[making dreams come true]

Reflections in cold

2009-11-08T19:55:00.006+01:00

Brussels is becoming colder.

I remember one conversation that I had with Juan once, when he told me that the people become more reflective and sensitive during this period of time. He thinks the European people are more aware of their feelings and thoughts just because they experience this “winter syndrome”. I agreed.

To be cold is something I can’t control because I feel colder than the usual. My hands and fingers –literally- stop moving, even if I have gloves. My body shakes more than the usual; sometimes, I end up with strong headaches and when the temperature is really low, I can’t breath properly. Doctor told me it’s an allergy of “cold weather”. Well, I have friends with allergies of sun, dust, grass.. It cannot be that weird, right.

The thing is that I don't like cold weather because I cannot control it easily, a coffee, a tea, a bar of chocolate, an extra jacket or a hug sometimes is not enough to be Ok. It frustrates me a lot, to be honest, specially when people says the usual "Come on! it's not THAT cold!" and I am doing a big effort to smile and be nice with that appreciation.

Anyways, continuing with my reflections in cold, I am stabilizing my new life in Brussels.
Well, I am trying to.,,

I got the work permit which means I can start officially my job. It gives me the financial stability I was looking for to stay longer in Europe as I wanted. This is a really dynamic job that everyday surprises me. I am getting used to a totally different environment, audiences and projects. So far is going ok.

I already have a flat, which includes my new own bed, closet, studio, fridge, owen, tv, dvd and a big window with terrace. ;-) Though I will move in at the end of the month as soon as all the legalization process is ok.

Not sure if my French lessons will start soon and looking forward to re-start my Gym routine, but I am afraid that the weather will be a big obstacle.., I will do my best to do it, I need it.

My social life is going ok as well. I am so lucky to have many friends here. I can go out to have a coffee, beer, watch a movie, party. I always have someone to hang around with and it’s impossible to get bored.

However, I sometimes think it would be great to have someone close to share these moments, these reflections and specially to see the “nice face” of Winter. I think, I need to pay more attention to my emotional stability, anyway I won’t put so much pressure on this, I will wait until to find the “one”. With someone that I feel happy, calm, simple... just be me. Hopefully, also living kinda similar life and looking for stabilization as well. I need to share some experiences on this field :P

Let’s see how it goes ;-)

another great example of collaborative work in the Web

2009-10-19T13:59:00.001+02:00

In Bb 2.0 is a collaborative music and spoken word project conceived by Darren Solomon from Science for Girls, and developed with contributions from users.

The videos can be played simultaneously - the soundtracks will work together, and the mix can be adjusted with the individual volume sliders.

Visit: http://inbflat.net/
and enjoy it! :)

Sobre Internet y web 2.0 "inclusivos"

2009-10-09T18:03:00.002+02:00

Cuando hablamos de Internet inclusiva, término que difiere de "exclusividad", talvez pensamos inmediatamente en conectividad. Aquella de la necesidad de computadores, de banda ancha, de educación para usarlo. Yo quiero traer un tema talvéz poco desarrollado, porque no he encontrado mucho del tema en Internet, el uso de la misma para personas con discapacidades físicas e intelectuales.

Soy de las personas que creen absolutamente que la Internet no es un priviegio, sino debe considerarse como un derecho fundamental de todas las personas para acceder a un alto nível y calidad de la información. Así como los medios de transporte, el telégrafo, el teléfono y contando con los grandes adelantos tecnológicos de hoy en día, la Internet es un medio de comunicación indispensable para conectar ideas, pensamientos, discusiones, emprendimientos, etc.

Ha pensado en cómo acceden y cómo usan la Internet, personas que no pueden ver? aquellos que no escuchan? aquellos que se les dificulta hablar un idioma y que no captan rapidamente siglas, emoticomes. El llamado: lenguage cibernético?.

Pues yo les comparto, por mi experiencia, para los que tienen discapacidades intelectuales, Facebook resulta aburrido, por tener tanta información tan dificil de captar y entender. Allí no encuentran lo que les interesa y les divierte. Pensemos también, si se nos viene a la cabeza un sitio en Internet para escuchar historias narradas o hacer networking?

De hecho, preguntémonos también, en nuestro mismo comportamiento, qué estamos haciendo para compartir nuestras ideas con un mayor número de personas teniendo en cuenta sus diferencias. Sin discriminarlos sino sabiendo que eres parte importante de esta comunidad pero con características diferentes a las mías. No mucho creo yo.

En Colombia, 1 de cada 20 personas tienen una limitacion fisica, 1 de cada 40 es invidente y 1 de cada 200 tienen limitaciones auditivas. Y 5% del total de poblacion necesita herramientas especiales para rapido y efectivo proceso de inclusion social. Información que encontré aquí.

Es allí cuando me cuestiono si el "Social Media" es tan social como lo catalogan o más bien, estamos derivando a un mundo más excluyente que participativo.

