An instant classic: Dear mr. President

Pink has written a song that will become an instant classic, watch the video.

Time of endings or new beginnings?

A bit of a glass half full or empty statement, but I truly feel this is a time of closure and new beginnings for me. I am exchanging Rotterdam for Amsterdam, the city I always wanted to live in since I was 5 years old, but never did. The end of my student days are near. My first real job is now closer than ever and indeed I am very excited. My last weeks at my current job. Saying goodbye to friends that are leaving AIESEC, The Netherlands or both to build a life of their own. I am now writing the final paragraphs of my thesis, a years work. Speaking of which, I need to get back to that.
When Pruthvi left, 2 days ago, I told him I hate goodbye in all senses of the word. Endings are like beginnings, there is always something good waiting to happen. Nonetheless, I will miss him and all the other things I need to say goodbye to. In the end my glass is always half full.

Writing about a castrated sheep

The climate is made up of “weather”; whether it is nice out depends on whether it is raining or not. A wether is just a castrated sheep.

Just an example of common mistakes in English.

Running, running....

Now playing: Keane- with or without you (U2cover) and Snow Patrol-chasing cars
Trying to look back on the last days, the only image in my head: a hurricane....


The friday AI-transition party, too many people to catch up with and too little time















Extrema outdoor festival, dancing in the rain and sun, the ultimate high and an amazing last set: housequake rocks!
















Recovering at my room, an utter mess from all the houseguests, saying goodbye to Juliana at the airport.





















Going back and forth to Amsterdam for a new room, trying to decide what to do, preparing my cousin's wedding as master of ceremony, finishing my thesis, getting groceries, cleaning up my room and administration...


Next song playing: Mika-relax, take it easy....

No development aid ??

An prominent corporate governance advocate and economist told me a while ago that he did not believe in development aid. “The world is polluted and overpopulated, economically it would be better to let some of the people die in order to ensure survival of the rest”, so he stated. I asked him which part of the world according to him then earned the right to survive. His answer: “the ones that do not die from pollution, famine, war or diseases. Very simple logic, the survival of the fittest”.

This conversation has been on my mind for a long time. From an economic perspective this is a correct line of reasoning. However, taking human emotions into account, this sounds of course ridiculous. I am trying to gather my thoughts on this topic. Why does the logic of economic sometimes provide inhumane solutions? And why does it work in other cases? Development economics for example is the foundation for much of the development aid.

“When the IMF and the World Bank force a country to cut wages, lay off workers, produce for export instead of their own people, and sell off public property to cronies for less than its value, that's called "economic reform”

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

“The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.”

Two more day and the story ends......

The 21st of July 2007, a memorable day! Why? That is when the final copy of Harry Potter will be published!!!

Apperently some Amrican bookstores sent out the copies today which means the end will appear on Internet soon. I have ordered my copy and am now awaiting my order. Please, I do not want to know the end...... I want to read about it.

Juliana's visit

Do you want to order take-out or eat in Bejing?

Yes, it is upon us.... a new AIESEC year! Refreshed teams, new faces, new leadership bodies and much enthusiasm and ambition. It is also the time the old people leave. What always surprises me is the almost obsessive tendency of AIESECers leaving the organisation, to plan their future. I am fully aware we preach this to everyone in the organisation but in real life it takes strange forms.

The agony of having to deal with lots and lots and lots of free time and no time for new stimuli makes people jumpy. We make choices.
Beach vs. summerjob
Family home vs. seeing new places
Old vs. New
Being home vs. discovering new cities
Structure vs. freedom
Take-out at home vs. eating in Bejing

I wish all the people who cut their holidays short to do a new traineeship, a world trip, visit friends, a summer education program, a prestigious internship, the best of luck. Just remember to take some time to process the new memories as well.

OPS Brussels

Pedro has already written something about OPS that you can read here. At the post-meeting we were discussing whether this was our last conference. Well, at least the last conference we were actively involved in as Faci's, Delegates and Organizers. We looked at each other and started laughing. We met in Portugal, Mexico, India, Netherlands, Belgium: how can this be our last conference??

Let's face it, we are AIESEC-ers for life. Thanks my friends: Juliana, Makis, Pedro, Chrystal, Rita, Pruthvi and Anna. We had a good time, let's meet again somewhere, sometime.

The stars

Born in November, I am a scorpio. People that are into star signs know that this sign is a bit, let's say, typical. It is easy recognizing scorpio's in a crowd. I often find it funny to read about Scorpio characteristics. You be the judge, whether they are correct or not :-). And think of the people who resemble this description...

A scorpio is a detective, a therapist, a hypnotist and a transformer. If you can give a Scorpio loyalty, control and deep understanding you have a better chance of getting their love and affection.

Scorpio is a strong individual, an extremely good friend, a formidable enemy, and prone to intense likes and dislikes. Scorpio lives in the world of black and white. has little time for superficial people, places or things.Scorpio is super-sensitive and touchy.

We could write a whole book about the looks that Scorpio gives. We'd have a chapter on staring and a chapter on x-ray vision. No doubt people say things about Scorpio's eyes: "If looks could kill," "I feel like you're mentally undressing me," etc.

Scorpio prefers deep commitment, deep conversation and deep thoughts. If Scorpio can't tell it like it is, prefers to keep quiet. It should be mentioned that Scorpio has quite a few secrets.

Scorpio has proven the ability to hold on. Scorpio's staying power is second to none. Now Scorpio needs to learn to let go. Every day Scorpio needs to find something to sell, give away, throw out or burn. If Scorpio wants to get the most out of life, Scorpio needs to let go of old crap, literally, figuratively, and most of all, psychologically.

Can I handle this?

Daniel, who worked on the NST with me last year just got back from his trip to Argentina. Today was the first time I spoke to him in 8 months. A key theme emerged: stability and commitment.

I have been struggling with this issue for a while now. Last week I was discussing my new home with my parents and started getting this weird feeling. I felt the blood rushing to my head, breathing very fast and flushing hot: yes, I had my very first panic attack! For the record, I am a strong person, I do not get panic attacks...at least this is what I thought.

Daniel was suffering from a reverse cultural shock and he was very much missing the excitement of travel. He felt deprived of new experiences. The future was like a big black hole and he had nothing to look forward to. The calmness of his parent's house made him jumpy.

I recognize this feeling. Many people suffer from this when leaving university, their home town or AIESEC.

A new house for me symbolizes commitment and a lack of freedom. I cannot pick up my suitcase and leave for a new world. I will have a job and a house. All that is missing is 2.1 children, a white dog and a volvo station wagon. Or is it?

Freedom is a choice of mind. I can still quit my job and sell my house. Stability is not equal to boredome. Life has more to offer. I am sure I will manage. My anxiety attack just magicly dissapeared. I can handle this now.
I can handle this...

Somebody's going to get a hurt real bad...

Russell Peters, Indian comedian, he is absolutely hilarious.