Happy Birthday!!

There are some things in life that you will never forget. And my 'AIESEC life' is clearly on that list.

Someone once said that to understand AIESEC you have to experience it.. and I couldnt agree more!

What other way can you explain to other people how much you've learned, how much you've developed as an individual, how much you've grown both personally and professionally just by being part of it?

How else can you explain all the good friends you have around the world; that working non stop for 2 days preparing for a meeting isnt something that difficult, especially if you know the success of it depends on you and your team?

And about trying to explain the role calls, the first tears over "the Big Picture Session" and the strong belief that, together, we can create a better world?

How can you explain the emotions behind talking in front of plenaries with more than 400 people, the Global Villages, the Nutella Nights, the meetings with CEO's and Managers of top companies that you would never ever dream of meeting?

And how about explaining all about the annual planning sessions and the International Meeting overnight discussions about the impact you can create as an individual...

How to explain that "cold water" feeling when you get elected for the position you fought for? The emotions of winning you first "boat race" or "nordic highway"? The sleepless nights, the stolen kisses...

... Just try to explain the stamina that kept you going throughout 5 day long meetings, starting at 9 am and ending way past dinner time... Try to explain how you automatically connect to someone so quickly, when you find out both of you are AIESEC alumni? Or how you feel that you can really change the world and that its your role to contribute positively towards the future of humankind at the 17. Moreover, that the feeling is still there for all those years yet to come??!!

I look back and I cant.
Its just impossible to describe it as real as it is. No pictures do it justice, no blogs, no websites bring it to life as it is.

AIESEC is not about words. Its about living it Its about the EXPERIENCE and taking the best of the opportunities that have been given to you, to me.

'Yesterday' I was just a new member attending a Motivation Seminar, without having the smallest idea of what was in front of me.
Today I wait for my 2nd trainee, who will join my department soon.

The cycle goes on, as it has been for 60 years. As it will for many more years to come. And I smile.

Happy Birthday AIESEC!

Vacuum Cleaner Update

On behalf of the Truth:
And because this is really bothering my conscience, I have to admit publically that, afterall, the 2nd vacuum cleaner had enough pieces to work.

A couple of days later, I arrived home just to realise that the box that was at the entrance of the pantry, waiting for better days in my life (aka mental strenght to be able to endure another trip to Carrefour in such a short period of time) was no longer there... Opening the pantry door I miraculously found the vacuum cleaner, completely put together, "looking" at my with his angelical presence. And fully functional.

See... Miracles do happen!!

Mais um desses pensamentos aleatorios que nao interessa nada a ninguem

A vida toma proporcoes diferentes quando, antes de nos apaixonarmos por alguem, passamos algum tempo online a pesquisar o que e que aparece se pusermos o seu nome no Google. Ou quando tentamos conhecer alguem melhor pelos comentarios que outros deixaram no seu profile do facebook ou afins.

Dantes havia o mirc ou o msn. Ou, melhor ainda aquele "chat program" (como e possivel eu nao me lembrar do nome?!) com a florzinha verde e o som que nunca me irei esquecer do "oh oh".

E antes disso havia a tao ultrapassada "carta de amor". Ai que emocao. Receber uma cartinha assim em papel perfurmado com resmas de after shave rasca (que quando se e jovem, so se consegue convencer os pais a comprar Brut ou semelhante, na Feira Nova).

Um dia ate recebi uma cassete com cancoes de amor e uma rosa (que pela distancia que percorreu, vinha sequinha da silva) e agora que penso nisso acho que nem liguei muito a coisa. faltava me a via romantica acho eu, ou estava apaixonada por outra pessoa, ja nem me lembro!
Mas, se fosse agora acho que me teria metido no aviao e ido la bater a porta. Tenho quase a certeza deveria ser uma daqueles casinhas branquinhas e azuis, tipicamente gregas, assim com uma vista maravilhosa para o mar... Estaria hoje a velejar pelo Mediterraneo, com um bronze invejavel, super magrinha e cheia de plasticas.

Mas enfim, quando se e nova, nao se pensam nestas coisas...