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2007-09-04T09:04:00.000+08:00

Its been a pretty long hiatus in Turkey.

I left Singapore on the night of the 13th of August, returned on the night of 1st of September. I've missed a lot and school wise, AIESEC wise, sleep wise, I have lots to catch up on.

Still, I had a great time in Turkey!

Who was I with?

For the first 5 days: Pam, Sharon, Shubby, Cheryl, Ker Ying, William

Mayas and Alvin joined us at the Asia Pacific Growth Network Premeeting & then Vi, quite a bit later on the 24th.

What did we do?

The first day in Turkey, we explored the public transport, taking a subway then a tram from the airport to a hostel in Sultanahmet, a district in Istanbul. (www.cordialhouse.com if anyone wants to know, they're accessible and the guy in charge is helpful)

There, we were persuaded to go to Capadoccia(Kapadokya), which was a good thing. Cos its BE-YOU-TIFUL. We went up mountains & cliffs, hiked in thousands of years old valleys, visited cave houses dug into the cliffs, underground cities, chapels, and even went horse riding :)

Thus if anyone wants to go to Turkey and for 3 days wants to have a great time I would suggest Kapadokya, and definitely go with a group, its a really fun experience. Really felt I got to know the rest(especially Cheryl and William whom I am acquainted with the least amongst the 7 of us) a lot more personally, and see other sides of them apart from the 'AIESEC' side, ha.

When we were in Istanbul for our first day, we basically visited all the touristy spots, which isn't bad at all. The Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque are really stunning, and we visited the Basilica Cistern which was used to store water back in the day, that was really beautiful as well. You can literally imagine history unfolding before your eyes as you walk up and down Istanbuls cultural heritage area. The whole of Turkey, from what I heard, and saw, in fact, is littered with icons and memories of the past. Very interesting.

We took the overnight bus from Istanbul to Kapadokya and you basically know the story from there.

A typical breakfast(I say typical cos its the same breakfast regardless you're on the plane, in a hostel or at a university campus) consists of bread, hard boiled egg, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cucumber, tomato and olives. Every single day.

Other meals get a bit more varied though. Turkish food is really not bad at all, even on the campus, but it has lots, I mean LOTS of yogurt and cream. And there's NO chilli sauce, no sambal, nothing, only chilli flakes which in Singapore you would only find in pizza places and the like. But that's ok, we still enjoyed the Doner Kebaps, Adana Kebaps, Urfa Kebaps, Iskender Kebaps, the Pides and all the various other stuff we didn't know the names of. For desserts there are stuff like the famous baklava, kunefe(I like this), also rice pudding, chocolate pudding, etc.

How was International Congress?

I have to say that probably as a 'veteran', this being my 2nd IC, it didn't have half as much of a 'rah-rah' effect on me as last year's IC in Poland had.

At the same time, it was a great event, I went in with quite a number of objectives, which I'm glad to say were mostly fulfilled.

I had to take care of negotiations with the MENA(Middle East & North Africa) region to secure exchange partnerships with the countries, so I basically addressed them(with Sharon) at their pre-meeting, and also had individual country meetings with them(Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, UAE, Qatar) and basically secured a supply of over 20 EPs (Exchange Participants, or interns, previously known as SNs) to Singapore for our Middle East project.

At the same time we(myself, Alvin, Ker Ying, Sharon, William) had meetings with people like ING, ABN Amro, Standard Chartered Bank, Tata Consultancy Group, and interacted with people from other prominent companies and partners of AIESEC, like Electrolux, DHL, UBS, HP and Microsoft.

As 'jaded' as you can get at an IC that's not your first, nonetheless 650 delegates from 100 countries, plus externals, alumni, facilitators and AIESEC International really add to become a really huge and diverse crowd which you cannot ignore.

IC would be basically 13 days of non-stop roll calls, dancing, meeting people, discussing AIESEC, socialising, networking, and partying. Quite an experience.

And no IC is the same. Turkey this year was worlds apart from the one in Poland last year, and characteristic of this IC, as someone said at our closing plenary, you are part of IC 2007 if 'your idea of having a good time is partying on a tennis court and making out in the forest after'. Which connected to all of us cos the parties WERE in a tennis court converted to a 'party area' and there were no mixed dorms, strictly single-sex ones and thus when people were feeling touchy they had to go to the forest-y park nearby on the benches and make out.

Never a dull moment.

