Nov 17, 2007, the nation is in shock. The news of a 12-year-old committing suicide. Found by her sister with her hanging by the throat with a blanket from the window grill. It is unimaginable to me how can a 12 year old decides to take her own life. I mean, when I was that age, all I know was that I will be sitting for my UPSR and going to start to go to secondary schools, wear those light blue and white uniform. What in the world is going through the little girl's mind which push her over the edge.
A little girl that just received her UPSR results the day before. She was expecting to get at least 4As but instead, when the results were out, she was devastated, according to the father because she only obtained 4Bs, 2Cs and 1D. The father when asked by the reporters, informed them that he has not scolded her. Instead, he told her that he was proud of her and asked to try harder next year. He said he even promised her daughter that he will give him a gold ring for every As that she obtain in the future. Then if it is not family pressure, what indeed has made her decided to tie a blanket around her neck and jump out of a window, hanging herself, ending her life?
I guess I will never be able to contemplate how someone so young can choose to end her life. How does life become so bleak that it seems like there is not alternatives? Actually, to me, no matter how hard a situation is, there is always a silver lining to it. There is always something positive on the other side of the coin. I know, sometimes it might seems easier said than done especially when in a the moment of crisis, depression, pain and anger.
I believe everyone have experience some kind of hardship one way or another and I mean everyone. I can still remember when I was in my previous company, first 3 years was beautiful because I was working for a most understanding and fantastic lady boss that really care for me. That being my first job and all, everything was just rosy. I enjoyed my work as the program officer, dealing with kids (bluek! All students are kids to me eventhough sometimes the matured students are actually my age or older! haha). I love the kids and truly care about them and it is rewarding when they shows their appreciation.
Things were so fantastic that I decided to continue with my education on a part-time basis and obtained my masters. And then, that is when things started to go down hill. I was given the opportunity to transfer to another position for a much more challenging post. And believe me, although it was a tough decision (as all change are), I was excited too at the prospect of doing something totally new. Little did I know, what a mental torture it will be and how physically stressing it can be. The only good thing that came out of the two years was me losing weight without much effort.
But that kind of weight lost was indeed dangerous because by the end of one and half year, I was suffering hypertension due to stress. The stress caused not by the heavy duty job schedule and requirement, but rather, because of my new boss. He actually moved me to five different departments within the two years. The reason? Well, it was not because I was insubordinate or not doing my work. According to him, he thinks that I have the knack to move into a messed up department and clean it up. So, he decided the moment I got cosy and happy on my chair, he will move me!
The last position that I held before resigning was as one of Head of Department. Again stupid me accepted this extra responsibility without any additional benefits. Yeap, no increment for the promotion. Just a miserable allowance of RM200 per month. The thing that finally pushed me over the edge was when he scolded me for no apparent reason after a management meeting. I think he must be power crazy and abuse whoever that he can especially young naive eager to please Head of Department reporting to him. Those two years were really hell on earth.
By then, I was phobic to anything related to education industry as well as being the person leading a group of people. I was so demotivated that I want to do it to do simple stress free job which allows me to deal with customers. But looking back, I realised that the experience actually made me stronger. I was able to think fast on my feet for out-of-box solution and on top of that, improved my customer service skills. It also helped me to decide that I want to make customer service my profession. So, there are silver lining after all in this.
I guess what I want to say is that, when a situation seems really bad, stand back, think for awhile. And remember the 10/90 rule, ie. in most situation, there is only 10% that we can control, the other 90% is beyond our control. So, if this is the case, might as well worry and work hard to improve the 10% that we can control and let the 90% of other things pass. Because like all things, this too will pass.
Showing posts with label Toastmasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toastmasters. Show all posts
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Last 2 Speeches
OMG! Today is Wednesday and I have not prepared at all for my Toastmasters competent communicator project 10, Speak to Persuade! This is the last project in the Competent Communicator and after competing this, I will be receiving a certificate, a letter will be sent to my employer to inform them that I am a competent communicator now and I believe I will be receiving a pin. And for those that complete their CC by 31 Mar 2008, also will be given a soaring eagle pin (a very handsome pin I must say).
CC 9 was nothing spectacular as the objective was speak to persuade. So, I being the VPM (Vice President of Membership), of course I have to talk about Toastmasters and try to persuade people to join. So, me being super loso and talkative, was able to talked for almost 7 minutes. Points for improvement were to give more punch to the closing. So far, I believe this is my main weakness!
ppstt..tell you a secret, for speech 9, I actually on prepared the draft the morning of the meeting itself! hahaha..I know I know, I am crazy! But I realized that as long as I have a TOPIC in mind, the purpose of the speech, i.e. WHAT message I want to carry forward and also HOW to present the speech, the rest of the things will fall in place. Another trick that I do is to run thru the speech in my mind and improve them along the way. After that, to put the points in words. The most important part is the get a attention grabbing opening, a strong conclusion AND 3-4 points as the body!
