[making dreams come true]

dreamers vs. realists

2011-11-26T17:00:00.001+01:00

"There are dreamers and there are realists in this world,

you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists,
but more often than not the opposite is true.

See the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun.

And the realists?
Well without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground."

una oración por mis cercanos,

2011-10-03T23:42:00.004+02:00

para que reine el perdón,
la verdad,
la compasión,
la serenidad,
la calma,
la aceptación,
la curación,
el amor.

Para que se pueda borrar lo malo,
lo que dolió,
lo que marcó,
lo que hirió.

Para que se haga un punto final a la estrofa,
el último nudo de la cuerda,
que se cierre la cadena, con un candado fuerte y pesado,
que no la abrá nunca más.

Que brille la esperanza en el corazón,
la unión,
la paz.

Para que se aprenda la lección y no tengamos que vivirla de nuevo,
que no se escriba con sangre algo que ya lo vivimos.

Te pido por los mios, que aunque lejos, estemos cerca en pensamiento y en comprensión. Para ponerle lógica algo que no la tiene. Para estar en los zapatos del otro.

Que se sequen las lágrimas,
que se vaya el arrepentimiento.

Que se disuelva el odio, que se olvide qué es.
Que no se repita, que no se repita, que no se repita..

Para que seamos aire y podamos estar en el otro lado del mundo en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
Para que la distancia no exista, que el tiempo no avance, que la tierra no gire...

Para que las palabras que escribo tengan sentido y no se escriban nuevamente con lágrimas en los ojos, con miles de incógnitas, con un hueco entre el corazón y el estomágo. Con frío en las manos y en los pies...

amén.

Dear someone,

2011-08-09T22:41:00.005+02:00

Dear someone,
If you love me, let me know. If not, please gently let me go.

Spring! Keufenhof- The Netherlands

2011-06-04T00:31:00.004+02:00

The more we think of the future, the more we forget the present.
Always remember: No matter where we are going, it starts from where we are.

Por más que pensamos en el futuro, más nos olvidamos del presente.
Siempre recuerda: Sin importar a dónde vayamos, siempre comenzamos de donde ahora estamos.

[En imágenes: El campo de tulipanes Keukenhof en Holanda. Recibiendo la primavera del 2011.]

Mi guitarra y vos.

2011-03-29T15:01:00.003+02:00

Que viva la ciencia, Que viva la poesia! Que viva siento mi lengua Cuando tu lengua está sobre la lengua mía! El agua esta en el barro, El barro en el ladrillo, El ladrillo está en la pared Y en la pared tu fotografia. Es cierto que no hay arte sin emoción, Y que no hay precisión sin artesania. Como tampoco hay guitarras sin tecnología. Tecnología del nylon para las primas, Tecnología del metal para el clavijero. La prensa, la gubia y el barniz: Las herramientas de un carpintero. El cantautor y su computadora, El pastor y su afeitadora, El despertador que ya está anunciando la aurora, Y en el telescopio se demora la última estrella. La maquina la hace el hombre... Y es lo que el hombre hace con ella. El arado, la rueda, el molino, La mesa en que apoyo el vaso de vino, Las curvas de la montaña rusa, La semicorchea y hasta la semifusa, El té, los ordenadores y los espejos, Los lentes para ver de cerca y de lejos, La cucha del perro, la mantequilla, La yerba, el mate y la bombilla. Estás conmigo, Estamos cantando a la sombra de nuestra parra. Una canción que dice que uno sólo conserva lo que no amarra. Y sin tenerte, te tengo a vos y tengo a mi guitarra. Hay tantas cosas Yo sólo preciso dos: Mi guitarra y vos Mi guitarra y vos. Hay cines, Hay trenes, Hay cacerolas, Hay fórmulas hasta para describir la espiral de una caracola, Hay más: hay tráfico, Créditos, Cláusulas, Salas vip, Hay cápsulas hipnóticas y tomografias computarizadas, Hay condiciones para la constitución de una sociedad limitada, Hay biberones y hay obúses, Hay tabúes, Hay besos, Hay hambre y hay sobrepeso, Hay curas de sueño y tisanas, Hay drogas de diseño y perros adictos a las drogas en las aduanas. Hay manos capaces de fabricar herramientas Con las que se hacen máquinas para hacer ordenadores Que a su vez diseñan máquinas que hacen herramientas Para que las use la mano. Hay escritas infinitas palabras: Zen, gol, bang, rap, Dios, fin... Hay tantas cosas Yo sólo preciso dos: Mi guitarra y vos Mi guitarra y vos. Jorge Drexler.

RUBICA está al aire!

2010-11-26T16:31:00.005+01:00

www.rubica.net

Un poco de contexto,

Hace más de un año, Iván -un muy buen amigo mío y esposo de mi hermana, Carolina-, me llamó a Holanda para presentarme la idea de un proyecto de negocio que me capturó cuando me la describió. En esta "endulzada de oído" también estuvo Martha, amiga y también colega en AIESEC.

Caro e Iván habían vivido en Holanda por un tiempo mientras yo vivía allí y ,en nuestras charlas durante las comidas, yo podía compartirles todas las iniciativas en comunicaciones digitales que estaba implementando en mi año como Directora Global de Comunicaciones en AIESEC Internacional.

Básicamente, desde la oficina global de AIESEC, estabamos bajando todo el concepto de Web 2.0 a la asociación globalmente; en ese entonces ya eramos más de 32,000 miembros en más de 110 países de todo el mundo y teníamos que asegurarnos tener una estrategia de comunicaciones cohesionadora, pero también juvenil, atractiva para nuestra audiencia, jóvenes entre los 17 y los 25 años de edad.

Todo lo relacionado con Social Media estaba siendo furor en casi todas las regiones y pues yo pensaba en qué pasaría si dabamos vía libre a toda esa cantidad de personas para hablar y expresar lo que haciamos en AIESEC abiertamente, en Internet y público para todos, con algunas recomendaciones generales para cuidar y promover la marca. Así fue cuando llegamos a la idea de "Telling the story 2.0" que fue hacer contar a nuestros chicos sus historias a través de blog posts, Facebook pages, groups, videos, tweets. Todo debidamente conectado a páginas Web en el país y en las regiones, así como a nivel global. Para eso, tuvimos que cambiar todos los websitse para que reflejara todo este movimiento y bueno, pusimos a AIESEC, en la era online. En la era digital.

Hoy en día, la página oficial de AIESEC en Facebook sobrepasa los 70,000 fans, su canal de YouTube ya tiene más de 32,000 visitas y más de 8,000 seguidores en Twitter. AIESEC tiene hoy más de 50,000 miembros en todo el mundo. Así que bueno, si podemos decir que la estrategia representó movilidad y visibilidad para la organización en muchas partes del mundo, así como más conocimiento y cohesión interna entre los miembros. Todo sujeto a objetivos organizacionales, cumplimiento de metas y crecimiento de más del 50% anualmente. Honestamente, siento que este es un legado que todo mi equipo de AIESEC Internacional de ese año (2008-2009) se siente orgulloso de dejarle a la organización.

Nace RUBICA,

Luego de esta experiencia, nos dimos cuenta que el caso se puede replicar en muchas organizaciones o empresas que piensan hacer lo mismo, talvéz no en los números de AIESEC, pero a menor escala y no necesariamente los mismos canales, sino los que fueran más relevantes para su público.

La oportunidad estaba en tantas empresas, organizaciones, proyectos e individuos que quieren llegarle a sus públicos especificos a través de Internet, pero no saben cómo hacerlo. Que quieren mejorar sus procesos internos de comunicaciones, de mercadeo, de recursos humanos de manera innovadora. Pensamos en tantas empresas y proyectos que les puede servir como usar Google Docs, Mensajeria Instantanea, Plataformas de proyectos online, salas de conferencias virtuales, etc.

Muchos ires y venires en la consolidación de la idea, que luego pasó a ser un sueño por cumplir, una meta que alcanzar. Tendríamos nuestra empresa de consultoria y seríamos el espacio para conectar profesionales jóvenes que le s apasiona el tema de Internet, Tecnología, redes sociales y que ven en todo esto más que solo afición sino oportunidad de desarrollo, de crecimiento, de negocio.

Así nace RUBICA. Ese sueño, que meses después tomaría más forma, más dirección, el sueño que se hizo realidad. :)

2011 es el crecimiento y la consolidación de esta empresa a pasos agigantados.

Me siento realmente feliz y orgullosa ver todo lo que hemos conseguido en un año, ya finalmente constituidos legalmente, con nuestros primeros clientes a bordo, un equipo tiempo completo en Bogotá y casi una docena de colaboradores en diferences ciudades del país y del mundo –si contamos mi situación- ;)

Para mi, RUBICA es mi contribución a mi país desde la distancia, sigo aprendiendo mucho para poderlo invertir en la empresa, le dedico parte de mi tiempo libre y es mi pasatiempo favorito. Vamos a conseguir que seamos cada vez más grandes, haciendo este mundo mucho más conectado e increiblemente colaborativo, donde las personas logran con sus ideas, resultados extraordinarios!

Visitanos y contáctanos para saber más. Encuentranos en Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
Pronto más noticias del mundo RUBICA!

www.rubica.net

Gracias por leer, comentar y compartir.
Un abrazo! :)

Happy B-day mom from Brussels!

2010-11-10T21:25:00.003+01:00

One of the things that I love of Brussels, after the Manneken Pis and the chocolate of course (described in a previous post), is the diversity of the people that you can find in its streets... from different nationalities, with different languages and accents, plenty of urban styles, etc.

That is exactly what I wanted to give to my mom for her B-day!
It was a lovely and funny afternoon creating this gift... :)

Enjoy it! ;)

got my flickr badge! :)

2010-10-28T00:07:00.002+02:00

I have uploaded some photos of my last trip to Colombia for my sister and my best friend's wedding, also on my holidays in Cartagena, at the north coastline of Colombia. Check them on www.flickr.com/alejalaiton

Enjoy' em! :)

Lala.

Ps, For the ones wondering how I got the badge, go to:
http://bighugelabs.com/badge.php ;)

a beautiful day with beautiful thoughts!

2010-09-22T13:13:00.005+02:00

I just returned from my holidays in Colombia.
I am, as always, with the trauma post-Colombia!

It happens to me when I go to visit my family, friends and places in my hometowm, when I remember to myself how badly I am in love with my country. I see myself going back and doing great things for the development of the people.

But also, it was a bit shocking to see Bogota (my city) in a complete mess! All the infraestructure improvements in El Dorado Airport, also in the main highways, in the transportation lines, recycling education, etc. have been doing at the same time and the city is impossible to transit in a decent period of time. I spent 3 hours in a bus in a journey that usually should takes 30mins. This was so crazy! For this, I think I am having the European trauma of asking for secuity, organization and mobilization as the most important citizen's rights. Anyways.

I visited Villa de Leyva (at the center of the country) and Cartagena and Islas del Rosario (at the north coast line). Those places are the paradise!! beautiful landscapes, incredible food, nice weather and so many kind people! I was happy, I was making every single second I was there very enjoyable. I took some photos (soon on my Flickr page).

I also had time to think deeptly about my sense of being appart of all of this. Today, (because I dont know what tomorrow will bring) I am convinced that I will return to Colombia near in the future, but not before have studied my Masters degree. Education is one of the things that I value and admire the most of the "1st. world" and I have the deep neccesity to take the most out of it. I will start doing research and budget plans for this. I am so excited!!! :D

I am positive for the coming months, I know that I will discover many opportunities that will bring me the motivation and energy that I need to reach what I want, to continue making dreams coming true.

Life is good!!
I like to play this game! :)

Btw, Tonight, another dream coming true!! U2 concert! So happy!! :)
A song for today:

Bicentenario de Colombia

2010-07-18T12:41:00.002+02:00

ad portas del Bicentenario de Colombia, el próximo 20 de julio, aquí un poco de historia en 90 segundos!

Buena producción de The History Channel.

Del porqué no quiero a Santos como Presidente!

2010-06-05T20:10:00.003+02:00

Ah! Hoy tengo como un sentimiento de angustía o de incertidumbre. Por un lado me niego a que me quiten la posibilidad de pensar y construir un país como el que siempre he soñado y por otro lado me dejo llevar por la racionalidad de que realmente, en nuestro país, sí estamos “fregados”, por la desinformación, el desinterés, el miedo y la corrupción.

Nunca había estado tan pendiente de la realidad política colombiana desde que salí del país hace 3 años como ahora, y lo pienso desde esa constante de los que estamos “afuera” de sí volveré y cuándo. Cuando el país mejore, cuando las condiciones sean mejores, cuando esté más preparada, cuando tenga más plata….

Siempre se está comparando otras sociedades y lo que podría funcionar para el país. En sociedades avanzadas como las que uno ve en Europa, donde las instituciones funcionan mucho mejor, se puede dar uno el lujo de pensar en una Colombia así. Porque somos testigos de que sí funciona. Donde el accesso a la educación, a la salud, a los servicios públicos, a la seguridad es algo FUNDAMENTAL para todos. Nadie lo pone en duda, todo el mundo lo tiene y lo respeta.

En Colombia, tenemos el potencial, la gente, los recursos naturales, la “pasión”, pero siempre tendremos el eterno problema de la ilegalidad, del todo vale. Eso que no nos deja avanzar como una sociedad más justa e igualitaria.

Si, soy verde. Apoyo las ideas del Partido de Antanas Mockus. Y no lo digo por el personaje que representa, lento y confuso al hablar, que se bajó los pantalones al frente del público, de sus mimos, sus zanahorias o sus girasoles… Hablo de su propuesta y que si se mira con detenimiento lo que nos invita a pensar y construir como sociedad.

Estoy cansada que las principales críticas que se le hagan a Mockus sean por la manera como habla o como se contradice. Seguimos en la necesidad de buscar a un mesías, o tal vez del más politiquero, de esos que hablan y hablan, prometen y convencen, pero que a la final no cumplen nada o que lo hacen al precio del que “el fin justifica los medios”.

Y que no me digan que es por el Plan de gobierno que propone Santos, porque es la continuidad de toda la política de Uribe, sólo que con las palabras bonitas de los politiqueros: más trabajo, más educación, más seguridad.. bla bla bla… si, todo eso al precio del “todo vale”!

Yo, particularmente estoy cansada de eso. Yo no quiero a otro Presidente Uribe, que logró resultados a precio de muchos inocentes.

Recientemente me vi el reporte del comité de verificación de los derechos humanos en el caso de Colombia y es evidente como el cuento de la “seguridad democrática” ha sido un espejismo para cubrir asesinatos de inocentes para hacerlos pasar por falsos positivos militares, de persecusión y hostigamiento a sindicalistas, periodistas, defensores de derechos humanos, a campesinos!

