What a day!
I feel so hectic today and so tired right now. The highlight of the day also the part really exhausted me was UBS awards discussion. It is simply inspiring to read all the different applications. As well, we should definitely celebrate when we stuck in the discussion of who is 'more excellent' and how to distinguish the different 'excellence'.
The result was finally defined. I just loved the experience totally and really looking forward to a bigger growth in the 05/06 year!
A lot to update
A lot has just happened. Last weekend, it was transition party. I was very happy to see different AIESEC countries close by come and celebrate together with AIESEC International, for the results of 04/05 year, as well welcoming the 05/06 team. I enjoyed the parties especially the dancing part. Last Sunday, Cliff prepared a nice Chinese lunch for Achim, Melissa, Wing and me. I cannot describe how good it was to see Achim again (he was living in Beijing for the 1st half of my MCP year). Out of a sudden, everything flashed back to the beginning of last year. It was also very good to meet Melissa. As she put it, we don’t need to think about what we should say or should not say. It is just natural that we tell each other what has been happening. She hasn’t changed at all – she still spit food or drinks on herself or on the floor. Cheers, Mel! We are going to see each other for sure in Asia (probably the truly Asia country – Malaysia) and then Christmas and New Year in Sydney!
And this week, we had our SG meeting. It is the first board meeting in my life – I put together a board for AIESEC China then I left without a meeting. This SG meeting taught me so many things I didn’t know before. It is amazing to see this group of successful people spending 2 days time with us – talking, sharing, joking and laughing together. My perspectives have been broadened a lot by their opinions and questions. It was also very exciting to connect with SG members individually about issues I am passionate about – like diversity, leadership development and other humanity concerns. They are older, wise, patient, inspiring and brilliant.
Time really flies by. The current AI team has their last 5 working days ahead. They are away for their last team day this weekend. I can feel their sentiment but I cannot connect with such emotions, obviously. What does it mean finishing a journey of 6 or 7 yeas with hell a lot of emotions invested at such a young age? I feel sad as well because I connect with most of the 04/05 AI members easily. They have been my source of inspiration throughout the year. And out of sudden, you feel you cannot walk with crouches, you gotta sail alone.
My brain has been jammed with all different things right now - IC delivery, APGN’s development, Finance learning network, Growth Centre Strategy especially AIESEC China, etc. 2 months passed, I am still not sure if I have formed a good life style (habit) or not. I wanted to read a lot more than I am doing right now though I started to think a bit more than I just came – especially about AIESEC, about the areas I need to cover. I still would like to have more time thinking about what I want to do next – it doesn’t flow out of my mind naturally. I found spending time with myself is such a big pleasure.
In life, we never rehearsal but only perform!
VK reminded us this at the 4th week transition checkout. All of us are so pumped and cannot wait to go for our first battle – AI planning week! In the board room, the outgoing team seems a bit sentimental. Maybe we reminded them of who they were and how they were one year back. Maybe they really loved this year and don’t want to leave in 4 weeks time.
I was completely caught by the ‘rehearsal’ and ‘perform’ ways of addressing life. Maybe I was unconsciously performing in the past 4 weeks while I think I was rehearsing? Responsibilities will flood to me after the planning week. There is no way to hide myself behind Liv. It is somehow scary and somehow exciting understanding that there is no room in AIESEC that can solve the problems for this entire organization apart from us. While I was an MCP, I can easily bitch AIESEC International for not giving enough support. But right now, I can only blame myself for not supporting countries enough, not addressing their needs. The exciting part is finally we can start to plan for our year, our strategies and actions to transform this organization. Very soon, we see all the countries, a new batch of MCs at IC in India, a crucial point for this organization to fight for the right direction and solutions and give it a go.
Another interesting reminder from VK – we view the LCs from the LC perspective and view AI from the LC perspective as well. Is AI perspective conflicts with LC perspective? When I was in MC, I always feel the difference between how MC and LC make decisions. Gaining AI perspective means losing LC perspective? If so, why are we here? For sure, we don’t need to address AI need while AI is even not necessary for this organization. Yet, it is hard to regain LC perspective while we are all several years away from it. I am sitting here trying to insert the LC perspective chip into my brain.
I first time spammed the whole organization. I first time wrote to all the AP MCPs yesterday. It is yet easier to be an MCP and bitch about AI though putting lots of faith in AI compared to being a Director trying to live up to my countries’ expectations. What does AP need? How AP can grow regarding its potential? How to create synergy within AP? I feel I always have more questions than answers. I always worry that I am more fluffy than concrete.
It is the last day before planning week. Prepared or unprepared, yet need to perform!
