I wanted to cry.  “How could this be happening to me”,  I thought.

In my desperation, I pulled out my last Ace:  Ask-around!   Indeed, that was exactly what I did.   I ask TM James if he knows the case and asked for some tips on what they did last year.  The devilish James tortured me with so many details that instead of helping me out, he just confused me more.

He gave me a good spark, though.  The idea that he gave me was the basis for me to establish my case and my presentation. Six hours later, I have 6 sketchy PowerPoint slides and 16 pages of scripts.   I may be far from over, but at least I was certain on what I would do.

I met Ramed around 7pmfor a meeting regarding Youth Leadership Program.

Ramed, who has taken MBA crash course last year, showed me his presentation and that made me cry again.  Huwaaah… his presentation was far superior than mine and it was full of fancy stuff that I believed would give a good impression on the professor.  I wanted to copy his slide but my arrogance and pride set in and decided otherwise.   I actually regret such decision after we parted.  Tsk tsk tsk… bad decision.

Later that night, I went home with fire in my belly and desire to prepare my presentation the way I wanted it and the way I analyze the case.  With sleepy eyes, I finished the presentation at 4am.

I immediately jump into the bed hoping to catch some sleep.

In real life setting, my boss wouldn’t care how I solve the problem and what theories or tools did I used.  As long as I solve the problem, that was it!  Not in MBA crash course.  The professor expect us to cite sources, tools and theories on how we solve the case.

Gee… now, I have to surf the Internet just to associate the appropriate theory/tool on the method that I am using.  And I don’t like this exercise.  It was taking a tool on me and it has created an avalanche of information on my hand.  I ended up, confused and have done nothing.

I consoled myself by going to bed early, on the hopes that tomorrow I am better prepared to craft for my case presentation.

For my ultimate speech from the Toastmasters Basic Manual Course, project #10, I want this to be different.  I want to showcase to my colleagues that I can deliver a far better speech if I put on enough effort and preparation on it.  More than that, I want to deliver a speech that is taken from a real situation, and its message is intended for a specific set of people.

Project #10, To Inspire is a timely speech.   I am looking to deliver the speech, this Apr 7 in my club at the PRTC, and on April 25 in Singapore to my intended audience - the Pinoygraphers.

I’m still writing it, though.  hehehehe

Chilling fever paid me a visit last night and he brought along his sidekicks stuffy nose, back-aches, and brain-wacking headache.   I want them to go away but they linger on my bedside for almost 8 hours.  Few tablets of Neozep & Cirrus helped in scaring my visitors away, but I believe, they will come back soon.  *Sniff*

I’m not okay, that’s for sure.  That’s why I told my boss that will take an early off today.

How I wish, someone is waiting for at home who can take care of me at this times.   Geee… wish

You may wonder, why I go to the trouble of participating in other Area’s activity?  Shouldn’t I be rehearsing my speech by now?   The division contest is just 4 weeks away, and I haven’t re-written my script.  Huh!

Well, It’s no secret that I am vying for the club’s Toastmaster of the Year Award.  My mentor knows that and our immediate past president too.  To bag the award, according to them, I need to get involved in other Toastmasters activities outside of our club.  TM Roi is already doing that and he might beat me if I don’t do something.   That’s why I am here today.  I took the advice of TM Erick… “join as judge in as many contest possible”.

                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

I arrived at the venue 15 minutes early.   I saw some familiar faces from Sand Dunes Toastmasters but none from my own club in PRTC.  An hour later, many more arrived and the hall was filled with fine looking Toastmasters and guests.

By the looks of its strenght,  Area 22 is spearheaded by the Saudico Toastmasters Club.   The members are mostly South Asian nationality with few locals and Filipinos.  I met the infamous DTM Douglas Keller, the Area Governor, who presided the event as the Contest Chairman.  Before the contest proper, we had a short talk about the proposed new club Riyadh International Toastmasters.  He invited me, if I am willing, to be a dual member.

                 *                 *                 *                 *                 *

Another reason why I am here: I am scouting to check who will be their contestant for the International Speech.  My efforts paid off.   I’ve seen how good my competitor will be at the Division Contest.   The Area 22 winner was an Indian lady who gave us very strong piece and delivered it in flawless fashion.   She heavily used vocal variety to solicit emotional contact with the audience, and she relied on body movements to imply humour.  And it all works.

Gee… I really need to rewrite my speech, if I want to win.

