Hello Mindy

IPM 2007 - AP Post Tour - Amzad singing Happy Birthday to Anisha after Nile Cruise on March 2, 2007

2007-03-05T23:30:00.000-08:00

Taxi Driver in Taipei

2006-12-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

If I'm not mistaken, I thought I've read a post in Brodie's blog about meeting with a taxi driver which turned out to be a really intelligent doctor with loads of experience or sth... (sorry that's a long post and the language is a bit difficult to understand... )

Anyway, I just want to say that I also have an interesting experience with taxi driver in Taipei! (and doesn't it look cool to post sth similar to ex-PAI? hahahahahaha)

OK, but surely you can expect that my experience would be not as high level as Brodie's. Actually the taxi driver I met... you could even call him a bastard, cos he beat his wife up. (OK now probably you would want to stop reading cos I'm just trying to copy Brodie to talk about taxi driver but I pick a terrible example... I would then tell you that cos this is my blog and my space to bla bla so I shouldn't really care whether you read or not...)

OK, back to the topic. Sphinx and I was taking this taxi at around 3am or sth at the street where the ex-MCP of @Taiwan Alan lived. There were two guys having a big fight and one of them is definitely drunk cos he's shouting loudly and he kept on smashing bottles onto the floor. We hopped on to the taxi and the taxi driver started to tell us off for watching them fighting on the pavement for such a long time (sphinx did!! I actually wanted to run....) Anyway the taxi drive kept on nagging us that it's really dangerous and what if they started to fight and dashed towards us and so on...

As he's talking (sometimes in mandarin sometimes in taiwanese), he started to change a topic abruptly and said "Hey miss I have a problem that I would like to share with you, would you mind listening to it and give me some suggestions?" We were like, wow, sure, would love to if we could help.
Then he started to say that his wife has left him for 5 months and moved to somewhere south in Taiwan. The reason was that he beat her up. He then said that he's very wrong in this but he was angry when he saw his wife being sent back to home by another man. He thought she had an affair. His wife explained that it was an annual dinner of the company and that man is just her colleague. He did not belive it so they fought with each other and he hit her.
He went on saying that he has a tough time to pay the installments for the newly bought house, driving taxi to earn money diligently, and also taking care of 4 children so he has great pressure. He knew that he's very wrong, and he talked with his priest and he regretted it very much. He thought his wife would come back because the children are here in Taipei, but recently he heard that his wife is going to open a store in the south of Taiwan and planned to live on her own there. He started to get nervous and he said other taxi drivers said that a mum of 4 children would not normally has an affair and would definiltey come back for the kids. But he's not sure, cos he found out that his eldest daughter (year 1 in university) is actually keeping in touch with her mum. She's not telling the father, so apparently she's not on the father's side and he could not count on her to find the mother. He now really did not know what to do and hence he asked Sphinx and me what we thought about that.
(at that time the taxi has already stopped in the destination but we're still talking) Sphinx and I said that he could first talk with his eldest daughter, but he should maintain this tone to his daughter as if he's talking to us, treating his daughter as an adult, asking her for suggestions on what to do, and sharing his feelings to the daughter. He seemed quite convinced and agreed that he definitely should not order his daughter to find her mother, but should really talk with her and convince her that he's really regretful and hope his daughter would help the family reunion.

Nobody really knows what would happen afterwards, but I feel quite emotional about this incident. The point is this taxi driver does not know how to handle relationships, does not know how to manage his family, he has a problem that he could not solved. He's so lost and desperate that he needs to talk it out in the middle of the night. He could turned to nobody, but two apparently naive and young girls (who forgot about danger and watched 2 drunk guys smashing bottles on the floor at 3am in the middle of Taipei) for advice. Talking to this regretful and helpless driver, I could offer nothing but some words of support and sympathy.

We all know that, there are endless pressure, misunderstanding, miscommunications, hardships in making ends meet, fights in family... several weeks ago in Hong Kong there are series of family violence and murder cases. They caught attention of media and society, but it has never been so impactful to me when I really talked to this taxi driver who was so lost and helpless in family relationships. Not sure if it makes sense, I hope there would be more education and more professional support on helping us in dealing with relationships, dealing with family. Math, English, Chinese, Science, History... are all important subjects in school, but why should not there be lessons on relationships, values, ethics, and love. I hope that we don’t just talk about relationship management as in a “customer” sense, as in a “business” sense, I hope we could talk about it in a family sense, in a personal sense.

I hope the taxi driver will be fine.

Why does it take so long?

2006-12-22T08:37:00.000-08:00

I was talking with Ren Chang about the many stuffs that take such a long and painful process for AIESEC Hong Kong to get to while in most places like AIESEC Malaysia they are in place long ago... I found it quite interesting to list them out...haha (Don't get me wrong for grumbling, please look at the positive side that AIESEC Hong Kong is improving ourselves! Yeah!)

Things that happened
1. MC team selection (by selection board incl. MCPe)
2. Full Time MC
3. More than 1 MCP candidate

Things that will definitely happen at the end of the term
4. Double Term LCP (LCVP with 2 years @XP, LCEB size of around 5-6, team members working under LCVPs etc)
5. Incorporation (legalizing AIESEC)

Things that are still yet to happen
6. PBoX (or issue-based exchanges)

Well these are basics stuffs... yea so I like the basics. Thinking through... although it takes so long (okay, just counting from when I joined @ in 2002, it takes 4-5 years, but definitely some of the stuffs above are in place in other countries before 2002) it's really great to be part of this change process, altering something that seems to be unchangeable and deep-rooted, something that I really didn't like, but have always been there since I enter AIESEC. I would have never imagined these could happen a coupld of years ago. ha.. I think I will never forget this experience. =) And thank you for being part of this experience with me.

