DavLyn: Me, Myself and the Universe

IC 2006 and the Study Tour

2006-09-08T16:50:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

Yep haven't been here for a while...I was hoping to keep everyone more updated here but things have been so crazy - from one session to another - that I hardly had any time to come online and let you know what is going on.

However I promise that once back home you will have pictures and stories updated on this blog about what I have been up to, and if anyone wants to know what the whole MC has been up to well you better check our MC blog!

However, just an outline of what has happened here...

- The usual transport adventure
- Visited marvelous places
- The concetration camp: a post on its own
- The Friends
- The feelings
- My home

yep there is a lot to talk about, so keep tuned - you will have a full update very soon

Words of Wisdom from Buddha

2006-09-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become."

Buddha

It is funny how influencial the mind is on our behaviour. The brain being the engine of the human body, helps us live everyday, and do everyday functions, sending signals all throughout our nervous system. But the state of the mind also percepts the state of our life according to Buddha, and after some reflection I think it is ture.

When you think you will fail, you usually do. This is not because there is no ability, but instead of self-confidence as a motivator, one would have uncertainty and self-pity as demotivators. It is a shame because most of the time this would result in us being our worst enemies.

I have always believed that you can achieve anything, and be anything you want to be. If you are persistent enough, and determined to follow your goal no matter what, then it is likely you would succeed. The important thing is to think positively and never discourage yourself infront of adversity and obstacles. You only have to turn them into opportunities. Is it easy? Hell no! But it is worth it.

So from now on remember that you are as happy as you want to be and as successful as you want to be. It all depends on your mind, it all depends on you.

Selfishness

2006-09-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today's quote was specifically found on the topic of selfishness rather than found a random one. Why? Well quite simply I have encountered the most unashamed selfish attitude right in my face, and there it was being admitted to with proudness.

“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”
Oscar Wilde

Don't people realize that when they do things because they want to do them in a certain way they are being selfish towards others. And I mean not in the sense that I have my way of doing things and you have your way. But knowing that there are people depending on you for your answers, for your presence and you just keep going on with your own life, not giving a damn about people who are making sacrifices to take time out of their schedule for you, knowing that whilst you are having fun and not giving a damn, they are waiting for you.

I honestly can't stand this attitude in people. I mean I understand that at times people have to think for themselves as well, but when you are in a team, when you work in a team, it obvious that there are people you have to consider apart from yourself.

What will these people be like in everyday life, at the workplace, in their family life? Is it an issue of a spoilt upbringing or is it just a characteristic within the individual? I really do question this attitude because the way I came across it today, totally unashamed, totally careless towards me, totally ignoring that there are other individuals other then the self, that it really perplexed me.

My reaction towards it? Oh! you don't want to be inside me right now! Describe myself to you? A Volcano of feelings about to erupt! These things make me so...ughhh!!!!.....I can't even find words at this point to describe my anger!

f there was nothing wrong in the world there wouldn't be anything for us to do.

2006-09-08T16:46:00.000-07:00

"If there was nothing wrong in the world there wouldn't be anything for us to do."
George Bernard Shaw

I guess this is kinda true to a certain extent. We always complain that the world needs to be a better place. That there is so much to arrange, so much famine to feed, so many deseases to cure, so many wars to cease, so many races to gain equality for, so many lives to save from loneliness.

Each and everyone of us go through life aspiring that one day we will make a difference, that our action, big or small, will actually solve one of the unanswered questions of how to make things right. Especially now in our youth, we dream to make not a difference, but a significant difference with our actions. We dream to change the world, to make something revolutionary in our everyday lives. But honestly speaking, how many of us really do follow our dreams in the future?

We've seen the 70s being an decade of revolutions, of protests for justice, peace and equality. Where are those youths today? In which tier of society are they living? Are they the CEOs who's agenda is profit, profit and more profit? Are they the parents of some adolocent who fell in love with someone from another race, and now, after years fighting for equality among races find it difficult to swallow down the thought of admitting a different culture within the family tree? Where are the environmentalists of those day? They had warned people about the ozone, about global warming, about the pollution levels. Are they still working at the front line, or using technology to its max?

