At work and at Play

So there I was...

I was burning up the dance floor at the Backpackers Club in downtown Auckland. Twas just the kind of music i could dance to. Dance, hip-hop and R&B. When suddenly, Black Eyed Peas song "Lets get it Started" came on and i totally lost my ryhthm! I FULLY expected the whole club to stop, get in rows and start the line dance that Rajiv's AIESEC International team made so popular at IC in Germany!!

When that didnt happen, i just couldnt get my flowing moves back! Sheesh! I ended up collapsing on a couch laughing so hard at how long and hard it will take for me to get through a party without leading an AIESEC dance at least once.

Its been a month since i started my traineeship and the month has moved so fast! Lots to learn, lots to do, lots of new people to meet and I think its fair to say i have settled in quite nicely to this bubbling and active city. Lets see now...what have been the highlights of the last month...


OFFICE PARTY:
I work on Level one of the Group headquarters of Fonterra on the Middle East and Africa team. The Fonterra Customer Service has the USA, Oceania, Asia, Europe and Latin America teams who are all providing service for the 140 country network operations of the company.

There is also a brands, Nestle, Inventory and Order resolution teams who all play a part in the serious business of dairy production and sales for Fonterra. All in all, 150 people with as varied nationalities as an AIESEC International conference!

So we had a party where it was nice to see all the colleagues and bosses let their hair down and surprise surprise... I turn out to be one of the "talking points" for the ladies in the office. Dont know if that is a good or bad thing...

DEVONPORT TRIP:
Auckland is similar to Stockholm in the sense that there are a lot of outlying islands you could travel to for the day just like the Archipalego. So we (AIESEC interns) took a weekend trip to nice tiny island called Devonport. Filled with nice families, well paved streets and large parks, it seemed built for growing families.
We had lunch at a nice Peruvian restaurant and boy did I feel at home in that place! I have now concluded that I am a person of passion. Which is why the music, culture and passion of Latin America and Africa call out so strongly to me!

WORK
I am learning a lot in my time in Fonterra, my role demands an attention to detail and my experience in Sweden has gone such a LONG way to prepareing me for this role. And what do I do?

I happen to be an interface for a simple yet extensive process in getting dairy products from Cow to Customer! I move tonnes of milk products worth an average of US$300,000 across the world everyday. I am constantly in touch with product planners, Logistics, Account managers, Warehouses, packing plants etc...

In a nutshell!

Of course, there is a whole lot more to it but there you have the main gist!

Its a Friday night here now and i am meeting up with some of the other interns for a drink downtown. Dont know if i am up to it. Plan to spend my time in the Library tomorrow. The Auckland main Library has quite a collection I am told. (I wonder how i never got labled a 'dork' in high school!)

(I have been trying to upload some pics for the last half hour. I do think there might be spyware on Mialy's computer. Brand new computer too! I'll upload some good pics later!)

4G/160 Symonds Street Auckland. Pls come visit!!!

Comfortable bedroom. Master bedroom too!



Fully functioning kitchen with all kitchen ware


My front door. The number is 4G

How far? Its been quite a day!

A big bunch of people were at the Auckland International Airport to pick up the latest Fonterra intern and my newest flatmate Mialy. Mialy is from Madagascar and has moved here from Switzerland. I was there as well with Cris, Ina and about 9 other people. Mialy must have felt very welcome indeed.

So welcome Mialy to New Zealand, to Auckland, to 160 Symonds Street! Mialy is sleeping right now as there is an impromptu party scheduled for later this evening in our apartment. Trying to make a playlist for the party now actually...

I have been raving about the apartment so i thought it was time i show what it actally looks like. So some pics of the place all through this post.
Just a quick synopsis again. It came fully furnished and when i say fully furnished, I mean FULLY!!!
Its a 3 bedroom apartment and i will be sharing with Cris and Mialy from Brazil and Madagascar respectively. Beds, sofa, kitchenware, persian rug in the living room, dishwasher, TV and DVD player with surround system. Fully carperted all through and a Persian rug in the living room.


Watching TV in my snazzy new living room

There is airconditioning in the living room and in the Master bedroom (which i have :D). Washing machine, dryer, sheets on the beds, with duvets and blankets bedside lamps in each of the rooms and an extra heater in one of the smaller rooms. The only thing we had to buy was Crockery and pots and pans for the kichen.


Unpacking the shopping. From Left is Cris, Jan and Me

Jan, one of the nicest and prettiest girls i have had the pleasure of meeting and who is in AIESEC was very kind as to drive us to one of the big stores in a neighbouring surburb to do the shopping. She even went so far as to lend us money when we ran out! Thank you Jan!


Loading the shopping into Jan's car

Now I am off to prepare for the party which the AIESEC members have deemed will be hosted by us. Not much preparation though. Buy a few beers. Finish the playlist...

Went on an interesting Store visit to the South Island. Saw milk factory, port operations...but more on this later...














Posing with Cris and Jan

JAFAs, Dairy, Volcanoes and What Have You...

Ever Been in a Volcano

Ever Been in a Volcano before?

It has been exactly 10 days since I set foot in AOTEAROA. "Land of the Long
White Cloud" according to the Maori people here. Maori's are the largest minority
group in this predominately European descent populated island. (Actually its 2
islands but if you want a history and Geography lesson, go to Google)

In the ten days since I have been here, I have learnt much more about the
dairy industry, rolled all the way down into a volcano and found the coolest
apartment this far south of the hemisphere!

The Volcano Story...

AIESEC in Auckland has a tradition used to welcome trainees to the country.
Usually, trainees are driven straight from the airport to this 'activity' but
luckily for me, it was raining when I arrived in New Zealand and they were a
bunch of other trainees arriving on either side of me. So they decided to wait
for the weekend. Good thing they did too! After flying 27 hours and they took me
to this 'activity'...I reserve my comment!

So, the Saturday dawned bright, crisp and cold. I met up with Cristiane and
Carina, both from Brazil and the Philippines respectively and both new interns to Fonterra as well. We went to look at what has become our new apartment (more on this later) and all three of us joined up with AIESEC in AUckland members at the University.

I had been trying to fathom what sort of shape or form the reception activity could possibly take and I was imagining whipped cream in interesting places, or marsh mellows stuffed into the mouth... but my pitiful imagination could not have prepared me for what it actually was.
We were driven to the top of Mount Eden, a young volcano which only erupted some 500 years ago (I think). And although there was a clear sign at the rim of the volcano saying no one was allowed to go into the crater, there were already a bunch of AIESECers waiting for us in the volcano and a another bunch at the rim.

And yes...you guessed it... we were supposed to roll down into the 80ish degree, over 100 meters slope of the volcano.

With the JAFAs (Just Another Fucking Aucklander) urging us on, we dithered, complained, made excuses but eventually yours truly took the lead, dropped my scarf and hat and commenced to make my way down the slope. (Fine thing it would be if I commenced to break my neck in my first week in Auckland!) but not before we got told off by some conservationist lady who called us little kids for destroying a national monument for the sake of tradition (apparently the volcano crater is fragile hence the warning on the
rim). Below is a picture of me defying NZ laws and my natural predilection for self preservation. ( I am in the lead)

We did the NZ roll call in the crater of the volcano (This is the way we shear our sheep... shear our sheep... shear our sheep) and then we had to skedaddle out of the crater as someone screamed out that the cops were on the way! This turned out to be a false alarm. We had a Weetabix eating competition in which I came second and had the damn stuff stuck
in my teeth for the rest of the day! Never eat it dry ladies and gentlemen, (but it is fantastic with warm milk and fruit for breakfast as I have come to find out!)

The view from the top of Mount Eden is absolutely fantastic and you can see the whole of Auckland for miles and miles. Wouldn't be a bad place to propose undying love and devotion to your soul mate. (I wonder if they have one of those in New Zealand, especially for young bucks like me!) Below is a picture of me proclaiming new found love to the drink of the land. L&P it is called and you have to taste it to understand...And you can also see the wonderful landscape I was talking about, behind me.

Twas a pretty chilled out day the rest of the day. We went to the beach afterwards, the beach (or some sort of water) is never that far away in Auckland. Just Like in Stockholm! But in Auckland, you can have a fun filled day in the sun on the beach IN WINTER! Which
was exactly what we did. Fish and Chips and Movenpick ice cream provided fare for the afternoon!

Work has been absolutely....overwhelming! I have learned more about the Dairy Industry in the last one week than I have in the last five years. I work with a really great bunch of people and one of my colleagues is I swear a re-incarnation (or twin sister) of Lucy Morgan! "Oh My God Its Amazing" and the personality and the happy atmosphere....sheesh! The floor I work on has 150 odd people and since it is a customer service for the largest company in New Zealand dealing with all regions of the world, its a pretty diverse atmosphere. Just
like...hmmm...reminds me of a similar organization I was involved with recently at leadership level...hmmmm (heheheheh)

Middle East Team which I work on has kiwis, Mexicans, an Iranian, a Swede, 2 Indians and an Englishman on it. Then there is the USA team, Latin America team, Asia team, Oceania team, Brands team, Inventory team....Gosh! I am still working my way through them of course trying to meet people. And there are of course 7 AIESEC interns (that's the name of that organization!!!) on the floor, Eunnie from Korea on Asia team; Christina
from Germany and Tanya from Russia on Europe team; Cristiane from Brazil and Anna from Ecuador on Latin America team; Carina from Philippines on USA team and of course me!

And there will be Mialy from Madagascar joining us in August. She
will be on the middle East team with me and also be sharing the apartment with Cristiane and I. Does anyone out there know any Madagascans? Below is a picture of all the AIESEC interns in Auckland. (I should always remember to face the sun) The guy next to me is Jerone from the Netherlands but he works in Ernst &Young.

(From Left:
exchange student from Germany; Ina-Philippines; Jerone-Netherlands;
Ladi; Anna-Ecuador; Christina-Germany; Eunnie-Korea and Cris-Brazil. Tanya from
Russia is missing)

Shoot!

Now I have to run. A couple of colleagues of mine are coming to help us move our stuff from the LCP's house to our new apartment. YAY! Us, being Cris and I. Tell you all about the apartment in the next post! Have to run now!

Kiwiland. At Last!

No 9, Almorah Place Epsom, Auckland.

I am sitting in the study of this charming, elegant and stately house. It is home to David Benjamin's family (LCP of AIESEC in Auckland and a really nice chap to boot!)

And I never want to see another aeroplane again ever!

23 hours flying time, 27 in total for the trip from London to Auckland and I am finally here in Auckland. The longest trip by plane I have had the pleasure of taking and if I dont get on another plane for a year, that would be just fine. Downside...only those who TRULY love me will be convinced to come and visit me in the coming couple of years!

But first how did my trip go? Emirates is a good airline but I defintely think the hype surrounding them is a bit over the hedge! I went to pick up my ticket on Thursday July 15 at the Emirates office in London and it went without a hitch. I had been a bit anxious because my flight was the next day Friday and I had been informed that I could pick up my ticket at the airport if I wanted. So it was a sense of relief that I got the paper ticket in my hand.

But come Friday night, I got to the airport with all my lugagge and my big sister in tow and was informed by the check in officer I couldnt board the flight!!! Why? Apparently, the flight was transiting through Australia and I needed a transit visa to land there. I took a look at my ticket again and pointed out that this itinierary was not reflected on the ticket... and why didnt the dude who took my money at the Emirates office inform me of this. He took a good long look at my passport when he issued the damn ticket!

The nice Emirates officer in charge was very nice I have to say, but powerless to help me. The best she could do was re-book me for Monday night July 17 (when i was supposed to start work) and advise me to go to the Australian High Commission on Monday morning and try and get the transit visa!!!

Bollocks, Buggger, Goddamnit...were some of the milder words that came to my mind!

Anyway, I made my back with my sister on the Gatwick Express and spent a very LONG weekend in London. (Except for the one pleasure of meeting up for a family dinner on Sunday where I met up with a whole bunch of cousins including one I hadnt seen in 5 years and who got married earlier this year. See you in the US soon Eni and Ryan!)

On Monday morning, I was at the Australian High Commission at 9am and it went without a hitch again! The consular did ask me why the Melbourne transit was not reflected on my ticket (Good Question!) and she had to call the Emirates office to confirm this. For a supposedly World Class airline, isnt their reputation built in such mundane details? Especially when some of their customers hold a Nigerian passport and need such details?

The folks in New Zealand were understandbly upset when they got my message on Friday to say i had been denied boarding. We (I and the other interns) were supposed to start on July 10. Amy, MCP New Zealand was very emphatic in urging me to action and not to feel sorry for myself... hehehehehehe... You meet a lot of hedges on the way when you are moving across the world and have only a month to arrange it all I guess! (Forgive the constant reference to 'hedge'. Just saw the movie)

Anyway... I got to the airport nice and early on Monday evening and good thing I did too! In trying to check me in...the system again refused to print my boarding pass and lugagge transfer tag. I spent another half hour waiting while the Emirates ground staff called Australia and got the immigration office in Canberra to override the automatic block on the system. Apparently, because the transit visa had been issued earlier in the day, it hadnt been registered properly in their systems. But eventually it was cleared and i got my boarding pass!

And so began the trip.

LONDON TO DUBAI - 6 hours 50mins (You were right Toyin, it IS NOT 10 hours)
TRANSIT IN DUBAI - 3 hours (I have to go back for a holiday in Dubai! What an airport!)
DUBAI TO MELBOURNE - 12 hours 55 mins (Sat beside a nice teenage girl who's an ardent Spurs fan! And didnt manage to get through the 500 channels on my personal TV screen!)
TRANSIT IN MELBOURNE - 1 hour 30 mins (NO ONE even looked at the DAMN Transit Visa)
MELBOURNE TO AUCKLAND - 3 hours (Not a lot of weekend trips abroad i guess)

I arrived in Auckland International Airport bum weary and slack eyed! Immigration went pretty fast but then i got to customs and was asked some seemingly routine questions,
'Did you pack your bags yourself?' - YES
'Are you bringing in any food?' - NO
'Are you bringing in any plants...' - NO

And so on...but then the blonde pretty girl directed me to Aisle 4 and to walk along the Blue Line. The Blue Line took me to a customs area where i got a further shock! There were passengers with their lugagge on these metal tables and with customs officials going through their stuff. When i say 'going through their stuff', i mean taking each item of clothing and shaking it out one by one!!!

I watched with mounting disbelief as the same questions as above were asked to the passengers and then some. I started racking my brains to see if any my sisters might have packed some foodstuff or organic material into my bags. I felt secure as I specifically remembered saying No to my eldest sister when she tried to press some preservatives and stuff on me! But i still couldnt believe the detailed searches that were going on in front of me.

Eventually after staying about an hour on the queue, it got to my turn and i put my stuff on the table and subsequently wasnt allowed to touch them anymore. I had to sign a declaration form stating that i wasnt carrying any contraband and i guess this would have served as a basis for prosecuting me if they did find anything!

The customs officer then proceeded to ask me a lot of immigration sounding questions all over again. Where had i lived for the last one year? What was I coming to New Zealand for? Did i have any documentation proving this... Eventually, he only poked his hands into my laptop bag and retrieved my documents from Fonterra, made some copies and then asked me to put my lugagge back on the trolley and come with him.

I was spared the indignity of having my underwear strewn all over the airport but still had to put my bags through an X-ray machine where I got another fright. The X-ray machine showed up three ball like items and they asked me again if i had any food on me and what were those three balls. I told them i didnt have a clue and we would have to open up my suitcase. I did and suddenly realized what the three balls were a split second before we got to them. Herbal Soap. I wondered if this fell under the list of contraband items and had a 10 second period of adrenaline rush. Eventually, the 3 customs officials just said, 'Ah, its just soap..', asked me to zip up my bag and wished me a pleasant stay in New Zealand! PHEW!

I came out to the arrivals hall and had 2 AIESECers there waiting for me with a gift pack from AIESEC Auckland and some Newspapers.(Not really sure myself heheh) The grand reception they had planned for me on Sunday fell through as this was Wednesday and most people had classes. I stepped into the wet, rainy day, into the car and chatted with Franklin and Riduan all the way to David's place. David was at school himself but his nice mum showed me to my room where i had a shower and i checked my email in David's room afterwards. Apparently, Cristiane arrived on Monday and Ina is arriving tomorrow (today) as well. We all start on Friday so i have the whole of Thursday to try and beat this Jet Lag.

So now it is 4:20am NZT, but obviously still after 5pm in London. I have slept for some 8 hours already and will try and get through Thursday without sleeping again. It has been a roller coaster of a trip and I have to send out emails now to people that I have arrived safely. Already there is some sort of party on Saturday for us all and i am looking forward to meeting all the AIESEC and Fonterra people!

Kene left me with some advice on Thursday last week, 'Approach all new ideas and experiences with an inquiring mind...' I intend to do just this in my new country of residence!

Hello Kiwiland!

Ode to Stockholm...

This is not my real tribute to my home for the last one year.


Rather this is more of a nostalgic post. I am sitting on the couch in the living room in the MC apartment, working on Aron´s Mac. My Bag is packed (I hope it is less than 20kg), I had my goodbye chillout yesterday (very secretly pleased at the number of people that showed), hugged Maria goodbye this morning as we both got lumps in our throat and watery eyes.

My plane to London leaves in a few hours and i am getting such mixed feelings. I had my application for visa to the UK denied last Friday after almost 3 weeks, i re-applied on Monday and got it the same day! My flight from London to Auckland should be paid for now... I will have a few days to spend with my sisters at least and i am thankful for that.

Good bye Stockholm... I will miss you... I will miss the winter (Believe it) I will miss the summer (glad i have the enduring memory of Stockholm in summer) and most of all i will miss the people. Friends, colleagues, trainees, strangers on the subway.... All such beautiful people!

Requiem for a Dream!
PS
Let the kiwi adventure begin!!!

Bored? Go to BlogThings...

What can I say??? I should be out on this lovely day exploring Stockholm even more but herei am stuck indoors taking 'BlogThings'!

Again this particular BlogThing puts me in a fair bit of positive light which is why i am posting it here at all. I would recommend the site if you are bored and have nothing better to do. I certainly dont at this moment

Good news. My UK visa will be approved today and i can pick it up first thing tomorrow. Need to make a few phone calls....

Your Values Profile

Loyalty: You value loyalty a fair amount. You're loyal to your friends... to a point. But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties. Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself. Honesty: You value honesty a fair amount. You're honest when you can be, but you aren't a stickler for it. If a little white lie will make a situation more comfortable, you'll go for it. In the end, you mostly care about "situational integrity." Generosity: You value generosity a fair amount. You are all about giving, as long as there's some give and take. Supportive and kind, you don't mind helping out a friend in need. But you know when you've given too much. You have no problem saying "no"! Humility: You value humility a fair amount. You tend to be an easy going, humble person. But occasionally your ego takes over. You have a slight competitive streak - and the need to be the best. Tolerance: You value tolerance highly. Not only do you enjoy the company of those very different from you... You do all that you can to seek it out interesting and unique friends. You think there are many truths in life, and you're open to many of them.

The Five Factor Values Test

Kiwiland Beckons

So I am supposed to start work on Monday July 10 in Auckland!

We (me and the other AIESEC interns) got a letter from Fonterra informing us where to report to on the morning of July 10. Right down to the exact location of the ground floor of the lobby of the Fonterra Group Headquarters!

However, delays with visa will not let me start on time and that makes me sooooooooo pissed! Aaaaaarggghhhh! So here i am wanting to hit the ground running and i will be late for the induction! Bollocks! My NZ visa IS ready but as i will be flying through London (the cheapest flights from Europe) I have to re-new my UK visa which expired in May.

The UK embassy which is normally so efficient has taken over 2 weeks to process this renewal now! I had submitted my application on June 15 expecting the visa to be issued before all my documents for the NZ work visa were ready. It wasnt. And i got quite a scare this morning when i was told i had to book an appointment online to re-submit my documents. The next available appointment was for July 20!!!

My charm worked and i got in and handed in my passport. If things were perfect, the visa would be ready by tomorrow, i pick it up catch the next flight to London and leave onFriday night.

Alas, things are not perfect so i will probably get it latest on Monday (boo hoo!) I intend to leave on the next available flight (if it doesnt cost an arm and a leg)!

Now i am really getting excited! There have been the cutest posts from the LC members of AIESEC in Auckland welcoming me and i was bouncing up and down in my seat just reading them. I am also supposed to be reading up on Fonterra, but seeing as i already did quite extensive research when interviewing for the position.... But you never know too much, right?

I need to arrange a goodbye chillout and invite people to it before i leave Stockholm, that oughta be fun!

My only regret is that I will not be able to go via Lagos to see my sweet-heart and future mother of my children Temitope! I am not sure when next I will see her but we will see if I can make it at Xmas. I miss her so much!

New Zealand here I come!!!!!

Vacation in Stockholm

Stockholm is a beautiful city with beautiful people!

Before i came to Sweden, I had heard that Swedish girls are some of the most beautiful in the world. I have been here for a year and I completely agree!

Blonde hair, blue eyes, pouty lips, lots of attitude and such an eye for fashion! And its the same with the guys as well. The guys are even more concerned with their looks than the girls are...or so the cliche goes. Its a REAL pity that I am not naturally attracted to blondes and Scandinavian looking women in general. I am more into the Latino look, dark hair, curves and the drama to match! I never thought i would say it, but i miss the drama that an African woman gives, none of all that drama in Sweden where equality is the byword and no one is expected to take all responsibility in a relationship...but i digress...

So i have been on vacation since Monday, the new MC team took over and its really nice just to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about making it to the office on time! No more conferences to worry about, exchange figures to boost, LC visit to plan... Its the end of a time for me truly! But maybe AIESEC Auckland will have some expectations on me... who knows?

My original plan had been to leave for London yesterday but since i only got my passport back from the New Zealand embassy today and i still have to renew my UK visa so i can fly through London.... I am supposed to start work in Fonterra on Monday July 10 and i would have had to leave on Friday July 7 to do that. There is still a chance of leaving on Friday but it ALL depends on the UK embassy. If i get my passport back same day tomorrow, then MAYBE i can make it...the downside is that I dont get to spend ANY time with my sisters. But still i have informed AIESEC New Zealand of all this. Let us see how it goes. I will be at the UK embassy first thing tomorow and see if i cant work some magic and charm there...

On Monday, while walking and exploring Stockholm, i came across so many interesting things. There was a live band marching through the City Center with a lot of fanfare, there was a con artist who was betting 1000SEK that onlookers couldnt pick out the ball from three revolving cups he was constantly moving around (I picked it out correctly three times but didnt take his money) and I flirted with this one girl so much on the train... its a wonder i didnt get her number. (BUGGER!)

Today Tuesday, I have spent the whole day on the beach lying in the sun (obviously not for the tan),sleeping and ogling the swedish girls in their skimpy bikinis. What a vacation!

Anyway now...I have been dispossesed of my computer as my successor has taken it over but he was nice enough to lend me his personal one. So I should be able to stay on top of my emails at least!

Its been a magical year in Sweden, now i am heading to New Zealand! New place, new time zone, new challenges! Bring it on!

Distraction on My Last Day as an MC member

Okay okay...

I know I know...these 'tests' are a dime a dozen on the internet and dont give a truly accurate description. I take these tests quite a lot but usually just raise an eyebrow (even if that) and then close the window.

But today is my last day as an MC member and the close of a chapter in my life. It is harder than i thought on this last day and i have been trying to distract myself from dwelling on this fact. The fact that i am having to do the first draft of my MC team's goodbye message to the country is not helping.

I am right now listening to Shakira's "My Hips dont lie" featuring Wyclef, (Maria Lucia Uribe has the video on her blog click here) and this test is so positive about me that i just had to post it here.

Those of you that know me, is there an iota of truth in this?!

Your Seduction Style: Au Natural

You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

The Best Bank in the World

Low Interest Rates? - (Actually NO interest at all)

Unlimited Credit? - (You can keep on borrowing)

Long Gestation period for loans? (There is no due date really)

Service with a smile? (and a cookie with a warm glass of milk)

Interest in your long term success? (Probably much more than YOU have!!)

Ladies and Gentlemen, please give it up for the best banking institution in the world:

International Bank of MOM & DAD!!!

So of course if you have been reading my blog, you know i am about to continue my 'AIESEC Experience' in Auckland New Zealand. Apart from being really really exciting and a whole new chapter in my life, it is also costing quite a lot to relocate from Europe to Oceania!

Since i own a Nigerian passport which is the best passport in the world, the visa matters are quite extensive. And New Zealand has some quite extensive procedures when it comes to doling out permits to foreigners going to kiwiland! Anyway... what with the visa issues, one way ticket to Auckland AND add the fact that i have been on an MC salary for the last year...finances were always going to be tight!

I had managed to raise money for the ticket (Deepee, Echemole, Kene, Thordis - TRUE friends) but nothing else. And who should come to my rescue??

My dear parents of course. I just got the message telling me a sum of money was waiting for me in London. And this from retired pensioners living in Nigeria!!!

But what is it about parents anyway? it is said... "A woman will sometimes lie to save herself; A woman will lie most times to save her husband; but a woman will ALWAYS lie to save her children!!!

To my dear mother: Thank you very much for everything! I have not given you cause to lie on my behalf but I am pretty sure you would anyway... Your training... your unconditional love are a large part of what makes me who i am.

E jere omo o!!!

eL

Maypoles and Fertility on mid-summer's day

"...Swedes survive the winter only by thinking of what they will do on that summer's day..."

"...celebrated on the weekend coming close to the real midsummer day...a mass exodus takes place just before with thousands of Swedes evacuating the towns and heading for their weekend cottages in the country. They erect a maypole, erect being the operative word as in fact it is a pagan symbol of fertility...they dress it up in leaves and flowers...and then spend the afternoon dancing around it pretending to be small frogs..."
- courtesy Colin Moon

And the above sums up what I was up to in the last weekend. Mid-summer is such an important part of the summer holidays in Sweden and it formed a part of our official transition agenda in AIESEC Sweden.

I had been a part of it last year when i first got to Sweden and i had been looking forward to it. While last year's midsummer was celebrated in Uppsala, this year we made our way to Bromma which is on the outskirts of Stockholm and very near to where the Swedish Royal Family lives. We were being hosted by Emelie, the very beautiful and classy VPOGX of the Stockholm local chapter of AIESEC. She hosted us in her family's summer house and such a wonderful time (all 45 of us) had.

Traditional Swedish food in the form of potatoes, herring and home made bread was punctuated by the singing of Swedish drinking songs, at the end of each song we drank alcohol. Wine, beer and strong liquor flowed all afternoon and we of course built the fertility pole which i am dressing up here in the picture.

Drinking Games of every sort followed and we still managed to catch the Ukraine v Tunisia match on TV, after which we had a sumptous dinner organized by AIESEC in Stockholm Uni and Uppsala. We had acapella right after and an impromptu kareoke session. Victoria from SU plays the piano and guitar equally well...you go girl! There were a few crazy people who went down to the lake for a midnight swim but i did that already so i just cheered them on from the safety and warmth of the docks.

Click here for all the pics

All in all, a fantastic weekend which didnt end until dawn which didnt really happen as it didnt really get dark. The sun was up and shining by 2am!!!

I will miss midsummers in Sweden, but for sure will be back here to spend more of them in the future!

eL

Our Problems Are Only as Big as we Make them

Twas not a very good day today!

The plan had been to send in my application for my New Zealand work permit today but there were a lot of things dependent on this happening...

My passport is with the British embassy as i am renewing my visa so i can visit my sisters and catch a cheap flight from London to Auckland. It was supposed to arrive this afternoon but it is 18:45 now and it didnt.

I was at the clinic where i had a full medical examination last week...(remember the nice simple Doctor with the $US5000 watch?) where i was supposed to pick up the results of said medical examination! Alas! they were waiting for one more test result from the labs and so couldnt complete the medical certificate, the nurse was very helpful and called the labs and they sent out the results by post. Which means it will arrive to the clinic tomorrow. The only challenge is that tomorrow is a half day and i can only come and pick it up if it arrives before 12 noon!
If it doesnt then i have to wait until Monday as Friday is the celebration of midsummer! (longest day of the year where the sun doesnt really set)

My new employers (as from July) are supposed to be sending me a letter to attach to my application and they had already sent it, but the address they had was incomplete. They have resent it now and it was supposed to have arrived today Wednesday bu Express Mail but that too has not arrived.

To top it all off...I lost my wallet on the way to the clinic which had the cash for sending my documents to the Netherlands. Not a very nice day.

BUT...! Things could have been much worse! For instance...

- I could have gotten the test results and found out i have a debilitating disease
- I could have gotten my passport and lost it on the way to the clinic
- I could have been knocked over by a car and had to spend 2 months in hospital
- I could have NOT been accepted to this wonderful dream of a traineeship and NOT have a clue what i am doing from July 01, 2006!

OUR PROBLEMS ARE ONLY AS BIG AS WE MAKE THEM OUT TO BE!

So what if i send in my documents to the embassy in the Netherlands next week instead? What if i dont get to spend as much time with my sisters as i would have liked? What if I arrive to Auckland a few days late (Dont worry Nikita I will be there on July 9) The important thing to remember is that

- I do HAVE this wonderful opportunity coming up in a wonderful country with such a diverse team (more on that later);
- I am fit as a fiddle and healthy as a horse (well need to jog a bit more obviously)
- I have the love and support of those who are important to me in my life and i am willing to travel to the ends of the earth for them (no pun intended)

Right now I am going to go home, put a few hot dogs on the grill and watch the thrilling (I hope) game between Holland and Argentina!!!

eL

38 Years and Counting...

And England failed to beat us again!

And by 'us' I mean Sverige! I have to admit, in the earlier group games I wanted England to do well. You cant help but be affected by ALL the media hype you are subjected to before any major tournament by the British media. particularly if you follow and support an English football club! And Chelsea has supplied the highest number of players to the English squad right?

But this 'good feeling' was dependent on the fact that my home country of the last one year was also doing well. Since we needed at least a draw to progress to the knockout stages, i found myself actively (mind, body and soul) supporting Sweden! I still gave private applause to John Terry, Frank Lampard and the new star in the World Cup firmament Joe Cole. His wonder of a goal will be played for the next one year over and over and over again on British screens! Twas truly a marvelous goal.