Thank you ^o^

2006-11-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

Intern

2006-11-01T23:01:00.000-08:00

Being an Intern... a stage that every AIESECer will go through. Yet, how to be a good intern, a good AIESEC intern, seems to be a very hard subject. At least, I know that we cannot go into aiesec.net and search for a good AIESEC University document to tell you about how to be a good intern. And if you go to ask an exchanger, probably they'll only tell you to do a good job in the company and help them do re-raising. If you go to ask a PD person, they would probably ask you to join teams. What does that actually mean?

If we think back to the origin of Core work Re-design and then the AIESEC experience, it comes by two big concept: "Unification of members and trainees" + "Structured Learning Process". And everyone who has been an exchanger before will understand how a "good intern" will make a difference. As we believe AIESECer can make a good intern, therefore we advocate this concept of "unification of members and trainees".

Many people have asked me before: is an non-AIESECer definitely not a good intern? Is an AIESECer definitely a good intern?

The question is how do we define "good".
good intern = one who does not require any reception?
good intern = one who makes the company very happy?

In this NLDS, I finally have a better answer for myself. Not necessarily a final answer, but an answer good enough for me to strive for to become a good intern.

A good intern is one who will leave a great impact to the local members.

In NLDS leadership track, we have 2 very good interns as our facilitators - Egle and Ren Chang.

The commitment they have put into the conference is higher than many people. When we talk about @HK's reality, how to make @HK better, we can sense our same passion, seeing things through same paradigm, same mindset, striving for same goal.

Throughout the whole conference, they always have in their mind on how to make @HK better. Say LC structure, they always have that in the context, therefore even in non-AIESEC session, like Time management, or other free time, Egle and Ren Change could just easily link those sessions into the context of @HK, and using the session content to give very relevant advice to all the delegates. That makes individual session much more powerful.

And most important thing is that as they are interns, they could provide a more objective and external perspective on issues. It's opening up ourselves in new paradigm, and to the delegates, it's definitely more convincing than the MC talk talk talk... haha.

And Jacso and I keep on saying that in NLDS we have suddenly more MC members haha. Definitely we felt that Ren Chang is our extra MC teammates. And Yali and Egle definitely MC CEEDers.

I'm easily impacted by non-HK @ers who are so deeply cared about @HK. Few years ago like Chien, I would never forget what he told me. Now like Ren Chang and Egle. The reason why I'm deeply impacted by them, and got touched easily, is probably throughout my @XP in @HK, I always see HK ppl who don't put priority in making OUR own organization better. There are always OUR own ppl who simply don't care about OURselves. Sometimes it's even more ridiculous that they could loudly say they just don't think they should care about it. [This might be stemming from a mindset that Ah Wai and Yali just talked with us earlier, could elaborate on that later on]

Anyway, in this conference, I am definitely greatly inspired by our lovely interns. When I'm moving to the exchange stage, I really want to be an intern in a AIESEC environment with relatively lower capacity, and I could contribute the most and share what we have in @HK for AIESEC in another country. I could pay it forward - what Egle and Ren Chang have done to @HK. I hope there would be another country which can feel the strong support of an intern as if "having an extra MC teammate/ CEED".

I believe this is the true impact of exchange after leadership experience, the impact of unification of trainees and members, the impact of AIESEC experience.

Egle and Ren Chang, Thanks for inspiring me to become a better intern myself in the future. Thanks for letting me realize what's the true impact of an intern.

Congratulations Message from Ryan for UBS Award Celebration

2006-10-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Oh my god

2006-10-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Just before the conference, I got 2 emails: one video and one powerpoint which makes me really grateful and excited.
Thank you so much. Your support to us is just amazing.
>3<

Sex Bomb - Amzad, Gary and Ryan

2006-10-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's My Life - Amzad, Gary and Ryan

2006-10-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

More about Country Visit by Ryan

2006-10-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Quick things happening today... Oct 18
The fastest company meeting ever had in CBRE - probably 15 -20 mins - with a deal striked =)
On the way to the next meeting, accidentally Director reminded me that today's my brother's birthday (I forgot)
Fruitful UBS meeting, in the tallest building in Hong Kong - and it's the highest floor that our Director has had a company meeting ever in life
Special lunch in McDonalds dedicated to the King of Junk Food
Meeting with members in PolyU, I heard the stories for the second time, still impactful, and I think today's meeting was even slightly better than yesterday's.
Dinner with LCP, heard the story for the third time, but, impactful!!!!! (with more details) haha I really like the story.
Meeting with LCEBs, good one!
Quote of Today:
If the @XP that we've been through is not good enough, we need to make that better for our new members.
So true~~~ speak to my heart again. I so much want to change the so-called "tradition" in my home LC. I so much want a cool, exciting and HAPPY and FUN @XP happening in my home LC. Hardly know anyone from my home LC will describe that their @XP is HAPPY and FUN.

Another quote of Today:
EBs are not for execution, but provider of opportunities, facilitator of the platform that we promised. If we select our members, we need to trust that and let the members take the opportunities we promised.
LC Structure LC Structure LC Structure....!!!!

I'm starting to just call Ryan "Director", cos I'm exactly doing the job as his Personal Assistant, scheduling meetings for him, reminding him of the time, briefing him what's the next meeting about and points to cover... haha, love this task.

I got it

2006-10-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

Back in blog. yay!

Today I picked up Ryan in the airport early in the morning. It's really good to see Ryan here in Hong Kong, and I must repeat 10 times that we're lucky to have him here as his 4th country visit! 4th Country - meaning that he's warmed up, but he's not exhausted yet. =)

The past 2 weeks was definitely a period of "trough" for me. Some said "Depression is anger turned inward." Probably that's what happening. Tired, stressed, sick... and depressed.