Veánse el documental completo – en video- aquí para tener más razones de peso:

Colombia 2010 - VI Informe de Verificación de los Derechos Humanos

http://www.vimeo.com/11259656

Ay por favor, no nos hagamos los del oido sordo. Es hora de parar ese circulo vicioso que nos va a convertir en una dictadura y no en una democracia.

Los invito a leer la propuesta del Partido Verde y si no los convence como opción, voten en blanco… pero no voten por Santos por favor. Por el futuro que nuestro país se merece y por esa sociedad que se puede empezar a construir, no lo hagan por favor.

Estoy abierta para discutir sobre las propuestas, sobre el plan de gobierno del Partido Verde, sobre lo que tiene sentido y lo que no. De aclarar todos los mitos detrás del Partido, que si los convenzo o no ya será de cada uno. Pero mi interés fundamental es que no quiero que Santos quede Presidente.

Waka Waka Barranquilla

2010-05-21T00:40:00.001+02:00

This is another reason why I love my country!
Music is part of our lives! it's what makes us happy people! :)

The students of the Pies Descalzos' school in Barranquilla also joined 1GOAL and danced the Waka Waka.

Realized by Edgardo Torres and David Ibarra. TeleCaribe.

videos que valen la pena compartir en Internet!

2010-05-05T17:56:00.007+02:00

Les comparto 3 videos, de esos que se hacen virales en Internet, que me parecieron excelentes por su creatividad y sobre todo porque logran hacer que lo online- se vuelva físico... así sea con objetivos de mercadeo!

El gran reto de las campañas en Redes Sociales.
Echénle ojo!

[EN] Hey all! sharing with you 3 nice creative videos that I found in the Internet! Making the online effect become physical.. what a challenge for the strategies on Social Media! Enjoy it!

Este último es mejor verlo directamente en Vimeo, para que lo disfruten completamente (literal!!) :)

28!

2010-05-03T10:20:00.003+02:00

Mi año 27 de vida fue toda una montaña rusa... El año pasado a esta misma altura estaba comenzando a sentir la sensación de ir en decenso en mi año en AI. Estabamos entrando al último Quarter de nuestro periodo como equipo global y ya pensaba en lo que quería hacer luego de AIESEC.

Visionaba un descanso bien merecido después de 7 años en la organización trabajando y viajando intensamente. También visionaba mi próximo trabajo, mi próximo equipo, la ciudad en la que viviría y las nuevas cosas que quería tener. Algunos viajes en mente, una comida deliciosa y personas especiales conmigo...

Ayer revisaba esa lista de las cosas que escribí para hacer a mis 27 años y el balance es bastante positivo. Cerré de una manera muy especial mis años en la organización y, aunque sigo pendiente de lo que sucede en la misma, ya he tomado la distancia adecuada que se requiere para ser ex'miembro. Los logros conseguidos en nuestro equipo y en mi área profesional fueron increíbles.

Descansé 3 meses con mi familia y amigos en Bruselas (mi hermana, Ivancho y Pipe), conseguí trabajo en poco tiempo y en los 7 meses que llevo aquí, he conocido gente de todas las profesiones, causas y motivaciones. Me he conectado con el tema de Justicia y Derechos Humanos, he aprendido sobre la vida de la gente con discapacidades y conozco más a fondo como funciona la Unión Europea con sus pros y contras. He visto de primera mano como se administran proyectos a gran escala internacional y de mayor impacto.

Gracias a Dios los viajes han seguido como opción en mi trabajo y en mi vida. República Checa, Luxemburgo, Francia, Italia y Colombia fueron los destinos que visité este último año. Estar en Colombia para Navidad y Año Nuevo fue un recargue de energías total.

La idea de empresa que tengo con unos amigos ya tiene mucha más forma, logo e imagén. Este año será el año de lanzarla y ponerla a andar. Nuestro primer bebé ya está a punto de nacer. :)

El corazón late por una persona :). Es bonito compartir momentos especiales con alguien que se preocupa por tí, que te hace reir, enfadar, pensar, que te hace feliz. Ajustar agendas y pensar en conjunto es algo que hace mucho tiempo no experimentaba y que ahora está sucediendo. Es todo un proceso de descubrimiento, sin esperar qué pase mañana sino viviendo el día a día. Dejando que todo que fluya naturalmente. Sin complicaciones. :)

Estoy estudiando Francés 6 horas a la semana y metida estudiando por mi cuenta fotografía, disfrutando este pasatiempo que me encanta. Sigo leyendo mucho sobre Internet y Nuevas Tecnologías. He asistido a diferentes entrenamientos y me he conectado con la gente que sabe del tema. Comencé a leer de nuevo en Español para recuperar vocabulario, pero sigo trabajando en Inglés. Ya el clima mejorando en Bruselas, comencé a correr en el parque. Nada mejor que hacer lo que a uno le apasiona.

Puedo decir que las cosas se están estabilizando, pero también sé que con eso se viene inevitablemente una rútina, que me aterra. Espero no caer en ella y tomar acciones antes de que pierda el sentido de llegar a lo que me interesa y anhelo.

Tengo una nueva lista para este año 28. :)
Muchos más sueños, metas, prioridades y momentos para vivir. Me da mucha alegria recibir un nuevo año más de vida junto a la gente que quiero, con salud y con nuevas ambiciones para alcanzar. Más sueños por cumplir.!

[Una foto mía del arco del Parque Cincuentenario, cerca a mi casa, recibiendo la Primavera]

reflexiones raras antes de la hora del almuerzo

2010-04-13T12:35:00.004+02:00

Sentada y pensando si tiene sentido lo que hago...

Si tiene sentido el pasar 8 horas de mi día sentada frente a un computador.. que se convierte en mi espejo, en mi cuaderno, en mi ventana, en mi teléfono, mis libros, en mi TV.

Dominando los programas de computador.

Acostumbrándome a los atajos, incapacitándome para pensar si no abro una nueva hoja de word, pensando en mapas mentales, calculando en hojas de excel, modificando fotos, subiendo... bajando.

Cuando me pasan estas reflexiones por la cabeza, pienso que es sólo un estado de la vida, que tengo que disfrutar y aprender lo más que pueda... pero también sé que es sólo un estado y una muestra clara que pronto estaré saltando a hacer algo nuevo que me mantenga conectada con el sentido de mi vida y de mi tiempo...

Me gusta mi trabajo y lo que hago... pero, a veces, con lo que tengo que hacer, con lo humana y operativamente necesario que tengo que hacer, -y que me consume mucho de mi tiempo laboral- me aburro y pienso que esto no es lo que quiero... que así no me veo yo: de señorita Secretaría haciendo documentos en programas de computador.. que quedan bonitos, pero me dejan sentada en esta silla, en frente de este computador por 1 hora más de mi vida....

Reflexiones antes de la hora del almuerzo....
eso pasa....

about traveling and international exchange experience

2010-03-12T13:32:00.002+01:00

A message to the young people thinking on going abroad through international exchange, based on my personal experience. Thoughts in a random evening...

Colombia: la experiencia de tu vida ó como vender un país de forma diferente

2010-02-24T12:23:00.001+01:00

As Colombian and blogger, I think this is so worth it to share with all of you! :)

Bloggers from different countries invited to be part of this 10 days-race around my country, to experience the real Colombia.

Very very good initiative!
Enjoy the YouTubevideo with subtitles in English, and read this entry blog (in Spanish)

Colombia: la experiencia de tu vida ó como vender un país de forma diferente

a funny anecdote

2010-02-18T23:36:00.004+01:00

Imagine... I am in Prague as the representative of the organization I am working on, for a meeting of one big project for people with disabilities in Europe.

And tonight we went out to the center of the city to have dinner, and in the street we met a bunch of AIESECers, asking us if we know something about an international organization called: AIESEC.. I was laughing and my colleagues didn't understand why?... well, they have to explain us what AIESEC was about and then we have to give them a video explaining what we understood.

Well.. I did the video, but I shout them first: HEY AIESEC!! and they got surprised! and replied Waaazzupp! (kinda internal AIESEC's code) hahaha...

then I jumped and I say that I was from AIESEC many years and they couldn't believe me that I was part of the AIESEC International team last year.. they know two of my colleagues of last year. They were Executive Board members from the Local Chapter of AIESEC in Prague, doing some promotional games.

I was sooooo happy of that moment... I felt the AIESECers energy back, I felt that strong connection that only the AIESECers for many generations will have... and also feel proud of this powerful and never ending network of smart people. I felt alive! :)

All my colleagues after that moment were asking me many things about AIESEC and I was so so happy to share with all of them some experiences of the best days of my life! :)

awww... I miss you so much AIESEC!

Principles of learning

2010-02-03T22:07:00.005+01:00

I am back at school!

I started my classes of French language this week. However, I am having problems with mixing it with my Portuguese and of course, my Spanish. But I love French, I like how it sounds like, especially in music and movies.

Hope to be able to understand a bit more after this module.

I am training my brain to a new sequence of repetitions,
vocabulary, sounds, grammar rules, etc.

My principles for this new learning adventure,

écutez. listen
répétez. repeat
observez. observe
lisez. read
réspondez. respond
complétez. complete
reliez. link
cochez. select
écrivez. write

and my favorite phrase so far:
Encore une fois!
(one more time!)

{But, I must confess that I would prefer that my brain was a Mobile phone, therefore I would buy tons of SIM cards even with international roaming } :)

My sister and my best friend got engaged!

2010-01-13T16:01:00.012+01:00

This is so freaking great!

I almost screamed... well, I did! :P when Ivan told me -in a really casual way- what he was planning to do for the 1st of January. We were in a shopping mall and my sister was trying some clothes for the Christmas dinner.

At the first moment, I thought he was kidding...

I met Ivancho like 6 years ago. Both of us were part of AIESEC and then we were colleagues working for the national team for one year. We became a really close friends with the passing days, especially when he started to hang out with my sister and he was sharing his adventures to see her in any part of the world. Ivancho has been my colleague, my mentor, my boss, my friend and now my family :)

That's the reason why I knew he was really serious when he got blush and just smiled!

-OMG! are you serious??? OMG OMG!!
I almost cried.

But,
how come did I know it first than his fiancee? :P

Well, the situation was that Ivan invited my family to his family's house in Paipa, Boyaca, (his hometown in Colombia) for a BBQ on the 1st of January. (In Colombia is traditional to have a BBQ with your family and friends the 1st day of the year to welcome the new year eating, drinking and partying, as a good luck!) :) He was planning to propose during the BBQ in front of all the families there.

However, unfortunately the only date when I could return to Belgium, -in order to be back at work on next Monday-, was the freakie 1st of January! Ivancho was insisting me to move my flight in order to go to the BBQ. His last argument was the BIG NEWS!

I did try everything but I couldn't move my flight tough. I was in Cali waiting my connection to Madrid when my Mom and my sister call me to share me the news. I cried of happiness :)

I am pretty sure that my sister is very happy, I can feel it.

At this moment, I can say that the "twin's stuff" of shared feelings is true. I can feel how happy she is to be engaged. I can see it as well.

We are already thinking in small details for the wedding. How she sees the ceremony, the dress, the food, the place, the photos, the guests lists... the expenses of the weeding!!, which is a big project by the way.

and... I will be in Colombia this year again!!
7th September, 2010 - the BIG DAY! :)

These two special guys together make me believe in love.
That true love exists and make you crazy to be with THAT person. awwwww :)

New technologies and social media in the Inclusion movement

2010-01-05T11:45:00.008+01:00

by: Alejandra Laiton - (Published in the Include Magazine from Inclusion Europe)

EN: Technology is changing a lot. For example, now we can use Facebook to talk to our friends and to meet new friends on the internet. Inclusion Europe has got a Facebook page where you can meet other people interested in inclusion. Inclusion Europe also has a channel on YouTube where you can watch our videos.

FR: La technologie change tout le temps. Par exemple, aujourd’hui vous pouvez utiliser ‘Facebook’ pour parler avec vos amis et pour rencontrer des nouveaux amis surInternet. Inclusion Europe a créé une page sur ‘Facebook’ où vous pouvez rencontrerd’autres gens qui s’intéressent à l’inclusion.

DE: Inclusion Europe a aussi créé une chaînesur ‘YouTube’ où vous pouvez regarder nos vidéos. Informations technologien ändern sich ständig. Heute, können wir zum Beispiel Facebook benutzen,um mit Freunden zu sprechen oder neue Freunde zu treffen. Inclusion Europe hat jetzt eine Facebook-Seite, auf der man andere Menschen mit Interesse an Inklusion treffen kann. Inclusion Europe hat aucheinen Kanal auf YouTube mit videos.

In the 21st century, technology is a crucial factor for successin any organisation, large or small. Not only from the perspective of how many computers we need and the IT staff required to maintain them, but also because all staff depend on it to deliver programs and projects, to communicate overseas, to promote the organization’s mission, to raise financial and intellectual support, to reach followers, to engage friends and activists and much more.

Technology can now be used in new and different ways to gain support for the Inclusion movement amongst organizations, donors, supporters, experts and public services, as well as reaching individual citizens themselves.

With the expertise of our new Communications Officer, Alejandra Laiton, Inclusion Europe is embracing new communication and information technologies as an opportunity to make information accessible to all, by connecting and supporting our member associations through the use of new technologies such as social media and online collaboration tools.

but, What is social media?

Officially, social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction and the construction of words, pictures, video and audio. (source: Wikipedia)

Put simply, it is used to describe the millions of conversations people across the world are having on a daily basis, through online social networks, computer devices, email accounts,websites and communication tools such as Skype, and MSN.

and, Why should we care about this?

■ Because social media is the new way of democratizing communications

■ Because 2/3 of the global internet population visits social networks

■ Because visiting social networking sites is now thefourth most popular online activity – ahead of personal email use

■ Because we need to be where the people are: the social and mobile Web

Technology is changing the way we engage with our audiences, the way we listen to them, the way we invite them to participate and lead the way for change. It also brings us the possibility of connecting more with our colleagues.

No matter how great or small an organisation may be, we should start asking ourselves how well we are using new communication technologies.

Do we have a presence on important social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter?
Do we plan how information is being distributed on the Internet?
Do we communicate through videos, photos, blogs and other popular media?

The World Congress of Inclusion International 2010 and social media!

Inclusion Europe is already present on online social networks. If you are a Facebook user (Facebook is the world’slargest social online network), become a “fan” of our Facebook page to receive updates, to see our latest photos and events, and to stay connected with friends and supporters of the Inclusion movement.

Visit: www.facebook.com/inclusioneurope for free! And click on ‘Events’ to see the World Congress of Inclusion International 2010 event page on Facebook.

