of redeveloping a building for commercial use, such as the Capitol Theatre.

‘If you are talking about renting it out, sometimes, you have to wait for the right time to enter the market. Or you have to do a lot of upgrading first to redevelop it,’ he added.

"Trees growing Out of the Walls!"

 

A dilapidated building in town. This building has been left in this condition till trees grow from the walls!

I am currently marketing some conservation houses in Little India and some neighbouring districts.

Ond day, I received a call from a potential buyer. He asked, "Are your properties in fairly good condition? The ones I saw....aiyoh....so old until got trees growing from the walls!"

"No problem. Most of my clients' properties are in fairly good condition. Some of them have acnes and pimples; all they need is a good coat of paint and the walls will look bright and smooth again," I assured him. "Some may need a little more work; a facial to straighten out the flaws."

The buyer laughed. "You're such a funny and lively person to talk to. Sure I'll come by and see the properties. I'd like to meet up with you."

One day as I was passing by quite a busy street, I smiled when I saw some trees growing out of the walls of a building. Immediately I recalled my client's conversation with me and I smiled! A little humour helps to lighten up the day.

I feel sad that some people can be such terrible stewards of the things they have. Some of my friends' parents prefer to leave their flats unoccupied rather than rent them out, as it is too "troublesome and inconvenient." Even though they may not need the money, they can always donate and help make life a little better for the underprivileged.

Are your belongings gathering dust or becoming white elephants? Give them away. Do not hoard and hoard. When Mr. Phoon Yew Tian gave me a violin, I decided to give my violin to my client's son so that he can also pick up a new instrument in addition to his drum and guitar. Like the Sea of Galilee, let us remain fresh and vibrant by releasing what we have, so that we have room to receive more.!

Of Getais and Talents

Recently, my manager, Aveline Tan, lent me a VCD, "881" a movie about two Papaya sisters. I enjoyed the movie as a large part of the conversation was in Hokkien dialect, my mother tongue. Also the getai singing made me think of papa a lot. As a self taught musician and band master, papa had played in many getais in Penang. At one time, my eldest sister, Lee Lee, was also singing on the getai stage. Many nicknamed her "Ge Lan" as they thought she was a look-a-like and a sing-a-like of the popular movie star/songstress.

Being the least musical and the ugly duckling in my family, I was spared from singing in getais.! However, papa had encouraged my second sister and I to play the violin and piano on stage when he was helping to raise funds in a concert in aid of the under-privileged. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed the getai songs and music even though I had never studied Mandarin. Today, I can play by ear a number of tunes on the piano. I read about Cody Lee, a talented four year old child, who has become a hit on the getai stage. Although initially reluctant, her parents finally allowed her to sing on the stage after talking to Cody's mentor, Penny Kho. Spreading the joy of music through getai performances is one of the ways to bring music to the masses. Not everyone will be able to afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a rock/pop concert. As papa had always said, "Music has power!"

Sometimes when I pass by a getai performance, I would stop by to listen for a few minutes or longer, if I did not have to rush. I enjoy the singing and the spontaneity of the performers. Frankly I do not feel there is anything bad or sleazy about getai performances. Eldest sister became a teacher of Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia in the secondary school, despite her having sung in getais. We are in the world and hence cannot avoid being thrown into the limelight or situations because of our talent. However, whether we make good or bad out of anything is dependent on ourselves.

For example, my siblings and I were raised in the notorious gangster village of Jelutong in Penang, but none of us turned out to be gangsters! Having a mother who was quite an addicvitve gambler also did not influence any of us to become gamblers!

Life is what you make of it. It helps to be positive and empathetic and perhaps less judgemental. It amazes me how people are often quick to judge, or to generalise and stereotype. Some people frowned when they found that I am living in Little India. In fact, I love living here the most because apart from the breeziness and convenience of this superb city location, I am proud to say that so far, there has never been a break in or theft. We can leave our clothes and shoes in the area outstide our apartment, and these will remain intact. I like my caring neighbours. Although they are simple folks, they have so much dignity and integrity.

Let us all have minds that are like plastercine.....soft, yet, moldable so that we can keep an open mind that is receptive and quick to learn, unlearn and re-learn.

