Hsin-tien Toastmasters Club

I've never been more than sure that I want to charter a Toastmasters Club in Hsin-tien. After living in Hsin-tien for more than two decades, it is time I did something to add colors to the community in Hsin-tien. It is time I introduced the community in Hsin-tien to the Toastmasters International to add colors to District 67.

The idea of giving birth to Hsin-tien Toastmasters club was formed on MRT back to Hsintien with Scott Fu and Jude Wei after meeting with Dwayne G. Smith, 2002 World Champion of Public Speaking at the Joint meeting of Formosa and Sunrise Toastmasters Club Tuesday evening, April 28th.

In the past two days, I've been thinking where would be an ideal place to start a new community Toastmasters club in Hsin-tien. Hsin-tien is no doubt one of the most prosperous satellite cities, if not the most, to the metropolitan Taipei. The high rise buildings are constructed one after another. Each building takes pride in its own design and facade. More and more people are moving from Taipei city to Hsin-tien and call Hsin-tien home.

While having afternoon coffee with Toastmaster Sophia Chen at the Starbucks Cafe' today, we both agreed that it would be an excellent place to start a club. The first and foremost consideration is the location, Starbucks is right next to MRT Dapinglin Station Exit 1, so convenient! On top of that, the cozy secluded corner was surrounded by two glass walls, it is literally transparent, like an aquarium. All passers-by could see the proceeding of the demo meeting. The more we talked about the new club, the more excited we became, about the name of the new club, the culture of the new club. And happy toastmastering time flew fast!

In 1986, I joined Grand Toastmasters Club. In 1993, I became the President of Grand and visited Toastmastes Annual Convention in Toronto. In 2000, I became the Charter President of Kyoto Toastmasters Club when I was the exchange student of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. It has been a fruitful journey of mine in Toastmasters for the past two decades.

Joining Toastmasters is one of the best decisions I've made in my life. And I'm eager to spread the good news to people in my neighborhood, how toastmasters can help people with communication and leadership skills, how toastmasters can help people build self-confidence, how toastmasters can bring peace and happiness to people, and how toastmasters can make our world a better place for us, for our children, and for our grandchildren.

The first demo meeting is scheduled to take place at Starbucks Cafe' Thursday evening, June 4th. If you're interested in what Hsin-tien has to offer, don't hesitate to sign up with me as soon as possible. We need many helpers and cheerleaders! Your participation is highly appreciated. Come have fun in Hsin-tien! See ya! It's funny this time!

Meet with the Champion

Everybody likes to meet with the champions, to know their stories from zero to hero. Me, no exception! When I received Formosa Toastmasters Club' meeting notice fowarded from Golden Lady Irene Chen last Saturday, I responded to her immediately that I would love to participate in the coming joint meeting of Formosa and Sunrise Toastmastes Clubs to welcome the keynote speaker Dwayne G. Smith, 2002 World Champion of Public Speaking, this evening, April 28th.

I dye my hair whenever there is an important occasion. Meeting with the world champion of public speaking is certainly an important occasion, isn't it? On Sunday afternoon, my younger sister helped me dye my hair in dark brown and made me look 20 years younger. I was satisfied with my new hair color, new appearance, new spirit!

The joint meeting venue was a full house of 100 plus participants. Being a late comer (Oh, I spent too much time putting on makeups at home), I was fortunate not to miss Dwayne's 2002 champion speech "It's funny this time". Dwayne mesmerized the audience with his unique rhyming skills and his southern accent of Atalanta. He talked about his personal story not being able to see his mother Annie L. Smith of Alzheimer's disease at the last minute to add the impact of his message, "you may delay, but time not". His gestures were precise, using his arms and index fingers to mimic skillfully the long hand and short hand of a clock, tick, tick, tick....

After the demo of champion speech, Dwayne gave details about his winning strategies without reservations. He talked about how to come up with the message sentence in a cafeteria, "we can't control time", how to engage the audience in his speech, how to enhance, but not engulf a personal talent in the delivery, and must practice with diligence. Dwayne took questions from the floor and answered them earnestly. His Q&A was one of the best, spontaneously, humorously, and poetically like a champion.

