IS that TWO BUCKS??

Defenders of Islam

It’s interesting to note that there are now so many self-proclaimed ‘defenders of Islam’. This, to me, implies that Islam is too weak that it requires these persons to come forward in defence of it.

I have been brought up with the belief that an important tenet of Islam is the Shahadah or witnessing and according to my Ustaz or teacher, this Shahadah should be reflected in our daily lives.


When I live my life in a way that portrays the beauty of Islam and invites others to Islam, not by mere words but by the very essence of my being, then I am living the Shahadah of Islam. If, on the other hand, my actions actually drive others away, then it is the Shahadah of kufr (disbelief).


I have to ask myself as to the kind of witness that I am and/or would like to be, and I would like to invite the ‘defenders’ to ask themselves the same question.

Division W - International Speech & Table Topics Contests

The Area W3 International Speech & Table Topics Contests will be held on March 17, 2010 (Wednesday) 7:30 p.m. at:

Global Success Centre

Unit 17-3A, Level 3A

3^rd Mile Square Old Klang Road

(building behind Pappa Rich – end lot, top floor from WINALITE)

The winners will represent the Area in the Division contest in April. (There's a typo in the above flyer, it should be 2010.)

GONG XI FA CAI

 

 Lunar New Year decorations at IEM (Institute of Engineers, Malaysia)

Wishing all friends and readers

GONG XI FA CAI

Maaf Zahir dan Batin

(what better time than a festival to seek forgiveness from and to forgive each other for any wrong doings, real or perceived.)

 

Kuching Toastmasters Club

I was on holiday in Kuching from 16 to 18 January 2010.  It so happened that the Kuching Toastmasters Club meets at the hotel we were staying at.  This being the International Speech Contest season, Kuching TMC was having their club level contest on that Sunday.  I didn't want to miss it, so I skipped dinner with my family members who were with me there to attend this contest.

 

 

The contest chairman, Stephen Chee CTM, CL, who is also the Vice-President Education of the club, taking charge of the contest.

All role players are at their assigned positions.

 

The trophies, certificates and tokens of appreciation are all ready.

 

The contestants and audience are waiting.

As the rules do not allow photographs being taken when contestants are delivering their speeches, lest they be distracted, I refrained from taking photos during the contest.

There was a slide presentation between the contests.

 

 

I must say that I was a little envious that we have not done anything like this at our club.

 

This speech would have been more appropriate in KL rather than Kuching, especially with reference to Pavilion and Sungai Wang.

 

The man whose dream it was to hold a meeting on the summit, Mike Lim.

Presentation of Certificates to participants.  There were 9 participants for the International Speech contest and 7 participants for Table Topics.  A total of 11 members took part.  I know 9 + 7 is more than 11, some took part in both contests.

Certificates were also presented to role-players.

 

These ladies made sure the correct certificates and trophies were handed out.

 

The second runner-up for the International Speech contest, Ms Grace Tan.

 

The runner-up was Mr Sahil Singh Dev.

 

The Kuching Toastmasters Club International Speech Champion for the period 2009/2010, Mr Colin Wong.

 

The second runner-up for the Table Topics contest was Mr Lawrence Tay.

 

The runner-up was Mr Felix Kho.

 

The Table Topic champion was, once again, Mr Colin Wong.

The President, Stanley Ngu CTM, CL making his closing address and inviting everyone present to supper.

 

 

 

  

Lawrence is a Money & You graduate from 1992.  He did his M&Y in Singapore.  The President, Stanley is a graduate from 2001 in Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

I must admit that I had a great time and made new friends. 

Mike has volunteered to take me around the next time I visit Kuching.  I'm sure that offer is open to all Toastmasters.

 

 

 

 

Question of Perspective

I went to Penang and Kulim recently with my brother to send/visit his daughters.  As it was a day trip, there were not many opportunities to stop for photographs.

I had my camera with me and I was not going to let a little thing like that to stop me from enjoying myself.

These are some of my shots of plants that I normally will not take:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its only a question of perspective and everyday plants look like a million.

Driver's Licence

A mother is driving her little girl to her friend's house for a play date.

'Mommy ,' the little girl asks, 'how old are you?'

'Honey, you are not supposed to ask a lady her age,' the mother replied. 'It's not polite.'

'OK', the little girl says,'How much do you weigh?'

'Now really,' the mother says,'those are personal questions and are really none of your business.'

Undaunted, the little girl asks, 'Why did you and Daddy get a divorce?'

'That's enough questions, young lady! Honestly!'

The exasperated mother walks away as the two friends begin to play.

'My Mom won't tell me anything about her,' the little girl says to her friend.

'Well,' says the friend,'all you need to do is look at her driver's license. It's like a report card, it has everything on it.'

Later that night the little girl says to her mother, 'I know how old you are. You are 32.'

The mother is surprised and asks, 'How did you find that out?

'I also know that you weigh 130 pounds.'

The mother is past surprised and shocked now.
'How in Heaven's name did you find that out?'

'And,' the little girl says triumphantly,
'I know why you and daddy got a divorce.'

'Oh really?' the mother asks. 'Why?'







'Because you got an F in sex.'




If you see someone without a smile today
Give them one of yours! 

Thanks! Joo Hock