Egypt here I come!

I'm leaving for the airport in another 1 hour plus I think...

Can't belive the countdown is almost ending...

I promise to update as frequently as I can about all the stuff happening there =)

See you all on March 3rd!

Ironic Day

Today, I was a good girl and dutifully attended school... Only had 2 lectures today with a 4 hours break in between... so I thought well I can do work in those 4 hours while being a good student who actually attends the lecture..

ironically.. the lecturer for 10.30 am class.. DID NOT TURN UP TODAY!!!! and he didn't post a notice beforehand, nor did he send someone to inform the students... what a waste of our time!! in waiting and forsaking that few more hours of sleep!!

and the lecture at 3.30pm... well we spent that whole hour watching a video of an experiment the lecturer did... and that video is available on school intranet also... man... I could have watched it at home...

how sad... the day I decided to be a good student, the lecturers didn't seem to want to help...

oh well.. at least I used that 4 hours to settle some AIESEC stuff and print some school notes.. I think I spent at least $8.50 on printing today... printing lecture notes, readings, and of course AIESEC documents for IPM... considering that each printed page costs $0.03 (or was it $0.05?), you can imagine how many trees I killed today...

I'm making up for that by making sure I recycle all the paper in my room... yes if paper is printed only on one-side, it ends up in my rough paper stack.. for paper printed double-sided but is not needed, it ends up in to-be-recycled stack... at the end of 2 or 3 days, this stack gets brought downstairs to the Recycle Bin... (when I start clearing my year 1 and 2 notes after graduation, this stack is going to be huge...)

I think I am rambling now... hahaha...

I am going to Egypt in 4 more days!!


and I will grab a few MCPs to see if we can possibly part the Red Sea (where our resort is)

from this...

Into this...

Probably we should get the newly elected AI 07/08 team to try as well... Lead us to freedom! and AIESEC 2010!!!

Counting down still...

10 more days before reaching Egypt...

meaning 10 very intense days of setting things in order here, of getting prepped up with all the stuff to go through for IPM...

10 intense days before getting away from things here and focusing on other stuff in Egypt...

Hanging on...

and praying that I can last these 10 days...

EUREKA!!

At last!! the equations tally!! (refer to previous post if you are lost)

*jumps for joy*
*throws confetti in the air*

Apparently, I wasn't supposed to use the equations from this theory in this method... I would post up the final equations and give you an explanation of what the theory and method refer to... but I don't want to bore you... so be thankful...

anyway, work is now underway to compile Literature Review, Lists of References, Graphs and comparisons for the final report... and I still need to touch up on the programs that I have written... (programming in the computer sense ok... not event or agenda programs)

Oh and I told my supervisor (finally) that I'm going to Egypt in less than 2 weeks... thankfully he's alright with it... he even told me I have to visit the Valley and the Red Sea... but of course with the usual reminder to do as much as I can these days before I fly off... so yes I am thankful...

Only thing is... I haven't been attending classes that regularly... yeah I go to school.. but either I meet up with my supervisor, or work on my laptop, or the school computer (on the Project of course... and on AIESEC stuff too as a side of course)

but well... at least things are moving...
13 days to Cairo!!!

Phrases I just have to put down

"A born leader is the baby who cuts his/her own umbilical cord off"
from Francois

"You shall not pass!!"
from Gandulf the Grey when attacked by the Balrog in the Mines of Moria, Lord of the Rings - the Fellowship (movie)

"You shall not pass!!"
from lecturers and subject coordinators... leading to the failure of many students in various subjects...

I am going to Egypt!

Yes I am going to Egypt! In a bit less than 2 weeks time!!

Flight is at 5am on 12th Feb, and I reach Cairo on 12th Feb 11 plus am...

That gives me 12 - 15 Feb and 28 Feb - 1 March to walk around, see loads of things and take loads of pictures... (this is the 1st time I spend Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year outside of Singapore in such an exotic country)

Not to forget that I get to meet up with our dear Mummy, Yasmine! (I'll be staying at her place... she's so nice.. thanks Yasmine!!)