In AIESEC we strive to develop the leaders of tomorrow, to instill leadership in individuals to become pro-active change agents in our societies. In reality how much are we succeeding? We boast at being the world largest organization, having 20, 000 members and thousands of alumni that have been part of our organization since 1948. What is my concern is what will be of these 20,000 members in the next 10 years, in the next 20 years, in the rest of their living days? Will we really be putting our dreams into action? Will we really be the change we are stating we want to see today? Will we be the ones creating a wave or will we, like many others, get swept by the stream? Are we really having a positive impact in our communities, on the people living in our societies, in the world?

Is AIESEC really making a difference? Everyday? Think about it...

Quote of the Day

2006-09-08T16:45:00.001-07:00

What do you blog about when you have nothing to blog about? It is a thought that came to my head for one simple reason. I would like so much to keep in touch through my blog with all those I know scattered around the world but when thinking that you would sometimes be in a daily routine then the everyday blog would seem so much the same thing.

So I have come up with a new solution. As fun as those blog things are, I mean who would really want to know what my 1950's name would be?...(well just in case you're wondering it's Thelma Nadine!...Cool right? :S) Well I have decided to go on a more inspired way. And that will be the Quote of the Day. Everyday I will post a quote on this page and some thoughts about it. And everyone is free to comment their opinions!

So here is the quote of the day...something I like to live by myself....

"THE IMPOSSIBLE = what nobody can do until somebody does"

I mean really, how many things in this world are deemed impossible just because no one has done them before. Centuries ago it was deemed impossible to fly from one country to another...and yet here we are now in today's day and age flying not only across countries, but across oceans and continents.

Technology is proving the impossible into possible everyday. Human minds are doing it by inventing them. People everywhere are succeeding at doing things that many think they would fail at. Why? Cause of their determination. Their want to push further, their want to reach further. How many patients who are sick with Cancer according to doctors should have been dead 3 months ago, and are still living? That is all about the determination and the will of the individual. The want to prove that if you want something badly it's possible.

If someone had to tell me - "Impossible! You will never do that!" Be sure that I will give it my all to prove it's possible.

See the IMPOSSIBLE = I'M POSSIBLE - it is just a colen and a space that goes in the way! That's a little Confidence and Will!

Bored...

2006-09-08T16:44:00.002-07:00

I am just so so so bored of studying! And I have only been at it for a day and a half! Studying in summer really sucks. The heat makes one really tired and it is so difficult to keep concentrated. Apart from that everyone is messaging me to go out to the beach, or for a drink, or to a party or a bbq and it is so frustrating that I have to think of my studies instead of having fun!!!

Apart from that another 100 things are running through my head: work, aiesec, insurance, car maintenance, shopping before IC, millions of stuff to do in so little time! I am sick of this study study study student life. It is tiring and brain-draining. I will be glad once it is all over!

I will definately be taking my year off now. I will not continue studying next year. I definately need a break. So for this reason I have to get my concentration some how cos I have to pass this exam and graduate! If not it is repeating a whole year all over again! What a waist of time! Would that mean another thesis? Hope not!!!!!

Back to the books...I'm nearly through Chapter 1! :(

The Other 'If'

2006-09-08T16:44:00.001-07:00

If you can dress to make yourself attractive
And not make puff and curls your chief delight;
If you can swim and row, be strong and active
But of the gentler graces lose not sight.

If you can dance without a craze for dancing
Play, without giving play too strong a hold,
Enjoy the love of friends without romancing;
Care for the weak, the friendless and the old.

If you can master French and Greek and Latin,
And not acquire as well a priggish mien;
If you can feel the touch of silk and satin
Without despising calico and jean;

If you can ply a saw and use a hammer,
Can do man's work when the need occurs;
Can sing when asked without excuse and stammer,
Can rise above unfriendly snubs and slurs.

If you can make good bread as well as fudges,
Can sew with skill and have an eye for dust,
If you can be a friend and hold no grudges,
A girl whom all will love because they must.

If sometime you should meet and love another
And make a home with faith and peace entwined
And you it's soul - a loyal wife and mother -,
You'll work out pretty nearly to my mind.