Its interesting to observe as well, that with 650 people plus, around you all the time, its surprisingly easy to feel very alone as well. I guess that is just part of the great paradox that is life. Also, it does take energy to be able to interact with everyone, all the time. You have to think of things to say, you have to be attentive, you have to decipher the different accents(eg Latin American, African, North American, Western Europe(can be broken down to Italian, French, English), Eastern Europe, south Asian, southeast Asian, east Asian) which is tiring in itself.

I met a number of old friends which made me happy:

Koreans(Patrick, John), Indonesians(Aidy, David, Indah), Indians(Vijit, Ankit), Thai(Goff, Nueng, Sine, Pui), Swiss(Gaudi), Australians(Alex), Kiwis(David Benjamin), Malaysians(James, Sandy, Anthony, Anisha Lah, Geralynn, Renee, Fadli) [forgive me if i didn't add you on this list, there are alot of people haha]

And I found that I really wanted to spend more time talking to them and in fact, my team mates even, to really build the relationships that I had, than to spend time getting superficially acquainted with others. Which is not to say I didn't make new friends, cos I did, but I valued the short time that we had to see each other.

I also valued this 'break' which my team had to really just fool around(despite having meetings and attending sessions) and bond, before we headed back to Singapore and all Hell breaks loose.

I could go on and on I suppose, but I won't. IC was a good experience, and all good experience comes with good and bad, which IC had. Still, I valued the time I spent with my friends, and those that are important to me. I can only wish that you reading, if you have not had that opportunity, have that chance to experience it as well.

Here's to you guys :)

Our Singapore Delegation

Happy People

[Ed's Note: Pics don't seem to be uploading onto blogger now, I'll add in more pictures later][Added!]

2007-08-13T18:29:00.000+08:00

OFF TO TURKEY!!!

See you all when i get back. :)

Late Updates

2007-08-09T01:16:00.000+08:00

Yup, so people have been asking for updates... haha... sorry it took so long.

Nothing much really, some minor ones...

1) Going to Turkey on the 13th, till 1st Sept
2) Have been finally ushered in as official VPER in charge of SGD90,000 revenue target
3) Have been going to lots and lots of company meetings and been deep in material/report preparation and internal/external communication, and slowly seeing some rewards
4) NUS won 'Best LC' award for 2006/2007, validating my LCP term
5) School starts officially, very, very soon
6) Once I return from Turkey, I will officially have no time to wipe my butt.

The greatest update, however, would be that I'm Happy :)

The tide rushes in

Half eaten, overcooked outside, undercooked inside, omelette, anyone?

On the speedboat

Stylo photo suggesting the model is contemplating the meaning of life.

Hope you are enjoying yourself wherever you are now. Cheers!

Digital Dreams

2007-05-13T16:19:00.000+08:00

BitDefender Internet Security v10... I like it!

Recommended by Attila, I got it and i'm pretty happy with it so far. I just got my laptop from the service centre on Wednesday, after a hiatus of about more than a month. I'm really happy! Getting most of my info back(though some are forever lost ... *sob*)

Got my Adobe Reader, Adobe CS Photoshop, VLC player, Microsoft Office, Skype, MindManager, PDF Exchange, Mozilla, Windows Live Messenger... even for such a techno-unsavvy person like me, it seems i'm addicted to technology. :P

Happy though :)

Tiring days, lots of transitions, planning, research, school and project work. But we'll make it thru... cheers!

2007-04-30T12:30:00.000+08:00

I'm done with the semester!!

Now... Summer Term, Transition, National Planning, Work! And of course... lots of holidays and slacking inbetween ;)

Cheers!

2007-04-23T05:40:00.000+08:00

Current fav song :)

When In Rome - The Promise

International Friendship Day

2007-04-18T20:29:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, the 13th of April, Singapore celebrated International Friendship Day in its public schools. Hei Chin, an NTU AIESEC Alumni and the National Education coordinator of Queensway Secondary School, sent me a desperate plea for help; she had run out of ideas to show her kids about international friendship.

Thus we hatched a plan; that day, I, Attila(from Hungary, working in DHL) and René(from Germany, now back in Germany) went down to the school to address the WHOLE SCHOOL during their morning assembly.

It was an interesting experience for myself, I don't think I've publicly addressed so many people at one go, certainly not a secondary school assembly like that. Heck, I've not even gone to a secondary school assembly since 2000. Haha.

