May 16th - May 22nd

What I will be working on this week:

TM coaching:
Eszter (FR)
Fabian (BA)
Anne-Juliette (LA)
Advisory Council meeting in Zürich
Visiting the last Basel LCM
Preparing individual and T2T-Transition (cleaning up and updating the server, creating an agenda, assembling the important files, preparing sessions, ...)
Lots of little tasks :-)

Picture of the week:

Phoenix e.V.
This picture was taken in Brandenburg at the annual gathering of the anti-racism organization founded by my incredibly wise Dad

On another note: this whole pseudo-diversity thing in AIESEC is starting to piss me off actually ... what a bunch of unreflected nonsense. So we call ourselves "culturally sensitive", but is that a reason to ignore racist comments and attitudes, prejudice-reinforcing roll calls and to behave as if we can make racist (or discriminating) jokes simply because we have friends from other countries?!

Best moments:

Spending time with 35 wonderful people (many of whom are family) in a place that scared me and still was the exact right place to be; getting to know amazing kids, hearing their stories about daily racist insults and occasional violence, working on response strategies together, and being touched and inspired by their spirit and courage; the transition prep session - damn, we can be good and fun if we want to be!; a relaxed evening with my Ruthie and a huuuuge breakfast with Monika and Kwesi in Berlin; realizing that true success lies in moving things without compromising your principles for recognition or fame

Soundtrack:

Congolese gospel in Lingala - memories of my childhood :-)

My weeks: April 28th - May 15th

What I worked on these past weeks:
- TM coaching: Aline (BE), Nicole (GE)
- LC coaching and LCP elections (and partying) in Lugano
- Yearplanning with LC Fribourg
- Coaching with Nuria (WI)
- Creating the AiS TM Wiki
- Preparing transition (individual and team-to-team)
- Chat with Saba from the Global Communication Crew
- attending the career event in Zurich (and getting a very specific idea of what I want to apply for)
- attending LC Bern's learning event on Business in Southeast Asia
- the usual MC stuff :-)

My best moments in the past weeks:

A day on the lake in Lucerne with my older brother (in the African sense) Kwesi - sometimes a discussion can change your whole life ...; an sms last night - three words is all it takes :-); my days spent in Lugano (the train trips with Simone, chairing the LCP elections, laughing hard at the Ooops hihi and partying at the Irish pub, coaching at the Irish pub the next morning (with huge chocolate croissants and perfect cappucino); finding my passport; RARA studying; 4 days in Germany with my mom; falling in love over and over again ...; every moment right now, I am so happy

Picture of the week:

Luki in his flat office hihi.

Soundtrack of the past weeks:

That's how it goes :-)

My weeks: April 7 - April 27

What I will be working on this week:

- Year planning with LC Fribourg (and Luki)
- Learning Event LC Bern
- MC internal trainings for the LC coaching in the weeks to come
- Catching up on emails
- Research on allocation
- Communication with TMs
- Catching up on blogging!

Best moments of the past weeks:

Popping the bubble with Regi and then AIESEC in Switzerland; a phone call on a beautiful Saturday afternoon; walking through Stockholm on a sunny day and crazy late-night kitchen talks; a dutchified night in the MC office (ferry well)

And this:



We are here to be inspired, to inspire others that inspires others who inspire the world

Photos:

Team Experiences ...

With my MC team and the Swedish MC in Sweden ...

The TMs ...

KICK-OFF 2008 - What a faci team ...

Soundtrack of the past weeks:

Other than the Chicken Pie song (Faci roll call - very hard to get out of your head), it would have to be Akon in all variations and combinations (am feeling pimpy):







And also this song (courtesy to Regi and a studyful weekend):

My weeks: March 24 - April 6

What I will be working on this coming week:

TM Coaching with Heather, VPTM Lugano
Teambuilding with EB Lugano
Chairing EB elections in Winti
KICK-OFF 2008:
- Teamee Track
- visa matters and information for international delegates
- faci communication
- communication session with Gianca (AiS Media Coordinator)
Global Competency Meeting with Sara and Jelena
Setting up a Swiss TM group on myaiesec.net
IBM Mentoring Training and DISCOVERY follow-up
Several other smaller coaching obligations

Best moments of the past weeks:

A beautiful Easter brunch with an ensuing, very memorable, round of Taboo; dancing "Don't stop me now" in the LDS Plenary; MBTI revelations and their aftermath; starting to plan my future; channeling in the UNITE and LDS closing plenaries; many many talks

Photos of the week:

Delicious Currywurst at Duisburg train station - miss it!!!

