I've just got back from Buru Buru estate, and having a hot soya drink for melting myself a bit. I think I'm through my hardest week by today.
Sometimes I have so many things in my head with what I have to do, that I even forget to write things down - this caused so many headaches for me this week. Meetings after meetings and I see myself ending up having 3 meetings at the same time - which is of course manageable, just embarassing kidogo (a little bit). And at the same time I realize at 6 pm that last time I ate was 9 in the morning, at my first meeting, having a mandazi and a coffee with someone. I seem to have serious problems with my time management - I am supposed to know how to deal with such kind of things after 3 years in AIESEC but nowadays it seems to be somehow more difficult. Fortunately I've got some good tips from my dearest mentor, Matthias, so I hope I can manage all these soon.
Btw, I've been thinking on something this week: how am I going on with my cultural shock periods, where am I now and what will come next? I think I've just started to go down on the line, though I feel to have a deeper and deeper understanding on Kenyans every day. However, sometimes I get very angry. I know now how they will react on things, but at the same time I don't always know how to get back to them. I know they are pushy when they want to reach something and I still have to learn how to say no. It's so hard sometimes.
Yesterday I had a very interesting experience. I was organizing the first Cultural Preparation Seminar of the term, for outgoing interns, with 2 amazing people, Kabura and Shammah (as organizing committee) and 4 facilitators: Iram (just returned from internship), Will (intern from Canada), Misha (former MC member in Ghana) and Bene (former intern in India). Haha, these guys entertained the delegates so much!
I wasn't there at the sessions for all along, though I had at least 30 minutes from each of them. How Kenyans see the world around... I could have a deep insight in what Kenyans think about themselves, how they see Kenya as a country, and how they see other countries, what is different, what is strange for them when they go abroad. I think it helped me a lot in understanding their way of thinking.
I wasn't there at the cultural preparation (CCLDS) in Hungary before I left for Kenya (though I was prepared quite well by Kristian and my 2 mentors), but I think it was even more useful for me. It wasn't just a cultural preparation, it was a cultural insight. My biggest thank you for the facilitators for this.
Some of the key learning points... When I arrived, I was told: Kenyans don't understand irony. I definitely don't agree. And I'm also taken back to one point time by time: Kenya is one of the most developed countries of Africa.
Today I was very angry: we had 2 meetings, both started 1 and 2 hours then we agreed on - I hate when someone wastes my time. Whatever. With Leah we agreed that today, after the meetings we would go for shopping, cos I needed a trousers or two, and I wanted to look around. Even herself, she needed some skirts. After such kind of meeting, aiehh, we almost postponed our shopping, when Juliet came up with the idea: lets go and have a lunch-dinner (who knows which was that at around 6, but without having lunch before...), at her family's home. And afterwards we can go for shopping together. Phil and Sly finally didn't come, but hehe, Leah, Juliet and me we did :-)
First we got some samosas at Kenchick in order to avoid dying of hunger, and then went to Buru Buru estate (part of Nairobi) to Juliet's home. She has such a lovely family, with a 6-year old younger bro and the sweet Mama Juliet. We had some pilau (like rizseshus in Hungary), then went for shopping for the neighbouring market. It was a fun. We found the first place for trousers, I think I've tried at least 10 pairs. They don't have different sizes of the same type, you just randomly try wether that certain one fits you or not. Finally I got a black one, and later on a skirt as well. Hehe, I realized at home, that I was quite lucky with this all, as it was already dark when we went for shopping and we hardly saw anything. It was 9 pm when I arrived back home.
And now... Oh, I think I just want to watch a movie and sleep. Next week it's Dreams Reality conference from Thursday, so sleep now or no sleep for a while, hahaha.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
AIESECers don't say "goodbye"...
... they say "see you soon" when they leave. I was told this when I was very new in AIESEC. And I think I've just got to understand it now in deep... Somehow these people just cannot say goodbye. That would mean a sense of never meeting again. And I think AIESECers have a belief that whatever happens, there is always the chance to meet again somewhere in the world.
In the last few days we had Shivo leaving to South Africa, and Kristian going back to Denmark. This week Jem will leave us for Rotterdam (then to Cairo), and I have my sweet Exchange Participants out of the country soon as well: Mo, Rahab, Douglas, Arnold, ... it's hard to understand and accept sometimes. But this is the way we've chosen: having friends all around the world. Even though we want them to be close to us.
