On 228

District 67 held the serial advanced workshop on Effect Club Officers meeting at the National Postal Museum Saturday, February 28th. I participated in the first serial workshop (Club Coach Workshop) when I took the challenge as a club coach of Aloha Toastmasters Club in December 29th, 2013.

As Taipei Botanical Garden is in the proximity of Postal Museum, I thought it would be a nice idea to create a facebook event for participants to enjoy an early morning promenade at Taipei Botanical Garden for an hour, from 7:30 till 8:30.

Only three participants showed up, President Zoy Jaung, Treasurer Betty Lin, and me, VPPR from Grand Toastmasters Club. We saw many early birds at the garden, including Taiwan Magpie, Chinese Bulbul, Gray Heron, and we took many photos holding Toastmaster Magazine February issue with hibiscus blossom in the background. What a refreshing warm-up before the workshop!

The workshop on Effect Club Officers Meeting was conducted by senior Toastmasters (Edward Chen, Harry Fong, Joy Tsai, Jorie Wu) featuring four demos in-between. It was very rewarding to observe veteran Toastmasters coach juniors to run club officers meetings effectively. I saw the giant leap of Zoy in presiding two mock club officers meetings in the morning and in the afternoon. She excelled her communication and leadership skills in less than four hours, from knowing how to listen actively to asking questions timely and accordingly.

During the lunch break, Zoy, Betty and I paid homage to 228 victims at National Postal Museum, right across the street from National 228 Memorial Museum. While we took photos with the red banner of US Marine Corps—Devil Dogs (from Devil Dogs to Grand in 1984), we caught some attention on 228, the most devastating day in Taiwan history.

When I was called upon to tell why I joined the workshop, I replied that I simply wanted to network with Toastmasters and friends. In the end, I caught up with old members and made acquaintance with new members. I was contented that I made it to the workshop. I learned about the importance of ownership of each club officer and 3 W (Who to do What at When). Meetings are not about talking in the air, meetings are about making solutions and building solidarities among club officers.

Be the advent in social media, Line, Facebook, Instagram, I believe more in vis-a-vis networking. People can bring up ideas and put them into actions instantly. After I listen to other members' opinions, I adjust my perspectives accordingly. For life-long learning toastmasters, it's never too late for us to learn new tricks, junior or senior Toastmasters. Toastmasters are proven examples of neuroplasticity through learning by doing!

After the workshop, I rushed to golden ladies Spring Wine Party. It was a full house of people, food, beverage, noise and laughter. I put on my newly bought Latin dancing shoes to practice tango, cha-cha, and jitterbug. At the coming dancing class from next Wednesday, I look forward to learning Rumba and waltz intensively in the next three months.

Small but Smart

At the very first meeting of Year of Goat, only ten Granders showed up, including four new members (CT, Eric, Spring, Betty) to be inducted by Area H1 Governor Douglas Huang Wednesday evening, February 25th.

Be it a small meeting of less than a dozen participants, eleven to be exact, it was a smart meeting, from the induction ceremony, tabletopics session, prepared speech session to evaluation session, not to mention the joyful intermission for members to share their Chinese New Year holidays excitements surrounding a long table covered with two boxes of flower sushi, a big bowl of egg and green salad, a plate of sunkists and two boxes of red and orange cherry tomatos.

First timer Tabletopics master Eric Hsu prepared four questions about Chinese New Year holiday vacations, red envelops, holiday transportation, small or big family reunion. All questions were auspicious during the Chinese New Year holidays (February 18th~March 5th, 2015).

CT’s 8th speech (application of visual aids) was humorous. He talked about the birth of instant noodles. He explained four different types of instant noodles he brought along, and he demoed the knowhow to savor instant noodles. For a good cup of noodles, it’s a must to lay a textbook on top of the cup noodles after the hot water was poured to soak up well instant noodles.

Zoy's A1 speech (speaking to inform) was informative. She talked about the named patient program for those who need new drugs yet to be approved in Taiwan for personal treatment. For cancers and rare diseases, patients can apply for drug samples and giveaway through the government. On-line purchasing of pharmaceuticals is dangerous and illegal.

The meeting theme was golden sheep. I won the best dressed toastmaster award as I put on a golden flower in my hair, a golden necklace, a golden sweater, and a golden skirt. I was destined to be the winner, because I was a golden sheep myself. I was born in the year of golden sheep 60 years ago.

