By: Candrika Adri Tjo, CC, CL
“RED DRAGONSSS!!!”
“BLUE PIRATESSSS!!!”
The thunderous chants permeated at the serene and scenic Lazarus Island, a small getaway 30-minutes away from mainland Singapore by ferry. Not far from the beach, thirty men and women, all dressed in summer-attire stomped their feet and clapped their hands intensely in rhythm. Their eyes fired with passion, their voices filled with zest. On one side, with red -ribbons tied on to their foreheads and fiery faces, one team chanted fervently, “Red Dragon! Red Dragon!” trying to intimidate their opposing team in their faces. On the opposite side, another group of ferocious men and women with the striking blue ribbons and fists punching into the air, roared, “Blue Pirates! Blue Pirates!”. The scorching sun couldn’t sap their energy and enthusiasm. If former Minister Mentor Lee Kwan Yew was alive, he would be proud to see the passion they exhibited.
If you had told me that being a member of Money Mastery (Singapore) Toastmasters Club (MMTMC) meant running on the beach, I wouldn’t believe it. There I was, standing at the front row of the Red Dragon team. It happened during MMTMC’s 15th Anniversary celebration in Oct 2017. Thirty-three members departed from One15Marina@Sentosa and sailed in a luxurious private yacht. We pit stopped at Lazarus Island, where we were divided into two teams, played physically challenging games against each other to win the title “The Survivors”.
For years, MMTMC had organized several team bonding activities in various unique ways. Once, we had an “Amazing Race” at 11 pm around Pasir Ris Park conquering interesting quests. At another time, we crossed the boundary to Batam, raced in the go-karts, jumped in the flying-fox, and ended the night with a sumptuous seafood feast beside the sea. Well, it’s not always only adrenaline rush activities that we organized. For our 16th Anniversary in Nov 2018, we learned Peranakan culture at the Peranakan Museum and had a cozy and intimate sharing at an authentic Nasi Padang restaurant after the visit.
Warm and Vibrant Family
In 2011, when I attended my first toastmasters chapter meeting in MMTMC, I can still remember the vibrant, friendly, and warm ambiance. As a visiting guest, it was as clear as the summer blue sky that the bond between the members was strong. This made me utterly comfortable in the midst of these toastmasters that I decided to sign up as a member. I thought, it would be easier for me to speak on stage, where there are friendly faces in the audience trying to support you. I didn’t look back since then.
Now, 7 years later, I consider them as more than just fellow members, I consider them my life-long friends. Going to a toastmasters chapter meeting and spending time together is like a tall, cold glass of champagne at the end of a gruelling week – lovely, light, and luscious.
Perhaps it’s for the same reason why members like Mike Ng, (DTM), Jeffery Seah, (ACS, ALB), Raymond C. C. Ee, (ACB, CL) and Desmond Yam, (CC) are still actively attending the chapter meetings. All of them had been staying with the club for at least 7 years, while Mike Ng (DTM) had been with MMTMC from the beginning for 17 years.
If you are looking for a place to improve your communication and public speaking skills, with positive people around you, who support one other, look no further and drop-by to our next chapter meeting.
The future is wide-open in how we are going to organize our next team bonding activity. Perhaps it’s cycling at Pulau Ubin, dragon-boating at Kallang, scheduling a 3-day stay by the sea and island hopping at Bali, or going glam camp at a regional island. The surest thing is… You’re always welcome to join our next outing when you sign up as a valued member.
Back to that day in Lazarus Island, only after I reached home, I realized I haven’t had so much fun since I was in university. That day, my feet were blistered because of the stomping and sprinting on the hot sand barefooted, but my heart was full and my stomach was cramped due to too much laughter. As I lie on the bed and glanced at the bright full moon high up in the dark starry sky, I looked forward to my next outing with MMTMC.