I have an interesting week behind. The whole week was spent basically with LC visits all around Nairobi - it was awesome. So much fun, so much new people again. It was really nice, that all LCs were very happy that MC team is visiting them, we had group photos, rollcalls, team buildings together with them. We presented the Charlies Angels rollcall as MC team and promised to have a new rollcall every month :-D
And what's more, we had 2 members from MC Tanzania in the Kenyan house: Stan - president, and Alexa - vice-president for external relations. It was amazing time spent together.
We had Kristian's farewell party on Saturday. We came right after NEB (same as KGy in Hungary), to our place, to Kent's garden. We had food, drinks... after a few hours, I think there was noone being sober around :-P I had a very strange feeling: a year from now I will be in Kristian's place saying "see you", evaluating my experiences - and I'm not sure how I will feel about it. It's been only 6 weeks that I'm here, but so much got used to living in Nairobi, so much got to like these people here. Of course I will have to go home mainly because of school - and to see those ones I love. But it will be very hard.
Then we had a big adventure with Silvi on Sunday. We wanted to go to the airport to say goodbye to Kristian... We were told we have to take the matatu nr 33 which will take us there. I even asked the driver, he said he'd show up where it was. So we took the matatu. After a while, around 10 minutes driving from the airport, the matatu stopped, and the driver started to explain: they are not going to the airport, but if we hire the matatu for 1000 ksh (around 3000 HUF), they will take us there. I looked at him and said: "You must be joking." He tried to convince us, that the bus is too slow and blabla, but finally we got off the matatu, and an airport bus was just coming - which took us to the airport for 20 ksh... :-P But then the next shock: Kristian was already at the check-in, and in Kenya you cannot just walk in to the airport is you're not a passenger. You must stay outside. So we finally could hug Kristian only through the window :-(
This will be very busy again - as usual... But to be honest I enjoy it so much. So many impressions during one day only, and I learn a lot. Every single minute of my days is about discovering. Though yes, I think I'm getting in the cultural shock phase step by step.
In the last few days we had Shivo leaving to South Africa, and Kristian going back to Denmark. This week Jem will leave us for Rotterdam (then to Cairo), and I have my sweet Exchange Participants out of the country soon as well: Mo, Rahab, Douglas, Arnold, ... it's hard to understand and accept sometimes. But this is the way we've chosen: having friends all around the world. Even though we want them to be close to us.
I have an interesting week behind. The whole week was spent basically with LC visits all around Nairobi - it was awesome. So much fun, so much new people again. It was really nice, that all LCs were very happy that MC team is visiting them, we had group photos, rollcalls, team buildings together with them. We presented the Charlies Angels rollcall as MC team and promised to have a new rollcall every month :-D
And what's more, we had 2 members from MC Tanzania in the Kenyan house: Stan - president, and Alexa - vice-president for external relations. It was amazing time spent together.
We had Kristian's farewell party on Saturday. We came right after NEB (same as KGy in Hungary), to our place, to Kent's garden. We had food, drinks... after a few hours, I think there was noone being sober around :-P I had a very strange feeling: a year from now I will be in Kristian's place saying "see you", evaluating my experiences - and I'm not sure how I will feel about it. It's been only 6 weeks that I'm here, but so much got used to living in Nairobi, so much got to like these people here. Of course I will have to go home mainly because of school - and to see those ones I love. But it will be very hard.
Then we had a big adventure with Silvi on Sunday. We wanted to go to the airport to say goodbye to Kristian... We were told we have to take the matatu nr 33 which will take us there. I even asked the driver, he said he'd show up where it was. So we took the matatu. After a while, around 10 minutes driving from the airport, the matatu stopped, and the driver started to explain: they are not going to the airport, but if we hire the matatu for 1000 ksh (around 3000 HUF), they will take us there. I looked at him and said: "You must be joking." He tried to convince us, that the bus is too slow and blabla, but finally we got off the matatu, and an airport bus was just coming - which took us to the airport for 20 ksh... :-P But then the next shock: Kristian was already at the check-in, and in Kenya you cannot just walk in to the airport is you're not a passenger. You must stay outside. So we finally could hug Kristian only through the window :-(
This will be very busy again - as usual... But to be honest I enjoy it so much. So many impressions during one day only, and I learn a lot. Every single minute of my days is about discovering. Though yes, I think I'm getting in the cultural shock phase step by step.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Busy cloudy weekdays, free sunny sundays
Crazy week again. Meetings and meetings and meetings. Though I have to say, I enjoy this very much :) Phil was out of the country from Tuesday evening, so we, the 4 Angels had to manage all the work in the office, and around the country. It was a fun!