I hope Ryan won't mind me sharing what he said in the meeting with all the LC members in HKBU. Yes, the first "formal" meeting that Ryan had, was a meeting with the newly recruited LC members!!! Fantastic!!!

I don't know how many @ers will experience that once a while, in their @ life, somehow. For sure, you won't want to share with everyone about your not-so-good experience in @ sometime. While I was trying hard not to express it, What happened? I alienated myself. And it got worse. Bursting out to somebody, that did not help as well.

Observing what's going wrong with me: I've got completely numb about "inspirational talks of @ers", "fantastic moments in @", "incredible @ journey", "amazing learning experience in @", whatsoever. (esp. during my depressed moments). I could hardly remind myself of that feeling, that emotion, that little fire inside you, that drives you to work crazily, that influences ppl unconsciously, that spreads this passion around you. I once thought that I'm a dry machine running AIESEC work every day, being here just because it's time to be here, working because deadlines are coming, nothing more. Yup, these two weeks, were probably the most terrible moments I had in @. It's comparable to the moment when I almost left this organization back in 2003.

Reasons? Quite some. There was external plus internal influence anyway. It's a mixture.

But, today, I got that little fire re-buring. I got that feeling of "life" back to me, I know that I'm not a machine.

Thanks a lot, Ryan. Your sharing was really a good one.

A member asked Ryan about the thoughness of getting through so many elections and selections processes in AIESEC.

So Ryan talked about how stressful it was, in his election and selection process to AI.

Context number 1: He was the second last candidate to have interview after 14 candidates. It's really stressful for him, cos the selection board might have been tired of having interviews, or, what if, the board has already chosen some candidate as a Director.

Context number 2: To handle this stressful process, he used a tactic taught by somebody who had applied for AI before - remember the moment when you clicked "send" in handing in the application. Remember the moment - how much you wanted this position.

Context number 3: So all the way when he's stepping into the interview room, he's thinking about this moment - which is why he applied for AIESEC International.

Main Content: The reason why he applied for AI - throughout all the years in AIESEC he has been working in very low capacity environment, and he needs to make things happen. When he was the newly selected ICX Director in AIESEC in Waikato, he was talking to an alumnus from Waikato. The alumnus asked what position he's doing. Ryan replied him. And the alumnus went like laughing and said "Good luck to you but there could not be TNs in Waikato" (or sth like that) This infuriated Ryan's determination to make that happen. And that's what he meant with low capacity environment, and you need to make things happen. To him, he could make it, so he's convinced that in @, nothing is impossible. And it is his passion of contributing that experience of making things happening in low capacity environment, that makes him run for AI.

Back to myself.
I've been there in New Zealand in a short period of time, and I have a rough idea of what it really means working there as a member. When I was in LC, I also worked in a low capacity environment. I understand that feeling. You don't know much about what's going on, you just know that you need to achieve your seemingly unrealistic goal, otherwise you cannot survive. No history of success, no current resources to back up, just some random good cases happening in other places, which you wish you could be in. You push yourself to work damn hard, using ineffective method, trying out everything possible, in a hopeless environment. And that's the point where you push the limits of yourself, and work out something unimaginable.

I got it. I got it back.

Motivation does not come from how successful we are now. Drive does not come from how amazing achievement we did, or we could do. The will power does not come from abundunt and increaseing capacity that we have.

Do not tell me how good you are. Do not repeat how amazing achievements you made. Do not preach how many people got here because of your success. I would definitely have been else where if it's perfect here in @ Hong Kong. I'm here because it's imperfect. I'm here because we're still struggling. I'm here because we want to Make Things Real.

Now, I really can feel myself, as a real person.

Wonderful Meeting

2006-09-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

That was a really good meeting with an alumni - Mr Thomas Yuen - the coach of Gary (Gary, now I realized how lucky you for the whole last year). I reckon that people who are coaches love to talk to people, love to hear about what others say. Yes, we had an two hour meeting, and I feel that most of the time I'm doing the talking (which is quite abnormal when you have meeting with senior people), and I felt so good about it. OK, I admit, I find satisfaction through non-stop talking about myself, my opinion, bla bla bla, esp. when people "seem" to be interested in what I'm talking about.

And how Thomas looked when he is reminiscing the days he had in Poland. He looked extremely satisfied, and he's so thankful to the great hospitality by a Polish family. He seemed a bit serious and told me: "Poland to me is a very special place, I could not forget it, but I have not been there for a long time. So, tell me, how is Poland now?" It's a tough question to be to just describe Poland in general, given the fact that I did not do any travelling around... but I talked a bit... and at least I could talk about the airport... ^^"" (Nadya said probably he had romance there... haha)
Anyway, he could really grasp what kind of person I am (maybe I'm too easy to understand) - he said - 你係一個感情的動物 (odd translation "You're an emotional animal"... anyway, nevermind the English part...) Anyway, just 2 hour talk, it seemed that I'm a good old friend of him. We talked from secondary school to AIESEC, from Poland to Latin America, from career choice to personality test, and for sure something about his company. YEAH, It's so great to meet him!!!

Learning Piano

2006-09-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm learning piano again. To me it's such a big thing that I need to announce it in a blog. On one hand that's to emphasize its importance to me, on the other hand to remind me to keep going, after given it up for more than 5 years. Yes, for more than 5 years my piano is just another piece of furniture or decoration in the sitting room. Today, my fingers are inflexible, my forearm muscle hurts, the notes that I play are uneven. Feels like handicapped, but I'm satisfied. I'm looking forward to the day when I can play well again. And music is just essential in my life.