You can also subscribe to the RSS feeds (RSS -Rich Site Summary- is a format which delivers regularly updated web content directlyto your browser, email account, desktop or mobile device) in any of the 4 languages available (English, German, French and Spanish) for regular updates.

Another interesting site is Twitter; a real-time short messaging service (SMS) that works over multiple networks and devices (mobile and web) to keep people updated using a maximum of 140 characters), Inclusion Europe has created a Twitter account www.twitter.com/InclusionEurope (in English) where we will share updates on our activities and onthe World Congress 2010 with our followers who use this service. Twitter is also completely free!

For those who like videos, we are also on YouTube. YouTube is the leading online video website for watching and sharing original videos worldwide through the Web. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the latest videos of Inclusion Europe: www.youtube.com/InclusionEurope and the World Congress: www.youtube.com/Inclusion2010 on YouTube! You can visit the channels, rate and comment on our videos. We are doing our best to provide videos in different languages with subtitles to cater for different audiences. YouTube is also a service provided for free.

We are continuing to work on the communication strategy for Inclusion Europe 2010, capitalizing on these trends and we hope we will soon be able to use this “new medium” to branchout to other sites and come up with new ways of using them. If you need any support do not hesitate to contact Alejandra Laiton, Communication Officer at Inclusion Europe at: a.laiton(at)inclusion-europe.org

Una mirada a la Antártica como ejemplo de cooperación internacional y el cambio climático

2009-12-11T20:59:00.003+01:00

Con motivo de la Conferencia sobre el Cambio Climático de las Naciones Unidas, globalmente conocida como #COP15, que se lleva a cabo desde el 7 al 18 de Diciembre de este año en Copenhague, quiero compartir algunas de las principales conclusiones de la única colombiana participante en la Expedición a la Antártica IATE 2009.

La expedición, liderada por el explorador polar Robert Swan OBE, acaba de regresar de la expedición a la Península Antártica en la que se conmemoró el 50º aniversario de la firma del Tratado Antártico, el cual protege a este continente del nocivo potencial de la minería y la excavación de sus superficies para la explotación de sus recursos y que además manifiesta que el “Continente Antártico es un territorio de paz y ciencia”.

Un total de 45 expedicionarios, provenientes de 16 naciones (entre ellos, Jennifer Trujillo, colombiana y única representante de Suramérica) se unieron a Swan en una travesía por la energía limpia enfocada en el liderazgo aplicado al tema del cambio climático y la creación de soluciones estratégicas necesarias para preservar nuestro planeta.

Los miembros de la expedición piden a sus respectivos líderes aprender del ejemplo que hoy es el Tratado Antártico y explorar las posibilidades de aplicar este mecanismo como un modelo del tipo de acuerdo de cooperación

El acierto del Tratado Antártico

El Tratado Antártico, firmado el 1 de diciembre de 1959 en Washington DC por las naciones signatarias (Argentina, Australia, Bélgica, Gran Bretaña, Chile, Francia, Japón, Nueva Zelanda, Noruega, Sudáfrica, Unión Soviética y Estados Unidos), es un ejemplo brillante de cooperación internacional que busca preservar una parte de nuestro planeta solo para la paz y la ciencia.

En su momento, la Antártica fue sitio de intensos conflictos económicos y comerciales, siendo el Tratado lo que permitió a las naciones sobrepasar lo que parecían desacuerdos irreconciliables y moverse a favor de un propósito mayor para privilegiar el objetivo de la preservación.

Aunque los problemas relativos a la soberanía aún existen, el Tratado Antártico permite que las naciones que lo conforman se enfoquen en la protección del Continente Antártico al mismo tiempo en que protegen sus intereses nacionales, suspendiendo el tema de la reclamación territorial.

De la Antártida a Copenhague

Jennifer Trujillo Obando, es ingeniera mecatrónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Occidente y actualmente está trabajando en el área de la generación de energía a partir de basura sólida municipal.

“No se trata de la belleza innegable de la Antártida, ni de su potencial para el desarrollo científico; ya en este punto, hablamos de la supervivencia de la humanidad y de lo crucial que es preservar la Antártica prístina para que siga habiendo un ecosistema que ayude a mantener el equilibrio del ciclo climático global", comparte Jennifer.

"Si este Tratado funciona para este territorio, entonces vale la pena explorar posibilidades de aplicarlo a otros escenarios, también de conflicto, en los que el mayor reto sigue siendo la cooperación para contrarrestar los efectos del cambio climático.” Concluye.

Para leer toda su experiencia en la Antártica, super recomendadísimo su blog: http://jenntoiate2009.blogspot.com/

Y los videos en YouTube de la travesía:

Parte 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7K55EAZqKE

Parte 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38PN7jUY5jQ

Agradecimientos a Jenn! por compartirme tan lindas experiencias! :)

Rationallity (?)

2009-12-01T21:01:00.003+01:00

I had planned to spend Christmas this year with all my family -re-united after 3 years- in Colombia. That was the reason to book that ticket since June.

This week, I had to cancel the plane ticket, because I cannot take 1 month of holidays (obvious reason: I just started my job). Therefore, I tried to move the dates to my holiday break, but the prices are ridiculously expensive, thus was much better to cancel the trip and ask for the reimbursement back to my account.

I look for many other options.. but again, time, work and money are in front of me as a big rock that doesn't want to move away!

I have the hope, but also I am starting to think rationally, pasted on the pavement... that rationality makes me get upset, sad, confused... dot!

Reflections in cold

2009-11-08T19:55:00.006+01:00

Brussels is becoming colder.

I remember one conversation that I had with Juan once, when he told me that the people become more reflective and sensitive during this period of time. He thinks the European people are more aware of their feelings and thoughts just because they experience this “winter syndrome”. I agreed.

To be cold is something I can’t control because I feel colder than the usual. My hands and fingers –literally- stop moving, even if I have gloves. My body shakes more than the usual; sometimes, I end up with strong headaches and when the temperature is really low, I can’t breath properly. Doctor told me it’s an allergy of “cold weather”. Well, I have friends with allergies of sun, dust, grass.. It cannot be that weird, right.

The thing is that I don't like cold weather because I cannot control it easily, a coffee, a tea, a bar of chocolate, an extra jacket or a hug sometimes is not enough to be Ok. It frustrates me a lot, to be honest, specially when people says the usual "Come on! it's not THAT cold!" and I am doing a big effort to smile and be nice with that appreciation.

Anyways, continuing with my reflections in cold, I am stabilizing my new life in Brussels.
Well, I am trying to.,,

I got the work permit which means I can start officially my job. It gives me the financial stability I was looking for to stay longer in Europe as I wanted. This is a really dynamic job that everyday surprises me. I am getting used to a totally different environment, audiences and projects. So far is going ok.

I already have a flat, which includes my new own bed, closet, studio, fridge, owen, tv, dvd and a big window with terrace. ;-) Though I will move in at the end of the month as soon as all the legalization process is ok.

Not sure if my French lessons will start soon and looking forward to re-start my Gym routine, but I am afraid that the weather will be a big obstacle.., I will do my best to do it, I need it.

My social life is going ok as well. I am so lucky to have many friends here. I can go out to have a coffee, beer, watch a movie, party. I always have someone to hang around with and it’s impossible to get bored.

However, I sometimes think it would be great to have someone close to share these moments, these reflections and specially to see the “nice face” of Winter. I think, I need to pay more attention to my emotional stability, anyway I won’t put so much pressure on this, I will wait until to find the “one”. With someone that I feel happy, calm, simple... just be me. Hopefully, also living kinda similar life and looking for stabilization as well. I need to share some experiences on this field :P

Let’s see how it goes ;-)

another great example of collaborative work in the Web

2009-10-19T13:59:00.001+02:00

In Bb 2.0 is a collaborative music and spoken word project conceived by Darren Solomon from Science for Girls, and developed with contributions from users.

The videos can be played simultaneously - the soundtracks will work together, and the mix can be adjusted with the individual volume sliders.

Visit: http://inbflat.net/
and enjoy it! :)

Sobre Internet y web 2.0 "inclusivos"

2009-10-09T18:03:00.002+02:00

Cuando hablamos de Internet inclusiva, término que difiere de "exclusividad", talvez pensamos inmediatamente en conectividad. Aquella de la necesidad de computadores, de banda ancha, de educación para usarlo. Yo quiero traer un tema talvéz poco desarrollado, porque no he encontrado mucho del tema en Internet, el uso de la misma para personas con discapacidades físicas e intelectuales.

Soy de las personas que creen absolutamente que la Internet no es un priviegio, sino debe considerarse como un derecho fundamental de todas las personas para acceder a un alto nível y calidad de la información. Así como los medios de transporte, el telégrafo, el teléfono y contando con los grandes adelantos tecnológicos de hoy en día, la Internet es un medio de comunicación indispensable para conectar ideas, pensamientos, discusiones, emprendimientos, etc.

Ha pensado en cómo acceden y cómo usan la Internet, personas que no pueden ver? aquellos que no escuchan? aquellos que se les dificulta hablar un idioma y que no captan rapidamente siglas, emoticomes. El llamado: lenguage cibernético?.

Pues yo les comparto, por mi experiencia, para los que tienen discapacidades intelectuales, Facebook resulta aburrido, por tener tanta información tan dificil de captar y entender. Allí no encuentran lo que les interesa y les divierte. Pensemos también, si se nos viene a la cabeza un sitio en Internet para escuchar historias narradas o hacer networking?

De hecho, preguntémonos también, en nuestro mismo comportamiento, qué estamos haciendo para compartir nuestras ideas con un mayor número de personas teniendo en cuenta sus diferencias. Sin discriminarlos sino sabiendo que eres parte importante de esta comunidad pero con características diferentes a las mías. No mucho creo yo.

En Colombia, 1 de cada 20 personas tienen una limitacion fisica, 1 de cada 40 es invidente y 1 de cada 200 tienen limitaciones auditivas. Y 5% del total de poblacion necesita herramientas especiales para rapido y efectivo proceso de inclusion social. Información que encontré aquí.

Es allí cuando me cuestiono si el "Social Media" es tan social como lo catalogan o más bien, estamos derivando a un mundo más excluyente que participativo.

Actualmente, trabajo en Bruselas, como directora de Comunicaciones de la organización europea para personas con discapacidades intelectuales y sus familias. Me han escogido aquí porque hay esperanza en lograr un Internet más incluyente, en generar conciencia y en traer las maravillas del web 2.0 para personas con estas discapacidades. Personalmente, el reto y la oportunidad me parecen increíbles. Mi público objetivo serán todas estas personas que merecen comunicarse, acceder a la información que les interesa, que tienen derecho. Que puedan participar en las decisiones de la sociedad y que su opinión sea escuchada.

Me encantaría escuchar sus opiniones y trabajos al respecto, por mi parte les compartiré cómo va mi experiencia que empezó hace muy poco y me ha hecho cuestionarme la manera como veo y entiendo la Comunicación y la web 2.0

Seguimos charlando,!

Lala

Pd. Mis disculpas por los posibles errores en la redación, ando en un teclado francés.

Where are you from?

2009-10-08T10:32:00.003+02:00

What I have learned as a traveler is that you are not only a person discovering the world, but you become an ambassador of your culture, your people, your country and its stereotypes as well. It brings you the responsibility to invite others to get to know more about it.

I am from Colombia, a country full of stereotypes. Yes, I think you know already what I am talking about.

To hear people making jokes about cocaine, drug dealers, kidnappings, or wait hours at the airport while they over check my Colombian passport and my previous travels, or facing the reality that many friends have been deported or have gotten a visa negation, is now part of my daily life as a traveler. But I also have decided to take the positive approach and explain to the people what is the reality behind all of this.

I have learned it now, although it was not easy at the first time.

It was an American that asked me if was true that the Colombian cocaine was the best in the world and you can find it in every corner in my country, I just reacted violently and said that he should reply to me in the other way around, since the United States is the main cocaine market for the Colombian drug dealers.

Actually, Colombia still is the world’ largest cultivator of coca, producing over the 50% of the total production (81,000ha), followed by Peru (56,100ha) and Bolivia (30,500ha). But what people don’t know is that only the 3% remains in Colombia, the largest markets are North America, followed by West and Central Europe and South America. (Source: The UN Offce on drugs and crime)

Coca leaf tea is not cocaine

In 2006, travelling to Poland my first travel to Europe to attend a international conference, me and my Colombian friends were asked to wait in a different line at the migration check in at the airport . We were carrying food, candies and other representative elements to show in a cultural exhibition.

The airport authorities were questioning if the liquor inside of the bottles was certainly Rum and if the corn white flour for making “arepas” –special Colombian dish- was actually food. And you cannot imagine how freak out I was trying to explain that the coca leaf tea is not cocaine.

Although coca leaf chewing is common only among the indigenous populations, the consumption of coca tea (mate de coca) is common among all sectors of society in the Andean countries, and is widely held to be beneficial to health, particularly in the high altitudes and to overcome fatigue, hunger, and thirst.

However, they passed our luggage and clothes through the X-ray many times just to make sure.

The negative impact

In the Czech Republic, I met a guy wearing a T-shirt with the legend “I am a Colombian drug trafficker”. It caused so much pain for me when he told me he was wearing it just for fun. For me, it means something completely different:

With 2 to 3 million displaced persons, Colombia presents the highest number of internally displaced people in the western hemisphere, and the second largest displaced population in the world after Sudan. Most of the displacement is related to the country's four-decade-long internal armed conflict, the most protracted in Latin America. This 'dirty war' is a complex conflict fought primarily between left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and Colombian armed forces. But it also involves drug traffickers, landowners, and other legal and illegal interests. (Source: UNHRC, the UN refugee Agency)

More than 40,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Colombia as a result of this armed conflict since 1990 alone.

Geographically, Colombia is as big as Spain, Portugal and France all together and one of the most bio diverse countries in the planet, with a very fertile land. The same as we can increase the production of coffee, potato or corn, we can increase the coca production as well. But with a high demand and ilegal practices of trading, and illegal groups controlling the business, the production of coca is still a rentable possibility for many poor families in Colombia.

I do not deny what is happening internally in Colombia and its stereotypes, I can talk straight forward with every person in the world about them. Today, if you ask me if I recommend you to visit my country, without doubt I would say YES, I do.

Actually, I don’t see myself raising my family in any other country different than mine. Talking to my children about our reality and teaching them how to become our country the number one, the same as my parents did with me.

I recommend you to see yourself the country behind the stereotypes, the country moves by the passion of its kind, happy and good people. Discover Colombia through its heart. Don’t be afraid to see yourself the reality of this country and, how we Colombians say: the only risk is wanting to stay longer… maybe forever.

And now, I am asking you: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Which are the stereotypes of your country? Don’t you think is time to break them out?

making it happen: I got the job!

