inside my head on the last day of the year!

Today is the last day of the year 2008.
I find it very strange, this year has flown by extremely fast and new year is here already and I can not wait for new opportunities and hope for my work to become better and I feel better about myself.

these passed few days I've been getting into very interesting conversations with people inside and outside my family.
Mostly regarding the situation here in Iceland and my views on how we can start to work out of it, my views on EU and if Iceland should join or not and also what the society needs to start thinking if we want to move out of this crisis sooner rather then later.
It's been extremely interesting to learn what other people think, if they think the way I do or if I'm completely out there in my thoughts.

So just to share few thoughts of my own.
I personally do not think Iceland should jump into EU without really making sure we dont loose ourself as a nation in the process.
The thing is, when countries enter EU they are bound with the rest of the member countries in everything and is that something we, as this strong independant nation, are willing to risk?
We would also loose a lot of our agricultural area since Icelandic agriculture is not strong enough to compete with the low tarrifs that are required and low prices EU countries can offer. And there are many many agricultural countries in EU that want bigger market to sell in.
Then it's the fish. although the bigger the market to sell in and better prices we would be gaining a lot of money.
But then again our fishing miles that we own as a country will be less since we would have to allow the member countries to come closer and into our turf to fish as well.
So my question is, is the money we get for the fish going to be bigger then the loss we would have by less fishing and smaller fishing area?
That would have to happen and I'm not so sure that it would since we dont sell 100% to the EU countries but also outside.

these are just few of my questions and doubts that I would like answers to before I'm willing to say YES for EU.

My next thoughts are around the way of thinking of the Icelandic nation, and then of course myself included.
We are a hunting nation, we only think one day at a time. there is NO longterm planning, not longterm strategies to make sure our resourses dont leave us like it did when everything fell down in October.
If we are going to pick us up out of this crisis then we need to start thinking longterm, we need to think about sustainability and not only in energy but in society and fincances.
But the thinking about picking Iceland into the same level as we have been then we need to start making sure people think long term and gread is dimished.
Icelandic people are gready. We want everything and more and we want it now.
when young university educated, resent graduate is getting out on the job market they want higher salaries then is normal and all these "benefits" that havent been normally there.
If we are going to run fast this hast to stop.

So enough of my thoughts even though these are just few of them.
so when the year is ending things like these are running through my head and I wonder how can I make sure we dont run to fast, both in the directon of EU as well as we stop run for easy money without earning for them.
So I welcome the new year and I hope to find my way to contribute, find my place in the society.
Until I know where that is and how I shall make my country a better place I will go now and start celebrating the past and prepare for the future ;)

- with love-

Time for thoughts..

Dear friends and family who read this thing..
Have a happy holidays and enjoy this time with the people you love.

so now I have been home for more then a week already and its been amazing.
I sometimes sit, look at my family and friends, and I feel so blessed that I managed to get home to spend this family holiday in Iceland with the people that mean the most to me.
I feel time flies way to fast, it's too soon until I have to board a plane and fly of to London and then to Paris.

When I flew back home I had this strange feeling of releaf, I am finally back to place where I feel good about me, no AIESEC and more then ever, no logical problems and problems with few people.
I have been not doing so great my few weeks in Paris, why I dont think I will share here.

So what I will be doing after new years is think through my role, my wishes, what I want to be doing, how can I become happy and where can I do the most good for my country, my family and is that by being in the role I'm in now.
So my thoughts will be, should I continue being the WENA ER Coordinator when the new year is here?

I will take the time off between Christmas and New Years to be with family and meet people I havent seen in a long time.
Then new year will be my thinking time :)

-with love-

Where are you Christmas?

2 days to Christmas and somehow I'm feeling tired.

But I have already gotten myself at home, here at home ;), I have started baking and I really enjoy it. It brings christmas smell into the house.
I have also bought the presents I will give to family and friends and I have decorated the christmas tree.
Tomorrow is the day before Christmas and we in my family have a tradition to go to the center of my city and enjoy the christmas spirit that people are sharing.
then it's christmas.. Christmas eve and I can not wait.

so now I just want christmas to arrive.

-with love-

constant learnings, big and small

It's strange how you just accept few things like they are, how they have been and asume they will be the same until discussed and then you accept the changes.

But it's hard to take the changes when they haven't been discussed. It can be very hard when the changes crawl up on you when you are not expecting.

My lesson today is do not assume anything.

I've been having very interesting conversations lately with random people here and there and it has made me realize many things about me and my future, what I want to do, where I want to contribute and how I can actually contribute since i want to be in Iceland.
There is a lot of things to change, to make better and build from scratch.

So now I need to learn not to asume anything, even though things have been one way for a long time.
And I have to start thinking about what makes me happy, how I can be smiling and enjoying my time.
I can not waist more time, more feelings, more tears..
- with love-

My journey Home :)

I'm currently sitting at the office, just finished talking to my parents and now I have this butterfly feeling in my stomach.
I'm going home.

after 4 months out of my home, exploring other countries and cultures I'm finally heading back.
Back to a country that I have admired for so long but at the moment I have mixed feelings about.
I'm going home to my family and friends, people that make me smile and will make the christmas holiday worth the trip to Iceland.
I'm heading back home.

I have been waiting for this day for months now.
I do need this time to reajust, pick up my motivation and start thinking positively again.
I need my people, my culture, my christmas habits.

It's funny how some habits stick with you.
Since before I was 17 years old I have always made my own Christmas cards and set to my friends.
This year it had to be something different since I dont have the time nor the resources to make my own.
But I still can not imagine my christmas time without writing lovely messages to friends and send cards.
It's special for me.
This year will also be special for my friends, they will recieve piece of my new life - French Christmas cards :)

My travel home starts tomorrow morning.
I dont think I will sleep much, since I haven't been sleeping much these passed few nights as well.
I look forward to London, times with friends and sightseeing
And then being welcomed by my homecountry..
What a lovely start of Christmas :)

-with love-

2 kinds of experiences - good and not so good!

Living in Paris means you have to become cultural aware, knowing your art, poets, artists, singers and more things then I can possibly mention here.
People that know me know that I'm not very arty farty person, but I do like to enrichen my life with new things, old things in some cases, and learn new things.