Ok lar, enought about that. I am going to have my breakfast, complete my work for the day and then go surf the net for the ingredient for my speech tomorrow....
CC 9 was nothing spectacular as the objective was speak to persuade. So, I being the VPM (Vice President of Membership), of course I have to talk about Toastmasters and try to persuade people to join. So, me being super loso and talkative, was able to talked for almost 7 minutes. Points for improvement were to give more punch to the closing. So far, I believe this is my main weakness!
ppstt..tell you a secret, for speech 9, I actually on prepared the draft the morning of the meeting itself! hahaha..I know I know, I am crazy! But I realized that as long as I have a TOPIC in mind, the purpose of the speech, i.e. WHAT message I want to carry forward and also HOW to present the speech, the rest of the things will fall in place. Another trick that I do is to run thru the speech in my mind and improve them along the way. After that, to put the points in words. The most important part is the get a attention grabbing opening, a strong conclusion AND 3-4 points as the body!
Ok lar, enought about that. I am going to have my breakfast, complete my work for the day and then go surf the net for the ingredient for my speech tomorrow....
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
CC8: Getting Comfortable With Visual Aid
I won the best manual speaker out of five other speakers for this but I am not very proud of it because this was a rather fun and entertaining topics to do. And hence, humor has played a major part in being voted the best for the night. However, as for the content and deliver, it could have been improved more especially for a 8th project. Definitely more thoughts should be put into this instead of just preparing the final draft the day before and presentation slides on the day it self. Oh yes, one note to remember, for those using the Competent Communicator manual, please note that the objectives is to use TWO OR MORE VISUAL AID. So, if you only have powerpoint slides, better look for some props or some other things to help you. It can be anything, even a tea cup or human being to stand still as statue or posing for you.
TOPIC: A SECRET TO TELL
METHOD: Narrative & Informative
PURPOSE: To share the secret of getting the girl that a guy desire from a girl’s perspective
OPENING
Joke:
2 colleagues in a pantry chatting about their wives especially on how they win fights.
One guy said, “ The last time I had a fight with my wife, I had her on her knees”.
The another guy said, “Wow, what did she say?”
The first guy replied, “ She said, come out from under the bed right now!
Today, I am here not to share about how to win fights with your wives/spouse but rather, I am bringing you back to the very beginning, how to get the girl that you have your eyes on. I mean, guys, who better to learn on how to win the girl that you are eyeing over than from a girl.
Believe it or not, this is such a popular idea and apparently lucrative business that a couple of guys in US offer courses on how to woe gals and charge US$3000 for it. I will only be sharing tip of the iceberg, i.e. How to Get Started And since this is such as short one, I will not be charging you. Guys, you can thank me later *wink*
Actually, for us girls, it is really simple. The most important thing is FIRST IMPRESSION! The guy don't even have to be very handsome or look like a Italian Greek Model or God. He just need to impress us the first time that we see him. And I can tell you immediately that those corny pick up line does not work! What makes the guy think that saying something like "Have I seen you somewhere" or "I think I just saw an angel" will work? Girls are not stupid or brainless you know.
Remember to speak loud enough so that she can hear you. I am not asking you to shout, mind you! That is a no-no too. Just talk in loud audible volume so that she don't have to strain her ears to hear you. Trust me, she will not ask you to repeat yourself if she can't hear and chances are, she might just tune out or pretend to hear. This is no good too because she might be missing some important information that you might like her to know about you. Also, if you mumble, then we will perceive you as weak. So, speak up.
Once you get her attention, remember to BREATH! LOL~ I know it might it nerve wrecking and the possibility of being rejected is painful but that is LIFE. Slow down and don't talk like chipmuck! LOL!~ I know you suddenly have so many things to tell her but do it slowly. After all, you need to captivate her and not shock her! And guys, don't use your whiny voice. There is nothing worse than listening to someone with pitchy high voice especially from a guy. It might works on Franny from The Nanny but unless you have a body like hers, practice and train yourself to speak from your chest.
On the other hand, don't talk like a robot either! Gasp! You don't want to bore her with emotionless flat voice too. It always helps if you talk about a topic that you are passionate about but for godsake, I am pretty sure the girls am not interested in how you clean your socks yesterday.....
Oh yes, don't forget about your body language. Sit up or stand straight in your most natural posture without hunching or curving your back. Not asking you to be stiff like a statue lar! And try to take up more space. Don't withdraw into yourself. When sitting, sit as comfortably as you can with your legs spread comfortably across. I remember there is this really tall guy that I met once before sitting across from me with his super duper long legs stretch across the small tiny round cafe table towards me. There were no physical contact at all but the vibe at the time could have lit a bonfire. Sadly (or rather fortunately), I found out that he is a player. So, no thanks.