At 8:30PM, the first meeting was adjourned. We talked about the celebration of Grand’s 40th anniversary till 9:10PM. Volunteers are wanted urgently!

Year of Goat (乙未)

In the Year of Goat, sixty years ago, I was born in Chia-yi City. I couldn't have thought that I would marry a man from Chia-yi County. I'm happy to celebrate the 28th Chinese New Year since I got married in Pu-tzu in 1987, on the fifth day of the first month.

Chinese people like to get married right before the Chinese New Year, but I got married immediately after the Chinese New Year because of my religious and superstitious mother-in-law. Many thanks to her that my marriage has worked out so far in my favor.

Be Pu-tzu a satellite town of Chia-yi County, it has a lot to offer, friendly relatives, Pei-ten Temple, Po-tzu Park, Chia-yi Country Library, Embroidery Museum, countryside lifestyle, and fresh air. I love the annual ritual to visit Pei-ten Temple and many scenic and familiar places in the neighborhood during the Chinese New Year holidays.

Many auspicious and joyful routines took place during the Chinese New Year holidays in 2015, including smoking pork brisket, making star fruit wine, visiting relatives and neighbors, attempting needle works, taking photos. Life is a string of pearls. I'm collecting 28 pearls on my necklace!

Au Revoir Notre Amore Gino

Gino, the Internationally renowned canine star barked dreadfully when Trini and I left him. His owner treated him as his third son. Everyday they walked at the CKS Memorial Park to entertain visitors from all over the world. As the proud father, Gino's owner showed Trini and me eagerly photos of Gino surrounded by international tourists on his i-pod.

Gino is an 8 year-old English Cocker Spaniel. He is the most sensitive and sentimental dog I had ever held in my arms. After Trini and I played with him for 20 minutes, he couldn't bear to see us leave. He barked and barked. Trini and I had to turn back to hold him once again for a while. His owner had to tighten the leach to keep him from running away with us.

The sole of my left boot suddenly fell apart and cracked open when Trini and I bad farewell to notre amore Gino. Gino is a lucky dog, pampered by his owner, loved by many people, including Trini and me.

Only Trini had time when I inquired golden ladies if they were interested in the cherry blossom at CKS Memorial Hall. Trini and I met at Exit 5, MRT CKS Station at 11 o'clock, Wednesday morning, February 11th. The sun came out to our delight. Trini was indeed a sunny lady. We took a pleasant stroll around the park and took many group photos under cherry trees by strangers. Most cherry trees bore buds yet to blossom. They would be in full bloom to welcome the Chinese New.Year.

Despite of my hard walking on broken shoes, Trini and I ventured to the second destination of the day—the Sun Yun-suan's Memorial Museum by my scooter.

On our way, we bought two pork pepper buns and enjoyed our picnic by the pond full of colorful harps in the huge back yard of Late Sun Yun-suan house. When I looked at two big tall trees, I wish there were a tree house on top to overlook the beautiful Taipei Botanical Garden.

PS: Trini came to my last dancing practice Thursday morning, February 12th. She put on a red and black dancing costume and her matching red and black Latin dancing shoes. Being a good dancer, she took turns dancing with my classmates for one and a half hours. I video recorded her dance with my class leader. I was glad that Trini had a good time.

Twelve dance classmates joined the year-end lunch gathering, the perfect number for a round table at one of the famous restaurants in Xindian.

After lunch, we enjoyed afternoon coffee at our classmate's Mansion on a cherry blossom hill overlooking the Hsin-tien River. We broke into two groups in the two-story living room. Some enjoyed karaoke downstairs, I joined the drinking group upstairs to listen to childhood stories of my classmates in old Ximen. It was a lovely afternoon with senior citizens to reminisce good old times in Taipei.

Say Goodbye to the Year of Jiawu!

I saw the Legend of the White Snake in Peking Opera with Toastmaster Kate Hsu and Gina Fu at GuoGuang Theater Saturday afternoon, February 7th. Being the final show of the year, it attracted a full house, including those on portable seats. I knew I was going to see my last and best Peking Opera in the year of the horse!

