Wow, the last two weeks have flown by.
Life is starting to be more fun here in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
So what have I done?
Celebrated July 9th, Argentina Independence Day at Feria de Mataderos! It was a lovely fair 1 hour away from my home which had stales and food and singers and dancers! Lots of Fun
Explored more sights of Buenos Aires including:
**Casa Rosada - which is the presidents place and is really a giant pink house!
**La Boca! The colour houses which is a complete tourist trap but OH so colourful and pretty and FUN!
**Teatro Colon - which is an AMAZING theatre which is GIGANTIC and VERY old and beautiful inside. I was WAY up in the Nose Bleed section but it was beautiful none the less. I went to see Festivales Musicales de Buenos Aires! Basically the symphony Orchestra playing Mozart and Vivaldi which some famous soloist violin people!! :) It was wonderful!
for work. the MC has gone into Conference planning because this weekend is Drive Conference 2011 being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina! The planned sessions for the sales track - that is 6 hours of sessions all dedicated to how to sell AIESEC, skills to sell AIESEC, more MORE SELLING! :) haha Lots of fun.
But I have to run! I have a networking event to attend tonight! It is held by InterNations.org which connects expatriates in the city you are living and working! Yay for fellow foreigners! :)
BuhBye Friends!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
AIESEC
So what is AIESEC? and what do I do?
In the past 5 years I have developed myself into a global minded citizen. I attended youth impact conferences with 300 delegates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Taiwan. I have traveled to the Philippines to work in organizational design and currently live in Argentina and am the corporate sales manager for Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. I have recruited a graduates from Brazil, India, Poland, China, and Colombia to work in Ottawa, Canada. Currently, I work on a 9 person team with other internationals from Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, and the US. I have twice facilitated a 200 person, three day regional youth conference. I will help to create, facilitate, and raise corporate sponsors for a 500 Person, Latin American conference to be held in Santiago Chile in March 2012. I have connected with hundreds of people through business ideas, leadership thoughts, dancing, drinking and laughter.
I am part of a team with 8 dedicated colleagues who accomplish regional and international achievements. My personal network now includes like-minded individuals from Brazil, India, Philippines, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, and Germany to name a few. I am supported by my University's Co-op program, my University's business school, our international business program, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Immigration, CEO's of local businesses, and my friends and family.
If you want this experience, or more, then make some time to ask about AIESEC.
(*Spiel stolen from my wonderful friend Carson who is in India currently*)
In the past 5 years I have developed myself into a global minded citizen. I attended youth impact conferences with 300 delegates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Taiwan. I have traveled to the Philippines to work in organizational design and currently live in Argentina and am the corporate sales manager for Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. I have recruited a graduates from Brazil, India, Poland, China, and Colombia to work in Ottawa, Canada. Currently, I work on a 9 person team with other internationals from Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, and the US. I have twice facilitated a 200 person, three day regional youth conference. I will help to create, facilitate, and raise corporate sponsors for a 500 Person, Latin American conference to be held in Santiago Chile in March 2012. I have connected with hundreds of people through business ideas, leadership thoughts, dancing, drinking and laughter.
I am part of a team with 8 dedicated colleagues who accomplish regional and international achievements. My personal network now includes like-minded individuals from Brazil, India, Philippines, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, and Germany to name a few. I am supported by my University's Co-op program, my University's business school, our international business program, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Immigration, CEO's of local businesses, and my friends and family.
If you want this experience, or more, then make some time to ask about AIESEC.
(*Spiel stolen from my wonderful friend Carson who is in India currently*)
Recoleta Cemetery
WHAT A FABULOUS PLACE! Not what you'd expect of a cemetery!
the cemetery has impressive statues and crypts that hold the remains of Buenos Aires' Elite: past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians and of course everybody's favourite- the rich&the famous ;) Evita is even buried here! (check her out if you don't know who she is-Madonna played her in the movie which won a Golden Globe but Argentinians dont like the movie: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Per%C3%B3n)
the cemetery has impressive statues and crypts that hold the remains of Buenos Aires' Elite: past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians and of course everybody's favourite- the rich&the famous ;) Evita is even buried here! (check her out if you don't know who she is-Madonna played her in the movie which won a Golden Globe but Argentinians dont like the movie: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Per%C3%B3n)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Montevideo, Uruguay!