But it was pretty fun! The children were quite lively for 740am, and quite supportive with 'whoo's and 'yeah's and clapping. I have to admit though that I was a little nervous. Basically I shared my own experience about making friends all over the world through a few opportunities(mainly AIESEC), and encouraged them to explore the world too, and seize all the opportunities available. I think the 3 of us shared a psychic link so Attila(or Pixi, as he is known by his friends) and Rene also spoke about very similar things.

After that, Pixi, Rene, I took a picture for the school magazine, sitting with the kids in assembly (and doing cute 'v' signs), we're still waiting for that picture from Hei Chin. And we proceeded to have an authentic secondary school breakfast, with kaya toast, sandwiches and tea.

Fun!

Queensway Secondary School

Myself addressing the school

Rene with a class(and a snake)

Pixi addressing the school(he was very business-like, haha)

2007-04-17T02:30:00.000+08:00

Ever felt so much for something, but somehow however you express it doesn't seem to be the right way? How do I express it then... hmmm.

What I want to express? Love? Care? Concern? All the above... Yes that includes you reading it now. Hope you're doing well :)

Well, just know that I feel that way. G'nite!

Updates...

2007-04-13T05:07:00.000+08:00

What is Imran busy with?

- projects
- school
- AIESEC
- sleep
- pigging out

Oh... I've just finished a draft of my resumé... here is a screenshot...

So fun ah! I think i look damn pro... haha...

Well... we'll see... i might end up in a consulting/VC company, or i might just do my own things in the summer... I do have thing lined up in any case...

Exams start on the 23rd! Hmmmm........ should i start studying??? Hahahaha...

This morning I will be going to Queensway Secondary, with René and Pixi, to address the school on 'International Friendship'. I'm going to stand at the mike in front of the whole school at assembly. Hei Chin, the Nat Education Coordinator of the sch and AIESEC alumni, asked for a personal favour. I said ok... it sounds like fun! ;)

Going for the ASEF reception dinner at 7pm later on. Hopefully can SCHMOOZE with more ppl again... sell @ (and myself).

And besides that... Business Programming project... its such a b****... taking up all my time these few days, due Saturday night. Good luck to me! Here's what a screenshot of it looks like .....

Hours of endless fun!

Cherios

Even more tests....

2007-03-20T18:08:00.000+08:00

I think Sharon has gotten me addicted...

Your Candy Heart Says "First Kiss"

You're a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship.
You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love.

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you

Your flirting style: friendly and sweet

What turns you off: cynics who don't believe in romance

Why you're hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Sweet!

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a warm hearted and open minded person. It's easy for you to forgive and forget.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds.

You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself.

Your near future is a lot like the present, and as far as you're concerned, that's a very good thing.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Hmmmmmm.....

You Are 65% Open

You're a pretty open person - and you don't mind sharing the good, bad, and sometimes ugly.
And while sometimes you do catch yourself blabbing on, you usually exhibit restraint.
You're openness is quite refreshing, and it encourages other people to be open with you!

How Open Are You?

Not too far from the truth.....

Your Passion is Purple

Sophisticated and classy, you're a bit picky about sex.
You're more likely to be turned on by a fancy hotel room than a dirty flick.
Sex is fine enough, as long as it doesn't mess up your hair.
For you, sex is more about power and favors than actually pleasure.

What Color Is Your Passion?

I DON'T mind messing my hair!!!!!! :P

More tests...

2007-03-20T17:43:00.000+08:00

And to do 1 better than Sharon - boss, here's more! :P

Your Theme Song is Beautiful Day by U2

"Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away"

You see the beauty in life, especially in ordinary everyday moments.
And if you're feeling down, even that seems a little beautiful too.

What's Your Theme Song?

How true!

You Are 25% Left Brained, 75% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.

The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

I'm a philosopher (read: day-dreamer)

You Are "Wow"!

What Japanese Smiley Are You?

Yeahhh!

Your Famous Last Words Will Be:

"Nice doggy."

What Will Your Famous Last Words Be?

I really don't get this one.......... >.<

Tests...

2007-03-20T17:24:00.000+08:00

Sharon always leads the way with putting cool stuff on her blog.

So as a true copycat, I've done the two tests that you can see on her blog http://sharontan.nomadlife.org

You Are 40% Boyish and 60% 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.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

CAUSE FOR CONCERN????? Haha.....

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life.
You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships.

The purpose of your life: showing love to other people

Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah

Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

I KNEW I was psychic.

2007-03-18T16:12:00.000+08:00

Hmmmmm.....

Am I too sensitive?

Or maybe paranoid?

Do I expect too much out of the people (worst still, the people closest to me)?

Don't feel good about myself now ...

Updates

2007-03-16T15:10:00.000+08:00

Heyyy.....

I know its been ages since I last wrote... Sorry about that, those who have been trying to catch up with me, hehe.

So... let's see...

AIESEC in NUS has 27 SNs recruited! I'm over the moon with this figure, its way more than 100% the previous year, and the highest in the 3 LCs in Singapore. Again, I must say, 3 cheers for Phoebe and her OGX team, wonderful job! AIESEC in NUS has 3 TNs realised(1 HP, 2 Kraft) and 4 on the way(2 with IDSC and 2 with Japanese School). Hopefully more to come! Well done, well done. Visayon has led his team well this year :)

Our AIESEC in NUS AGM is on the 28th of March, 6pm in NUS Business School, those in Singapore, come!

During the AGM, the new EB will be formally introduced. Henri, Ashwin, Lianna, Song Jie, Siew Yik... great bunch of people! Also headed by Shubhangi. What could possibly go wrong!!?? ;) Awwww my BABIES are all growing up... -sob- -sob-

Also, if you know me, that means you know the AIESEC in Singapore Vice President People Development and Projects 2007/2008. I'm excited for my role, and I hope I live up to all of your expectations (and my own too ;)) !

On the personal side ...

Yes, as normal with other Singaporean students, I have alot of projects and assignments and assessments, but I guess its part and parcel of life. Those who have been keeping track since before I was in Business, I'm happier here than in Engineering, at least. :) And I do enjoy what I learn, and generally enjoy the company of the people I meet here.

On the 5th of March, I celebrated my birthday! Big THANK YOU to Pamela who organised the surprise and to Dei, Shub(angs) and René for taking the time to come all the way down in the middle of the night. Also many thanks to the many people who wished me one way or another. It matters! :) Shubhangi and Dei showed me how to eat cake 'indian style' - apparently they don't eat it with their mouths! :P

And at the EB Meeting 2 or 3 days later, my EBs surprised me with a cake too! And yes, I got to eat cake indian style again, but this time it was more like a mud mask on my face, thanks to Khim(i'll get you!!! just you wait! haha).

Then, on the 9th was my dad's birthday! And the 10th, my brother Zhafri's 21st birthday. So on the night of the 9th i was with Zhafri and some of his and our mutual friends just having drinks at the Mandarin hotel and we had a toast to 'Zhaffamando' as he is affectionately(haha) known to some of us for his 21st. On the 10th, my family had a big meal at Satay Club at Clarke Quay - prata, satay, sting ray, rice, ketupat, mee goreng, oyster omelet, bbq prawns, and some other stuff i can't remember. It wasn't too bad. :) And from what I heard, Zhafri had a 'good night' clubbing after that, I just joined my good long-time friend Johnny(he's currently doing his Law degree) for some drinks and we investigated if our snooker skills had deteriorated to the point of no return(apparently, there's still some hope!!! :):):) )

And I didn't realise this before, but Pixi @ Attila Vajda, my dear mentor, who's currently working in DHL Global Clients' Services, has his birthday on the 11th of March! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIXI! Gosh... so many in such a short span of time. I didn't go for drinks to his place on the 10th as I was with my family, but we did have a good long chat on Tuesday(the 13th) about life, and love, and home, and AIESEC, and birthdays, and lots of other random stuff. I'm always appreciative of his friendship and advice.

On the reflective and future-oriented side ...

I'm toying with the idea of eventually becoming a marketing or brand consultant(lets say 10 years into my career(s) )... looks and sounds really fun... and i like marketing. ;) We'll see what the road ahead has to bring... still unsure how I can build myself for that.... I still want to start my own company though...

I'll be taking 2 modules, 1 for Special Sem 1(May -June) and the other for Special Sem 2(June - July), the first being Service Work and the second being Singapore Society. Should be fun. :)

Yeah... looking forward to AIESEC INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS 2007, ISTANBUL, TURKEY, from 21st to 30th August... had such a blast in Poland... and going there with my NEW TEAM, meeting OLD FRIENDS and making NEW ONES, in a country I've NEVER BEEN before... I'm really looking forward to it. Those who support me... contribute to the "Send Imran to IC Fund" now! :)

Hope you enjoyed the updates as much as I did... hehe... More to come... Sooner rather than later, hopefully. :)

Th-th-th-th-that's all folks!

My Daughter!