This weekend I took the time to go and visit one of many museums here in Paris, Musée d'Orsay and what was most interesting for me was seeing all those famous names I have heard about and putting art with the name. ( some people need face to a name - I need art to a name :p )

There was an exibition about Picasso and the picture that inspired him in one of his series of pictures.
The artist that inspired Picasso is Manet and story of his picture was very interesting.
I completely understand why the picture was so inspiring for Picasso - But I on the other hand didn't really like Picasso pictures.
I know it's a sin to say - but I honestly didnt.

So now, I feel more enriched after seeing paintings after famous artists, reading about Pastel period in the art and even shopped in an art store.

But there was one thing that kind a shock me to the core when I was waiting for entering the museum..
I had to wait outside, in rain and cold and when we found out the reason I got angry and a little shocked.
It appeard that someone left their bagage unattended at the lobby of the museum.
For security reasons the bagage had to be checked for bomb.
But no danger, thank God.
So that was also an experience for me - an experience I didn't really want to have. :s

So I continue to have an interesting experience here in Paris.
-with love-

busy schedule but time to smile :)

Today is a special day.
It started to snow here in Paris.
I love it, it's cold and wet but it's snow - it's becoming more and more Christmasy here and I love it.

Tomorrow I have a very packed day.
Meeting with a bank,
meeting with The Econimist,
bus trip to Brussels.

So I'm doing some work now..
But please enjoy these pictures from November :)

http://www.picturetrail.com/missWENAer-4
http://www.picturetrail.com/missWENAer-5

-with love-

Expressing my Experiences :)

This has been a very good weekend.
No thoughts left in my head, not many things that I want to share here.
So I'm going to share some pictures from my travels.

When life becomes to much something

I'm back home in Paris after two weeks in Budapest and 1 day in Prague.
I was so releaved when I lended at Orly airport and I was so happy to take the airport shuttle to the train that should take me to paris.
So I waited and waited and waited a little more for the train to come and take me to Paris and for an hour it didn't show up.
People started piling up, getting frustrated and annoyed by waiting so long.

Then the train came.
OMG. People ran to the train and squeezed themselves in. The cabin was so ful that I almost had a complete stranger in my arms. :s
Ok. I can live with this, people of course wanted to get the train and get early to Paris.
But what I didn't like was the way people behaved during the train ride. People really bacame rude, selfish and in some cases angry.
When the train stopped and people had to go out, there was no other way the PUSH everyone out of your way, even if that ment to push them into someone else, hurting them or what not.
I was lucky that the stop before mine was the biggest stop, so when i had to leave the train with my luggage, I didnt have to push to much and hurt people.
So this was my welcome back to Paris.
Like I said.. Oh my God!

Last night I saw a movie called two lovers. It was an interesting movie, one that left alot of questions and thoughts in my head.
the movie is about a man how has two women in his life, one that wants to be there as a lover and the other who wants to be there as a friend.
I have come to realize that human nature is very screwed up when it comes to love, feelings and life's choices.
The guy fell in love with the one who wanted only to be his friend, a person he was not able to have in a way.
Isn't that what happens in real life?
people want the things/people they can not have and they dont rest until they either do have them or they collapse trying to become this individual they think would attract that person/thing.

On the other hand, he lead the other girl on,kept her as a safety net to be sure he would have someone.
But when the other girl showed interest he was quick to leave the safe choice and go for what he "truely wanted".
Is that also something we do?
We create our safety nets of people, environment and things to make sure we dont end up with nothing and we drop everything when the " right thing" comes along!

I dont know.
This was just some things that were left in my head when I walked out of the movie theater yesterday.

but as I left the teahter and walked on Champs-Élysées, the fashion street of Paris, I felt happy to be back.
Paris surely is a christmas city so we belong were well together.

So this will be the end of these thoughts.
-with love-

another city, another experience :)

I’m sitting at the bus station in Budapest, waiting for the bus to come and take me to Prague.
There is a huge christmas tree standing in front of me, with lights, blue orniments and small gifts hanging on waiting to be opened ( no, I dont think they are real but one can hope ;) )
In my ears christmas music is playing. This time it’s my choosing and not just random christmas songs played around the city. I made my playlist on my ipod with the point to get my into christmas mood.

2 weeks already in Budapest and I’m missing Paris.
Last night me and JuanCa watched the last episodes of Sex and the city and they two last ones happen in Paris.
I really felt this was my city, my home. It was strange but nice feeling. I have two homes in my heart, Iceland and Paris. How rich am I? 

Although Prague is a very nice city I can not wait to get back to Paris, back home.
I am ready to be in my environment and feel comfortable.
Two weeks is long time to be out of your home.

But there are 17 days until I get to Iceland, my other home. 17 days. This is proof that time flies fast, even if you are not having fun, you feel sad, you feel happy and excited. Time flies fast because you are living your life as well as you can and you take each situation as it comes, with no excuse. That’s why I’m going home in 17 days, because I try to smile to the world and take things as they come.

Now, there are is a whole new day and I’m still writing this blog. Currently I’m in Prague, one of my favorite cities I have travelled to.
The bus ride from Budapest to Prague took me 7 hours.. 7 hours and three countries later I am sitting in another room, with another persons cover and getting ready to sleep in a nother city that’s not my city.

So now, after my long long bus ride, metro ride without paying and walking to the flat I’m staying at, I keep laughing and enjoying my time. But I’m very much ready to get some sleep.
So that’s it folks, good night sleep tight.

P.s. happy birthday to all those dear people in my life that have their birthday on December 2nd and 3rd 

- with love -

How old are you anyway?

This post was written last night!!

What is wrong with me?
I’m twenty five years old, I’m currently living in Paris and I travel all over Europe, I have great friends but still I prefer to stay at home, reading, watching DVD or sleep when I should be out there, partying and enjoying my youth.

Today is Friday, people all over are meeting, drinking, dancing and partying.
What do I do?
I stay at home and watch sex and the city.
Dont get me wrong – I’m learning a lot from those TV shows, something that I think was about time for me to learn. ;)
But I can not stop thinking about why I prefer to take it easy then go out and go crazy.