After the joint meeting, I followed a dozen of enthusiastic Toastmasters to Mos Burger for the second party with Dwayne. I sat next to Marian Hiaso, Mike Yang, and Harrison Lee, we talked about the recent events in District 67 and our current world ranking. D67 is short of 350 new members at the moment and is offering an attrative incentive package for new members recruitment. Let's catch up with the rest of the world as fast as possible.

It was 11 o'clock when we said goodbye. At the door of Mos Burger, I met with Jerry Hisiung from Sunrise Toastmasters Club, who left a comment on Murphy's Law after I gave up delivering my speech at Area H1 Speech Contest in March. What a surprise to meet with a sweet handsome young toastmaster who gave me comfort in need as a stranger toastmaster!

On my way home on MRT to Hsin-tien, I sat between Jude Wei and Scott Fu, we talked about the potential to charter a toastmasters club in Hsin-tien. The more we talked about it, the more excited we became. Finally we decided to take the initiatives to charter a club as soon as possible in Hsin-tien. It's going to be named "Hsin-tien Toastmasters Club". Me, I wish I could be the Charter President!

Venture to South Africa in Taipei

It's my destiny to know South Africa. I seldom listen to International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) on daily basis. But while reading The Biography of a Germ on the veranda Friday morning, I overheard the announcement of South Africa Day and I was thrilled when I knew the details on the internet. My husband happened to be out of town for the weekend, so I ventured to South African in Taipei this morning. And it was so much fun and entertaining. I shall return to the South Africa Day of a bigger and grander scale in year 2010.

Africa is on my travel agenda this year for two reasons, No.1, Barack H. Obama, the 44th President of the United States and No.2, I plan to visit Senegal this summer with Manuela, my dear Italian friend, and her husband. They got married last year. I love Africa, but the only country I've been to in Africa is Morocco. I stayed in Casablanca for a week for business twelve years ago. The big Africa continent has so much to offer, dance, music, food, in addition to safari.

My heart beats faster every time I hear about Africa, the drum beats in the jungle beckon to me earnestly and my feet start tapping spontaneously. That's the reason I jumped at the chance to see South Africa in Taipei. I bought the ticket at door for NT$450 and I enjoyed a splendid day from 11 o'clock in the morning till after five in the afternoon. I didn't claim the big lucky draw, a round trip ticket from Hong Kong to South Africa, but I had Mielie Pap (mash corn), Boerewors (farmer's sausage) on Braai, Savanna Dry Beer, what could I have asked for more?

At 11 o'clock, I walked in the venue of South Africa Day as an early bird. There weren't many people, staff and a few early comers, kids and parents mainly. I took the opportunity to watch the magic show for kids. It was fun laughing with the magician and the kids. Of course, I was hoping something would happen during the hourly lucky draw. But, my number was not called, and I could wait for the big one at 5PM.

The theme of the day was on stage. I walked to the food section and waited in line to get my first bite of south African food. I was lucky to trail the queue, two ladies behind me had to wait, because the boerewors were still on the braai. I first had a big portion of Pap on my platter. When I was told it was made of corn, I got more of it, it looked quite yummy. I like corn products, corn biscuit, corn chips, everything made of corn. By the time, I advanced to boerewors, I saw two chucks in the stainless container. Without a second thought, I tried to have two of them, and the chef-in-charge looked at me and said, "only one for a person"! Wow, it must taste good and cost a fortune!

More and more people were coming at lunch hours. I decided to find a seat in the open air. That's how I got to know Leonie and Teresa. Leonie Reyneke is from South Africa and has been in Taipei for 8 years teaching English and Arts. Teresa has privat English lesson with Leonie. I was alone, so three of us became instant friends. With Leonie around, I felt much at ease with my venture to South Africa. During the lunch, Leonie had tears in her eyes when she heard the romatic music from an Afrikaan Singer, she turned into laughter when she heard a famous popular Afrikaan song of her school years in Pretoria. When she conversed with people at the same table in Afrikaan language, I felt like transcending to South Africa at far. Leonie was a sweet tour guide for Teresa and me. She talked about the history, languages and cultures of South Africa. She drew the old and new national flags of South Africa and how the Rainbow Nation was born!

