My Third International Conference Experience

When I first joined AIESEC in 2004, I’ve always imagined if I can ever attend an AIESEC international conference…

My dream finally came through again when I have the opportunity to attend APXLDS 2007 in India after my first APXLDS in Philippines in 2006. I felt really proud representing the country together with 4 other delegates from Malaysia in the conference. APXLDS for me was quite an intensive experience because never before I was given an opportunity to think so deeply about my values, putting them on paper and thinking about them, discussing them with all the amazing people at the conference. Never before did I think about my vision concerning my personal and professional life. Never before did I think I would be able to make a positive impact in the society I’m living in today and never before did I think I will be developing strategies for AIESEC in Malaysia.

Thanks to this conference, I’ve discovered simply what I'm going to do next year, I changed my mind and from those thoughts I could built up a carrier vision from myself. I consider that a great result of APXLDS. It planted the seeds in me that I really needed.

I'm so glad to be at APXLDS again. Meeting back some old friends was really great. The conference made me realized how much we can do for this organization to create the impact. I've also realized that there are still a lot to learn and to contribute. I'm truly inspired by each and every individual at the conference. If you ask me what I get out of the conference, I would say “INSPIRATION”. Inspiration that I believe I will make a difference for myself and the people around me.

If you ever get a chance to go to an international conference, do it. Do your best to get there. It will be an awesome experience. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out who you are, seek to determine who you want to be.

APXLDS (Part 2)

There were 6 of us attended APXLDS 2007. Suat May, Sook Theng and Nick were in the LDS track and Daryl and me attended the XPRO track. Basically XPRO was very intense and intellectual basis. On the first day, we had a session to understand our self as a person and leader. Like our strengths and weaknesses. After we understand about our self, we need to understand the trend of the organization from the past until the present. For the other days we had sessions on the IPM 07 output, global strategies and the focus area. Basically we have to challenge the 'bring back' and discuss on few possible implementations and strategies base on the country's needs and capacity. XPRO gave us the opportunity to exchange our ideas and thoughts. Everyday, we will have country meet with different countries, whether it's over lunch/dinner or during party time. Country meet is for both country to exchange needs/offers and to discuss possible partnership between both countries.

After the tough day, we have parties at night. For example, AP Night (Nick is the Miss AP! Malaysia first time wining the title!!), Indian Night (got to understand the Indian culture..it's FUN!) and other random parties.

I'm so glad to be at APXLDS. Meeting back some old friends were great. The conference made me realized how much we can do for this organization to create the impact. I've also realized like there are still a lot to learnt and to contribute. I'm truly inspired by each and everyone at the conference. With the motivation, passion and commitment that each and everyone have, I'm sure AP GN will move to a greater height. Thank you APXLDS 2007!

My Second APXLDS (Part 1)

Time flies, I can still remember my first APXLDS experience. It's truly memorable.

Two weeks ago, I went to Hyderabad in India for my second APXLDS. The moment I stepped out from the airport, I was shocked. Was shocked to know the way people in India drive. It's completely different compared to Malaysia. It's dangerous and they honk a lot on the road is very noisy. It's scary and mental challenging. We checked-in to the hotel at about 2.00am. The next morning, our dear friend, Shivani came to the hotel and take us out for a tour. First, he brought us to Chutney's for breakfast. They served fantastic vegetarian breakfast. According to Shivani, Indians usually take vegetarian food for breakfast. After the breakfast, we went to a Buddha temple which is about 30 minutes drive from Chutney's. It's on another side of the town. Situated in the middle of the housing area. That's why we got to see another side of Hyderabad, the more peaceful side.

After the temple, we dropped by at Shivani's uncle house to chill before we move on to the next stop, Salar Jung Museum. Salar Jung Museum is the third largest museum in India housing the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. It is well known throughout India for its prized collections belonging to different civilizations dating back to the 1st century. The museum is big and we spent about 2 hours in the museum (we seen only half of it). After walking for 2 hours, we were quite tired and hungry. Before we get to have our dinner, we have to visit someone special and she is Shivani's mother! She's so kind and a loving mother.