Tomorrow will be Saturday ( duh ) and I have promised myself and JuanCa that we will go out. We can not stay inside for the whole weekend, no matter how nice it is to sit with your cover and watch great TV shows and now have to really put yourself out there, meeting new people and having some real fun.

As I sit and write this, I want to go out.. I just dont have the energy to stand up, get dresses ( yes I’m in my pajamas ) and find a cool place to hang out. Maybe because I dont know this place, dont know the people and it would take more efford from my side then usually back home in Iceland. Same with Paris, I dont know the places, I do know the people though.
The thing is, with right people and the right atmosphere set early I’m all up for having fun, going out, meeting new people and all that s**t.
But when I have already gotten home, into my pajamas there is not much that can attract me out of them to my party clothes and get me to wear my shoes and walk out the door.
Why?

Well, I will have to see if I honor the promise I made to myself tonight.
I will of course do my best,
But I know myself, I know how much I love to relax and unwind, watching a great DVD and then go to sleep.
Am I getting older then I actually am? Am I an old soul that just doesn’t have the energy to do young stuff anymore?
We’ll see tomorrow :p

- with love and affection -

life and randomness

I'm sitting at the the AIESEC Office for Central and Eastern Europe and my mind is going everywhere it shouldn't be :)
Meaning, not in the mood to work.

I have been in Budapest for week now, I like it here and me and JuanCa are having fun ( at least I am ;) )
This time in Budapest has really been taking me out of my comfort zone in more than one way..
But I like it. I like to be challenged, being forced to face fears and being uncomfortable and not take things to seriously.

I have been watching "sex and the city" in Budapest and I have to admit I sometimes admire those women - they're so not afraid, they are daring and sexy but still vulnerable and sensitive.
Why can I not be like this?
Why can I not just take a chance and hope for the best - if not then HEY at least I tried..
Not only with men, but just in every aspect of my life!

But one step at a time right?
I'm still working on the "No excuses" one..
and it's going quite well... :) at least I'm smiling and enjoying my work.

I will be in Budapest for the weekend.. partying like Crazy in the second Porn capital in the world ( what ever that means ) and then be heading to Prague next monday.!!
Life's good.
- with love -

My loved ones.. my family :)

When I have hard times, tough times and disappointing times I always look to my family for support and happiness.
These passed few weeks I have come to understand how big value my family is in my life.. I always knew they were important to me.. but now I see, Family is one of my core values.

I dont think I would have been such a strong individual without a strong family. :)
Thanks for everything..





This week has been all about getting my motivation back, getting great news and feeling ready to start smiling again.
Budapest is surely a city I enjoy visiting.
It's one of the most Beautiful cities I have been to.

I went to Careers in Europe ( www.careersineurope.com )
and it really made me enjoy my role, my responsibility and I enjoyed getting to communicate AIESEC to companies that showed interest and passion.
I have been smiling for a 4 days now.. It feels so good :)

I keep thinking about what I wrote last week - I will not give any excuses.. No more.
If I dont get answers, I will go on anyway.
If people dissagree, I take their feedback and go on anyway.
If I get no results, I check why, smile and go on anyway.
I will not give excuses :)




- with love -

one more travel - start of something more?

Yesterday I was down..
But honestly.. these past days/weeks I have been down. I dont want to go to work, I dont feel like I'm getting anything out of this work. Like I used to.
Talking to Gunga, she mentioned that when I was selected.. I was so excited, so happy and so much looking forward to this great experience...
Well, it has been very different and not as great as I expected..
But life goes on right?

Yesterday I decided not to make excuses.. so today I started trying to enjoy the work.
So far, it's only up to 40% enjoyment. I would say..

But why did I wanted to share with you today?
Just the fact that I want to make this year a great year, at least with the people I'm working with.. I want to have great friends from this year.

Tomorrow I'm going to Budapest, for a Career in Europe Event.. Super excited.
I want to make this a start of more motivated time in my term.. Make sure I come back to Paris with a smile. :)

- Just a disclamer.. I love Paris and the people here.
I'm not demotivated around them :)

So I'm off.. another travel, another country and hopefully another great experience.

- with love -

Unhappy and wanting some more....

listen to music as reading the post!!








These days, I dont feel inspired..
Not to write my blog, not to do my work, not to go out and see paris - I feel like I have seen almost everything there is ( in a turist kind a must see )

Last weekend I went to Evry, a subburb of Paris for an AIESEC conference.
It was such a great time for me.
Reconnecting with new members who just joined AIESEC, they are getting the spirit and giving it back to me.
It made me realize that I'm not enjoying my time as much as I should be on Regional level. My passion is for "on the ground" work.. where actions actually happen. ;)

It's not that I dont like my role.. I just dont LOVE it.
Mainly because of how unclear things have been, it's demotivating and I dont like it.
I knew that when I took on this role of WENA ER coordinator, things were not so clear, I would work alone a lot and be part of a virtual team.
But never in a long time would I have taken this role - or any role - knowing that I might not know where to stay in 14 days time, not getting any answers for my questions, having money problems and no answers ( that's not only due to the Role ).

But I'm finished complaining..
I'm not going to give more excuses.. people have managed to live one year in a role they dont really enjoy - I just have to deliver on my measurables, make some money for the Region and then look at the next steps.
I am looking forward to that.

Tomorrow will be a new day with new thoughts, new opportunties to make things happen.
And I will keep on thinking on my deliverables
and my next steps.
I look forward to a Christmas holiday :)
- with love -

more pictures

Pictures give me pleasure.. I love taking them, I love looking at them and remembering good times, great times, good friends and great friends.

I also love to share with others what I have done, where I have been and how great my life is.

I finished uploading the october pictures for my family and friends..
you can find them here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswenaer-4

Enjoy as much as I do :)

my adventures in pictures

Today I started to upload pictures from my October adventures.

you can find the first part here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswenaer-3

More to come, hopefully today :)

Proud of my friends!!

these passed days good news have been on my way.

- I'm staying in Paris until December but then I fly off to Iceland again :)
- I'm going to Budapest for Careers in Europe fair with JuanCa, see here
- I'm going to Prague for the CEE External Relations Summit with JuanCa ( man he's going to be tired of me ;)
- One of my dearest friends got accepted for NYU with a scholarship. I'm so proud of you Ali :)

I know that I'm living a great life but the best thing is my friends and my family.
So When good things are happening to them, I feel so good.

