the highwayman: October 2005

change

"There are things that never change..." Morpheous (Matrix Reloaded).

Days change, years change, people change, friends change, feelings change, reasons change, characters change, players change, rules of the game change,.... sometimes you force the change, sometimes the change drags you.
There are moments when you want to stop the change, walk against it, but it will bend your back and throw to the flood of changes. Muddy flood water will make you blinder, it will be hard to see, you kust keep struggling against the waves of this flood of changes...
One morning you will wake up and see the water calm again, flood is gone, water is pure clear, it is easier to see through. The stones are left behind, the rest is washed away. And if you survived the flood, it makes you as strong as stone (and maybe your heart), if you weren't strong as stone you'd be washed away too.
That will be new beginning, that will be new You. But it's only next phase of a spiralic loop of life because there are things that never change...

aiesec newie camp

I was invited to join for AIESEC newies camp for an English discussion and traineeship sharing sessions for 6 northern LC combined camp. During discussion held in english, 3 different questions about world citizenship were asked to different teams.
Few things that I noticed;
- most of them, as also other people outside, are not aware of main attractions and beauties of Taiwan that foreigners are urging to see. One question was about how to prepare a Taiwan tour for a foreign friend visiting Taiwan. Only 1 group mentioned about Taroko Gorge and Green island (and famous seawater hot spring on the island). Noone mentioned about Alishan mountain. Normally you'd find these places as top destinations in travel books. And nothing much was suggested about hot spring resorts here. There was even suggestions to take a visitor to Taipei zoo :))). There was a big surprise when I gave them 1 day itinerary for Taipei trip (Taipei101 -> CKS memorial hall -> Beitou -> Danshui -> Fisherman'sWharf -> Longshan Temple -> Snake Alley) which we already did with Gitti when she came to Taiwan. And of course, most of them suggested introducing stinky tofu to the visitor as they really love to do it here (why? coz it stinks, that's why!:)).
- another question was about the disaster in India, how they would react and how it would affect the region. nice ideas about volunteering, moral support, donations, etc were said. Although some said they would feel pity for them and keep on watching for more news (no actions?!), and also some assumptions about people's drop of faith to God after this disaster(huh?!). Another good point was made by some of them who assumed that recent earthquake will lead to some peace among India and Pakistan for the dispute over Kashmir.

Then there was a traineeship sharing time. I prepared presentaion the night before but couldn't upload/attach it from Mac (couldn't understand the reason, and noone around to help with Mac in chinese), so had to scratch some stuff just before the session. another mistake I made was the language, I should have kept in mind the level of English of my audience, they were full of enthusiasm at the beginning, but after a while I noticed a drop of interest among some of them. I realized later that most of them couldn't understand me at all, and I double checked by asking to raise the hands who can understand me, and no hands raised!:))) I repeated the same question in more slower way and saying each word clearly, then most of them raised their hands...
Diego and Aries were also sharing their traineeship stories, also Jazzie, who has been to Turkey for 2-month traineeship recently, was there to share.

the night before was aiesec party with cross-dressing and drinking competitions.

few more things;
- well, here AIESEC party means, it starts at 7pm, some AIESEC dances, and at 10pm party is over :). then you will be kindly asked if you need someone to take you to MRT station :).
- we formed a trainee team for drinking competition, it included Evgeniy (new trainee from Russia, can anyone beat russians in drinking?!!), Teemu (Finnish dude), Andre(from the States), Diego (Colombian buddy, also can drink well) and myself (I don't drink alcohol, but I always participate with Coke).

So we were sure that noone could beat us there. 1st round easy! and then while expecting to get cups of drinks for next round, they put a huge pudding(!) in front of us, suddenly a drinking competition turned into a sucking-pudding-with-a-straw competition!! and it was a kind of jelly-like pudding that I (and later I learned other teammates) hate! We were about to puke afterwards. Well, no need to say that we somehow managed to lose to another group that had some girls. later we heard some specs that they were more than 5 people, etc. But the point is that of course you will win if you give foreigners the pudding they hate and ask them to suck it whole in less than a minute?! :)) it is and it should be a drinking competition, and worst of all, all of us hadn't had the dinner and was hungry at that time... :)) be ready for surprises!

for chelsea fans

half time talk of Jose Mourinho to his team (Chelsea FC) ;)

new mafiosa

+

old friend, new member of DHL AP trainees, welcome on board, Triin!

i bought the binoculars to watch the planes flying from the airport not too far from our office, i love the planes.

letter from AIESEC Pakistan...

Earthquake in Pakistan

The devastating earthquake on October 8 2005 was one of the largest natural disasters to have ever hit Pakistan. More than 30,000 people are feared dead and thousands are still trapped under collapsed buildings and homes.

Fortunately no AIESEC member or family has been injured from this tragedy, however we all know of someone who has been affected. We seek international aid for anyone who wants to support the victims of the earthquake. We urge you to please give all you can, they seek medicines, tents and blankets however any funds donated can be used to buy whatever is needed.

You can make a donation through the President's Relief Fund Account which is registered and hence any donations to this fund are trusted and tax deductible. The address is as follows: http://www.embassyofpakistan.org/news162a.php

I urge all AIESEC'ers to please dig deep and support those that need your help. You can make such a huge difference to the lives of many who have nothing.

Stay safe.

Warm Regards,
The AIESEC in Pakistan Member Committee

face morpher

...imagine you were born in different race, age, sex or era?!:) some face morpher project I found on the web. below is my own version, I can't believe it!!:))))

found somewhere in the web ;)

finally!!!

finally I had my first look of my university degree certificate (diploma) from Middle East Technical University!!! I prepared while doing my traineeship in Taiwan for last exam and graduation project and went for exams this summer but due to time limit couldn't wait till the results. no need to tell that METU is rated one of the best universities in the region. my friends got it from the university and passed to Ilter, and he will send it to me to Taiwan by some Turkish friends. Soon I will hold it in my hands :)))). Thanks to Ilter, Ulan, Azilet, Bilen, Omer, Ozgur, Seren and all other friends!

Hosh Geldin Ramazan!

Ramazan month - sultan of other 11 months. a month where all the muslims all over the world fast to fulfill their duty and to please Allah (c.c.). People are different, atmosphere is different, rich are same as poor waiting for sunset to break their fast, people inviting each other for iftars (Ramazan dinners after day-long fast), etc. I missed this time, this atmosphere, these people, these iftars!
Some nice things about fasting is that your stomach will be cleaned after 1 month of fasting, fasting prevents from evil thoughts, it helps us to understand poor people who can't enjoy 3 time meal a day.
Today is the first day, already feeling my stomach is ringing for food, it will take 4-5 days till I get used to it. Pity that there is noone here to invite me for iftar:). Last year in Singapore, Zulfi invited me for iftar, also Zulfi, Jona and myself organized iftar for other trainee friends.
Welcome Ramazan! Time to wash away from all the dirts and sins...

weekend in Taichung

Last weekend I was away in Taichung (central Taiwan). It was really good to escape from Taipei, from all recent headaches and troubles that were disturbing me a lot. My ex-flatmate from Singapore, Lisheng, was in Taiwan for her cousin's wedding and was kind to invite me for it. I could witness some parts of the ceremony and join for a nice traditional lunch.
Also, Aga, Polish trainee in Taichung, was really kind to host me and take around Taichung with her scooter. I had a very close look to the city, visited a Conficius temple, jade market, night market and Dunghai university campus with beautiful chapel inside. Thanks for Aga, Lisheng and Affy for a nice weekend! I'd stay for hiking too, but typhoon forced me to return back to Taipei. Below are some shots;