This sounds so familiar... I feel as if I have watched it on TV before... where the scenes flicker from one to another as the narrator speaks.. in a deep, rich voice... perhaps something like that from Anthony Hopkins or Morgan Freeman...
The following comes from a letter that George Carlin wrote for his deceased wife
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less
wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive to fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up tired, read too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to our life not life to our years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are times of fast food and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Remember, to say, " I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Feast at the Pyramids?
Ok so they're doing it for charity... and I suppose it is quite a novelty thing to dine around the Pyramids...
but honestly, you would think the Pyramids have suffered enough from modernisation, what with all the tourists, tour buses, souvenirs shops, locals selling souvenirs and ripping off tourists... what with the homes and shops that have sprouted around it and that are so dependent on the Pyramids being a famous tourist site for survival... what with that music and light show at the Sphinx...
Shouldn't the last standing Wonder of the Ancient World be left to be admired in its natural grandeur, set against the darkness and mystery of the vast desert? And not have the silence of the desert be interrupted by the clink of wine glasses, the chatter and laughter at such epicurean feasts? And not have the natural waft of the desert wind and that of camels be interrupted by the smells of exotic foods or highly expensive perfumes?
Millionaires to Feast at Pyramids
Monday March 19, 11:19 am ET
By Jocelyn Gecker, Associated Press Writer
Chefs to Prepare Gourmet Feast for Millionaires at the Pyramids in Egypt
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- From the creators of the $25,000 dinner, there's another pricey gourmet feast on the horizon.
Wealthy foodies can mark their calendars for Dec. 12, 2008, when top chefs from around the world will be flown to Egypt to cook a dinner in front of the ancient Pyramids of Giza, organizer Deepak Ohri said Monday.
This dinner will be a bargain, at least compared to the one in Bangkok last month that was billed as the meal of a lifetime and cooked by six 3-star Michelin chefs for $25,000 a head. High-rolling food lovers flew in from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and across Asia for the 40-seat dinner.
The price for dining beside the pyramids has not yet been set, but it will cost less than $10,000 per person, said Ohri, the managing director of Bangkok's luxury Lebua hotel, the event planner behind the dinners that are boldly titled "Epicurean Masters of the World."
Though cheaper, the upcoming feast is intended to be even grander than its predecessor.
"It will still be for millionaires, but this dinner will be for a lot of millionaires," Ohri told The Associated Press.
Some 500 tickets will be sold for the dinner to be cooked by 30 3-star Michelin chefs.
About a third of the chefs already have confirmed their attendance; each chef will prepare a meal for roughly 17 diners.
A kitchen half a mile long will be set up against the backdrop of the pyramids with equipment and the best ingredients jetted in from around the world.
Unlike the $25,000 dinner, which featured rare French wines and mostly French food, the next meal will be culturally diverse and paired with fine wines from around the world, Ohri said.
Just how close diners will be to the pyramids depends upon the Egyptian government and the U.N.'s cultural body UNESCO, since the pyramids are a World Heritage site.
Talks are under way with authorities, Ohri said, noting that organizers are "considering" giving profits from the dinner to an organization or charity that deals with conserving the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are the only surviving structure from the traditional list of architectural marvels.
All profits from the $25,000 dinner are going to two charities -- Medecins Sans Frontieres, which will be sent a check for $15,000, and the Chaipattana Foundation, a rural development program set up by the king of Thailand, which will receive $46,000, Ohri said.
but honestly, you would think the Pyramids have suffered enough from modernisation, what with all the tourists, tour buses, souvenirs shops, locals selling souvenirs and ripping off tourists... what with the homes and shops that have sprouted around it and that are so dependent on the Pyramids being a famous tourist site for survival... what with that music and light show at the Sphinx...
Shouldn't the last standing Wonder of the Ancient World be left to be admired in its natural grandeur, set against the darkness and mystery of the vast desert? And not have the silence of the desert be interrupted by the clink of wine glasses, the chatter and laughter at such epicurean feasts? And not have the natural waft of the desert wind and that of camels be interrupted by the smells of exotic foods or highly expensive perfumes?
