I miss Bali Convention

36 hours before I was due to leave for Bali, my 84 years old mother fell and crushed her 3rd and 5th lumba vertebrae. I spent the next 6 days rushing to the hospital, rushing to business appointments , rushing here ,rushing there.

During this tireing week , I was swamped with SMSs from concerned Toastmasters who asked " Are you in Bali yet?" . " Which flight are you on? " And when they learned that my mother fell again , there was another round of SMSs to wish my mother speedy recovery.

I must thank the Toastmasters for their friendship. My own home club , the Johor Bahru Toastmasters Club, sent flowers to the specialist hospital. Thank you members.

My mother is now at home and recovering. With the grace of god , she has a slim chance of being able to walk again. Howerver I am thankful that she will at least be able to sit on a wheel chair.

I have always wanted to go to Bali. Not so much because I am receiving the President's Distinguised Division Award for the second time this Convention .

I like Bali, I used to go there to do consulting work on fish farms, mainly in fish farm design and nutritional regimes. Oh , I like the beaches and the temples. Well, I missed this chance this time. Looks like I have to take a holiday there on the next opportunity.