Hola Chicos!
So! In order to enter Argentina originally I had to purchase a ticket out of the country. Funny way of working things. but I bought a ticket to Montevideo, Uruguay, and last weekend I went!
Montevideo is a beautiful place! Its a huge city with over 1 Million people, but the architecture is beautiful, and the city is quieter with super friendly people!
I stayed at a friend, Fabian's, place with his mother and sister and the 2 CUTEST siemese cats :D his mother didnt speak much English and my Spanish is still pitiful, so it was very entertaining to speak with each other and truly practice my Spanish. :) His family was simply lovely. :) And his cats would come and sleep under the covers with me and cuddle! So adorable!
Various AIESECers took me around the city every day! Sight seeing everything in the city from the waterfront to the cafes :) I loved it - and I cant wait to go back! But I have my next ticket booked for Sept 30th (Visa renewal) but because I cant wait to return! :)
Only problem with Montevideo in July? its really cold when you dont have the proper attire! haha I need to purchase a pair of mittens! Its getting cold in the southern hemisphere! :P
So! In order to enter Argentina originally I had to purchase a ticket out of the country. Funny way of working things. but I bought a ticket to Montevideo, Uruguay, and last weekend I went!
Montevideo is a beautiful place! Its a huge city with over 1 Million people, but the architecture is beautiful, and the city is quieter with super friendly people!
I stayed at a friend, Fabian's, place with his mother and sister and the 2 CUTEST siemese cats :D his mother didnt speak much English and my Spanish is still pitiful, so it was very entertaining to speak with each other and truly practice my Spanish. :) His family was simply lovely. :) And his cats would come and sleep under the covers with me and cuddle! So adorable!
Various AIESECers took me around the city every day! Sight seeing everything in the city from the waterfront to the cafes :) I loved it - and I cant wait to go back! But I have my next ticket booked for Sept 30th (Visa renewal) but because I cant wait to return! :)
Only problem with Montevideo in July? its really cold when you dont have the proper attire! haha I need to purchase a pair of mittens! Its getting cold in the southern hemisphere! :P
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Rafaela with Nati!
Hola Chicos!
So Rafaela was great! Her family was super nice and it was a great experience to be in a family house again.
We arrived Saturday morning early and surprised her parents at their work, since they did not know we were coming for the weekend!
Her mother didn't speak English very well and my Spanish is horrible still, so our means of communicating was in French! haha It was very entertaining to practice my french again, turns out - I'm not half bad. haha.
Sunday we drove to Sante Fe early to watch Nati's younger brother, Pablo, race Motocross. It was a beautiful day in nice weather to sit outside. The motocross was entertaining but everybody was standing SO close to the edge of the track that the racers drove RIGHT beside them. I had to stand back about 5 meters cause I was scared I'd get hit by a Racer if they fell. haha I suppose I watch too many movies :P
Friday evening Nati's friends came over and we all had Pizza, it was nice, even though I only understand about half the conversation. Saturday night Nati's extended family came over and we ate dinner, and on Monday her extended family on the OTHER side came over and we ate dinner for Fathers Day! :) It was really really nice to just relax and spend time with her family. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and experience.
Nati has a dog named Luna who is SUPER adorible. She is only 1 so she acts like Scotia did at the age, jumping around like crazy and running and being extremely playful. haha So I had a lot of fun playing with Luna and just being around a dog again. I really miss Scotia.
But back to life in Buenos Aires!
So Rafaela was great! Her family was super nice and it was a great experience to be in a family house again.
We arrived Saturday morning early and surprised her parents at their work, since they did not know we were coming for the weekend!
Her mother didn't speak English very well and my Spanish is horrible still, so our means of communicating was in French! haha It was very entertaining to practice my french again, turns out - I'm not half bad. haha.
Sunday we drove to Sante Fe early to watch Nati's younger brother, Pablo, race Motocross. It was a beautiful day in nice weather to sit outside. The motocross was entertaining but everybody was standing SO close to the edge of the track that the racers drove RIGHT beside them. I had to stand back about 5 meters cause I was scared I'd get hit by a Racer if they fell. haha I suppose I watch too many movies :P
Friday evening Nati's friends came over and we all had Pizza, it was nice, even though I only understand about half the conversation. Saturday night Nati's extended family came over and we ate dinner, and on Monday her extended family on the OTHER side came over and we ate dinner for Fathers Day! :) It was really really nice to just relax and spend time with her family. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and experience.