2007-01-23T18:08:00.000+08:00

Hey!

I'd like to introduce my 'daughter' whom I'm so proud of! The next person who has stepped boldly next in line and successfully was elected the Local Committee President of AIESEC in National University of Singapore 2007/2008 - Shubhangi Faujdar! I'm really so very impressed and proud of her commitment, growth and ability. I can see the budding politician in her; India stands proud to have her! Haha. :)

On a smaller note, I have been elected as well, onto the MC team og AIESEC Singapore 2007/2008. Portfolio has not been decided yet, I hope to land the role of VP Projects, otherwise most probably I will end up in People Development. I really hope to see you guys in Turkey in August ! :D

check out aiesecnus.nomadlife.org on details of the elections and some pictures. :)

Imran

Happiness

2007-01-17T17:35:00.000+08:00

When I look at developments in AIESEC in NUS now, I realise that I've grown so much in the past year. It's about exactly a year ago when I decided that I will run for Local Committee President. It's so amazing the lessons I've learnt, about leading people, about making and executing plans, about building relationships and networks, about connecting people, about being the focal point or the face of an organisation. It's amazing the lessons I've painfully learnt from the whole big bunch of mistakes I have made, whether in assumptions, or my approach, or the way I planned, or the way I talked to someone, or the words I used.

Now I'm slowly seeing the results of what I've been working so hard for... better awareness of AIESEC, better relations, new blood for leadership, a group of people who are so much more happier and committed after seeing what working in AIESEC can contribute to their personal development and growth, more activities, more numbers, and a whole new bunch of new friends, and even stronger ties to old ones. It really warms my heart.

I see a slowly renewed vigor in my team, if the first LC gathering that we had(it was AWESOME) is anything to show for, there will be a whole lot more action and engagement of members, even more than what we've seen in the last half year. Yesterday we had our SN Recruitment Info Talk. TWO HUNDRED people wanting to go for an internship showed up. Things are indeed looking up. Even I feel renewed.

Still, I am still learning, there is SO MUCH to learn. I know I will make even more mistakes in the next half a year, and in the years to come. I've been thankful I stumbled across AIESEC and I remain thankful still. It's NOT everything but it has given me ALOT of things. Alot of friends, alot of learning, alot of opportunities, alot of thought and reflection, alot of love.

And what is AIESEC? Basically its the people that make it. So thanks to all of you, my friends, I really am so satisfied that I've failed, and endured pain, embarrassment, frustration, anger, disappointment, and also extreme happiness, joy, excitement, satisfaction.

I'm not sure what else there is to say. Thanks. :)

I need a charger...

2007-01-16T00:05:00.000+08:00

Like, for real...!!!

Anyone has a Sony Ericsson charger to lend???? My phone's dead... sob.

Step by step

2007-01-12T17:37:00.001+08:00

One, you’re like a dream come true
Two, just wanna be with you
Three, girl it’s plain to see
That you’re the only one for me and
Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I’ll start back at one

2007-01-12T02:14:00.000+08:00

LCP AND PROUD TO BE ONE!!!

2007-01-08T05:08:00.000+08:00

If you've never gone in the middle of the night to a stadium, climb over the tall gate, and lie down in the middle of the running track and gaze at the sky, I suggest you do. It's a great experience. :)

2007-01-08T01:03:00.000+08:00

Why do i feel so strongly? Is this what truly living life is like? Then dear God, bring it on.

Welcome 2007

2007-01-03T16:46:00.000+08:00

New year, new beginnings. With some things that change, and also some that don't.

Just one resolution. Also, I know what I need to do and where I want to put my time in.

Next happenings:
New school term( in Business School!)
AIESEC Member Committee elections (VP Projects please)
I want to get my events running!! I need to set a deadline for myself!!
More and more sweet peas.

That's about it. All the best to my friends and you reading at home(or wherever you are) for a new 2007. Spend it wisely!
All the best to my friends who will be going for internship, who will be working in AIESEC full-time, who will hopefully get a great job, or who will be still enjoying themselves in school! Life has ups and downs, 2007 is no different. Let's face it with a smile!

2006-11-16T05:14:00.000+08:00

I'm feeling so weak, so vulnerable, so mortal.

I submit. Please God, strengthen me.

Life

2006-11-16T02:41:00.000+08:00

Life is full of extreme ups and downs, Thank God for them.

Thank you, I'm holding out for that achievable dream. God Willing.

2006-11-12T21:54:00.000+08:00

Can't do work at home!!!