LE @ TAMPINES CHANGKAT ENGLISH TOASTMASTERS CLUB 26MAY2025

BRICKBATS

GRAMMAR

1) she hold my hand => she held my hand

2) I become an Area Director  => I became an Area Director

3) I try my best to help them => I tried my best to help them

4) She bring a gift with her => She brought a gift with her

NOTE: 

use past tense when telling a story that happened in the past

VOCABULARY

1) I decided to join yingwei... => I decided to join because ...

2) I'm feeling under the blanket  => ...under the weather

3) make the project success  => make the project successful 

4) Today I'm doing an Icebreaker => Today I'm presenting an Icebreaker speech

5) clap hands generously => please clap enthusiastically

6) composureness => composure

7) he got the independence of the country => he helped India to gain independence

8) very good emotions => positive emotions

9) it is good to lie => sometimes it's essential / imperative to lie to keep peace

10) this will make your speech even more better => will make your speech more impactful

PLURAL/S

1) Toastmaster club => Toastmasters Club

2) one of the Toastmaster => Toastmasters

3) it has been many month => months

4) sometime => sometimes

PRONUNCIATION (from Dictionary.com)

1) asked [askt]

2) anything [en-ee-thing]

BOUQUETS

ALLITERATION

1) pixels, people, purpose

2) prepared speeches and presentations

3) important and integral

4) pleasure and pressure

5) outgoing and outspoken

6) piecemeal progress

7) calmness and composure

METAPHORS

1) baby steps

2) butterflies in my stomach

TRIAD

1) quiet, shy and timid

2) my hands were shivering, my heart was palpitating, my legs were shaking

3) I implore you, I encourage you, I ask of you

(note: even better if we exchange the first and last verbs so that the tone increases in intensity:

I ask of you, I encourage you, I implore you)

DREAM CHASERS

Opening Address 15 May 2025 Katong TMC 20th Anniversary Celebration Chapter Meeting

Dreams are the spark that ignites the fire of possibility within us. They remind us that life is full of potential but our self-limiting beliefs often stop us from pursuing our dreams. When we dream, we open ourselves to new ideas, new perspectives, and new opportunities.

This month I fulfilled my dream of cycling round the island of Taiwan. It was an epic adventure of 900km over 9 days enjoying Taiwan's natural beauty and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean as we rode along the coast. There were 38 riders, mostly in their 50s and 60s. We call ourselves the dream chasers because it was the dream of our team leader Voon to take on such a challenge 12 years ago but he never had the chance until now. 

As for me, my girlfriends had invited me to join them on a similar trip in 2023 but I was unable to. I lived the amazing adventure vicariously through their Facebook updates and had been yearning to go on this adventure ever since. When the opportunity availed itself last year, I jumped at the chance. 

One of the riders Cheng sustained a fall and fractured his hip in December last year. As a result, he had to withdraw from the trip. After surgery and 3 months of rehab, he managed to recover well enough and with the approval of the surgeon and the support of his wife, he returned to the group in April and completed the cycling trip with his wife. Though he walks with a limp, once he's on the saddle, he's as fast as the wind and as steady as any of the other able riders. What an inspiration! 

I have found 3Ps to be essential in the pursuit of my dreams: passion, perseverance and people! Passion is that strong feeling of excitement and enthusiasm that will fuel our motivation to move forward and take action. 

Perseverance is the determination to never give up and to overcome the setbacks, obstacles and challenges that we face.

People who share our interests and passion is what we need to create a community of dreamers. When we connect with the right people, things happen! 

There are dream chasers all around us! Are you one of them? Ida is. In August last year, she took up ballroom dancing. With her dedicated practice and the encouragement of her coach, she took part in several competitions and started winning medal after medal! Can you visualize our elegant Ida gliding gracefully on the dance floor in glitz and glamour? She is a novice but was placed first runner-up in the recent Asian Dance Tour in Taiwan among many professional dancers. What an inspiration! ✨ 

As for Katong Toastmasters Club, our strength has ebbed and flowed through the years but we've always come through as a team. 20 years is a huge milestone for us. I am grateful for the community of learners who have here, not just in Katong TMC but also from all other clubs. Tonight we're so privileged to have Richard, Penny, Linda and William and all our guests join us to add verve and vitality to our club's 20th Anniversary Celebration. It is my hope and desire for Katong TMC to grow from strength to strength as we embark on our 21st year! 

No matter how big or small our dreams may seem, let's hold on to them.  Because when we chase our dreams, we not only transform our own lives but also inspire others to do the same. Let's be daring and dauntless dream chasers together! 

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney