Career Planning

I'm about 3 months into my traineeship and I have about 5 more months to go before I head back to Atlanta.

Lately...Well at least the past month, I've been thinking about what I'm actually going to do when I get back home. I talk to Sharath about this topic as he already had 2 great offers from companies directly related to the industry he's planned to be in. I also talk to my roommate as he asks me questions like "What are you good at?" and "What do you like to do?"

At first I thought, a great strategy would be to look into my AIESEC network. My first step would be to identify AIESEC's Global Development Groups and Global Exchange Partners. Then go through these company websites to see if they have positions that are a good match for me. Since I've been involved in AIESEC for almost 3 years now, I firmly and passionately believe in it's Mission & Vision. Therefore, many if not all of these global partnerships also not only support what AIESEC does, (by allowing us to provide diverse talent to their company), but I'm sure that they also uphold similar values & objectives.

Next steps would be to identify AIESEC's National Partnerships in the US and research the same as above...

Then I realized that having a better idea of what I want to do can better steer me in the right direction on my career path.

I thought since it's a long weekend, I would spend some time to identify things I love doing, I'm good at, and passionate about. Ultimately, I want what everyone else wants. A rewarding career doing what I love and getting paid for it.

To further expand on my last post, (after taking the personality test)...I also looked at the different industries that ENFJ's find most rewarding and are successful and thrive in.

Careers for ENFJ Personality Types

career planning to be continued...

I'm an ENFJ

*I took a personality test and this was the result. Click on the 2 links below to read the descriptions of an ENFJ's. Is it accurate?*

Portrait of an ENFJ

ENFJ type description by D.Keirsey


Qualitative analysis of your type formula

You are:

• slightly expressed extrovert
  
  
• moderately expressed intuitive personality
  
  
• moderately expressed feeling personality
  
  
• slightly expressed judging personality

My First Time

This past weekend marked my first time for many things. . .

It was my 1st time I. . .

1. Waited 2 hours for my transportation to even arrive
2. Traveled with 6 Kenyans
3. Crossed "No Mans Land"
4. Was stranded at a country border
5. Was housed by trainees instead of housing trainees
6. Visited Singapore
7. Saw a Rugby game
8. Dealt with Malaysian Immigration


Now for the details of my experience. . .

My bus leaving KL was supposed to arrive by 7pm and depart at 7:30pm. I watched the disorder of transportation logistics as dispatchers on walkie-talkies attempted to coordinate busses leaving an entering over 23 bus platforms. I waited for 2 hours for my bus to arrive and finally sat down in my seat at 9pm.

I was traveling with 6 Kenyans; Pilli - an AIESEC trainee working for DHL, Robert & Grace - their father is the Ambassador of Kenya in KL, and then Bonnie, Vincent, & Cindy - all University students studying in Malaysia. Kenya was one of the countries represented in the
game.



We arrived at the Malaysian border, got our stamp to leave the country, and then entered "No Mans Land" - a small area of land after leaving Malaysia but still not officially in Singapore.

Some of the Kenyans were pretty loud on the bus, so when we arrived at Singaporean immigration, the bus driver took it upon himself to leave us all behind.

Stranded!

Oh my. . .What to do? What to do?

We all paid for an official ticket!! I was mad. He should have waited. . .

Fortunately, Pilli, who previously experienced this on her way down to Singapore, said this happens often. She recommended that we wait for the next bus to arrive instead of hauling a cab. 5 minutes later a bus half-full arrives, and the driver cuts a deal and charges each of us 3RM (<$1USD) to complete the ride. The total trip took 6 hours, not including the 2 hour wait time for my bus and being stranded at the border.

Although I arrived at 3am, I can already tell the visible difference between Malaysia and Singapore. The cabs are newer, cleaner, and by law we had to wear our seatbelts in the back seat. Most of the flats (condos) looked really nice from the outside as well.

We got to the condo we planned on staying at and rang the bell twice.

No answer. . .hmmm

Tired & sleepy. . .What to do? What to do?