Actualmente, trabajo en Bruselas, como directora de Comunicaciones de la organización europea para personas con discapacidades intelectuales y sus familias. Me han escogido aquí porque hay esperanza en lograr un Internet más incluyente, en generar conciencia y en traer las maravillas del web 2.0 para personas con estas discapacidades. Personalmente, el reto y la oportunidad me parecen increíbles. Mi público objetivo serán todas estas personas que merecen comunicarse, acceder a la información que les interesa, que tienen derecho. Que puedan participar en las decisiones de la sociedad y que su opinión sea escuchada.

Me encantaría escuchar sus opiniones y trabajos al respecto, por mi parte les compartiré cómo va mi experiencia que empezó hace muy poco y me ha hecho cuestionarme la manera como veo y entiendo la Comunicación y la web 2.0

Seguimos charlando,!

Lala

Pd. Mis disculpas por los posibles errores en la redación, ando en un teclado francés.

Where are you from?

2009-10-08T10:32:00.003+02:00

What I have learned as a traveler is that you are not only a person discovering the world, but you become an ambassador of your culture, your people, your country and its stereotypes as well. It brings you the responsibility to invite others to get to know more about it.

I am from Colombia, a country full of stereotypes. Yes, I think you know already what I am talking about.

To hear people making jokes about cocaine, drug dealers, kidnappings, or wait hours at the airport while they over check my Colombian passport and my previous travels, or facing the reality that many friends have been deported or have gotten a visa negation, is now part of my daily life as a traveler. But I also have decided to take the positive approach and explain to the people what is the reality behind all of this.

I have learned it now, although it was not easy at the first time.

It was an American that asked me if was true that the Colombian cocaine was the best in the world and you can find it in every corner in my country, I just reacted violently and said that he should reply to me in the other way around, since the United States is the main cocaine market for the Colombian drug dealers.

Actually, Colombia still is the world’ largest cultivator of coca, producing over the 50% of the total production (81,000ha), followed by Peru (56,100ha) and Bolivia (30,500ha). But what people don’t know is that only the 3% remains in Colombia, the largest markets are North America, followed by West and Central Europe and South America. (Source: The UN Offce on drugs and crime)

Coca leaf tea is not cocaine

In 2006, travelling to Poland my first travel to Europe to attend a international conference, me and my Colombian friends were asked to wait in a different line at the migration check in at the airport . We were carrying food, candies and other representative elements to show in a cultural exhibition.

The airport authorities were questioning if the liquor inside of the bottles was certainly Rum and if the corn white flour for making “arepas” –special Colombian dish- was actually food. And you cannot imagine how freak out I was trying to explain that the coca leaf tea is not cocaine.

Although coca leaf chewing is common only among the indigenous populations, the consumption of coca tea (mate de coca) is common among all sectors of society in the Andean countries, and is widely held to be beneficial to health, particularly in the high altitudes and to overcome fatigue, hunger, and thirst.

However, they passed our luggage and clothes through the X-ray many times just to make sure.

The negative impact

In the Czech Republic, I met a guy wearing a T-shirt with the legend “I am a Colombian drug trafficker”. It caused so much pain for me when he told me he was wearing it just for fun. For me, it means something completely different:

With 2 to 3 million displaced persons, Colombia presents the highest number of internally displaced people in the western hemisphere, and the second largest displaced population in the world after Sudan. Most of the displacement is related to the country's four-decade-long internal armed conflict, the most protracted in Latin America. This 'dirty war' is a complex conflict fought primarily between left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and Colombian armed forces. But it also involves drug traffickers, landowners, and other legal and illegal interests. (Source: UNHRC, the UN refugee Agency)

More than 40,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Colombia as a result of this armed conflict since 1990 alone.

Geographically, Colombia is as big as Spain, Portugal and France all together and one of the most bio diverse countries in the planet, with a very fertile land. The same as we can increase the production of coffee, potato or corn, we can increase the coca production as well. But with a high demand and ilegal practices of trading, and illegal groups controlling the business, the production of coca is still a rentable possibility for many poor families in Colombia.

I do not deny what is happening internally in Colombia and its stereotypes, I can talk straight forward with every person in the world about them. Today, if you ask me if I recommend you to visit my country, without doubt I would say YES, I do.

Actually, I don’t see myself raising my family in any other country different than mine. Talking to my children about our reality and teaching them how to become our country the number one, the same as my parents did with me.

I recommend you to see yourself the country behind the stereotypes, the country moves by the passion of its kind, happy and good people. Discover Colombia through its heart. Don’t be afraid to see yourself the reality of this country and, how we Colombians say: the only risk is wanting to stay longer… maybe forever.

And now, I am asking you: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Which are the stereotypes of your country? Don’t you think is time to break them out?

making it happen: I got the job!

2009-09-30T23:10:00.004+02:00

I am super super super happy to share with you that I have been selected as the new Communications Officer of an European organization that works for societies of people with intellectual disabilities in all Europe, based in Brussels, with offices in Lisbon and Prague.

