Audra's time

Differences

2006-11-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

These are the signs for the public toilets in one of the parks close to my home. I just couldn't just pass it not taking pictures :)

MC girls & Bulgarian wine!

2006-11-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

This was one of our fridays when we have the only our day off. So we took Bulgarian wine bottle which was standing in our room for almoust a week! So we took the wine, and went to the park (we waited to get dark) because if we would try to drink wine in the daytime we are risking to go to jail or to be banded from the country! :) So we had nice walk along the creek and then we found nice place to settle down and try Bulgarian wine which was very good:) As the consequences of the nice evening we have nice pictures as well:) Don't think anything wrong, it's just team bonding! :)

MC bunnies :)

2006-11-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

Finally all MC bunnies are together! This is first Stella's day in AIESEC UAE!!!

UAE is not only Dubai!

2006-11-04T04:17:00.000-08:00

Lot's of people say that UAE has no history, and history started only when oil was discovered and all skycrapers started to be build. Lot's of poeple say that UAE has no culture. That may seem like that if you have seen only Dubai. But I have seen the places where you really feel the country culture and history. This tower is nothing similar to any towers in Dubai that are shiny! Actually this is the place where very first mosk was build and still is the same as it was in the begining of 15th century. Also here you may see as people live not luxiourus life, but simple village life, with little of civilization and little of needs, although almoust every small house has satelite:)

UAE is not only Dubai!

2006-11-04T04:03:00.000-08:00

The same day I had experienced something absolutely beautifull! For the very first time I went snorceling. On the right you see the place where we were. Its amazing sight - the rock in the water, and more amazing sight which is underwater! I have always been afraid of deep water, and diving! I was really strugelling to overcome the fear just to lay down on the water, put my face into water, and deep regularly. Finally when i managed to calm down and coordinate my breath, i started my trip into under sea world. Just few metters from the shore, you start seeing the begining of coral reef and fishes that have all the colors of the rainbow... It was absolutelly marvelous sight. For the first time i have seen such fishes so close to me... and of course fist empression was that i wanted to say: "ohhh... look how beautiful" and at very the sam emooment my mouth was full of salty, very salty water:)
We spent all day on the beach, swimming, sunbathing, sleeping:) RELAXING!!!

UAE is not only Dubai!

2006-11-04T03:20:00.000-08:00

UAE is not only Dubai with huge traffic, rush and skycrapers that are the biggest, tallest and widest. UAE also has very nice spots! One weekend we had a trip to see different UAE. On the way to Fujairah we passed mountais, which are amazingly beautiful rocks and some palms in kind of oasis where you can see some huts and people living there, untouched of civilization.
Here we are at the very nice site: Cirstin, me and Dragos

Excitement ! ! !

2006-10-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's so excited! ! ! And I just can't hide it ! ! ! :)

I'm get a boost of motivation when i think of all new people comming to join us here. First and most of all, Stella, my new team mate, she is finally getting her visa and arriving so soon! It's gonna be kind of new begining of the team. Sometimes it feels that we are stuck in the moment, when you say that latter will be better, but you've got to get yourself together to get it over. ( I almoust speak of the U2 lyrics) :) Also new begining is comming with all new members joining the LC. It will bring new winds and boost the enegery of all organisation, because huge new power is comming!
Another source of excitement is for my home LC Kaunas - who will celebrate this weekend so much, I know you will party like hell and will be happy in your hearst so much because you finally receive your EB member Giray, who we all waited for so long, also the inter is comming in! Guys - enjoy the moment and make these guys to experience real LC culture! ! ! I know it will be awesome!
I love you all so much!

The difference

2006-10-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

Today was an ordinary day. Well, I guess so. Few hours in the office, then AIESEC presentation in one of universities, visiting Srini at the work, again in the office staying late and working on some stuff. Anyways, if you would look from different perspective, I'd say that the experience with university was quite interesting. There are two major things that are different from what I am used to (in Lithuania). University location and students.
First, the location of university - desert! Literary, university campus is located in the middle of the desert, it took as some 15 min drive just on the highway throught the desert :) however in a year time all universities will shift there, but so far there are only two buildings fro universities, others just to come.
Second, the students. We visited women university, that means that only women are studying there, and only local Arabs, so that means that all of them are under traditional covering and clothing. It's interesting to see the different student life in university... All girls look the same, and they don't need any uniform, because the abaya is already as uniform :) However, each girl has her own way to express herself through amount of make up, CK or Gucci handbags, jewelry.
We presented AIESEC internship opportunity for last year students, at the end of presentation we asked how many would be interested on going abroad for an internship, so there were many hands, but when we asked how many would be able to go (minding parental restrictions) only one girl said that she would be able.
Actaully the teachers and university administration are more excited about our internship program than students, and uni administration is the driver of this idea.
This is so much different from the university enviroment I come from :) (Best regards to VDU;) )

Girls over here are like treasure: hidden and highly protected!