After a bottle of Savanna and a cup of latte, I had to take care of my biological needs urgently. On my way to the lady's room, I was hooked to the tall and handsome singer in blue shirt being hailed and cheered by young Taiwanese women when he sang Wine of Love in Mandarin. I was instantly mesmerized by his voice and charm. I joined his crowd of fans singing and dancing along one after another Mandarin song, I copied every gesture he made and every movement he displayed. I told Leonie and Teresa about the singer, and asked them for a piece of paper, wrote my request of You're my Flower by Wu-bai. To my surprise, he answered my request and sang it for me immediately after a short break! He made my day, my South Africa Day!

Another big attraction of South Africa Day was the group drum practice. I started Jazz drum a few years ago, then I switched to Chinese drum practice with Hisn-tien female drummers last year. U theater is my ultimate goal. After I saw "The Visitor" 2007 about a professor found heart in drums, I had a dream to learn African drum. And my dream was realized by coaches from Drum Cafe' this afternoon. Leonie and I were the only two adults among a group of toddlers. Leonie was good at drums and I tried to catch up with her and the coaches. At the end, both Leonie and I were contented with the bruises on our palms. Gosh, it felt good!

After the big lucky draw at 5PM and before I left for the day, I introduced Toastmasters clubs to Teresa to answer her curiosity how I acquire my English. And I introduced Arts Village to Leonie and I hope I could be one of her students in Arts one day soon. The South Africa Day is not only one day, but it is also the beginning of many days to connect to the Rainbow Nation in Africa.

The Message of A Supermodel

I was at a fashion show this afternoon. I was not on the catwalk, but sat on the first row within an arm distance from the supermodels. I exchanged eye contacts with three young and pretty supermodels, and they smiled back at me.

Lydia informed me of the HIROKO BIS fashion show held at Mitsukoshi Department Chungshan Store yesterday. She couldn't go, because she had an appointment with her high school classmates this afternoon. Sophia and I managed to see what HIROKO KOSHINO had to offer this summer.

The moment we arrived at HIROKO BIS on the 4th floor, we were led to two best seats and we were offered with two bottles of Perrier and two bags of Aunt Stella's homemade cookies. Both Sophia and I were happy with the VIP services extended from the hospitable receptionists. When I looked around the clothes at display, they didn't catch too much of my attention at the first sight, honestly speaking!

But, after I saw HIROKO BIS 2009 summer fashion show by three beautiful supermodels, I was very much impressed with the works of HIROKO KOSHINO. The color coordination, the mix and match of various 2009 summer outfits are prefect for my coming safari in Africa in July, only if I could afford a few of them. No matter what, I'm determined to collect a few artistic pieces of HIROKO KOSHINO in my wardrobe.

What impressed me the most this afternoon, of course, were the sweet smiles on three beautiful supermodels' pretty faces. Their eyes disclosed how much they enjoyed their work and how happy they were. Their smiles were contagious. I smiled during the entire fashion show, from the beginning to the end.

Being a supermodel has become my dream since I turned 50. I watch my diet, I exercise, I walk tall, I keep an eye on my figure. But that is not enough, I need to be happy inside out, so that I can smile happily and merrily to convey the blissful message to people around me. Being much inspired, I think that the blissfulness is the value a supermodel can add onto fashion and life.

PS: I need to cut off at least ten pounds!

ConFusiOn

I knew it! It could have been worse! After listening to Nakashima Mika's "conFusiOn", I'm glad that I don't have to face her confusion, "he's the boyfriend of my sweet, sweet girlfriend".

I sat at a table for four by the window, drinking Taiwan beer by myself. It was 2:20PM and nobody showed up for the afternoon tea. I particularly dressed up today, wearing a pink hat with a matching scarf. I must look like a has-been. Fortunately, I had a book in my hand to avoid the embarrassment. It's hilarious to read "Biography of a Germ" by Arno Karlen at a huge Cantonese noisy and boisterous restaurant.

At five to two, I walked into the restaurant to find that no reservation was made under my friend's name. It was strange, but I could wait. After waiting at the reception for ten minutes, I asked for a table for four by the window. After waiting at the table for another ten minutes, I ordered a bottle of Taiwan beer in stead of Chinese tea for dim sum. The Citystar Yum Cha Part II was packed with patrons, no sign of economic downturn whatsoever.