I do not want to write to much here.. I'm not feeling inspired.
So many things to do, conference starts tomorrow, people at the office...
And I'm writing my blog ;)
I sure got my priority straigth!

- with Love -

when the heavens are crying

The other day I had a dream about my grandfather, but he passed away last July.
He looked so happy with constant smile on his face, enjoying his time with the family ( in the dream ) and I remember how peaceful I felt when I woke up.

Today is the day when you honor the people that have passed away, those people that ment the world to you and you cherish every moment you had with when they were alive.

I knew about this day but I didn't connect it with my dreams of my grandfather.
Now I see that this was my way to connect, to honor, to remember.
Share my dream with him, laugh together, smile together and share random jokes like old times.

When I was told about this day, honor those who have passed away, I didn't really understand why.
But as the day comes closer and I reconnect with my grandfather, I understand completely. I understand that it's about honoring the life of that person, honoring their impact they had on you and to strengthen your ties with that person.
This day makes so much sense to me now.

I know my grandfather is happy with how strong I am, the life I'm living and the way I treat and respect people around me.
But I also know that he's happy knowing that I remember, honor and respect him.

When I was walking to the office today it rained heavily and a sentance came to my mind in Icelandic... Himnarnir Gráta ( the heavens are weaping ) and the reason again is the concept of today.
We feel sad when people leave us, that we will not have more time, moments, jokes and laughter with that individual.
It's not the fact that it's raining that I connect with the concept.. but it's the feeling I get when it's stopped raining. That feeling is of new beginning.. fresh breath and green grass..
That is what I connect with today.
Knowing that life is not forever.. make every moment a fresh breath of air in your life so that you enjoy your path you're taking.



I'm smiling as I write this.. knowing that this post is a little chaotic, little unclear and little strange.
But it makes complete sense to me.
- with love -

New day and new discoveries

Like I said in my previous blog, some lyrics just hit home, depends on how you are feeling and what you are going through at each time.
Yesterday, the beatles song - Let it be - made me realize few things about me and my behaviour.
But yesterday i also heard a song that I haven't heard for a long time, and it's completely in my head.
And yet again, the lyrics are something that make me stop and think.



"A broken heart cant be that bad
When it's through, it's through
Fate will twist the both of you
so come on, baby, come on over
Let me be the one to show you

I'm the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it too

Build up your confidence
so you can be on top for once

Why be alone when we can be together baby?
You can make my life worth while
I can make you start to smile"

I extremely like this song, its cool, it's hip and those lines that I have written up here.. I really connect with them in one way or another.

My day today was good.
Came to the office and drowned myself in work. Then I planned my social calander for the week.
It looks good!
Lets hope I'll enjoy the last days in Paris :)

-with love-

Keep on learning new things!

Here you can find my pictures from September

http://www.picturetrail.com/misswenaer-3

There comes a time when you feel sad and low. But it’s up to you to pick yourself up again and make the most our of your experience.

This weekend has been like this for me.

Like I said in the previous post, its friends and family that support me and guide me to the right way, that matter the most.

And I do have these people in my life :)

I had an AHA moment today.

As i was walking in the metro station, I was listening to a beatles song - Let it be – but actually performed by Brooke White. Amazing perfomance.

And the lyrics hit home with me.

“And all the broken hearten people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.”

The lyrics may not be very meaningful for others, but I believe that in times of your life, some lyrics just mean more then they did before.

And then, when I came to the office I opened a blog of my friend, Dey

And one thing was so interesting in what he was saying.

Why do we follow stupid rules of mating?
Who decides what’s wrong and what’s right?
Why can I not express my feelings with the individual without having the fear of not behaving in the right way?
Why do I care about this?

It’s interesting to find out what you can actually learn from you friends.
I’m enjoying the fact that I have people around me that I learn from and hopefully they learn from me as well.

So today was an AHA day, in more then one way.

- with love -

Dont let the sun go down !

Even though I’m enjoying my time in Paris, tryin to be strong though unsertanty is waiting for me, I do have times when I just break down and I give up.

I just want to give up.

I know I’m strong, stronger then most people give me credit for.
But when things keep on being bad, keep on rattling my cage, keep on changing, I do have a limit before i just burst.

This morning, things went over the limit.

I gave up – wanted to go back home.

So I sat down, with tears in my eyes, and tried to have energy to work. Somehow I couldn’t find it.

My energy was gone, along with the motivation to work.

I know one of my weaknesses is that i complain and make myself a victim.
So I do my best not to make this shine through, since I want to work on my weaknesses and enhance my strengths.
But sometimes people dont know you are feeling bad, sad, low, down or upset unless you show it.

This morning I decided to show a little, to the world, that I was not 100% today, I am feeling low.

One of my dearest friends asked me what was wrong so I told her.
I told her my frustrations, my lack of motivation and my reasons for feeling low.
I’m very glad that I did.

She told me” look Thordis, You can not give up. You are one of the strongest individual I know. Good things will happen to you. Just keep on fighting”

This girl is one of the friends I admire the most, and I dont want to let her down.These few words made me realize that yes, maybe I do have a bad day today. But I do live a great life, I do have the best friends and I do have people around me that support me when I’m feeling low.
It made me realize that I dont want to give up. I do want to make this the best experience of my life, and even if it comes with big challenges, I’m not going to give up.

I’m strong!

So now I’m going to smile through this “crisis” and hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

- with love -

Short and sweet

I'm leaving Denmark .
I have mixed feelings about it.

Meeting my friends made me realize how much I'm missing while being in AIESEC.
But it also made me realize how amazing my life actually is.

So now, I'm taking the plane to Paris
and there I will do my best to life the experience until December.
Then I go back HOME!!

I cant wait!

Is heaven something you make everyday?

Some days are better then others.
Usually, Wednesdays are my worst days of the week but today I have been in a good mood, working hard and super excited.
Tomorrow I'm leaving to Denmark, I will meet my friends again after more then 2 months. :)

Its so interesting, I'm sitting at the office and having random songs playing.
But as I start to write this post a song by Lenny Kravitz, Believe, starts playing.
And the lyrics is a appropriate - If you want it you got it. You have to believe, believe in your self.

