What a day!

I feel so hectic today and so tired right now. The highlight of the day also the part really exhausted me was UBS awards discussion. It is simply inspiring to read all the different applications. As well, we should definitely celebrate when we stuck in the discussion of who is 'more excellent' and how to distinguish the different 'excellence'.

The result was finally defined. I just loved the experience totally and really looking forward to a bigger growth in the 05/06 year!

A lot to update

A lot has just happened. Last weekend, it was transition party. I was very happy to see different AIESEC countries close by come and celebrate together with AIESEC International, for the results of 04/05 year, as well welcoming the 05/06 team. I enjoyed the parties especially the dancing part. Last Sunday, Cliff prepared a nice Chinese lunch for Achim, Melissa, Wing and me. I cannot describe how good it was to see Achim again (he was living in Beijing for the 1st half of my MCP year). Out of a sudden, everything flashed back to the beginning of last year. It was also very good to meet Melissa. As she put it, we don’t need to think about what we should say or should not say. It is just natural that we tell each other what has been happening. She hasn’t changed at all – she still spit food or drinks on herself or on the floor. Cheers, Mel! We are going to see each other for sure in Asia (probably the truly Asia country – Malaysia) and then Christmas and New Year in Sydney!

And this week, we had our SG meeting. It is the first board meeting in my life – I put together a board for AIESEC China then I left without a meeting. This SG meeting taught me so many things I didn’t know before. It is amazing to see this group of successful people spending 2 days time with us – talking, sharing, joking and laughing together. My perspectives have been broadened a lot by their opinions and questions. It was also very exciting to connect with SG members individually about issues I am passionate about – like diversity, leadership development and other humanity concerns. They are older, wise, patient, inspiring and brilliant.

Time really flies by. The current AI team has their last 5 working days ahead. They are away for their last team day this weekend. I can feel their sentiment but I cannot connect with such emotions, obviously. What does it mean finishing a journey of 6 or 7 yeas with hell a lot of emotions invested at such a young age? I feel sad as well because I connect with most of the 04/05 AI members easily. They have been my source of inspiration throughout the year. And out of sudden, you feel you cannot walk with crouches, you gotta sail alone.

My brain has been jammed with all different things right now - IC delivery, APGN’s development, Finance learning network, Growth Centre Strategy especially AIESEC China, etc. 2 months passed, I am still not sure if I have formed a good life style (habit) or not. I wanted to read a lot more than I am doing right now though I started to think a bit more than I just came – especially about AIESEC, about the areas I need to cover. I still would like to have more time thinking about what I want to do next – it doesn’t flow out of my mind naturally. I found spending time with myself is such a big pleasure.

Running

Same feeling since I arrived - I feel like running against time.

I took a trip to spain after a very exciting, relaxing AI planning week at a beautiful little town near Maastricht which reminded me of Switzerland. For the 0506 team, it is a process we can turn our ambition into a concrete plan - nothing more exciting than that. We had lots of chances for team sports. I tried volley ball, american football, soccer. I loved American football because Brodie was a good team leader/coach who made me see the beauty of it - a war of brains.

Another thing definitely worth mentioning - I first time tried Hash Run! Heaps fun! Puking! Can't drink much.

Back from planning week fully tired, I went to Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) for a holiday. But I had such a tight schedule that it completely exhausted me. I had bad luck in Spain: no sun in Barcelona and no shops open in Madrid. But still, I loved Spain - a perfect place for vacation. Sun, beaches, cheap shopping, sangria, latin clubs, good looking people! I am planning to go back again sometime next Spring though I don't understand how to work it out. ;p

Back to the office is a good feeling. Sitting in front of laptops, working, emailing, blogging, reading materials...

This Monday and Tuesday have been really hectic but good. On the flight back to Amsterdam, I was so pumped to do something amazing in my term. The feeling is great and familiar - as how I felt about things last year. It is interesting to see myself refer to my MCP term so many times. As if I cannot live out of that bubble though I know I loved and disliked it to an equal amount.

My current AI life has its difference in many ways. I can say I am managing it but not yet enjoying it. But it is important to enjoy it, isn't it?

In life, we never rehearsal but only perform!

VK reminded us this at the 4th week transition checkout. All of us are so pumped and cannot wait to go for our first battle – AI planning week! In the board room, the outgoing team seems a bit sentimental. Maybe we reminded them of who they were and how they were one year back. Maybe they really loved this year and don’t want to leave in 4 weeks time.

I was completely caught by the ‘rehearsal’ and ‘perform’ ways of addressing life. Maybe I was unconsciously performing in the past 4 weeks while I think I was rehearsing? Responsibilities will flood to me after the planning week. There is no way to hide myself behind Liv. It is somehow scary and somehow exciting understanding that there is no room in AIESEC that can solve the problems for this entire organization apart from us. While I was an MCP, I can easily bitch AIESEC International for not giving enough support. But right now, I can only blame myself for not supporting countries enough, not addressing their needs. The exciting part is finally we can start to plan for our year, our strategies and actions to transform this organization. Very soon, we see all the countries, a new batch of MCs at IC in India, a crucial point for this organization to fight for the right direction and solutions and give it a go.

Another interesting reminder from VK – we view the LCs from the LC perspective and view AI from the LC perspective as well. Is AI perspective conflicts with LC perspective? When I was in MC, I always feel the difference between how MC and LC make decisions. Gaining AI perspective means losing LC perspective? If so, why are we here? For sure, we don’t need to address AI need while AI is even not necessary for this organization. Yet, it is hard to regain LC perspective while we are all several years away from it. I am sitting here trying to insert the LC perspective chip into my brain.

I first time spammed the whole organization. I first time wrote to all the AP MCPs yesterday. It is yet easier to be an MCP and bitch about AI though putting lots of faith in AI compared to being a Director trying to live up to my countries’ expectations. What does AP need? How AP can grow regarding its potential? How to create synergy within AP? I feel I always have more questions than answers. I always worry that I am more fluffy than concrete.

It is the last day before planning week. Prepared or unprepared, yet need to perform!