I have doubts about Englands progression in this competition (although i am not counting on Sweden's either) Yes England play Ecuador in the round of 16 but they have to work on a LOT of things, set pieces among them. We play Germany and the headlines this morning screamed "ACHTUNG GERMANY!" which means "Watch out Germany" This is the world cup and anything can happen afterall.

I watched the game in a nice bar with members of the local Stockholm Uni AIESEC chapter and it was a great atmosphere! I am glad i chose to go to the bar rather than mope at home with my computer which was my first choice!

Anyway, the pic here is of Marcus Allback's header going into the net for Sweden's first equaliser! Better luck next time England!!! But well done of course to my Chelsea trio in the team!

PS
Poor poor Michael Owen. Twisted his knee in the first minute. Really sad.

eL

Explosion Of Color

Have you ever seen a whole country transformed almost overnight?

Well...if you lived during the French Revolution or during the American War of Independence maybe...

But if you want to see it year in and year out...then you have to move to Sweden. Stockholm in particular. All through the dark, cold and dreary winter, people are dressed only in dark, boring colors! Not a hint of color anywhere! And this is matched by long weary faces and silent subway trains that sometimes feel like graveyards (well...except at 11pm on Fridays. Its amazing what a few shots of vodka can do to the noise level on a Stockholm underground platform)

But as soon as the temprature starts to move into double positive numbers, oh My God! People start to say hello on the streets, on the trains and even in the restaurants when you go in for a meal (ok an exaggeration, they are still courteous in restaurants during winter) and the whole country comes out in a full color spectrum!

Mini skirts, sphagetti tops, tank tops, T-shirts, short knickers, flip flops, Tube tops, sneakers, all these shoot up in price and are paraded by some of the most beautiful people God has seen to put on Mother Earth. Before I came to Sweden, i was told Swedish girls are the most beautiful in the world. I have been reminded of this very forcefully as summer sweeps over this the Land of the Midnight Sun! Swedes really are beautiful people. I concur!

As i wind up my time in this wonderful country, i am glad i am leaving it when it is at its most alluring and attractive. Both in terms of weather and people! Over the next month, i shall post the most striking things and memories of my time here in Sverige! Pic here is:

from left: Aron - MCPe; Maria my teammate; Emma my MCP; Me and; Joanna former MC member in Finland and member of the AIESEC Sweden Advisory Board

We had just had the last Advisory Board meeting for the current year and we were on the way to have dinner with the Board members
Det varn som Fan! (Well I'll be damned!)

eL

As the World Cup Passes By

How many football players does it take to thrill and excite a 70,000 seater stadium?!

Only One!

A Ronaldinho playing in the colors of Barcelona will travel to Real Madrid and proceed to dictate the proceedings of the game, scoring once and being involved in the other 2 goals in a match that ends 3 - nil to Barcelona. And he will get a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans!!! I love football!

The greatest football fiesta that comes round only once every four years is going on in this month of 'transition'. And I am missing most of it!!! Okay so Nigeria is not playing, but your country doesnt need to be there before you feast your soccer senses! 09:00 to 21:00 working days has not helped my viewing of the World Cup at all. The only concession in the agenda are for the Sweden and Brazil games. Any other game is a bonus. I saw the end of the Holland-Ivory Coast game. And i saw the opening anthems for the Italy-USA game. Apart from that zilch! Have had to rely on www.soccernet.com for updates, pics and reports.

So...Ivory Coast out, Angola maybe so, Togo are no hopers and i havent even been following Tunisia's group! But Ghana turned in the performance of their lives by beating the Czech Republic 2- nil. And this was no fluke, reports have described this as a masterful performance. They outplayed, outclassed and out scored the Czechs. The 2nd ranked team in the world too!

Ghana were the powerhouses of football in Africa in the 70's and early 80's. For a long time, they were the nemesis of the Nigerian Green Eagles (as we were known then). Four time African Champions, a meeting with them was always dreaded and it has always been a mystery why they never qualified for the World Cup until now.

Well, now they have and they put the two goals past Peter Cech (Chelsea's number one) in this last game but i console my self on the fact that Cech prevented it from being 5- nil which it could easily have been according to the reports.

The 1-1 result between USA and Italy throws the group wide open now! Ghana and Czech republic have 3 points, Italy has 4 points and USA has 1 point. And the last group games are Ghana vs USA and Italy vs Czech. So if Ghana beats the US, they are through to the round of 16. The Czechs need to beat Italy to go through, and Italy only need draw to go through. USA need to beat Ghana and hope Italy beat the Czech Republic to make it to the round of 16. What a group! It is turning out to be the REAL Group of Death!

Go Go Ghana! Go out and show the World what you are made of. I thought the whole team was about Michael Essien but Sulley Muntari, Gyuan, Appiah....you guys rock!!!!

eL

Transition Month

if you have been in AIESEC for at least a year, you know what the word "transition" means. It is when an EB/MC transfers information and knowledge to the team coming after them so they can do a really good job. Some do a great job in passing this information and knowledge across, other are just downright crappy at it. And of course, some just skip the whole thing totally.

www.dictionary.com defines transition as:

tran·si·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trn-zshn, -ssh-)n.

- Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.
- Passage from one subject to another in discourse.
- A word, phrase, sentence, or series of sentences connecting one part of a discourse to another.
- Music.
- A modulation, especially a brief one.
- A passage connecting two themes or sections.
- Genetics. A point mutation in which a pyrimidine is replaced by another pyrimidine, or a purine is replaced by another purine.
- Sports. The process of changing from defense to offense or offense to defense, as in basketball or hockey.
- A period during childbirth that precedes the expulsive phase of labor, characterized by strong uterine contractions and nearly complete cervical dilation.

June is the date when a lot of MCs in AIESEC go through "transition" and AIESEC Sweden is no different. It has been a hectic, frenetic pace and if you add the fact that i am in top gear for another transition, you can imagine how messed up i have been in the last 2 weeks. Like my host LCP in Auckland put it, i am "...winding up my life in Sweden to begin a totally new one" And across several time zones i might add. I havent REALLY begun to get into the "mood" yet. All the things i am doing now are still a bit mechanical, i havent started feeling NZ yet. I know it will come but i hope i get those 4 days off in July just to reflect on my year here in Sweden. Transition. Definitely Transition.

But back to Sweden transition. Its been pretty intense i can tell you with trying to stay on top of the quite extensive visa process for NZ and the equally hectic transition. I had to re-schedule my day today so i could get more than 4-5 hours of sleep. Thank you Anton for the flexibility.

But what a transition it has been so far! I had shared the wonderful weekend we had in Nörkoping in an earlier post and now i was finally able to get the pictures from Emma's camera. The picture here is of me enjoying the nice weather with the beautiful lake behind me.

For a full view of the pics from transition, please go Here

PS
There is something seriously wrong either with my computer or blogger. Its not uploading pics to the posts properly. Anybody else having the same problem?

Raymond Weil as Metaphor...

What is the value or significance of a wrist watch?

I was at a doctor's appointment today for a full medical examination which is required by the New Zealand embassy for visa applicants and I was poked, prodded and told to say 'aaaahh' by a nice elderly Swedish doctor.

All through the time he was asking me questions about my medical history, i couldnt take my eyes off his wrist-watch. I looked on the internet and found a picture of the exact same one which is duly reproduced here. The reason i seemed fascinated by the wrist watch was because of the man himself. He was dressed very simply, his office was very austere and he spoke English with a nice Swedish accent. His hair was thinning a bit but brushed very neatly to one side and his whole manner and bearing spoke of someone who loves the simple life and really enjoys practicing medecine because of the good he could do. He was simplicity itself.

Except for that watch!!!