We had our dinner at this place called Paradise. They served the TRUE INDIAN briyani's rice. YUMMY! The food in India are not expensive. With RM 10, you can have a good meal. After a good dinner, Shivani brough us to the Hussain Sagar lake. The lake is about 24 kilometres built on a tributary of the River Musi. There is a large monolithic statue of the Lord Buddha in the middle of the lake.

We had a great day with Shivani. He's a great host! Thank you so much my dear friend.

To be continue...

Life in AIESEC (Part 1)

Five minutes ago, I was browsing through my folders of pictures and I noticed that I've taken so much pictures. Pictures of my journey in AIESEC. I first heard about this organization was from my cousin brother. He was an alumnus of AIESEC in UKM long long time ago. Then I heard about"AIESEC" again from my good friend, Kitti. She told me that in UM, there's this cool organization and she asked me to find out if they have in UKM. Few days later, as I was walking alone to Bangunan Pusanika, suddenly there was this guy came to me and gave me a piece of paper. I dropped it inside my bag without reading it. Few hours later, as soon as I reached home, I saw my cousin brother again and he ask me if I've join AIESEC and then I realised that I actually saw that name somewhere before..but where? Well, it was the small piece of paper that the guy gave to me..it was a recruitment flyer...

Without knowing much about AIESEC, I went straight to the AIESEC room the next day to sign up as member. I went into the AIESEC room, each and everyone of them speaks English and I thought it must be some kind of English or drama club. Then I saw some posters of some countries and an article about some exchange program. I've always wanted to go on a student exchange program since high school. Since then, I slowly get involved in AIESEC. I attended the "general training" a few times and suddenly on this one fine night, I was selected as the "square dance mistress" by the members of AIESEC UKM and I was like..WHAT'S THAT? And then the seniors told me that I have to choreograph a 3 minutes dance..there you go..my first responsibility given in AIESEC..At that point of time, I found the organization very interesting. Probably because I have nothing else better to do in university :) I got to meet a lot of people from different faculty. Through AIESEC, I got to know a few people whom are now my very good friends today..namely Aw Yong, Thivina, Schvonne, Jian Hong, Ariff, Yoke Yen..and of course it will be more along the way..

After NLDS, I was very lucky. I was given an opportunity by a senior of mine, Yoke Yen (now my teammate) to be the Publicity & Communications Director of EYLN 2005. It was a great experience to be working with her, jian hong, pei ping, ee leen..list goes on. EYLN has offered me great learning experiences. I get to meet and work with people from the General Electric. I've learnt so much from these people. Yoke Yen, thank you for believing in me. That's my 1st year in AIESEC (tearing now). Great friendship were born. Great experiences I had. One great year that I'll never forget.

To the Neverlanders,

Thank you for the good time. The pillow talk. The photo shoot in my room (*wink). The cooking sessions. The make-up sessions. The gossip sessions. Remember before I reach home, we always guess if "Maharani" is sleeping in the room? Remember we tried to wake "Maharani" up with the chicken rice? Gosh..so much of sweet memories I had with you guys...I miss those days..

"Friendship is ike a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will last forever."

NLDS in UTM

Schvonne's birthday

You guys are my shinning stars. Without all of you, I won't be who I am today. I love you all...Want to know more about my life in AIESEC? Wait for Part 2!

A great journey - NLDS 2006

When was the last time I wrote something in my blog? Well, that's because I was very, extremely busy last week. We just came back from the 26th AIESEC Malaysia National Leadership Development Seminar in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. More than 500 young people from all over the country attended this conference. We also had our guests all the way from Australia! (thanks Alex for making your way here! Is really glad to see you again after some time!) It was really great to see all the delegates enjoying themselves during the conference. A big thank you to the facilitators for making NLDS a blast!