Millionaires to Feast at Pyramids
Monday March 19, 11:19 am ET
By Jocelyn Gecker, Associated Press Writer
Chefs to Prepare Gourmet Feast for Millionaires at the Pyramids in Egypt
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- From the creators of the $25,000 dinner, there's another pricey gourmet feast on the horizon.
Wealthy foodies can mark their calendars for Dec. 12, 2008, when top chefs from around the world will be flown to Egypt to cook a dinner in front of the ancient Pyramids of Giza, organizer Deepak Ohri said Monday.
This dinner will be a bargain, at least compared to the one in Bangkok last month that was billed as the meal of a lifetime and cooked by six 3-star Michelin chefs for $25,000 a head. High-rolling food lovers flew in from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and across Asia for the 40-seat dinner.
The price for dining beside the pyramids has not yet been set, but it will cost less than $10,000 per person, said Ohri, the managing director of Bangkok's luxury Lebua hotel, the event planner behind the dinners that are boldly titled "Epicurean Masters of the World."
Though cheaper, the upcoming feast is intended to be even grander than its predecessor.
"It will still be for millionaires, but this dinner will be for a lot of millionaires," Ohri told The Associated Press.
Some 500 tickets will be sold for the dinner to be cooked by 30 3-star Michelin chefs.
About a third of the chefs already have confirmed their attendance; each chef will prepare a meal for roughly 17 diners.
A kitchen half a mile long will be set up against the backdrop of the pyramids with equipment and the best ingredients jetted in from around the world.
Unlike the $25,000 dinner, which featured rare French wines and mostly French food, the next meal will be culturally diverse and paired with fine wines from around the world, Ohri said.
Just how close diners will be to the pyramids depends upon the Egyptian government and the U.N.'s cultural body UNESCO, since the pyramids are a World Heritage site.
Talks are under way with authorities, Ohri said, noting that organizers are "considering" giving profits from the dinner to an organization or charity that deals with conserving the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are the only surviving structure from the traditional list of architectural marvels.
All profits from the $25,000 dinner are going to two charities -- Medecins Sans Frontieres, which will be sent a check for $15,000, and the Chaipattana Foundation, a rural development program set up by the king of Thailand, which will receive $46,000, Ohri said.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Randomness
Some of these blogthings things are quite fun and funny... hahahaha
| You Are 50% Boyish and 50% Girlish |
You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be. |
| Your Aura is Violet |
 Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach |
My 5 top strengths
Did this in IPM 2006 in the Netherlands... and for some reason just wanted to put it up...
| Your Top Strength |
Industry, diligence, and perseverance |
| Your Second Strength |
Forgiveness and mercy |
| Your Third Strength |
Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness |
| Your Fourth Strength |
Self-control and self-regulation |
| Your Fifth Strength |
Curiosity and interest in the world What do you think? Sounds like me? |
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Some of my better shots over the years
I've always liked taking photos... was looking at some stuff on the internet and just felt like going through my own photo galleries again...
Here are some of my better shots from over the years... notice that they start from 2003, because that was when I got my first digital camera...
Here are some of my better shots from over the years... notice that they start from 2003, because that was when I got my first digital camera...
Sea of clouds over Poland
In the streets of Amsterdam, The Netherlands(taken after IPM 2006)
Sun Set in Bangkok, Thailand(taken in 2003)
View from Jiu Fen, Taipei, Taiwan(Taken during trip in 2005)
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia(Taken during visit to KL for OCSEA and for fun, 2005)
Central Business District, Singapore(taken during AIESEC Amazing Race, 2005)
A bird, a dying tree, a new moon(taken near Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore, 2005)
Merlion, Singapore River, Singapore Skyline(taken during class assignment to Singapore River, 2005)
Singapore Skyline at night(taken from a cruise, 2005)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I like this photo
Have you ever seen something like that?Seen how the sea and the sky seem to blend into each other?
I have...
Monday, March 12, 2007
So much to do...
With school term coming to an end soon (exams in 5 weeks! gosh!), and AIESEC terms coming to and end and coming to a start, things are getting busy...
So much to do... so much to do...
Sometimes I wonder how I manage...
this like a targeted-at-self ego booster... yeah so much to do... but I'm doing it....
So much to do... so much to do...
Sometimes I wonder how I manage...
this like a targeted-at-self ego booster... yeah so much to do... but I'm doing it....
Friday, March 09, 2007
Taking a Break... in Singapore
Yup.. back in Singapore.. it's been 6 days since I came back...
been really busy since getting back...
I landed at 10am (one hour later than supposed because of flight delay), grabbed breakfast with my Dad and Bro at the airport and headed home... unpacked somewhat, showered and went off for an AIESEC event... after that event (which was fantastic by the way), I headed off for a Chinese New Year reunion dinner with my Junior College Wushu (chinese martial arts) society... of course I was feeling super tired at the end of that day because of the travelling as well so that meant a good night's sleep, which really helped in countering jet lag...
Sunday was a day of more unpacking, clearing emails, consolidating stuff from IPM, writing report and tidying documents... I figured I should clear the stuff from IPM first before I move on to other stuff...
Monday was supposed to be back to school again but I overslept and ended up at home, clearing AIESEC stuff still, sorting out my lecture notes, downloading notes that I need to print and catch up on... looking at my Final Year Project (FYP) stuff again...
Tuesday I went back to school! spent most of the time in the library printing my notes and sorting them out... suddenly saw an email from my FYP supervisor asking for a meeting that same day and so went to meet him, without much progress since the last time unfortunately... but fortunately, he's quite nice and after a quick update from my side and quick refreshment from his side on what I still need to do, it was back to the library to finish up on the printing... then I headed back home (yes I went to school but didn't attend classes... my theory is that priority then is not to learn new stuff in the middle of nowhere but to clear the urgent school stuff first).. once home, it was back to the laptop to work on my FYP... working out equations, tweaking my programme.. and finally getting proper results at 3am... YAY!! it works!
Wednesday was spent at home again... this entire day was devoted to studying for the quiz on Thursday... I got mixed up and almost studied 3 of the 4 parts of the module... which was why I was quite panicked about finishing all that materials.. in the end, I realised my mistake and things turned out alright, since I had overbudgeted for studying time and now had more time to get the information in my head... so.. reading reading and studying... getting good news once in a while via email about FYP or other stuff... and so the day goes by..
Thursday I met my FYP supervisor again and he's happy with the results... gave me a set of new conditions to run on my programme... pretty much finalised the scope of what should be in my report (the draft of which is due next Tuesday) so at least there is clear direction now.. and that feeling of closeness to finishing with the project... after that, it was off to the library to revise for the quiz but somehow midway through that, I distracted myself by turning on my laptop.. haha.. anyway the quiz was... just alright.. could have done better I am sure.. especially if someone had told me I could bring a summary card into the room... oh well.. that's for missing lectures I guess (at least I had good learning time in Egypt nonetheless)... after that, went for a catch-up dinner with Diana and Phoebe... great to be back and hearing their stories, while sharing mine...
so yes for those of you who have been asking how has it been since getting back, I hope this answers your questions...
It's hot and humid here, the streets are suddenly very structured, the air suddenly quite clean, the people still as "unfriendly" and things seem the way they were 3 weeks back... but well.. it's good to be back...
and now.. I'm just chilling in my room.. radio on with DJ-less music again.. enjoying the moment...
cheers... =)
been really busy since getting back...
I landed at 10am (one hour later than supposed because of flight delay), grabbed breakfast with my Dad and Bro at the airport and headed home... unpacked somewhat, showered and went off for an AIESEC event... after that event (which was fantastic by the way), I headed off for a Chinese New Year reunion dinner with my Junior College Wushu (chinese martial arts) society... of course I was feeling super tired at the end of that day because of the travelling as well so that meant a good night's sleep, which really helped in countering jet lag...
Sunday was a day of more unpacking, clearing emails, consolidating stuff from IPM, writing report and tidying documents... I figured I should clear the stuff from IPM first before I move on to other stuff...
Monday was supposed to be back to school again but I overslept and ended up at home, clearing AIESEC stuff still, sorting out my lecture notes, downloading notes that I need to print and catch up on... looking at my Final Year Project (FYP) stuff again...
Tuesday I went back to school! spent most of the time in the library printing my notes and sorting them out... suddenly saw an email from my FYP supervisor asking for a meeting that same day and so went to meet him, without much progress since the last time unfortunately... but fortunately, he's quite nice and after a quick update from my side and quick refreshment from his side on what I still need to do, it was back to the library to finish up on the printing... then I headed back home (yes I went to school but didn't attend classes... my theory is that priority then is not to learn new stuff in the middle of nowhere but to clear the urgent school stuff first).. once home, it was back to the laptop to work on my FYP... working out equations, tweaking my programme.. and finally getting proper results at 3am... YAY!! it works!
Wednesday was spent at home again... this entire day was devoted to studying for the quiz on Thursday... I got mixed up and almost studied 3 of the 4 parts of the module... which was why I was quite panicked about finishing all that materials.. in the end, I realised my mistake and things turned out alright, since I had overbudgeted for studying time and now had more time to get the information in my head... so.. reading reading and studying... getting good news once in a while via email about FYP or other stuff... and so the day goes by..
Thursday I met my FYP supervisor again and he's happy with the results... gave me a set of new conditions to run on my programme... pretty much finalised the scope of what should be in my report (the draft of which is due next Tuesday) so at least there is clear direction now.. and that feeling of closeness to finishing with the project... after that, it was off to the library to revise for the quiz but somehow midway through that, I distracted myself by turning on my laptop.. haha.. anyway the quiz was... just alright.. could have done better I am sure.. especially if someone had told me I could bring a summary card into the room... oh well.. that's for missing lectures I guess (at least I had good learning time in Egypt nonetheless)... after that, went for a catch-up dinner with Diana and Phoebe... great to be back and hearing their stories, while sharing mine...
so yes for those of you who have been asking how has it been since getting back, I hope this answers your questions...
It's hot and humid here, the streets are suddenly very structured, the air suddenly quite clean, the people still as "unfriendly" and things seem the way they were 3 weeks back... but well.. it's good to be back...
and now.. I'm just chilling in my room.. radio on with DJ-less music again.. enjoying the moment...
cheers... =)
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Support Entrepreneurship!
I am always for such entrepreneurial acts...
Visit http://bitsbobsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
This is a site set up by my good buddy, who has a passion for handicraft and such... check it out and who knows, you just might find something suitable for you or your friends!
Visit http://bitsbobsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
This is a site set up by my good buddy, who has a passion for handicraft and such... check it out and who knows, you just might find something suitable for you or your friends!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Photos... some of it anyway
Finally managed to upload all my photos from my pre conference trip (12th to 15th Feb)
Adventures in Egypt (1)
Adventures in Egypt (2)
Order is a bit jumbled up cos my connection gets cranky sometimes and I have to re-upload...
Those after IPM will come later...
Adventures in Egypt (1)
Adventures in Egypt (2)
Order is a bit jumbled up cos my connection gets cranky sometimes and I have to re-upload...
Those after IPM will come later...
Monday, March 05, 2007
A promise is a promise
As I promised before IPM, I will harness the power of some MCPs to attempt to part the Red Sea...
as a refresher... this is the Red Sea before...
and this is our attempt
and the result
some slight receding of the shore line there... but definitely not enough to be considered as a parting...
time for some evaluation...
perhaps we should have worn shoes... or maybe it has something to do with the sand... Tabbee as photographer looks totally disappointed...
but well... it's alright that nothing happened to sea... otherwise... we won't be able to enjoy scenes like this...
as a refresher... this is the Red Sea before...
and this is our attempt
and the result
some slight receding of the shore line there... but definitely not enough to be considered as a parting...
time for some evaluation...
perhaps we should have worn shoes... or maybe it has something to do with the sand... Tabbee as photographer looks totally disappointed...but well... it's alright that nothing happened to sea... otherwise... we won't be able to enjoy scenes like this...
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Photos from AP Road Trip - Cairo, Egypt
View from our hotel room with Pyramids clearly visible in the distance
Khan Al Khalili Bazaar
Receipt after our short break in Khan Al Khalili Restaurant
Our Nile Cruise Boat
Travel mates part 1
Travel mates part 2 (missing Amzad)Photos from AP Road Trip - Luxor, Egypt
One of those rare photos in my camera with me inside... thanks to Sandy for forcing me to do this... hahaha...
Valley of the Kings
AP gang hanging around at Karnak Temple
Ruins of Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt
Our trusty guide... the Lonely Planet!
Our home for 2 daysRoad trip after IPM
IPM is over! but it doesn't yet mean that we don't get to see some of the people anymore...
and that is thanks to... the AP Road Trip!
14 of us (Beatrice and Mindy from Hong Kong, Amy from New Zealand, Anisha and Sandy from Malaysia, Sheana and Jessica from Taiwan, Sahan and Suchith from Sri Lanka, Satoshi from Japan, Amzad from Bangladesh, Aidy from Indonesia, Pui from Thailand and me from Singapore) made a self-arranged tour to travel around Egypt and spend some quality time together...
Armed with loads of left over snacks and drinks from IPM and Lonely Planets that speak different languages, we embarked on an amazing journey...
Now that I am sitting back in Singapore, I suddenly find it hard to describe those 3 days (I left earlier than the rest)...
but highlights definitely include
- a driver that speaks and understands limited english, who keeps asking for tips, and whom most of us find scary... oh and who seems to like Amzad, who is otherwise known as Mohammad in Egypt
- spending 2 nights sleeping in the van (we travelled from the resort to Luxor overnight, and then from Luxor to Cairo overnight also)... kind of like sleeping on the plane but with less leg room... not to mention lending my shoulder to become a pillow at some point while using other people's shoulders as pillow at other points...
- "gossiping" and discussing interesting stuff at the back of the van (me, Sheana, Mindy and Amy) were sitting together, and that was quite a good place for some interesting conversations
- getting to Luxor and having the driver refuse to drive us to the Valley of the Kings without us paying extra money... in the end, Amzad took him to the policeman on the streets and after long conversation, he had no choice but to bring us there...
- "borrowing" a hotel's showers so we could take a shower (3 days without showering!)... we paid 15 Egyptian Pounds, which is less than 5 SGD each.. not too bad an extra flexible service the hotel offered...
- feeling so relieved to reach Cairo and check into a decent hotel along the Nile..
- wandering the streets of Cairo and chilling out at a Cafe with Amy while the rest visited the Pyramids
- finally visiting the Tourist Bazaar, bumping into @ers here and there, watching in amusement as Amy haggles her way through her purchases...
- meeting up with some of the rest in a small cosy cafe that serves huge sandwiches
- getting back to the hotel to freshen up before our Nile Cruise
- finding ourselves sitting in the same dining hall as an Egyptian Wedding (we figured we were part of the entertainment, considering how diverse and exotic we look)
- enjoying an Eat All You Can buffet where guests only queue once.. enjoying dance performances, belly dancing performances, and special appearances by Pui and Amzad, and short un-noticed ones by Beatrice and Amy
- taking photos of the Nile scenary on the deck of the cruise boat and having our fingers nearly frozen off
- Surprise celebration for Anisha's birthday, complete with huge cake that was a combination of chocolate on one part and fruit cake on another part
- drinking games with Amy's vodka, 42 Below from New Zealand... watching people turn red and conk out...
- truth or drink punishment turning into truth or truth and then truth AND drink...