Next is the eyes! Remember how you know a couple just start dating when you see them staring gooey eyes at each other? When you are trying to attract a girl, eye contact is very very important. General rule is 50% when you are spoken to and 90% when you are speaking. This will show sincerity and interest. Girls are not used to being looked in the eyes by someone that is interested in them. So, this will come of as both attractive and show of confident and at the same time surprise the girl. Of course, it will help if you have sea blue eyes with long eye lashes that a girl simply can't stop staring and get lost in....
Last but not least, no matter how nervous you are feeling at the time, DO NOT SHOW THEM! Trust me, the moment the girl sense that you are nervous, then it is sayonara to you! We like our man to be strong, kind, wonderful, great eyes, great butt, great smile, humorous, entertaining, sensitive, cooks, clean and the list goes on! hahaha...
EVALUATION:
1. Too many points. Listener cannot recall all five points if didn't jot down. Suggest to keep to three points
2. Example, can use the Three Monkeys, See no evil (for eye contact), hear no evil (for vocal, volume and tone), talk no evil (slow down, relax, calm down, think before talking,etc).
3. To add more oomph to the opening, say something like, PPSSTTT, I have a secret to tell you.
4. Dangerous to use English related joke. Some people might not get it. So, unless really good, keep away.
5. To add more oomph to closing, say something like, Go forth and be a Toastmasters! (Note: Toastmasters members out there SHOULD know what this mean!)
TOPIC: A SECRET TO TELL
METHOD: Narrative & Informative
PURPOSE: To share the secret of getting the girl that a guy desire from a girl’s perspective
OPENING
Joke:
2 colleagues in a pantry chatting about their wives especially on how they win fights.
One guy said, “ The last time I had a fight with my wife, I had her on her knees”.
The another guy said, “Wow, what did she say?”
The first guy replied, “ She said, come out from under the bed right now!
Today, I am here not to share about how to win fights with your wives/spouse but rather, I am bringing you back to the very beginning, how to get the girl that you have your eyes on. I mean, guys, who better to learn on how to win the girl that you are eyeing over than from a girl.
Believe it or not, this is such a popular idea and apparently lucrative business that a couple of guys in US offer courses on how to woe gals and charge US$3000 for it. I will only be sharing tip of the iceberg, i.e. How to Get Started And since this is such as short one, I will not be charging you. Guys, you can thank me later *wink*
Actually, for us girls, it is really simple. The most important thing is FIRST IMPRESSION! The guy don't even have to be very handsome or look like a Italian Greek Model or God. He just need to impress us the first time that we see him. And I can tell you immediately that those corny pick up line does not work! What makes the guy think that saying something like "Have I seen you somewhere" or "I think I just saw an angel" will work? Girls are not stupid or brainless you know.
Remember to speak loud enough so that she can hear you. I am not asking you to shout, mind you! That is a no-no too. Just talk in loud audible volume so that she don't have to strain her ears to hear you. Trust me, she will not ask you to repeat yourself if she can't hear and chances are, she might just tune out or pretend to hear. This is no good too because she might be missing some important information that you might like her to know about you. Also, if you mumble, then we will perceive you as weak. So, speak up.
Once you get her attention, remember to BREATH! LOL~ I know it might it nerve wrecking and the possibility of being rejected is painful but that is LIFE. Slow down and don't talk like chipmuck! LOL!~ I know you suddenly have so many things to tell her but do it slowly. After all, you need to captivate her and not shock her! And guys, don't use your whiny voice. There is nothing worse than listening to someone with pitchy high voice especially from a guy. It might works on Franny from The Nanny but unless you have a body like hers, practice and train yourself to speak from your chest.
On the other hand, don't talk like a robot either! Gasp! You don't want to bore her with emotionless flat voice too. It always helps if you talk about a topic that you are passionate about but for godsake, I am pretty sure the girls am not interested in how you clean your socks yesterday.....
Oh yes, don't forget about your body language. Sit up or stand straight in your most natural posture without hunching or curving your back. Not asking you to be stiff like a statue lar! And try to take up more space. Don't withdraw into yourself. When sitting, sit as comfortably as you can with your legs spread comfortably across. I remember there is this really tall guy that I met once before sitting across from me with his super duper long legs stretch across the small tiny round cafe table towards me. There were no physical contact at all but the vibe at the time could have lit a bonfire. Sadly (or rather fortunately), I found out that he is a player. So, no thanks.
Next is the eyes! Remember how you know a couple just start dating when you see them staring gooey eyes at each other? When you are trying to attract a girl, eye contact is very very important. General rule is 50% when you are spoken to and 90% when you are speaking. This will show sincerity and interest. Girls are not used to being looked in the eyes by someone that is interested in them. So, this will come of as both attractive and show of confident and at the same time surprise the girl. Of course, it will help if you have sea blue eyes with long eye lashes that a girl simply can't stop staring and get lost in....