Kate and I met for lunch at 12 noon. We found a small cafe' in the neighborhood. Kate picked up a corner with two highback chairs for two facing each other by the window. Both of us ordered Korean Bibimbap and coffee latte'. Kate had a blue cup with "Pourvous", mine is pink with "Friendly". I was curious about the word on the red cup of our next neighbor. It was faithful.

I can't thank Kate enough for inviting me to see the Legand of the White Snake featuring four groups of protagonists (white snake, green snake, and Xu Xian). The final show of the year was very entertaining, sining, acting, martial arts, costumes. Sitting at the second row, I could feel the heartbeats of the performers on stage. No wonder Kate loves to see Peking Opera Live.

During the intermission, I ran into an old colleague from the Department of Health. It has been more than two decades since I last saw him. We chatted at the front gate enjoying colorful camillia blossom at both sides, red, white, pink and white. When I returned to my seat, I was happy to see the huge tapestry of 10 camillia flowers as the main backgroud on stage.

During the show, I observed carefully the blocking of the actors and actresses, the body movements, the layout of simple furnitures, the props, and the costumes. I was counting how many times Xu Xian would be unfaithful to Lady White Snake. I was hoping for three, but I only saw two, when Xu Xian asked Lady White Snake to drink realgar wine and when Xu Xian sought for a shelter at Jinshan Temple.

It was a long and rewarding show, the first half for 75 minutes, intermission for 15 minutes, and the second half for 105 minutes. After the show, I hang around to take photos of young opera singers. I admire their hardwork to excel on stage to give the audience their best. I thank all the performers on stage to give the audience a wonderful afternoon, and interprete a beautiful story of love in Chinese literature. It is about time I added a few more Peking Opera libretto other than just "Arrest Susan 蘇三起解" in my pocket.

The Legend of the White Snake is one of China's Four Great Folktales, along with Lady Meng Jiang, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, and The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid.

At the Broken Bridge (斷橋) near the West Lake in Hangzhou, Xu Xian (許仙) met Lady White Snake and servant Green Snake in the rain. Xu Xian lent his umbrella to two ladies and their fates became intertwined. Xu Xian and Lady White Snake fell in love and got married. They moved to Zhenjiang, where they opened a medicine shop. Lady White Snake got preganant!

The Buddhist monk Fahai (法海) tried to break up Xu Xian and Lady White Snake. He told Xu Xian to give realgar wine to Lady White Snake on Dragon Boat Festival. Lady White Snake revealed her true form as a large white snake. Xu Xian almost died of shock after seeing that his snake wife. Lady White Snake went to Mount Emei to steal a magical herb to save Xu Xian.

After coming back to life, Xu Xian kept his vow for Lady White Snake despite of knowing her true identity. Fahai tried to separate them by convincing Xu Xian to seek for a shelter at Jinshan Temple (金山寺). White and Green snakes fought with Fahai to rescue Xu Xian. Being preganant with with Xu Xian's child, Lady White Snake failed to save Xu Xian. Xu Xian later managed to escape from Jinshan Temple and reunited with his wife in Hangzhou, where Bai Suzhen gives birth to their son. Fahai tracked them down at the broken bridge, defeated Lady White Snake and imprisoned her in Leifeng Pagoda.

The Legend of the White Snake is a story of good and evil. The Buddhist monk Fahai set out to save Xu Xian's soul from the white snake spirit, an evil demon. The Legend of the White Snake is also a story of love. Lady White Snake and Xu Xian were genuinely in love with each other even though their relationship is forbidden by the laws of nature. Love conquers All!

PS: I saw the movie "The Sorcerer and the White Snake", a 2011 film directed by Ching Siu-tung and starring Jet Li Tuesday afternoon, February 10th. It was another interpretation of the Legend of the White Snake in 3-D. The friendship between the Green Snake and the batman, the disciple of Fahai was absurb, but entertaining!

What Makes A Good Politician?

It was a full house of students, from high school to college when I walked into Room 428 at MOFA Toastmasters Club at 12:30 Thursday noon, Feburary 5th .Wow, it felt good to see young people in Taiwan seize the opportunities to learn outside of their schools during the winter break.

It was a special day. At the reception of MOFA, I was told to go ahead by the security guards without changing the visitor pass, because they were out of supply. I trailed three students from CYCU Toastmasters Club to the elevator. In stead of an awkward silence in an elevator with a bunch of strangers, I struck a conversation with three students immediately in the Toastmasters language.