MCs..(Anisha, Yokey, Sandy, Chungs, Chee Kek, Sri) **HUGSSSS**.. Remember before the conference we said.." This is our time to shine, is our conference and we'll make it the best ever" I think we make it! It was a phenomenal conference ever I had! I really enjoy working with all of you. Despite the ups and downs, I have no regret because I have the best team ever! Thank you for the good time..

Now, I'm listening to the song, "Sunshine After The Rain" and "At the Beginning" and yess...I'm sort of tearing! (in office alone now) At the beginning we faced a lot of ups and downs, worried about this and that but finally, we saw the sunshine after the rain and one thing that will never change is our friendship.

The beginning of December.
We had it all planned out,
A journey to remember.
So there it was - NLDS 2006

The best conference ever!

Alicia, thank you so much for being there for me. (sob sob). Did I tell you that I'm sick of this and things that I had to go through? Anyways, I appreciate what you've done for me (wink wink)

UBS Award is here again!

Just started somewhere few days ago. We resolve to do something. To win the UBS Award AGAIN. Anisha took out the map, we make our preparations, and then start traveling the right road together as a team. When facing any problems that stand in our way. We did something to resolve them. We trust our instincts and the team. We sow seeds of fear, doubt, panic but we never give up! We were working courageously for over 25 hours, no proper sleep; no proper meal; no proper bath, just to prove in what we believe. We slowly start making progress towards our goal, painting the map with newfound confidence. Joy of a lifetime is the success ones make of life. After so many hours of struggle, we finally submitted our ‘piece of art’ to Mairi at 9.19pm. We might be going to face a little problem now but we were still so happy and glad that we have completed the map. Sacrifices pay off.

Success is not necessarily reaching the goal but reaching the maximum possibilities in light of the opportunities that come in the way. To keep our values on target remember to live so that when we leave, we will have pride behind us and hope ahead of us. Success is not just about winning only but to be willing to try on the possibilities of every opportunity and to be able to create the legacy. We’ve just created our very own legacy. I love you all.

APXLDS 2006

Mabuhay!
The Malaysians are now in Bohol Tropics Resort for APXLDS 2006!!
Landed in Clark airport around 11.30am on Tuesday.
Came out from the arrival hall.Went to buy a Simcard to call the OCs. The place look very 'ulu'. It's so hot here! The OC told us to take the bus from Clark airport to Makati city (300pesos) which will takes up around 2hrs! Then when we reach a place called SM Megamall..have to take a cab to the Cebu Pacific Air domestic airport...which is around 30mins away from the Megamall by cab. We reached the domestic airport around 3.30pm..went to the ticketing counter...waited a while for my turn..I told the girl about the incident and ask if there's any flight to Cebu. She told the earliest is 5.00pm and we have to pay another 1000Pesos for that! NO choice..we paid and took the flight to Cebu. Reach there around 6.20pm..then we head to the information counter to ask for direction to the ferry terminal.
Unfortunately, the last ferry for the day is 6.40pm so..there's no way we can make it for the ferry coz the terminal is kind of far, takes around 20mins by cab. While on the plane from Manila - Cebu, we met this young guy, in his early 30s.He told us about CEBU (DOs and DON'Ts).Very nice of him. He helped us to ask around, got us cab to take us to the hotel.
Then i called the OCs again to check if there's any OCs in Cebu..and THANK GOD!..there's Jason with a group of delegates from HK. They were late too! Then we took the cab to the hotel. Met up with the HK delegates, we went to the opposite restaurant for dinner..then Jason brought us to walk around (REALLY WALK). The place is kind of quiet and dark. Then Jason suggested to hit the clubs ..took a cab there..here everything is CAB or WALK or JEEP. We left the club around 12am.

Then..head to bed...woke up at 5am in the next morning.. took cab to the ferry terminal..took the earliest ferry which is 6.30am..reach Bohol at 8.30am...NOW FINALLY I'M HERE!!! in the Hotel..phew!
When I was on the way to the ferry terminal...I pass by the really poor housing estate..people there bathe at the roadside...so sad..
I'm very tired and sleepy now..body all aching. I think I have to stop here..need to rest..Good night..