Last but not least, no matter how nervous you are feeling at the time, DO NOT SHOW THEM! Trust me, the moment the girl sense that you are nervous, then it is sayonara to you! We like our man to be strong, kind, wonderful, great eyes, great butt, great smile, humorous, entertaining, sensitive, cooks, clean and the list goes on! hahaha...
EVALUATION:
1. Too many points. Listener cannot recall all five points if didn't jot down. Suggest to keep to three points
2. Example, can use the Three Monkeys, See no evil (for eye contact), hear no evil (for vocal, volume and tone), talk no evil (slow down, relax, calm down, think before talking,etc).
3. To add more oomph to the opening, say something like, PPSSTTT, I have a secret to tell you.
4. Dangerous to use English related joke. Some people might not get it. So, unless really good, keep away.
5. To add more oomph to closing, say something like, Go forth and be a Toastmasters! (Note: Toastmasters members out there SHOULD know what this mean!)
Friday, March 7, 2008
CC 8: Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
There is so many possibilities with this project in the competent communication manual. Basically, you can talk about anything under the sun and it does not even have to be something technical or logical! I was telling Rose the other day that the visual aids can be as simple as powerpoint slides done in attractive ways that can captivate the audience but most importantly, convey the message across in the shortest most effective way possible.
Of course, it can be something totally different and unique. I remember seeing once a speaker that actually uses the Christmas tree as a metaphor to her wedding preparation. Of course, another idea that is playing in my head is using baking to illustrate the ingredient to a successful relationship. No matter what visual aid it is, the aim is to use something other than vocal to help the listener understand and remember what they hear better. Used correct, visual aid will be a very valuable tool to any speakers.
Having said that, the speakers must be careful not to let the visual aid be the focus for everything. With powerpoint slides, speakers tend to put themselves in the background and just let the slides do all their work. It should never be this way. Remember, you are the giving the speech and not the slides. Stand out and ensure that the visual aids are helping you and NOT you helping to explain the visual aids.
So, I am still thinking of a topic for my next speech. Not sure what I will do yet. A few ideas in my head currently but need to get them organised first. The ideas are:
1. Why adopt from SSPCA
2. Is this Good Speech Topic
3. AIDS
4. How to Make a Million
and the list goes on...
Speech is on next Tuesday. So, I really get this ready by this weekend and prepare the material latest by Monday. Should I take the easy way out and just use powerpoint slides? Dilemma dilemma dilemma...
Of course, it can be something totally different and unique. I remember seeing once a speaker that actually uses the Christmas tree as a metaphor to her wedding preparation. Of course, another idea that is playing in my head is using baking to illustrate the ingredient to a successful relationship. No matter what visual aid it is, the aim is to use something other than vocal to help the listener understand and remember what they hear better. Used correct, visual aid will be a very valuable tool to any speakers.
Having said that, the speakers must be careful not to let the visual aid be the focus for everything. With powerpoint slides, speakers tend to put themselves in the background and just let the slides do all their work. It should never be this way. Remember, you are the giving the speech and not the slides. Stand out and ensure that the visual aids are helping you and NOT you helping to explain the visual aids.
So, I am still thinking of a topic for my next speech. Not sure what I will do yet. A few ideas in my head currently but need to get them organised first. The ideas are:
1. Why adopt from SSPCA
2. Is this Good Speech Topic
3. AIDS
4. How to Make a Million
and the list goes on...
Speech is on next Tuesday. So, I really get this ready by this weekend and prepare the material latest by Monday. Should I take the easy way out and just use powerpoint slides? Dilemma dilemma dilemma...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Live for A Reason
Live for a reason, that was the Table Topic for our Toastmasters Table Topic Contest yesterday. At the beginning of each year (some even at the end of the year) will start to decide on their new year's resolution. Some will have so many resolution or renewing their previous year resolution. Others might decided to make not resolution at all. Then again, what is resolution exactly? It is a set of goals that we want to achieve in order to bring meaning to our life, right? And hence, a reason for living.
Believe it or not, each and everyone of us live for a purpose. The reason for living might not be the purpose of life that the members of the society agrees with but then again, it is our goal in life that makes us continue living each day. A great example I believe would be the recent big boo-hoo about sex change by someone from our 'backyard', Jessie Chung. Jessie's goal is to be a girl and marry the man that she loves. No matter how controversial it was or how some members of the society might have shunned her, it is Jessie's believes that makes it possible for him to become her. And that is as good a reason for living as any. Love and self perseverance.
How about you? What is your reason for waking up every morning? Is it just to get to the job that you might or might not like? Or is it so that you can earn a living everyday doing what you hated but still doing it because you do not have a choice? Or do you wake up in the morning just because the society says that it is the right thing to do?
Well, let me leave you with this little quote that I heard from a friend, "Everyday is a new day but how whether the new day will be a good day or bad one is entirely up to your reason for waking up everyday to face the world".