MOFA Forum in February was hosted by President Jenny Tzeng. She assigned an article by former congressman Lee Hamilton, What Makes A Good Politician? I listened to the mp3 a day before and thought about two questions Jenny asked us to prepare in advance:

1. What traits should an ideal politician possess?
2. If any of your family members decides to pursue political career, what would you say to him/her?

After the prepared speech seesion, I joined the group at the back, including four students from CYCU Toastmasters Club, Clark, Ruru, Fanny, Hanks, what a coincidence! We took turns reading the article, and Clark Liu, the President of CYCU, represent our group to give an oral report in one minute in public.

Being the General Evaluator, I was happy about the participants turnout rate this afternoon. It was the first time I saw a full house of people at MOFA. MOFA Forum proved to be effective to involve and connect all particpants. What a networking mechanism for all!

After meeting, I complimented Toastmaster Howard Chien, VPE of MOFA, for inviting a dozen high school students. While I saw the strong desire to learn communication skills in the sparkling eyes of the high school students, I urged Howard to conduct Youth Leadership Program and establish a Gavel Club at high school. Howard told me that he would talk to the principal about the possibility to found a club or hold a youth leadership event in Nay-li high school.

PS: After reading "What makes a good politician?" by Lee Hamilton, I thought about what makes a good Toastmaster. Likewise, a good toastmaster must be trustworthy. She or he must be energetic, focus, ambitious for individuals, clubs, districts and for All.

Grand's in-house International Speech Contest

Fourteen members and three guests showed up at Grand's in-house international speech contest on a chilly and rainy Wednesday evening, February 4th. It was also Lìchūn (立春 ),  the 1st of 24 solar terms (節氣) , the beginning of spring in East Asian cultures.

Being one of the contestants, I had been thinking about what to say for more than a month before I finally put down words at work yesterday morning. I spent the afternoon making my props and rehearsed my speech several times before the contest.

I was the second contestant following Toastmaster Eric Hsu. I forgot two important transitions and I missed a whole paragraph, but I was happy to see the response from the audience and I had a good time control to finish my speech within seven minutes and thirty seconds. I won the speech contest, even though I was not pleased with my performance. After Grand's in-house contest, I rewrote my speech several times and I made more props. I'm sure I shall do better at Area H1 International Speech Contest after Chinese New Year.

Seven Minutes and Thirty Seconds

Five, four, three, two, one, time is up. I can get my hourly pay! (a sign holder for real estate advertising takes off the vinyl yellow raincoat, kisses one hundred NT bill)

Five, four, three, two, one, time is up. I can get my hourly pay! (a doctor in white coat, shakes two thousand NT bills in the air)

Time is money. Time is our most valuable commodity. Like it or not, we are judged by our society of material with how much we make an hour. The more money we make, the more successful we are. We are defined by the number on our price tag (show a price tag). How much is your price tag per hour?

I plunged into the job market immediately after I graduated from college in 1977. So long ago, when I was young and insatiable. Then I went to graduate school in US, came back to Taiwan to work for the government, Pharmaceutical Association, Pharmaceutical Company, my hourly pay went up, but I faced the question of my price tag at the end of second millennium (stick the price tag on me).

In 1999, at age of 45, I worked 24-7 as a project manager at Quintiles, a contract research organization. For more than one year, I managed clinical trials,surrounded by smart and rich doctors, for multinational pharmaceutical companies and I charged 1,000 US dollars for 15 minutes. In other words, I sold myself for profit with a price tag of 1,000 US dollars (show one thousand US dollars bill) for 15 minutes (move the long hand from 12 to 3 on the clcok). Fifteen minutes (move the long hand from 3 to 6 on the clcok) , charge! Fifteen minutes (move the long hand from 6 to 9 on the clcok) , charge! Been programmed to work at a time unit of a quarter of an hour, I thought about the value of my life. Was it about the accumulation of wealth? I quit my job for profit (remove the price tag from me).

I spent more time in communities, in Toastmasters, surrounded by energetic and enthusiastic people. They changed the trajectory of my life. I found the purpose of my life when I offered my helping hands for free for a bigger and more meaningful cause.