I am in charge to create, plan and execute the Communications Strategy (mostly web 2.0 :P) for the organization and to support the realization of the International Congress in Berlin, in June, next year!! :-)

Honestly, this was the most challenging selection process I presented though, imagine to think on web 2.0 ideas for people who doesn't read or understand, or only speaks one language with difficulty! The interview was super cool and we shared cool ideas never seen before, and I am going to have the chance to make this happen!... I was selected of a pool of 5 shortlisted candidates out of 300 applicants!..

I am starting as soon as I got all my legal docummentation in order.. in the meanwhile, I am starting to read and learn more about the topic. It will be a complete new experience that comprises all my interests in one job: Communications, Technology, Social Development, Inclusion and Europe... I am super happy to be able to stay longer in Brussels as I wanted.

Telling the story! happy to release the AIESEC Annual Report 08/09

2009-09-23T17:38:00.006+02:00

This week, the AIESEC International Annual Report 2008/2009 was released, which officially closes my and my colleague Lucy Symons’ roles in ‘telling the story’ strategy from the global office of AIESEC.

http://aiesec.org/cms/aiesec/AI/partners/publications.html

It was a busy successful year for our team, we we’re especially proud to see an alumnus receive the Nobel Prize, to have launched our refreshed global website and to have grown 45% with over 6787 internships placed across the world since June. What a journey!

So much of our strategy, tactics and choices tie back to the conversations and resources many people supported us with- thank you immensely for being so available and supportive across the year.

I want to thank also to the editorial team of the AIESEC online dialogues, responsible to get all the stories we reflected in the annual report. To the beautiful group of designers of InStyle Agency in Uruguay that transformed our ideas into a reality, to our photographer Hannah Anthonysz and to our global partners, alumni and members who contributed in this edition.

Warmly,

Lucy and Aleja
COMM Team, AIESEC International 2008-2009

About Brussels,

2009-09-02T16:59:00.003+02:00

This is funny, some Belgian people ask me WHY do I consider Brussels as my favourite city in Europe, like if it was something unbelievable. I am not denying the beauty of other cities such as: Paris, Rome, Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid, and many more that I have had the chance to visit... the ones that people usually have in their fav lists, But, simply in Brussels I can find a bit OF everything that make me happy...

The first time I heard about Brussels I was in another beautiful city, but in Colombia: Cartagena, it was some years ago. I was with a very special friend of mine, Belgian ;-), he was finishing his internship in Colombia and he was sharing with me how crazy he fell in love of Colombia while his internship. I asked him why did it happen and he started to explain me his city and the"differences" with the colombian ones. However, I was listening to his arguments, and I just got attracted to know that place he was describing me: Brussels!.

This is a small but super international city, capital of Europe,
with French and Dutch as official languages, but high level of English and even Spanish,
place to taste the most delicious chocolate, waffles and ice cream,
to discover that the "French fries" are actually Belgian :P,
its musical festivals,
its thousands of different brands and flavours of beers,
its parks,
its streets,
its pubs,
its medieval buildings,
its museums,
historical places and modern architecture,
cosy cafes, people everywhere, friends everywhere...
an amazing small city for great moments to live and enjoy.

Today is one month already in Brussels and I have enjoyed discovering all what he told me that night in Cartagena. It is good to have him here as well! the world is extremely small and all of us are just global citizens. :-)

I still have some pending items in the list, but I hope to be able to have more time to explore this magic city... fingers crossed!

One last point, for sure what I like the most of this city is that they do not have a big warrior, or "liberator" riding a horse statue as their landmark, they have two "petit" naked children urinating the city! This is the emblem.. I find this really cool, just simplicity!

If you want to explore more about this legend, then click here

Hope you can visit this city.. even better if I am here! ;-)
Hugs and thanks for reading,!

Lala.

my online identity!

2009-08-21T19:52:00.006+02:00

Personas is a component of the Metropath(ologies) exhibit, currently on display at the MIT Museum by the Sociable Media Group from the MIT Media Lab. It uses sophisticated natural language processing and the Internet to create a data portrait of one's aggregated online identity. In short, Personas shows you how the Internet sees you.

More in:
http://personas.media.mit.edu/

interesting data on Colombia's connectivity

2009-08-20T13:06:00.005+02:00

Reading at the most recent semester report by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Colombia, I extracted some important data that I want to share with you..

I still see the enormous potential my country has in matters of connectivity, technology and communications. I acknowledge the big efforts that many people in Colombia are doing, not only from the official side, but I still see ourselves very far behind of how we should look like and our potential.

Find all the report in the website of the Ministry. (but the document is only in Spanish -> other thing we need to improve!)

Up to date in Colombia
(with over 42 millions of people)

2.9 millions
of people are connected to the Internet.
It represents 65% more than 2008.

41 families out of 100 in Colombia
have Internet access from home

91 people out of 100 in Colombia
have a mobile phone with Internet access

31% of the total of public educative institutions in Colombia
have internet access.
It represents the access to only 56% of the overall number of students subscribed to public educative institutions.