It was the only 'flashy' thing in sight and it showed that he could still appreciate the finer things in life and be prepared to pay for them as well. I checked and the "higher end watches" go for about US$5000. A wrist watch i would say sets you apart and confers on you a certain status.

I wouldnt mind a nice 2000 dollar Patek Phillipe just in case you were wondering...

Twas a busy day for me, had to go for this medical and an x-ray scan which has done to my bank account what Katrina did to New Orleans. This kain of poverty ehn...! And now i am off to the UK embassy tomorrow to re-new my visa as i just realized my current one is expired. Yet another dampener on the account balance. But i guess it is better than reaching the airport and finding that i cant enter the UK...Now that would be REAL fun.

I havent been sleeping enough the last 2 weeks and i need to get 8 hours straight soon. I am definitely not going to get it tonite as i have to be in the office latest by 8am to make sure Emma and Maria will be able to hold the fort for my sessions which i will miss because of the UK appointment.

No peace for the wicked!

"Crazy Times Lie Ahead Harry..."

Well...actually when Dumbledore said this to Harry it was, "Difficult times lie ahead Harry" and when Amit was leaving HE said, "Exciting times lie ahead Harry". 'Crazy' on the other hand sort of defines what is going on here with me.

In the euphoria and joy of being accepted to this really cool traineeship in NZ (I can still hardly believe it) I am overlooking so many things that are going on in this wonderful world of mine. We had an absolutely fantastic kick off to transition here in AIESEC Sweden by traveling to Norkoping to a wonderful summer house. The weekend showed me that Sweden is a completely different place in the summer.

The house was by a lake and there was a Sauna right on the banks and it was so nice having deep AIESEC discussions with the elects on the grass and a 22 degree celsius sun shining on my face. It was interesting to see the rest of the guys (Maria, Emma, Aron, Anton, Emanuel and Lana) turning this way and that way trying to get as much sun as possible. Like I told Lana today...I have enough sun tan reserves to last a lifetime (hehehehe..ok it was a bad joke!)

We had some really good food (of course we did, Emma Gavert is a food conneiseur), watched Sweden draw with Trinidad and Tobago at the World Cup and we had a midnight sauna session where we drank beer, sweated like pigs, dived into the icy cold lake and back into the sauna again. Oh What an experience!!!

It was especially beautiful to see the sun start to rise again at 2am and i truly understood why they call this place the "Land of the Midnight Sun".

Oh yeah...I discovered that I have allergies!!! Yes! All that time in Nigeria i used to scratch my nose, snort like a pig to relieve my itchy throat and carry watery eyes around, i thought i was sensitive to dust (or easily suspectible to colds!) Apparently, I am allergic to pollen. Pretty interesting ehn?

So now... I have this whole month ahead of me with a transition agenda that is packed 09:30 to 20:00 everyday and i have to balance this with my AIESEC work, and prep for NZ. I have received this really detailed instruction manual from AIESEC NZ which expects me to have a Medical and X-ray, and to make matters worse, the nearest embassy is in the Netherlands!!!

Crazy times REALLY do lie ahead! As it is now, I came to send an email, leaving the rest downstairs as they go through the internal reality of AIESEC Sweden. Have to go back now. Still have to send a million emails after sessions today and also prepare my sessions for tomorrow. Sheesh!

I want my Mummy!!!

Will share the story of the Rope Game we played at the weekend and also put in some pictures from the weekend.

Milk, Cheese and Butter in KIWILAND

I am going to New Zealand!!!!!!!

Yes I am. As from July 10, 2006, I am required to report to Auckland in Kiwiland to start my traineeship as an AIESEC intern. Please go to www.fonterra.com and check out my next employers. I havent posted about the quite thorough selection process i have been going through for the last 2 odd weeks because i didnt want to jinx it! But now I have gotten the email from the New Zealand MC and I can shout it out from the top of the Mountain! (Well...at least i have confirmed that I am a superstitious freak)

Thank You Amy, (MCP NZ 06/07) for that first email you sent to Yat; Now I get to give you a big kiss on the cheek for the phonecalls, text messages and emails you used to support me all through the selection process.

Yat, (MCVPER NZ 05/06, MCVPER Austria 06/07), thank you for that first email, for the professionalism and effectiveness of your work. I will NOT be able to give you that kiss on the cheek for the next 1 year but maybe i can get Amit to do it for me. Vienna isnt that far from Rotterdam afterall!

Let Oceania be ready! Ladajay is about to move into the neighbourhood!!!

Seven Deadly Sins...

SO I took this really interesting test (there so many flying about cyberspace now!) And it has rated me on the seven deadly sins. Greed; Gluttony; Wrath; Sloth; Envy; Lust and; Pride!

The Results:

Greed:	High
Gluttony:	High
Wrath:	Low
Sloth:	High
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Very High
Pride:	Medium

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz


So apparently according to this test...

- I covet other people's SUVs even though i have a nice Toyota
- I eat too much
- I dont get angry easily
- My room is almost always a mess
- I am always happy when other people are successful
- I am a sex crazed addict who cant help but chase anything in skirts
- I am very dignified but can still be described as 'down to earth'

Please note that the above interpretations are solely mine (and not neccesarily true!) and i take full responsibility for it!

(Very High LUST! But Seriously...!!!!)

Me, My Indian and I

(This pic of the millennium was taken
in Baroda, India)

"Stop Acting like a Shee Dude!"

"I'm going to screw your happiness..."

"Party's on!!!"

"Whaaat a Pic... Whaaat a Pic Dude"

These are just four expressions out of many that have become a daily part of my
vocabulary. I, who in the best of times am always quick to pick up the
mannerisms of people around me, how much more when I am working, living,
partying and painting the town of Stockholm red with the same individual for one
whole year!!!

Amit Desai Vipul. My teammate, my flatmate, my colleague, my co-traveler in
the international MC journey called AIESEC Sweden 2005/06, my brother from
another mother, my friend, MY Indian! It was an absolutely fantastic year dude.
And you played a little role...ok...ok...a MAJOR role in my life in the last one
year. But let me tell you a bit about Amit...

Born to a doctor dad and a banker mum in the city of Mumbai (Bombay if you
insist) Amit grew up as an only child in the city of Baroda in Gujarat India. In
his own words, "I have always gotten what i wanted in my life...I have never
failed at something i set out to do" A bit spoiled (you would be too if you were
an only child in India), It was hilarious to see Amit's attempts to adapt to
living in Europe, cooking and cleaning after himself. In the beginning, there
were a lot of burnt pots, pans and food but like the gentleman himself said,
he's not accustomed to failing. It is a testament to his perseverance and
adaptability that I could actually eat what he cooked!!! And i did so quite a
number of times too!

Amit fits the typical stereotype of Indians in AIESEC. Smart, competitive,
brash and loud mouthed. And then again he doesnt. Can be humble, respectful,
generous to a fault and always always on the lookout for a goodtime.

I dont want this to be a long post
so...I am just going to post in pictures from our year with me and Amit. There
is so much i would like to say but we are keeping it short and simple.

As you start the next step of your
journey with AIESEC International, I wish you all the best and know that no
matter where you go, no matter where you reach, all you have to do, to get a
listening ear and a helping hand is to call my name. Thank You for the laughs,
for the learning, for the smell of burnt food on those dark, wintery nights and
most of all....for your trust.

"Exciting Times lie ahead Amit..."

(To follow Amit's journey...you can visit
http://amitdesai.nomadlife.org)

---

Me, My Indian and Majken from Denmark at IC
2005 Agra India

Sending the emails to bring home the bacon
for AIESEC Sverige

Me, My Indian (and my tummy) on my birthday

(Emma, Judit, Nisarg and my Indian)

In Gamla Stan (Old Town) in Stockholm

My Indian looks much better in my glasses
than i do

Dont be deceived! We are dead drunk on
Champagne here on the first official day of Spring

Can two guys look any cooler?!!!!