- those of us currents who were still awake and sober having sharing session till 4 or 5 am
- me taking a nap before getting breakfast and starting packing... going to rooms to hug and say goodbye to everyone else... feeling such a mix of emotions knowing that some of them I will see again for sure at IC and that some, I know we will meet again but just don't know when...
- taking a cab with Pui, Anisha and Sandy to the airport, saying goodbye to the Malaysians first (different terminal) and then to Pui...
- finding myself in a most busy check in hall... finding that my flight would be delayed by 1 hour plus, meeting the Kate and Ralph from Austra, John from Bahrain (Australian working there) and Nadia from Hong Kong (Ukrainian working there) in the waiting hall to find that we were on the same flight to Bahrain
- finally getting out at Changi Airport in Singapore and thinking to myself what an amazing experience it has been... and knowing that post conference nostalgia will be hitting soon.. but well.. it's worth it...
thanks to all of the AP family for being such great people... I love our trip, I love each of you, and I can't wait to see you all again some day some time...
and that is thanks to... the AP Road Trip!
14 of us (Beatrice and Mindy from Hong Kong, Amy from New Zealand, Anisha and Sandy from Malaysia, Sheana and Jessica from Taiwan, Sahan and Suchith from Sri Lanka, Satoshi from Japan, Amzad from Bangladesh, Aidy from Indonesia, Pui from Thailand and me from Singapore) made a self-arranged tour to travel around Egypt and spend some quality time together...
Armed with loads of left over snacks and drinks from IPM and Lonely Planets that speak different languages, we embarked on an amazing journey...
Now that I am sitting back in Singapore, I suddenly find it hard to describe those 3 days (I left earlier than the rest)...
but highlights definitely include
- a driver that speaks and understands limited english, who keeps asking for tips, and whom most of us find scary... oh and who seems to like Amzad, who is otherwise known as Mohammad in Egypt
- spending 2 nights sleeping in the van (we travelled from the resort to Luxor overnight, and then from Luxor to Cairo overnight also)... kind of like sleeping on the plane but with less leg room... not to mention lending my shoulder to become a pillow at some point while using other people's shoulders as pillow at other points...
- "gossiping" and discussing interesting stuff at the back of the van (me, Sheana, Mindy and Amy) were sitting together, and that was quite a good place for some interesting conversations
- getting to Luxor and having the driver refuse to drive us to the Valley of the Kings without us paying extra money... in the end, Amzad took him to the policeman on the streets and after long conversation, he had no choice but to bring us there...
- "borrowing" a hotel's showers so we could take a shower (3 days without showering!)... we paid 15 Egyptian Pounds, which is less than 5 SGD each.. not too bad an extra flexible service the hotel offered...
- feeling so relieved to reach Cairo and check into a decent hotel along the Nile..
- wandering the streets of Cairo and chilling out at a Cafe with Amy while the rest visited the Pyramids
- finally visiting the Tourist Bazaar, bumping into @ers here and there, watching in amusement as Amy haggles her way through her purchases...
- meeting up with some of the rest in a small cosy cafe that serves huge sandwiches
- getting back to the hotel to freshen up before our Nile Cruise
- finding ourselves sitting in the same dining hall as an Egyptian Wedding (we figured we were part of the entertainment, considering how diverse and exotic we look)
- enjoying an Eat All You Can buffet where guests only queue once.. enjoying dance performances, belly dancing performances, and special appearances by Pui and Amzad, and short un-noticed ones by Beatrice and Amy
- taking photos of the Nile scenary on the deck of the cruise boat and having our fingers nearly frozen off
- Surprise celebration for Anisha's birthday, complete with huge cake that was a combination of chocolate on one part and fruit cake on another part
- drinking games with Amy's vodka, 42 Below from New Zealand... watching people turn red and conk out...
- truth or drink punishment turning into truth or truth and then truth AND drink...
- those of us currents who were still awake and sober having sharing session till 4 or 5 am
- me taking a nap before getting breakfast and starting packing... going to rooms to hug and say goodbye to everyone else... feeling such a mix of emotions knowing that some of them I will see again for sure at IC and that some, I know we will meet again but just don't know when...