At 2:40PM, Lydia called me and asked me where I was and asked me to join them. I told her that the restaurant was too big that I couldn't find them. Let's meet at the reception. Then I knew something was wrong. I was waiting at the right address, but the wrong place. They had been eating and drinking at Citystar Yum Cha Part I for more than half an hour. After paying a handsome minimum charge, I walked to join them five hundred meters away half drunk! By the time, I arrived at Part I, I looked at the cold dim sum dishes on the table. I laughed at myself. It's not my fault. It's just another inevitable short story of confusion in life.

Toastmaster Chuen Ching invited Lydia and me for afternoon tea to return my books on Italian language today. Two years ago, Chuen Ching called me one day and told me her son planned to study fashion design in Italy. Lydia helped me carry a huge bag of books to her Toastmasters club member. In the end, Chuen Ching's son didn't go to Italy. And I need the books to study before I go to Italy in July.

Year 2009 is challenging, because I plan to travel in Italy and in Senegal in summer. I need to use Italian and French in two different countries. If I can study both of them from now, I should be okay with daily conversation in two languages in two months. Finally I have the opportunity to resolve my confusion of the two similar Latin languages.

Nakashima Mika sang, "Run away! Get away! I can't run away!" The conFusiOn of mine today was nothing comparing to hers, but mine added another interesting episode to my versatile life. I'm grateful as always!

Golden Cougars

Believe it or not, I am LKK, an old fashion woman. I don't use MSN. I don't use Skype. I don't do on-line shopping. And I don't make friends on the net. Gosh, I must have missed many interesting things in modern society. It is time I opened my mind to embrace the new world of true women.

At dinner with the Kondo's at Shin Yeh Restaurant this evening, Lydia and I saw Wells Chin, a famous TV variety show host, walk in and sit at a big table right next to us. While they sang "Happy Birthday" to a young woman in chorus, I turned back and joined them. In return, Wells brought four pieces of cheesecake to our table to break the ice. And Lydia and I got the chance to have a photo taken with him by Toastmaster Harry Fong, DTM, Lydia's significant other. Somehow it prompted me to reflect upon the heated topic of cougar relationships among golden ladies recently.

Cougar Relationship, simply speaking, is a relationship between an older woman and a younger man. There has been an increase in this type of relationship in the last few years. Surprisingly, it was the first time I heard of this type of relationship at our Toastmaster magazine reading gathering in April ten days ago. And it happened to be on 7 o'clock tv news yesterday evening. The traditional norm of an older man with a younger woman, usually not more than a few years between them, is facing an inevitable anthropological paradigm shift.

No matter what reasons cougar ladies have in mind, I'm still interested in men of my age. Simply because it is easier to get along with someone of my generation, men or women. It is easier to relate to our separate worlds and it is easier to get connected with people of the same generation. Take my husband for example, he is one and a half years older than I am. On top of that, we went to the same junior high school. He and I share the same background and we feel at ease meeting each other's expectations.

Seeing a man younger than me is like going out with someone to my junior. At work, I don't mind being bossy, but off work, I don't like to mother a partner, to shoulder the responsibilities, to pay the bill. In my dictionary, men should take care of women and vice versa. Yes, I might be LKK now, but who knows when I shall change my perspective! Imagine 20 years from now on, when I am in my 70's, will I be interested in meeting with a man in his 40's?

Gastronomic Lunch Hours

Gina Cheng of Grand Toastmasters Club called me yesterday evening to my surprise when I was busy preparing dinner for my husband. She told me with full excitement that she made chicken risotto and she wished to invite me to her office for lunch today.

At 12 noon, I arrived at Gina's office to see two plates of chicken risotto and two bowls of pumpkin soup on a small round table. It was the first time I had such an intimate gastronomic lunch with a toastmaster friend in an office. I just loved it!

Gina's chicken risotto, or chicken paella or chicken jambalaya, so to speak, looked very rich and colorful. She cooked white rice with green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, chopped chicken breast, fresh mushrooms, saffron, garlic, olive oil and other Italian seasoning.