Meeting another relative in the restuarant and encounter this "what are you doing now" type of question again. Makes me reflect on what I'm going to do next year. I'm just a bit torn that the things that I should be doing, or what people are expecting me to do, are not exactly leading to what I aspire to work for next year. (though what I aspire to work for changes like 3 times within 3 months probably) It's something that I'm interested, but not exactly something that I'm good at, or something that I should be working towards to... Anyway, I'm making things complicated, because I'm not determined enough. Should I just accept that I'm essentially a team worker and needs strong team environment and pressure? that I'm really not good as an independent worker? That answer would probably help me to sort out my confusions.

Will not think about that tomorrow

2006-09-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

I feel alright now after going to the HKUST recruitment talk. And talking with Stanley is really motivating. He's such a high potential talent and should really run for MC.
Mr Chan told me not to think about that again tomorrow, so, that means I have to think as much as possible tonight. So I decide to write it down, express it all, finish, and not to think about it tomorrow.
I have never imagined anyone cursing my family in my face. And worse till, it's not that she does not know my father. My father even treats her some lunches and talk with her nicely. I just could not believe any reasonable person could say something like that.
My father is not in Hong Kong and I miss him. And somebody saying this to me is just purely unforgivable. I told myself, maybe she does not mean it, maybe I misheard it, maybe, maybe... But anyway, just like Mr Chan said, no matter what, it is not right for her to say something like that.
I don't know how to deal and work with a person who cursed my father. It's just impossible.
Both Mr Chan and my mum said now I know this person, I should note that down as a "learning point", and beware of her. I will.

IC Flashback

2006-09-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Can't stop posting...

Something that I experienced. really really warm and funny. makes me smile now.

When you can stand the pressure no more, when you need the outlet, when you need to talk about your problem, when you can turn to nobody else except your fellow MCPs.

Thinking that...
well, you're already an MCP, so talking about MCPs' problems would not your motivation/ fantasy to run for MCP... you have no chance of returning! haha.

Thinking that...
well, we are both MCP, I don't need to impress you whatsoever, and it does not hurt me at all if you are not impressed by me... haha.

Thinking that...
well, we are in AIESEC long enough to know that everything can happen! No matter good or bad! If I'm telling you about my problem, you'd better start being grateful that you have a good country and you do not need to face it! OK?

Thinking that...
well, you seem quite kind and sympathetic in IPM... don't ya? So you'd not laugh at me right?

Thinking that...
Hey this is my only chance to meet you before February! So I'd care about nothing! I'll just say it ok?!
..............................................................

And when you talk about the biggest obstacle you have ever had in your @ career, the deepest stress you've ever had as a person, the most unacceptable concern you should have as an MCP, the absolute taboo that you'll avoid telling your teammates....

Everytime, You'll feel the total acceptance, embrace, empathy, support, encouragement, the warmest thing you can ever imagined, from your fellow MCPs...

"Mindy, thanks for telling me this, cos I now know that I'm not alone..."

"Mindy, this is exactly how I feel... and this is how I deal with it..."

"Mindy, we're experiencing exactly the same thing in two different countries..."

"Mindy, now I know that I'm not the only person questioning myself about this..."
................................................................

Even if we have not really talked deeply, a warm hug and a sincere "How are you" mean more than everything...
...............................................................

My heartfelt thanks to Amy, Anisha, Elie, Francois, Ralph, Eddie, Aine, Sharon, Sheana, Aron and Erica. You gave me strength to walk on. You showed me the way. You let me know that I'm not alone. I love you all.

Interdependence

2006-09-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Yay I'm updating my blog! The trigger is that I found out that there really ARE somebody out there reading my blog! So as not to disappoint them, here's an update! See, I'm such a "please other" type of people.

This is something that I should have posted earlier, say around Day 5 in the conference. The reason that I did not do so was that I did not really have the space to reflect and write down thoughts I had every night before I sleep. Why? Well, I'm not sure whether it's lucky or not, the condition of my room exactly met what I was hoping for before the conference - a strict sleeping room. Imagine entering your room at 1.00 am or sth and it's completely dark, with my two dear roomates sleeping - as if they have fallen asleep for more than 2 hours already. I'm usually the last person to enter my room. (Actually, It's really good for me, cos my number one goal in the conference is to STAY HEALTHY - given my bad track record - I was sick in both ICs that I've been to, and given the fact that this time I'm leading a delegation, and that I would be much more vulnerable to virus if I sleep little)

Anyway, enough for context setting. My subject here is interdependence of this organization. But, it's not about interdependence vs independence. Cos THE "indepedence" we're talking in AIESEC's context (as you can see in AIESEC dialogues) is about whether our agenda would be affected by non-members due to various benefitial relationship. Say if a student organization has a political agenda of pro-right wing, and is sponsored by a right wing political party, it is obviously not indepedent. (example debating topic like: Is AIESEC independent if our major sponsor is the Chairman of our advisor group?) If AIESEC is independent, our agenda should be strictly decided by our membership.

Back to interdependence. The reason that trigger my thought is the recent heated discussion among MCPs about issues like AIESEC as a freedom-centred organization, standardization - the "core of AIESEC".

I would not comment on the freedom-centred organization concept, as I must confess that despite a full one day sessions devoted on it by Worldblu, I still could not really grasp the concept.

Where does this concept - "the core of AIESEC" - come from?