The first big event was the facilitators meeting for "Dreams, Reality" conference. It's basically driven by LC UoN (University of Nairobi), but the faci team is quite diverse, with representatives of 4 LCs, and 4 countries. We have two tracks, one for new members, and one for current or future leaders of the organization. So the 2 conference managers are Emma (LC UoN) and me, and we have Mo as a chair (MCVP Finance 06/07). I could't imagine before such a brainstorming and laughing that we had! I think it will be the most serious and the most fun conference at the same time I've ever been to. And with 120 delegates (as it's expected)!!! AIESEC network, you can expect a cool BCP from Kenya, heheheeeee :-D
Then on the same day, I went to LC UoN's weekly meeting. It was held in the yard of the university. To be honest by this point I was so tired, that I was even not able to remember the lycrics of my Hungarian rollcall first, but finally fortunately I managed somehow: "van egy kék tó a fák alatt, ha beleteszed, lehűti a lábadat..." Finally I got home at around 9.30 pm this day, I just lay in my bed and fell asleep.
On Friday morning I had 2 random meetings, with Fiona from UoN, and with Maryanne from Daystart University. And this was only the beginning of the day... The next thing was to organizing the transition weekend for the National Trainers Team. It was supposed to happen from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, but as the girls had other commitments, we decided to have it from Saturday morning. So I spent my evening with Shivo, watching a movie at my place so that I don't have to be alone in the house. Finally on Saturday I only had Brenda out of the 3 girls, but we still enjoyed the day very much: we had Sly and Rahab as trainers - I was cooking the lunch during Sly's sessions, then when she left, Rahab came and... oh, it's impossible to tell in words :) You should definitely listen to Rahab telling a story, I think she's the best and craziest story teller I've ever seen! It was a big-big laugh session again.
Yesterday evening, after NTT Transition, I've started to play a "game" on internet. It's cool but very much annoying. You have to think out of the box soo much, and my concentration level was quite low that evening, I'm still stuck at level 5, but not giving up, hahaha :-D This is the link: http://www.ouverture-facile.com/ - try it ;-)
And today - the best out of all the fun! Finally I had free day today. The original idea was to go for an LC visit as a team (with my MC - Phil, Juliet, Leah and Sly) but it turned out that we wouldn't go, so I happily informed Silvi, my flatmate that we can spend our day together somewhere out of the town. So we agreed on visiting the Giraffe Centre, and we took there Sharon as well. We've got to town at around 2 pm, then went to eat some lunch (as we had breakfast at around 11 am :-)), then bought some chocolate and water, found the right bus taking us there, and go!
It was awesome - many giraffes, and they have quite a big territory to live, of course with a place where they can meet visitors as well. And you can touch them, feed them (though they're told to be on a diet :-)), and just enjoy your afternoon in a lovely environment. Pictures below!
It was awesome - many giraffes, and they have quite a big territory to live, of course with a place where they can meet visitors as well. And you can touch them, feed them (though they're told to be on a diet :-)), and just enjoy your afternoon in a lovely environment. Pictures below!
After getting back from the Giraffe Centre, we agreed with the girls, that we have a dinner together - so went for shopping, got the materials and created the "Kenyan way" of an easy dinner: chapati with mini sausages and cooked vegetables. Good closing of a good week.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Random thoughts
Yesterday evening I was talking a lot with Shivo and he told me: "Vicki, you've already become a Kenyan. I'm pretty sure that you'll marry to a Kenyan man and settle down in this country." I was just laughing on this idea, seems to be crazy at this moment and quite far from my plans, however, today morning, while waiting for my bus from Hurlingham, I started to think:
what makes someone to become a Kenyan? What attributes do you need to survive in Nairobi?
Finally I've listed the following points: you have to be persistant, extremely flexible, pushy, highly willing, and at the same time sweet and caring, with high empathy and openess. You need to smile when shit happens, but to be very harsh and strong when you want to reach something. You also have to know when to hackle, when to laugh at someone who wants to cheat on you, and when to say you don't want to hear any more excuses. You have to be very self-confident, and determined.
I'm not definitely sure wether I've become a Kenyan or not based on this - but am on the right track for sure ;-) 2 days ago I was tought how to shout at people. A week ago I learnt how to hackle. I realized what does it mean to be persistant, when internet is slow and you have to click "send" for an e-mail a hundred times from 11 am to 4 pm in order to send that one (!!!) e-mail.
And also I know now how to be pushy and sweet caring at the same time - when someone is pushy with you, you have to know, that he does not targeting you personally, you're still friends, with different interests.
One thing is definitely good about not having internet time by time: you have a chance to call for home or be called by your beloved ones. Today I talked with my mum, dad and my mentor, Matthias on the phone! This always makes me happy.
