Friday, July 23, 2004
PEDRO & RAJIV: the past and the future, the current PAI & the elected PAI, the farewell and welcoming speech, yet both of them are the leaders of this global organization called AIESEC, celebrating and rejoining the AIESEC members to continue on striving for what we stand for.
RELOCATE your DIRECTORS: We realize the interdependence of the different networks in AIESEC, represented by the different growth network directors being connected by one another...
Cook off lunch... eat all you can for just 5euros that includes a great variety of dishes prepared and cooked with all efforts by the members of AIESEC International team.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
AIESEC International Transition Party Weekend
A time for celebration & to continue on believing.... those were the phrases that Rajiv, President of AIESEC International, mentioned in his welcoming speech to everyone. It was indeed a time for two generation of leaders to celebrate success over the past years, yet celebrating the brighter future that lies ahead. Over 100 people coming from 20 countries just to celebrate this event, it was also a time to revitalize our belief to the organization & more importantly to the next generation of leaders that would be leading this truly global organization.
One night was not enough for us to capture great time for celebration, so we've actually started on a Friday night at a place they call the Beach. Summer time has started so with limited beaches around Netherlands, they create that island atmosphere with sands spread all over the place and really cozy couches to chill out on a great night.
The whole day of Saturday was a whole day of activity that started with a cook off lunch. AIESEC International has this practice of team dinner whereby we cook meals for everyone during weekdays. So at Saturday morning, the 36 members of AIESEC International started preparing meals for over 100 people so you could just imagine how process oriented we had to be for the meals to be served on time with utmost quality of taste of course. At 1pm, it was like a fiesta as we call it in the Philippines where different dishes were served to fulfill ones really hungry stomach. Just as how fiestas would be in the Philippines, you would have games in the afternoon. The participants had the chance to get to know their international team by going through different dares and if they were able to accomplish it they are given certain rewards. The dares were as simple as arm wrestling with one of the members, setting a target region in the network and making sure you hit that in the dark board, or just answering a private question about the presidents of AIESEC International. The rewards were more fun with connecting the directors with one another(like the twister game), cross dressing the one that loses the arm wrestling, or putting on creams on their bodies. The second more important part was of course the soccer game with teams being formed that were even considered to be long time AIESEC International alumni, yet still fit to play the ultimate game in Europe: soccer. It was almost finish with finals as the AIESEC International team of 2003/04 and 2004/05 face off in the final match..... until it started raining. Not surprising though considering it was a great weather all through out the day, but still cutting off some real excitement just as the final game was finished already.
It was indeed a very active day, but the night was much more alive as we celebrated at Locus Publicus, one of the well known bars to be serving the most variety of beers around the world. It was almost like a private party with over 100 people standing up and when the two PAIs(President of AIESEC International) stood up for the toast, it was a totally great moment of celebration of our past, present and future.
Two teams from different generations... two teams representing what has happened and what's yet to come... two teams bringing in different experiences within and outside AIESEC... yet we were binded that night with one belief for this organization. One team was moving on with life from AIESEC International, one team looking forward to be working with AIESEC International yet these two teams are walking towards one direction of changing more people as their lives has continuously changed from the time AIESEC was introduced. A night for celebration, a night for belief, and a lifelong experience........
One night was not enough for us to capture great time for celebration, so we've actually started on a Friday night at a place they call the Beach. Summer time has started so with limited beaches around Netherlands, they create that island atmosphere with sands spread all over the place and really cozy couches to chill out on a great night.
The whole day of Saturday was a whole day of activity that started with a cook off lunch. AIESEC International has this practice of team dinner whereby we cook meals for everyone during weekdays. So at Saturday morning, the 36 members of AIESEC International started preparing meals for over 100 people so you could just imagine how process oriented we had to be for the meals to be served on time with utmost quality of taste of course. At 1pm, it was like a fiesta as we call it in the Philippines where different dishes were served to fulfill ones really hungry stomach. Just as how fiestas would be in the Philippines, you would have games in the afternoon. The participants had the chance to get to know their international team by going through different dares and if they were able to accomplish it they are given certain rewards. The dares were as simple as arm wrestling with one of the members, setting a target region in the network and making sure you hit that in the dark board, or just answering a private question about the presidents of AIESEC International. The rewards were more fun with connecting the directors with one another(like the twister game), cross dressing the one that loses the arm wrestling, or putting on creams on their bodies. The second more important part was of course the soccer game with teams being formed that were even considered to be long time AIESEC International alumni, yet still fit to play the ultimate game in Europe: soccer. It was almost finish with finals as the AIESEC International team of 2003/04 and 2004/05 face off in the final match..... until it started raining. Not surprising though considering it was a great weather all through out the day, but still cutting off some real excitement just as the final game was finished already.