We started our lunch with the pumpkin soup, but I couldn't wait to have my first bite of chicken risotto half way of our soup ritual. Yummy as it tasted, I was at once reminded of the most delicious seafood paella I had in Casablanca ten years ago with my business associate. I was invited to his friend's mansion for dinner, sit on the floor covered with Persian carpet, surrounded by a big crowd of Arab gentlemen.

While savoring Gina's proud homemade paella, we exchanged our traveling plans in 2009. Gina plans to visit Germany and France for 18 days in late May. I plan to visit Italy and Senegal for two months in July and August. The coming adventures of us were the main themes of our lunch rendezvous. We were excited to explore various local delicacies soon in Europe and Africa.

Gina's eyes opened wide when I told her that my parents-in-law grew rosemary in their front yard in Pu-tzu. I made many bottles of freshly dried rosemary in virgin olive oil last summer. Gina was happy when I told her that I would give a bottle for her rib and lamb chop.

After lunch, I served caramel almond flakes and mulberry jam I brought along for desserts. While I helped Gina prepare coffee, her colleague helped her fetch a bottle of fresh milk. While sipping the delicious coffee, I proposed to Gina that we could meet with each other once a month for gastronomic lunch hours. We can take turns showcasing our newly developed recipes to satisfy our taste buds as well as to provide each other with constructive evaluations for improvements in our kitchens.

At one o'clock, our lunch gathering came to a perfect end when Gina presented a bag of frozen chicken risotto for my husband. And I didn't forget to ask for Gina's signature on my cookbook 2009 to mark the beginning of our culinary journey in front of us.

Three Generations in Toastmasters

Olivier Kondo is the youngest toastmaster friend of mine. He is 4 months old. We had a crush upon each other at our first sight. When I held Olivier in my arms, he stopped crying and gazed at me with a big charming smile. He was an irresistible angel to me!

Toastmaster Sophia Chen and her husband invited me for lunch at Le Bistro de L'Olivier, a prestigious French restaurant in Taipei, this afternoon, to thank me for being Sophia's mentor for one year in Grand Toastmasters Club.

After lunch, Lydia picked me up to meet with Annie for afternoon tea at her home. Lydia is the godmother of Annie. Annie just arrived in Taipei from France for two weeks business trip with her husband in Taiwan. When I mentioned about the delicious Foie gras at Le Bistro de L'Olivier. Annie introduced to me her proud son Olivier born in Paris four months ago. What a coincidence, the same name!

The afternoon tea party of three generations was pleasant. We talked about toastmasters. Lydia and I were happy that we might convert four non-toastmasters to toastmasters this afternoon, including Annie, Olivier, Kathryn, and Vincent. Annie knows about Toastmasters because her husband Derrick was recommended to join a Toastmasters club before he got his Ph.D. degree.

Kathryn, Lydia's college classmate, just arrived in Taipei for a week vacation from the US with her son Vincent. Kathryn and Vincent were interested in how Lydia and I became close friends. In the end, we talked long hours about how golden ladies grew and developed ourselves in Toastmasters. Olivier's eyes sparkled at me when he was not asleep.

I would be in my 70's when Olivier turns 18. It would be awesome if I could listen to his icebreaking speech no matter where it might be. And I look forward to seeing the cute little boy once in my arms stand tall and speak up one day in Toastmasters!

Toastmaster Magazine Reading Gathering in April

On Easter Sunday, perfect ten golden ladies met for Toastmaster Magazine reading gathering in April at Elite Riverside Cafe' in Hsin-tien. It was the biggest reading gathering since we launched our first three years ago. It feels good to see our reading group is getting bigger. It feels great to see our reading group members excel themselves in their professions.

Michelle Liu passed the final examination and claimed her CCIM designated by CCIM Institute in Chicago Friday evening after a year of intensive training in commercial real estate. She sent us a notice to share her happiness as soon as she received the certificate at the pinning ceremony in Taipei. "After a long journey, I finally made it", wrote Michelle, "but it is not an ending but a beginning to scale a new heights to my life." Dear Michelle, congratulations! You made us your proud golden ladies Toastmasters friends. Don't forget to jot down your joy in the traveling diary in your good hands now.