Gan Chau

The Advantages of Turning 55!

 

 

My tenant, Jasmin, wanted to see the movie, "The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor". He asked me to help get the tickets. Gosh! It had been some 4 years since I last saw my first movie when Soh Wah invited me during Chinese New Year.

I did not even know which cinema "The Mummy" was showing. I looked into the newspaper and found out that the nearest one is at Singapura Plaza. When I went to the Golden Village I was surprised I could only buy advanced tickets the following day. Since I had gone all the way there, I decided to watch 12 Lotus as it was 15 minutes before show time. My manager, Aveline Tan, had lent me the VCD on 881, (The Papaya Sisters) and I had enjoyed it very much. 12 Lotus is beautifully portrayed by Roystan Tan. For those who understand Hokkien dialect, they would be able to enjoy the movie even more. As the cinema was not crowded, I had a whole row of seats to myself! What luxury!

I also found from the sales staff that I could also book online. Best of all was the realisation that Senior Citizens only pay $4/- per ticket instead of the usual $7.50 to $10 tickets. I believe huge discounts are also offered for concerts at the Esplanade! The joy of having grey hairs!

Wow! I just can't wait for my 55th birthday on December the 12th. With that coveted and revered title of being senior in this country, I will certainly visit the cinema and Esplanade more often to make up for all these decades of non attendance. I guess this is the price one pays for being frugal! But I would prefer to agree with King Solomon when he wrote in his book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 Verse -"Everything on earth has its own time and its own season."

Ganchau

Olympian Fever!

I have never been interested in Sports until today, when like many throughout the world, I am struck with the Olympian Fever! Whenever I read the newspapers, I would always skip the sports section. However, now it would be the first section I read as I want to find out the latest results or comments from the journalists and editors.!

I enjoy watching the intense and expressive faces of every world class competitor! I admire the determination and fighting spirit of opponents who are losing and are fighting the battle to overthrow the other team!

In football, I realise how difficult it is to even score a goal! The field is so huge, and the competitors have so much stamina! I also admire the referee who has to run around the whole field and to avoid the ball and players and yet to keep an eagle eye on the whole game!

I had a dilemma to choose watching the finals between Singapore and China last night as I also had to attend a concert "Music of the Romantic Era" by the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mr. Yan Yin Wing. I had already purchased the tickets and arranged to be at the concert with my friend, Geok Cheng. It would be bad stewardship to waste my tickets and my teacher, Mr. Yan would also be disappointed if I did not turn up. Also, I think the excitement of the game would be too much for me. I remember how nervous I was when I was watching second sister, Ean Ean, performing a solo piece on the violin in the school concert. I can imagine how the coaches and the families of all contestants must be feeling. This is probably the reasons why surgeons normally do not operate on their loved ones. This is also the reason why I do not market my own property. As a property agent, I would still prefer to have other agents market my property as I would be too emotional and end up not doing a good job.

During the concert interval, I sms-ed my tenant, Jasmin, to find out the results of the table tennis competition. China won. I was sure, our Singaporean team must have put up a good fight. We are happy to win a silver medal! We will improve in the next Olympics!

The soloist, Dr. Catherine Yan, played the piano brilliantly. We enjoyed her Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor". When I came home, I was happy to see the telecast of the finals on television again.

The most important lesson that I have learnt from the Olympics is that it is such a great blessing to keep ourselves fit and healthy. One has to be both physically and mentally fit to overcome all obstacles!

Gan Chau

Fun and Benefit in Learning Foreign Languages

Being raised in a village in Penang brings many blessings! One of them is the opportunity to grow up with children of different races. From our Indian friends we learnt to speak some Tamil and since Malay is being taught in the schools, we would switch to speaking Bahasa Malaysia with our Malay villagers.