2009-09-30T23:10:00.004+02:00

I am super super super happy to share with you that I have been selected as the new Communications Officer of an European organization that works for societies of people with intellectual disabilities in all Europe, based in Brussels, with offices in Lisbon and Prague.

I am in charge to create, plan and execute the Communications Strategy (mostly web 2.0 :P) for the organization and to support the realization of the International Congress in Berlin, in June, next year!! :-)

Honestly, this was the most challenging selection process I presented though, imagine to think on web 2.0 ideas for people who doesn't read or understand, or only speaks one language with difficulty! The interview was super cool and we shared cool ideas never seen before, and I am going to have the chance to make this happen!... I was selected of a pool of 5 shortlisted candidates out of 300 applicants!..

I am starting as soon as I got all my legal docummentation in order.. in the meanwhile, I am starting to read and learn more about the topic. It will be a complete new experience that comprises all my interests in one job: Communications, Technology, Social Development, Inclusion and Europe... I am super happy to be able to stay longer in Brussels as I wanted.

Telling the story! happy to release the AIESEC Annual Report 08/09

2009-09-23T17:38:00.006+02:00

This week, the AIESEC International Annual Report 2008/2009 was released, which officially closes my and my colleague Lucy Symons’ roles in ‘telling the story’ strategy from the global office of AIESEC.

http://aiesec.org/cms/aiesec/AI/partners/publications.html

It was a busy successful year for our team, we we’re especially proud to see an alumnus receive the Nobel Prize, to have launched our refreshed global website and to have grown 45% with over 6787 internships placed across the world since June. What a journey!

So much of our strategy, tactics and choices tie back to the conversations and resources many people supported us with- thank you immensely for being so available and supportive across the year.

I want to thank also to the editorial team of the AIESEC online dialogues, responsible to get all the stories we reflected in the annual report. To the beautiful group of designers of InStyle Agency in Uruguay that transformed our ideas into a reality, to our photographer Hannah Anthonysz and to our global partners, alumni and members who contributed in this edition.

Warmly,

Lucy and Aleja
COMM Team, AIESEC International 2008-2009

About Brussels,

2009-09-02T16:59:00.003+02:00

This is funny, some Belgian people ask me WHY do I consider Brussels as my favourite city in Europe, like if it was something unbelievable. I am not denying the beauty of other cities such as: Paris, Rome, Budapest, Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid, and many more that I have had the chance to visit... the ones that people usually have in their fav lists, But, simply in Brussels I can find a bit OF everything that make me happy...

The first time I heard about Brussels I was in another beautiful city, but in Colombia: Cartagena, it was some years ago. I was with a very special friend of mine, Belgian ;-), he was finishing his internship in Colombia and he was sharing with me how crazy he fell in love of Colombia while his internship. I asked him why did it happen and he started to explain me his city and the"differences" with the colombian ones. However, I was listening to his arguments, and I just got attracted to know that place he was describing me: Brussels!.

This is a small but super international city, capital of Europe,
with French and Dutch as official languages, but high level of English and even Spanish,
place to taste the most delicious chocolate, waffles and ice cream,
to discover that the "French fries" are actually Belgian :P,
its musical festivals,
its thousands of different brands and flavours of beers,
its parks,
its streets,
its pubs,
its medieval buildings,
its museums,
historical places and modern architecture,
cosy cafes, people everywhere, friends everywhere...
an amazing small city for great moments to live and enjoy.

Today is one month already in Brussels and I have enjoyed discovering all what he told me that night in Cartagena. It is good to have him here as well! the world is extremely small and all of us are just global citizens. :-)

I still have some pending items in the list, but I hope to be able to have more time to explore this magic city... fingers crossed!

One last point, for sure what I like the most of this city is that they do not have a big warrior, or "liberator" riding a horse statue as their landmark, they have two "petit" naked children urinating the city! This is the emblem.. I find this really cool, just simplicity!

If you want to explore more about this legend, then click here

Hope you can visit this city.. even better if I am here! ;-)
Hugs and thanks for reading,!

Lala.

my online identity!

2009-08-21T19:52:00.006+02:00

Personas is a component of the Metropath(ologies) exhibit, currently on display at the MIT Museum by the Sociable Media Group from the MIT Media Lab. It uses sophisticated natural language processing and the Internet to create a data portrait of one's aggregated online identity. In short, Personas shows you how the Internet sees you.

More in:
http://personas.media.mit.edu/

interesting data on Colombia's connectivity

2009-08-20T13:06:00.005+02:00

Reading at the most recent semester report by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Colombia, I extracted some important data that I want to share with you..

I still see the enormous potential my country has in matters of connectivity, technology and communications. I acknowledge the big efforts that many people in Colombia are doing, not only from the official side, but I still see ourselves very far behind of how we should look like and our potential.

Find all the report in the website of the Ministry. (but the document is only in Spanish -> other thing we need to improve!)

Up to date in Colombia
(with over 42 millions of people)

2.9 millions
of people are connected to the Internet.
It represents 65% more than 2008.

41 families out of 100 in Colombia
have Internet access from home

91 people out of 100 in Colombia
have a mobile phone with Internet access

31% of the total of public educative institutions in Colombia
have internet access.
It represents the access to only 56% of the overall number of students subscribed to public educative institutions.

1 computer per 26 children is the connectivity average in the public educative institutions in Colombia.

in 2010,
San Andres Islands in Colombia will have Internet access through broadband, connecting the islands with the rest of the country. finally!

There will be 1600 radio stations, a new public TV channel and the public digital TV will be launched.

in 2012
Colombia will have a their own orbit satellite, this is an investment of over 230 million dollars.

experiencing the digital literature...!

2009-08-17T23:54:00.005+02:00

Something to note: digital literature is not the same of books in a PDF version.. it is a complete new experience converging all kind of digital tools and channels to make the experience much more interactive for the reader.

I heard about this concept at the University, when we were analysing the novel "Rayuela" by the Argentinean writer Julio Cortázar. This was the first time when I realised that the literature not necessary should be lineal... it means, you follow the story in the way the writer/author wanted you to read it. In Rayuela, you can jump from one chapter to another, you can somehow decide the route of the characters' story by selecting any option at the end of any chapter.

In short, you can interact with the stories told in the book.. you can even decide the end for all of them.

Well that is how and, thanks to all the information technology advances in place, the digital literature brings this technique to a digital format, using the incredible tools and also social media to make the stories even real for the spectator.

I found today some examples that I would like to recommend to you.

You can read all these 6 digital stories on: http://wetellstories.co.uk/
Six Authors. Six Stories. Six Weeks. beautiful project!

Slice.
by Toby Litt.
Lisa (Slice to her friends) has moved to London with her parents to separate her from 'bad influences'. Coming from the US, Slice is immediately intrigued by the creepy old house they move into. But are her suspicions that the house is haunted well-founded, or is it her teenage over-imagination at work?

You can follow this story on the "blog" of the main character and her parents. If you want to get even more immersed, you can also email the characters and follow them through text messages on Twitter.!

Fairytale
by Kevin Brooks.

Once upon a time there was a Peasant's daughter who lived in a hut in the shadows of a great black mountain. The hut was very small and very cold, because the Peasant was very poor and his wife spent every penny he earned on cakes and trifles and wine...

This book is similar to the role's game. The book is asking you some questions and you need to submit some short information throughout the narrative, about names, locations, characters, decisions, feelings, etc.

21 steps
by Charles Cumming

The 21 Steps is told by following the story as it unfolds across a map of the world (google maps). You have to follow the trail by clicking on the link at the bottom of each bubble. This is so impressive!

Your place and mine
by Nicci French

Two authors told this story in real time. For an hour every night they wrote the story of Laurence and Terry - and spectators were witnesses of the story being created, live and in real time.

--

Have a look, enjoy them! and please let me know if you have any other recommended digital book.. I am really into it!

Hugs,
Lala

music video made with webcams!

2009-08-05T23:46:00.002+02:00

This is so impressive!

This music video was shot for a Japanese band called Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro' (Tone of everyday) from their first mini album 'Water Flavor EP'. The cast were selected from the actual Sour fan base, from many countries around the world.

Each person and scene was filmed purely via Webcams and no much budget was needed!

Bravo for the creativity in Internet!
Enjoy it! :)

Posts after the AIESEC International experience

2009-08-05T17:55:00.009+02:00

Well, this seems to be the beginning of the rest of my life without AIESEC responsibilities.

After 7 years in the organisation is really hard the re-adaptation to the normal life... well, my life has been normal always, but without that 200% more that the AIESECers add to our life, to make it cooler!

The feeling is kinda strange, but when you see all the opportunities in front of you, is completely exciting... because is another adventure to start, another peak to climb, full of learning, more people, experiences and happiness, which is my purpose in life :)

Probably, for the people that are not in AIESEC, you cannot understand how important was this last year for me, as it is for many members in the organisation. But last year I was occupying one of the top-top leadership roles in AIESEC, this opportunity that only 22 young people out of 38,000 were able to live last year: to be in AIESEC International.

I want to write this post to share a bit how was this experience for me, to remember the best moments of my AI experience and with the intention to motivate more members in the organisation to live this experience as well. Let's access to all the opportunities to learn and grow at local, national, regional and global level. All of them are different in scale and impact though, but all of them have the objective to impact YOU. To explore yourself, your passion, your potential, your ability. But also to develop how to make it impactful, oriented, meaningful. This is what the experience in AIESEC is about. Non stop.

In the last year...

I learned that the power of the network is unlimited..
I visited Belgium, Czech Republic, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Egypt..
I facilitated a global conference of over 600 delegates from 105 countries..
I met hundreds of nice people in the middle east..
I learned to respect the differences on cultures, religions, sexual orientation, political affiliations..
I launched the AIESEC presence on social media channels..
I was the first one to see the new AIESEC website ..
I was able to receive support and feedback from very important professionals..
I was working virtually with the most passionate and smart people in Communication of AIESEC, proudly part of my global support team..
I celebrated the over-achievement of our goals never seen in the last 15 years..
I was tracking what was happening in all the offices in the world, where GMT became our watch and English is just one of the many others that we managed in the office..
I was working virtually with suppliers in India, Uruguay, Colombia, the US, and Malaysia..
I reported our successes and incredible stories of our members in the Global Annual Report...
I found my "other-half", professionally speaking, that person that complements you, your strengths and weaknesses, the perfect team buddy to plan and achieve BIG things! Thank you my Lucy! :)

I was working, living, dancing, eating, traveling, having fun with one of to the smartest young people from Mexico, Poland, India, Romania, Australia, Greece, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, China, Czech Republic, United States, Kenya and Colombia. Learning from their cultures, from their ways to see the life, to see the future, to see -literally- the world.

I am not pretty sure -I HOPE- if I will be able to work with such as incredible, professional, intelligent and diverse bunch of people. I don't know if I am going to feel confident again of my team mates, of the projects, of our targets and strategies. I don't know if I will get it in the future... but now I can say that I have lived the best professional experience ever!

My advice for the members that continue believing and working hard for AIESEC:

"AI role as many others in AIESEC is accessible for all the members. You only need understand the organisation, work for it, learn about it, talk with people, perform different roles, commit with different tasks, be part of teams, attend conferences, read documents. Understand why do we exist and what for. And then, imagine how it could be better. Think bigger, apply your academic and working experience and knowledge, ask for advices to your parents, to your teachers, read a lot. AIESEC is a platform to innovate!

If you know what AIESEC is about and you know how can it be bigger and better!, then apply for AI!" :)

I have the best memories in the last year, and being honest I miss SO MUCH my team, the AI office, the AIESEC spirit, my mates, I miss Rotterdam, I cannot believe I wont be in the next AIESEC Conference. But, what makes me happy is the fact that AIESEC continues, everyday bigger and more aware of our capacity and the impact needed. I know I will have any connection with the organisation in my future, in my life. And now, it is the time to move on.

Thanks for all the people that make these 7 years in AIESEC, the best investment I have made for my life! :)

Queda Prohibido

2009-08-05T16:43:00.003+02:00

Por: Pablo Neruda

"Queda prohibido llorar sin aprender,
levantarse un día sin saber qué hacer,
tener miedo a tus recuerdos...

Queda prohibido no sonreír a los problemas,
no luchar por lo que quieres,
abandonarlo todo por miedo,
no convertir en realidad tus sueños,...

Queda prohibido no intentar comprender a las personas,
pensar que sus vidas valen menos que la tuya,
no saber que cada uno tiene su camino y su dicha...

Queda prohibido no crear tu historia,
no tener momentos para la gente que te necesita,
no comprender que lo que la vida te da,
tambien te lo quita...

Queda prohibido no buscar tu felicidad, no vivir tu vida con actitud positiva,
no pensaren que podemos ser mejores, no sentir que sin ti, este mundo no sería igual..."

recommended: The Hub Brussels

2009-08-03T14:28:00.002+02:00

The Hub Brussels

Shared via AddThis

If today was your last day

2009-06-23T20:31:00.001+02:00

Dorita published this song on her blog and I found it so much related with this moment of my life... :)

Hope you like it!

Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day Lyrics

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every time you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every time you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreamin’ of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

principles

2009-06-22T14:50:00.002+02:00

Whoever comes are the right people...
Whenever it starts is the right time...
Whatever happens in the only thing that could have happened...
When its over its over....

Gratitude, Fairness, Equity and Justice to my list of personal strengths

2009-06-17T00:26:00.003+02:00

Juan's post reminded me to take the VIA Signature Strengths assessment as part of the activities my team is running to support each others career development.

We are using the frame of The International Leadership Strengths Research Project of Mr David Pollay, AIESEC aumnus, from the University of Pennsylvania. The project aims "to encourage these leaders to fully develop their strengths in support of their goals".

The cool thing is that I found my results when I took it for the first time, 3 years ago, when I was starting my experience at the AIESEC in Colombia office as National Vice President of Talent Management, just returning from my internship in Brazil. :-)

It seems that my humor, optimism and future-mindedness continue really strong in my personality. But what happened with my curiosity with the world, my critical thinking and judgment? My theory is that I have explored too much the world in these last 3 years that I am loosing that enlightenment. :P

On the other hand, Gratitude, Fairness, Equity and Justice are the additions to my list of personal strengths and Industry, diligence and perseverance scaled up to the first position... I think it totally reflects my experience and leanings this year in AI :-)

Here are the results (without analysis), below you find deeper descriptions of the strengths. Note that the frame is based on 24 strengths.

August 2006 results: Read my post about this in 2006

Humor and playfulness
Curiosity and interest in the world
Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
Industry, diligence, and perseverance
Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness

Today, 2009!

Industry, diligence, and perseverance
You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

Humor and playfulness
You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.

Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness
You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control.

Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

seeing clearly...