Believe it or not, each and everyone of us live for a purpose. The reason for living might not be the purpose of life that the members of the society agrees with but then again, it is our goal in life that makes us continue living each day. A great example I believe would be the recent big boo-hoo about sex change by someone from our 'backyard', Jessie Chung. Jessie's goal is to be a girl and marry the man that she loves. No matter how controversial it was or how some members of the society might have shunned her, it is Jessie's believes that makes it possible for him to become her. And that is as good a reason for living as any. Love and self perseverance.
How about you? What is your reason for waking up every morning? Is it just to get to the job that you might or might not like? Or is it so that you can earn a living everyday doing what you hated but still doing it because you do not have a choice? Or do you wake up in the morning just because the society says that it is the right thing to do?
Well, let me leave you with this little quote that I heard from a friend, "Everyday is a new day but how whether the new day will be a good day or bad one is entirely up to your reason for waking up everyday to face the world".
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Toastmasters Meeting At AZAM
Fridays has always been a day that I love-hate at the same time. Hate Fridays because it seems that the customers somehow is determine to give you all the last minute request and orders before the end of their week. And somehow, after having a rather peaceful week, all the issues start to arise on Friday!
I love Fridays because it means I will have 2 days off or if I want, to come to work and claim for OT! hahaha! And I especially cant wait for next Friday (18 Jan) when I will be flying to KL to meet my babe!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOOO!! *BLUSH*
Anyway, this Friday was no different. Came in to work slightly earlier than usual but surprised that there is still alot of cars on the road since Thursday was a public holiday. Reached the office, turn on the mailbox and saw that the customers has already get started with their Friday routine, I had 200+ new emails in the mailbox!
Thank god I had a potluck dinner at AZAM Toastmasters meeting that night. The meeting usually starts at 7.45pm but since there is a potluck dinner, it started at 6.30pm. As usual, everyone was late and most of them arrived around 6.45pm. It is a good thing that I had to rush back home to collect the fruit jelly that I made or else I would have arrived right on the dot or earlier.
The food was great. There were seafood casserole, pie, rich chocolate cakes, KFC chicken, fruits and so on. Everything tasted delicious and I admit that I overate last night too! Cant help myself especially when the cook of the chocolate cake told me that it is calories free (hahahaha!!). Everyone was so excited that the meeting actually start early at 7.40pm.hehehehe...I think it was a first in the history or something like that. The meeting stared of as usual with toast to the King, Toastmasters International and AZAM Toastmasters.
There were two speakers and both were doing their ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze). Then it was the dreaded table topics. Table topics is a session where the table topic master will create opportunities for those that have not spoken during meeting. The table topics that night has outdone herself. She invited pairs to come out front to do role play. The first pair had to pretend to be Mother Theresa and Larry King. The lady who was supposed to be the Mother Theresa was really hillarious. She really sounded like Mother Theresa. Then there was the Donald Trumpt & Oprah Winfrey, conversation between the brain and the rectum, conversation between a cat and a mouse and finally an aunt and niece (reverse role, i.e. real aunt become niece and real niece become aunt).
The night ended around 9.30pm with everyone in high spirit. It was really an enjoyable night, full of laughter and fun. There was lots of leftovers and some stayed back for supper. Others decided to hang around and get to know each other more. Some were discussing the trip to Penang in Apr08 to receive the award for Distinguished President Club. This is when the a club managed to achieve min. 9 out of 10 of the goals set. Sigh..and I as the VP of Membership for my club, is responsible for two of the membership goals.
I love Fridays because it means I will have 2 days off or if I want, to come to work and claim for OT! hahaha! And I especially cant wait for next Friday (18 Jan) when I will be flying to KL to meet my babe!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOOO!! *BLUSH*
Anyway, this Friday was no different. Came in to work slightly earlier than usual but surprised that there is still alot of cars on the road since Thursday was a public holiday. Reached the office, turn on the mailbox and saw that the customers has already get started with their Friday routine, I had 200+ new emails in the mailbox!
Thank god I had a potluck dinner at AZAM Toastmasters meeting that night. The meeting usually starts at 7.45pm but since there is a potluck dinner, it started at 6.30pm. As usual, everyone was late and most of them arrived around 6.45pm. It is a good thing that I had to rush back home to collect the fruit jelly that I made or else I would have arrived right on the dot or earlier.
The food was great. There were seafood casserole, pie, rich chocolate cakes, KFC chicken, fruits and so on. Everything tasted delicious and I admit that I overate last night too! Cant help myself especially when the cook of the chocolate cake told me that it is calories free (hahahaha!!). Everyone was so excited that the meeting actually start early at 7.40pm.hehehehe...I think it was a first in the history or something like that. The meeting stared of as usual with toast to the King, Toastmasters International and AZAM Toastmasters.