1 computer per 26 children is the connectivity average in the public educative institutions in Colombia.

in 2010,
San Andres Islands in Colombia will have Internet access through broadband, connecting the islands with the rest of the country. finally!

There will be 1600 radio stations, a new public TV channel and the public digital TV will be launched.

in 2012
Colombia will have a their own orbit satellite, this is an investment of over 230 million dollars.

experiencing the digital literature...!

2009-08-17T23:54:00.005+02:00

Something to note: digital literature is not the same of books in a PDF version.. it is a complete new experience converging all kind of digital tools and channels to make the experience much more interactive for the reader.

I heard about this concept at the University, when we were analysing the novel "Rayuela" by the Argentinean writer Julio Cortázar. This was the first time when I realised that the literature not necessary should be lineal... it means, you follow the story in the way the writer/author wanted you to read it. In Rayuela, you can jump from one chapter to another, you can somehow decide the route of the characters' story by selecting any option at the end of any chapter.

In short, you can interact with the stories told in the book.. you can even decide the end for all of them.

Well that is how and, thanks to all the information technology advances in place, the digital literature brings this technique to a digital format, using the incredible tools and also social media to make the stories even real for the spectator.

I found today some examples that I would like to recommend to you.

You can read all these 6 digital stories on: http://wetellstories.co.uk/
Six Authors. Six Stories. Six Weeks. beautiful project!

Slice.
by Toby Litt.
Lisa (Slice to her friends) has moved to London with her parents to separate her from 'bad influences'. Coming from the US, Slice is immediately intrigued by the creepy old house they move into. But are her suspicions that the house is haunted well-founded, or is it her teenage over-imagination at work?

You can follow this story on the "blog" of the main character and her parents. If you want to get even more immersed, you can also email the characters and follow them through text messages on Twitter.!

Fairytale
by Kevin Brooks.

Once upon a time there was a Peasant's daughter who lived in a hut in the shadows of a great black mountain. The hut was very small and very cold, because the Peasant was very poor and his wife spent every penny he earned on cakes and trifles and wine...

This book is similar to the role's game. The book is asking you some questions and you need to submit some short information throughout the narrative, about names, locations, characters, decisions, feelings, etc.

21 steps
by Charles Cumming

The 21 Steps is told by following the story as it unfolds across a map of the world (google maps). You have to follow the trail by clicking on the link at the bottom of each bubble. This is so impressive!

Your place and mine
by Nicci French

Two authors told this story in real time. For an hour every night they wrote the story of Laurence and Terry - and spectators were witnesses of the story being created, live and in real time.

--

Have a look, enjoy them! and please let me know if you have any other recommended digital book.. I am really into it!

Hugs,
Lala

music video made with webcams!

2009-08-05T23:46:00.002+02:00

This is so impressive!

This music video was shot for a Japanese band called Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro' (Tone of everyday) from their first mini album 'Water Flavor EP'. The cast were selected from the actual Sour fan base, from many countries around the world.

Each person and scene was filmed purely via Webcams and no much budget was needed!

Bravo for the creativity in Internet!
Enjoy it! :)

Posts after the AIESEC International experience

2009-08-05T17:55:00.009+02:00

Well, this seems to be the beginning of the rest of my life without AIESEC responsibilities.

After 7 years in the organisation is really hard the re-adaptation to the normal life... well, my life has been normal always, but without that 200% more that the AIESECers add to our life, to make it cooler!

The feeling is kinda strange, but when you see all the opportunities in front of you, is completely exciting... because is another adventure to start, another peak to climb, full of learning, more people, experiences and happiness, which is my purpose in life :)

Probably, for the people that are not in AIESEC, you cannot understand how important was this last year for me, as it is for many members in the organisation. But last year I was occupying one of the top-top leadership roles in AIESEC, this opportunity that only 22 young people out of 38,000 were able to live last year: to be in AIESEC International.

I want to write this post to share a bit how was this experience for me, to remember the best moments of my AI experience and with the intention to motivate more members in the organisation to live this experience as well. Let's access to all the opportunities to learn and grow at local, national, regional and global level. All of them are different in scale and impact though, but all of them have the objective to impact YOU. To explore yourself, your passion, your potential, your ability. But also to develop how to make it impactful, oriented, meaningful. This is what the experience in AIESEC is about. Non stop.

In the last year...

I learned that the power of the network is unlimited..
I visited Belgium, Czech Republic, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Egypt..
I facilitated a global conference of over 600 delegates from 105 countries..
I met hundreds of nice people in the middle east..
I learned to respect the differences on cultures, religions, sexual orientation, political affiliations..
I launched the AIESEC presence on social media channels..
I was the first one to see the new AIESEC website ..
I was able to receive support and feedback from very important professionals..
I was working virtually with the most passionate and smart people in Communication of AIESEC, proudly part of my global support team..
I celebrated the over-achievement of our goals never seen in the last 15 years..
I was tracking what was happening in all the offices in the world, where GMT became our watch and English is just one of the many others that we managed in the office..
I was working virtually with suppliers in India, Uruguay, Colombia, the US, and Malaysia..
I reported our successes and incredible stories of our members in the Global Annual Report...
I found my "other-half", professionally speaking, that person that complements you, your strengths and weaknesses, the perfect team buddy to plan and achieve BIG things! Thank you my Lucy! :)

I was working, living, dancing, eating, traveling, having fun with one of to the smartest young people from Mexico, Poland, India, Romania, Australia, Greece, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, China, Czech Republic, United States, Kenya and Colombia. Learning from their cultures, from their ways to see the life, to see the future, to see -literally- the world.