But concerning the core of AIESEC, I guess we could think about the history and go back to where it stems from, which is not so long ago - in IC in India. The Core of AIESEC (and so-called standardization from some MCPs) actually is transformed (or re-named) from the Execution minimums of the strategic triangle. So, we should look at why we have Execution minimums. They are illustrated in the following statements (found in the strategic triangle on the groud ppt) - something that hit me really strongly last year in IC:

[About why we have the execution minimums of strategic triangle - @XP, Branding, CoE]

AI & my MC continue to tell me to implement but I do not know what does implementation of these concepts means?

How do I know that the implementation efforts of my LC are good enough?

All AIESECers from my LC who have gone abroad for an internship have different experiences & complain about the hosting LC not delivering what we promised the internship would be.

Why can’t every LC in the world offer some basic things as a common experience for everyone & save us this unnecessary trouble?

I'm sure that anyone who has been in the MC in the year around 2004, when we start to implement AIESEC XP, must have asked themselves or been asked the above questions. Yes, we have lots of confusions about AIESEC XP implementation, we have lots of doubts, and most importantly, we have confusions and doubts about "Does it make any sense if we implement but other countries do not implement" or "To what extent can I claim I have already implemented" It's not easy to be an MC by then when there is no clariy in the organization whatsoever about what we want and how much we want. Even my teammate in 04-05 MC term (Michelle) echoed that she envied the AIESECers in this era "I feel jealous of all of the delegates that they are in the era with such a high level of clarity in the organization."

So now we kind of understand why the core of AIESEC started. It's because we have changed our core work from exchange to AIESEC XP. In order to give clarity to every single LC member in the world, we need definite minimus. we could not just tell LC that "@XP = 5 stages, and now you can start to work on it". we need to draw a clear line where we distinguish "@XP implemented" and "@XP NOT implemented". And, we need the cooperation and commitment of every single LC around the world that we are on the same level of implementation. Why? because we are interdependent. No single LC can claim @XP has been fully implemented unless every other LC has implemented. Just as the example statement above: "All members from my LC who go abroad have different experiences and complaining about the hosting LC not delivering what we promised". If I send a member on exchange to an LC with no @XP implemented, then I fail to deliver @XP to my member, no matter how much I have done in my LC. Vice versa, if I receive an intern with no @XP/ leadership experience, I fail to deliver my promise to the company.

That is exactly why we are interdepedent and we need every LC in the world offer "some basic common things" - the minimums - the core of AIESEC.

Standardization - It does happen.

It is common that people start to become uncomfortable or panic when things are in the process of change. In the concept of the core of AIESEC, people start to feel that this organization is changing. "There is less freedom.", "We have less say", "These things are imposed on us", "OMG, AI is trying to standardize everything!" (as if "We have less power, as if we have less authority") Seems so, doesn't it?

However, when we look into the exchange in AIESEC, in a broader, liberal way, not as the very familiar exchange process that we have long before we entered AIESEC, we could have many questions: "Why do I need to raise before I match? Why cannot I first find a student and raise a form?", "Why is an internship only 2 - 18 months? Why cannot we have 30 months internship?", "Why do we have MT, TT, DT, and ET only? Why cannot we have AT, BT, or CT? (Architectural Traineeship? Agricultural Traineeship? Biological Traineeship? Communications Traineeship?)" "Why cannot the student contact the company directly? Just like the common online job searching database!", and the questions can go on and on.

We do not have these questions, because when we entered AIESEC, the whole exchange process has already been standardized, very strictly. And we would not question why it should be standardized, because as mentioned, it has already been implemented before we entered in AIESEC. Secondly, can we manage 5000 exchanges if the process is not standardized? Sometimes we are still frustrated at other LCs saying that "they are not providing a quality exchange and it disappointed my member!" (meaning that the hosting LC did not deliver what the sending LC has promised - which is usually sth said in the IXPQS). IXPQS, is the minimum, the core of AIESEC, in terms of exchange - which was at a time the core work of AIESEC.

So, we are freaking out and yelling "OMG, here comes the dark age of AIESEC, there is a trend of AI trying to standardize AIESEC! Where is our freedom?", and we're too ignorant to see that actually there is no trend whatsoever. This is the norm for the organization to standardize, as we always standardize our core work. When exchange is our core work, we standardize the exchange process, we have the IXPQS. When @XP is our core work, we also need to stardardize @XP. Why? Because we are interdepedent. To deliver the promise of AIESEC to our member cannot be solely done by one single LC, but every LC around the world.

Global decision making

Lastly, a small note about global decision making. I could not believe that in the year of 2006 there is still MCP trying to advocate "Let's not implement @XP and let's just do exchange". Hard to imagine right? You'd probably say that must be an alumnus who say this thing. I could only comment that maybe it's a wrong timing for him or her to be in AIESEC. Cos I believe that the generation we have here in AIESEC are the passionate ones who truly want to make AIESEC XP happens, and that's why they are here at this moment of history working relentlessly towards AIESEC 2010. Moreover, People, AIESEC XP went global in 2004. Our new identity with new core work statement was legislated in IC 2005. Things move fast. The world changes. Let's face it, ok?

Maybe I sound cynical here, but after the passing of the motion concerning brand, I just lost confidence in global decision making. In half a year's time, a complete "turn around". I could not believe a binding decision made in IPM can just be revoked so easily. Are we implying that the MCPs who passed this motion in IPM did not know what they are doing? They made a huge mistake in passing it? They thought they could transfer the brand ownership, and suddenly the smart MCPs this year found out that they could not? If it is true that the MCPs last year did not know that they could not transfer the brand ownership, and passed the motion wrongly, the only comment I could think of is that "I'm so sorry, but nobody should be responsible for the careless mistake that you made." We are not kids. We could not just go around and change our minds. Aren't we meant to be responsible for our decisions?