And not forgetting my dear MCP buddies that I get to meet again after a 6 months (already?? gosh) absence! Will be travelling around Egypt with Tabbee from the Philippines, who reaches on 12th too! And I think Pui from Thailand is reaching on 13th!! and all the rest of you who arrive later and who I will meet at the Pre Meeting itself! (I miss all of you so much!)

and from there, it will be an intensive 2 weeks of International Presidents Meeting, complete with
- AI 07/08 elections (4 PAI and 20 Director candidates to sit through!)
- GN parties and random parties every night
- Global Village (on 18 Feb which happens to be 1st Day of Chinese New Year)
- more on AIESEC 2010 and lots more of AIESEC stuff
- a cosy number of fellow MCPs to get to know, to catch up with, to have fun with (yes it's definitely a lot easier to network with people at IPM than at IC... seeing how there are SOOO many people at IC)

So the countdown begins...

and till then, it's more of sorting out stuff for my Final Year Project, making sure things are alright with my 06/07 kids (they've grown from babies) and my 07/08 babies... and living out a busy busy schedule...

Looking forward to Egypt and all those old friends...

Final Year Project

This is what I have been staring at and trying to figure out over the past few days...
Help!!!

Reflections...

Some people have been asking me how it feels like.. to be running again for MCP of AIESEC in Singapore...

Well I can say for sure that it was quite a journey...

In the 40 mins that I stood on stage (for my speech and then my Q&A session), so many images flashed through my head and it was like reliving so many memories again, yet imprinting new images into my mind...

My speech took me back to a Lecture Theatre in NUS 2 years back, the imagery then and the things I said to plenary... my speech took me back to a Seminar Room in SMU last year, where I was so nervous, so sure and yet unsure of myself and the path I had chosen to embark on... it took me back 8 months at MC transition and MC planning, when my current team promised to ourselves what we wanted to leave as a legacy for our term... it brought me back all those times since then and all the little joys I experienced along the way as I saw progress and results...

The question and answer session took me back to almost 1 year ago at IPM, a conference which left such an impact on me and gave me the confidence and ideas of how I wanted my term as MCP to be like... it took me back to those fears I felt as an elect, worried about expectations and the shadows of those before me... it took me back to Oct last year when Ryan from AI came for country visit and I sought his inputs on various matters... it took me back to a time when the members of the MC 0607 team were so unsure of themselves and how each and every one of them have grown to be such inspiring and capable individuals today...

So many memories to relive, images to recapture, messages and things I wanted to tell everyone...

and at the same time, so much hope for the images that will be captured from now on with the 0708 elects team... in the space of 2 weeks, these individuals went from being unsure at Meet the People sessions in the LCs to being able to give fantastic speeches at Elections itself... and it makes me so excited of how far they will grow in the months to come...

Looking forward to the rest of 06/07, and to the start of 07/08!

__________________________________________________

just wanted to say this... I was talking to a friend over MSN on the morning of the elections and he said
"if there's one thing i'll say to you.... it's just make it an election you want
you don't have to worry about getting elected... you just have to worry about express yourself however.
how do you want your election to look/feel/sound"

I think... I like the way it turned out... and I like the fact that I am that bit more expressive than I used to be =)

The Amazing Human Spirit

I think the longer one stays in AIESEC, the more aware one is of how AIESEC brings out the amazing nature of the human spirit...

I talk to friends from the network and I learn about their passions... I see how they work, what they value, I challenge them and get challenged in return... I see them fighting on for what they believe in, no matter if the environment is friendly or not... I hear their concerns and sense the selflessness behind what they say and decide on... I know that no matter how busy they are, they will always be ready to lend a listening ear to me, and I know that I will do the same for them... I sense the fighter spirit and the fire in them, and I can't help but feel something burning inside myself because of that...

We're all fighting on... not because we have to... only because we want to...

And I love you all so much for that...

To the Hamster that made a difference

This is a tribute to my beloved hamster, who passed away this morning...


Thanks for bringing joy and laughter to the family...
especially with all your antics, acrobatic abilities and weird sleeping poses...

Rest in Peace and Enjoy Hamster Heaven!

Frustrations...

they seem to keep coming and resurfacing these days...

I know there will be lights at the end of the tunnel... but sometimes, one needs to see just some glimmers along the way to the end.. just to be certain...

Go the Distance

I just heard this on the radio... and it's just one of those times again where the songs just speak to you...