At eight o'clock this morning, Amy Chen woke me up in bed. She asked me about the assigned three articles of Toastmaster Magazine March issue we were about to read. Amy's call was like a morning call from a guardian angel. I was so much uplifted instantly by her cheerful voice. I was cured from the total exhaustion of a translation and interpretation project in the past two weeks. Amy gave me a good dose of a blissful morning injection. I was ready for our reading gathering in April on Easter Sunday.

With Linda Tseng's arrangement, we had our most luxurious luncheon on Easter Sunday. The kaiseki Japanese cuisine included two starters, three main dishes, along with a big hot pot, desserts and coffee. After we satisfied our stomachs, we began our reading of three feature articles as planned, 1. Thinking Like a Loser--How to Conquer the Psychology of the Contest by John Kinde, DTM, Accredited Speaker; 2. Crucial Conversations--Tips on Talking to the Key People in Your Life by Barbara Neal Varma; 3. Walking a Fine Line--How Much Personal Information Should Speakers Share? by Judith Tingley, DTM, Ph.D.

Reading Toastmaster magazine aside, golden ladies were more interested in the gossip and tabloid as usual. For 4 hours straight luncheon, we spent less than one hour on reading the magazine, but we felt contented just the same. After reading thinking like a loser, Trini and I decided on the spot to join 2009 humorous speech contest in November. Trophies collect dust alright, nevertheless we shall aim at collecting trophies in Toastmasters, to grow, to master the art of communication in public.

Follow Amy Chen's steps, I turned into an angel after our reading gathering. I delivered Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth, a wish book to a young man who suffered bipolar disorder and hospitalized in the psychiatric ward 9A at Cardinal Tien Hospital in Hsin-tien. On Easter Sunday 2009, I was surrounded by many beautiful angels and I became one of them. I'm grateful and thankful!

Traveling Diary

The traveling diary of golden ladies embarked upon her journey this afternoon. I gave it to Trini at our lunch gathering at Milano Cafe' with the witness of Pamela, Lydia, Cecilia and Sophia. The diary will be traveling from now on with one of us to an unknown part of the world for a period of time until she is passed down to another succeeding golden lady. Why a traveling diary in the first place?

No doubt, blogging on the internet has been an efficient and successful way to connect golden ladies so far. We have been brought together to read Toastmaster magazine on monthly basis and to share our thoughts on daily basis in the cyber world for the past three years. We chitchat, we laugh, we cry, we document our happy and sad moments.

From "Sex and the City", "Cashmere Mafia", "Lipstick Jungle", I don't seem to get bored watching the TV series about the stories among women friends. And I went beyond to see "The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants" I & II early this year, even I'm not a teenage girl and I don't have one in my life. The story was inspiring. It was about four young girls who acquired a pair of magical jeans that fit all four of them perfectly. And the magic traveling pants took turns traveling with one of foursome to all parts of the world.

The advent of telecommunication is certainly one of the greatest achievements of human beings to shorten the distance between people. But what if we could travel back to the old times, we could receive something tangible in our hands, something to place on our desks, something to kiss and to shed tears! So I got the idea that golden ladies could share something substantial like the magic jeans in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Without any ado, I asked Sophia Chen to design a traveling diary for golden ladies last week.

Sophia has been scrapbooking for a long time. In addition to her makeup artist and stylist career, she also designs taylor made cards for important occasions. She enjoys particularly designing photo albums for family and friends. When I told her about the idea of a traveling diary for golden ladies, Sophia jumped at the chance to offer her helping hands immediately. Within two days, Sophia designed an A-4 traveling diary, with the theme of "QUEENS of the COURT" and lots of colorful adornments from page to page. As soon as I received the beautiful and cheerful traveling diary, on the first page I jotted down what happened to me the emotional roller coaster day of 24 hours in my life last Thursday.

The traveling diary is a collective letter per se. I am curious how it evolves during the time we grow old and how it weaves our lives and add colors to family and friends around us. Like the traveling pants of the sisterhood, I believe the traveling diary will let golden ladies learn to become individuals whilst maintaining our friendship that makes us whole.