I am not pretty sure -I HOPE- if I will be able to work with such as incredible, professional, intelligent and diverse bunch of people. I don't know if I am going to feel confident again of my team mates, of the projects, of our targets and strategies. I don't know if I will get it in the future... but now I can say that I have lived the best professional experience ever!

My advice for the members that continue believing and working hard for AIESEC:

"AI role as many others in AIESEC is accessible for all the members. You only need understand the organisation, work for it, learn about it, talk with people, perform different roles, commit with different tasks, be part of teams, attend conferences, read documents. Understand why do we exist and what for. And then, imagine how it could be better. Think bigger, apply your academic and working experience and knowledge, ask for advices to your parents, to your teachers, read a lot. AIESEC is a platform to innovate!

If you know what AIESEC is about and you know how can it be bigger and better!, then apply for AI!" :)

I have the best memories in the last year, and being honest I miss SO MUCH my team, the AI office, the AIESEC spirit, my mates, I miss Rotterdam, I cannot believe I wont be in the next AIESEC Conference. But, what makes me happy is the fact that AIESEC continues, everyday bigger and more aware of our capacity and the impact needed. I know I will have any connection with the organisation in my future, in my life. And now, it is the time to move on.

Thanks for all the people that make these 7 years in AIESEC, the best investment I have made for my life! :)

Queda Prohibido

2009-08-05T16:43:00.003+02:00

Por: Pablo Neruda

"Queda prohibido llorar sin aprender,
levantarse un día sin saber qué hacer,
tener miedo a tus recuerdos...

Queda prohibido no sonreír a los problemas,
no luchar por lo que quieres,
abandonarlo todo por miedo,
no convertir en realidad tus sueños,...

Queda prohibido no intentar comprender a las personas,
pensar que sus vidas valen menos que la tuya,
no saber que cada uno tiene su camino y su dicha...

Queda prohibido no crear tu historia,
no tener momentos para la gente que te necesita,
no comprender que lo que la vida te da,
tambien te lo quita...

Queda prohibido no buscar tu felicidad, no vivir tu vida con actitud positiva,
no pensaren que podemos ser mejores, no sentir que sin ti, este mundo no sería igual..."

recommended: The Hub Brussels

2009-08-03T14:28:00.002+02:00

The Hub Brussels

Shared via AddThis

If today was your last day

2009-06-23T20:31:00.001+02:00

Dorita published this song on her blog and I found it so much related with this moment of my life... :)

Hope you like it!

Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day Lyrics

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every time you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every time you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

principles

2009-06-22T14:50:00.002+02:00

Whoever comes are the right people...
Whenever it starts is the right time...
Whatever happens in the only thing that could have happened...
When its over its over....

Gratitude, Fairness, Equity and Justice to my list of personal strengths

2009-06-17T00:26:00.003+02:00

Juan's post reminded me to take the VIA Signature Strengths assessment as part of the activities my team is running to support each others career development.

We are using the frame of The International Leadership Strengths Research Project of Mr David Pollay, AIESEC aumnus, from the University of Pennsylvania. The project aims "to encourage these leaders to fully develop their strengths in support of their goals".

The cool thing is that I found my results when I took it for the first time, 3 years ago, when I was starting my experience at the AIESEC in Colombia office as National Vice President of Talent Management, just returning from my internship in Brazil. :-)

It seems that my humor, optimism and future-mindedness continue really strong in my personality. But what happened with my curiosity with the world, my critical thinking and judgment? My theory is that I have explored too much the world in these last 3 years that I am loosing that enlightenment. :P

On the other hand, Gratitude, Fairness, Equity and Justice are the additions to my list of personal strengths and Industry, diligence and perseverance scaled up to the first position... I think it totally reflects my experience and leanings this year in AI :-)

Here are the results (without analysis), below you find deeper descriptions of the strengths. Note that the frame is based on 24 strengths.

August 2006 results: Read my post about this in 2006

Humor and playfulness
Curiosity and interest in the world
Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
Industry, diligence, and perseverance
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness

Today, 2009!

Industry, diligence, and perseverance
You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

Humor and playfulness
You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.

Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control.

Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

seeing clearly...

2009-06-14T23:19:00.001+02:00

As part of the 7-weeks transition of AIESEC International, me and my team (the current one) have had an awesome "Heading for the future" program...