That's something I'm learning more and more.
Having a smile, knowing how strong you are, believe in your power, your passion, your knowledge gets you far.
People respect those who respect themselves, those who believe in themselves, those who know what their worth.
I admire those people.
I am one of those people.

I'm leaving you now to prepare my journey to Denmark.
A journey full of exciting new adventures, old friends (old but great ) and learning to believe more in myself.
I wish you the same
- with love -

Free Hugs - Free smiles :)

it's strange, I have lived in Paris for just a month now and when I was coming home from my travels I felt I was coming "home". I am surprised how short time it took to look at Paris as my home. I think it's because I like it here and I want to make this my home.

My travels made me realize how much I love to be in different cities, meeting new people and being random in my actions ( random in a good way ).
I started my travels by going to Bratislava to meet Janie. She took the time to show me around and I enjoyed it so much. I liked Bratislava and it's surroundings. I learnt a lot about the history from this region and how things are different then you actually thought they had been.

After my stay in Bratislava I went to Piestany - a smaller town in Slovakia where EuroCo 2008 was held.
This town is very cute, at least the small part I saw of the city.
I walked around, eating Ice Cream and really loving my life.

After 6 days in that lovely little town I went back to Bratislava but my stay there would not be so long since I decided to take a bus to Budapest, Hungary.
I staied there for 1 day, doing sightseeing with people that I really dont know that much. But it was so much fun, and I feel like I'm stepping outside my comfort zone by interacting with people in higher level then just "hi how are you face".
Thanks Anula for hosting me in your lovely city :)

After Budapest my travels took my to Vienna, Austria.
That city impressed me so much. I had the best time there and I only staied there for 3 hours.
My and Vishal, MCP of AIESEC Belgium were there for short sight seeing and we found a group of people giving Free hugs to people walking by.
It was so interesting since I just saw a short movie at EuroCo about Free Hugs and how they can make people smile.
So me and Vishal got a free Hug and then we decided to participate as well, so we created our own "FREE HUGS" sign.
I have to admit that giving hugs to random strangers would not be something I had done few years back. But now, I feel I'm becoming a stronger individual that wants to spread smiles amongst the people around me.

So now I'm back in Paris, my home.
Thinking back at this travel, this experience with a smile.
And I'm so happy with my life, my friends and the people interacting with me on daily basis.
I'm so happy!´
-with love-

when you feel sad and blue

It's so sad when you feel like you are so small and that what you want/who you want is just not there for you to hold on to.
Its so sad to feel like you are just the "friend", just the one who stands in the corner, the one who knows everyone on superficial level but no one really tries to understand and appriciate.
It's so sad that people look at appearances, that people have steriotypes, that people have very strict messures of what beauty actually is.
It's so sad that when you want to fit in, people and circumstances wont let you.
It's so sad that in order to feel appriciated you can not expect more then being just this random person who is a platonic friend but everyone talks to but not really TALKS to.
It's so sad to know that this happen to different people every day, even when they should be in a group of people that they can trust, respect and value their thoughts.
Sometimes that's just on the surface, when you dig deeper you realize that these nice words, these nice moments weren't really real! you just asumed they were because you believe your actions towards them are real.
this is so sad to know.

ON the other hand...
it's so nice to know that there are people that appriciate what you do, what you have to add to the conversations and they listen with attention and really mean it.
It's nice to know that people you work with, people you have high expectations of really come through in the end.
It's nice to know that even though you feel bad because of things mentioned above, peope will make you smile.
Maybe it's not the people you wanted to make you smile. But those who do make you smile, make you forget that you feel sad, you really need to show them appriciation.
Otherwise you are the reason why they are sad as well.

Just some random thoughts coming to my mind in Slovakia.
my mind functions in various ways... this is just one of them.

wondering about life and love

It's strange how few small things can influence you and how you feel more then expected.

there is one aspect in my life that just seem to never want to work out. Maybe i'm not open enough for that to happen? Maybe I am scared of being hurt or being the one that hurt others?
So I question this thing - Love life - What the hell is that, and how should I make that work?

I know this is silly things to be thinking when I'm sitting in a 3 and a half star hotel in Slovakia with around 200 people from all Europe and Canada coming together to enhance their leadership skills and be prepared for their term ahead.
But still this comes to mind.

but my stay here in Slovakia has not been only about reflecting on this word.
It's also been about delivering on my promises, involving externals to AIESEC and showing them how benefitial it is to work with AIESECers.
I promised something.
Now it's up to me to walk the talk.
I look forward to it.
It's starting tonight. Tonight I feel like my work is about to take new turn, new twist to the better. More excitment, more challenging, more rewarding.
I'm seeing the first results of my work.
How cool is that?

So far I feel good. I feel ready.
- with Love -

It's the end of the month - Again :)

Today is the last day of September and I wonder where time goes?
It feels like only 2 weeks since I left Iceland, saying goodbye to my parents ( again - it doesn't get easier the often you do it ).

Tomorrow is the first day of October, month that somehow I feel like I have never liked so much, it's a rainy month, gray and lifeless - somehow.
I know it's not true but when I think about this month, these feelings come up.

Somehow I look at this October differently.
I see joy, I see colors ( still a little grayish but colors nevertheless) and I see people, friends and AIESECers.
This October I'm going to Slovakia for the first time - YEAH. I will be going to a conference, EuroCo and meeting coworkers, friends and the leaders on local levels in Europe.
But I will also meet a dear friend - Janie - again after a long time.
Thats special and I can not wait to meet her. :)

In October I'm also going to Denmark. The main reason is to meet my best friends there, go to concert and do some work as well.

In the end of October I'm going to a conference here in Paris on the topic of CSR, something that I'm very interested in.

So October is not looking so lifeless anymore. I'm actually happy to embrace this month with open arms and gladly take on the moments he has to offer ( he - the month ;) )

And to share with you this joy, I want to give you the link to the last pictures of my travels to Brazil.
Enjoy as much as I did :)
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswenaer-2

- with love -

quick update :P

Have put the first part of the Brazil pictures online.

Please find them here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswenaer-1

- with love -

Valuable experiences

Antoher week has started here in Paris. Another week ful of adventures and joy, hard work and challenges.