There were two speakers and both were doing their ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze). Then it was the dreaded table topics. Table topics is a session where the table topic master will create opportunities for those that have not spoken during meeting. The table topics that night has outdone herself. She invited pairs to come out front to do role play. The first pair had to pretend to be Mother Theresa and Larry King. The lady who was supposed to be the Mother Theresa was really hillarious. She really sounded like Mother Theresa. Then there was the Donald Trumpt & Oprah Winfrey, conversation between the brain and the rectum, conversation between a cat and a mouse and finally an aunt and niece (reverse role, i.e. real aunt become niece and real niece become aunt).
The night ended around 9.30pm with everyone in high spirit. It was really an enjoyable night, full of laughter and fun. There was lots of leftovers and some stayed back for supper. Others decided to hang around and get to know each other more. Some were discussing the trip to Penang in Apr08 to receive the award for Distinguished President Club. This is when the a club managed to achieve min. 9 out of 10 of the goals set. Sigh..and I as the VP of Membership for my club, is responsible for two of the membership goals.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
CC Speech 7: Research Your Topic - Melting Chocolate Myths
I was doing some thinking and research for my Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual Project 7 whereby the one of the objective was to research the topic that will be presented. After serious and hard thinking (yap, the whole 10 minutes of it! That is very hard & serious thinking ok!) I suddenly remember a book that I read last year about the myths about chocolate. Apparently, the chocolate industry has become so profitable that those in the industry tries to find ways to ensure that it remain that way. With the world being more health concious, the chocolatier (yah, that should be a good name for those in the chocolate industry) are scrambling to find ways to 'proof' that chocolate is actually healthy and good source of nutrient.
Well, to be very frank, anyone with an ounce of education and health consience will be able to tell you that it is impossible. True, there are minimal health and psychological benefit from chocolate but like any sweet sugary high calories food, the risk outweight the benefits (my personal opinions yah). So, the following are some of the things that I found while surfing the net and doing my research on the myths of chocolate:
Truth supporting chocolate:
Myth: Chocolate is one of the major cause of tooth decay
Truth: The main reason for tooth decay is poor oral hygiene. In other word, cavities are the cause on tooth decay when the food consumed contain fermentable carb got stucked between the teeth for too long.
Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine
Truth: The amt of caffeine in one piece of chocolate is actually significantly lower than that in a cup of coffee, tea or cola drink. For example, a cup of instant coffeee contain between 40-108mg of caffeine where as 1 oz chocolate milk bar contain as low as 6mg of caffeiene.
Myth: Chocolate is the major cause of obesity
Truth: Any food consume in large uncontrollable quantity will cause weight gain and this is including chocolate. "Candy, in moderation, can be part of low-fat eating. In fact, an occasional sweet treat helps you stick to a healthy eating plan." - Annette B. Natow, Ph.D., R.D., author of The Fat Counter and The Fat Attack Plan.
Truth against Chocolate
Myth: Chocolate helps prevent cancer
Truth: This myth came about based on the fact that chocolate contains high levels of certain antixidants, Chocolate MAnufacturers Association's website commented that eating a few Hershey Kisses is almost like eating a bowl of salad as it claims that the antioxidants clean up the free radical that may trigger the cancer cells. But do you realised that there are hundred on studies on human that links diet that is high in fruit and vegetables helps to lower the risk of cancer but no human studies on chocolate and human?
Myth: Chocolate Protects the Heart
Truth: The chocolatiers claimed that there are growing evidence that chocolate helps to prevent heart diseases. Well, it is true that choc contains stearic acid, a saturated fat that does not raise the cholestrol level but what about other fats in the choc???
Myth: Eating Choc DOES NOT make you fat (This is my favourite myth!!)
Truth: Chocolatier claim that "there is no scientific evidence that chocolate consumption is associated with obesity". They also claimthat "no single food causes obesity or weight gain". Sigh, I wonder if the chocolatier thinks that we are all idiot or are all uneducated lot? Choc is one of the food that contain high fat and sugar. Furthermore, choc is easy to overeat especially when small quantity of choc is packed with lots of calories. Combination of this and all the fact that we are brainwash to think that eating choc create the feel good factor is one of the major contributor to weight gain.
Myth: Choc is addictive
Truth: Choc itself is not addictive. But human by nature love sweet things. And hence cocoa with lots of sugar is addictive. Even more so when we are constantly being bombarded with advertisement that state choc equal to taking a break (kit-kat advert), happy marriage (ferraro rocher) and many other advert that aim to brainwash and influence you psychologically.
HHhhhmmm...I dont know about you but I think consumer are getting smarter now and can think for themselves to judge and differentiate between myth and truth (I hope!). For me, anything food, should be harmless as long as taken in moderation. Even fruits which is suppose to be good for health, if taken in large quantity can be harmful and ultimate cause varies health problems.