2009-06-14T23:19:00.001+02:00

As part of the 7-weeks transition of AIESEC International, me and my team (the current one) have had an awesome "Heading for the future" program...

Being honest, I didn't think this period was THAT important in the experience you live in AIESEC. I mean, I thought that get ready to lead a team, to move to another city, to meet a new culture, to manage big budgets, being responsible for a number of corporate accounts or to lead the strategy of a global organization was something that deserve a HUGE preparation for any member able to perform it... but, to get ready to leave the organization is something that is even MORE important than the previous ones.. is to put you in front of the world you want to change.. is put you in front of yourself!

I have taken the time to wrap up my current experience from all the angles and also start preparing myself physicalyl and emotionally for the next one, either in AIESEC or outside of it.

One the best learning I have had in the first 2 weeks of the program, is analysing myself from the perspective of my daily life (routines). Who am I when I am not in the office? What are the things that make me happy?. What am I doing to challenge me to be better?.. to evolve?.

Seeing clearly is that moment when you start analysing who you are..
what you like and you don't like of you.

Parallel, recently I saw clearly the big mistakes I made with people that matter to me. Facts that I was seeing with other glasses, only from one side of the mirror, from a really selfish position, those things I thought I had changed of my personality, but haven't yet.

... The discovery was like rewinding a movie and seeing the scene not from the killer perspective but from the victim... and it made me feel sad with myself.. things that I cannot do much now, only accept it, apologize, analize and make the deep commitment with me to fix it.

I really appreciate the people who made me realize this. The ones that don't keep their thoughts with themselves, those ones with the courage to say it with the total honesty, not with the intention of hurting me, but to help me on being better, those are the ones I can call my friends...

For the moment, I will start to build my routine for a happy and purposeful live, with these small adjustments in my daily activities: waking up at 7:30am, having breakfast at home and reading news in the morning before I go to the office. I have re-started my Gym routine three times in the week. I also will spend more time with my friends, helping them, listening them, giving all what I can do... not asking without giving as well.

If I am able to deliver this promise with myself -that will bring me happiness and a much more relaxed life,-I will be able to have whatever I want...

reflections after a cup of coffee with myself....

2009-06-02T22:19:00.003+02:00

Communications is what definitely I'd like to continue doing... no meaning me saying what we ALL should say or think, actually is making people communicate between each other, making them closer doesn't matter how distant, different, diverse they are. All of us have incredible stories and opinions to share, lessons to take... we can inspire people, we can make things much better only by connecting with people that matter to us. Why don't we only do it?

Technology, from a positive perspective, is the best way to connect people... I am understanding now that the Internet is not a privilege for some people in the world, it should be a right for all the individuals in the planet basically. The challenge is 1. to make the Internet accessible to everyone, in those regions, countries -even continents- where the access to the technology is really poor; and 2. to educate the people how to use internet in a proper way, a tool for development of societies. God! imagine how amazing and great thing you will be able to see happening in the Internet to change this crazy world..

I don't see myself, for the moment, contributing actively in other place different than my Latin America! The bunch of opportunities to impact there are countless: in Education, Technology, digital divide, entrepreneurship, health, children care, communication, sustainability, business creation, family, culture, politics... I also keep in my mind the faces of the people of my country, Colombia, those ones that have huge dreams and are making all possible to make it a reality: To finish primary school, to buy a house, to have a family, to travel by plane, to see the beach, to have a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday... and I will do my best to contribute in making that happen...

I am loving Europe! without intention of generalize all the European countries, but these are 3 years since I came for the first time, and one year living in The Netherlands, I can see how different and equals we are. I see how the world can be seen from other perspective, much better and much worse sometimes... I like the culture, the diversity, how things can be possible, how government can work and cannot.. how people are more aware of what's happening in the world, how good education can make the difference, how easy is to connect people by having a good infrastructure... I feel more citizen in these cities, without be afraid to be outside, to enjoy and take care of the public spaces to contribute and think in others as a community....

I find myself as a small piece of a big puzzle, finding my place to fit well to make a comprehensive and beautiful picture :-)

R.I.P Mario Benedetti an awesome Latin American writer | Q.E.P.D un grandioso escritor latinoamericano

2009-05-20T23:48:00.001+02:00

Tactic and Strategy
By Mario Benedetti

My tactic is
Looking at you,
Learning how you are,
Loving you as you are,

My tactic is
Talking to you
And listening to you
To build with words
An indestructible bridge

My tactic is
Remaining in your memories
I don't know how
Nor with which pretext
But remaining with you.

My tactic is
Being frank,
And knowing that you are frank,
And not selling each other
Simulations
So that between us
There is no curtain
Nor abyss.

My strategy is,
However,
Deeper and
Easier,
My strategy is
That one of these days
I don't know how
Nor with which pretext
You finally
Need me.

--

Táctica y Estrategia
Por: Mario Benedetti

Mi táctica es
mirarte
aprender como sos
quererte como sos

mi táctica es
hablarte
y escucharte
construir con palabras
un puente indestructible

mi táctica es
quedarme en tu recuerdo
no sé cómo ni sé
con qué pretexto
pero quedarme en vos

mi táctica es
ser franco
y saber que sos franca
y que no nos vendamos
simulacros
para que entre los dos
no haya telón
ni abismos

mi estrategia es
en cambio
más profunda y más
simple

mi estrategia es
que un día cualquiera
no sé cómo ni sé
con qué pretexto
por fin me necesites.

Escuchalo en la voz de Mario Benedetti:
http://www.caracol.com.co/benedetti/poema.aspx?id=806182

y si, todavía hablo español....

2009-05-14T21:00:00.001+02:00

[To my non-english-speaker friends that are asking me how is my Spanish going :P ]

Es curioso, recientemente hablaba con un gran amigo y colega mio de la Universidad y me preguntaba como iba mi trabajo y como iba mi.... idioma (?), al principio creí que era en broma, pero me hizo analizar algunos detalles que estudiaba y que cuidabamos mucho en la U, más si estudias Comunicación.

De hecho, y lo admito, mi inglés es perversamente malo a comparación a como era mi español en la Universidad... siento honesta, saber lo necesario en inglés me ha ayudado a pensar mucho mejor mis ideas y a comunicarme de una manera más cuidadosa, debe ser porque selecciono las palabras que puedan ir mejor para hacerme entender... el proceso es a veces cansón, porque necesitas pensar rápido y dejar fluir lo que sepas en tu vocabulario, que jamás será tan rico como el tuyo nativo.

Recuerdo las clases de Narrativa, en la que nos pedían no solo contar lo que haces, sino PINTAR con las palabras lo que dices. No es como que tomaste un baño de agua fría, sino la electricidad que extiende desde la nuca hasta la parte baja de la espalda al primer toque del agua fría en la ducha... cosas por ese estilo... y eso, realmente extraño de escribir y de comunicarme en español.

Tambien pensaba que es interesante como los seres humanos ciudamos mucho el lenguaje verbal para comunicarnos, pero no muchas veces cuidamos el lenguaje no-verbal para mandar mensajes... la manera como miras, el sonido que produces, tus señales corporales, la risa, el movimiento del pelo, los gestos de la cara, transmiten tanto y a veces somos tan pobres para comunicarlo efectivamente... y ahora estando en un ambiente tan internacional he empezado a analizarlo con atención.

Sigo leyendo en español y de hecho hace mucho tiempo no escribía un post en español (he aquí mi tributo!), pero tambien siento que el mundo es tan grande y tan diverso y tan bellamente rico en diversidad que para qué limitarlo a comunicarnos en un idioma...

...ojalá pudieramos ser unos excelentes comunicadores no-verbales, o que exisitiera otra manera de hacerlo, que no necesitaramos escribir un perfecto español o pronunciar un perfecto inglés para expresar lo que sentimos o pensamos....

He aquí otro dilema, este post sólo le llegara a un porcentaje de mi network que pueda entenderlo, ya por default deje por fuera mucha gente que le sería útil, solo porque no hablan español o en sentido contrario si lo hiciera en inglés... wow! que mundo tan complejo, pero divertido a la vez!

Hablamos lueguito!

Salu2!

27

2009-04-26T19:41:00.003+02:00

If I would retain all the most special moments of the last year...
I include in the list:

My last B-day in Sao Paulo... dancing Salsa, eating Pizza and celebrating with my sister "mentally" our 26th anniversary.. she was in Paris at that time...

My short travels to Colombia, getting ready to The Netherlands...
The moments with my mom in our new house, the chats with my dad, the lazy mornings with my sis, the visits to my grandma's house, the parties with my friends...

That strange feeling I had when I arrived to Amsterdam's airport and Mindy, Kate and Walter were waiting for me to pick me up to Rotterdam. How green and different The Netherlands resulted to me...

All the thoughts, feelings, sensations, ideas.... I have had in my way to Hofdijk (home) to Teillingerstraat (office).... stressful, dissapointed, proud, love, frustration, urgency, happiness, afraid, cold, smelly....

I would take with me, this "freedom" of do what I want, eat what I want, watch what I want, think what I want....

I would pay the double I paid to bring my mom and my sister to Europe and spent our Christmas together...

I would enjoy again the months when my sister and Ivan were living here... I would enjoy the same conversations, the same moments...

I would stay one more day in Prague, Sao Paulo, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Cairo, Budapest, Brussels... to value the privilege of being in those places and surprise me again....

I would celebrate the professional and personal achievements with a beer in the bar at the corner, in the office or at the roof of my house!

I would spend more time with the amazing people I live and work with... listening their stories, their thoughts, tasting their food, learning from their cultures...

I am turning 27, and I feel I have learned a lot in the last year,
but I still have too much to learn... how exciting is that??? :P

One again, thanks to life for giving me this opportunity to be living dreams coming true...

sense of my life

2009-01-04T23:31:00.001+01:00

This is one of the most powerful videos I have ever seen..
it reminds me the sense of my hard work, preparation, dreams, contacts, discipline... passion!

This is what really matters!
Enjoy it!

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

the power of the global network

2008-12-08T00:20:00.001+01:00

An important milestone in my term has passed by and I feel more than satisfied.. I feel, full! :)

The Global Communication Crew meeting 2008 was hosted in Rotterdam the last week thanks by the financial support of UNILEVER, that supports us in the development of the areas of Talent Management and Communication in AIESEC.

So far, it has been the most powerful experience I have had in my term in AIESEC International.

I had the big privilege to facilitate the learning of 12 amazing people, really committed with the organization, who decided to spend an entire week to learn, support and think the future of the network from the role of Communication.

Three romanians, one girl studyng Maths and managing the Exchange and Communication area of AIESEC in Sweeden, the other girl responsible for Communication in AIESEC in Romania since she was in her Local Committe in her university, and the guy, now working for a company who selected him for his ideas and professionalism.

Two australians girls, one of them travelling 20 hours to get Rotterdam and managing virtually the External Relations of AIESEC in Australia while she was attending the meeting. The other one, the most incredible colleague in Communication I have ever had in my life.

Two funny and really smart brazilians, one supporting the national initiatives of AIESEC in Brazil and the other one, managing the Communications of AIESEC in Spain, the last one living a powerful cultural experience and personal discovery.

One sweet, peaceful, creative greek, passionated about the external communications, responsible for the great performance of AIESEC in Greece till now.

A lovely and really inteligent girl, responsible to manage the Communication of AIESEC in Singapore. Small girl with big ideas and character.

Another colombian in the team! This girl is younger than me and today is part of a consultancy firm of Communcations in Colombia, supporting and managing accounts with big companies and also voluntary supporting the activities of Communication in AIESEC. She also connected me to my home, she brough me coffee, cakes and sweets I am missing from home.

A funny and focused italian girl. She is responsible to lead the Communication team of AIESEC in Italy and also supporting the organization of the next AIESEC International Presidents Meeting in Italy, taking place in the next February 2009.

The girl responsible for the Communication of AIESEC in Portugal is an intelligent, analytical, supportive and direct person. She is excited to manage the initiatives of Brand experience in the coming months.

There were also 5 members more that, unfortunately, were not able to attend the meeting because of different reasons, mostly because of lack of money: the responsible for Communication and External Relations of AIESEC Pakistan, of AIESEC in Turkey, of AIESEC in Egypt and the Communication responsible of AIESEC in Colombia and AIESEC in Hong Kong.

The person resposible to manage and coordinate these incredible team -and virtually- is a Serbian, he was in charge of Communication of AIESEC in Serbia last year, when the country was selected as the best performing AIESEC Country in Branding and Communication initiatives in the 2007. He is the best complement for me to manage this amazing team.

--

We were working from 10am till 8pm every day, thinking in the big impact we could generate if we bring to the organization that piece that is missing in the puzzle: connection! To imagine how cool could be that more people would know about our work, if even more the AIESEC members world wide could be more connected as the way we are, doesn't matter in which country, GMT, political or economic reality we belong to.

About how cool would be if we could spread the stories we generate and to show the impact we are creating in the world every single day. One by One, changing young people's life. Enabling life changing AIESEC experiences.

Suddenly, we were talking in the same language and creating a good family!
Thinking in big initiatives to make this possible and also sharing as old friends. No idea when we'll see each other again, no idea how our lives will change after this week, coming back to their countries, continuing their jobs and commited to the network virtually.

This is how AIESEC works, putting brilliant people together! creating friendship, facilitating personal and professional development, activating leadership, connecting this unbelievable organizaton moved thanks by the passion of its members!

Thanks guys! :)

cold in Rotterdam...

2008-11-11T00:03:00.003+01:00

It is cold in Rotterdam...

People says it is normal since we are in winter. Actually, it is my first time, experiencing winter season in Europe!!!! :) I find it so funny! it is people changing their clothes, wearing jackets, scarfs, hats, another jacket, colourful gloves, boots.. it is sooo coool!

Suddenly, everything change, even the humour of the people!! It is quite hard to find ice creams! In Bogota, I can find ice creams and people don't watch me different. :P

Anyways, I liked autumn! all the leaves changed the colour from dark green, to a warm orange, then a wonderful yellow and finally to a dark brown. I love to see that metamorphosis! But now, all the trees are so naked.. poor of them :(

...Maybe this discovery results so random for many people but for me, it is like a new adventure of discovering.. I miss so much my country: the cold of Bogota that never never will be colder than this, the November and December mood in the Shoppings, the Radio, the TV, my favorite bars,... I want to much discover Bogota right now!

But I love all these new feelings! :)

On the other hand,
In the next daysI will be travelling again...
Germany and Spain are my destinations..

Germany: I am soooo happy since I am going to see some of my best friends! Bee, Ivancho, my Sister, Juank and Sergio!

For the first time I will be in Bee's city: Dusseldorf! and I would add a new country to my personal list of travels! YEEEII!! Another dream coming true!

