Thursday, July 02, 2009
I was sitting on my first non-AIESEC seminar. The fact that I just joined the organisation for 7 months with no finance background at all did not help at all. The first half, I spent trying to comprehend what is being talked about. I get the gist but not the full details.
No energisers, no line dances, no "team bonding" stupid silly games (OMG, the alumni were right!). Although there were equally as many powerpoints and cool videos. It felt bizarre not to be in the know. I felt like I'm a newbie on my first IC. Whatever up for discussion was completely over my head, although some strategies discussed I could relate them back to 'back in my days in @.' WOW. That particular moment makes me feel better.
Despite everything, it was a great learning experience, getting people who have worked in the industry for years and years (it's only 7 months and I already whines.), who knows their shizzle and makes me feel like I'm very little. The whole experience was pretty humbling.
Labels: thoughts
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Here I am, blogging away on the night of the 1st of July. I did not realise the significance of this day until certain someone emailed me. This night one year ago was the celebration time for myself and Sneha as it marked the very last day and night of our MC term. It really has been that long ago, but for some reason everything is still vivid in my head like a fresh memory.
My first stop after departing New Zealand was Singapore before heading off to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching. Well..., 51 weeks later I am back in Singapore. For a completely different reason, with a completely different bunch of people doing a completely different thing. I'm here with my boss, for work. Not a time when you normally have time to sit back, relax, enjoy the atmosphere and reflect on things. Whether I like it or not, I get real emo and cant help myself but reflecting.
It is surprising what life has in store for you, eh?
Labels: thoughts
Monday, June 15, 2009
This is what you do when weekend comes to an end...
Great catchup though! :)
Labels: random
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I met someone who has got quite an amazing bedtime tale to tell. I reckon he might be in his late 50. His hands were shaking every time he speaks so passionately about his background, history and his journey to where he is now today.
Back in his university days, he was an anti-war activist against the Vietnam war. Later on in life, when he held quite a high-up position in a large company that makes airplanes in the US, business and humanity considerations call to reach out to Vietnam (channeling medicines). Cutting long story short - across seas, borders, cultures, and diplomatic challenges (think about two governments who doesn't talk to each other!) he made the impossible - possible. After many years, he finally able to make that difference in a matter he was so passionate about back in his university days.
He was doing more of this humanity work than his own business work and then he decided to quit his job and established this NGO as his vehicle to channel his humanity work focusing on developing health care for the underprivileged, working currently for Indonesian community.
Some story that was! It makes me think though, after many many years being involved in a youth leadership development organisation, what kind of contribution would I make in the society?
Labels: inspiration, thoughts
Monday, June 01, 2009
Every weekdays, I spend 40 minutes minimum to get to the office. It is located probably only 6 Km away from my house. It is a ridiculous amount of time wasted.
I don't like what I see each day. Traffic jam. The goddamn traffic jam. *sigh* Too many unruly public transportation providers (angkots, metro minis, ojeks) but not wide enough roads, too many laws but a shortage of law enforcements, and this... too many motorbikes. I heard at some point of time the price of motorbikes dropped and suddenly everyone can afford one. They cram the streets like ants attacking sweet crumbs. Clogging entrances to overpass, bridge, road along with those unruly public transport taking/ dropping passengers anytime, anywhere their heart desire.
Apart from the global financial crisis and Calegs losing at the legislative election .. no wonder more and more Jakartans (is this what they called Jakarta people? D'uh.) either admitted to mental hospital or committing suicide.
Labels: jakarta, random
Saturday, May 30, 2009
I just had my contract renewed. For another 6 months ( I assume, since I have not seen it myself). So I guess I'm going to stay here a little bit longer. Many times have I had conversations with different friends on how we never expect to be where we are or become who we are today. Many times also I think about this. What had happened, whom had I met, where had I been. Different kinds of stories, people and places just jumped out of my memories, putting a smile to my face. For without these stories, people and places I wouldn't be who I am today - a smart-ass, overly critical, annoying, sarcastic beautiful self. :) They were there for a reason.
Since I started working almost 6 months ago, things have changed slightly. I'm able to appreciate more of what I have (or have had) and wising up a little to adapt in an environment very different that what I had been exposed to in my previous 7 years of my life. At times, these hindsights are making me missing my old life and my old friends like crazy! But at the same time you know that nothing is going to be the same, people are moving on and so should I.
So, my idea of "moving on" is putting the skills I've learned from AIESEC into practice, learning the ropes on a game of office politics (what fun!), taking a full dive into 'the real world' and being an agent of change in the process. The last bit is to redeem myself for not being able to go on an internship.
Having the chance to make a difference where it matters. What a life I'd say!
Labels: life, thoughts