"Pretend-happy-dancing" with Camilla during an impressive Alumni Dinner in Norway at UNITE 08 (which I was chairing): appearing to be completely happy dancing with yourself as a new strategy to avoid getting asked to dance once the slows start playing ;-)

Soundtrack of the week:

Stand up for the Champions - Right Said Fred: my DISCOVERY 2008 LDS song - I just wish that the video was not so horrible! ("When I fall down, I have to pick myself back up" has been stuck in my head all day)

My Weeks: February 23 - March 23

What I am working on this week:

- Faci selection for KICK-OFF 2008
- Track preparation for KICK-OFF
- KICK-OFF presentation for LCs
- Chairing UNITE in Norway :-)

Picture of the week:

"Germany Black&White": A ground-breaking, common sense, much needed book about everyday racism (including an interview with my wonderful Dad). It should be mandatory reading in all schools (not only in Germany). And YES, most AIESECers could use these lessons also ...

Best moments in the past weeks:

A group hug in plenary, attending Easter services at my church, being back in the beautiful, lively, chaotic, warm, people-filled, love-soaked place I call home, an early-morning phone call with a wonderful surprise (I have so much to look forward to ...)

Soundtrack of the week:

What a sexy song ...

My Week: 18 - 24 February

What I'm working on this week:

- LC Fribourg
- TRANSIT sessions and funky
- Meeting with Simon (BE) about the new Career Talks concept
- Meeting with Christian (NST) about the new Career Talks concept
- Meeting with Gaudi (NTT) about the LDS track at DISCOVERY
- Meeting with Fabian (incoming VPTM Basel)
- Meeting with Ato (incoming LCP Basel) about planning and allocation
- Day-long meeting with my successor Sara about the TRANSIT Funky and the GCM meeting
- Global Competency Model meeting on Saturday

Video of the week:

A classic moment from the transition weekend of EB Geneva 050607. Dancing around a table to the wise words of the Baywatch Soundtrack, during a night of Jih-Ming Jih-Meng Simone and writing papers.

That was then, but where are they now?

Regi: incoming MCP of AIESEC in Switzerland
Aïda: having a blast in Canada
Simone: VPX of AIESEC in Switzerland and my source of calm and keeping it in perspective
Luca: VPER of AIESEC in Switzerland, fellow Obamaite and partner in crime for random- and slight inappropriateness
Joao: Big Daddy, The Master, off to London :-)
Prashanth: has been working in the "real" professional world for a long time (reluctantly, though ;-)) and WILL soon go on an AIESEC internship (right, Prash...?)
Dhruvli: in the process of starting his own business in India (and soon coming to Switzerland to pay us a visit - we insist!)
Joan: awaiting a response for an internship (and jogging with me in the mornings)

And speaking of Baywatch, here a long-forgotten gem of David "Don't hassel the hoff" Hasselhoff. The possibly best video in the history of music:

Hooked on a feeling

Soundtrack of the week:

With you - Chris Brown

My Week: February 11 - 17

This week I am working on:

The output of the OGX brainstorming meeting
General recruitment materials
Setting objectives for the teamee track at KICK-OFF (incl. briefing my external Jude)
My TRANSIT Session (The AIESEC Way)
A phone meeting with Chris (LCPe Lugano)
Meeting my NTT (one half of it, that is, Yavor)
Meeting with Sara to prepare the TRANSIT Funky
And so much more (it is crazy these days, crazy!)

Picture:

This week's pictures are a tribute to someone who has been there for me ever since I arrived in Switzerland. She was there when I hated everything (the infamous Petershöfli, the city, university, the people - I was quite negative back then lol); she welcomed me into her home, when a home away from home was really what I needed; she was there to make sure that I always ate enough vegetables when I could live on rice soup for weeks; she agreed to come to Italy with me on the spur of a moment and made an unforgettable first conference experience a lot less scary; she helped me pass every single economics exam I ever took and always encouraged me to keep on studying even when I was so completely sick of the whole thing (I used to study until 6 in the morning and then go wake her up for her studying before I went to bed lol); and most of all she watched me making the same mistakes over and over again, but she was there each single time, always listening and cheering me up (with listening, advice and hot chocolate with cream and Bailey's).

She was there for the bad times then and she continues to be there for the good times today.

Thank you, Joani!!! You only deserve the best ...

I am looking forward to moving in with you for one week, to studying, "Dirty Dancing" and hours of talking about you-know-what.