That’s one cardinal rule that all photographers should observe during photoshoot.    A simple rule, you may say, yet easily broken or forgotten.  

And I am no exception on that.   I am often guilty of touching the arms, shoulders, face or fingers of the models especially if the model couldn’t get what I wanted her to do.  My colleagues pointed out this matter, and ever since, I had tried to be conscious with the rule.

This morning, a similar incident happened.

Together with my colleagues in Kubo, I went to the Philippine Embassy for the pictorials of the Mr & Ms Philippines candidates.   We divided the group into two - those who will shoot using studio lights, and the other using ambient light.   I joined the second group because I want to take burst shots and candid pose rather than a contolled one.

I knew most of the candidates.  They were students of different schools and I already had several photo sessions with them before.  Hence, I easily get their confidence and they were very casual with me.    We even exchange jokes and share laughters while waiting for the photosession proper.

The typical of me - who cannot sit down and wait for long hours - I asked the models to do a practice shoot.   Two models readily agreed - they were students of RIS & SPIS - and we finish the shoot without any glitch.  

Still not contented, I asked another model to pose for me.   Unlike the previous models, this one is hard.  She doesn’t know how to pose and she could hardly follow instructions.   In my desperation, I physically moved her fingers to the position that I want.    I forgot the rule!

X2, our team leader, saw me did that. 

It was a mistake that I realize later.   It was okay that X2 would have pointed out that offense and he has all the right to sanction me.  But he has no right to shout at me in the presence of everyone.   Anthony,  who was shooting with me at the time, feel offended too. 

I stopped shooting.   

Few minutes later, I talked to X2 about the matter and told him what I feel.   He explained about the rule.  I also emphasize that he shouldn’t have shouted at us infront of the model.  Both of us admitted our mistakes, and we reconciled.

I left early… not because I was slighted, but because I have prior commitments for this afternoon.

Amidst the sea of beautiful gown, handsome tuxedos, pretty teen girls, gorgeous mothers in their best dress, a lady in orange pencil-cut dress caught my attention.   She could be one of the parents, I thought.

“Hmm… she’t pretty but she’s look too conservative, just like my teacher in high school”  I smirked in silence.  I take a good look at her, and then I went ahead with my merry ways of taking pictures.   But then…. when the show started and everyone has to sit down, I found my self with Ranie and the pretty girl in orange.   Ranie, politely introduced me to Carol, the principal of Palm Crest International School.

Dang!!!!!

Hehehehe…  I thought, she’s one of the parents!  And… only to realize, she’s a principal.  Gee, I made a bobo of my self out there.

Contrary to the impression I perceived - a conservative teacher, she’s actually cool and funny.  Not only that.  She’s smart, witty and can easily explore diverse topics during conversation.  I was so impressed of how fine she was, that I told her:

“You’re the second person who impressed me here in KSA”

She just gave me a wicked smile and she mutted.. “Second?”

“Yep, because the 1st one was the principal of Al Taj”

We shared a timid laughter.  (We can’t laugh loud because the program was on-going.)

Few more things I learned from her.  She’s just arrived here in Riyadh last August, she’s having a good time in her current school, is happily married, and just like all the newbies in the city - she’s experiencing a hard time adapting with the culture and rules.

I didn’t stay long at their table.  I bid adieu and then continued with my order of the day - photoshoot.

*           *           *           *           *           *

I had a beautiful day today;  photoshoot with the graduating students, meeting very proud parents, browsing elbows with the good people in SE, and meeting new friends.

Hah!  Who says there’s no fun in KSA?

I brought with me Jundy - a newbie in photography.   Anthony didn’t came because of prior appointment.  My colleagues in Kubo didn’t come.  Perhaps, my fault because I didn’t make an announcement in the forum. 

              *              *              *              *              *              *

Overall, the event was smooth and very professional.  With Ron Jacobe as the host, the flow of the program was very smooth.  No glitches, no dull moments and no silent in-betweens.   Ron made the show glamourous, and truly made it an event to remember.

That’s SE Production, what else could you expect?

Opening

Captures Audience Attention:

I need a volunteer, someone who knows a bit of me.   TM Richard!  What is do you think is my favorite hobby! 

Hah!  That is one of my hobbies, I agree, but not my favorite.

Body

Fellow Toastmasters, beloved guests, lady and gentlemen good evening! 