I'm experiences more, I'm enjoying being in Paris and I love to be a turist in a city I'm living in, to explore and embrace the culture, the arcitechture, the passion of the people.
since last week I tried to become "French".
I decided, since I'm only here for limited amount of time, lets make the most out of it.
So I had my hair cut, I bought new shoes and I'm feeling more me! Free and happy, smiling more and being happy.

The weekend was packed with agenda...
Friday evening the girls in the MC and I were planning to go to this goodbye party of some Intern here in Paris.
So we got all dressed up and left. Unfortunatly no one showed up so we started our own little party.
The music did not encourage my dancing mood so I left a little earlier then the girls.

Saturday was a good day, I read my book and then I decided to go to Versailles to see the Palace where history was made in France.
The Palace is HUGE, and so amazingly beautiful.
I saw rooms where Louis XIII and XIV lived, where Queens had their babies in public so people could be sure that the baby was truely royalty.
One thing that was also very interesting in the Palace was a sculpture show that artist called Jeff Kunzt was displaying in all the most important rooms.
They were creative but in complete abstract to the environment they were in.
It was cool to see that people are willing to live a humourus lives.

After the Palace sightseeing It was the plan to go to another Party. So we dressed up again and went out, this time to actually find the people.
It was very nice, met old friends and gained new friends.

Sunday was a peaceful day.
I woke up ( sore in the feet after walking so much ) and I slowly got into the action of the day.
Cleaned the kitchen and cleaned my place where I sleep was satisfing and needed.
Then I went to a place in Paris called Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, "Basilica of the Sacred Heart" where I sat down in the church stairs and read my book, listened to live music and enjoyed the great weather that Paris had that day.
I fell in love with this place, it's peaceful yet so crowed.
So I am very happy today, after experiencing things in Paris that I enjoyed so much.

- with love -

Parisian experience

Tomorrow I have been in Paris for 2 weeks already. It just feels like 2 days.

I haven't been much around the city, I haven't been doing much outside AIESEC and I havent meet many people that are not AIESECers. Despite those facts, I'm having the time of my life here.
How can I not?
I'm living in Paris :)

This morning, on my way to the office, I started thinking about my perceptions of Paris.
- it's crowded city
- some places smell like Pee
- there are more homeless people here then I have seen in other cities
- it's so alive 24/7, people are everywhere
- so far it's only rained once ( and then it really rained )
- Random men talking to you on the street "Belle" "Bonjour" "Ca Va" etc.
- When it's sunny outside the city is so pretty
- People read all the time, I really enjoy that
- wine culture is big
- sitting at cafés all hours is generally accepted by the French people
- good coffee
- good bakary food
- beautiful language

So far this is what I'm thinking of Paris.
My first 2 weeks are just the way you would like your first 2 weeks in a new country to be like.
I'm ready for the next 2 weeks :)

- With Love -

open eyes - hard task

So it's sunday and I'm trying to hold on to the last energy drop that I have.
I'm still at the MC office in AIESEC France... this weekend has been hard work and challenging me in all the ways possible, so I'm sitting at my desk and think things through.

This weekend I have been, and still am, the chair of the LCP meeting of AIESEC France. It's so much fun, it's an new experience and I have been challenged in ways that I wasn't aware of and tackled it very well in my opinion.

I will share more about this amazing experience later. Just wanted to share that I'm doing good, I'm enjoying my stay here in Paris and I still miss people and places in Iceland, so I'm planning to go there during christmas :)

Au revoir
with love

I got Tagged!! ( Klukk )

OK, I was reading my friend, Maggie's, blog and I found out I have been tagged, like I want to call it in english - Klukk in icelandic :P

So I can not be a smaller person then others so I will hereby answer those things,

4 jobs:
- WENA External Relations Coordinator: working forAIESEC in Western Europe and North America to involve companies and the corporate world in the organization. Based in Paris. :)
- MCP of AIESEC in Iceland: President of AIESEC in Iceland, working on team management, finances, legal issues, and running the whole organization in Iceland. Loved it :)
- Back office in VBS Investment Bank: working with loans, savings, investments and money for other people
- Back office in Icebank: Stocks and Bonds invoicing, customer servicing and more.

4 Movies:
- The Rock: One of my alltime favorite movies
- 300: good violence and sexy guys
- Mamma mia: love the music
- Blade 1,2,3: Love Westley Snipes

4 places I have lived at:
- Selfoss ( 6-17 years old)
- Opio, south France ( 20 years Old )
- Blönduós ( 20 years old )
- Hafnarfjörður ( 21 - current )

4 TV shows:
- CSI
- Friends
- Numbers
- Monk

4 places for holidays: ( what holidays ;) )
- Brazil
- Iceland
- Greece
- Morocco

4 websites:
- myaiesec.net
- leikjanet.is
- google.com
- wikipedia.org

4 food things:
- Chicken
- Lamb in curry
- Ice Cream
- Pop corn

4 places I want to be RIGHT now
- with my family in Iceland
- lying on the beach in Rio, Brazil
- Learning french in Paris, France
- meeting my friends in Denmark

4 people to be tagged:
- Anna
- Vera Dögg
- Freyja
- Helga

Hope you enjoyed this :)
-with love-

Belonging to the place

I'm seeing it more and more how proud I am for being Icelandic.

Yesterday evening I went to the movies again, this time to see an Icelandic movie with French subtitles.
It was so cool to what the movie, understanding the words, knowing the sceenary, and seeing all those people attending an ICELANDIC movie.
I enjoyed it very much.

I have already seen Mýrin before ( Jar City in english ) and I like it very much.

Paris is growing on me.. I like the environment and the attitude of people. Everyone reads a lot, everyone dresses nicely and people try to support you as much as they can.
Yesterday after my movie, I took the metro home, listening to music and just watching the people.
I felt like a Parisian. I felt like I belonged there.
That is so cool experience.

So I hope this feeling of belonging will not disapear, fly away and leave me.
Because I like it here.
-with love-

Paris, Pope and movies

this will be the last part of the Brazil story because now I'm in Paris and my life here is something to share with you all.