Being honest, I didn't think this period was THAT important in the experience you live in AIESEC. I mean, I thought that get ready to lead a team, to move to another city, to meet a new culture, to manage big budgets, being responsible for a number of corporate accounts or to lead the strategy of a global organization was something that deserve a HUGE preparation for any member able to perform it... but, to get ready to leave the organization is something that is even MORE important than the previous ones.. is to put you in front of the world you want to change.. is put you in front of yourself!

I have taken the time to wrap up my current experience from all the angles and also start preparing myself physicalyl and emotionally for the next one, either in AIESEC or outside of it.

One the best learning I have had in the first 2 weeks of the program, is analysing myself from the perspective of my daily life (routines). Who am I when I am not in the office? What are the things that make me happy?. What am I doing to challenge me to be better?.. to evolve?.

Seeing clearly is that moment when you start analysing who you are..
what you like and you don't like of you.

Parallel, recently I saw clearly the big mistakes I made with people that matter to me. Facts that I was seeing with other glasses, only from one side of the mirror, from a really selfish position, those things I thought I had changed of my personality, but haven't yet.

... The discovery was like rewinding a movie and seeing the scene not from the killer perspective but from the victim... and it made me feel sad with myself.. things that I cannot do much now, only accept it, apologize, analize and make the deep commitment with me to fix it.

I really appreciate the people who made me realize this. The ones that don't keep their thoughts with themselves, those ones with the courage to say it with the total honesty, not with the intention of hurting me, but to help me on being better, those are the ones I can call my friends...

For the moment, I will start to build my routine for a happy and purposeful live, with these small adjustments in my daily activities: waking up at 7:30am, having breakfast at home and reading news in the morning before I go to the office. I have re-started my Gym routine three times in the week. I also will spend more time with my friends, helping them, listening them, giving all what I can do... not asking without giving as well.

If I am able to deliver this promise with myself -that will bring me happiness and a much more relaxed life,-I will be able to have whatever I want...

reflections after a cup of coffee with myself....

2009-06-02T22:19:00.003+02:00

Communications is what definitely I'd like to continue doing... no meaning me saying what we ALL should say or think, actually is making people communicate between each other, making them closer doesn't matter how distant, different, diverse they are. All of us have incredible stories and opinions to share, lessons to take... we can inspire people, we can make things much better only by connecting with people that matter to us. Why don't we only do it?

Technology, from a positive perspective, is the best way to connect people... I am understanding now that the Internet is not a privilege for some people in the world, it should be a right for all the individuals in the planet basically. The challenge is 1. to make the Internet accessible to everyone, in those regions, countries -even continents- where the access to the technology is really poor; and 2. to educate the people how to use internet in a proper way, a tool for development of societies. God! imagine how amazing and great thing you will be able to see happening in the Internet to change this crazy world..

I don't see myself, for the moment, contributing actively in other place different than my Latin America! The bunch of opportunities to impact there are countless: in Education, Technology, digital divide, entrepreneurship, health, children care, communication, sustainability, business creation, family, culture, politics... I also keep in my mind the faces of the people of my country, Colombia, those ones that have huge dreams and are making all possible to make it a reality: To finish primary school, to buy a house, to have a family, to travel by plane, to see the beach, to have a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday... and I will do my best to contribute in making that happen...

I am loving Europe! without intention of generalize all the European countries, but these are 3 years since I came for the first time, and one year living in The Netherlands, I can see how different and equals we are. I see how the world can be seen from other perspective, much better and much worse sometimes... I like the culture, the diversity, how things can be possible, how government can work and cannot.. how people are more aware of what's happening in the world, how good education can make the difference, how easy is to connect people by having a good infrastructure... I feel more citizen in these cities, without be afraid to be outside, to enjoy and take care of the public spaces to contribute and think in others as a community....

I find myself as a small piece of a big puzzle, finding my place to fit well to make a comprehensive and beautiful picture :-)

R.I.P Mario Benedetti an awesome Latin American writer | Q.E.P.D un grandioso escritor latinoamericano

2009-05-20T23:48:00.001+02:00

Tactic and Strategy
By Mario Benedetti

My tactic is
Looking at you,
Learning how you are,
Loving you as you are,

My tactic is
Talking to you
And listening to you
To build with words
An indestructible bridge

My tactic is
Remaining in your memories
I don't know how
Nor with which pretext
But remaining with you.

My tactic is
Being frank,
And knowing that you are frank,
And not selling each other
Simulations
So that between us
There is no curtain
Nor abyss.

My strategy is,
However,
Deeper and
Easier,
My strategy is
That one of these days
I don't know how
Nor with which pretext
You finally
Need me.

--

Táctica y Estrategia
Por: Mario Benedetti

Mi táctica es
mirarte
aprender como sos
quererte como sos

mi táctica es
hablarte
y escucharte
construir con palabras
un puente indestructible

mi táctica es
quedarme en tu recuerdo
no sé cómo ni sé
con qué pretexto
pero quedarme en vos

mi táctica es
ser franco
y saber que sos franca
y que no nos vendamos
simulacros
para que entre los dos
no haya telón
ni abismos

mi estrategia es
en cambio
más profunda y más
simple

mi estrategia es
que un día cualquiera
no sé cómo ni sé
con qué pretexto
por fin me necesites.