Prudence and Winnie

2006-05-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

To friends of hello mindy ^o^
I am fine, much better, after talking to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Plus, I read this, to cheer myself up. Now I'm smiling ^^
http://www.travelpod.com/cgi-bin/guest_login.pl?t=time_in_aiesec&u=amitcon&tweb_guest_password=&p=tpod
Try it when you're down. It works!!!
Love you....

Ukraine

2006-05-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ukraine, country in eastern Europe, and the second largest country in Europe after Russia. Ukraine is bordered on the west by Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary; on the southwest by Romania and Moldova; on the south by the Black Sea and Sea of Azov; on the east and northeast by Russia; and on the north by Belarus. The Crimean Autonomous Republic—encompassing the Crimean Peninsula, or Crimea, in the south—is included in Ukraine's borders. The capital and largest city is Kyiv. Much of Ukraine is a fertile plain suited for agriculture. Ukraine is rich in natural resources, and has a developed economy with significant agricultural and industrial sectors. The country has a democratic form of government headed by a president. From the 9th century AD northern Ukraine was part of Kyivan Rus, the first significant East Slavic state, which succumbed to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. Ukraine was for centuries thereafter under the rule of a succession of foreign powers, including Poland and the Russian Empire. In 1918 a Bolshevik (Communist) government was established in Ukraine, and in 1922 the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was one of the four founding republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Ukraine's declaration of independence, approved by a popular vote on December 1, 1991, was a major factor in the USSR's collapse later that month.
http://ukraine.uazone.net/article1.html

I am back

2006-04-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

In the past, I've never imagined I'd experience a "no-tear-cry". Sorry, bad English here. What I'm trying to say is 哭不出來. Oh come on, friends who know me recognize that I'm an absolutely "water-made" girl. If the first question is "Mindy cannot drop a tear?" Then the second question must be "Su ng su wa ah?" ("Are you sure?")
Well, yes! This is certainly not a thing to be proud of, cos I'm perfectly aware that I'm the kind of person that needs to air out my feelings, thanks to my dear mum reminding me all the time about how many ppl jump down from buildings because they keep all the things to themselves. and it annoys me when ppl think that I'm normal or fine. You see, if you break into tears, they will come over and ask you what happened. And if you don't, they will still show concern, but by avoiding to speak to you (cos I look awfully scary when I'm depressed? I don't know.)
The next thing you wanna know would probably be "Oh Mindy what makes you change your behaviour?" I would say, "my friends, because you're irrelevant..." Don't frown, what I mean is, my problem is irrelevant to you... does it sound better? I know it doesn't... okay, the gist is I cannot drop tears in front of a person if I knew he or she cannot draw connections to what I'm upset about. Or even if the person does not think that the problem IS a problem. And, as years go by, the common problems that ppl can associate with will not make me cry anymore, and the things that really bother me are so uncommon that my friends would not understand, or even, could not take my stand. It's sad, really really sad, when you find nobody's on your side. It's not that they don't want to, they just cannot feel the same way as I do. What could I say? Nobody should be blamed of.
Anyway, the fact that I can go to my xanga and type an entry means that I AM FINE. Truly, ever since my mum has removed that bad luck black dress from the closet she said we're gonna be fine. YES, I AM DAMN SURE. THINGS ARE GONNA BE FINE. (ACTUALLY THINGS HAVE BEEN TURNING OUT FINE ALREADY.)
They asked what's the thing that I treasure most in New Zealand. The first thing that came to my mind, are not all the valuable experiences and things that I learn, but, friendship. I was referring to my friendship to you... Yes, my heartfelt thanks to Amy and Jingwei. Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone. Thanks for reassuring me. Thanks for being there for me. Thanks for being the ppl that I can drop tears in front of. Thanks for everything. I love you.

The Samurai Game

2006-03-06T09:44:00.000-08:00

Bushido and Samurai used to be the keywords for me in history lesson back in secondary school. Yet, I have never developed a good feeling, not to say respect or whatsoever towards these two words. Maybe I'm too patriotic, I understand how Bushido and Samurai spirit were misued in the 2nd World War to provoke the Japanese in starting the whole brutal disaster. (I do not intend to offend any of my Japanese friends, but that's part of the "informal education" I inherited from movie and parents. Please feel free to correct me if my understanding is wrong) They uphold their integrity and loyalty to the Emperor to fight, or to end their lives easily if they could not complete their mission.
Well, that's why I was kinda skeptical when I came to this session called Samurai Game. Just out of some voice inside me, maybe coming from my "Chinese" identity, shouted that I DO NOT LIKE IT. Yet, as it went on, it turned out to be something more than blind loyalty or extremely integrity. It's really the thing that you maintained your integrity at ALL the time, no matter Big Brother is watching you or not. One example was that in the game, you could not laugh at all. A single laughter or smile sent you right to the tomb and you're out of the game. In fact, if you keep your smile to yourself, or your deny having laughed at all, nobody would know. But that's where true integrity comes in. You act not according to what other people think, but your VALUES and BELIEFS. Even you're the only one left in the whole world, if you do something that breach your core values, you take your own consequences.
Plus, there's this contest between life and death. It's all about wholeheartedly, keeping in mind every game is a life and death matter, and put all you have into the contest. If you think your opponent did better than you, you maintain your integrity and claim to lose automatically. It's really putting everything into what you do, treating it as a life and death matter, and yet, winning or losing with absolute integrity.
It's kinda weird, and might sound scary, but this is really reflecting some attitude or working style on how we handle things day by day. Are we treating every single task wholeheartedly, putting all our energy into it, as if it's a life and death matter? Are we maintaining absolute integrity in contest? Do we cheat in order to win? These are really simple, but thought-provoking questions...
I like the Samurai Game. I have my own stand in life (from the session My Stand). I felt like I've had stored something inside me, strong enough to drive my passion, keeping myself upright with dignity, and treating every single task wholeheartedly.