Best moment(s):

A moment in a bookstore café where everything seemed to come together - my talents my wishes, my needs, my love, my future - and while I am a little less optimistic now, I am thankful for someone putting everything back into perspective for me and making me realize how I need to go about making it happen; jogging at seven in the morning

Soundtrack of the past week:

Inspired by a lot of missing, irresistible lyrics, beats that makes me move if I want to or not, and the joy of walking to work in the morning singing where no one can here me

Faze - Tattoo girl



Faze - Loving you everyday



P-Square - Do me



Jordin Sparks - Tattoo (yes, Leila, I won American Idol after all ;-))

My Weeks: February 4 - 10

This week I am working on:

The new Career Talks Concept
My sessions for TRANSIT
Recruitment and EP raising
Induction
KICK-OFF Faci applications

Picture:

During Planning Days in Lugano we created the draft agenda of KICK-OFF 2008 and it made me reminisce about my first KICK-OFF in 2005 and my still-favorite costume. It was Hollywood party and I went as Mia Wallace. This was the only time that I have ever had human accessories to go with my costume and it was complete coincidence. There is another picture of the whole Pulp Fiction crew, but I cannot find it.

Best moment(s):

Designing TRANSIT (damn, I am really looking forward to that conference!); finally finding the energy to study on Saturday afternoon and economics starting to make sense again; blasting out worship songs in the MC office during a very productive coaching session; that coaching session in general!

Soundtrack (of the past week):

Dr Joy Browne

and ...

Hillsong - I first discovered them on the Fidji Islands, when my wonderful host family sang one of their songs as a way of giving grace. And I have been hooked on them ever since. The right kind of music for a church girl :-)

My Weeks: January 14th - February 3

This week I am working on:

Catching up on emails after my vacation
LC Lugano elections
LC Basel transition weekend in Jura
OGX brainstorming meeting preparation
Preparation of IBM mentoring training and DISCOVERY 2008
Lots of small tasks that seem to eat up most of the time (blogging, updating the transition guide, fixing the links on my wiks cuz they continue to stop working, ...)

Picture:

Catfish Pepper Soup - it might look a bit dangerous, but it seriously does not get any better than this!!! It makes sense!

Best moment(s):

My trip to Nigeria: a perfect Saturday spent eating fabulous food with family, a boat trip and a ride through the jungle to my Uncle's beach house and cuddling at the movies; crazy Sunday night clubbing in Lagos; catching up with family and getting to know so many great people; every moment spent with him ...

Soundtrack (of Nigeria):

P Square - Do me

Brick and Lace - Love is Wicked

Faze - Tattoo Girl

My Week: December 24 – January 6

This week I am working on:

Recruitment
Career Talks
Transition

Picture:

Christmas in Duisburg - there's nothing quite like it. Gathering around the Christmas tree with close friends and family, Christian and Muslim, enjoying a huge Christmas feast and singing in Church at midnight :-).

Best moment(s):

All the wonderful moments spent with family and friends

Soundtrack (of the past week):

Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

My Week: November 26 - December 2

This week I am working on:

LC Fribourg
- coaching
- attendance of initiative Info Event
Career Talks: new concept
Catching up on emails
PD NST: Next steps
Develop concept for the Global Competency Model Implementation Task Force (that's a mouthful ...)

Picture:

Happy times :-)

Best moment(s):

Aïda's goodbye party: being back in the city that was my home for what seems like such a long time and being surrounded by so many of the people who made my time in Geneva as wonderful as it was.

Soundtrack (of the past week):

True Love - 2Face Idibia

My Week: November 19 - 25

This week I am working on:

Winter Initiatives
- Communication with responsibles
- Presentation for Info Event
Revision of Career Talks template
LC Lugano visit
Various other meetings

Picture:

On the other side of LC coaching - I miss you, guys!!!

Best moment(s):

My spontaneous birthday party on Monday night, singing cheesy songs with Simone and some of the facis (Backstreet Boys clips on YouTube rule!!!)

Soundtrack (of the past week):

Slide - Goo Goo Dolls

My Week: October 29 - November 4

This week I am working on:

DO-IT 2007:
- Meeting with Jih-Ming to design the Project Skills track
- Designing a whole new simulation for my track
- Faci communication
- Invitation letters for international delegates wrap-up
Meeting with Gianca (NST Communication) to brainstorm about some new ideas on how to improve communication in AIESEC in Switzerland

Picture:

Tess, Margreet, Regi and Bruna -

looking forward to having you here for DO-IT next week!

Best moment(s):

A continuous stream of sms and chats that make half the world away feel like right by my side, LC visits in Lausanne and Lugano - thanks guys I loved it!

Soundtrack (of the past week):

I won't let you do that to me - Luther Vandross

My Week: October 1 - 7

What I am working on this week:

Info Event in Fribourg
Meeting with Yavor about the TTT at DO-IT
TMU Coaching
Meeting with my NST Christian

Picture of the week:

The beginning of a new phase ...