The plan that's been developed through the ages
And win the best that life can have in store,
You'll be, my girl, a model for the sages
A woman whom the world will bow before.

Rupyard Kipling

I Am An ENTJ

2006-09-08T16:42:00.001-07:00

You Are An ENTJ

The Executive

You are a natural leader - with confidence and strength that inspires others.
Driven to succeed, you are always looking for ways to gain, power, knowledge, and expertise.
Sometimes you aren't the most considerate person, especially to those who are a bit slow.
You are not easily intimidated - and you have a commanding, awe-inspiring presence.

You would make a great CEO, entrepreneur, or consultant.

What's Your Personality Type?

Ghosts

2006-09-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Where is my life going? Till a few weeks ago I had everything planned. A future, a graduation, a hope, a dream slowly making its way to reality. Everything was under control, everything falling into place, everything moving forward, towards the future and away from a forgotten past.

Yet my past has come back to haunt me lately. It was one word from one person. Inhuman. The way I was described: inhuman. Not because I am heartless, cruel, selfish. But because I am too determined to succeed. Because I am capable of making sacrifices to obtain what I want. I am not hurting others, just merely depriving myself of some pleasures, and for me that is ok. I know that it will pay off in the end. At least I hope it will.

One person wanted to get to know me, to get me to know me on a level that is not allowed anymore. The door is not shut, but safely locked and guarded. My past is my baggage. It has made me the person I am today. People who know me now don't need to know where I've come from or what I've been through. They just need to know me now, today. I love the person I have become. I am proud of this person today, of me at the present.

I do not expect anyone to understand me. No one ever has, and no one ever will. I am who I am because of what I have been through, because of my upbringing, because of my want to show those who have hurt me, ridiculed me, made feel ashamed of who I was, that I can stand on my own to feet. That along the years I have grown stronger than ever before. I have become filled with a confidence that no word can defy.

And yet here I am today, because of one person, reliving all that has made me sad in my past. Rethinking my thoughts, reliving those moments, feeling alone, frustrated, desperate and powerless. Powerless in controlling all the thoughts running through my head the past month. One person. Who is this person to judge me? Are they so perfect to know everything? Have they made every mistake in the book? Have they already experienced every emotion life can bring? I think not.

Because of one person I am back in the doubts of who I am. I will not take it anymore this has to be stopped.

Virginia Wolf once said "Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title" I say, that if friends can never uncover what is written in their friends past, how can a stranger dare to flip the pages, try to probe to read a few lines, and make judgement out of that?

If you have an answer let me know...

Am I really a Career Girl?

2006-09-08T16:38:00.001-07:00

It is precisely 19th July 2006, 00:33am. I am officially 23 years old and 6 months in just 17 hours and 50 minutes. Bored to dead after being in bed all day with a fever, I have decided to put some thoughts down.

I recently discovered Blog things and have to admit there are loads of quizzes and tests one could take that should tell you more about who you are. So I decided to take one - What kind of girl are you?

The results said that I am a Career Girl. I guess that it should make sense to a certain point. I have always wanted to succeed in a profession and enjoy my own career. I have always taken my jobs seriously and gave my all to arrive at the top. Maybe it is to acquire a sort of status. Who knows. But I feel it is more a way of achieving personal fulfillment. Having accomplished something, and the harder it is to reach the goal, the more rewarding at the end. Something that makes me proud of myself, for being me.

So what did the test results state. You may not be a CEO yet, but you're well on your way to success. I have to admit that managing people has always been in my line of thought. Maybe not initially my preferred job since I wanted to become an accountant, but always something that was part of my life. In whatever I took up, I always tended to manage things, even boss people around sometimes. But it was not that I wanted to dominate. Just knew what should be done, and wanted to see it done. If determination, knowledge, and the right intuition for solving daily running problems as well as designing strategies is all part of being a CEO, than I might really be on the right track.