Hence, it was quite natural that when I continued my tertiary education after my O'levels, I decided to take up French. A formidable task for someone who had never heard a single word of French in Penang! I remember I was almost on the brink of tears during the first few lessons when I could not really make out the sounds, and had difficulty in pronunciation. All I could hear was rhythm and music in the new Romance language! Gradually I began to make out the sound and to understand the grammatical structure. I tried to watch some French movies with English subtitles. I guess learning a new language is like a child learning music via Suzuki method. Suzuki is not concerned with a child learning to read notes.....he is more keen on the child listening to music and to train his ears first. Reading notes comes in a little later.

This is why I have been encouraging my tenant, Jasmin, to watch Chinese movies. While he can read the English subtitles, he can also listen to the Mandarin being spoken. It does not matter if we initially do not understand the words. Tune in to the language first. This is what I do too when I watch Hindi movies. I remember the first word I picked up was "achar" (meaning good in Hindi) because it was used so often. The word also reminds me of my favourite "achar" which is pickles in our Malay/Nonya/Hokkien dialect.

When I applied the little Korean that I had learnt while working as a secretary in a Korean company, I was pleasantly surprised how it immediately broke the ice with the shopkeepers and sales staff in Seoul. They would often give me Korean souvenirs and it warmed my heart to see their smiles and grin stretching from ear to ear!

I remember a pleasant experience when I went on a camping tour in Europe. As the appointed cook, I went to the nearby grocery and spoke French with the couple in Nice. The husband immediately went to his garden and plucked 30 baby roses for me and my friend! They told us that it was the first time a Chinese spoke to them in their mother tongue, and even complimented me on my good pronunciation! I remember my friend and I laughing all the way back to the campsite. We had to gather enough beer bottles to put our stalks of baby roses in water.

Now that I am an agent, I find it tremendously useful to be able to communicate with different races. I remember that when my client asked me to contact the African tenant so as to show potential buyers his conservation shop house, I was somewhat intimidated when the tenant burst out vehemently, "What? The owner wants to sell this place? Just after I have spent $200,000/0 to renovate and apply all the necessary approval? No way, I will allow any viewing!" I assured him that whoever bought over would have to continue the tenancy with him. Then I saw some posters of Nigeria and suddenly burst out, "Habariya mualimo wango?!" (How are you, my teacher? (as a form of respect.) He suddenly looked at me and soon burst out laughing.

"Oh my gosh! Where did you learn Swahili?"

"Some Nigerian students in my Canadian university taught me the language."

"Sure, sure. No problem. You can bring the buyers any time. Just give me a call." He handed me his name card.

I have been wanting to buy a Hindi/English dictionary. I happened to pass by a shop in Cuff Road and saw some dictionaries on display. However, they were all Tamil/English dictionary. I asked the shopkeeper for one in Hindi. With him was a friend with quite fair complexion. "You really can speak Tamil and Hindi ah?", he asked somewhat doubtful. "Say something in Tamil and Hindi", he challenged me.

"Kadavur unai arsi vardipar". (God bless you in Tamil).

"Bhagwan apakah bala kareh". (God bless you in Hindi).

"Where are you from?" I asked, curious about his unusual English accent.

"Nepal"

"Promeisualeh arsis dinu huncha" (God bless you in Nepali)

"Oh you can speak Nepali too!" he grinned. "I'm so surprised.!"

"I can sing some Nepali songs too. Want to listen?"

I proceeded to sing him the song I learnt while on a mission trip to Nepal some years ago.

"Please give me your name card. When my Nepali friends want to look for property, I contact you, ok?" he volunteered.

On National Day, I was at the market buying some fruits. I had a party for some friends at my home to celebrate the nation's birthday. Suddenly one Indian man
asked the stallholder if the mangosteens were really nice.

I spoke to him in Hindi, Tamil, Malay and Chinese. He smiled, obviously delighted.
The stallholder asked him if I were really speaking Hindi and Tamil, and he shook his head. (When Indians shake their heads, the answer is affirmative).

"Sorry Sir. Today is National Day, so I have to speak to you in four languages," I smiled. Somehow the sky seems brighter than usual!

My dear readers, try and learn a new language. It helps to break the ice. It is really not difficult. It will also add fun and colour to your life.


Gan Chau

Now You See It; Then You Don't!

 

Lush greenery just outside my bedroom windows!

 

The thick foliage acts as a natural curtain for my curtainless windows!