Nati has a dog named Luna who is SUPER adorible. She is only 1 so she acts like Scotia did at the age, jumping around like crazy and running and being extremely playful. haha So I had a lot of fun playing with Luna and just being around a dog again. I really miss Scotia.
But back to life in Buenos Aires!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Rafaela, Argentina!
Hola Chicos!
So, for the weekend, as it is a long weekend, Monday is a holiday. Nati invited me to come home with her to her family's house in Rafaela Argentina. It is about 550KM Away from Buenos Aires to the North-West. It is a smaller city with a population of 83,000. Its nice to get away for the weekend! We took the over night bus, I am quite tired now, and its rainy, but I hope it will clear up and be nice for Sunday and MOnday :)
Yay for Holidays!
Chrystal
So, for the weekend, as it is a long weekend, Monday is a holiday. Nati invited me to come home with her to her family's house in Rafaela Argentina. It is about 550KM Away from Buenos Aires to the North-West. It is a smaller city with a population of 83,000. Its nice to get away for the weekend! We took the over night bus, I am quite tired now, and its rainy, but I hope it will clear up and be nice for Sunday and MOnday :)
Yay for Holidays!
Chrystal
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Pressure Is On
Hola Chicos!
So, work officially started on Wednesday June 15th 2011. And I already feel the pressure. What I didn't know before I came here: The region is financially unsustainable; aka we are flat broke. Literally, we can pay the basics of housing and salaries to all of my team for only 1 month. This is assuming we do nothing. So turns out - I have to do everything. Of course I set my goals high and want to create many new large scale partnerships with companies here including: KPMG, Deloitte, Artemisia, Tata Consultancy Services, InBev ect..... But - Now, if I don't success immediately, We don't be paid. This is not ok. I should of been warned of this situation because as hard as I want to work, my work depends on the decisions on businesses and although I am convincing, realistically, I will not achieve everything I set out to do. So - the pressure is on. My whole team is looking at me and my counterpart Cristian, to work our butts off and bring in loads of money immediately. Yeah, not as nice as I would of liked it. Creating partnerships wouldnt be so bad, except to add on to the difficulty of selling, is the fact that we have Visa issues here in Argentina, thus making our international internship program MUCH more difficult to sell.....sooo....Although I am excited to be here, I am feeling disappointed with the situation and not being forewarned so I could make a FULL decision with that information included.....
But, Pressures on - its time to SELL! :)
So, work officially started on Wednesday June 15th 2011. And I already feel the pressure. What I didn't know before I came here: The region is financially unsustainable; aka we are flat broke. Literally, we can pay the basics of housing and salaries to all of my team for only 1 month. This is assuming we do nothing. So turns out - I have to do everything. Of course I set my goals high and want to create many new large scale partnerships with companies here including: KPMG, Deloitte, Artemisia, Tata Consultancy Services, InBev ect..... But - Now, if I don't success immediately, We don't be paid. This is not ok. I should of been warned of this situation because as hard as I want to work, my work depends on the decisions on businesses and although I am convincing, realistically, I will not achieve everything I set out to do. So - the pressure is on. My whole team is looking at me and my counterpart Cristian, to work our butts off and bring in loads of money immediately. Yeah, not as nice as I would of liked it. Creating partnerships wouldnt be so bad, except to add on to the difficulty of selling, is the fact that we have Visa issues here in Argentina, thus making our international internship program MUCH more difficult to sell.....sooo....Although I am excited to be here, I am feeling disappointed with the situation and not being forewarned so I could make a FULL decision with that information included.....
But, Pressures on - its time to SELL! :)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Lost in Translation
So, some things are extremely hilarious when they are directly translated from Spanish to English....I burst out laughing at my teammates when they have said something innocent but in English it is extremely....not....haha Of course, I am not laughing at their language skills but they are amazing, but I am laughing at those translation that just should be.....
Examples:
How can I turn you on?......Asking me what keeps me motivated at work.
What satisfies you?.........Aking me what makes me happy in life.
