NOVEMBER 2007 - PAKURANGA TOASTMASTERS NEWSLETTER
Hello Fellow Toastmasters
I’ve come back from my trip to
China with a new appreciation of flushing toilets with seats, blue
sky, the sun, water, moon, stars, and my comfy bed. A very good
tour, and I highly recommend it if anyone is interested in seeing a
country that has the potential to expand and grow and is doing so at
a very rapid pace.
Some of you may or may not remember but
I said on my next trip I would take my cell phone with roaming as I
was left behind on my last holiday. I got that done before I left,
however found out it didn’t work when I phoned the tour
leader’s phone number as she sat beside me. Just as well I
took my whistle.
Meeting Number 778 - 12 Nov 07
(Netball)
Speaking of whistles – the
whistle blew and our netball game was on as both Players (Speakers),
Coaches (Evaluators) and Commentators (Chairman and Toastmaster) took
to the court, With an enthusiastic attitude we saw supportive fans
in their gear wearing bibs boldly displaying their ideal team
positions. What we lacked in numbers that night we made up for in
fun and noise with great gusto. Now that’s team spirit.
However on the real court we watched
reality unfold as the Silver Ferns lost to Australia. No doubt they
needed some of our players on their side.
Chairman: Patti Leigh
Toastmaster: Caroline Luey
Best Speaker: Annette Hopa –
“Ngati Who?”
Best Table Topics: Warren Fraser and
Don Harford
Best Role Holder: Caroline Luey
Meeting Number 789 – 26 Nov 07(Italy)
Mamma mia! - another cosy group that
night as we turned Italian. A pizza of speeches for everyone to
enjoy. All interesting and on a diverse range of topics as well as
an educational. Table topics had it’s toppings with Andrew Day
deciding to opt out of showing us how to do a Tarantula dance instead
preferring to be the Pope. You were one slice away from being a
redundant Godfather in the Mafia.
Good on Marisa for taking on the role
of timer at the last minute and having “on the job training”
shown by Manissha. – Thank you.
Chairman: Pattii Leigh
Toastmaster : Christine Alcott
Best Speaker: Jan Blyde – (“To
My Mum”)
Best Table Topics: Helen Lambert
Best Role Holder: Caroline Luey
A Word from our President and Commander
in Chief - Jan Blyde
Getting to know your fellow club members better
Who am I?? This club member has;
i)Been part of royalty in a previous life.
ii)Been involved in building houses.
iii)Been involved in running an adventure school for kids
Who is this person???
The first member with the correct answer will be a winner at our next meeting. All replies to Jan.
(Exec excluded)
Who's Who
A SNAPSHOT OF EDWIN ZWANENBURG - From
The Netherlands to the New Zealands
There comes a time in everyone’s
life when we ask ourselves what we are doing here? The job we’re
in no longer gives us that zip let alone a zap. Our thoughts start
to wander off to greener pastures, and so it was for Edwin. He had
outgrown the company he was in and felt like he needed a change.
He had already visited New Zealand
before to see his sister. She had been living in Auckland for over
15 years and the idea came to him about making it a permanent move.
After tossing the idea around the decision was made to “JUST DO
IT”, and so he contacted the Immigration Service. Planning
took him about 2-3 years. In fact, while still applying for his visa
he was still looking for a job.
He contacted some job agencies and the
general response was that they needed Civil Engineers. After a
couple of weeks he was going to job interviews. His line of
expertise is in constructing bridges and tunnels and he works as a
Project Manager at Fletcher Construction. It was at work that Edwin
went on a short course taken by David Nottage, that he learnt skills
and techniques that would help in his job. From there is was looking
at advertisements on Toastmasters to further enhance his job which
included giving speeches to his clients and in meetings.
The biggest transition for Edwin has
been leaving friends and family behind, however in saying that his
parents do come over every other year to now visit both his sister
and him, He misses some sweets from home, but overall has gelled well
with the New Zealand way of life. Edwin has only been in the country
for two years, but the bonus prize out of all this was meeting his
future wife Annette.
What does he like about New Zealand?
The warmer weather, the open and friendly people and the different
variety of fresh tropical fruit that is on offer.
How many languages can he speak?
Besides English, he can speak Dutch, a
fair bit of German and some French. So if you want a
translator/interpreter Edwin may be able to help.
Where can you find him when he’s
not at work?
Try Cornwall Park. He may be sitting
there having a picnic lunch reading his Stephen King or John Grisham
book. He enjoys indoor soccer and photography. He also likes rock
music like U2, however do not expect to find him at a Justin
Timberlake concert.
ELEPHANTS NEVER FORGET (things to
remember)
TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 07 - CHRISTMAS FUNCTION
Where: Thai Flame Restaurant, 333 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga
Phone: 09) 271 2982
Date: 4 December (Tuesday)
Time: 7.30 pm
Cost $25.00 per person (set menu
comprised of entrée, main menu, tea or Coffee – no
dessert)
Deposit: $10.00 per person
Some wine and non alcoholic drink will
be supplied. Anything else is at your expense.
Everyone welcome including your
partner, friend or whoever you’re on a friendly basis with.
Theme is Xmas so you are welcome to dress accordingly.
10 DECEMBER 07 – CHRISTMAS TOASTMASTER’S MEETING
Our next meeting is a Christmas one and
the last one for the 2007 year. So feel free to dress up in
Christmassy festive gear and get into the swing of things.
$5.00 GIFT – The other thing is
we are having a Secret Santa so would you please bring a $5.00 Unisex
gift. Which does not mean something kinky, but something which can
be used by either a woman or a man.
If you bring a guest along or a
friend please make sure an extra gift is brought so no one misses
out.
21 JANUARY 08 – First meeting back for the New Year
Christmas
Well Christmas is fast approaching
again what with presents, cards, Santa, shopping, food, eating, Just
remember it’s a time for GIVING. Yes giving up the money, and
giving up your place in the Warehouse queue or the bank and giving up
the credit card.
It’s also about TAKING. Taking
time for friends and relatives, taking the phone off the hook, taking
a walk, and taking a vacation after all the running around, taking
back those presents the kids don’t want or you don’t
want. Or maybe that’s EXCHANGING, as in exchanging your
presents, exchanging some of your challenging relatives for a set of
new ones, and exchanging a smile or two to someone. Whether you’re
giving, you’re taking or exchanging, it’s important to be
PRESENT and in the moment even if you don’t receive one.
Remember this: There are 365 days in a
year and it takes this long for the earth to go around the sun. I
hope your trip this time around has been a fruitful one and I wish
you all the best and hope to continue the journey with you again next
year.
Cheers
Caroline Luey
VP Public Relations