IPM Again

2006-02-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

Pictures in pinkymindy.xanga.com

IPM Updates to my beloved @ers in Hong Kong

2006-02-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

My Quick (but long-winding) IPM Updates - Day 0

1. AP Pre-meeting:
We had a one-day pre-meeting with all the MCPs and MCP elects in AP. We did the evaluations of AP GN strategy, (if you're interested I can talk to you more about that), and we had a fair on what every country is working on "theme-based" activities. (Basically it means issue-based learning/ exchange/ or learning network initiatives, but Chris said issue is kind of a negative word, so she preferred to use "theme-based") Coming out of that fair, we re-confirmed Entrepreneurship LN IG as our GN initiative. (as most of the countries are making sth out of that)

2. Dragon Boat Race in the APWENA Party
OK. I know WENA prefers it to be WENAP Party. But Still, I insist it to be APWENA Party =)
As AI generated 11,000 Euros by selling the Entrepreneurship initiative to the ASEF, AP and WENA had a party to celebrate this last night. Believe me or not, it's the most hilarious party I've ever been. Basically it's not a party. It's a game called "Dragon Boat Race". So apart from the traditional drinking contest as boat race, there's sth tmore. To add an AP flavour into it, they had this Dragon Boat Race. So the idea was like there were 4 people acting as the boat, and they need to carry 3 people above them. Then different teams raised to one point, where the 3 ppl landed and had the drinking contest. After that they had to ride on the 4 ppl again and raced back to the starting point. That was so hilarious. And they did not just win by being the fastest. They got marks on creativity, shape of boat, technical competence and stuffs like that... Kevin (MCP of Belgium), who is a non-smoker, took a cigarette and kept blowing it when he's on the boat. His reason was he wanted to imitate a dragon, and that's why he need to exhale smoke.... My goodness...

3. PAI Speeches
OK. I'm getting a bit emotional about that...
The PAI Speeches session was VERY IMPORTANT to the election for sure. Me as an MCP elect sitting in the pleanary... it's just totally a mixed feeling. For sure we went crazy in cheering, applauding, screaming for the candidates as they walked into the pleanary. Then we became absolute quiet when the candidates gave the speeches. Every one was so serious and attentive. I could feel the tension there: the candidates were nervous, and the pleanary was nervous. But imagine in the whole AIESEC career of the PAI candidates: Dey, Taco, and Peter, they have had thousands of public speeches before, they definitely have had speeches in front of double or triple size of the pleanary we had today in IPM, and, they were nervous! ... Can you feel it? the tension and seriousness?

Actually I almost had my tears running down when each one of them went up onto the stage. I dunno why... I'm just so amazed and touched by the fact of these incredible individuals running for the PAI. Their courage and commitment are just amazing. The pleanary was cheering, screaming, rocking for them, but this energy could not even count as 1% of everything they give to this organization...

About their speeches, I had taped the video, so you can enjoy it =)

PolyU EGM

2006-02-17T23:26:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to PolyU Session 2006 - 2007. It was really a high quality QnA, almost the best one i've ever attended (considering tons of EGMs since 2003 ^^) For sure, they are smart as an individual. You can really see that through their answers. Secondly, their organizational understanding exceeds my expectation as a new cabinet. I could say, some of them are even far better than some current EBs. Thirdly, the candidates are focused and responsive. Maybe it's because the QnA is short and precise. Candidates can perform their best out of their potential. All in all, this was a really motivating and high quality EGM, and by far my favourite =)

I'm gonna bring their EGM booklet everywhere with me ^^

Debate on LN... yet again

2006-01-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

I'm hanging around until late 3am, neglecting my super dizzy brain, risking my 7am commitment, in order to get a glimpse of our future AI leader's great thoughts and ideas to bring the organization forward. Surely it's motivating to scan all of them. Yet I could not help trigger another round of LN debate with my teammates.

It's not that they do not agree with me. It's only that I do not agree with the thoughts in the application. Particularly when I read one very fantastic PAI application forms, with great passion, fantastic ideas, reflective truths, succint points, nearly among the best. Then what? There is NO SINGLE WORD - Learning Network present in the form. This recognition was like a freezing current sweeping from my head to my toe. And what's more, there are strong focus on expansion strategy. Immediately, I could not help firing at my teammate (not that I'm angry with them, but just need to air out to them)

I still do not understand.

WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING 4000 PEOPLE STEPPING ONTO THE PLANE READY FOR THEIR FANTASTIC EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES IF THEY HAVE NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

HOW CAN WE GENERATE THE IMPACT OF AIESEC IF THERE ARE NO TYING OF EVERY MEMBER'S @ EXPERIENCE IF ALL OF US ARE SCATTERED AROUND THE WORLD.

I could not forget the image described by Arthur in his AI application form. By far the most powerful image I could think of:

Networks that Create Change

“Imagine you are at a conference with 100 people from across the world, who have all completed their AIESEC Experience in the same area of learning and passion as you. Imagine the power of the networks that can be built between you. Imagine we have brought leading organisation and individuals, alumni and partners, to advise these networks on howto make real change and to offer them opportunities to make their ideas a reality. This is the power of the AIESEC Experience."

I feel painful, that this organization is not walking toward this image. I feel painful, that leader who has this vision and lead us to that has left. I feel painful, that the leader of our generation does not see this an the right direction.