Tonight, let me talk about a hobby that is closer to my heart than all the girls I met.  A little disagreement in there, I could see.  Hehehe…

Main Point 1:  My Hobby and Me

What is my favorite hobby?  I believe only few of you here knows that I love Formula 1 or simply F1, very much  

Sub point 1: Acquaintance with F1

Have you heard of F1?  It is a racing competition of cars that is running at 300kph or more.

I never heard of it until the year 2004 when my boss brought me to Malaysia to represent our company in the Sepang Circuit. 

Clueless, I asked my boss to bring me to the docks. I want to see the cars up close and personal.  And when I got there, whoa!  It was a love a first sight.   Not that model in the car, but these beautiful and magnificent pieces of machines.   I was so bewitched, I didn’t sleep that night.

The next day, I watch the race and I was overwhelmed with sound of the machines.  No wait – it was not a sound – it was a scream, a thunder coming out from the mighty engines! 

And everywhere I go, I see funny faces, rabid fans in an ocean of red, yellow, blue and white.

It was a fascinating experience.

Sub point 2: Hobby of Collecting

It started there.

I begin collecting F1 items like caps, jersey, shirts, miniature F1 cars, bags, and even shoes!   Only to realize later, that I was into a hobby of collecting.

Sub point 3: Hobby of Outdoor & Travel

I got hooked into the sports. Too much, that I started to follow the race as it moves to different countries.  I went to Australia, Japan and China and if not of monetary consideration, I could have wind up in Europe too.

Sub point 4: Hobby of Photography

Along the way, I meet fans, beautiful people, and seen different places. 

It was very exciting and how I wish my friends could share the feeling.  They could not understand no matter how I explain.  That is why I pick up photography because I want to capture all the beautiful things I’ve seen and then show it off to my friends.

Besides, a big camera and my matching outfit make me look good, isn’t it?

Main Point 2:  What is F1

I became a fanatic of Formula 1. 

And just like what true fan does, I started to understand the nitty-gritty of the game.

Sub point 1: Cars & Teams & Fans

There are 11 teams to choose from: Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedez, Red Bull, Toyota, Renault, Honda, Force India, and many more. 

And the Drivers:  there is Kimi of Ferrari, Lewis of McLaren, Fernando of Renault, David of Red Bull, Nico of Williams, and a lot more.  All in all, there are 22 drivers – two from each team.

Which team I belong?  

As you can see, it’s obvious.  I cheer for the Ferrari Team. 

Sub point 2: Circuit Race & Host Country

Every year – called season – there are 17 races.  And these are held in different countries that were spread across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.   As the F1 teams moves from one circuit to another, expect, a horde of fans that follows with them.

I have been to 5 countries, my 6^th last year in Bahrain, and I am hoping to get my 7^th in Abu Dhabi this coming November.  

Conclusion

Summary or review

You could see, my fellow Toastmasters,  I enjoyed my hobby very much. 

Collecting F1 items, watching F1 circuit races, cheering for the Ferrari Team with my camera by my side… all of these bring great personal satisfaction.   

So what is my hobby for me?

·         It relieves all the tension that my work place tolls on me. 

·         It is my breather in the foggy atmosphere of the corporate life. 

·         It is my lifeline when my work asked me to sink in the bottomless pit of work priorities.

·         It is sometimes my avenue to fantasize a life with celebrity complex

It brought fulfillment in me.

Call to Action / Memorable Statement

How about you my fellow Toastmasters?   What do you do after work?   Do you exist and live so that you can work?  Or do you work so you can exist to live?

Pick up a hobby, if you don’t have one.  Relax and take time to enjoy life.  An old Egyptian proverb says:

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Be careful not to overdo it. Novelist Maria Edgeworth said

All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.

Back to you evening master!

I think, I have to accept the fact, that it’s how my brain works.   I used to call it “cramming” during my college days - trying to review my notes hours before the exam.  I do remember, it often works. 

Not that I am lazy (just a little bit, hehehehe), because I do study several days ahead of any given exams.  Just that, my brain seems not to absorb anything during those times.  A stark contrast when I am pressured and pushed to the limits.

I guess I carried that bad habit.

Just like today, I am again rush-writing my project #8 speech which is due for delivery tomorrow evening.  I barely have 24 hours to finish both my draft and my presentation slide, and what I have right now is a bullet point of ideas for my draft and skeleton-slides for my presentations.   

Did I not plan to write this speech 5 days ago?  Yeah, but I dilly-dally and did nothing.  Hah!