Just one more thing: it's cold here. The top is around 20 degrees at daytime. It's no sunshine at all. Kicsi, Berta and Zsofi - I'm grateful for the drinking stuff I've got from you! It means 8 deciliters of hot tea!!!
what makes someone to become a Kenyan? What attributes do you need to survive in Nairobi?
Finally I've listed the following points: you have to be persistant, extremely flexible, pushy, highly willing, and at the same time sweet and caring, with high empathy and openess. You need to smile when shit happens, but to be very harsh and strong when you want to reach something. You also have to know when to hackle, when to laugh at someone who wants to cheat on you, and when to say you don't want to hear any more excuses. You have to be very self-confident, and determined.
I'm not definitely sure wether I've become a Kenyan or not based on this - but am on the right track for sure ;-) 2 days ago I was tought how to shout at people. A week ago I learnt how to hackle. I realized what does it mean to be persistant, when internet is slow and you have to click "send" for an e-mail a hundred times from 11 am to 4 pm in order to send that one (!!!) e-mail.
And also I know now how to be pushy and sweet caring at the same time - when someone is pushy with you, you have to know, that he does not targeting you personally, you're still friends, with different interests.
One thing is definitely good about not having internet time by time: you have a chance to call for home or be called by your beloved ones. Today I talked with my mum, dad and my mentor, Matthias on the phone! This always makes me happy.
Just one more thing: it's cold here. The top is around 20 degrees at daytime. It's no sunshine at all. Kicsi, Berta and Zsofi - I'm grateful for the drinking stuff I've got from you! It means 8 deciliters of hot tea!!!
First days in office
It's the 4th day today. We took over on Friday, then officially started our term by Sunday. First I didn't think anything would change so radically from the moment we hand over the former team, but I have to say: it IS a radical change.
Last week was crazy. Everything was about the Dinner - the organizing committee was in the MC office all days, I just felt all the time that I was in their way. Running for banners, for tickets, to the site, back, looking for cars, and so on. And besides, everyone was talking about the Dinner dresses. No day passed without asking me at least 5 times a day what I was going to wear. I was smiling so much :-)
At the same time, on Thursday evening we had our first BoA meeting (Board of Advisors), with the new team, and with new BoA members. Very useful evening. Presenting our portfolio yearplans, and getting loads and loads of ideas and promises for support. And what's more, our BoA members seem to be very nice and caring people. Looking forward to work with them in the future.
So back to Dinner... :-) Friday morning I've started my day with Phil, looking for a scarf for me and a tie for him. This was the first case Phil got to realize that I can be really pushy if I have something in my mind. Big issue about the colour of his tie...
Then we've got to the site at 5 pm, as I got a text from Leah that all MC members should be there by that time. I thought this time I shouldn't be late... so finally I had to sit for almost 2 hours doing nothing, as of course, except from Leah, Phil and me noone arrived in time.
Martin was sweet taking care of me during this time - "Viki, relax, sit down, enjoy." "Viki, go and change your dress." and so on.
Finally we started late. Anyways, all in all I have to say, it was awesome! Many people, at least half of whom I had no clue about. Everyone in very nice dresses, suits, the best out of themselves for this one time of the year. We had some nice dance show by Safari Cats, some speeches, good dinner... and the MC takeover. This part was the top part of the day. And was very nice!!!
Then my shock: lets have an AIESEC Kenya rollcall together with all the members there! So imagine around a hundred people dancing Tunak Tunak in their Dinner dresses and suits!!! I must get the video of it, it was unbelievable :-)
After the official part we had the afterparty near Safari PArk Hotel (that was the venue for the Dinner), at a club. No much comments, party party.
I got home by 4.30 in the morning... and next day I was supposed to have a team meeting with my LCVPs. I slept 3 hours all in all, and I new they also, so I texted them to start at 1 pm instead of 10 am. 1 pm came, I was ready with shopping, with the flipcharts, everything, and waiting. Waiting and waiting again. I've got some messages that "hey, sorry me I won't come" but I expected at least 5-6 people there. Then at around 2 pm, Juddie from NTT showed up finally. NOONE ELSE!!!!!
So finally with Kristian we decided that instead of the PD team meeting we clean up my room - as he already moved to Kent's house with his siblings, we moved his cloths and all his stuff there finally, and I got his room. Then we watched some movies at Kent's place and closed the day with disappointment and satisfaction at the same time...
Sunday was also about cleaning... I continued cleaning up my room, as it was a total chaos to be frank. There's still place for improvement, but it's much better now. And as it was our first day in office, with my MC team we decided to make it unforgetable: we cleaned up the office, and rearranged it totally! Great fun, and still not ready :-) We have to repaint the walls this weekend. But still, it's a big change. Photos below. We were so tired by the end of the day, got home and fell asleep almost immediately.