Here we go with some more sample pics from the Scandinavian Chill out and a link if you want to view the whole kaboodle.

I havent been able to figure out how to make the pictures flick on and off on the side of my blog but as soon as i do...my blog will look even cooler... I think!

Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41564970@N00/

A Dane, A Finn, a Norwegian and a Swede...

Well actually it was 4 Danes, 1 Malaysian-Dane, 2 Swedes, 1 Nigerian-Swede, 1 Indian-Swede, 3 Norwegians, 1 Icelander, 1 Icelander-Czech and No Finns! (Unless you count that extremely cute girl, Annika who was here for the Agenda meeting 2 days prior!)

It was the Scandinavian MCs in Stockholm for the chill out weekend and it turned out to be quite good actually. Night out at a pub/bar on Friday night, couldnt dance much there as it was packed full of people!

Saturday was spent at the Gruna Lund Amusement park where i rode a roller coaster for the first time....and the second time....and the third time!!! Couldnt get enough i couldnt. There was the Free Fall which was basically hurtling to the ground from a height of maybe 100 meters high in less than 5 seconds(?) and stopping just before you smash into the ground! Extreme, haunted house, Bumper cars, shooting games, candy floss, disco rides...THE WORKS! And getting to spend time with the Scandis was really cool.

One interesting thing though was Jens Christian Borgen couldnt go on the Free Fall as he was too big to fit! Not surprising though as he is 6ft 8' (or 2m) tall!!! Talk about Giants! i STILL havent met anyone as big as JC!

We had a crappy meal at some Pizza place afterwards but people were too plesantly tired to care i guess.

All in all! Quite a cool weekend! Thanks Stefan, for the conversation about different cultures; Renbin for the insight into Malysian culture ( I might be visiting soon); and all the others for a truly "Chilled Out" weekend.

Pic here is a group one at the Gruna Lund amusement park. Will post a link with the rest of the pics from the weekend soon.

eL

Sweden...The Secret Files Revealed!!!

I just came across one of the most hilarious books i have ever had the pleasure to read in a really long time. it is written by a Mr. Colin Moon and it had me in stiches by the time i got through it! The book's description by the Swedish bookshop goes thus:

"This small booklet (120x170 mm) is not just another travel guide with fancy pictures of forests and lakes. It is not just another factual, dry businessman's guide book telling you Swedes are decent but boring, serious and have no sense of humor. This booklet will give you an insight into things Swedish. Things they themselves think are quite normal, quite sensible, and quite logical. Bless them, for they are often unaware that the rest of us, the foreigners, often find them amusing, entertaining and at times simply quite odd..."

Now of course if you have not lived in Sweden or dont have a close(?) Swedish friend, you might not really appreciate the humor in this book which is why I will be taking excerpts from the book, (i hope i dont get my ass sued off!) posting it here and relating it to some of MY actual experiences in lovely lovely Sverige!

If you have lived in Sweden before (or still living here come to think of it) then try and get your hands on the book and read the secret files!!! If you are Swedish, you might find yourself agreeing to quite a lot of the stuff in the book! As an example...

"A Swede was told he had only five weeks to live, he replied by saying 'I hope those 5 weeks are in July"

...refering here to the way Swedes ENJOY the summer and make the most out of it! The whole country practically shuts down as everyone tries to get the most of those 5 weeks of sun after what must have surely been a long, cold dark winter!

And just to give you an idea of what is in the book before you read it, please go to

http://www.fika.de/typical-swede.html#essay

...and crack up!

Jose, Ruud and Shevchenko

I love football!

Just in case anyone was in any doubt...I say it again. I LOVE FOOTBALL!

The great Arantes Dos Nascimento (Otherwise known as Pele) called it "the beautiful game". It is the most popular game in the whole world, fortunes have been made and lost in the game and nothing could be more thrilling to see a Henry in full flight; a Ronaldinho at his most mesmerizing; an Eto`o at his most ruthless or a Jay Jay Okocha bringing a whole stadium to its feet to applaud his sheer brilliance or dare i say it? Magic?

But from time to time, because it is such a high octane game situations occur that make you feel dust in your mouth! Or how else can you explain the change in fortunes of one of the most lethal strikers the world and Old Trafford has ever seen in just over 6 months?

I am talking about Ruud Van Nisteroy, he is only one of eight peole who have scored 150 goals(?) for Manchester United and his place in the United record books and in the hearts of true ManU fans is secured! Yet, he is almost likely to leave the club and has almost certainly played his last game for the Red Devils.
To be honest, Sir Alex Ferguson is not a man to be trifled with. If David Beckham could leave without a whimper and Roy Keane be sacked from the club, Ruud had no chance! He fell out of favor with the Treble winning manager since February and has seen first Louis Saha climb up the pecking order and then at the twillight of the season, Giuseppe something something...

Players are a good excuse for soccer loving enthusiasts to choose a club to support. If I hadnt wanted a house in West London and Blue wasnt my favorite color and Gianlucca Vialli and Ruud Guillit (among many others) hadnt caught my fancy first, I COULD have been a ManU supporter. And Ruud would have been one sure fire magnet!! Its kind of like the affection i have for that gazelle in Highbury...sorry Ashburton Grove. Too bad, he had to be an Arse! hehe

Talking about ruthless goal machines, one of the most well oiled pieces of machinery plys his trade in the dizzying heights of Serie A. I am talking about Andriy Shevchenko! He has also announced his intention to leave AC Milan this season and the "Special One" has said he will like to bring him to Stamford Bridge!

Now if Jose wants a player, damn near not anyone can stop him on the basis of money right? Think of a pairing up of Shevchenko and Ruud? Wouldnt that just be a dream? Aaaaarrgghhh! I get goosebumps just thinking of it! And if Ruud wants to admit it, he would look really cool in a blue jersey! Ditto Andriy!

I can only dream I guess. All eyes on the transfer market!!!

Connected Thinking Dream Over

Well thats that!

Got the email from Norica saying i 'have not been selected' for the next round of the PwC Global Coordinator selection process'. You have to understand, this is something i was really looking forward to doing and thought i would be DAMN good at doing as well. But it IS a selection process and you win some, you lose some! It didnt help when i heard of other people who have made it to the next round, but you cant turn back the hands of time though. I just need to take some learning points away from this and make sure its positive feedback for the future.

But it still hurts though!

I have had a lot of work to squash the hurt though, getting ready for transition, and having LC Visit in Gothenburg! Now that was really cool. The more you work with the Balanced Scorecard and explain it other people, the more you understand it yourself. Spent 2 wonderful days with Sabina and her EB team as Aron and I facilitated NFAs, CSFs, Culture Review, Budget Drafts and so much more. Played a really interesting game of "I have Never Ever..." If you dont know the game, you should learn. You learn all sorts of quirky stuff about people! And some shocking ones too. (Although i think i was the only one with REALLY shocking stuff!)

And another highlight of the trip of course is that i got to meet up with Ayda Moayezadeh again. Is she the cutest, most mischevious person i ever met or what? Always a laugh, always a prank to be played on you, it's almost like being 11 again!!! We still have an ongoing conversation dont we Ayda? We must finish it soon, dont you think? Thank you AIESEC in Gothenburg for a great planning weekend, and Ayda for the invitation to your sister's place. It was amazing to interact with your nephew and niece.

One particular incident stands out here, Hilda a cheruby 4 year old and Ayda's niece, walked up to where i was sitting and started to touch my head and hair. Kinky hair must be a first for her. (haha) And when i was leaving and she held on to my hand and kept repeating that she wouldnt let me go....broke my heart! But I guess my charm with kids still holds true then. And the funny thing is that we couldnt understand each other. They were speaking Swedish and Persian and i was muddling along in English!