What makes your day?

2006-10-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

There are lots of small things that can make your day. Such as nice compliment, email from good friends, even good weather, or strangers smile.
My recent discovery is coffee (please notice that it is special coffee: cup of hot milk + instant Nescafe) which tastes especially nice and creamy and amazing taste cheese cake which is so soft and extremely nice. Such combination makes my day recently!

Day for your soul

2006-10-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

Friday is a day when you can sleep long till afternoon. So I did it this friday. Long sleep is healthy! (Well, at least i claim that) :)

What else will make your friday nice day? What about good book, beach and sunset?

This is how it went: walk in fridyish empty street till the supermarket, buying a book of my favourite writer which i wanted to read for a long time. Going to the beach park, settling nicely on the sand and enjoing evening sun which is pleasently warming up your body. After some time the sun speeds up to set down, so it's perfect time to go for a swim and see how the sun is getting into warm water coloring it with different shades and playing with the last sunshines. The sunset was so beautiful, I could watch it every day, like little prince said, he loves sunsets so much that he watches it 40 times a day, just moving step by step in his little planet (The Little Prince by Exuperi). The beach was almoust empty and so peacefull, perfect time for meditation and reflection. Perfect time to forget the hectic speed, and just relax.

The paradox of our age

2006-09-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much,
Smoke too much,
Spend too recklessly,
Laugh too little,
Drive too fast,
Get too angry too quickly,
Stay up too late,
Get up too tired,
Read too seldom,
Watch too much TV,
And pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values,
We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often,
We‘ve learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We‘ve added years to life, not life to years.

We‘ve been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble
Crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We‘ve conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We‘ve done larger things, but not better things;
We‘ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We‘ve split the atom, but not our prejudices;
We write more, but learn less;
Plan more, but accomplish less.

We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait;
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
More food but less appeasement;
More acquaintances, but fewer friends;

More effort but less success.
We build more computers to hold more information
To produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; We’ve become
long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
Tall men, and short characters;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure and less fun;
More kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses but broken homes.

These are the days of quick trips,
Disposable diapers,
Throw away morality
One-night stands,
Overweight bodies,
And pills that do everything from cheer,
To quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window
And nothing in the stockroom.

Indeed it’s all true.

It’s all about you and me. It’s all about if we want to make the difference or continue to live in paradox. What we need to do is just stop of one moment, feel the silence in your body and mind. Think what really matters in your life, act if you don’t have any obligations, if you don’t care what others will think of you (don’t worry they are too busy thinking of what others thinks of them, so they don’t care about you), make things that makes you happy. Every little thing helps. If you want to see the difference, so be a difference you want to see.

Ramadan kareem

2006-09-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Today Ramadan started. It’s a month when eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed between dawn and sunset. During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from, violence, anger, envy, angry and sarcastic retorts, and gossip. People are meant to try to get along with each other better than they normally might. Purity of both thought and action is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm.

How does it affect me? I’m not allowed to eat/drink in the public; even chewing gum may be considered as disrespected behavior. Thus, no coffee in the office anymore. However, food court in the university is open and you can have food there, however you have to be aware whenever you say “oh, I’m so hungry”, or “oh, that pasta was lovely” …. :) Especially since my teammate is fasting, we have to be aware of that and respect her religion and power will. Avinash and me, we came up with couple of code words to use during Ramadan… :) E.g. “I’m so excited” means “I’m so hungry” :)

Am I going to fast? Yes, I’m going to try to do it for couple of days just for pure curiosity and try to understand how fasting people feel. I know it’s not going to be the same because it’s not my religion, and I’m not going to pray and be fully involved in the Ramadan. But since I’m in this country, I want to experience it.