Monday... is a happy day! :-) The first weekday of our term started with a 6-hours MC meeting. Started and 9 am, finished at 3 pm. However, I have to say, we were very effective and productive, it was only the amount of topics that made us talking for so long. Then lunch together, and jump into the real work. Since this time, that's what I'm doing: creating and organizing. And I enjoy it so much :-)
To be honest, in the last few days I didn't even have time to think about how I feel and how're things are going on. They're just going. Sometimes I feel that I'm just swimming with the stream - but at the same time I know it's me creating the waves. I'm not sure about what's gonna be the conclusion of this all. My best friend used to tell me: don't think about how things will go, as they never turn out to be the way you've thought before.
... rearranging...
... and the result!
Last week was crazy. Everything was about the Dinner - the organizing committee was in the MC office all days, I just felt all the time that I was in their way. Running for banners, for tickets, to the site, back, looking for cars, and so on. And besides, everyone was talking about the Dinner dresses. No day passed without asking me at least 5 times a day what I was going to wear. I was smiling so much :-)
At the same time, on Thursday evening we had our first BoA meeting (Board of Advisors), with the new team, and with new BoA members. Very useful evening. Presenting our portfolio yearplans, and getting loads and loads of ideas and promises for support. And what's more, our BoA members seem to be very nice and caring people. Looking forward to work with them in the future.
So back to Dinner... :-) Friday morning I've started my day with Phil, looking for a scarf for me and a tie for him. This was the first case Phil got to realize that I can be really pushy if I have something in my mind. Big issue about the colour of his tie...Then we've got to the site at 5 pm, as I got a text from Leah that all MC members should be there by that time. I thought this time I shouldn't be late... so finally I had to sit for almost 2 hours doing nothing, as of course, except from Leah, Phil and me noone arrived in time.
Martin was sweet taking care of me during this time - "Viki, relax, sit down, enjoy." "Viki, go and change your dress." and so on.
Finally we started late. Anyways, all in all I have to say, it was awesome! Many people, at least half of whom I had no clue about. Everyone in very nice dresses, suits, the best out of themselves for this one time of the year. We had some nice dance show by Safari Cats, some speeches, good dinner... and the MC takeover. This part was the top part of the day. And was very nice!!!
Then my shock: lets have an AIESEC Kenya rollcall together with all the members there! So imagine around a hundred people dancing Tunak Tunak in their Dinner dresses and suits!!! I must get the video of it, it was unbelievable :-)
After the official part we had the afterparty near Safari PArk Hotel (that was the venue for the Dinner), at a club. No much comments, party party.
I got home by 4.30 in the morning... and next day I was supposed to have a team meeting with my LCVPs. I slept 3 hours all in all, and I new they also, so I texted them to start at 1 pm instead of 10 am. 1 pm came, I was ready with shopping, with the flipcharts, everything, and waiting. Waiting and waiting again. I've got some messages that "hey, sorry me I won't come" but I expected at least 5-6 people there. Then at around 2 pm, Juddie from NTT showed up finally. NOONE ELSE!!!!!
So finally with Kristian we decided that instead of the PD team meeting we clean up my room - as he already moved to Kent's house with his siblings, we moved his cloths and all his stuff there finally, and I got his room. Then we watched some movies at Kent's place and closed the day with disappointment and satisfaction at the same time...
Sunday was also about cleaning... I continued cleaning up my room, as it was a total chaos to be frank. There's still place for improvement, but it's much better now. And as it was our first day in office, with my MC team we decided to make it unforgetable: we cleaned up the office, and rearranged it totally! Great fun, and still not ready :-) We have to repaint the walls this weekend. But still, it's a big change. Photos below. We were so tired by the end of the day, got home and fell asleep almost immediately.
Monday... is a happy day! :-) The first weekday of our term started with a 6-hours MC meeting. Started and 9 am, finished at 3 pm. However, I have to say, we were very effective and productive, it was only the amount of topics that made us talking for so long. Then lunch together, and jump into the real work. Since this time, that's what I'm doing: creating and organizing. And I enjoy it so much :-)
To be honest, in the last few days I didn't even have time to think about how I feel and how're things are going on. They're just going. Sometimes I feel that I'm just swimming with the stream - but at the same time I know it's me creating the waves. I'm not sure about what's gonna be the conclusion of this all. My best friend used to tell me: don't think about how things will go, as they never turn out to be the way you've thought before.
cleaning...
... rearranging...
... and the result!
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