 

Oh where and oh where, have all the leaves gone?

 

With the foliage gone, now it is brighter and breezier!

The block where I am staying in now is undergoing some upgrading. The new lifts will stop on every floor. The upgrading is greatly welcomed by the residents because it means that there will be no more lugging of luggages or furniture down some flights of stairs. It will also be more convenient for those who are on wheel chairs.

The Authorities are also sprucing up the car park. To my surprise, the patches of green grass have gone and so have the two trees. As you can see from the previous photos, the tall tree reached to almost the sixth floor of the building. It provided some shade and acted like a natural curtain for my otherwise curtainless windows! Now with the trees gone, it has become brighter. However, there is now less privacy.

Amazing how trees can just be chopped down so easily. It takes decades to grow a tree but only a matter of a couple of hours to chop it down! At least this is organised and purposeful cutting of trees to make way for some essential projects.

However, in the world of nature, a whole forest of trees can be razed to the ground in a matter of days when there is a fire. Trees that take years to grow and provide shelter and oxygen to the creatures big and small can be wiped out in just a short time. It fills me with pain when I see animals suffering for want of shelter and food.

Let us all do our part to help preserve and make this world a beautiful place to live in. Men can build houses; the Creator provides natural habitats for His animals, fish, birds and insects. If we cannot help to preserve, at least let us not destroy the beauty of the ocean and forests.!

Gan Chau

African Restaurant.....in Singapore!

 

 

 

When my client informed me that they would like to sell their conservation shop house at Mayo Street, I was surprised that it was tenanted out to a brilliant African, Dr. E.A. Henry.

Dr Henry had set up an African cum Western Restaurant. He called the restaurant, 3D Harmony, located at 8 Mayo Street. Mayo Street is off Jalan Besar, opposite of Sim Lim Tower, and just behind Tekka Mall.

The restaurant food is tasty, with generous servings. The ambience is cosy and homely, and many of the customers are from Africa. I guess, with so few African restaurants in Singapore, it is not surprising that 3D is like a home away from home.
The restaurant also provides catering services for weddings and engagements, birthday and anniversary parties, corporate and private events.

For those of you who have yet to try African food, do visit 3D Harmony! You will not be disappointed with the warmth of service and tastiness of African and Western cuisine that is affordable.


Gan Chau

Let's Celebrate!

 

My guests with their two and four legged childred!

 

President Nathan arriving at the National Day Parade Celebration!

 

Joel, musically talented, plays and sing for the guests.

 

Peter, sharing about what it takes to be a good father and husband.

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Why I love languages!

Whenever people asked me why I am multi-lingual, it made me think of my beloved papa and second brother. Papa was proficient in Chinese. In fact, he was a teacher of Chinese Language and Literature. He was also a good writer. Papa had some basic lessons in English and later, he studied the language on his own.

One morning, on our way to our regular morning walk at Bukit Dumbar Reservoir in Penang, Papa said to me, "Choo, listen to papa's speech. Tomorrow night, papa had to make a speech to introduce the guest singer, Ivy Ling Po. I was then in Primary Six. Wow! I felt so honoured that papa wanted me to hear his speech and to help him improve. How I wish I were a toastmaster then! "Ladies and Gentlemen!", papa began, his face beaming with joy. On behalf of the Green Parrot Nightclub, I want to welcome the famous and popular actress and movie star, Ivy Ling Po. I felt papa's great presence. He had such an enormous and charming personality that everyone could forgive him for the less than perfect pronunciation of English.

Seeing papa's love and enthusiasm for languages, I decided that I too would follow in his footsteps. He was a voracious reader and best of all, was a great story teller.

Second Brother Kee Seng studied in the Chinese medium school. Hence, he is more proficient in Chinese than in English or Malay. However, he was determined to improve his languages. He loves the dictionary and very often, you could see him pouring over English, Chinese, Malay and Japanese dictionaries. I can still remember the tiny dictionary that brother bought for me. It was only 1 inch by 1 inch. Yet the print in the pages was very clear. Later, brother also bought me an encyclopaedia. It became my prized possession.