The best moment:

A promise at the airport ..., my brother's visit :-)

Soundtrack:

Alicia Keys - No one

My Week: September 24 - 30

This week I am working on:

DO-IT 2007: TTT (meeting with NTT Coordinator Yavor) and Project Skills Track (design concept and define content)
Meeting with Christian (NST) about Returnee Track
Meeting with my Talent Management Unit Coach
Visit Info Event in FR
VP coaching in FR
Design agenda for LC visits
Review allocation and selection packs and send them to LCs

Picture:

MC Strategic Planning Days in Brienz

Damn, it was cold!!!!

Best moment(s):

Attending the info events in Lausanne and Basel, a beautiful night in Basel in trains and by rivers

Soundtrack (of the past week and of the months to come):

No one - Alicia Keys

My Week: September 10 - 16

This week I am working on:

ACT, ACT, ACT

Picture of the week:

No words needed ...

Best moments:

ACT!!!, being able to touch some people with my words, a very revealing heart-to-heart, coming home ...

Soundtrack of the week:

Tongolo ... again and still

My Week: 13 August - 2 September

This week I am working on:

Gathering ideas, inspiration, motivation and contacts at IC in Turkey. I am working on some very specific things for recruitment, induction and ACT, but mostly on fixing my general mindset, attitude and framework. And it is wonderful to feel that I really AM an AIESECer. I am getting so much momentum and determination out of this conference :-).

Doing Switzerland proud

Best moment(s):

Alumni day - wow wow wow, listening the stories of success and determination and the true spirit of AIESEC in the past 60 years was some of the most touching, inspiring stuff I have ever heard and it really lit the fire under my ass (Feuer unterm Arsch gemacht, excuse the bad translation), all the big and small click-moments and the joy of capturing them in my notebook, being told sweet secrets, Houston Spencer on stage, and all the little moments with all the people that are so dear to me. Oh, and the WENA party out in the pouring rain and no music that somehow turned into an orgy.

Soundtrack (of the past weeks):

Tongolo - D'Banj (sexiest song ever ...)



Time to Disco - Random Indian song that just will not leave your head!!!!



Big girls don't cry - Fergie (I cannot believe that I am actually liking a Fergie song!)



4 in the Morning - Gwen Stefani (or "Gven Schteffanni" as she would be called in the Pott, right Ruthi?)

My Week: July 30 - August 5

This week I am working on:

- Ongoing communication with Ander.Group about recruitment marketing materials
- Preparation of Recruitment Pack
- Preparation of Induction Pack
- Session objectives and outlines for ACT and DO-IT
- VP coaching Fribourg
- Preparation faci applications DO-IT

Picture:

Remembering ScaLDS 06 in Denmark

Best moment(s):

My weekend off spent doing all the good things in life, reading the last chapters of Harry Potter (heart-wrenching and absolutely satisfying!), getting into the groove at the gym, managing to not eat chocolate for a week

Soundtrack:

Kenny Rogers

My Week: July 23 - 29

This week I am working on:

Recruitment Taskforce Follow-Up:
- Fine-tuning of Marketing Materials
- Contact with Ander.Group for layouting and logistic
Meeting with Christophe (LA)

Picture of the week:

Recruitment materials driving us nuts

Best moment(s):

The intense highs and lows and wonderful team moments of the Recruitment Taskforce, finally reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, my unexpected and yet incredibly strangely fulfilling Monday, a Sunday morning visit

Soundtrack:

Movin' on up - M-People

My Week: July 16 -22

This week I am working on:

Recruitment Taskforce
NTT Transition Meeting with Yavor, Fabo and Peter (Thanks guys!!!)
Visit of LC Basel's office and coaching follow-up
Meeting with Simon (VPPD Bern)

Picture of the week:

I simply felt the need to remind Luca of his pizza disaster :-)

Best moment(s):

Re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in order to prolong the Hallows of Death pleasure, Die Hard and Pub Hard with the three main men in my life, NTT transitioning in beautiful Zürich (my first time there!) on an unexpected summer's day, surprises late at night and perfect early morning moments, doing flat shit with Luca and making the place mine, going to the limit of pain with LCPs in the coldest river and not even knowing its name, singing along to Rene's cell phone

Soundtrack of the week:

Courtesy of LCP Weekend:

Build me up, Buttercup
Roxette
Disney (A Whole New World, Unter dem Meer - Bajo el Mar - Sous l'océan)

My Week: July 9 - 15

This week I am working on:

Designing the recruitment taskforce and finding participants ;-)
Communication with PDs
Planning LC coaching for summer
Meeting with Yavor (NST member)
Blog

Picture of the week:

Damn, we're well synchronized!!!

Best moment(s):

Everything connected to German lessons at Burger King - a sunshine picnic in Geneva - seeing the new Harry Potter

Soundtrack:

"When you say you love me" - Clay Aiken (it makes me break out into dance immediately and I love the lyrics)