Escuchalo en la voz de Mario Benedetti:
http://www.caracol.com.co/benedetti/poema.aspx?id=806182

y si, todavía hablo español....

2009-05-14T21:00:00.001+02:00

[To my non-english-speaker friends that are asking me how is my Spanish going :P ]

Es curioso, recientemente hablaba con un gran amigo y colega mio de la Universidad y me preguntaba como iba mi trabajo y como iba mi.... idioma (?), al principio creí que era en broma, pero me hizo analizar algunos detalles que estudiaba y que cuidabamos mucho en la U, más si estudias Comunicación.

De hecho, y lo admito, mi inglés es perversamente malo a comparación a como era mi español en la Universidad... siento honesta, saber lo necesario en inglés me ha ayudado a pensar mucho mejor mis ideas y a comunicarme de una manera más cuidadosa, debe ser porque selecciono las palabras que puedan ir mejor para hacerme entender... el proceso es a veces cansón, porque necesitas pensar rápido y dejar fluir lo que sepas en tu vocabulario, que jamás será tan rico como el tuyo nativo.

Recuerdo las clases de Narrativa, en la que nos pedían no solo contar lo que haces, sino PINTAR con las palabras lo que dices. No es como que tomaste un baño de agua fría, sino la electricidad que extiende desde la nuca hasta la parte baja de la espalda al primer toque del agua fría en la ducha... cosas por ese estilo... y eso, realmente extraño de escribir y de comunicarme en español.

Tambien pensaba que es interesante como los seres humanos ciudamos mucho el lenguaje verbal para comunicarnos, pero no muchas veces cuidamos el lenguaje no-verbal para mandar mensajes... la manera como miras, el sonido que produces, tus señales corporales, la risa, el movimiento del pelo, los gestos de la cara, transmiten tanto y a veces somos tan pobres para comunicarlo efectivamente... y ahora estando en un ambiente tan internacional he empezado a analizarlo con atención.

Sigo leyendo en español y de hecho hace mucho tiempo no escribía un post en español (he aquí mi tributo!), pero tambien siento que el mundo es tan grande y tan diverso y tan bellamente rico en diversidad que para qué limitarlo a comunicarnos en un idioma...

...ojalá pudieramos ser unos excelentes comunicadores no-verbales, o que exisitiera otra manera de hacerlo, que no necesitaramos escribir un perfecto español o pronunciar un perfecto inglés para expresar lo que sentimos o pensamos....

He aquí otro dilema, este post sólo le llegara a un porcentaje de mi network que pueda entenderlo, ya por default deje por fuera mucha gente que le sería útil, solo porque no hablan español o en sentido contrario si lo hiciera en inglés... wow! que mundo tan complejo, pero divertido a la vez!

Hablamos lueguito!

Salu2!

27

2009-04-26T19:41:00.003+02:00

If I would retain all the most special moments of the last year...
I include in the list:

My last B-day in Sao Paulo... dancing Salsa, eating Pizza and celebrating with my sister "mentally" our 26th anniversary.. she was in Paris at that time...

My short travels to Colombia, getting ready to The Netherlands...
The moments with my mom in our new house, the chats with my dad, the lazy mornings with my sis, the visits to my grandma's house, the parties with my friends...

That strange feeling I had when I arrived to Amsterdam's airport and Mindy, Kate and Walter were waiting for me to pick me up to Rotterdam. How green and different The Netherlands resulted to me...

All the thoughts, feelings, sensations, ideas.... I have had in my way to Hofdijk (home) to Teillingerstraat (office).... stressful, dissapointed, proud, love, frustration, urgency, happiness, afraid, cold, smelly....

I would take with me, this "freedom" of do what I want, eat what I want, watch what I want, think what I want....

I would pay the double I paid to bring my mom and my sister to Europe and spent our Christmas together...

I would enjoy again the months when my sister and Ivan were living here... I would enjoy the same conversations, the same moments...

I would stay one more day in Prague, Sao Paulo, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Cairo, Budapest, Brussels... to value the privilege of being in those places and surprise me again....

I would celebrate the professional and personal achievements with a beer in the bar at the corner, in the office or at the roof of my house!

I would spend more time with the amazing people I live and work with... listening their stories, their thoughts, tasting their food, learning from their cultures...

I am turning 27, and I feel I have learned a lot in the last year,
but I still have too much to learn... how exciting is that??? :P

One again, thanks to life for giving me this opportunity to be living dreams coming true...

sense of my life

2009-01-04T23:31:00.001+01:00

This is one of the most powerful videos I have ever seen..
it reminds me the sense of my hard work, preparation, dreams, contacts, discipline... passion!

This is what really matters!
Enjoy it!

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

the power of the global network

2008-12-08T00:20:00.001+01:00

An important milestone in my term has passed by and I feel more than satisfied.. I feel, full! :)

The Global Communication Crew meeting 2008 was hosted in Rotterdam the last week thanks by the financial support of UNILEVER, that supports us in the development of the areas of Talent Management and Communication in AIESEC.

