Next Stop, Sri Lanka!

In a couple of hours time, I will be flying on SQ to Sri Lanka for my six months overseas assignment. For those of you who have been loyal supporters of The Public Speaking Blog, you will know that I have only been back in Singapore for one year. The year before was spent in Philadelphia, US where this blog was first created.

Thought it will be good (for me) to reflect on what I have done so far in the past one year before I embark on my next journey to Sri Lanka, the Pearl of India.

  • Competed in the Toastmasters Evaluation Contest (Division Level) and came in first. Flew to Macau for the finals and won second. The highlight of my trip there was meeting and learning from 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking, Ed Tate! (see pic)

  • Competed early this year in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest and came in first. Was in cloud nine because I finally had the chance to share the story of the falling eagle to over 150 people. (see post)

  • Went out of my comfort zone and took part in the first-ever talkfest held in Singapore - Word of Mouth. Went through three rounds before I got into the finals. Alas, it clashed with my exams and I have to opt out. Check out some of us in action –> Word of Mouth Competition

  • Upon encouragements from my friends, I led my first public workshop on public speaking in Oct and since then, it became a regular affair. This has also led to several training opportunities at Safra, NUS, ECI and MDIS which I am extremely grateful for.

  • Got invited to train the students on public speaking at some of the top junior colleges in SIngapore (known as high school in US). Had the opportunity to personally coach some of them at competitive level too - which was quite an experience. I remember at some point in the competition, I wanted to get up there to speak!! Haha, I am such a sucker for limelight…

  • Met Tian Yan, an unassuming gentleman who was part responsible for making this blog such a hit right now on the digital world. He was also the guy who “probed” me to write two ebooks (i) Unleash The Speaker In You and (ii)Unlock The Charisma Equation.

  • Created my very first DVD on public speaking entitled “From Brown Cow To Purple Cow: What It Takes To Become A Remarkable Speaker”. Sales went so well that we are now into our second production!

  • Signed up for Irene Ang’s 10 weeks hosting class. Made lots of wonderful friends especially Gabriel (you will see him in Speaker Idol; he was also the guy behind creating the FAQ videos) and Charissa (see Of Hearty Hosting and Daiko Drums). This has also led to a fruitful collaboration with Irene (now my mentor) in the upcoming FAQ book project.

  • And lastly, creating the FAQ Book on Public Speaking with my second partner - Andrew! Thanks to his never-say-die attitude and quiet support, our baby is finally going to see light!

    Come to think of it, this one year has been extremely fruitful. I made a lot of like-minded friends like yourself who never fail to motivate me to write better content. If not for you, my life would have been a tad boring…ok, excruitiatingly boring!

    Thank you VERY MUCH for giving me the chance to be listened to. Words of gratitude can’t do justice… I believe the best way to honour you is to continue writing great content. Adieus!

    With gratitude and love,
    Eric Feng
    Your Public Speaking Coach

  • 7 Comments so far

    1. Andrew on August 15th, 2007

      Bye Eric! Take care!

    2. Dr Ajith on August 16th, 2007

      Dear Eric
      The word LAST (email) is never going to happen. U said we were digitally known to each other.We can still be digitally attached.In my busy schedule, I often find it difficult to steal time to read books.I have read only one of your articles on public speaking.It did help me a lot.I dont know why I feel nostalgic about your leaving to Sri Lanka. Its a war ridden country. I remember treating the LTTE , ,where they were brought in handcuffs,at Chinglepet Medical College while doing my Senior House surgency.

      Let me say that Please Take Care! May God be with you. Do write when you are relatively free.

    3. Jasmine on August 17th, 2007

      Have a nice trip!!

    4. Goel on August 17th, 2007

      Hello Eric Feng,

      Don’t say that, it your last mail. I would like to continue mails. Will you please?

      Thank a lot

    5. Kenny on August 17th, 2007

      All the best Eric on your assignment. Thanks for all the tips. Hope to hear from you soon.

    6. Fatima on August 17th, 2007

      Nice meeting in the sky. I guest you are a season TM. And I too want to be a proficient TM.

      Thank you for your generosity for freely receives and freely gives. By this means I am happy to give to those who want of what I received from those who offer gratuitously.

      I am an unstructured speaker for impromptu and evaluator speech, how can I turn around?

      What the best way to prepare for evaluation contest?

      Am I asking too many questions?

      Cheers,

      Your TM from Macau9

    7. […] Next Stop, Sri Lanka I am surprised to see this as the number 2 post for this month. Has to be the pictures. […]

    Leave a reply

    Close
    E-mail It