You take your career seriously, and you wouldn't stop working for any guy! Hmm that could explain why I still don't have a boyfriend right? hehe. But truly speaking, although I would like to have a home with a family and kids and all, I really don't see myself giving up a career I would have worked hard for. I would definately consider stopping for a few years, just to get the kids all set for school. But to stay away too long from the busy-ness of everyday work would be too much for one like me. The more I have to do the more I am happy. I truly see myself as being a career mum, still finding time to cook, clean the house, do the laundry, rush the kids to sports and ballet lessons, attend parents day, PTA meetings, and also bake a lovely chocolate cake for the cakesale happening tomorrow! But yes! I think I'll find a guy somewhere to share all that! hehe

An independent woman, you pay for your own car, clothes, and housing. Definately! There is no way that I would depend on anyone to buy me luxouries. I do not do that now and I will never till my dying day. I have learnt every since I was a child that if I want something I have to work for it. Nothing is ever given to us free on a silver platter. And only when you really have worked for something do you appreciate it. I know that if I ever want something in life I must stand on my own two feet, and work for it, even fight if necessary. In life, it is sorry to say, that you never know when anything may run out or bail out on you. The only person who you can always trust 100% is yourself. You know what you're made of and you know what are your limits. And you know you can do whatever you believe you can do. Yes, I'm an independent woman.

And men appreciate that - at least, the ones as driven as you are. I do not know if it is a worldwide mentality but here in Malta, men are too much traditioned the old way. The wife stays home to clean and cook, and raise the kids, whilst the husband is out to work, the breadwinner of the family. That is so crap! I mean come on! Grow up! You want us to be able to be independent enough not to call you for all the silly trivial things like, 'Honey, my tyre is flat can you change it?' or 'The light bulb went of, it needs changing.' If you want us to do a 'man's job' than do appreciate that we can have careers as much as you.

Question is: will any woman find someone who appreciates her sense of motivation and ambition to have a career, her determination for independence to stand on her own to feet, and a sense of time management that allows her to fit 1001 things in just 24hours, still finding time to sleep, eat and go to the gym? A million dollar question still unanswered...

What kind of Girl Am I?

2006-09-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

You are a Career Girl!

You may not be a CEO yet, but you're well on your way to success.

You take your career seriously, and you wouldn't stop working for any guy!

An independent woman, you pay for your own car, clothes, and housing.

And men appreciate that - at least, the ones as driven as you are.

What Kind of Girl Are You?

My Five Value Test Results

2006-09-08T16:36:00.001-07:00

table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="350" align="center" border="0">Your Values Profile

Loyalty:

You value loyalty a fair amount. You're loyal to your friends... to a point. But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties. Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself.

Honesty:

You value honesty highly. You're unflinchingly honest, even when it's not easy. For you, integrity is very important - in yourself and others. People may not always like what you say, but they know they can trust it.

Generosity:

You value generosity a fair amount. You are all about giving, as long as there's some give and take. Supportive and kind, you don't mind helping out a friend in need. But you know when you've given too much. You have no problem saying "no"!

Humility:

You value humility a fair amount. You tend to be an easy going, humble person. But occasionally your ego takes over. You have a slight competitive streak - and the need to be the best.

Tolerance:

You value tolerance highly. Not only do you enjoy the company of those very different from you...You do all that you can to seek it out interesting and unique friends. You think there are many truths in life, and you're open to many of them.

The Five Factor Values Test

Another Milestone to Overcome

2006-09-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to present you with B.Commerce (Hons) Management Graduate...NOT!!

After years of hard work, and doing my best to succeed, as usual, since nothing seems to come easy for me, I have another milestone to overcome. It is called a 'resit'.

Funny, I am not very disappointed about it. I think it really has become a way of life to always have to try harder, to always have that something that still crops up at the last minute to 'impeed thee from the golden round'. But what is the point of crying over spilt milk?

The way to go about it is to revise one's strategy. Every individual has plans for the future. Everyone at one point or another sat down and said, 'This is the path I would like to take'. Of course everyone would have chosen the smoothest course, and everyone would assume that he would persue it within the best of weather and with no bolders to lie in the way.

But life is like an incident hike. Although you have a route planned out, you never know what you are going to meet along the way. Some incidents help one become wiser, other stronger, other more patient, some even more determined. Whilst others are just there to brighten up the journey and make it seem less tedious, less stressful. Along the way we meet other individuals who are persuing a similar path and may go through some of our same incidents. We can join forces to help each other out, or use the experience or expertise of another to help us overcome our own challenge.