So far, it has been the most powerful experience I have had in my term in AIESEC International.

I had the big privilege to facilitate the learning of 12 amazing people, really committed with the organization, who decided to spend an entire week to learn, support and think the future of the network from the role of Communication.

Three romanians, one girl studyng Maths and managing the Exchange and Communication area of AIESEC in Sweeden, the other girl responsible for Communication in AIESEC in Romania since she was in her Local Committe in her university, and the guy, now working for a company who selected him for his ideas and professionalism.

Two australians girls, one of them travelling 20 hours to get Rotterdam and managing virtually the External Relations of AIESEC in Australia while she was attending the meeting. The other one, the most incredible colleague in Communication I have ever had in my life.

Two funny and really smart brazilians, one supporting the national initiatives of AIESEC in Brazil and the other one, managing the Communications of AIESEC in Spain, the last one living a powerful cultural experience and personal discovery.

One sweet, peaceful, creative greek, passionated about the external communications, responsible for the great performance of AIESEC in Greece till now.

A lovely and really inteligent girl, responsible to manage the Communication of AIESEC in Singapore. Small girl with big ideas and character.

Another colombian in the team! This girl is younger than me and today is part of a consultancy firm of Communcations in Colombia, supporting and managing accounts with big companies and also voluntary supporting the activities of Communication in AIESEC. She also connected me to my home, she brough me coffee, cakes and sweets I am missing from home.

A funny and focused italian girl. She is responsible to lead the Communication team of AIESEC in Italy and also supporting the organization of the next AIESEC International Presidents Meeting in Italy, taking place in the next February 2009.

The girl responsible for the Communication of AIESEC in Portugal is an intelligent, analytical, supportive and direct person. She is excited to manage the initiatives of Brand experience in the coming months.

There were also 5 members more that, unfortunately, were not able to attend the meeting because of different reasons, mostly because of lack of money: the responsible for Communication and External Relations of AIESEC Pakistan, of AIESEC in Turkey, of AIESEC in Egypt and the Communication responsible of AIESEC in Colombia and AIESEC in Hong Kong.

The person resposible to manage and coordinate these incredible team -and virtually- is a Serbian, he was in charge of Communication of AIESEC in Serbia last year, when the country was selected as the best performing AIESEC Country in Branding and Communication initiatives in the 2007. He is the best complement for me to manage this amazing team.

--

We were working from 10am till 8pm every day, thinking in the big impact we could generate if we bring to the organization that piece that is missing in the puzzle: connection! To imagine how cool could be that more people would know about our work, if even more the AIESEC members world wide could be more connected as the way we are, doesn't matter in which country, GMT, political or economic reality we belong to.

About how cool would be if we could spread the stories we generate and to show the impact we are creating in the world every single day. One by One, changing young people's life. Enabling life changing AIESEC experiences.

Suddenly, we were talking in the same language and creating a good family!
Thinking in big initiatives to make this possible and also sharing as old friends. No idea when we'll see each other again, no idea how our lives will change after this week, coming back to their countries, continuing their jobs and commited to the network virtually.

This is how AIESEC works, putting brilliant people together! creating friendship, facilitating personal and professional development, activating leadership, connecting this unbelievable organizaton moved thanks by the passion of its members!

Thanks guys! :)

cold in Rotterdam...

2008-11-11T00:03:00.003+01:00

It is cold in Rotterdam...

People says it is normal since we are in winter. Actually, it is my first time, experiencing winter season in Europe!!!! :) I find it so funny! it is people changing their clothes, wearing jackets, scarfs, hats, another jacket, colourful gloves, boots.. it is sooo coool!

Suddenly, everything change, even the humour of the people!! It is quite hard to find ice creams! In Bogota, I can find ice creams and people don't watch me different. :P

Anyways, I liked autumn! all the leaves changed the colour from dark green, to a warm orange, then a wonderful yellow and finally to a dark brown. I love to see that metamorphosis! But now, all the trees are so naked.. poor of them :(

...Maybe this discovery results so random for many people but for me, it is like a new adventure of discovering.. I miss so much my country: the cold of Bogota that never never will be colder than this, the November and December mood in the Shoppings, the Radio, the TV, my favorite bars,... I want to much discover Bogota right now!

But I love all these new feelings! :)

On the other hand,
In the next daysI will be travelling again...
Germany and Spain are my destinations..

Germany: I am soooo happy since I am going to see some of my best friends! Bee, Ivancho, my Sister, Juank and Sergio!

For the first time I will be in Bee's city: Dusseldorf! and I would add a new country to my personal list of travels! YEEEII!! Another dream coming true!

Spain: I was invited by the MC of AIESEC in Spain to be the Chair of their National Conference for new members in Madrid! :) I am super excited to connect again to the AIESEC people, especially the most recent ones, also to go to Madrid, which is one of my favorite cities....