“When if not now, who if not you”

A week before Ramadan starts

2006-09-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

This week was pretty busy. First we had Dragos birthday which we made a surprise for him coming all together in Lebanese restaurant and getting him couth eating his dinner we sang “Happy Birthday”. Latter on we got into annual Indian dancing festival Gandiya where we went crazy trying to learn or better to say “invent” Indian dances:) One more time happy birthday Dragos, I really wish that this year would bring you many new experiences!

On Tuesday it was our Serbian intern Milica’s bye-bye dinner. We had nice time in Lebanese restaurant (and very very good grape shesha!!!) almost everybody arrived to say bye-bye to Milica.

Dear, I hope that you are having very good time at home and best of luck settling down in Madrid! I know you will have amazing time there!

Wednesday was supposed to be last clubbing day before Ramadan starts. Three crazy clubbers were Cirstin, Vrej and me. That was nice evening out, we have visited three clubs however we didn’t enter any…so we ended up going home, since Cirstin felt asleep in the car :)

Thursday trip to Abu Dhabi – I believe it’s becoming a tradition to get to Abu Dhabi late…

Friday was so called International Cooking Day when we all cooked our traditional dishes. We ended up having Lithuanian Cepelinai with mushroom souse which required efforts from Deepak and Avi, who has sacrificed even some blood for it! Also we had Romanian meat balls, German sandwiched and sausages which curry, and Indian rice with nice, spicy vegetables (thanks to Avi’s momJ). That was fun process to cook all of these things, and even more fun to eat it, but the best part was cleaning up all the mess in the kitchen! Thanks for guys who were really good at cleaning!

After good lunch all lazy person needs is nice smoke of shesha. We went to amazing place where we spent few hours sitting at the creak, having shesha, breeze and jet skiing performance just in front of us. We finished our nice lazy day in Abu Dhabi way – watching friends, eating take-away, and having some “berry juice” and falling asleep.

I have to admit that this week was really nice, especially lazy weekend! Thanks guys for making this week special!

The end of the "honey moon"

2006-09-19T04:11:00.000-07:00

Today I realized that I’m reaching second stage of cultural shock. It’s been a month and half I’m here. Every day while I drive home from the office I have quite some time to reflect on everything what is happening. The way I felt today made me realize that the environment I live in no more seems to be exciting and my so called “honey moon” in Dubai is getting to the end.

So far bus drive in traffic jam for one hour an a half seem to be normal experience and the drivers culture to honk to every car seem to be a part of driving culture. And it still is a part of the culture, but today I realized how much of tension and stress it brings to me. Every time I’m get out of the bus I’m ready to shout at the driver! These are not the best feelings to have at the end of long day, however you are taking the same route from the bus station to your place, on these narrow packed streets with lots of small shops and cafeterias, the air in these streets are stuffed it seems with all the smells of the world, and unfortunatelly not the best ones. You don’t want to walk on the sidewalk, because you want to escape of these old men looks. Even if you think, ok that bus driver sucks, but like is beautiful, I want to smile for the world, but if you go with the smile on your face there you will get all these smiles and remarks in a language that you don’t understand, but from their look you realize their meaning. So all you want to do is just to look down, and fasten your steps just to escape from all of that. It makes you angry, because you cannot be yourself and have to wear mask of very cold/arrogant person who walks with glass expression on the face. I really missed to catch up strangers eyes and exchange smiles; just simple sincere smile which doesn’t cost you anything, but makes your day brighter.

This is how I was walking today and at the point when tears blocked my breath I caught myself and said this is the time to use “be strong” driver. A hug would have helped me a lot on that time. However, head up, shoulders back, deep breath. This evening I realized that long walk is my cure from letting me go down and stuck with negative feelings. It’s good exercise for body and soul, just to clear your mind of all the thoughts that been bothering you before. Every time going for shopping I would pass small Russian shop. Today I decided to enter it, and I was nicely surprised, there was a woman who greeted me in Russian and it was nice to have small chat with her on the product that the have, they do have lots of products that I wouldn’t get in ordinary supermarket, such as tasty sausages and sour cream. (Now i know where i get sourcream for weekends Cepelinai cooking!)

I took my walk back, had dinner and read book “The Little Prince” which was Auryte’s present for my farewell. This book is so simple and true, gives you food for thoughts.

Tip for tomorrow: buy some color stickers for my shoes!