At the end of the day the lesson is to never give up. I once came across a quote that states, Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success before they gave up. Then what is the point of giving up? You never know what lies around the corner. It may be another obstacle or a golden opportunity that shoots you to the stars.

It's a way of life vs Life is now!

2006-09-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Well what can I say, now that July 1st has officially passed, my MCP term has officially started. And working round the clock is definately becoming a way of life. Since we are not full time MC here in Malta, I have to support myself through other part-time work and the choice this summer fell on - Vodafone.

Why? Well I have been working along the year already so part time vodafone was an easy find considering most of my free time is taken up by AIESEC now. At the moment my day is like 9am - 12pm vodafone, then it is AIESEC work, 6pm - till around 10:30 - 11:30pm at the trade fair on the vodafone stand, then some more AIESEC work and off to sleep for another day of the summer routine.

AIESEC stuff is everything from setting up the administration of the teams, to meeting deadlines of National and GN requirements, to moving into the new offices. In other words, - It's Crazy!!! hehe. But I have to admit that I am enjoying every minute of it. I will definately be sorry once this year ends. Being on the MC already keeps you flexible and working around the clock. But being an MCP is always being on your toes and ready for action. Good thing I'm a ballerina and know how to stay on my toes!! hehe

It is a busy lifestyle. But I am not complaining as it is exactly what I love. Being involved and active all the time, something to accomplish, something to work at, something to fullfil and see through successfully. This is a way of life. It is my way of life. And my life is now.

WENA PM 06 - Switzerland - Day 5

2006-09-08T16:33:00.002-07:00

Last day in Bern, last goodbyes, or rather last see you at IC!...It is good to know that we will be meeting each other again. We are friends, and I would not ask for any other to work with over the coming year.

Walking through the streets of Bern for the last time, (the ones that I will be tourist guide for), with millions of thoughts in my head. ‘What if’ questions, about the GN, about AIESEC Malta, about my life. About all that I am and about all I want to be. I know that now is the time for action. This action is going to be done – one way or the other.

Come on AIESEC Malta, let’s rock the house!!

WENA PM 06 - Switzerland - Day 4

2006-09-08T16:33:00.001-07:00

The day immediately started with an adventure. Nava, Jorine, Giuliana and Me decided to get a taxi for the MC office, instead of carrying all the luggages up this really really steep hill. When the taxi arrived however we realized that although we could all make it to the MC office on foot, we did not have any address to forward to the driver. We tried showing him on the map, but between trying to guess the name of the street, looking at the map, getting our bearings right and laughing our head off, we only managed to get the driver more confused.

Luckily for us the OC show up at that very instant and for this reason we were able to give the driver the whole address, to which we went immediately laughing all the way! It was definitely a really cool way to start the day, as it kept us in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Today the last day, we were seeing how we could get everything into action. What needs to be done, who needs to do it, what questions are still unanswered, what benefits will the GN and our countries get out of the initiatives we are taking on: wow action is taking place!

It was said though that things had to come to an end. Taco, Caro and Mate gave their speeches, and as usual emotional me, I ended up crying like a baby. Caro’s words especially have struck me to how much faith the present board has in this years WENA team, that is both the GN board and the MCPs. Thanks for everything guys, it is good to have people who believe in you, it makes it so much easier to believe in yourself. In a way it is reassuring, that we can now stand on our own two feet, and work as hard as we can to make the WENA GN the No.1 GN. Again a big thank you to Caro, Mate and Taco.

To this years board, Mairi, Zuzka, Majken and Hinnerk, thanks for the dedication you are already showing, and I’m sure that all of us together can make this year a success…Let’s make it happen!

WENA PM 06 - Switzerland - Day 3

2006-09-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

a href="http://davlyn.nomadlife.org/uploaded_images/DSCF2178-733518.JPG">
Dream. Act. Believe. Start. Go to the Balcony.

What a day. What a day to go down in history. Here in the MC office of AIESEC Switzerland, here the future of the WENA network is shaping itself into something that is going to take off in grandeur.

Yes we can dream, yes we can change, yes…we just have to believe in ourselves. And we do!!!!