Well, to be very frank, anyone with an ounce of education and health consience will be able to tell you that it is impossible. True, there are minimal health and psychological benefit from chocolate but like any sweet sugary high calories food, the risk outweight the benefits (my personal opinions yah). So, the following are some of the things that I found while surfing the net and doing my research on the myths of chocolate:
Truth supporting chocolate:
Myth: Chocolate is one of the major cause of tooth decay
Truth: The main reason for tooth decay is poor oral hygiene. In other word, cavities are the cause on tooth decay when the food consumed contain fermentable carb got stucked between the teeth for too long.
Myth: Chocolate is high in caffeine
Truth: The amt of caffeine in one piece of chocolate is actually significantly lower than that in a cup of coffee, tea or cola drink. For example, a cup of instant coffeee contain between 40-108mg of caffeine where as 1 oz chocolate milk bar contain as low as 6mg of caffeiene.
Myth: Chocolate is the major cause of obesity
Truth: Any food consume in large uncontrollable quantity will cause weight gain and this is including chocolate. "Candy, in moderation, can be part of low-fat eating. In fact, an occasional sweet treat helps you stick to a healthy eating plan." - Annette B. Natow, Ph.D., R.D., author of The Fat Counter and The Fat Attack Plan.
Truth against Chocolate
Myth: Chocolate helps prevent cancer
Truth: This myth came about based on the fact that chocolate contains high levels of certain antixidants, Chocolate MAnufacturers Association's website commented that eating a few Hershey Kisses is almost like eating a bowl of salad as it claims that the antioxidants clean up the free radical that may trigger the cancer cells. But do you realised that there are hundred on studies on human that links diet that is high in fruit and vegetables helps to lower the risk of cancer but no human studies on chocolate and human?
Myth: Chocolate Protects the Heart
Truth: The chocolatiers claimed that there are growing evidence that chocolate helps to prevent heart diseases. Well, it is true that choc contains stearic acid, a saturated fat that does not raise the cholestrol level but what about other fats in the choc???
Myth: Eating Choc DOES NOT make you fat (This is my favourite myth!!)
Truth: Chocolatier claim that "there is no scientific evidence that chocolate consumption is associated with obesity". They also claimthat "no single food causes obesity or weight gain". Sigh, I wonder if the chocolatier thinks that we are all idiot or are all uneducated lot? Choc is one of the food that contain high fat and sugar. Furthermore, choc is easy to overeat especially when small quantity of choc is packed with lots of calories. Combination of this and all the fact that we are brainwash to think that eating choc create the feel good factor is one of the major contributor to weight gain.
Myth: Choc is addictive
Truth: Choc itself is not addictive. But human by nature love sweet things. And hence cocoa with lots of sugar is addictive. Even more so when we are constantly being bombarded with advertisement that state choc equal to taking a break (kit-kat advert), happy marriage (ferraro rocher) and many other advert that aim to brainwash and influence you psychologically.
HHhhhmmm...I dont know about you but I think consumer are getting smarter now and can think for themselves to judge and differentiate between myth and truth (I hope!). For me, anything food, should be harmless as long as taken in moderation. Even fruits which is suppose to be good for health, if taken in large quantity can be harmful and ultimate cause varies health problems.
Friday, December 14, 2007
IEM Sarawak Toastmasters Meeting (13Dec07)
Went to the IEM Sarawak Toastmasters Meeting yesterday. The meeting started @ 7.45pm and I basically had rushed all the way immediately after work yesterday. Left worked at exactly 5.30pm and rush to Hui Sing for my aerobic session. Luckily I have one of my colleague to constantly remind the time to go! The aerobic started 15 minutes late (suppose to start 6pm). Guess the instructor was caught in the jam.
We did 5min of poco-poco (an Indonesian dance+aerobic) at the end of the aerobic. I tried it for the 2nd time and not sure if the moves are correct. But I think my butt are able to sway more seductively compared to the 1st time. But still not as sexy and mouth watering (salivating) as one of our friend (SH.....) . Then rush to my colleague house at Hui Sing for bath and change (thank you didi!!!)
Rush again to town as the meeting is at one of the shoplot above the old eagle nest. (notice no dinner yet?) But I am glad I went to meeting because I met up with an old friend and also had fun! There were not much participants for the meeting that night but our enthusiasm was more than enough to represent hundreds of people! hahaha...
They have rather unique table topic as the theme was tall tale. So whoever 'volunteered' will be at the mercy of the table topic masters to start telling half truth? Being a guest at the meeting, predicatably, I was chosen to 'volunteer'. So I was mentally prepared for giving impromptu speech for 2 minutes. Had to dispute the previous speaker tall tale about how his belt gives him self-healing abilities by saying that a box of ligo raisin is the true wonder. So, my speech was: The belt dont have supernatural capability other than to hold the other speaker pants up. But Ligo raisin with secret ingredient, heals all, kills cancer cells and makes u bullet proof. hehehe! what a tall tale
At the end, we had supper (finally!!! HUNGRY!!) and reached home around 10pm.