Spain: I was invited by the MC of AIESEC in Spain to be the Chair of their National Conference for new members in Madrid! :) I am super excited to connect again to the AIESEC people, especially the most recent ones, also to go to Madrid, which is one of my favorite cities....

Telling powerful stories!

2008-10-10T00:34:00.001+02:00

Ooops! It seems a lot of work in this side of the window! :)
I am back to the blog.. sorry, dear readers

Recently, I was thinking in how amazing are the stories of life that many members of the organisation are living worldwide. Let's see..

As part of my job, I am monitoring (almost invisible) all the the content in Internet that our members, partners, or other people that have heard about AIESEC, put online. And it is so interesting to receive information, most of them, blog's posts about feelings of our young people.

It is so nice to read how impactful is, for one student, to be elected as member of the world's largest student organisation. And see how his life has changed since he joined AIESEC, more focused in his life and his capacities.

To read the challenges, frustrations, funny moments and learning of all of our members in leadership positions. Leading offices in University campuses, in countries, even in regional offices. Having meetings with the most prominent figures of their universities, cities, even countries. Many of them not older than 25 years old.

Thousands and thousands of members in Exchange! sharing their cultural shocks, sharing pictures, starting to speak in other languages, feeling proud of their countries, of themselves, having friends in all the corners of the world!

and how amazing, is to learn how is the "life-after AIESEC", ex members that are in phase of "taking a break"...Some others starting their successful business, ideas, projects.. changingthe world! also those ones that are back, contributing and helping to the organization as Alumni (ex-members).

More than 32,000 people around the world are living somehow an incredible story of life. Stories of development, discovery, learning, friendship...

and in that moment is when I say... DAMN!
why AIESEC cannot be more visible to so many young people that need this incredible opportunity?, why we are not able to spread the magic of this organization? Why we cannot dream in being the number one? Should AIESEC being the best kept secret in the University campuses, in the online channels?

and it is also when I feel grateful again... because I think, this year managing the Communications in AIESEC is an incredible opportunity to make this dream come true...

again.. another powerful story to tell! :)

P.S. I think I have an idea! :P

point of view

2008-07-26T16:40:00.002+02:00

Time goes by so fast!

2008-07-26T01:24:00.001+02:00

Today we were closing two weeks of transition in AIESEC International and in a 45 mins. session I connected again with my first feelings, doubts, expectations, thoughts when I came to Rotterdam. But also, I have realized of all the knowledge, experience, empowering I gained... in just 8 weeks!

I cannot believe the next week is the last one all the current team is at the office. We have created a really nice connection, an entire team. On the 1st, we officially will be in charge of "the house", securing the continuity and evolution of the organization... I will miss them a LOT!

Even though, I am happy of this knowledge transfer. Transition is not an easy process and must be managed carefully if you don't wanna miss any single detail.

This weekend I will be working on my individual plan for the year, not only the Job related priorities, but also in the personal development I want to achieve at the end of the year.

Exciting times are ahead...
It makes me feel so alive! :)

My new toy!

2008-06-23T23:24:00.001+02:00

Disclaimer: I still need training on how to manage it! :P
One year of hard work deserves a good machine!.. and it is mine! :) Yeah!

dissapointments and other issues...

2008-06-20T00:58:00.001+02:00

Recently, I received a really interesting "feedback" of a LC member. He was extremely pissed with me because I didn't response his greeting on facebook chat.

He argued that I didn't response to him because I consider myself better than other members in the organization, just because I joined the international team. Besides, he also said I should not forget that due to the work of LC members are doing, is because I am in this position. The rude message finished recommend me that ignoring them is the worst way to thank all of these people...

Well.. being honest, after receiving this message I got shocked!.. this is the first time I receive a message like this. I never ever I have considered myself better than anyone. More privileged with life yes, but never in a wrong way. Also, I keep in my mind (and heart) all the people have impacted to me deeply, with their example, experience and consistency.

I answered him immediately and, without interest of starting a debate of my personal life (also because it happened at 1am), I appreciated his feedback and get some reflections about this incident.

My life is exposed now more than a couple of years before.
This exposure demands people (and more people than before) waiting from me the same time that I used offer to them.
How do I ask them for privacy avoiding misunderstandings? Can I forget answer an e-mail, not answer a chat invitation, not give an advice...etc.. with no risk people mix this with my job role? Should I start to classify my contacts, should I contact only my friends, should be more polite with everyone all the time?
Are more people thinking the same about me?

Any way, people who really know me are people than never would judge me, before know what is happening. This is the kind of feedback that really matters to me... :)

Transition Time

2008-06-12T23:59:00.002+02:00

AI Transition is going on much better than I expected.

I never get tired of realize how amazing the organization is. I am still impressed with the professionalism, and the high quality we do the things, even at the higher level. Yes, as always, there are still many things to adjust in the future, but we are as the level of the best organizations in the world. I am sure. :)

...2 months of completely knowledge transfer
....more than 40 people gathered in one place
...more than 15 nationalities
...data, numbers, statistics, issues in 60 years of existence
...hundreds of brainstormings, discussiones, active knowledge sharing...
...incredible people all around. Many histories, traditions, backgrounds, personalities all together.

A BIG responsibility ahead!
One year of making it happen!

I am enjoying a lot these intense days of transition and induction to my role as AI member. I know that probably never ever I will have the chance to live such as great experience again.

Moving to Rotterdam and opening a new circle...

2008-05-30T08:38:00.001+02:00

While I was packing my luggage, I realized that my life suddenly will change 180º, as soon as I take the plane to The Netherlands.

*New job, new country, new mates, new responsibilities, new challenges, new feelings..

But, this is not only because of the experience ahead of me...
is also about how I see the future and myself in it.

Although I spent incredible times in Colombia, I didn't feel me in my own space as I used to feel. It is strange. It is like my room is not My room anymore, it is the reserved space my Mom has in her house when I visit her. :)

I lost the interest on the soap operas and other TV shows I liked to see while I was here.

Problems are the same, neighbors are the same, weather is the same (even colder)... with some minimum changes, but life is the same... I feel the time has frozen here.

It is time of discovery.!

To find which is my "space"...
What are the things that make me feel comfortable, happy, quiet, great.!
What are the things I want to put in my small box. :)

Well, at least here is my personal mission for this new year!

Anyway, leaving the " comfort space" is not easy , but honestly I am starting to get excited when I will be back in Colombia to build my own space here...

Enrédame

2008-05-26T22:47:00.001+02:00

This is the video of the newest song by Fonseca, my favorite colombian singer..! :)

Me desenredas el alma y toda mi vida
Me desenredas el tiempo todos los días
Pero me encanta enredarme, todas las noches contigo
Y si estoy loco vas a vivir en un manicomio conmigo

Por andarte adorando siempre me enredo
Me la paso encontrándote entre mis sueños
Y voy buscando el momento, para quererte con tiempo
Corazon mio como te quiero y como te llevo por dentro

Y enrédame de amor mi vida
Y hazme un nudo ciego
Y entrégame tus pesadillas
Que yo te doy mis sueños
Y enrédame de amor mi vida
Dejemos tanto enredo
y enrédame en tus besos que yo a tu lado en todo me enredo
Laila…..

Con los ojos cerrados te doy un beso
Ay a veces no se si yo te merezco
Pero me encanta enredarme, todas las noches contigo
Y si estoy loco vas a vivir en un manicomio conmigo

Y enrédame de amor mi vida
Y hazme un nudo ciego
Y entrégame tus pesadillas
Que yo te doy mis sueños
Y enrédame de amor mi vida
Dejemos tanto enredo
y enrédame en tus besos que yo a tu lado en todo me enredo...

Que por qué escribo en inglés?

2008-05-23T02:23:00.001+02:00

Estando en Colombia, y en parte gracias a Facebook, he rescatado a muchos de mis amigos del colegio, de los barrios donde viví, de mi Universidad.. y así mismo, ha pasado tanto tiempo sin verlos que muchos de ellos no saben en qué ando ahora.

No es porque no me guste hablar en español! por el contrario, me encanta mi idioma, de hecho confundo, mezlco, invento algunas palabras cuando no me sé la traducción. Hablo *portuñol avanzado cuando estoy en Brasil, y mi inglés conserva el acento latino, que para algunos resulta gracioso.

La explicación es que ahora me siento una ciudadana global. Siento que ahora tengo tanta gente valiosa al lado mio, aunque no sea presencialmente, que quiero seguir conservando por lo increibles que han sido para mí. Pero que no todos hablan español.

[Puedo decir que tengo amigos en todos los continentes del mundo entero]

Todo ha sido desde que empecé a tomar en serio a AIESEC en mi vida: en hacer contactos, en viajar alrededor del mundo, en crecer personal y profesionalmente, en vivir el presente, en dar y recibir lo mejor de y para cada persona, de entender y respetar la diversidad. De pasar de esa fase "cool" de estar en la organización juvenil más grande del mundo, a hacerlo una oportunidad para cumplir mis sueños.

[Para practicar.!]
Sé que me faltan muchas cosas por mejorar y más si quiero trabajar en Comunicaciones regionales. De hecho el año que estaré en Holanda me servirá mucho más. Además, cuando me expreso en otro idioma soy mas concreta y no doy tantas vueltas (como ahora..!). :)

[Para hacerlos practicar.!]
Dar el salto de poner publicamente tus pensamientos y hacerte entender es una buena practica y lo recomiendo a los que estamos aprendiendo nuevos idiomas.

Aún así, también creo que a la hora de la reflexión lo que menos importa es en qué idioma lo haces, sino lo que te hace pensar en eso....

Pero si, pensaré en ustedes, los que pueden entender este post, a la próxima que decida escribir! ... :)

meeting you again

2008-05-13T04:52:00.001+02:00

The 50th anniversary of AIESEC in Colombia was one of the most amazing, impactful and special AIESEC´s Conference I have ever attended before!...

It was the moment to commemorate the history, the achievements, the incredible people the organization is delivering to the country every year, every single day...

I re-met friends, role models, colleagues, family...

I felt so proud of the work the people in AIESEC in Colombia is doing... what a professionalism, what a detailed and well organized conference.. I am pretty sure, this event was the opportunity to obtain more external visibility, to reinforce national partnerships, to get new alliances, to inspire more members... it was perfect!

I want to share with you, two special moments that remarked in my memory:

Some of the MCPs of AIESEC in Colombia since 1958

And the colombian AIESECers in
the AIESEC International Teams alongside the history!

Congratulations AIESEC in Colombia and thanks for such great memories :)

Happy B-day AIESEC!

2008-05-07T14:01:00.001+02:00

AIESEC has been activating youth leadership in a very unique way for the past 60 years.

In 2008, the AIESEC's 60th anniversary is lived globally and a kind of celebrations are taking place worldwide!...

AIESEC in Colombia has 50 years of existence!
Quite important age to make a BIG and unforgettable celebration! :)

I am going to the AIESEC Colombia's 5oth Anniversary!

I am very happy to be able to attend this conference, as a member of AIESEC in Colombia!. There will be many ex-members who are performing important roles in the current context of my country, people that I admire and who were part of AIESEC as well.

To re-unite with my AIESEC friends.! people I met in my first conferences, from my time in LC and MC...

And also, to contribute in the sustainability of the organization, taking advantage of this celebration to generate external positioning and internal motivation! ...

Read more:

AIESEC's 60th Anniversary Celebration

AIESEC in Colombia's 50th Anniversary Celebration

countdown....

2008-05-03T01:39:00.001+02:00

Today has been raining such all day long...

The only desire I have had is to go to the couch, playing my favorite music, or watching a cool movie... Though, an addition of a cup of hot chocolate and an "arepita con queso" would make my life perfect at this moment!

However, work and life continues and I need to be as much effective as I must do.. I am in a process to close one circle. This amazing cicle of learning, experiences, contribution, responsibility...

I am also excited!!

In 5 days I will be back at home! celebrating the 50th anniversary of AIESEC in Colombia! I will see again all the role models who have made a deep impact in my life and my personal development. But, at the same time, I feel I would be there inspiring and being role model for many people in Colombia. :)

I will spend incredible times with my family again. I will support my sis in her decision about how to do as soon as she finishes her school. I will sleep in my Mom´s bed! sharing our dreams, feelings, stories, concerns, taking care of each other again. Cannot wait to visit my Grandma and try again her tasty food!, and laughing with my dad listening his daily jokes!

I will spend as much as I can with that people I truly love. To enjoy this comfort place, where everything is perfect! when you feel in your unique space! I need to recharge my bateries and get the impulse I need to moving to The Netherlands to star a new circle again!.

My life is in motion, changing 180º again! new people, new goals, new desires, new learnings, new feelings, new reflections!

YUUUJUUUU!! :)

Smiling!

2008-04-30T18:33:00.001+02:00

[Is so cool when something or someone makes you smile]

You know, when you are with a big smile in your face during all you day long and you look like an idiot!

That smile that makes you feel that no problem is big enough*

That smile that makes you remember only cool moments and you desire to live them again!

This one which is contagious! :P

[Is so cool when someone makes your day happier !]

(: Smile! :)

Bonita

2008-04-28T22:55:00.001+02:00

Beautiful song and video :)
Bonita, by Cabas (colombian singer)

AIESEC International Team 0809 is almost completed!

2008-04-23T01:05:00.001+02:00

Today was the official announcement of the selected members for the vacant positions in AI. There is still missing the Global Alumni Relations Manager.. it could be for you! ;)

This is how our team looks like so far :)

Juan Cajiao - AI/CAS/Romania/MoC
President of AIESEC International

Annika Rudback - USA/Egypt/Jordan
Director MENA GN - Middle East and North Africa

Felipe Cardenas - Colombia/Dominican Republic
Director IGN - Iberoamerica

Kate Hanlon -Australia
Director WENA - Western Europe and North America

Li Zhen - Mainland of China
Director AP - Asia Pacific

Monica Costea - Romania
Director CEE - Central and Eastern Europe

Phil Oduor - Kenya
Director Africa

Sophie Lamprou - Greece
VP Talent Management

Alejandra Laiton - Colombia/IGN Board :)
VP Communication

Konrad Plechowski - AI/Poland
VP Information Management

Deepti Chadda - India
VP Exchange Management

Aman Jain - AI/India
VP External Relations

Laura Johnson - AI/UK
VP Finance and Legal Affairs

Mauricio Schneider - Brazil
VP Organizational Development and Strategy

Petra Vondrackova - Czech Republic
Corporate Relations Manager

Walter Heredia Dávila - Southern Cone/ Mexico
Global Partnership Manager

Ewelina Szopińska - Poland
Global Partnership Manager

Cindy Rocha - Mexico/IGN Board
Non Corporate Manager

Lucy Symons - Australia
Chief Communications and Networks Officer

Ellen Koenig - Germany
User Support and Education Manager

Aditya Kumar - India
Information Management Project Manager

Vacant
Global Alumni Relations Manager.