- taking a cab with Pui, Anisha and Sandy to the airport, saying goodbye to the Malaysians first (different terminal) and then to Pui...
- finding myself in a most busy check in hall... finding that my flight would be delayed by 1 hour plus, meeting the Kate and Ralph from Austra, John from Bahrain (Australian working there) and Nadia from Hong Kong (Ukrainian working there) in the waiting hall to find that we were on the same flight to Bahrain
- finally getting out at Changi Airport in Singapore and thinking to myself what an amazing experience it has been... and knowing that post conference nostalgia will be hitting soon.. but well.. it's worth it...
thanks to all of the AP family for being such great people... I love our trip, I love each of you, and I can't wait to see you all again some day some time...
Monday, February 26, 2007
IPM 2007 - coming to an end
Today is 26th February 2007... tomorrow is 27th February 2007... tomorrow is the last day of IPM 2007...
and it is always from this point on that the emotions start flowing in... yes we realised that this is the last AIESEC conference that will see most (unfortunately not all) of us from 0607 in the same place... it is something we are consciously aware of and you can definitely see it in the way we value the time we can have to hang out with each other...
2 weeks... is that enough time? to catch up on the 6 months gap of not seeing each other physically since IC... to catch up beyond the MSN and email conversations that in their own little ways sustained us throughout our term...
we have 4 more months of 0607 term to go... yes it should be a celebration point, that we have made it so far... it should be a point of focus, that we have that bit left to go to leave that impact we are aiming for... but at the end of it, it is the slow closure of a story that started in the Netherlands one year back, with a bunch of fresh and anticipating elects... a story of amazing individuals that grew to love each other, to support each other and that today, can't bear to say "See you again"
Gosh I'm having such mixed feelings now... the 0607 term is coming to a close... the 070 term is coming to a start...
I'm gonna miss my family like crazy...
and it is always from this point on that the emotions start flowing in... yes we realised that this is the last AIESEC conference that will see most (unfortunately not all) of us from 0607 in the same place... it is something we are consciously aware of and you can definitely see it in the way we value the time we can have to hang out with each other...
2 weeks... is that enough time? to catch up on the 6 months gap of not seeing each other physically since IC... to catch up beyond the MSN and email conversations that in their own little ways sustained us throughout our term...
we have 4 more months of 0607 term to go... yes it should be a celebration point, that we have made it so far... it should be a point of focus, that we have that bit left to go to leave that impact we are aiming for... but at the end of it, it is the slow closure of a story that started in the Netherlands one year back, with a bunch of fresh and anticipating elects... a story of amazing individuals that grew to love each other, to support each other and that today, can't bear to say "See you again"
Gosh I'm having such mixed feelings now... the 0607 term is coming to a close... the 070 term is coming to a start...
I'm gonna miss my family like crazy...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Photos from Cairo, Egypt
View of Cairo from the Citadel in Islamic Cairo
An alley in Old Cairo
Egyptian sky at sunset outside Egyptian Museum
River Nile with the Giza Pyramids in the foggy distance
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Update from IPM 2007, Egypt
Hey guys!
Sorry for the long delay in updating here... I've been having a good time at IPM, getting into the 'culture' of the conference... hehehe
It has been great so far... it's great to be able to meet my fellow current MCPs and also to see the eager and passionate MCP elects from all around the world... some of these people I have met at IC 2006, some of them I have never met them before... but it is the power of the network that we can get along and have great conversations as if we have known each other for so long... I think such opportunities are what show the power of AIESEC, that young people of such diversity can connect nonetheless...
Our conference site is an amazing resort hotel next to a beach along the
In terms of sessions, so far we have had 2 intense days of speeces and Q&A sessions for the 4 PAI candidates and the 19 Director candidates... it's inspiring to see people setting up to the role, and to hear their perspectives on what motivated them, and what they think the organisation needs to continue growing and unleashing our potential... do check out http://live.myaiesec.net for videos of all their speeches... I
have been having a bit of identity crisis since I am both the elect and the current so I have been attending a mix of both tracks... and it's been great in terms of questions and discussions on what is to come, and also in terms of taking time off to be myself and re-find my centre...