We did 5min of poco-poco (an Indonesian dance+aerobic) at the end of the aerobic. I tried it for the 2nd time and not sure if the moves are correct. But I think my butt are able to sway more seductively compared to the 1st time. But still not as sexy and mouth watering (salivating) as one of our friend (SH.....) . Then rush to my colleague house at Hui Sing for bath and change (thank you didi!!!)
Rush again to town as the meeting is at one of the shoplot above the old eagle nest. (notice no dinner yet?) But I am glad I went to meeting because I met up with an old friend and also had fun! There were not much participants for the meeting that night but our enthusiasm was more than enough to represent hundreds of people! hahaha...
They have rather unique table topic as the theme was tall tale. So whoever 'volunteered' will be at the mercy of the table topic masters to start telling half truth? Being a guest at the meeting, predicatably, I was chosen to 'volunteer'. So I was mentally prepared for giving impromptu speech for 2 minutes. Had to dispute the previous speaker tall tale about how his belt gives him self-healing abilities by saying that a box of ligo raisin is the true wonder. So, my speech was: The belt dont have supernatural capability other than to hold the other speaker pants up. But Ligo raisin with secret ingredient, heals all, kills cancer cells and makes u bullet proof. hehehe! what a tall tale
At the end, we had supper (finally!!! HUNGRY!!) and reached home around 10pm.
CC Speech 6: Vocal Variety - Memorable Moments
I must say I had fun preparing and presenting my speech 6. Wish I am more motivated to prepare the draft of my speech earlier! This speech was basically prepared in half hour the day before the speech presentation itself. And the next day, I took about 10 min before the Toastmasters meeting to review and make final changes.
In this speech, basically I made use of the fact that it is almost end-of-year and people are pondering on what they have achieved in the previous years and come up with their new year resolution. However, I didn't just review the year 2007 as it is just too short and predictable to do. Hence, I delved even further into the history of my life and divide the speech into 3 segment of lifecycle, i.e. child, teenage and adulthood. As much as possible, I try to inject some humor and change my vocal variety by mimicking.
Below is the draft that I used to prepare for my speech 7 but of course, it is just an outline of what I intend to say and present but I did add on to it during the presentation as sudden moment of inspiration comes...
Finally, start with a clear mind and relax. Most importantly, have fun!
THE DRAFT
In this speech, basically I made use of the fact that it is almost end-of-year and people are pondering on what they have achieved in the previous years and come up with their new year resolution. However, I didn't just review the year 2007 as it is just too short and predictable to do. Hence, I delved even further into the history of my life and divide the speech into 3 segment of lifecycle, i.e. child, teenage and adulthood. As much as possible, I try to inject some humor and change my vocal variety by mimicking.
Below is the draft that I used to prepare for my speech 7 but of course, it is just an outline of what I intend to say and present but I did add on to it during the presentation as sudden moment of inspiration comes...
Finally, start with a clear mind and relax. Most importantly, have fun!
THE DRAFT
TOPIC: UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
METHOD: NARATIVE & TIME SEQUENCE
PURPOSE: To tell audience about unforgettable moments during childhood, teenager and adulthood
- end of year approaching
- new year resolution?
- Before that, Look back at life as passing the big 30!~
- Remembering about silly, happy, sad, exciting events in life
CONTENT
Stories:
- childhood – ghostly encounter
- love to watch ghost movies
- so scared hide behind pillows/mom/dad/anything
- now no more but I know some guys rather die than watch ghost movie
- one nite, watching till late at night
- mother warned don’t watch and go to bed – nightmares
- being a kid, just ignore and watch till the end
- get ready to bed, bed next to window
- look out of window into the jungle,
- suddenly see a light floating, getting brighter and brighter
- run like rocket to my parents room
- I was 9
- teenager – have the most 1st time experiences
- In kuching is all gals school
- Innocent, naïve, cute….
- relocated to new school in bintulu, studied for 2.5yrs
- 1st time in co-ed school
- 1st time actually see guys fighting over gal - Only seen tat in tv
- 1st time received love letter & going out on first date.
- 1st time holding a guy hand & feel his sweaty palm..ugh!
- 1st time having secret admirer (not so secret since I know who he was!)
- Many other 1st time – that I will never forget
- I was 14
- adulthood –
- when I was 21, that is the 1st time away from home for long period
- go to study in Nilai, N9
- taste of freedom
- I remember my housemate knocking at my door at 7am for our class at 8am
- she find me just about to sleep – chatting on my computer!
- And the time I will skip classes (ssshhh) and go take the ktm to KL for shopping, movie and occasionally, clubbing
- Last minute cramming for exams and looking like panda the next day
- Remembering those days really makes me smile sometimes at my silliness
- Those were the days
So, yah, I had a good 3 decades. Given the choice, there is nothing that I think I want to change in my past. And as the year 2008 approach, I look towards the future and know that I will create many more memories, unpleasant ones to learn from and happy ones to tell my grandchildren about.
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