Go the Distance

by Michael Bolton

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, this is where I'm meant to be

I'll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev'ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong

Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I'll see it through
And I won't look back, I can go the distance

And I'll stay on track, no, I won't accept defeat
It's an uphill slope, but I won't lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart

Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its' harms
I don't care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero's welcome, waiting in your arms

I will search the world, I will face its harms
Till I find my hero's welcome, waiting in your arms

Exhausting is the word...

What more need I say?

Hope...

Was feeling kind of down... and decided to take some time to watch a good movie... and what better movie to watch at this point then "The Shawshank Redemption" (Thanks to Avinaash for passing this to me)

The movie stars Morgan Freeman (as "Red") and Tim Robbins (as Andy Dufresne) in a prison called Shawshank... Beautiful movie with a beautiful message... on hope, friendship and the strength of the human spirit...

and there's this scene, where Andy is sent to solitary confinement for a week after putting music over the prison PA system... here's the conversation between Andy and Red after Andy got out...

Andy: Here's where it makes the most sense.. you need this so you dont forget

Red: Forget?

Andy: Forget that there are places in the world that aren't made out of stone... that there's something inside that they can't get to you... that they can't touch... it's yours

Red: What are you talking about?

Andy: Hope

Red: Hope? Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive men insane. It's got no use on the inside.

At the end of the show, Andy escapes from prison and years later Red is released on parole... He finds a letter from Andy that ends off saying:

Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.

And I listened to that and thought to myself...
What a beautiful statement of truth...

My Wish

This is a very nice song by Rascal Flatts... nice music, nice lyrics, nice meaning... Enjoy!

My Wish
by Rascal Flatts
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

(Chorus)
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

(Chorus)
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Disappointing email

Got this in my school email...

Shows the extent that institutons will go to ride on the popularity of anyone that can be associated with them...
Besides... so what if he graduated from NTU? he didn't learn how to sing in NTU...

I have no idea if the contestant sent this request to the school or it was goodwill from the part of the school... but yeah...

It's not really a singing competition, it's a competition to see how large your network is and how rich those people in the networks are to send in as many SMSes for you...

p.s. I don't have anything against any of the contestant so I've blocked out the name
_____________________________________________________

Dear all,

XXX received his BEng and MSc from NTU. He is a contestant of project superstar. Today, you will see him on channel U (8-9pm). We look forward to your support to our NTU superstar XXX !

You can only vote for him today from 8-11pm. Send XX to 71199. Your votes today will be very crucial to him. Please consider to send him 10 votes today ( cost you only 60 cents per vote ). There is no limit on the number of votes which can be sent from one handphone number (Votes sent out by prepaid SIM card will not be counted) .

* This is the website of XXXX ( his BLOG, photo collections, profiles are all included ) . He will be very happy to receive supporting emails from you.

And so 2007 arrives...

There we have it... It is now the year 2007!

Another year has gone by just like that, and as always it seemed just like yesterday when we were counting down to 2006...

I've been sitting in front of my laptop since 9.30pm working and chatting and thinking about stuff... and now that most people are offline... guess perhaps it's the time for some reflection...

let's see... where do I start about 2006?

I think 2006 has been a very "crowded" year... crowded in the sense that so many amazing people entered my life in this year... from elections in Jan, to IPM in Feb, to transition and planning in June, to AGM in August, to IC in August, to Jump Start! Induction Conference in September, to NLDS preparation in Nov, to NLDS itself in Dec... at every stage, I met new people who have left footprints in my heart... and for that I am grateful... Thank you for coming into my life and leaving that mark whether you realised it or not... your presence makes a difference to me =)

I think 2006 has been a year of ups and downs, of learning and overcoming challenges... what with school and AIESEC (especially as MCP), the ups and downs are a lot more intense than previous years in AIESEC... yet these ups and downs make the role challenging and bring more learning points for myself... they have taught me a lot about about the way I react in various situations, about what I value, about what keeps me running...

In 2006, I learnt a lot more about myself as an individual... I found my own style of facilitating and motivating people, I found a new openness in the way I speak and express myself, I found simple things that I value and that make me happy, I found solace in the network of friends around me... I have grown as an individual, becoming more sure of myself and the role I play in life... I found that I can make that deeper connection with some people, and that the paths I choose are only as lonely as I make them out to be...