In case you haven't heard the news, Gabiza is the newly elected President of AIESEC International 2007/2008. She's the first female PAI since 1998 and we are excited of what the new term will bring.. tonight (it is
anyhow, I must confess that I am still having mixed feelings about this IPM... I think it's because this is the last IPM I can spend with my current MCPs, especially those from the APGNs. They have been a great support network and have taught me so much over the months, and I know that I will miss them so much... at the same time, there is the excitement of bonding with a new group of MCP elects, from which I will gain support across the next few months just as I did with the currents...
but well... I don't think I will dwell too much on that... they tell us here... "When it starts, it starts. When it's over it's over. Whatever happens is the best that can happen"
So... it's just time for me to enjoy the moment and these precious days...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Adventures in the Cairo - Day 4 (Pyramids!)
Today’s the day! Yes today was the day we visited the Great Pryamids of
Ok so I exaggerate.. but you get my point… we took a cab down to the Pyramids (was about 20 mins from where we stayed) and upon getting out of the cab, we were stopped by some guys asking if we wanted a horse ride, horse carriage ride or camel ride into the pyramids.. Tabbee wasn’t up for the camel so we settled for horse carriage instead… wasn’t too bad except for the occasional bumpy roads, and the occasional farting and shitting from the horse (since the carriage was behind the horse, we could pretty much see everything)…
Anyway, we traveled the Pyramids… they looked quite small until you see the tour buses parked near it… and then when you see the tiny human figures around it, you get a sense of how huge they really are… unfortunately, due to robbers and erosion, the exteriors of the pyramids are no longer as grand as in the days they were built but to be able to stand there and see them was quite something… imagine the thousands of people who would have died in constructing these structures.. did they really love their kinds that much?
So anyhow, we continued on… I stopped to get a ticket to enter the 2nd Pyramid… the guide said it’s a waste of money cos there’s nothing to see in there but I figured I would be quite stupid to pay S$1074 to fly to Egypt, pay 10 LE for a cab to the area, pay 50 LE for entry into the compound, pay 60 LE for the carriage ride and not fork out 25 LE to go inside the Pyramids… so I did just that.. had to climb down a passage (while bent 90 degree because it was that low) which they modified with wooden pieces so you climb it like steps, and then climb up a similar passage to get to a room, which still held a sarcophagus.. it was dark, musty, warm and definitely not for the claustrophobic.. but an interesting experience nonetheless…
After that, we headed on to visit the Sphinx… I missed it at first, because I was expecting something a lot bigger and was looking too far in the distance… the Sphinx was less than 100 metres long and about the height of 2 or 2.5 floors in our Singapore HDB… it was carved out of the rock structures in the area and houses a Temple within… due to time and weather, parts of it is deteriorating, with most of its nose already gone… perhaps it was due to that, its size and the fact that there were about 500 tourists swarming around it that it just didn’t look that grand or magnificent..
Tabbee was commenting after that that she didn’t feel that much in awe when looking at the Pyramids, which is kind of true… perhaps if we could have spent more quiet time there, without people bugging us to get back to the carriage or tour bus, without people bugging us to buy souvenirs, without seeing so many people who obviously weren’t Egyptian… then the effect would have been better…
But then again, it’s hard to blame, because without the Pyramids, so many more people and the neighbouring towns wouldn’t be able to survive today… so how do we find the balance I wonder… will we find it?
(to get a sense of how dependent on tourism the area is, we visited a Papyrus Arts shop nearby… we saw a piece selling for 280 LE… and I was quoted 80 LE for a similar sized piece yesterday.. after I bought that piece, I got a free accompany piece with that purchase so it’s almost like 80 LE for 2 pieces… in comparison, that’s almost a 600% difference in price!!)
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