Hence, now my readers and friends can understand where my motivation comes from. I was privileged to study French in Canada, a language I had never heard before in my hometown. My friends thought I was very brave to take up French and to compete with the Canadian students who had already studied the language while in high school. French is such a beautiful and refined language. I love the French word for mother-in-law. It is "belle mere" which translated literally, means, "Beautiful mother!" Isn't it wonderful to have a daughter-in-law addressing you as her beautiful mother even when you are ninety, bald and toothless?

To me language is like music to my ears. I love the sound and rythmn found in different languages. Every language is so unique. Apart from Mandarin, I find that Swahili, Hindi and Nepali are quite musical too.

I wonder why the Koreans must make their life so difficult by using so many words. For eg. for the word "good night" we say "bonuit" in French, "Selamat Malam" in Malay, "Wan ahn" in Mandarin. The Koreans say, "Ahn nyong hi ju mu sip si yo." I guess by the time we complete saying good night, the other person would have fallen asleep! I guess that is the beauty of a language that is verbose yet beautiful in its own characteristics. I remember when I first heard Korean being spoken by our Korean staff, I was overwhelmed for they spoke so rapidly and it sounded like the roaring of the wind! Now I understand that with so many words, the Koreans have to speak somewhat rapidly.

In my next article, I will write about the benefits of being able to speak another foreign language.

Gan Chau

A Father's Love

My good friend, Vanessa Yong, sent me this email which I would like to share with my readers. Unfortunately I do not have the luxury of having 4 questions asked by papa for he passed away when I was 18 years old. It is interesting to note that people often treasure what they do not have. I have never seen any of my grandparents for they passed away before I was born. I am often filled with envy when I visit my friends who still have parents in their 80's and 90's.

A FATHER'S LOVE



"An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45


years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.


The Father asked his Son, 'What is this?'


The Son replied 'It is a crow'.


After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time,
'What is this?'


The Son said 'Father, I have just now told you 'It's a crow'.


After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the
3rd time,
What is this?'


At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the
Son's tone when
he said to his Father with a rebuff. 'It's a crow, a crow'.


A little after, the Father again asked his Son t he 4th time,
'What is this?'


This time the Son shouted at his Father, 'Why do you keep asking me the
same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT
IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?'


A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old
tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening
a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the
following words were written in the diary :-


'Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a
crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what
it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him
lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for
23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my
innocent child'.


While the little child asked him 23 times 'What is this', the
Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23
times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.


So....


If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a
burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and
kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.From today say this aloud, 'I
want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I
was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.
They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to
make me a person presentable in the society today'.


'I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will
say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.'


Thanks for spending ur time on reading this mail .........
Hope U r
forwarding this to all ur friends...

I Detest the Word "Regret".....

Regret! Regret! I dislike the word with the first letter of R. When we think of R, let us think of words like Reliance, Relish, Realism, and better still Renaissance which also means rebirth.

This is probably why someone comes up with the evergreen advice, "Don't cry over spilt milk." If ever we should regret, something solid must come out of it....our realisation of our mistakes should make us become better people and we should take all precaution not to repeat the same error twice. We should be able to remember the lessons learnt and strive to be wiser and more alert.

Just the other week, I read in the Straits Times that a study had revealed that many people regret over their choice of field of specialisation in the university.

I have always wanted to be a teacher, yet I ended up working in a legal firm as a typist! One day, wallowing in self pity, I wondered how on earth I ended up taking a year's private secretarial course in Stamford College in Singapore. I would have very much preferred to spend that one year working in Penang, with a mundane job as a sales personnel or clerk. It meant I could stay with my beloved parents. I reminded myself not to sink into the abyss of despair and make the most of the situation. I told myself that if I had to type and do shorthand, I would do my utmost and be the best secretary in South East Aisa. My boss' father, the late Mr. Lim Cheng Ean took notice of me and gave me a bursary to study in Canada!

I feel that our learning and training can never be wasted for what we are today is the product of all that we have gone through. Little did I realise too that my great typing skill had also enabled me to earn a good income while studying at the University of Alberta. I earned Can$1 a page for typing students' essays. The spacing was always a double spacing. Hence, if I were to type the whole day during weekends, I could earn about $90 a day! Again with my improved and accurate typing skill, I am able to write an article almost everyday in my blog.

