Clickety Clack Clickety Clack

It was the spring of 2018, Our District Director from Kaohsiung/Pingtung Simone Nash and I were on the slow train on our way back to Kaohsiung from JiaYi. Flashes from the streetlights flying by shone on her glowing face. Wow. I wish I even had 1/4 of her charisma and leadership skills. Everyone is so willing to follow her lead and show their best. She’s one awesome Toastmaster.
　

I wanted to show my best. “Hey Simone.” She lifted up her head with that look of anticipation like I had some concocted idea. I did. “Wouldn’t it be neat if you being the District Director from the South, in the Annual Conference in the South, and a champion from the South?” She sat back with a confident yet reserved face, a face of a true leader. “That would be awesome.” Me? I would have jumped circles and high-fived everyone on the train.
　

That was the seed that started everything.
　

Thank you District Director Simone Nash for all your support and encouragement. Although I admit that my forte is not leadership, you, like famed social media guru, Gary Vanerchuk pushed me to believe in “tripling down” on what I was good at. Being in front of people. I share this victory with a leader I truly admire, respect, and proud to call my friend.
　

ALEMAX, my home club, is dearly special to my heart. It is really the only place outside of church (and sometimes better than church) where everyone is treated like a champion. Whether you are doing your ice breaker or on your way to completing your DTM, everyone is encouraged. Laughter and joy fills the air every meeting.
　

Special thanks to Jonathan Chen for making my Toastmasters journey picture perfect. You quietly encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and explore the impossible. ALEMAX is a 2-time district winning club because you taught me what it takes to overcome challenges one and off the stage. Thank you. To Amanda Hsu, my first mentor. You really helped me out big especially when I was the president and instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” You helped me big time. That service along with Yun-shan Huang, taking care of ALEMAX business helped me focus on winning in 2013 in Taichung.
　

I met so many awesome Toastmasters in Taichung that year and they still support me to this day and I want to thank Lester Lin, Mark Blank, Douglas Huang, Diana Watson, Josh Myers, Haishuo Lee and so many others who are Christ followers but also cheerleaders for anyone who wants to seek out what’s possible. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. TGIF/BtS. You guys are awesome. I’d name all of you but the list would be super long.
　

Special shout out to Paul Sharpe. Brother, when I needed help the most you stepped up big time. Last year, I felt cornered and I had no where to go, you called me personally, prayed for me, and encouraged me like no other. And, we live on the opposite sides of the island. Thank you. You have a big voice, big heart, and your impact is bigger than you could ever imagine. Kingdom culture bro. Just wait for the harvest. Woo! And, say ‘hi’ to your mum for me. She spoke prophetic words that really changed the course of my life forever. She’s awesome.
　

On January 20th, 2019, the day after my birthday, I remembered what happened to me. The trauma cut through my heart like a knife. I writhed in my bed screaming “It hurts!” But, I forgave and let go. And, in a prayer, I felt that this was a story that I needed to tell. I needed to end this chapter of surviving and write a new chapter of thriving. I asked around to borrow a violin as a prop and Bill Chen Kenneth Lee stepped up to lend me their violins. Thank you so much.
　

I used this app called www.themostdangerouswritingapp.com and I wrote my script in 10 minutes. You can’t stop writing because if you do, the script automatically gets deleted. So, the script you heard was in chronological order. Then, I asked Kwong Yue Yang 2x world runnerup champion, to look at the script when I went to do a workshop in China. He loved the script but still asked. “How did you recover so quickly?” It’s Jesus.
　

Thanks to Henry Flowers for praying and supporting me. You’re a fantastic speaker (World finalist) and thank you for your hand in helping me craft this speech. But more importantly, taught me about who I am especially in the eyes of God. Thank you brother!
　

Later, Jean Chow, Robert Iyer, Debbie Chuang came into the fray. They helped me with my conclusion and Jean specially gave me a venue to practice. It was nice because I had been practicing in parks. Sometimes I would scream “CONTEST MASTER!!” And old people walking would be like “contest master 什麼??” Freaking out.
　

The culture of ALEMAX is family. They go out of their way to make me feel like family. We are one big family.

They helped arrange everything from family passes to Simon Lin visiting me at Chang-Gung Hospital praying for me after I had a stroke and an injured back. Brother, you were a light because 4 days in ER and 2 days in the hospital ward was almost too much to bear alone.
　

Karen Chiu, club president and Adolph Luo, VPE Lillian Chen Kevin Kai-hsien Fang and so many made this year’s competition a family affair. We banded together and to my delight on Saturday night when Jennifer Chiang decided to come to support me for the first time.
　

I changed my script that morning. And, I got to thank Jennifer in front of hundreds of friends in Toastmasters. Thank you again for taking care of everything and let me pursue my dream of speaking.
　

There are so many other people that I need to thank. You know who you are.

Congratulations to all the Toastmasters whom I shared the stage with this weekend. You truly inspired us and keep on speaking! You guys are awesome.
　

Division D and K. Thank you so much for your support. Again, there are so many to thank. But, you know I love you guys. I share this win with you dearly.
　

Thank you Josephine Lee World Champ #3 and International President Lark Doley for inspiring us!
　

Finally, Thank you Jesus. This win is for you. God orchestrates things in ways that I may not understand but love will always be His theme. I’m healed and ready for my next chapter. Thank You.
　

I know we don’t usually say this in Toastmasters speeches but THANK YOU for listening. I love you Toastmasters. I’ll always try my best.