We all sit on the ground and then Pilli leans back on the door. To our surprise it was left open for us. =)

We were greeted with a nice welcome note on top of a stack of towels, pillows, blankets, fold out beds. Sweet! =)

Thanks to Diggidy, Tee, & Nacho - we were able to stay at a great place for 2 nights! All three of them are AIESEC trainees working for DHL in Singapore. Back in Atlanta, I frequently housed incoming trainees for a few days as they finalized their housing situation. . .so it's different being on this receiving end.

In the morning, I looked out at the view from their flat, which is on 15th floor and located in Singapore's residential area. Absolutely beautiful! Clean, organized, and as Pilli says "Not a single tree missing . . . Not a blade of grass is out of place."

Tee made pancakes for breakfast and then we headed to the game.

I really didn't know what to expect at the Rugby game. . .as the typical American, I haven't seen a rugby game let alone know the rules of it. So I was kind of excited. =)

For those who do not know what it looks like, it's similar to our American football game, in the sense that ball is shaped alike, players get tackled, and the object is to get score a touchdown (US football) or a Try (Rugby). I've actually concluded that Rugby is a much tougher sport since you run forwards, pass backwards, a ball dropped does not stop a play, and the players do not wear padding. I'm sure there are many more similarities and differences, but these are the ones I particularly noticed. (I found some heated debates online that talk about Pro Rugby vs. NFL Players)

The tournament was called the 'International Rugby Sevens' and it was held at Sinapore National Stadium. The first game started at 12:30pm and lasted until 9:30pm. I baked in the hot sun for the early part of the game and then cooled off in the rain early in the evening.

I really enjoyed watching and learning more about the game, socializing with friends, helping to root for the Kenyan team, and checking out the HOT International Rugby players (particularly Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Figi, and South Africa. =)






Hello Canada!


. . .and more eye candy ;)


New Zealand = 68, Singapore = 0
*Tsk,tsk,tsk*


Singapore reflects on their loss


Singaporeans in kilts?


Elvis @ a Rugby game? I think these unusual characters were there to hype up the crowd. Like cheerleaders of some sort. I don't know, don't ask me.


Yes, Singapore. You are unique!

After the game, we went to a club located on the 74th floor of the Swissotel. (Looks very similar on the outside to Westin Peachtree in Atlanta).


Nacho, Me, & Tee @ Swissotel's Nightclub on 74th floor


Sunday Brunch

On Sunday morning, I left Singapore and headed back to KL. (You can ask Sharath about this one). . .

Speaking of Being the Closing Server...

I just found an interesting Blog from server who rants and raves about his experiences working in the Industry...

It's pretty funny. He even has a link to PayPal so people can donate extra tips to him! =)

Neat idea...He does get a lot of visitors to his Blog, especially since Blogger is promoting it as one of their interesting reads that they've recently noticed.

...hmmmmm ...I'd like to start collecting donations too...

A Surprise in the Mail...

I received a sweet surprise in the mail just a few days ago...


it was a card from Natalie, a friend and an ex co-worker (or colleague as they commonly say in other countries) from SPiCE.

Thanks Natalie! It's the sweetest thing I've received in the mail -especially since most people just email these days.

But getting something through traditional snail-mail is still so personal and special...It takes more time, it's hand written, and gets the message across that you were thought of.

I've put the picture you included of Tatiana, Camille and I up on my dresser mirror.

Just wanted to thank you and let you know that I miss you and the rest of the Spice family. I remember all the nights I would go up to you at the door and tell to you about some funny story, catch up on juicy -I mean Juicy- gossip ;-), or tease you that you can't leave before me...Even on a night that I'm closing.

It's so nice to hear from you...Hope you, Tati, & David are all doing well.

New to Blogging?

This message is meant for my family and friends that are not familiar with blogging...

I've reduced the amount of posts that are on my page and I've archived them by month. If you're reading my blog for the first time, just go to my right sidebar and click on the specific month to read my previous posts.

