Idea that has united us in Romania

Want to share this video as it warms me up any time I miss my friends

EuroXpro 2009 delegates in Mangalia, Romania.

Change brings change

This post does not give a short overview at current things I am going through. It is just something that I am feeling right now and cannot keep it inside.

The only constant thing in life is change. Sounds so much familiar to me.

Recently I received a mail from my close friend with this note and I was not surprised. I got used to feel and see so many changes at my previous organization, so I am getting adjusted to changes in my life.

But the idea that lies behind this so called 'negative' expression is amazingly beautiful. Why negative? Generally, people are afraid of changes in their lives because it is something they have not tried before. Or because they are lazy. Or because they are not willing to discover something else that can be on their path. Or because of some other reasons. So, a hidden idea is that while we live we are the first responsible creatures for implementing our desires. Remember, there is a quote: Be afraid of your thoughts. They have a potential to come true. Therefore, while we dream about things that never happened to us before (that's why we dream :), we imagine different people next to us, colourful places we are in, pleasant smells and friendly atmosphere, etc, etc, etc. But when all this comes closer to you, and you can even touch your dream, or hear it, or see it, you start to dislike it. Because it is a signal to change your common way of life. It is new for you and you have never experienced it before. So, what will you choose? To walk your daily routine or to make a breakthrough?

The only constant thing in life is change. Wish you to have as many changes in your life as you want to.No matter what changes- good or not good ones.

... I do care of you and you are always in my thoughts.

Career test

Usually we try to start a career and work in an environment that enables us to fully realize our abilities and accomplish the goals. By doing the work that fits our abilities, we also tend to be happier.

So here I decided to take a quick look at my preferences in a working environment, and to be frank I was not surprised at all. I totally agreew with the results that can be found here:
http://www.dreamfoundation.eu/career-test/result/hash/8108-a9081e7292

If you are curious about your personality, try it: http://www.dreamfoundation.eu/career-test/page1/submit/yes

Don't let the life take the way you don't want to go

Times we live in are historical. They are challenging and daring. They are ours and only we define what way to choose. Only we can say if these ways are right or wrong. Nobody can judge you because you are walking in these shoes right now, it's you who are experiencing something, and forget about the judgements. They are created by lazy and boring people. By people who might have been afraid to realize their dreams, who might have been even afraid to dream...

I am back from another international AIESEC conference EuroXpro'09. It took place in Romania, firstly in Bucharest, where we had a splendid Global Village and an Official Opening Ceremony, and later on we moved to Mangalia, a small peaceful port-town next to the Black sea.

Two wonderful events that had brought so much attention from externals: from the Bucharest people and its guests, AIESECers, etc.

Leadership across cultures. Simple statement with a deep true meaning. An idea that has been alligned with delegates' values, beliefs and life activities. The conference that connected many bright personalities, and helped them grow professionally and personally.

Not long time ago I finally started to coach three bright individuals in my home Local Committee AIESEC Almaty. We were supposed to start working earlier but due to my long time sickness (which almost lasted up to three months) we had to wait for a while. Nevertheless, I was eager to see them, and they were counting days and hours to our first meeting. Let me introduce them to you- they are not fresh AIESECers but have joined our leadership organization in autumn 2008: Polina, Elina and Anara.

March 8, 2009 was our first meeting with Polina. This day is recognized in Kazakhstan ( as well as in CIS) as an International Women's Day. Moreover, on this special day I had my elections to AIESEC in Latvia for the year 2009-2010. I had decided to switch myself to something different on that day, and called up for a coaching meeting in ... the mountains! Sounds unusual for such case? Well, winter was almost and I thought I would've felt sad if I hadn't used this oppportunity to have an incredible time in the nature, and get to know my friend better, have great time and end enjoy life. So, right in the morning at 9 o'clocl we got on the bus and trusted the driver. Inspiration had been already grown in both of us, and we were smiling to the whitest trees behind the bus's windows...

I will never forget my first feelings towards my coachee, thoughts I have been going through, stories we have shared with each other, and the feeling of unity, of being as one common cell within one body. I guess it happens very seldom when you can experience something similar and even more. I am sure it doesn' t happen to random people with random feelings. It may not even happen when you know a person for a hundred of years. It doesn't happen until you feel you can trust this person and you know this person trusts you...