My travel to the airport took 60 min boat ride with a speed boat, 4 hours waiting at the bus station in Angra des Rais, 7 hours bus ride ( along with car sicknes ) from Angra to Sao Paulo and then 14 hours waiting at the airport in Sao Paulo. I just didn't want to miss my flight out of the country.
Not that I didnt like Brazil - I was just ready to get back.

My travels were very interesting, police man going through my stuff, arriving late in Portugal and running to the next gate, not having my luggage in London and waiting for 4 hours on Heathrow, my trainticket to paris was not bought so I needed to buy one and therefore loosing the train I wanted to take.
VERY NICE!

So I arrived in Paris last Wednesday and so far I like it a lot.

- The weather has been good
- the MC team is super nice
- I finally got my jetlag out
- I went to listen to the POPE
- I walked all over Paris
- I've been to the movies
and many more :)

I'm trying to practice my french as well, it's going ok. I'm remembering many things so far so that's good for me :)

Tonight I'm going to the movies again - I wanted to see Jar City ( Mýrin ) with French subtitles - and it's also just 3,5 EUR :)

-with love-

upload complete - Transition pictures :=)

Hey everyone :P

here you can find some interesting pictures since my transition time in Rotterdam!!

http://www.picturetrail.com/missMCP-5

-with love-

Riding boats all the time :P

My stay at the paradise island went by way to fast.
Day one:
- I took a boat ride at 10 in the morning to their BLUE LAGOON. I had to go and see if it was nicer then one in Iceland or not hehe. The boat ride was like an hour and half in this amazing weather.
When we got to the blue lagoon people had the chance to snorkle and look at the fish life and enjoy the cold water.
It was my first time snorkling and I enjoyed it so much, so cool to be swimming with the fishes ( not in a Mafia kind a way ) and just enjoying the great weather and the people.

After the snorkling in blue lagoon we took the boat to this beautiful beach where we stayed sunbathing for 50 min ( the time schedule was very strickt ;) )
The next stop was another beach where you could by food for a lot of money. Shit... I decided not to eat. Looking at the prices, all of a sudden I wasn't hungry anymore ;)

So then the boat ride was over, I came back to the "capital" of the Island, took a shower and got ready to leave for a barbeque in the hostel I was originally supposed to stay at.
After this amazing day I found out that I got sunburnt on my back and it hurt like HELL.
So that night I couldn't sleep well. :s

Day two:
- was not so sunny day so I stayed in the hostel to begin with and did some work, my back was also still hurting so it was good to take some time of from the sun. :S
After my work I went for a walk and saw a little more of that beautiful island.
The day was very nice, I did a lot of reading and just relaxing.

Day three:
- I took another boat ride ( you have to travel by boat to get to other places of the island ) to Lopes Mendes. Its a beach where no one lives. and it's so beautiful.
I stayed there for 5 hours and only slept, read and went swimming in the sea.
On my way back to the harbor I heard Icelandic language being spoken but I didn't want to bother the people. It was just very cool.
When I got back to the hostel it was already getting a little dark, so what I did was to arrange my luggage because I was leaving the next morning.
Then I went for a night walk and saw young kids playing Brazilian marshall arts, it was SO cute.
Then I got back and had an early night.

so this was my stay in Ilha Grande :)
more to come soon.

Difficult journey

So day four was a travelling day.
My day started with me going to the beach and enjoy my final moments on Cobacabana beach. I love that place.

After lunch I took a taxi to the Rio bus station. My plan was to take a 2 hour ride to Angra De Rais, a small harbor town between Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo. From there I took a ferry, a very interesting old boat, to a small island called Ilha Grande. Its the paradise Island that took 2 hours to get to by the ferry.
I arrived there at 9 PM, tired, hungry and needed to pee. Not so good situation.

So I take my HUGE luggage to go to the Hostel I was supposed to stay at. It was so hard since the Island doesnt have roads, no cars ( exept for police, firetruck and ambulance ), and only way to get to the hostel was to walk over the beach. SHIT.. I had to drag my luggage for 20 min. and it was SO difficult.

So when I got to the hostel, the lady told me there was no free space. I'm like WHAT!!
I had a reservation, I had already paid part of the amount and I had dragged the suitcase all this way!!
So the lady found me another place to stay at, she asked her son ( or some young dude ) to take my luggage to the new hostel and I got refunded the money had already paid.
I was so ANGRY.

So I came to this other hostel, got my room and then went to eat. Had to get my mind of this frustration.
Then I turned back to the hostel to sleep.
So nice.
-with love-

Seven hours in a tour :)

So it's been a while since I posted something here but it's been for good reasons. But here is further info on my holidays in Brazil.

Day 3 in Rio was very good.
I started the day with taking a 5 hour tour around the most important things in Rio. I went to Pedra Bonita, that has great view over Rio and it's coast lines.
Then the we went to a national park of Tijuca just to see the nature and how beautiful it is.
Next step in the tour was to go to see the Christ statue - or the "Big Dude" as it was called in the tour guide ;)
Oh man, seeing that statue was AMAZING. It's so HUGE, so elegant and so powerful. I spent an hour there and I only looked at the statue and then the stunning view over Rio De Janeiro that the statue has every day and enjoyied the lovely weather that we had that day.

I actually found out something very interesting at the Christ statue. It as a small chapel inside where people are invited to pray and/or even get married there. ( that would be very expensive but possible )
I went in there, sat for a while and just embraced the peace and power that I felt from that statue.
I highly recommend to everyone that are on their way to Brazil - GO TO RIO :)

Last step in the tour was to visit this neighbourhood in Rio called Santa Tereza. It is supposed to be very old, nice town. So we sat down there and had lunch.
I got Black beans, rice and pork ( typical Brazilian dish ) and I have to admit it was better then it looked like ;)
When I finally got back to the hostel it was already 17:00, so it ment I spent 7 hours on a tour... not so shabby :P

In the evening I went for dinner, read a book and prepared some work I had to do. YEAH..
Then I went early to sleep because I had to wake up early the next morning.
So that's day 3 in Rio... I loved it!!

- with love -

Day 2 in Rio :)

ok. Day 2 in Rio was like this ;)



I woke up to get great coffee and bread. Then I went to the beach to enjoy some sun since the day was much better then before.



I spent good time there sunbathing, then I went for lunch and had a very expensive sandwitch.