I was just playing with myself.....Talking about doodling on the blackboard prior to our arrival
and Spanish to English:
Estoy Excite.....which translates to....I am sexually excited....not I am happy. haha
Estoy Embarazada....which translates to.....I am pregnant....not I am embarrassed. Oops!
And thats life :)
Examples:
How can I turn you on?......Asking me what keeps me motivated at work.
What satisfies you?.........Aking me what makes me happy in life.
I was just playing with myself.....Talking about doodling on the blackboard prior to our arrival
and Spanish to English:
Estoy Excite.....which translates to....I am sexually excited....not I am happy. haha
Estoy Embarazada....which translates to.....I am pregnant....not I am embarrassed. Oops!
And thats life :)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Life and Jokes in Buenos Aires
Life is becoming more entertaining every day in Buenos Aires!
Lets see now...
Yesterday, after work, half of us returned home, and the other half went to the movies. Us, at home, got ready and headed out to a bar to say fairwell to Nati, the current MCVP Communications, who is returning home to Brazil, and then moving onward to India for an internship. But we all headed out, and the people at the movies were supposed to meet us after. Well, we have been having an issue with the keys, we only have 3 pairs and there are about 10 of us living here currently! And you cannot LEAVE the apartment building without keys cause you must unlock from both the inside and outside. In afterthought, this is a huge fire safety hazard and would not fly at home. But anyways, the movie folk came home, but sans keys.....and they had VERY conveniently gone grocery shopping for the house cause we were stocked out. hahah So here they are, sitting outside our apartment building, with all our groceries, ringing our doorbell, with nobody home, and NO idea which bar we had gone to! hahah They eventually got IN TO the building when somebody else left, and sat outside out apartment. They realized they could access our internet while sitting outside our door, so they did and figured out which bar we were going to, but still, the groceries! What to do with all the groceries?!??! haha So they went knocking around door to door in the apartment trying to find somebody to watch our groceries! Well, people in Buenos Aires are not overly friendly so they ALL ignored them!! hahah FINALLY after 20 or so doors they found somebody willing to even OPEN the door for them and watch all our groceries while they came to the bar to meet us, get the key, and return home again. hahah Ghetto Life. :)
Also, work wise, there is A LOT of work. All day. Everyday. I cancelled my Spanish classes this week to be at work. and when I say all day; I mean from 10AM-8PM. But it is going well - I just am waiting for more free time, cause during the day we are learning so so so much, but arent given anytime to actually complete the work we are finding questions to and figuring out we have to complete. So my To-Do list gets longer and longer daily!! YIKES!
But for now! Klaus, another teammate of mine, who is from Austria, has arrived this morning, we had a LOVELY full breakfast all together, the 10 of us here, and now we have to wait 2 more days for Jose, our last member to FINALLY join our team!!! :) It is VERY exciting stuff to think we almost have our COMPLETE TEAM!!
Hasta Luego!!
Lets see now...
Yesterday, after work, half of us returned home, and the other half went to the movies. Us, at home, got ready and headed out to a bar to say fairwell to Nati, the current MCVP Communications, who is returning home to Brazil, and then moving onward to India for an internship. But we all headed out, and the people at the movies were supposed to meet us after. Well, we have been having an issue with the keys, we only have 3 pairs and there are about 10 of us living here currently! And you cannot LEAVE the apartment building without keys cause you must unlock from both the inside and outside. In afterthought, this is a huge fire safety hazard and would not fly at home. But anyways, the movie folk came home, but sans keys.....and they had VERY conveniently gone grocery shopping for the house cause we were stocked out. hahah So here they are, sitting outside our apartment building, with all our groceries, ringing our doorbell, with nobody home, and NO idea which bar we had gone to! hahah They eventually got IN TO the building when somebody else left, and sat outside out apartment. They realized they could access our internet while sitting outside our door, so they did and figured out which bar we were going to, but still, the groceries! What to do with all the groceries?!??! haha So they went knocking around door to door in the apartment trying to find somebody to watch our groceries! Well, people in Buenos Aires are not overly friendly so they ALL ignored them!! hahah FINALLY after 20 or so doors they found somebody willing to even OPEN the door for them and watch all our groceries while they came to the bar to meet us, get the key, and return home again. hahah Ghetto Life. :)
Also, work wise, there is A LOT of work. All day. Everyday. I cancelled my Spanish classes this week to be at work. and when I say all day; I mean from 10AM-8PM. But it is going well - I just am waiting for more free time, cause during the day we are learning so so so much, but arent given anytime to actually complete the work we are finding questions to and figuring out we have to complete. So my To-Do list gets longer and longer daily!! YIKES!