Facing age of 60 now, I shall lead my life with a new time unit of 7'30". Seven minutes and thirty seconds (move the long hand from 1.5 to 3 on the clcok) , give! Seven minutes and thirty seconds (move the long hand from 3 to 4.5 on the clcok) , give! In Toastmasters, for every speech I make, I aim to inspire and to motivate people to be themselves, to become masters of life and work, and to realize their dreams.

I joined Toastmasters in 1984 to meet interesting people and to hone language skills. Over past three decades, I have been programmed to deliver speeches in 7'30". It was about the accumulation of educational awards and titles in the beginning, but it is more about the value and significance of my speeches now, how much I can achieve in persuading people into balancing for profit and for purpose lives to make the world a better place for all. I know there is a long way to go in my remaining short life, but I'm on my way, one step at a time!

Time, be it invisible, it is in our hand. In 7'30", a Toastmaster delivers a speech to share his or her purpose of life. In 7'30", a Toastmaster does justice to his or her speech. In 7'30", a Toastmasters achieves bliss through services to others. Make the best use of 7'30" and it’s the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others.

Five, four, three, two, one! Time is up! No money! Wow, it surely feels good to achieve another milestone in life in 7 minutes and 30 seconds! Contest Master!

Golden Ladies Toastmasters Slumber Party

At 6:30PM, nine golden ladies and friends showed up at Duckstay Saturday evening, January 31st. We had dinner at the most famous Taiwanese noodles shop in Wanhua. We ordered everything on the menu and we were the last group of customers to leave. The food was authentic and the price was reasonable. The shop owner took several good photos of us standing in front of the historic picture of the shop.

After dinner, we began the wine and dancing party. Kate brought a big bottle of white wine. I put on an one-piece flowery silk dress and all the other eight ladies were wearing pants. I was the only dancer who can lead. I took turns dancing with those who can follow. Then we began the karaoke party. Kate, Gina and their Peking Opera fans friends performed famous librettos, Michelle and I sang together Jiang-huey's famous song of a heartbroken showgirl. We watched the lyrics on Michelle's new i-phone6. We waited for Irene and Pamela to show up at 9:30PM. We had a marvelous group photo taken, 11 golden ladies and friends in total.

Only five ladies decided to stay overnight, Pamela, Michelle, Kate, Kate's sister and me. After we put on warmer clothes, we ventured to Wanhua night market. It was the first time I visited the famous Hua-xi Street before midnight. After the night snack, we walked back to Duckstay. On our way back, I saw the homeless in their sleeping bags along the aisles of MRT Wan-hua Station.

In the wee hours, shops were closed. We walked under the long, quiet and dark arcade. The road was covered with garbage, the smell became stronger. It would be unbearable for most people, but I tried to remember the strange smell of mixed food scraps and sweats, a special smell of hardworking people from dawn to dusk in the oldest district of Taipei. I wanted to remember everything with my five senses. I wanted to seize the chance to transcend to the past when I took a stroll on the streets in Wanhua in late night. Before long, the road will be bright and clean again.

The slumber party officially began after we settled at Room 7, the room closest to the toillette. After I put on my PJ. I thought about going downstairs to have a photo taken, but I wished more to hit the sack after a hot shower. The late night spicy women's talk didn't end till three o'clock in the morning. I didn't watch the time, I was the last to sleep. I knew I was, because I heard the heavy breathing around me. I changed my position with head against the wall at night, because I felt the bed was shorter than mine at home.

I was totally lost track of time. I thought it was still early when I woke up to use the toillete. Why the clean lady worked so hard Sunday morning? I went back to sleep. Before long, Michelle was all dressed up for the day. “Was she in a hurry for somewhere at 7 in the morning,” I thought. “Oh no, it was ten already,” shouted Kate. Kate and her sister were supposed to attend the Sunday service downstairs at 10:30. It was indeed a good night sleep from 3 till 10.

After breakfast at the most famous porridge shop, Michelle, Pamela and I took a walk at the Bo-Pi-Liao historical residential area. We took many great photos taken. Then we return to Duckstay to fetch our luggages just in time to join Kate and her sister for afternoon coffee. What a memorable and enjoyable two-days traveling in Wanhua. Hope I can do it again with Toastmasters from abroad during District 67 Spring Conference 2015 in Taipei in April.