Sunday and Sharja

2006-09-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday (=Monday in Europe) was quite an interesting day, I don’t want to say it was bad day, now way, it was rather interesting day, since it was my first day in the office after IC. Having in mind that on Saturday I had very long and good sleep so wake up in the morning was really easy and I even managed to have nice breakfast. However, Sunday (=Monday) thingies started to happen in the office. First of all internet was not working, tied all combinations but it was not working. So went to the LC office where guys were having road shows (=@ promotion). Tied to connect my laptop to the internet there, Hur did his best in searching for cables and all stuff to make it work, however I ended up working on two computers, office one with internet connection and mine with all the data… it was not that much fun…. However I managed to do basic things I had to do! Good for me:)

When day turned to the evening we went for Shisha (gosh I missed that really much), so Vrej came to pick me up from the office and as no wonder we got stuck in the traffic! So we reached House of Shisha after one and a half of hour, when guys were enjoying smoke of shisha… Anyways, grape shisha is so good! Was nice to sit again in that comfi couch and relax! So when we got ready to leave and Vrej was dropping Deepak and me home somehow he got an idea to go for fail*** (some kind of cheep Lebanese food) in Sharja. No wonder but Deepak and me said why not, lets go for it! I’m always up for any spontaneous idea! So we were on our way to Sharja, where I’ve been couple of times. However this time was really different, we went for that food which name I don’t remember which was good. Then we took a ride though all Sharja. It left me very good impression of calm, beautiful and keeping tradition city. The best part of it was the port area where you can see all boats of trading and fishing, there boats are just like from a nice movie or picture, all wooden decorated in different colors. The area is full of all kinds of packages that were traveling long way. On the opposite side of that there are small old shops that sell specified goods; there is good place to buy some spices, ect. And of course there are simple but nice shisha places. That street gives very good picture of the Emirates of what it has been before oil was discovered: fishing, shipping and small trading. Peaceful and easy life. The view was marvelous! I regret that I didn’t have my camera with me. But this is a place to come back when the weather treats you well and you can enjoy long walking there. When we moved the road further we reached Ajman, another emirate, which is also so different from Dubai, life seems much slower there. There is one interesting fact to mention about Sharja and Ajman: Sharja is a city where alcohol is forbidden (as in all UAE, but in that emirate especially since it’s funded by Saudi Arabia), and Ajman is famous for its illegal alcohol trading! So we went to see the place where that goodie is sold:), however this time we didn’t get any… Interesting thing is that if you buy some alcohol in Ajman and then you have to drive back thought Sharja where its is forbidden to carry alcohol. If you will be stopped by police and your car will be checked you may get into very serious problem! So there are two options:

1. to buy alcohol in Ajman and drink it there, then go drunk to Dubai

2. to buy alcohol in Ajman, take it though Sharja and get a risk to be deported:)

Driving back we went back to all these beautiful views of Sharja, it has lots of water, and nice beaches.

Have you ever seen the beauty that makes you cry? I did, it almost made me cry, not because it’s sad, but because it’s beautiful!

Looking forward to have a long walk in these places!

September 8th afternoon on my way to Dubai. Moscow, Sheremetyevo airport, Russia.

2006-09-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

AIESEC is all around :). Just before check in to the flight I met Condast (MC Turkey) still wondering in Poland, had a cup of coffee, had a chat about IC and future plans.

Standing in line for check in, thinking that not everything is so bad, and raise my eyes up. And just in front of me there is Birtan (MC China) taking the same flight. He is heading back to Mainland of China, me to Dubai. Here in Sheremetyevo airport we had some nice chats about our international experiences, was nice to share all small things what we are going though and to learn more about China. Now I start considering that China can become my destination for next year! Also first introduction to my new teammate Stella, since she was in AIESEC Turkey last year!

Anyways, on the same flight we met two guys from IC CC!

There are two things in my head now:

The world is so small.
AIESEC is so big.

Just another hour left till boarding. I’m sitting in Irish pub which is the only place in the airport which is seems to look ok and has a plug-in point. However I have to “enjoy” stuffy cigarette smokes air. Its just another 5 hours and I’m again in Dubai, the place where somebody is waiting for me, and far away from the place where somebody is missing me. Right now I’m between two worlds that are so different. I don’t feel sad leaving Lithuania, because I had very nice time meeting everybody, and it’s feels good to know that people are still the same and I’m still there in their lives (although not on daily bases). As well I feel comfortable going to Dubai, this is the place now I belong to. Lots of excitement is filing me thinking of Dubai and people that are there!