It was indeed a very active day, but the night was much more alive as we celebrated at Locus Publicus, one of the well known bars to be serving the most variety of beers around the world. It was almost like a private party with over 100 people standing up and when the two PAIs(President of AIESEC International) stood up for the toast, it was a totally great moment of celebration of our past, present and future.
Two teams from different generations... two teams representing what has happened and what's yet to come... two teams bringing in different experiences within and outside AIESEC... yet we were binded that night with one belief for this organization. One team was moving on with life from AIESEC International, one team looking forward to be working with AIESEC International yet these two teams are walking towards one direction of changing more people as their lives has continuously changed from the time AIESEC was introduced. A night for celebration, a night for belief, and a lifelong experience........
transition party at Locus Publicus with over 100 people celebrating with AIESEC International
my buddies from Amsterdam: Bong(Chong), Cibele & Rodrigo
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
GRONINGEN: Uptown North of Netherlands
Two years ago, I had a foreign classmate in one of my business management classes in DLSU. Since he was a foreigner, I somehow just didn't feel comfortale to strike a conversation with him even if in the seat plan he was just a seat away. Nevertheless, internet has some of its advantages so got to keep in touch with each other after he left the Philippines. I never thought that I would be one day going to Netherlands and seeing him once again. One month down the line in Netherlands, I was able to go down south of Netherlands which was Maastricht, and a week after that, I was able to visit the northern part of Netherlands, which is Groningen, which happened to be Ben’s lovely hometown. Groningen is also known for its universities, so great parties are well known on Friday and Saturday nights with many students. In such a small town as Groningen, it’s easy to know someone from that same town… at least that’s how I saw it as Ben & I were walking along the city and he just met up with about 4-5 people from the street, small world indeed. It’s a very small town, but very rich in cultural with most of its old architectures really well preserved and new buildings really blending in to the old architecture.
The Groningen bell tower... 330 STEPS to reach the top, but worth the time
After 330 steps up the tower, a very fulfilling view of the cityline and great weather on top of the tower with my friend Ben
the four buildings that become very busy from night til morning it looks like small buildings from outside but are actually interconnected with one another
Groningen cityline from the bell tower... nice and serene
My Dutch mom for the weekend at her wonderful garden
WINSUM: A small town in Groningen where my lovely host is from.... and for you to remember this town, simply say: win some, lose some...
Melissa: my first Surinam friend from Netherlands
Dutch dinner at a Chinese restaurant: a great and heartful dinner with Ben's family
Shopping street at 6pm apparently everybody disappears after 6pm.
one of the biggest academy in Groningen, Netherlands
MAASTRICHT: Downtown South of Netherlands
Maastricht is one of the cities in the south of Netherlands, which just happened to be my stop over to a much more beautiful view of the green scenery of Netherlands. From the Maastricht train station, takes a 40 minute bus ride to Julianastraat and another 20 minute walk to the planning site. Not to mention that on our way to the site the heavens were happy that we’ve arrived, and just started pouring with heavy rains. Indeed very worth it for AIESEC International’s planning to get out some creative juices for one year of hard work.
Luncheon celebrating a great weather....
Great food, great weather, with great company what more can I ask? I have with me Luis(Mexico) Helena(Brazil) Kshama(India)
Chilling out on a cold cold night.... My brother and sister from India, Vaibhav and Kshama... finally found my roots.... hehehe
Lets drink to that!
Warming up after a long day of planning, a great weather for bbq
Netherlands is too cold for a Canadian
One of my team mates, Brodie, wrapped with so much clothing, while for me this weather is just something I love . At least its not yet winter
The Hills are alive in Netherlands! This is one of the highest peaks already
Downtown Maastricht with Helena, my lovely roommate
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Everybody in Netherlands have been so sad and quiet after the Netherlands-Portugal soccer match except for this part of Netherlands where a bunch of Portuguese are celebrating their success over the Dutch team.
Celebrating a success for the Portuguese Team for winning the EuroCup Semifinals against Netherlands....