In 2006, I learnt that the past is something we can never forget entirely and that sometimes, it "resurfaces"... but I learnt that things always move on, and that we can only become stronger over time... I learnt that no matter if the past was of sweet or painful memories, these memories stay and further shape us as individuals...

In 2006, I learnt that the future is indeed full of uncertainties, and that some decisions are harder to make than others... I experienced first hand that some decisions meet more resistance from people around me, people who are unable to put themselves into my shoes and try to see things the way I do... yet from this, I decided to put myself into others' shoes and I come out with even greater respect and admiration for the decisions some of my friends have made...

In 2006, I experienced happiness, excitement, fear, apprehension, anger, stress, helplessness, pain, jealousy, confusion, relief, peace, gratefulness, love, curiosity... a myriad of emotions, and which makes me feel even more alive...

I am glad to be alive.. I am glad to be alive through the whole of 2006... I am glad for 2006...

It has been an amazing year... and I definitely look forward to 2007 being another year to remember...

Some of my favourite group photos of 2006

AIESEC Singapore NLDS 2006
December 2006














International Congress 2006, Poland
August 2006











International Congress 2006, Poland
August 2006










AIESEC Singapore MC Planning Weekend
June 2006
















International Presidents Meeting 2006, The Netherlands
February 2006

Pre Christmas Gatherings

I think this is the first year my pre Christmas days were so full...

1st, there was the pre-christmas party on 23rd Dec... yeah we counted down to Christmas eve... haha... it was an AIESEC gathering, small crowd and cosy potluck... lots of great conversations... and a great sharing session... you know... when you first join AIESEC, you talk to a lot of people but rarely do you get to really TALK to people about themselves and yourself.... so I'm really glad for the opportunity to do just that with the bunch of cool people... I don't really know how to describe that experience, but I am thankful to be able to know all of you much better, and also know myself even better... and I hope you managed to know me better despite me being not that super expressive... hahaha... that gathering was amusing also, because most of us only woke up at 12 noon... (only because some of us stayed up to chat till 8am.. so yeah imagine how much sharing there was)

anyhow, that was Christmas eve already and I got back in time to shower, check my email and head off for another gathering with my Junior College classmates for our annual gathering (I think this is the 5th or 6th year we have been doing this)... so that was another great gathering, considering I haven't seen most of them in half a year... and as expected, lots of updating, lots of gossiping, lots of talking nonsense, lots of chicken wings... AND another night of very little sleep! I think I slept for 2 hours while the rest totally didn't sleep... congratulations to the 10 mangoes for that achievement (and for not playing or mentioning Bridge at all)...

Although there wasn't much chance for sleeping in those 2 days, I thought it was entirely worth it... I find that I really value such occasions to be able to sit with people who you care about and who care about you and just share about anything that comes to mind... cos it's only with such sessions that we break that barrier between us and those around us, and really start the process of connecting as individuals..

I think somehow, we don't do that enough in life... the usual reason (or excuse) is that we are too busy I suppose... but a good chat doesn't need to take hours... it can take minutes, it can be virtual or physical... and it does such wonders in breaking that monotony of usual everyday routine and brightening up our days simply by allowing for that connection with another human being...

and you know what... that's what makes me feel alive, and grateful for being alive...

Absence from blogging scene

Haven't been blogging for a while... but that's not so much due to the fact that there's nothing to blog about...

well first it was the recovery from NLDS... that took a while... you can see from the previous entry that the reflections post only came out on December 17th...

and then I made a switch from Blogger to Blogger Beta and found that there was some error which didn't allow me to publish on to my nomadlife server... now that got me quite irritated for a while and left not much motivation to blog until a solution was found...

but now... a solution has been found! Thanks to Devrim and Dody for their help, I'm back to blogging real-time! (i.e. my entries get published right after I click the Publish button) hehe...

much has happened since Dec 17... including some random stayovers, random Christmas shopping with friends, a fantastic AIESEC Christmas gathering on 23rd Dec, a fantastic Junior College gathering on 24th Dec, a so-so Christmas, an airport send-off for a friend on 26th Dec, a wedding dinner on 28th Dec... and many decisions made in the periods between...

guess i'll blog about whatever I feel like blogging about when I feel like it.. prob a summary posting.. hehe..