Picture here is of me mesmerising the kids and their guests with my charm! (Actually, i am bribing them with chocolate so they talk to me.)

Just Cruising...

I am not going to be telling you the full story of my team's trip to Helsinki becasue Amit has already made a wonderful post on his blog concerning this. So please click on http://amitdesai.nomadlife.org to find out how the trip went.

I just have a picture here of the impressive Helsinki Cathedral with the big square. Sitting there and eating Ice cream with the Finnish MC, i tried to imagine KGB and CIA operatives making secret rendevouz in the square.

I also learnt a very interesting fact about Finland. The current President is a woman who when she was elected wasnt married BUT living with her partner. She was at some point the President of the Liberal Women's Union (or something....) Well...now after pressure, she has married her partner, but just imagine the liberalism and forward thinking required to do this! I dont see this happening in obodo Naija o!

Thank you very much Diamonds! You guys rock! In this year of balance and pure excellence, you guys have made it a year to remember!

Connected Thinking in Belgium?

I have been afraid to commit this particular topic to blog but now i am about to send in the application and i just thought i should say something about it here.

PricewaterhouseCoopers. Definitely employer of choice. Proffesional, Global, leading player in their industry. And a company i have always wanted to work for. Well...now is my chance I guess. There is a Global Coordinator position open in PwC now, you get to manage the quite extensive partnership the firm has with AIESEC Intenational. Did i hear you say dream job??? Tell me about it!!!!

Well...here goes nothing. I am going to push the send button now. Norica! Check your email now!

ICX SALES CRUISE

I had a kick ass sales session on the ICX Cruise yesterday! 16 wonderful people from all around the national network. And i didnt realize it was a luxury cruise! Well....i havent been on many of this kind of things before and we DID get a glass of champagne with breakfast. hehehehe.

There's a whole story there with the ICX Cruise but i am waiting for Ann-Christine Arnesson to send me the pictures so i can tell a good yarn! There was drama from the very beginning at 0700. Watch this space for more details.

My team are off now on yet ANOTHER cruise to Helsinki and this time for 2 nights! We leave in the next couple of hours, sail all night and arrive Finland tomorrow morning. Spend the day in Helsinki and catch the boat again in the evening and get to Stockholm on Wednesday morning. Pretty cool ehn? And we have Amit to thank for this! He got us free tickets!

Watch out for the pics!

Espanol in African Context!

In making my last post about Maria, I realized that there are so many people who in the last 11 months have meant so much to me. They have touched me in different ways and made an impact on me.
This was driven home again by an email I received from an individual who i have known for barely four months and spent 10 days with in person. I am talking about Ana Gabriela Perez!

Gaby as she is more commonly known is from Guatemala and has for the last two years been MCP of AIESEC in Guatemala. My personal Odyssey with her started at IPM in the Netherlands on the bean bags. (anyone from IPM in the Netherlands remember those beanbags in the ABN Amro Lounge?)

I didnt get to know Gaby as well i would have liked, but the little she allowed me to know....I would like an opportunity to know more! One of the things that struck me most about Gaby was her passion. For AIESEC, for her friends and as i have been in contact with her over email and phone...her family!

Her passion is so typical of the Latino black haired beauties you read about. Hot Fiery and can consume you if you are not careful! Reminds me of the 'drama' you get with your home grown African Queen!

Ana Gabriela Perez, thank you for the email you sent to me. And for the 'gift' you sent to me immediately after IPM. Most especially, thank you for helping to believe in myself that much more...when i think of the 'gift' you sent to me...It makes me think that I can DO ANYTHING!

Becasue of you...I have actually started considering the South American continent as a destination.

Here is to YOU and to ME and to our friendship... and all the promise that tomorrow might bring!

Happy Birthday Maria Klockar Johansson

I am swamped with work here in the office but I just have to take time out and pay tribute to my friend, colleague, teammate and flatmate for the last 11 months. Maria Gotzamani!!!

Maria is one of the sweetest, cutest most adorable people i have ever met. Like i used to tell people...she couldnt be mean if her life depended on it! A good deal of my life in the last 11 months has been interwoven around AIESEC and Maria seems to stand out in that circle of AIESEC. Some REALLY memorable experiences have Maria and I (and Amit) shared together!

Amit and I woke Maria up this morning with breakfast in bed and singing Happy Birthday in Swedish. I think she was happy and pleased with that! I now share some aspects of Maria Gotzamani with you...

Moving apartment in October...we had to rent a van and as Maria was the only one of us three who had a Swedish driver's permit, she had to do the driving while Amit and I read (or tried to read) the map. Boy did we get lost!

Working in the office...Maria is the one of the most detailed people i know. There is a template for everything and if it can be given a stucture...Maria will get that structure. You might be tempted to think she is a stereotype blonde...but when she uses force of arguement and analytical thinking to stump you...You are well and truly stumped!

Sharing an apartment with Maria...My Swedish cuisine lessons have definitely been enrichened by living with Maria. Always something new to try out and going shopping with her, i ALWAYS save some money for sure! And does she bring the structure and organization with her into the house??? You bet she does! The house is always spick and span and not becasue she cleans it all herself but because, she kicks mine and the Indian's asses to make sure it is so! Who would imagine that someone so slight would be able to bully 2 grown men!

Spending Easter with her family....Maria was kind enough to invite me to her parent's house in the country and what a wonderful experience it was. Not every Swede is like the Stockholmer's then are they? I could almost believe that Gothenburg was the front side of Sweden (but more on this later)
I met some wonderful people, Maria's parents brother, sister and her dog! Her cousins, her neighbours, roasted sausages over an open fire, searched for Easter eggs in the woods, and took long walks in the beautiful woods. That weekend defintely went too fast!

MARIA, as you turn a year older today...I wish you the very best in life and know that no matter where our steps take us in this small world, you have a friend who is willing to answer your call no matter what!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
PS
Main Picture is of me and Maria in February when she and my 2 other teammates threw a birthday party for me. And some other random pics of me and Gotza!!!

Valborg, Ayda and Chelsea

What a Weekend!

As if winning back to back Premiership titles arent enough...i was in Uppsala town to celebrate the official first day of Spring and what a Valborg celebration it turned out to be!!!

In the preparation email from AIESEC in Uppsala they had warned that mobile phones might not work as there would be too many in town! I thought it was a joke. But true true, i got the "Network Busy" answer quite a number of times when i tried to use my phone and what a day it was.

Lunch on a nice hilly slope with the sometimes fierce wind blowing dry leaves into our faces was accompanied already by alcohol consumption. Schnapps, Beer, White wine and Cider all combined to give a nice fuzzy feeling by 12 noon! And when i found myself 'watering' the bushes in full view of the whole gathered assembly with narry a blush...I knew i was well on the way.

The Champagne gallop was a study in "How to make perfectly normal Swedes who usually dont express emotion in public go berserk" hehehehe Crazy crazy people, spraying champagne all over themselves, getting nackered and passing out, making out...Oh Man!! Crazy Crazy FUN! Here I post a pic of Amit and I hoisting the girls (Emma and Maria) just to prove we could.

Ayda Moayezadeh was also there for Valborg and her presence in Stockholm as well in Valborg was defintely a highlight for me for this weekend. In this weekend, i have learnt more about the Persian culture and way of life than i would have if i had studied it for 3 months. Thank You very Ayda! And here is hoping this is the beginning of a special friendship. Mwah!

And the party is still going on with our winning of the title with 2 games to spare! Jose Mourinho, you are THE MAN!!!! Dont let anyone tell you different

eL
PS
For complete pics of Valborg please click here http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ladajay/album?.dir=/e4d1re2