10 months of work!

2008-04-12T22:12:00.001+02:00

Yes... cool!

But, honestly, my body is shouting me: STOP IT!!!

The 17th stop will be on June in Rotterdam... can´t wait!

perfect times

2008-04-06T12:43:00.002+02:00

I am in Paris, with my sister...
walking around this magic/romantic city...
having powerful conversations...
laughing about nothing...
remembering our childhood...
loving our family...
sharing our dreams...
planning our lifes...

wonderful holidays :)

There are a lot of reasons of thinking about you

2008-04-02T21:14:00.002+02:00

Your smile, the way You live the life, Your fantasies, Your strange likes, Your accent, Your words, Your calmness, Your time, Your fears, Your happiness, Your discipline, Your Hugs. The hours we lived together!

I see back in the time and I don´t understand why I didn´t notice it before. Why I didn´t see things you saw and now I see clearer. Why the destiny waits to the proper day to say: Hello, here I am!.

Maybe is too late.
Maybe is not correct.
Maybe is an ilusion.
Maybe it IS!

People make mistakes all the time. The secret is to learn out of it and let it go.
No regrets. Things happen for one positive reason. Mine was the unforgettable conversation we got after that. My positive reason is know you.

Again, KMs and Time are not my friends, though I continue my journey.
Journey with an uncertain destination...

Sorry for confusing you.
It is how I AM.

I made it!

2008-03-10T18:35:00.001+01:00

Sorry for the delay on posting....!!! I have had many things to do (and to think!). I am more than happy because of... maybe you already know. :)

Some months ago I was thinking about my next step, which would be my next destination, what kind of experience I would like to live on, etc..

And I made it!.. I was selected as Vice President of Communications for AIESEC International Team in the term 2008'2009.!

When I was filling out my application, putting on all my feelings and envisioning my life in personal development, proffessional connection and my contribution to the organization, I was completely convinced that AI VP C was the correct choice and I programmed mentally myself to get there.

I am so happy!.. a wonderful, challenging, exciting year is coming soon!!

To be in Macedonia with my sister, with my closest friends of my year as MC in Colombia and besides, to be running for the team of Juan (who was elected as PAI), my current boss and special friend of me, made the moment even more special.

Felipe was also selected as Director of AIESEC in Iberoamerica. Two more colombians to the AI team for the next year!wiiiii! There are still some vacant positions to complete the AI team. Any way, let me share with you our first photo taken in Mace :)

Now, I am completely sure that many of my 10 things to do before I leave the playground, will be lived or, at least, to begin of being lived in the next year! :)

Lala, making more dreams come true!

A million voices against FARC

2008-02-03T22:51:00.001+01:00

This is a cause beyond all political interests or colors. It’s a humanitarian cause, encouraged by a simple sense of solidarity, for the sake and welfare of our citizens. This incredible movement was promoted by the colombian youth through a group created in the web site FACEBOOK.

This 4th of February, at midday, join us!

We need our voices to be heard...
Let’s not be silent anymore, let the world hear us; let every guerrilla man or woman hear us: We repel FARC - EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army).

We DON’T want more armed fight.
FARC have deceived the world once again by not freeing the thousands of kidnapped people they have kept captive for almost a decade now, recurring one more time to all kinds of tricks and evasive lies.

Kidnapping is the worst of acts against human dignity, and FARC have kidnapped and kept captive thousands of people over the last years, while they keep growing their drug production and drug traffic business, perpetrating all kinds of crimes and terrorist attacks against people, bringing poverty and misery to our country, which has suffered this plague and humanitarian tragedy for more than forty years now.

Colombia, Colombians, friends from all over the world, let’s unite to shout loudly:

NO MORE!
NO MORE KIDNAPPINGS!
NO MORE LIES!
NO MORE MURDERS!
NO MORE FARC!

Let’s commit ourselves to join a million voices in this group so we can make a difference, and let the entire world know that we don’t need that “People’s Army” here in Colombia; that FARC is a terrorist group, led by murderers and enemies of the Colombian and World’s People.

Join us!
We need our voices to be heard.
A million voices against FARC.

Official website:
http://www.colombiasoyyo.org

Paraiso by Fonseca

2008-01-29T20:36:00.001+01:00

and it was sent!

2008-01-27T05:21:00.001+01:00

More than one month ago I was thinking about my next step

I needed to be in Colombia, in a really honest time with me, after of the intense 6-months as project manager in Iberoamerica, to take a decision...

Fortunately, I found myself on a hammock, with a frozen Maracuja's juice, finishing the book "Ensayo sobre la Ceguera" by Jose Saramago, surrounded by my family and in *Girardot!, a city in four hours from Bogotá. [Perfect place to rest and have fun.!]

and the next jump?

A challenging professional/personal experience...
Definitely, something related with Communications, in order to start connecting my professional background...
Europe! Europe has pretty things to make me feel Great. Cool. in Peace. Different!.

So, that is how I took the decision and I'm running for {Vice President of Communication of AIESEC International 08-09}. YAY! The application was already sent. :)

I should say: Thanks! to everyone who supported me with documents, ideas, personal experiences, feedback and time!. Thanks also to Colombia, Brazil, Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay), Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Romania for endorsed my candidacy :)

The selection process will take place on the next 17th to 27th of February at the Republic of Macedonia!.

I'm excited, anxious, nervous, condifent and very happy... Vamos a ver!

Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay!

2008-01-20T23:55:00.001+01:00

This is the most recent communication campaign about Colombia, with the aim to show people abroad how Colombia is like..

I hope you want to take the risk! ;)

Enjoy it!
(these are just 40 sec's videos).

----Bogotá----

----Cartagena---

---Medellin---

---Coffee Zone---

---San Andrés---

---Cali---

---Santa Marta---

nowadays...

2008-01-17T03:07:00.001+01:00

time, priorities, dreams, work, personal, questions, endorsement, clarifications, creativity, ideas, motivation, life, places, challenge, experience, selection, love, envision, requirement, evaluation, capacity, competency, background, studies, job, vision, eyes, travelling, friends, suggestions, hungry, honesty, results, numbers, countries, CV, heart, assertiveness, focus, cold, diversity, communication, europe, members, languages, answers, innovation, violence, clarity, darkness, sun, inspiration, support, money, design, kiss, family, week, weekend, day, night, hours, news, GMT, report, rain, bus, lunch, battery, commitment, tired, concentration, reflection, visa, doctor, feedback, Bogotá, decision,5,4,3,2,1,0...

thanks 07... welcome 08!

2008-01-14T23:39:00.001+01:00

The first thing I did in 2007 was running! -literally- I ran with a suitcase, full of clothes, around the block where my family live (it is a colombian tradition when you wish to travel a lot in the new year).

And it works out!

The first semester of the 2007, I was finishing my term as MC in Colombia. The last round of LC coaching visits in Colombia, was in Santa Marta, Barranquila (at the caribbean), Medellin, Armenia and Bogotá (at the center).

On June, I was travelling to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to start my new role as Project Manager in Iberoamerica. Two weeks after I got to Rotterdam, The Netherlands since my transition was holding at the AI office.

August, Turkey was being my first asian destination. :)

On September, I went back to Sao Paulo, just for 2 weeks and then, starting my LC visits around South America. Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina take part now of my heart.

To finish 2007, few days of December in Brazil and then, HOLIDAYS in Colombia! (my nicest place to be!) with my family, the most important thing for me!

Thanks 2007!
It is amazing to see how much I have grown
in an intense year..

I'm still in Colombia, waiting for my new passport, my visa to Spain and getting ready to spend another few weeks in Sao Paulo. ;)

Feliz Navidad!

2007-12-21T22:24:00.001+01:00

I'm in Colombia, with my family... and is christmas!
I'm definitely HAPPY! <:)

Is here, with us!

2007-12-10T04:34:00.001+01:00

http://live.myaiesec.net/

http://www.myaiesec.net/

And, What's next?

2007-12-04T02:19:00.001+01:00

I want to be in my own house, with many colors... with peace!
I want a big window from the roof to the floor...
I want a beautiful landscape outside there...
I want a hanging hammock near to that window...
I want to have time to finish my favorite book...
I want a frozen Maracuya's juice!...
I want a great weather in Bogotá...

I want a time with myself to think about: well, so, what's next?

But, I think it won't be possible, now... I feel I have to take decisions now, while I'm in the middle of my term, God!!!

Life is full of opportunities to take it on. Don't wait for the perfect time to do so.
Think fast, act faster!

Now, I'm here again, thinking in my 2008, while there are many things to do before 2007 ends!...

...my life is in motion! full MoTioN!

Argentina and Uruguay = Colours and Sensations

2007-11-27T00:26:00.001+01:00

Locations Buenos Aires / Córdoba / Montevideo

papaya given....papaya taken

2007-11-22T18:00:00.001+01:00

This is a colombian expression to say that you allowed other ppl to do something you don't want to. And It was!

My camera was stolen in Buenos Aires! :( Yeap!
My camera and some money that I had to buy souvenirs and all stuff.

Why did I give papaya? because, I left my camera over a table during 3 seconds in a bar. 3 seconds when I should not do it and someone was carried it. You see!

I felt so secure days before and also I was really happy with all the amazing things I have discovered during my journey through South America. Well! unfortunately, don't give papaya! is also part of the common factor of our countries.

You know me and my camera was a fundamental part of this journey. Any ways, the AIESEC ppl has borrowed me theirs in order I can keep the record of this adventure.

Whatever... -a lo hecho pecho! as my dad says.. No complains and the life continues! :)

this little machine makes me crazy!

2007-11-15T23:07:00.001+01:00

I have had weekly just a couple of minutes to talk to my family, while I'm abroad.

Just a minutes (seconds?) to ask them, how are you doing?
How is the work, study, family, business, heart, health, mood, life.... going so far?

A little time to say again: I'm fine, I've had great times.. I'm alive!

But the most important, to say them: I love you... I miss you and I'm thinking about you all the time, although I cannot call you everytime I would like...

...cause this little machine transforms my time in money... a lot of money!

Bolivia and Chile

2007-11-07T17:04:00.001+01:00

This month travelling around South America has made me think about our reality as latin americans.

The differences between Bolivia (the cheapest and also poorest country in South America) and Chile (the most expensive one) are so huge!... their people, their infraestructure, their food, their cities, their education level, their general opportunities.

Chile looks like an european city. The public transportation is amazing, so well organized!

In Bolivia, you can feel the need of oportunities to study and also to work the people are asking for.

Chile is so quite!. Nobody shout up, nobody looks like hurry-up. People feel proud to be in Chile, they love their country.

Bolivia is so crowded. There are many people from different cities. There are a lot, still on the streets, peasants -"cholitos"- and they are proud to keep high the bolivian culture: their music, their traditions, their food. "The genuineness still is alive".

In Bolivia, the food is the most important thing. If you are eating well, the rest doesn't matter. In Chile, you're ok with a Hot Dog or a Sandwich!

It is amazing how you can switch, in just 2 hours by plane, the mood and the way you see the life.

The only things have not changed are:

1. The Andes Mountain chain, which has been with me in my journey.
2. The waste of the AIESEC's potential to support the development of Latin America.

L.A. needs even more AIESEC... but doing 100% AIESEC!

Thanks Bolivia!

2007-10-31T02:19:00.001+01:00

Que viva Perú, ca**jo!

2007-10-25T17:12:00.001+02:00

I had heard many times about Peru, about its history, its culture, its food. I never imagined before that I'd found much more than that.

Two incredible weeks in Lima, Peru..!!

I had the pleasure to meet the AIESEC people from all 4 LCs of AIESEC Peru, LC Catolica, LC Lima, LC Pacifico and LC Arequipa, and also special friends to me (Davo, Selma and Danicho) and all of them were so kind with me. :)

The food::. The best discover I had!. Every time when they invited me to taste some typical peruvian dish (out of the hundred they have), was an adventure of flavors, colours and a lot of satisfaction!.. believe me: the peruvian food is EXCELLENT!!

The public transportation::. A mess! It suposed to be "public transportation", actually is totally private one. You pay what they want, they change the routes, they don't respect the traffic lights, they stop where they want... is all about business! You have to negotiate the taxis.. all the time, they don't have a measure to count the distance of the city, just their own experience. And the peruvians are so experts negotiating the routes.. I never knew how the hells you know how much was for every distance.

The AIESEC people::. Committed! As I told them, AIESEC in Peru must be in the place they deserve. AIESEC in Peru has the potential, the people, the opportunity to make the impact they want to do. I know they will do an excellent Job!. Let's for 100x!!!

The funny::. The "panz'e burro" sky! In Lima never never rain, although their cloudy sky! Also, found Inca's tombs in the middle of the city, even in the University! Also find squirrels and deers..!

Thanks Peru!
Promised: I'm going back.. in a touristical plan!

My next Destination: Bolivia!!

Si, Si, Colombia!

2007-10-08T05:16:00.002+02:00

One short stop in Colombia! starting my south american journey... :)

Meet again my school friends, gave the surprise to my mom, the International CSR Meeting: Global Compact, Bogotá, Cali, salsa, ajiaco, empanadas típicas, la EAN, arepa con queso, canelazo, La séptima, oblea con solo arequipe y crema de leche, tamal con chocolate, Colpatria, águila, el chorro, Fonseca, Juanes, Juan Valdez, Yo creo en Colombia...

Thanks home sweet home! ;)

Perú.. Here I go!

I need a dog!

2007-09-19T03:09:00.001+02:00

I always have had a pet... Well, actually I had, till the last year when I came back to Colombia, after my internship in Brazil, and I found my house 180 degrees different as I left it: separated parents, one sister moving to Argentina, the youngest one living with my dad, my mom was sick and moving to a new house and my dog: Aurelio, was lost!

Any way, after all of these hard moments... my family is getting better now. Accepting and understanding, without pain and frustrations, our destiny. And try to live, "normally", even we still live separated :)

But, after all....I continue missing Aurelio!!

Definitely, dogs can be as cRazY, spontaneous, cute, noisy!, kind, dirty, lazy, politeness, friendly, comprehensive, incredulous, innocent, helpless... as I am many times!

I miss to be with someone who could understand it and doesn't judge me. Someone to be with, that doesn't make me feel alone, and who doesn't need to talk to be comfortable with.

Someone without many complications: simply there...

Conclusion... I need a dog! :)

Living and working in São Paulo

2007-09-14T01:17:00.001+02:00

I'm starting my new life in Brazil, without many pretensions about all the things I want to do here and also, because I don't want to set my routine for this year... why not? basically, because this year will be totally different to the previous ones. This is my year as a nomad :O ... yeeeehaaaaa!

