Le jour de gloire est arrivé

we feel fine

2007-03-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

want to know how the world is feeling in the present, or at any given point in time within the last 2 years? Want to know how the world felt on any day of significance? What people in Belgium feel like on sunny day at 25 degrees?

Check this out

6 years ago today

2007-03-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

...6 years ago today, I turned 18. I was walking home from school thinking how were things going to change in my life now that I became an adult. When I got to the gate, I did the daily routine of checking the mailbox, and in there were three things for me:

A Mach3 razor from the Gillette Company along with a card congratulating me on becoming a "man". Nice marketing I admit, I actually felt like real man, and I started shaving whatever facial hair I had on that same day.
A selective service (US Military) registration card. Bush had just gotten sworn in. America was on vacation.
A letter of acceptance to my top school of preference: Purdue University

That that day forever changed the course of my life. Today, I just wish that my grad school application to the London School of Economics was submitted 2 months earlier. Shit, I think I need a new razor as well.

Now playing: Here's that rainy day by Chriss Botti

Also viewing my parents on webcam from Haiti, smiling and wishing me a happy birthday.

I love my life.

press release

2006-10-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

Bahrain and Qatar join AIESEC network
PRESS RELEASE

AIESEC expands its network to include Bahrain and Qatar

AIESEC grows to over 95 countries worldwide

ROTTERDAM, September 18, 2006—AIESEC expanded its network to include Bahrain and Qatar at the recent International Congress, held in Warsaw, Poland earlier this month. The AIESEC network now spans over 95 countries worldwide.

Bahrain and Qatar have started AIESEC activities over the recent years thanks to the support of AIESEC in the United States, who began the initiative to create a volunteer culture among the youth of the Middle East.

“Qatar has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and currently in a transformation state as a former pearl-fishing centre to a business centre. In a time of such challenges AIESEC’s contribution can add tremendous value by developing leaders the society desperately needs: leaders, who are able to guide the country through the transformation process and take it to the next level,” says Kristina Janjic, President of the Official Expansion for AIESEC in Qatar.

“Expanding AIESEC to Bahrain demonstrates the versatility that the organization holds in its nature. The role of AIESEC in the Middle East is fairly obvious to AIESEC, and as a global organization, we cannot afford not to have a presence in this region. As one of the newest additions to the AIESEC network, I see AIESEC in Bahrain being a positive contributor in the network through unique contributions ranging from complex best-case practices such as Islamic Banking to the sheer hospitality of the Bahraini people,” says Claude Clodomir, President of the Official Expansion for AIESEC in Bahrain.

Both Bahrain and Qatar have gained Official Extension status, officially recognizing their efforts to join the global network. They will be eligible to gain full membership rights within two years provided they fulfil necessary membership criteria, including proper organizational structure and number of exchanges that have been made.

The addition of Bahrain and Qatar was approved along with the official recognition of an additional region in the AIESEC network—the Middle East and North Africa growth network will now bring together current AIESEC Member Committees, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, UAE as well as an initiative to the expansion in Jordan. The recognition of Middle East and North Africa as an official region in the AIESEC network coincides with AIESEC’s increased relevance in this area of the world.

The historic move took place at International Congress, AIESEC’s largest congress of the year, bringing together over 600 members from across all countries in the network. The conference was held in Warsaw, Poland and ran from August 24 to September 4, 2006.

Tonight is the night

2006-09-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Sitting in Global Legislation right now at IC...in less than 1 hour...87 MCPs will vote to make AIESEC Bahrain as well as Qatar, official extension countries...I don't think I've ever felt that proud to represent a country other than my own.

Eric...we did it man!

That yellow flag you see in the news...

2006-08-08T15:42:00.002-07:00

...for some odd fluke, the past 5 taxis that I've jumped in lately had a yellow flag. Even more interesting, tonight I went to have dinner with a friend, and the taxi driver had a picture of him and N_as_ra_llah shaking hands along with 5 other poster-type ones (the type that you would have posted in your office with your senator, president if you're lucky)

For a while now, I've strictly been known as an individual from a poor country in the Caribbean, who speaks to taxi drivers with a heavy accent.