I wanna say huge thanks for people who made this day brighter: Vaida, Justas, Kruopa, Laura, Algis, Aqua and Lina! It was so nice to see all your confused, confident, funny and smiling faces!!! That was nice surprise and will be good motivator for blue days! Thanks for everybody who came for pizza, beer and football! It was sooooo good to sit together with all of you again, and I’m sorry that I didn’t have enough time to have long chat with each of you!

September 8th morning on my way to Dubai. Warsaw. Poland.

2006-09-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Philosophical approach: Dubai is not my destination. Why? Every time I have to go there happens something strange, stupid, unexpected that seems ‘m the biggest looser, or just some circumstances are protecting me from Dubai. But me wouldn’t be me if I would give up so easily!

Realistic approach: Poland is ignorant towards their neighboring country Lithuania. Why?

Warsaw airport you cannot exchange Litas to any other currency. Although you can exchange Estonian krons and Latvian lats…
Warsaw city center, national bank you cannot exchange Lithuanian currency.
Desperate call to Lithuanian embassy in Warsaw. Advice – go to commerce bank
Commerce bank does not exchange litas!!!!
Eureka!!! Some kind of 24 hours open Lombard –you can exchange LITAS!

Self – criticism approach: Loser! Why can’t you exchange your currency on the border?????

Moral of the story: always prepare for your trip in advance!

p.s. thanks for the taxi driver named X who helped me around (but gosh he was expensive!!!!)

Audra in a week’s time

2006-09-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

Content:

-Audra is going to IC (=International Congress, the biggest annual AIESEC conference where all executive bodies of 95 countries gathers together, this year in Poland)
-Audra needs UAE residence visa urgently!
-Audra needs the ticket & Audra is in traffic jam
-Audra is packing
-Audra is in airport
-Audra preparing surprise

Audra is going to IC

One of the days when transition was in it’s mids at the “Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf” Basma said that MC budget may cover my travel expenses to Poland. Yahoo! Surprisingly, me somehow managed to have spare money (which is not a case usually!!!) for delegate fee. So here we go – Audra is going to IC!!! But… it’s a week time till IC, deadline for registration is way back! And Misss Audra is way not on delegate list. But luckily after couple of emails I was approved as delegate! UAE has a delegation!!!!

Audra needs visa

The ones who has followed my story I guess missed some storied about visa. So here we go, brand new story about visa J Since I arrived to Dubai I’ve had copy of the visa and as we have been told we been waiting for a call for medical check in order to get proper visa in the passport. So as IC same into the horizons I said to myself “Oh shit, I cannot leave the county if I don’t have proper visa in my green passport, and if I leave, when I’m returning the copy of the visa will be expired already… So… “Hello my dear immigration department, it’s me, Audra, again!” J To my surprise or not surprise the dialogue continues “Miss you have to wait for 5 to 7 days to be visa issued. (and IC pre-meeting begins in 2 days…) So, no way I’m making for pre-meeting, even if I make urgent visa… However, no panic – one day or another I’ll make to Poland! BUT to do that I need to give blood!!! For those who don’t know me well I have to say that I’m terribly afraid of giving blood! So, Audra went to the hospital, laid down, closed her eyes, but the nurse couldn’t find any vein, because they just simply disappeared as I was so afraidJ. After some conversation she found some blood spot in my hand (the front part of the palm!!!) That was so bad….:L Anyways, as all tests were done, I came to the stage of “WAIT”. The results of all the torture is that on Wednesday 4 p.m. Audra has got UAE residence visa for 3 years!

Audra needs ticket & Audra is stuck in traffic jam

Since cheep flights do not provide you with the possibility to change the dates of the flight and you have to purchase it on the booking, so in my situation when I even didn’t have my passport in hands I couldn’t relay on the government saying that they will issue visa today. They would say today or tomorrow… So… Wednesday 4:30 p.m. I book the tickets, they are printed at 6 p.m. only. 5.15 p.m. Audra is leaving KV (=Knowledge Village, the place where AIESEC office is situated) 8.15 p.m. Audra reaches ticket place in Karama. Where did I take so long? Vrej and me were stuck in the bloody traffic for 2 hours!!! My ticket guy finished work at 5.30 p.m and he agreed to wait till 6 p.m. when I come to pick it up. He has stayed at the office till 8.15 p.m.! He was really pissed off of me saying “I’m stuck in the traffic” But at the end he charged me 15 Dhs less!!! I don’t know why!!!