For the first time in a long time WENA is really a network of people who dream its greatness and is ready to do anything to achieve it. WENA is lead by people who are ready to ask What if…? That is what we should all ask ourselves in our MCs, LCs we can make it happen. We have the power! WENA GOT THE POWER!!!

A new program ACTivating WENA shows this power. I think this year we are really ready to get things going and turn the reality around. I can’t wait for it to start taking place, and I am so happy to be part of it.

Thanks to our GN Directors we have WENA T-shirts!!! Yeah! I think it is a way of better showing a united front instead of the usual misunderstanding that have existed within the region.

Anyways, the evening proceeded into a GV party with the Italy vs USA playing resulting in a 1-1 result. As usually the international aspect of it is so wonderful. People chatting about anything and everything whilst tasting the drinks and the foods of the different countries, it’s amazing…simply amazing.

Anyway like everything else even the global village came to an end and it was off to sleep for our last night in the hostel.

WENA PM 06 - Switzerland - Day 2

2006-09-08T16:26:00.002-07:00

Another day has started. Today not only WENA PM starts but the present and future board have arrived. So we immediately started the day in good company.

I further joined Guliana and Nava touring Bern. Mainly I took them round where I went. And also managed to find the path that takes you down the river towards the restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant was fully booked so we made our way up to the old town again and found a restaurant there. The food was great, and to Guliana’s surprise the owner was Greek. We had fun joking all the time.

We arrived back to the MC office and we noticed that more MCPs had arrived. Jorine (Netherlands), Francois (France), Erica (Finland) and Louise(Denmark). Her twin sister Majken is on the WENA board and had arrived too, but fortunately for me she was in a meeting so I could start to distinguish one from the other.

Anyway, in the evening WENA PM kicked off on a great start. I t was an amazing evening of sharing expectations, ideas, and just getting to know each other. Of course it was a night of fun and party, and we first went to try some fondue, and after to an exclusive club. It was great. Dancing, having fun and joking all around. I can’t believe that it will only involve a weekend and nothing more. Time will definitely fly.

WENA PM 06 - Switzerland - Day 1

2006-09-08T16:26:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the land of Alps, lakes, chocolate and fondue! Yes my friends, I am precisely located in Switzerland, in the town of bears! Where? Bern!

Surprisingly enough although it is the town of bears I have noticed that most of the people around here keep dogs as pets. Then on the other hand, since their size is so huge, one would easily mistake them for bears!

Anyway, what have I been up to?

When I first arrived on Wednesday evening, Zuska was kind enough to show me to the MC office in Switzerland, and I got to know my way about the area. This was a good orientation setting to see what shops are around and how to get to the train station etc etc.

Then around 21:00 we went out and she showed me where the old city is and towards which parts I should go in the morning. And so I did…

First thing I went back up to the train station where I got a map of the city. At least unlike the last time I was in Switzerland I did not get lost. Or rather I did, but I still got to go round this marvelous city and appreciate its rich and wonderful culture. So let’s say I was lost in the splendor of the city, rather than in its roads.

My first task was to gather which way to hold the map. Thanks to an Old Lady who only communicated in German and me who only spoke English, somehow, one way or the other, I figured it out! Then it was off to one of the nearby Garden where one can see one of the most beautiful views of Bern. This is what I was told, however later I discovered a much lovelier view.

From there it was up to the mechanical cuckoo-with-no-cuckoo clock. Well it is anything but a cuckoo clock considering its size. But it has some funny guy waving a stick, with bears going round, and a cock that crows! Yes! As usual – one of my bravados. I was waiting patiently for it to start moving when I didn’t realize that I had accidentally hit the record button of the camera. So then when the movement started I focused very quickly and pressed the button. When I went to see what came on the camera, I realized I hadn’t filmed anything because the camera was off!... So tomorrow at noon I’ll be in front of the clock again and make sure I get a proper filming! Hehe

From there I started walking into the old city. I don’t know how to describe it exactly but it has an aura that in the 16th and 17th century, musicians would have been playing within these houses, now transformed into cafés or any kind of shop. The floor is all cobbled making you think you could easily be filming Les Miserables or Oliver Twist. However from the architecture it is obvious that Bern was a rich town in the past, where most of the people where wealthy, if not of some noble blood line. It made me think back to Mdina. Its streets make you imagine history, like our cities, but aesthetically they are different, both eye-catching in their own way.