But for now! Klaus, another teammate of mine, who is from Austria, has arrived this morning, we had a LOVELY full breakfast all together, the 10 of us here, and now we have to wait 2 more days for Jose, our last member to FINALLY join our team!!! :) It is VERY exciting stuff to think we almost have our COMPLETE TEAM!!
Hasta Luego!!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Life is Better Again
Our Team is reunited and we have a new Addition! Nati has arrived in Buenos Aires - she is my ICX counterpart who will be living in Santiago! :) YAYYYY!!!! Lais is also back from her week away in Amsterdam, and brought us back yummy yummy treats!!
ON Tuesday evening a bunch of us went to La Plata, a city 1 hour from BsAs, to have a party with the Local Committee there. We went to an interns house, Felipe, from Brazil, to pre-drink then we headed to a club at 2am. In Argentina, they start drinking at 12, they go to the club at 2, and they stop at 6am when the clubs close! Crazy party life here! I can barely make it to 3am but I am working on it! BUT, while in La Plata, at the club, it was around 3am and I walked downstairs to sit, I was exhausted, and I see Felipe, and a few other of the AIESECers, sitting on the couch with Felipe sleeping. Then all of a sudden, he PUKES on the girl next to him!!! hahahah Ewww, so then me and 3 others help carry Felipe, NOT a light fellow, home so he can sleep. On the way home he pukes on another girl and in the car. I THANKFULLY was missed by the projectile! THANK GOODNESS!!! hahah But all the while, the girls kept saying to me "Welcome to La Plata!" bahahahha. Yes Welcome Indeed :P
Then On Saturday Night we went to a party at "The Andes Way" House.....this is a project that @USAL is putting on, called The Andes Way, they are bringing 25 interns to BsAs, and they are living in one house called "The Andes Way" House. :) It was a great time, lots of people, lots of dancing, and lots of laughs.
And the rest of the weekend I spent lounging around, sleeping, reading, relaxing. It was blissful. :)
Its Monday, and I had my spanish class this morning, it went well. and then I came home, and we all shared dinner and tea&dessert of Dulce de Leche, which is like Caramel, and waffle snacks that Lais brought for us from Netherlands. Yum Yum Yum. Excellent day I do think :)
I am happy again!
ON Tuesday evening a bunch of us went to La Plata, a city 1 hour from BsAs, to have a party with the Local Committee there. We went to an interns house, Felipe, from Brazil, to pre-drink then we headed to a club at 2am. In Argentina, they start drinking at 12, they go to the club at 2, and they stop at 6am when the clubs close! Crazy party life here! I can barely make it to 3am but I am working on it! BUT, while in La Plata, at the club, it was around 3am and I walked downstairs to sit, I was exhausted, and I see Felipe, and a few other of the AIESECers, sitting on the couch with Felipe sleeping. Then all of a sudden, he PUKES on the girl next to him!!! hahahah Ewww, so then me and 3 others help carry Felipe, NOT a light fellow, home so he can sleep. On the way home he pukes on another girl and in the car. I THANKFULLY was missed by the projectile! THANK GOODNESS!!! hahah But all the while, the girls kept saying to me "Welcome to La Plata!" bahahahha. Yes Welcome Indeed :P
Then On Saturday Night we went to a party at "The Andes Way" House.....this is a project that @USAL is putting on, called The Andes Way, they are bringing 25 interns to BsAs, and they are living in one house called "The Andes Way" House. :) It was a great time, lots of people, lots of dancing, and lots of laughs.
And the rest of the weekend I spent lounging around, sleeping, reading, relaxing. It was blissful. :)
Its Monday, and I had my spanish class this morning, it went well. and then I came home, and we all shared dinner and tea&dessert of Dulce de Leche, which is like Caramel, and waffle snacks that Lais brought for us from Netherlands. Yum Yum Yum. Excellent day I do think :)
I am happy again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)