My house

I live temporally with the MC of AIESEC in Brazil. This is a big house where there are the offices, girls dormitories, boys dormitories, kitchen, parking, 3 bathrooms, one small backyard, one living room.. etc.. Many AIESEC people have passed here, in Vila Mariana!!

My colorful desk

My colorful bed

With Mari, MCVP Talent Management, AIESEC Brazil

Nowadays, we are living here 13 individuals and 6 more are coming approx., between MC AIESEC Brazil members, CC of IC Brazil 2008 and Iberoamerica GN Board, obviously from different cities from Brazil and different countries... :)

We are in an AIESEC mood all the time, but also is a HUGE responsibility with yourself, in order to manage your working and personal stuffs.. Is not easy to live and work in the same place...! On the other hand, is a good chance to learn living together. We are talking in portuñol, espanglish and portunglish!.. any way, our objective: Learning Portuguese! :)

Living diversity!

This is my life for now on.. I've uploaded on Facebook some pictures about my life in São Paulo... Soonly I will start my travels around South America... again, my clothes in my bag pack. :)

I love to be in Latin America

2007-09-09T03:51:00.001+02:00

This morning I went to the public market (the one that is organized on the streets once a week), here in Sao Paulo, and was awesome!! Because I could find all the fruits I love: I bought passion fruit, guanabana, banana, apples, grapes, peaches, papaya....!!

But, the coolest thing is that everyone was happy!. :)

They offered to me try everything that I wanted before I decided to buy it or not. There were a lot of children (I love children) smiling and asking for Ice creams to their parents. There was music, sun, nice day!

Also, I bought the flowers I like: red margaritas, astromelias and other yellow ones that I don't know the name, but the guy of the stand gave me two more roses!! for free!! just because.! Those are already on my desk :P ...

I bought everything I need for these week, -plus the extra flower, tomato, carrot, apple, grape they gave me just because-, and I didn't spend more than 10 euros! (yeap.. I'm still thinking in Europe)..!

Today I felt happy to be in Latin America..! You cannot imagine all the wealth we have: the colors, the sounds, the smells, the people... and only when you're abroad you notice it.

[Be aware about where are you today because you don´t have certainty about tomorrow]

Turkey to the gallery!

2007-09-03T23:18:00.002+02:00

You know me!.. here is the addition to my personal photo gallery. Enjoy it! :o)

Life hold on!

2007-09-03T22:20:00.001+02:00

Life, stop for a moment!, Because I want to thank you for all the amazing things that you have given to me. :)

I arrived to Rotterdam yesterday and I slept almost 15 hours..! I was extremely tired, my energy was in -10 and I felt (actually I still feel) sick. Consequences of the food, the change of weather and all the activity I had.

I was reading the sugar cubes ppl wrote to me from IC, is incredible to notice how you can impact to others with one short moment, one smile, one advice or one honest word...

IC Turkey meant a lot to me. Was discover many other aspects of myself I didn't know, was overpassed my fears, was challenging myself, was noticed that I have friends that I truly love, was feel proud of my country and to be colombian!.

At the same time, I met amazing people. People who enjoy the life, people who are proud of his country. Funny, geek, intense, mysterious, smart and pretty people, people working hard for AIESEC and in a few years will do it for their societies as well. :)

Turkey is a country of contrasts! of people, religions, accents, landscapes.. I really enjoyed my weeks there.

Now I'm in the quiet and rainy Rotterdam, drinking a colombian coffee made for me, in two days I will be flying to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hopefully, at the end of this month will start my South American journey (Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia)! :)

I just want to say: thanks! because this is too much for me. I cannot believe how lucky I'm and also the big responsibility this is bringing to me.

I know, I will do my best and it will be great :)

in Turkey!

2007-08-22T20:03:00.001+02:00

I'm alive, here reporting from Turkey!. This country is amazing, I'm exactly between Asia and Europe.. it is incredible that just crossing a bridge you're in another continent!!. It reminds me that chapter of The Simpsons when Homero is jumping from the US to Canada!. :)

Well, SSGN pre meeting already finished! was incredible the energy of this weekend with more that 50 delegates from Iberoamerica and the US, representing our region at IC. The messages were clear, where are we now? Where do we want to go? and How do we get there?.

We had a lot of hard reflections, setting goals and commitments as well. SSGN has the culture to get excited with the challenges, but to make it real on the ground is kind of difficult because you have to keep the motivation to do it. I think we did a great job during pre meeting but we're gonna need more than that ahead.

IC is going well... I'm gonna be supporting some sessions, but also my work continues and I need some meetings with every single country and then when the partners arrive...

On the other hand, I'm extremely happy!!!! The Colombian delegation is huge! we're almost 25 and we're putting the energy here!. It is amazing to see Pipe, Serge, Ligis, Lore, Patry, Nazly, Luchi, Paula, Blanquis, Juli, Sebas, Betsy, Morales, Santi, Naty, Kiko, Ivancho, Bee, Sarah.. my sis. I feel like in a national conference, this feels DEMASIADO BIEN!! :D

Stay tunned at IC Live!
http://live.myaiesec.net

I'm an AIESECer!

2007-08-14T15:19:00.001+02:00

"After her studies in journalism were finished, Alejandra decided she wanted to put her skills to practice and applied for an internship in an NGO in Brazil, which supports homeless people (children and adults) through communication projects, creating newspapers and communication channels made by and for them.

Alejandra was in charge of supporting workshops for the homeless about how to write their own stories, basic photography and reporting the daily experiences of the people at risk from Porto Alegre.

The opportunity to work in Brazil allowed Alejandra to learn Portuguese in just a few months, learn about the social reality of the homeless in Brazil and gain professional skills that will help her in her future.

“I’ve learnt that there are a ton of opportunities to make the world, not only my country, a better place to live in, working for you to become a better person each day, helping others, to give value to the things you have and others don’t.” she said.

After her internship, Alejandra wanted to enable more people to have a similar international experience, and she returned to work for AIESEC in Colombia to make that possible. In charge of 15 local offices across ten cities in Colombia, Alejandra had the opportunity to share her story and encourage more people to take on a similar opportunity.

Her passion to make a positive impact on the world continues today as Alejandra works as the Regional Coordinator of the Social Entrepreneurship Program for AIESEC across Ibero America and the United States. Her passion is to increase the opportunities for more young people to live an international experience in the third sector, just as she did.

Alejandra’s story is just one of 23,000 lived each year by members across AIESEC’s 100-country network. Alejandra is a student just like you. Would you like to live a similar story?
Contact AIESEC at your university to join today! www.aiesec.org

AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential. Present in over 1,100 universities with over 23,000 members, AIESEC offers unparallelled leadership development experiences to its members and creates a network of global change agents that have a positive impact on society.

--
Yeap.. I'm in the Global Campaign of AIESEC! I'm famous! hehehe

1 month in The Netherlands

2007-08-14T01:13:00.002+02:00

I arrived to The Netherlands on July, to start my new international adventure in Europe. One year back I was in Poland and I remembered that I promised me come here again.

Well, I'm here, almost finalizing my days in Rotterdam...

-I'm thankful with the life to give me this chance to be here, living, breathing, sleeping, working in other culture pretty different than mine.

-I'm happy to be working in the AIESEC International office, working with ppl from 22 different nationalities. My team is in charge of the development plan for the region of Iberoamerica and the US. I have discovered many things that make me feel challenged.

-I'm excited, in 1 week, we're gonna have our AIESEC International Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, where more than 600 delegates from more than 100 countries will be gathered. And I'm charge of some parts of that monumental conference! :S

I'm gonna miss these places that have been my temporary space in the path of my life...

I'm back!!!

2007-08-09T17:22:00.001+02:00

Si, si sonido.. un, dos, tres, probando, probando!

I love Dody and NOMADLIFE!!!

The server problem was solved! At last I'm gonna update my "chocoaventuras!!!"...
But, not now! I will do in these days.. I promise!

Stay tunned! :)

Colombians in Brussels!

2007-07-19T16:44:00.001+02:00

Brussels was the perfect plan for this weekend that I just wanted change my mood and see familiar faces again, because Bee and Ivancho were at Italy for AI Planning week!, perros!

Three friends before had invited to me to Belgium: Jimmy, he was trainee in Manizales a couple years ago and we are such great friends; Caro, we met each other in my University and LC Javeriana and the mexican Pedro, former MC in Belgium and we saw each other at Poland last year. It is a good omen when people invite you to the same place. :)

Besides, when I noticed that Memo, Chacon and Nata (AIESEC friends from Manizales) will be there too I didn't say no and prepared my stuff. Asier went with me as well.

The result:
An incredible colombian/international environment ever!
Partying hard, touristing hard and too much fun!

I liked Brussels, is a small, international and kind city. I liked its history, its free-chocolate, its architecture, its french-dutch-english pamphlets, its fruit's beers, its little boy peeing the city, and its ppl... I hope to go there again...

Merci beaucoup la Belgique! :)

Holland, first week!

2007-07-12T21:46:00.001+02:00

This first week in NL has passed...
so fast for some things...
and extremely slow for other ones...

The weird!

-The daylight lasts until 10 or 11pm! because of the hemisphere thing. This is extremely weird to me. At 8pm the day looks like 4 at the afternoon. You can say 8 at the afternoon!!! hehehe

-Dutch people seems like they don't work! The stores open at 10am and are closed at 6pm o clock! damn it! because I have not walked out and see some of the commerce of Rotterdam after my work.

-Everything is too expensive. Nossa senhora! (brazilian expression)... one refraction could costs between 5 or 10 euros!! I have decided don't keep doing the currency change to colombian pesos any more, because I'm paying 6 times more than in Colombia for whichever thing I want!)

-In Holland, as you know, the drugs consumption are allowed, but just into the "Coffee shops". So, in these places you can find even marijuana brownies!. The other thing, obviously is when you're walking near of these places (especially in Amsterdam) the marijuana smell is so intense, and for them this is normal, but in LA you could identify this as a bad sign... whatever!

-The fact of be latin american girl has been a hit! I rock! seriously. :) I have heard comments about me such as I look like Jennifer Lopez or as any latin singer (jua jua jua), in the streets the people shout me things in dutch and the cars stop when I'm crossing the streets. hello? In addition, I've received some invitations to go out in 1 week!. Can you imagine how many there are ahead! :O hehehe

This is so funny to me, because I'm not used to feel that, but anyways, I love Europe, this is good for my ego. ;)

The cool...

-I´m living the routine of the AIESEC International people!!... I have seen that they are so normal, even they are more funny than any of us... I think, I keep that strange feelling of imagine that the ppl from high roles in AIESEC are something big, unreacheable, impossible.! But, basically this is the magic of the organization to do things you thought as impossible!

-In NL, everything is well organized, secure and cleaned. The people are so kind and everyone speaks english.

-The houses are SO beautiful... As I imagined!

-You can go by train in Europe! This last weekend I went to Amsterdam and the next one I'm gonna visit Caro in Belgium!.. by the way, to celebrate the Colombian Independence Day.

Here are some nice shots of this lucky girl adventure!

In Rotterdam... re-united!

2007-07-06T13:45:00.001+02:00

Yay!

What can I say?
I'm absolutely happy. That's it!

The Netherlands is a beautiful country, from the plane everythng looks like normal, quite, well organized... Europe!

From Sao Paulo to Amsterdam the flight was fine. I watched 2 Movies, 3 series, 2 documentaries, heard Norah Jones, Nelly furtado, Bob Marly and some chill out music up to I fell slept. The food was good and my chair company, the best! a brazilian so cute :)

Ivancho!, Asier and Cindy (my mates) picked me up at the Central Train Station in Rotterdam. Then we came to the AI's office when are everyone.. I met Juan, Bee, Kiko, Gwen and the other hundred of ppl that are here for AI Transition... a mess!

Finally, the SSGN Board all together, had our first meeting at Dey's place.. can u believe this?

well.. I'm gonna stay here for 2 months, the hard work already started, so I'm gonna be extremely busy, but I'm here and it makes me too happy. :)

In Sao Paulo

2007-06-30T05:42:00.001+02:00

It felt like a hole... exactly in the middle between your heart and your stomach. Whether I thought it was "gastritis", in fact it is sadness. That was my farewell of my family in the Airport El Dorado at Bogota. speechless.

well, anyways... I'm finally here and alive...! :)

My transition officially closed today, since the next Monday I'll be in charge of the program and my new life will start as well. Tomorrow will take place the Piret's farewell party. She is also nostalgic because she's gonna leave Brazil. I remembered my last days as MC, I know exactly what it is. :)

My new life looks fine. I'm in the MC house of AIESEC Brazil. well! Brazil is familiar to me, this is actually my third visit so! I'm trying to get used with the language and its culture once again.

On Tuesday, hopefully I'll be flying to Rotterdam. I'm so excited to know my new team mates and also brainstorming all the ideas we all have to make SSGN bigger...! Great things are coming!

Dream Team- Mensaje Final :)

2007-06-26T01:59:00.002+02:00

-In spanish-

Do you know?

2007-06-22T01:03:00.001+02:00

The video in sooo random but I have this song in my mind! :)
Any ways, enjoy it!!

Él es mi papá

2007-06-19T22:57:00.001+02:00

He is my daddy. This weekend was the Father’s Day in Colombia and I spent it with him. Lately, we have been sick, my dad more (and for more days) that me, but he’s getting better.

Let me tell u something about him. My dad is the most amazing man I ever met, persevering, hard working, demanding and funny person. He couldn’t finish his primary studies, so the only professional experience he has is which the life has given to him. He was policeman, bus driver, taxi driver, car´s washer, and now a successful business man. :)

He is also the funniest person from all over the world. You cannot spend time with him without smile and have fun. I think, it is the inheritance that I have from him. :)

I admire him very much, because he has taught me to love what I do, to do what I love and always have fun.

Te quiero papito.

updating

2007-06-15T00:04:00.001+02:00

I already started my virtual transition with Piret, the current regional coordinator of the Social Entrepreneurship Program for AIESEC in Latin America, Spain and the United States, (the role that I'm gonna have from 1st of July :)). We've had so many technical challenges but it is going well.

The idea was to fly to Sao Paulo first from 9th of June and to have a physical transition, and then to fly to Rotterdam to meet the entire GN board, in order to do our grupal transition and planning.. at the same time, we'll have the preparation of IC (International Congress of AIESEC) and the SSGN Pre Meeting... thanks!

But, the dutch visa has taken more time that I thought, only after 25th of June I will be able to fly to whatever I gotta go. It has been extremely frustrating to me because I have delayed all the travel stuff, and to stay in my home is gonna make me crazy!

Well... sometimes the only thing you need is to be patient; there are many things you cannot do for your own.

The cool thing is that I've lived nice moments that make me smile and forget what stucked I'm now. :)