Reflection: Four Days in Umea

18/10 KPMG Case Competition -nice dinner, great learning experience!
19/10 Attended the Prof Eric Maskin(Nobel Prize Winner) talk: "procrastination".
20/10 Strolled the path to IKSU whilst experiencing the first snow of Umea. A day capped with a Swedish AIESEC party at Jonas's place.
21/10 Chatted with KY,who is in Brasov now, who shared her travel experience.-A truly courageous girl!

Works by Ansel Adams-AMAZING!

I just love them-"Evening McDonald Lake, Glacier National Park"(left) and
"Adams Church,Taos,Pueblo"(right).
Elegant, stylish and expressive in their own way...

Which Famous Artist Are You?
	You are part Ansel Adams. Your artistic tool of choice is the camera, but you've got lots of other skills as well. Spoiled when you were young, you grew up to be a loving person and you have a deep affinity for nature and all things black and white.
	You are part Andy Warhol. Your artistic talent became clear at an early age. As a result, you are still developing your talent now, chasing the dream. A big fan of commercial art, you see greatness in the ordinary.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Yesterday 12th Oct, we went to Marieham and kinda celebrate the Muslim New Year with 3 of our Muslim coursemates B,H and G. I must thank H for sending the Petronas 2007 ad (http://www.petronas-raya.com/index2.html), reminding me that it is new year again for the Muslims back in Malaysia today and yesterday for Sweden.(Apparently, the Raya is celebrated at a different time according to the moon).This also prompts me to look up in youtube on the previous years Raya ad of Petronas.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78LjuiDnLNg&mode=related&search=selamat%20hari%20raya)

What can I say-they are really touching as always.Two key things I've learnt from these ads: 1) Love is unconditonal 2) Never overlook what our parents have done for us, no matter what.

Till then, "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri" and Maaf Zahir Batin.

Yours truly.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Pocahontas-The Disney Princess within me?
Hmm, maybe ...

Pocahontas: Colors Of the Wind

One of my favourite songs.
"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you'll never know,never know."

Time flies

10th October 2007.Suddenly I am overwhelmed with the sense of how time flies-at the speed of a breeze! It’s merely about 3 more months that my study is going to end. This implies lest we are going to say adios to our friends very soon. But does that mean my life journey also ends? I guess not.

"To meet, to know,
and then to part,
Is one of the saddest things
To a human's life"

In some sense it might be true. But I guess if you have never meet and never know, you can never part, and life would be monotonous. Sad it may be, but the friendship one built is priceless. The moments and memento shared are certainly worth a zillion of gems. Words seem inadequate to explain my deep feelings. Nonetheless, I definitely want to live my last few moments here to the fullest. On the other hand, somehow part of me knew that one day our paths might cross again.Why then, all these whines and sense of loss? Destiny may bring us together again.Ineluctable though, I am still a pretty sentimental person. Till that moment arrives, I humbly offer my sincere best wishes and gratitude for my dear friends who have made my life more colorful.

Yours truly.

Kelly Clarkson :: Breakaway

Breakaway-'Brake-Away'

Adapted from Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway:

"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away "

"Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jetplane
Far away
And break away"

I paused and asked myself: "Have I breakaway?"-I think I did!

"Gotta keep movin on movin on...
Fly away"

Europe Safari-A Reflection

Reflecting what I have done sofar in more than a year in Europe, the longest time I have ever left my home consecutively, perhaps it is an achievement. A mixed feelings flooded me though.Should I be happy or grateful for the "one in a million chance" of being here? Or should I regret having quit my job, forgo a nice salary and the comfort of life, family and friends back home? Before I landed here, nostalgias of my previous trip in Europe kept haunting me.But now that I am here, how do I really feel? I seek the answers within myself.

I knew that deep within me, this is what I really wanted and I never looked back since. I wanted to come back here since I last left Europe. As a matter of fact,I never regret any seconds of it. This experience has indeed been my lifetime memento. However, this journey was somewhat different than the one I pursued 5 years ago. Eastern Europe were my main safari then. The feelings are really different,inexplicable. But I guess that's what makes it so personal. So special, so unique. "It's your memento, your very own senses and your very own treasure- no money can buy it,nobody could even rob it from you." Yeah, that's my very own gem,closely embraced within my heart and soul.Regardless good or bad, I will cherish them....and I definitely thank God for that!

My odyssey sofar:

Sept 2006-Feb 2007 Edinburgh, UK
Mac 2007-July 2007 Milan, Italy
1-15 Aug 2007 Greece (Santorini,Crete,Delphi,Meteora,Athens,Thessa..)
15-17 Aug 2007 Budapest(yes, I met Tamas again after 5 years!)
18-22 Aug 2007 Croatia (Split and Bled)
23-27 Aug 2007 Slovenia (Plitvice and Ljublana aka Beloved aka Amy)
27-29 Aug 2007 Venice,Italy (Bellissimo!-what can I say more?)
29-31 Aug 2007 Stockholm("The Venice of the North")
31 Aug 2007-today Umea (The little tranquil student city)

Cheers.

What European City Do You Belong In?

A pretty cool site.I took the quiz and apparently London is the city where I belong.
Neat!





"***You Belong in London***
You belong in London, but you belong in many cities... Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sidney. You fit in almost anywhere.
And London is diverse and international enough to satisfy many of your tastes. From curry to Shakespeare, London (almost) has it all!"


Check it out at: http://www.blogthings.com/whateuropeancitydoyoubelonginquiz/

Cheers

"Kanelbullens Dag" in Sweden

4th Oct 2007
An incredible day
Filled with great activities
and lasting memories

4th Oct 2007
A very special day
"Kanelbullens Dag"
or Cinnamon Roll Day
Celebrated since 1999
In the Nordic Land named Sweden

FarAway from home
In the midst of tranquil Umea
"Kanelbullens"
did I bake
A typical Swedish bun,
and so I say
Swedes savor them everyday

"Kanelbullens"
did I make
on "Kanelbullens" Day
with my mentor group
Swedes, Germans, French
Belgium, all came
to Jenny's at Nyadalahojd

Delicious "Kanelbullens"
did we bake
traditional Swedish bun
on this unforgettable day!


(http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanelbullens_dag
For Recipe: http://www.cherylmariecordeiro.com/blog/?p=482)

"Beautiful Day" by Kurt Nilsen

It's a beautiful Day!

How I marvel at the beauty of God's creation
The changing colors of the autumn leaves
The sun smiling so brightly
and of course the fact that
Module 1 is over in Umea
Ha..and no more exams!
Oh, isn't it a beautiful day?

If you can spend your day in a beautiful way
why not pursue it that way
I guess life is about how we perceive it
Because "the most beautiful things in life
cannot be seen or touched...
U have to feel deep within in your heart! "
Ahh..how these words were beautifully written
by a women whom I never met
yet quietly I admire
Helen Keller is her name

So is the day..so beautiful
in its own unique way
I can feel it
the powerful aura
No,I cannot touch it
Nor can I hold it, embrace it
But I can sense it, smell it
I just know that
It's a Beautiful Day!

This day inspire me to share with you one of my favourite song by the World Idol,Kurt Nielsen's "Beautiful Day". Hope your day is beautiful too.Cheers.^^)