In Kungfu Panda, the philosopher said that nothing is really good or bad. When a situation or object is presented to someone, he has the ability to make it either good or bad. We must all remember that yesterday had passed, tomorow is a mystery, today is a gift and hence it is called the present.

It is amazing how we could sometimes be in a world of yesterdays and tomorrows, and forget about getting the most out of life in the present.

If we make a mistake, learn from it and move on. Let us all relish in the now and then, and face the reality of living life to the fullest.

Gan Chau

Life Long Learning!

Whenever I wake up, I would have 5 things to thank God for. Count our blessings and name them one by one. My gratitude puts me in a happy and grateful frame of mind.

This morning I thank God for having led me to the toastmasters' movement, albeit at the age of 52 when I joined my company, Dennis Wee Group as a real estate agent! How I envy those who had the privilege of discovering this wonderful movement at a much younger age! Even more envied are those whose parents are toastmasters so that even at the tender age of 12, they are able to tag along when their parents attend club meetings!

I have never learnt so much as I have done during these 2 years of my toastmasters' journey. I have been invited by the then presidents, Helen and Edwin, to join the Braddel Heights Advance Toastmasters' Club, but had turned them down. After having completed 58 projects at my club, I felt I was ready and hence recently signed up as a member. I dislike joining a club and yet do not have time to attend most of club activities. Gosh, in just 3 weeks of joining the advance club, I felt I have learnt so much from the wonderful and more experienced members.

I decided that this year, I would not join the Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest as I still have so much more to learn. Hence I volunteered to be a test speaker, because I can kill many birds with one stone as I would get immediate feedback on my speech! One needs to have skin that is at least 12 inches thick to be able to weather the blows of open constructive criticism that are arrowed by the 10 to 13 contestants. At the same time, some praises from the evaluators would be like a balm for the bruises from the blows.

I was torn between the choice of two possible topics, "The Power of Love" or "Lessons I Learn from Animals." I rehearsed the two speeches and my tenant, Jasmin, chose the first topic as he felt it would appeal more to the audience as more people would be able to relate to the topic.

I dislike the use of microphones. After testing my voice, both the Contest Chair and Toastmaster of the Day felt that I was loud enough. I was horrified when I was nearing the end of my speech and the green light was not turned on! "Help! How on earth did I shorten my three stories! Now I must quickly add another story!"

Just when I was half way through my fourth story the yellow light was turned on, and in a little while, horror upon horror! the red light was turned on. I needed to cut short my conclusion or I would be overtime! Phew, I ended at 7 minutes 30 seconds!

I enjoyed the sound and wonderful evaluation from the contestants. In that one afternoon alone, I learnt so much about making great speeches from the Humorous Speech and Evaluation contestants.

I also learnt that one must always give adequate preparation, and even practise with a timing device so that if the device should be faulty during the contest, one could just carry on with confidence because one had practised with the timing.

One of my toastmaster friends, Serene has given a good suggestion. During contests, it would be a good idea to have both an electronic timer as well as a manual timer of coloured cards. Timing is extremely crucial because speakers on stage are already stressed to a certain degree, and could be even more unnerved by faulty lightings.

For my readers who have yet to join a toastmasters' club, I would urge you to join so that you could begin your life long journey earlier!

Gan Chau

More on Flower Power

 

 

 

 

Somehow, all this while, I realise that I have only been able to post a maximum of 4 pictures in my blog.

Hence, as the flowers at the exhibition at Suntect City are so gorgeous, I am putting 4 more pictures here for my readers. The last picture has a Chinese theme, with a house by the river with a boat moored on the water. So wonderfully creative!

Gan Chau

Flower Power

 

Orchids in full bloom!

 

Geok Cheng, at the entrance of the exhibition

 

A host of different hues!

 

Flowers from Africa are so rich in colour

Flowers! How I love them! Everytime I see flowers, I feel very happy, for I see the great handiworks of the Creator! Every bloom is so beautifully and uniquely created. And what great variety! What a lovely and awesome Creator we have!