Polina has made that day unforgettable! I have even forgotten I was to have an interview and Questions and answers in the evening during my election proces!!! However, I have shared that with Polina later on. I have not discussed this topic with a lot of people, just let's say with key people who could help me in some points. As it may seem clear, feeling of unity and trust is very important for me, and time of friendship sometimes isn't a significant factor to share my soul with the surroundings. So, by the time I was to be home, Polina got to know about my next steps in AIESEC, as we were discussing this question with her a lot that day. She got surprised but also I remember her facial expressions when she heard this news. She started to be inquisitive, and I really like people asking questions. Right questions. Or even not right questions but questions that are either relevant or questions that bring benefits somehow. So, we discussed different points of view, shared some personal moments, our views on life, actions we wanna take in life and in AIESEC... I have talked to Polina the way I didn't talk to my close friends for a long time. The way I didn't talk to friends in general for the past several months. It happens in life when you get disappointed and feel exhausted from stupid actions you thought you would never seen from your friends. And then you don't trust them or anyone else around you. And it may take you days,months or even years to change your opinion. However, all people are different and you have no right to judge the book by its cover. Treat people the way you want to be treated- this is what my mother has always taught me. And I truly believe in this, and try following it. Of course, it is not easy, but I am trying. And this philosophy I had shared with my schol students. I have not taught them, I have shared, given examples, made them think about the world as one heart that evokes in different parts and climate zones...

So, in late afternoon we had come back home, completely tired but happy, energized, full of new ideas and feelings. We had come back home with planned actions for 1st week, till our next meeting. I had come home fresh, driven by snow and love.Love to people, love to nature, love to life.



...I am in love and always will be

Hunger

Getting crazy about the Twilight saga by S.Meyer these days. I have already read Twilight, New Moon, and am awaiting for Eclipse and Breaking Dawn to start.
... An author makes me live characters' emotions so lively and vividly that I can immediately cry, I can laugh like mad, and I cherish every moment I spend while living together with Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.

I got two other books I will read soon- Built to Last and Good to Great by Jim Callins.
I read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and Pippi Longstocking by A. Lindgren together with my 4 graders.
I am going to make soon a short drama based on some ancient Egypt/Rome/China/India (haven't chosen yet) times with my students- Human migration is our topic for the following 6 weeks. So I've a plenty of interesting activities to do ;)

Yes, getting hungry day by day ;)

2009 has come and it's right time to perform!!!

Ufff! Finally 2009 knocked on world's doors and finally I have a few minutes to refresh my long-awaited blog ;)
Well, it's only the first 2 weeks of 2009, but the world has already suffered, and it seems that people are not getting energized, are unhappy in a way, are gloomy... Which cannot upset themselves and a surrounding environment. Which whispers that the world, OR people, are incorrect in their thoughts, words, decisions, actions and characters... Which still gives me a hope A Dooms day isn't about to come :(
However, let's be more optimistic- the more gloomy you are, the more negative currents you see around. Or another way around- the more happier you are, the more world shines for you and your surrounding. I usually prefer not to blog about holistic problems or present world financial crisis, so I'll omit these topics in this post as well. Because you can always refer to them at popular news websites- I'm sure you've bookmarked them in your gmail account or so ;)

2009, Ox year, or simply- it is my year. Another 12 year cycle. Another life opportunity for Bulls to rock a house. Believe it or not, but I DO BELIEVE in these superstitious thins like years and their meanings, star signs and stuff. So most probably that's why I'm so eXcited about 2009 HOT PERFORMANCES I wanna do this year. One of them is already coming soon. Every day I fell in love with AIESEC life sip by sip, step by step, breath by breath. I miss my AIESEC friends, I miss AIESEC spirit when I'm away from people who make it so ( though I can myself do it :), I miss life. But then I ask- "How can you miss life if you are supposed to live,actually???" Obviously, answers then start booming my head, and I smile. I smile and I feel I'm back. I've returned my lifestyle, I've found myself, I'm stepping new life paths and wondering what other ways there are...

I have applied for MC AIESEC in Kazakhstan, and in a few weeks am having 2nd NatCo. I have a great bunch of people who have also applied, and I'm getiing happier and more excited every day by thinking what amazing people have applied for MC AIESEC in Kazakhstan for 2009-2010!!! People who want to live their life and let others be a part of it, and make others' lives much brighter and ful in terms of XP, in terms of professionalism and in terms of responsibility for their own actions. People, who marked their personalities in hearts of AIESEC Kazakhstan members.

* We gonna make NatCo 2009 happen*