From there I walked down the road, and at the very end I arrived at the Bear Pits. Yes! There are living bears in this city! They seem constricted to a city that ‘bears’ their name but has nothing to do with their natural habitat. As usual like in any zoo or animal ‘cage’ the ‘natural’ surrounding is simulated but it is still confined to a pit. However, one has to admit that the bears give quite a show to the tourists and young children passing by. Especially when you feed them!

From there I tried to follow a trail along the river that would have taken me to a restaurant beside a cascade, from I what I was told. However it was on this trail that I seemed to get lost, so I went back and tried another route through the old city. On the way I noticed a fine architectural church, Gothic – makes you think of the Notre Dame. As I turned the corner I noticed the church was open stating that a bird’s eye view was offered to tourist from the Steeple. And so I entered…

The church is dark but the light outside lit its stained glass windows. To be honest I have never seen any which where so detailed as much as these. For a moment I thought I was somewhere in the middle of one of Dan Brown’s Chapters of The Da Vinci Code. The I located the stairs to the steeple and I climbed up the 273 steps. Once up there I realized that this was a much nicer view of Bern than the one I had seen before. Going round I discovered that if one climbed another 87 steps one would arrive to a much higher part and see and even vaster view. After taking the usual tourist pictures, I went back down, still wanting to find the cascade and the restaurant since by now I was starting to get hungry.

With legs shaking out of ‘too much’ exercise, and climbing all those steps, after the last couple of months spent on working on thesis and studying for exams, I made may out of the old city over a bridge and down by the river and the restaurant. Unfortunately for me, the restaurants here close before. That is by 14:00 they were already closing the kitchen! How could this be!!!.

Well since the restaurant was closed and the cascade was only just a submerged bridge that allowed water to flow through it’s gaps I decided it was still time for me to rest my feet. And water better way then to kick off shoes and socks and soak ones feet in the cool water of the river Aare. Relaxing there with not other sounds but that of the river’s waves over the pebbled bed, and the currents flowing from the submerged bridge was definitely a good idea. The sound was definitely more alive than all the songs I had been listening to on the MP3 player all day.

However after some time the sound of my stomach did remind me how hungry I was so I made my way up hoping to find something to eat but all the cafes seemed to be closing hence I opted for the more convenient solution: McDonalds!

After that I realized that unless I put up my feet for a while there was no way that I would walk around tomorrow again. So I headed back towards the MC office. And yes!! Tzouliana (MCP Greece) had arrived! We hung out and relaxed a bit then walked down to the park where we continued relaxing whilst soaking up the sun. The park was full of young people and at that moment probably even British tourists since the English – Paraguay Match was going on! Yes the world cup is not big just in Malta but truly around the world.

Anyways after that we came back to the MC Office. During this time we relaxed and got to know some of the MC members here, Aida, and Sabi.

After a long relaxation we went out to get something to eat. We then got a call from Nava (MCP Spain) that he was already on the train on his way to Bern so we decided to stay out for a while and then meet him at the train station. It was a good idea after all as then we continued by going for a beer and start catching up since our last meeting at IPM 06.

After which we came here. At the MC office. The conference still hasn’t started but I have already had the time of my life. What can I say…

“It’s good to be…It’s good to be an MCP”

Tomorrow??....

Tune in if you want to know what Friday was like…

It's that time of the year again...

2006-09-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of the year again...Exam Period!!! Thank God the holidays are coming right after that!!

Right now most of what I am doing is a boring routine of studying one subject after the other, till the 6th of June, that is my last exam for this year! (at least I hope!!!) Lucky for me, after the 6th June, an exciting year is awaiting me, thanks to my involvement within AIESEC.

Being President of AIESEC Malta, is going to be a rollercoster ride, to new experiences, new countries, new friends and best of all new learning points. I already know that I will be working with a team of amazing individuals with great potential, and great enthusiasm for the year ahead.

What will my life be like...stay tuned and you'll soon know.