I felt even more painful of hearing expansion. What is expansion if there is no tying of AIESEC Experience. Just for the sake of having as many SNs as possible? People, then is there no point to strengthen countries which our organization does not need SNs from. If you think in this way, you can actually wipe out the countries in one continent. What is this? I don't get it. Why do we need so many countries if we are not networking them into groups of same passion? What is the point of leaving many scatter groups of people scattering around the world individually thinking about how good their AIESEC Experience are? Where is the impact?

It's 3.40am, and I am searching for an answer, yearning for a leader who is bold enough to point to the right direction, instead of the "politically correct" direction. Futile, unless someday I become the answer and the leader.

Congratulatoins MC Sweden 06/07!!!!!!!

2006-01-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

Thrilled!!!!!!!!!!
Aron got elected as MCP. Congratulations Aron!!!!!
And congratulations to Emanuel and Lana!!

When I saw all 4 LCPs applied for MCP (and the other LCP - Charlotte is going to apply for MC in HK ^^) I already screamed out. People! These LCPs are really AIESEC leaders that I have met. I still could not forget that they stepped forward to solve the crisis of OC during NC#1. Maybe it's trivial to them, but if you were me having the experience of WNCF 05, then you would truly appreciate a group of leaders devoting themselves to National Conference for the sake of a fantastic conference experience of their members.

And Aron in particualr, cos he's the leader of the hosting LC Gothenburg. It was a tough time for him, when there was only 5 OCs serving 100 delegates, and when serious crisis happened in the OC team. Aron, I'm truly amazed by your leadership. Congratulations, and I'm really proud to be in NC#1 hosted by your LC. I am sure you would lead @Sweden to achieve more. And, I am so so so so so happy for you!!!!!! See you in IPM!!!!!

Plus, I have another peice of amazing news from Ladi. I thought I have shared with some friends that I met a Brazilian intern in Sweden who is one of the EB members in the LC. And, what's more, she's got elected as MC!!! So it's (Brazil)LCP --> (Sweden) Intern + LCEB --> (Sweden) MC!!! Gosh!!! This is Lana, demonstrating amazing AIESEC XP. I'm going to make a case study out of her. Truly beyond my imagination. Ladi said similar situation happened in Finland as well "The MCPe was originally a trainee who didnt get involved with AIESEC until she got to Finland. So she is on the current MC, ran for MCP and has been elected" Great! I'm also going to meet her in IPM.

The Scandinavians truly amazed me. Surely I'm excited to be MCP, but, Scandinavia... I missed you... forever you're my number 1 place to go for International MC.

Overnight New Year Eve "Flower Market"

2006-01-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

Neglecting the DDL of the Email campaign, I went to the flower market with our beloved MC CEEDers Melina and Marco =) I must say, Andi's words did make me reflect a lot. How many have I done to show them around Hong Kong. This is basic reception of every AIESECer, but when we are too deep into AIESEC work, we have lost our hospitality to fellow @ers, which was almost the first thing we learned in AIESEC. So despite the every "work-related" thing, I was there! The "fighting field" of last year.

Surely lots of memories flashed back about our hard work last year, shouting with broken voice, "guerilla"-type selling in intersections, running away from guards, looking at the amused faces of people walking by. We did have a good time. And last year's experience made me a very good "swimmer" among the "stand-still" crowd.

But then, I feel that I'm a bit reluctant to accept the defects of my own culture. I got to hear about it last night, felt uncomfortable, and reflected even more when I witnessed this "defect" happening all day in Lin Chor Yut (New Year Day). Marco said Chinese are SHY and COLD. Well, we should have known it before, but hearing it directly from someone, with a tone of complain did not sound great. Yet, I understand why he felt uneasy or upset about this, when I actually happened to feel the same way for the whole day.

Bai Lin, the most traditional thing that we have been doing. The routine is set, like carved into stone. (Grandpa's home --> "pour tea" --> temple --> Uncle's home --> Grandpa's home)There's nothing else I felt they are so rountine, since I've been repeating this in exact order for 21 years. Anyway. Throughout the whole process, we repeated some phrases of "kung hei fat choi" "shen tai king hong" (wish you with good health) etc etc. But I cannot see genuine wishes in ppl's eyes. We met each other once a year, my cousins, but we did not know each other personally. I don't feel any "intimacy" in the atmosphere. But then, I knew it for long, if it was not my grandpa's "leadership", nobody would come out and gather. I must say, this was only in my family's situation, this cannot reflect other Chinese' family. (E.g. I have much better relationships with my mother's side cousins) However, it really hit me hard when I was sitting there, looking at the situation, thinking about everyone having a wall in between each other.
Anyway... New year is family gathering time, and at least, seeing each other is better than nothing you know...

Cheryl's Email Campaign

2006-01-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

I really learned something through this email campaign, in the future, driving any key initiatives in a limited period of time, I MUST keep in mind:
1. Sense of urgency is critical in getting commitment. You need to give clear ddl / or reason to ppl why they NEED to do it NOW.
2. There is nothing wrong about constant reminder. Just make it in every channel. Remind remind and remind.
3. Personal network is crucial. I must get everyone's MSN and phone no., starting from this moment on.
4. Information should always be passed to a mass group, no matter that piece of information would be useful to them or not. You'd never know, maybe in some point of time it would be useful, or the mass group could help you out.
5. Explain intention in details, no matter how tired you are or how many times you did.
6. Connect everyone to one formal channel (aiesec.net/ email list) and one informal channel (MSN name / xanga)

All in all, I should still celebrate success, 43 by DDL, and in the end we did attain 50!
Thank you so much for all your work. This is the first step we move forward to attract talented leader for our generation, for AIESEC. MC team is for all. The future is in the hand of all of us.