Love & Miss y'all =)

p.s. Just got internet at home! YAY! So I'll be updating my blog more often. That's why I'm only putting my most recent 7 posts on my home page.

3 Concerts in a Week's Time!

African Concert held in KLCC Concert Hall in Suria KLCC.

A beautiful venue and a wonderful performance by an African Jazz Band. The music was a cross between smooth jazz, Latin beats, and slow reggae. I went with my roommate Cheong, Tim (expat from Singapore), Richard (expat from New Zealand), and Asad (Fulbright Scholar from the US). Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the band because we were not allowed to take pictures during the show.


My friend, Terence wanted to celebrate after finishing his exams, so we got a group friends together on a Thursday night and went to Zouk. This club is one of KL's most hottest nightclubs...and on this particular Thursday night, it was jam packed with KL's finest. ;-)

Then I realized that DJ Grandmaster Flash was spinning here. Wow! What are the odds of that? One of the pioneers of Hip-Hop...actually here in KL -Spinning on a Thursday night @ Zouk! =)

DJ Grandmaster Flash pioneered the use of turntables and "scratching". He is responsible for assembling one of the earliest and greatest rap groups of all time - The Furious Five.


DJ Grand Master Flash asks the Zouk Crowd "Are You Ready to Party?!"


"Then Throw Your Hands in the A-Yer!"

Some other friends that went with us

Saki & I. Saki is from Japan, but lived in the US for 15 years. She just finished her Traineeship in Hong Kong and is currently backpacking all around Asia. Her stop here in KL was about a week long.


Richard (Expat from New Zealand)


Eileen (My Local Party Buddy)



This was my favorite concert of the week. (...andMindValley sponsored too!)

Forces of Nature - a concert in which proceeds got to the Tsunami Aid

The buzz was going around town and there were advertisements posted everywhere in KL. I already planned on going by purchasing the RM82 (US$21). Then I realized that the tickets were all sold out for those seats....and that the only tickets left were RM300+ (US$79). =(

So I emailed everyone I know to see if they had an extra ticket I can buy off of them. Unfortunately they were also in the same shoes...waited to late and now stuck w/out a ticket.

On the day of the concert, the local radio station was giving away RM500+ (US$132) tickets for free - if you were a certain caller...

Everyone in the office was calling the station with our cell phones trying to get the tickets! No luck though...

Then the Dj asked for people to send them an SMS (text msg) and then got to the actual venue, and we would be able to get the RM500+ tickets for the RM82 price. =)

...and so you know the rest of the story...

Here are some pictures from the Forces of Nature concert


High security near the Red Carpet as the artists pull up in their cars. (Notice their uniforms)


Me, Saki, Cheong, Vishen, & Faidz in the RM500+ section. =)


Lauren Hill. I was very disappointed that she was the opening act. I thought they should have picked a local artist, since it's unlikely that Lauren will be back in Malaysia for another performance. Also Malaysians are typically very relaxed on time...so during her performance the stadium was only half full and people were just entering the stadium to get into their seats.

From the American point of view, I thought it was extremely rude. Look at it this way...What if everyone in the audience was on time and Lauren Hill shows up 2 hours late to start her performance? Oh whatever...all I can do is understand that it's just the mentality here. Many countries are also the same when it comes to being on time for things (i.e. Philippines, Mexico...)


Wyclef Jean w/ his guitar. He actually played it with his teeth at one point!



Back Street Boys. (This was my least favorite. They were the only ones who spent time advertising their new album...and they did so after each song they sung. It was very annoying.


Jackie Chan. (Yes, he sings too)


Black Eyed Peas. Although they were the last performers of the night, they got the party 'Started in Here'. They had soooo much energy and they got everyone out of their seats dancing and singing along to their hits, 'Where is the Love?', 'Let's Get it Started', 'Shut Up', and 'Hey Mama'.



Kimora Lee Simmons. (Founder of Baby Phat)

Other artists include, Boys II Men, Paula Abdul, Eric Benet and several local artists from Malaysia & Indonesia. I didn't post pictures of these artists b/c I couldn't get any good shots with my camera.