This is getting interesting by the day. We hear vague reports of protests that are kept away from the news. We always seem to hear about them from other activist bloggers who have been known to get arrested.

There are certain social dynamics that make this place very unique in terms of reaction to all of this.

First attempt into Saudi

2006-07-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

This was our first attempt to smell Saudi from up close. So much going on in there that we haven't seen, even being that close. Last week, we made it out to the King Fhad Causeway (Saudi Causeway), that connects Saudi to Bahrain.

There is virtually no way to get in as they don't issue tourist visas, we don't work for an oil company,we're not married to any saudis and we're not muslims planning on doing the Haj. The only way this can happen is to get a Saudi sponsor us from within, or get a transit visa for 3 days with further proof of travel. Though as a female, it's pratically impossible for Mada. This might become reality by December.

I don't think I've ever been so curious about any other country than this...other than wisconsin of course.

Et encore

2006-07-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Pretty serious protests/riots at Embassy this weekend (we were offered to use it as a free venue for the conf. until last week when we found out that they're off on fridays, which happened to be our first meeting day).

Getting more into understanding why this didn't get much media attention here. An interesting dynamic to say the least. Haven't heard any similar reports coming out of the region. Top diplomat in the region tomorrow, if so happens that either side is on the offensive while she's there, this is clear indication that things might drag for a while longer.

On the up side: CEED'r from UK arriving tomorrow.
And on the other side: Missa Eric leaves on Tuesday.

(mind the indistinctness)

Now playing

2006-07-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Bahrain 1st Natco!

2006-07-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

Just coming back from a symbolic event: Bahrain 1st National Conference...the objective was achieved, leaving the room with the feeling that our members (recruited less than 4 months ago), are at this point more developed than I was when I joined this org.

Next stop: Warsaw. Get ready to meet at least 6 of them there.

More pictures here

Beirut on my mind

2006-07-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

I wonder what it must be like right now.

Lebanon has always been a special place for me. Growing up in Haiti, I had quite a few Lebanese friends [highly unsual, given the country's population lanscape and location]; they used to tell me stories about the war in the 80's and why their family emigrated from there all the way to places like Brasil, Australia, Quebec, Ivory Coast, Michigan and even Haiti [there is a substantial community of Lebanese and Syrian in Haiti, out of all places!]. Went to Beirut for the first time 3 months ago. It was sad to realize the eternal effects that war has on a country and its people. I grew up hearing Beirut being compared to as the Paris of the middle east [back then it was the financial hub of the region, Bahrain took over in the last decade]. Being there, I was pleased to see that old Beirut was just starting to get back on its feet, with substantial investments from Saudi and Kuwait, and the re-structuring of the tourism industry.

After so many years of hardship and rebuilding, it seems that within a matter of days...it's all out the window. But hopefully not for long. Right chris? Nis?

Into the ring of fire, take 1

2006-07-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

Highlights of the past 3 days: Exhibitions, meeting royal family members, expansion meetings, spending time with Team Qatar, Jen and Paul, transition still and then the feast...our first intro to the local culture here. Event hosted by one of our members Aysha.

More pictures here

Progress

2006-07-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Things got rolling pretty fast here, finalizing BOD, meeting with partners, yearly planning, and great transition. Lowest point so far, watching brasil loose tonight against my colonizers...again, 8 years later. Oh well, a vida continua...com saudade.

In the pic: with the other MCP of the expansion movement, Kristina (Qatar).

Meet the membership

2006-06-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Future leaders of the org in Bahrain. This is a signing ceremony at our office that took place a few days ago. The signing is for making us a legal society operating in the country.

Yalla Bahrain!

Bahrain 1st Post

2006-06-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

Made it to Manama last night. Reception was a kidnapping plot, and I later found myself in the desert by a sheep farm. Things didn't go according to plan, since I never freaked out or asked any questions...knowing the stunts that Eric used to pull with his visitors back in Dubai. In the pic...Ahmad, John, me, Eric, Fix and Turbo (no jokes on the names). Fix...I'll leave it to you to come up with a name for me.

Now eating Vegemite...some australian delicacy that John went crazy on when he saw it at the supermarket here.