Recently, I heard of the flower show in Suntec City. I had attended flower shows in Melbourne, Amsterdam, London and Edmonton, and it would be a crying shame if I do not attend one in my own country! Hence I decided to visit, but as my schedule was heavy, somehow, I procrastinated.

Thanks to Geok Cheng, my friend from Toastmasters, I finally visited the flower show on the last day of the event. Geok Cheng suggested that after the toastmasters' meeting at Caterpillars, we could see the flowers, for her sister had highly recommended it.

The flower show covered two floors. As passion card holders, we were entitled to 20 per cent discount from the $6.00 per entry. In the later part of the afternoon, we bumped into a friend from Toastmasters, Maria Boey. Maria is a brilliant architect and as she is one of the planners of the show, she invited us to join her for the reception. Mr. Mah Bow Tan made the opening address and I learnt how the flower show had wowed many an appreciative visitor. The 8 days show had garnered about 300,000 visitors!

There were different themes and it was wonderful that schools and communites were also involved. There was a section for contestants to display their skills and creativity in floral arrangement. I feel very proud as I walk around the exhibition hall. One of the things that I love about Singapore is that whatever is being carried out, is often done excellently.

For those of you who have missed the show, try not to miss the next one which promises to be even more awesome and exciting.

Gan Chau

Life Long Learning!

Whenever I wake up, I would have 5 things to thank God for. Count our blessings and name them one by one. My gratitude puts me in a happy and grateful frame of mind.

This morning I thank God for having led me to the toastmasters' movement, albeit at the age of 52 when I joined my company, Dennis Wee Group as a real estate agent! How I envy those who had the privilege of discovering this wonderful movement at a much younger age! Even more envied are those whose parents are toastmasters so that even at the tender age of 12, they are able to tag along when their parents attend club meetings!

I have never learnt so much as I have done during these 2 years of my toastmasters' journey. I have been invited by the then presidents, Helen and Edwin, to join the Braddel Heights Advance Toastmasters' Club, but had turned them down. After having completed 58 projects at my club, I felt I was ready and hence recently signed up as a member. I dislike joining a club and yet do not have time to attend most of club activities. Gosh, in just 3 weeks of joining the advance club, I felt I have learnt so much from the wonderful and more experienced members.

I decided that this year, I would not join the Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest as I still have so much more to learn. Hence I volunteered to be a test speaker, because I can kill many birds with one stone as I would get immediate feedback on my speech! One needs to have skin that is at least 12 inches thick to be able to weather the blows of open constructive criticism that are arrowed by the 10 to 13 contestants. At the same time, some praises from the evaluators would be like a balm for the bruises from the blows.

I was torn between the choice of two possible topics, "The Power of Love" or "Lessons I Learn from Animals." I rehearsed the two speeches and my tenant, Jasmin, chose the first topic as he felt it would appeal more to the audience as more people would be able to relate to the topic.

I dislike the use of microphones. After testing my voice, both the Contest Chair and Toastmaster of the Day felt that I was loud enough. I was horrified when I was nearing the end of my speech and the green light was not turned on! "Help! How on earth did I shorten my three stories! Now I must quickly add another story!"

Just when I was half way through my fourth story the yellow light was turned on, and in a little while, horror upon horror! the red light was turned on. I needed to cut short my conclusion or I would be overtime! Phew, I ended at 7 minutes 30 seconds!

I enjoyed the sound and wonderful evaluation from the contestants. In that one afternoon alone, I learnt so much about making great speeches from the Humorous Speech and Evaluation contestants.

I also learnt that one must always give adequate preparation, and even practise with a timing device so that if the device should be faulty during the contest, one could just carry on with confidence because one had practised with the timing.

One of my toastmaster friends, Serene has given a good suggestion. During contests, it would be a good idea to have both an electronic timer as well as a manual timer of coloured cards. Timing is extremely crucial because speakers on stage are already stressed to a certain degree, and could be unnerved by faulty lightings.

For my readers who have yet to join a toastmasters' club, I would urge you to join so that you could begin your life long journey earlier!

Gan Chau