So 8:20 p.m. ticket + visa are in my hands, I’m leaving Dubai less than in 4 hours. Things to be done: 1. shopping for Global Village + souvenirs, 2. packing, 3. shower

Audra is packing or Indian family interfering Audra's packing

Everything started when I showed to Vanita that I bought Abaya. She got so excited about the idea of me representing UAE in global Village so she wanted to make me look real Arab girl (who wears lots of jewelry and make up). She brought all the jewelry she has (and she has lots of it!) and we started to match what goes best to me and abayaJ. So it ended up that my suitcase is full of Arabic – Indian jewelry, some more specific clothes. At that time I got Rana’s call saying that I have to get ready in 15 min – so quick shower and quicker packing!!!

Audra in airport

Finally, thanks to Rana and one of his best friends I have reached the airport where I had some time to reflect on all busy day and past week. And less minutes till my flight left more exited I got. In the morning I spoke to Avinash who has reached Poland first out of our delegation (and got lost – but here’s another storyJ). Then Basma left couple of hours ago. At the time I was in Dubai airport my VPICX was chilling & exploring Warsaw with Australian delegation and my teammate Basma just landed in London. It’s just another 12 hours and all three of us will meet in Poland, in IC opening ceremony! That’s so exciting, however more excitement comes when I realize that I’ll be representing AIESEC in UAE!

Audra preparing surprise

Excitement is the best engine of energy & motivation! I’ve been excited about going to IC because of couple of things. First is the power IC holds! It’s my first International Congress where all leaders of entire organization uniting 95 countries come into one place! I already know that these 10 days will have strong impact on me as representative of AIESEC in UAE and as a person. Another strong motivator is the fact that I’ll meet my Lithuanian delegation and after conference I’m going home where I’ll meet my family. (During IC my mom & sis are having b-days! So all I need to do is to wrap myself into present paper and go homeJ ). None of my family or friends or AIESECers knows that I’m coming to Lithuania for few days! I simply can’t wait till THAT!

AIESEC in press

2006-08-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

During my first week in here we have had a press launch together with two our partners ACER and Knowledge Village presenting Qiyada program for UAE nationals. The press launch went all well in VIP launch:) To read the article press here: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/08/08/10058449.html

Growth speed in Dubai

2006-08-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

Just two pictures to see how Dubai has changed in the past decade.
Dubai in 1991

Dubai in 2005

Going to Ras al Khaimah

2006-08-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

The third day of my stay in Dubai we went to another emirate Ras al Khaimah together with trainees. That was a nice trip which usually would take around 2 hours one way. However we enjoyed driving so much that we spend another 2 hours on hour way to the place, and tried to get lost as many times as possible. For more fun we tried several combinations: since we were in four cars, so every time we would chose another leader who would lead us though out all the way. So our Saturday’s leaders were Vrej, Avinah, Rana and Basma. Each of them tried to lead us to our goal – Ras al Khaimah. Every driver would take initiative to lead the bunch of people, but at the end Basma played the best role on this trip and got us to our goal! Although I’m result orientated person, I really enjoyed the process, because I got to learn new things about the nature in UAE – it’s desert everywhere!!! Of course such stupid foreigners who had never ever saw the desert would try to climb the dune, even if you would sink in hot sand, even then I enjoyed the process! This trip made me realize how I love nature and lots of greenery. Also we have visited one of sheikh’s residence, which is a small castle somewhere close to mountains in Ras al Khaimah. There is all our bunch of AIESEC’er and trainees!

Audra in Dubai

2006-08-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

It’s been a week I’m in Dubai.

How my life has changed so far?

- Lithuanian environment vs multinational environment

- 300.000 population city vs 1.000 000 population city

- Lithuanian language vs English language

- Living with parents vs living with Indian family

- Weather + 30 vs + 45 and high humidity

- Cold shower vs hot shower and no cold water

- Grass vs sand

- Beer vs water/juice

- Beer vs coffee/tea

- Beer vs shisha

- Potato food vs junk food/spicy food

- Quite well arranged public transportation vs dependence on friends who drive car

- Part time AIESEC vs full time AIESEC

- Hugs and kisses vs “Hi, what’s up”

My life style has changed as the environment I’m in has changed. Actually, first time I realized to what change I’m up to was in Prague airport at check-in desk, when I saw all the passengers who were traveling to Dubai. There was huge variety, and many women wearing black traditional clothing, covering heads and faces also men with traditional white dress all looking like sheichs :)

All the week I’m on observer’s mode: trying to adapt to the environment, behavior norms AIESEC realities, city orientation, ect.

My MC team is MCP Basma and me, and so looking forward to be full with PD person when actually all team can start performance!

So far I’m in transition, which requires lot’s of awareness of local culture and way of living! Believe me its do different that I’m used to!

Leaving? Leaving!

2006-07-31T03:40:00.000-07:00

I just had an amazing goodbye party - thanks for each of you who came and made it special! It was so nice to see all of you!
And you all wished that finally after one month of stuggling on visa issue i wiould be gone on saturday! Hehehe... it is ironic as it can be.... but i'm not there yet...

Q.: Why?
A.: Visa was delayed.

Q.: IS it annoying?
A.: No, not any more, i got used to it.

So, again saying byebye to all of you but not leaving - its already second time :-)

But this post is already with happy note - because on SUDNAY i got a call from Basma (MCP) and was told that finally we got visa!!!

YAHOOOO!!!

Now it's for sure that i leave on wednesday. Its getting excited...

Two sleeps and i'm in Dubai.

Homeland

2006-07-24T03:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterady we went to visit my grandma. The trip was such a nice thing: speed, windows open, wind is blowing into your face and hair, jazz music on the radio, marvelous landscapes of fields and forests, nice memories of last night, and absolutely no worries... I felt so pieceful. Every time I pass though the field of rey in the middle of the summer when they are already mature and ready to be taken off I want to stop and have some minutes walking in that field, feeling the heat of sun, smell rey, and sound that you make walking though the field. This picture is made in the place where my father spend his childhool. Lovely!

Good-bye message to LC

2006-07-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

Reflections on term 2005/2006

It's been few days when EB 2005 2006 has ended their term. I have been reflecting on all the year that has passed, it seems one year such a long period of time, but for me it has passed as in a speed of light.
Tonight I had flashbacks from our Grand LC meeting, and I got into mood of reviewing our journey during this year.

You see, our life is like a journey by train, just as we had watched our journey by train on the power point in Grand LC meeting.
There is whole life in the train: some people get in, some of them get out, sometimes we have accidents, bad luck, some stops are full of surprises and challenges and some stops are full of sadness.

At the moment we are born we step into the train, where we find a person who loves us and we believe that they will stay during our entire journey.
However, the truth is different. They step out in one of the stops leaving us without their care, friendship and love. Although there are other people who gets on the train and they are very precious for us.
For some of us this journey seems as short trip.
Some people finds only sadness in their journey, and some people are ready to help anytime.
Some people getting out of the train leaves all the longing.
Some people get into train and gets out just passing by.
Some people have lots of expectations, sometimes they fulfill, sometimes not.

We are wondering why people we love and care sits in the next wagon, and at the same moment we are abundant by other people. Of course nobody can ban as from searching for our beloved ones through all the train.
But when we find them, sometimes we cannot sit next to them, because the seat is already taken.

It's okay... This is our journey full of expectations, disappointments, dreams, loss and visions.

Journey with one way ticket...

Let's try to understand our journey friends and get the best of it.
There are moments in the journey when somebody may losses their motivation and needs our understanding and support.
This can happen to each of us, but there always will be somebody who will give a helpful hand and support, the one who will stand for you anytime.
The biggest secret of the journey is that we do not know when there is the end, when you or I will get out of the train. We do not know when our the best journey friend will leave, even the one who is always next to us...
I think that I will be sad leaving this train… I’m sure of that. Leaving all the friends that I met in the train is one of the difficult things that I have to do. But at the same time I’m happy because I am changing my train, and heading forward. Some of you do the same, leave this train and head to another direction, some of you take a speed in your exploring journey.
But I believe, that one day we will meet in the central station where we will see each other with our huge luggage that we didn’t have before we entered the train. I am carrying my luggage full of new experiences, meaningful conversations, good time, new friendships, opportunities for self realizations, and knowledge. And I am so happy, that I had input expanding your luggage with more opportunities, new experiences, broader horizons, new friends and lots of fun.
My dear friend, let’s make everything that our journey would be successful, and we would carry only good memories when we get out of the train.

For everybody, who is on this train, I wish good journey!!!