After lunch me and Tomas went to a Favella tour under the name "be a local". I had to ride a motorcycle up to the place because that is faster.
So what is a Favella?
Its a neigbourhood of poor people where they have made their homes in order to have a place to stay. Favellas are supposed to be dangerous place to live, under gang laws and people dont have honest jobs.
OK... most of this above is not true. Favella is a place for people to live that can not afford to live in the cities. And it can be dangerous but only if you do not follow the "laws".
people do have honest jobs, mostly in Rio. And they are trying hard to provide for their babies.
In Favellas, girls as young as 12 years old are starting to have their own families. Thats why the favellas are growing in a fast paste in Brazil.
Favella tour was very interesting for me to see that peoples lifes are not the same even though the live in the same city. People really do have to struggle.

The tour took around 3 hours and when we got back to the hostel we sat down to watch some TV with other hostel guests.

In the evening there were more AIESECers in the hostel from AIESEC Colombia.
They were really cool so I spent the evening playing UNO with them in spanish ( note to you - I dont speak spanish )
That was a very interesting experience hehe.

But I did go early to sleep because I had booked another tour in the morning and I wanted to be Fresh for that one.
COOL ah?
-with love-

Living on a paradise Island

its 22.23 and Im sitting outside, Im tired and I want to go to sleep.

Im currently on a small island called Ilha Grande and its a paradise island between Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo. I can not say at this point if its beautiful or not since its been dark the whole time here.

My holidays have been super cool.
I arrived early sunday to Rio De Janeiro and took a taxi to the hostel, called walk on the beach in Cobacabana. So cool.
I checked in and went to sleep since I didnt sleep well in the bus to Rio.

When I woke up I decided I couldnt waste more time so I ran to the beach..even though it was not sunny outside, and I staid there for 2 hours.
Then I got back and did more sleep until Tomas came back from a soccer game.
Then we went out for dinner with English couple to a restaurant called Bagdad. The food was good and it was a nice experience.
After this exotic food Tomas invited us for a shisha. So we sat there for few minutes smoking Cappochino Sisha. Very nice.
Then i went back to sleep :)

I have lots more to say what I have been doing in Rio but I just wanted to let you know I was still alive.
Now Im planning on getting some sleep. Its been a long travelling day.

-with love from Ilha Grande, Brazil -

end of the conference

This is the last day of the conference.
I'm tired and I have to admit I'm ready to leave. Somehow I just want to get back to Europe.

Tonight I'm going to Rio de Janeiro with bunch of people. I'm looking forward to that. I really want to see the statue of Christ there and then be on the beach and just relax and not do anything.

My flight back to Europe is on 8th September, I'll be flying to Portugal and then to London. So my arrival time in London is on 9th September. What a long trip.
But that's life of an AIESECer I guess.

this conference has given my a different insight into the organization, so I guess that the saying is true " you live, you learn".
Some has been great, some has been frustrating and some has been just painful.
But overall feelings of this conference is great. I enjoy my work and I enjoy the company of my team.
We are really a cool one !!
-with love-

F**king Freezing

I am now sitting in the AI office, Again, and this time I'm Freezing.
The AC is on and it seems like they are trying to get the whole delgetations at the conference sick in one way or another.. and they are doing a great job.

I'm feeling not so great and therefore I'm having a hard time focus on my work, and believe you me - I can not afford that during this conference.

There are only 2 and half day left at the conference but what I will do next is a little unclear. I might go to Rio for few days and then end up in Sao Paulo. I think that will be something that I want.
I want to see the statue of Christ in Rio, stay at Cobacabana beach and enjoy my holidays.

So I will keep you updated.
- with love -

killing myself partying

Oh man.
Another Crazy night of partying. This time with part of the GN board family. I staied up until 04:00 and woke up at 07:30 to attend my first meeting of the day.

The day was good. I had two company meetings, one with DHL and one with PwC. I got great insight into some possibilities I can work on over the year. So that's great.
I also met up with Mieke and Lyuba from AIESEC in Iceland, they attended my DHL meeting to enhance their learning and then I gave them some insight into my experience with AIESEC in Iceland and what I could see as potentials for them to capitalize on.

I'm still not sure where I will stay after IC, most likely France. Nothing has been decided but I hope to get some answers soon so I can book my travels from London when I'm back.

I miss my family, I miss my friends but in a way that I appriciate them more but not in away that I'm crying for coming home.
So now I'm trying to look into investments banks in Europe and then prepare to go to the CEE party where the theme is VODKA :P
So I'm not expecting very active morning tomorrow.. but lets see ;)

- with love -

Surviving IC

I'm sitting at the office in Holiday inn, waiting for my next meeting and I can swear to you.. I'm dying :P.
Last nights party was amazing. WENA sure can Rock!!

I was not planning on staying to long since today is a very long day for me but when you came to the party everyone were in such a good mood and enjoying themselves and others very much that you couldn't leave.

The amount of alcohol was also very scary and I decided not to go to each country to try. So I chose selectively. ;)
Greece gave me Ouzo.
Denmark gave me Gammeldansk.
Sweden gave me Absolute Vanilla ( something I hadn't tried before )

Then of course we had Nordic circle where the nordic countries come together, sing, drink and share their emotions :P
There we shared Finnish Vodka and Malteese drink.
People were very colorful after two rounds of Nordic circle but it was so much fun.
I just love my nordic fellow AIESECers :)

now I'm trying to survive this day, all the meetings and be sociable with others. - man that is hard :P
-with love-

Happy birthday to me :)

So now I'm officially an adult - since yesterday was my 25th Birthday.

Now I have been in Brazil for 6 days already and I knew that my birthday would be interesting. But I could never have thought it would be so great as it was.

Yesterday was the start of the conference, meaning we had 110 countries present their culture and snacks for Brazilians and other AIESEC members. It was very interesting to participate since this year i really didn't have a country to present. So I could walk around, enjoying the people enjoying their first Global Village at IC. that was so cool.

Then in the evening we had so called opening Plenary where each and every country comes on stage to state their presence at the conference.
I was going to sing an Icelandic Children song with the Icelandic MC so we all went on stage. then we started to sing..
after the first line I felt Tomas, the MCP, pushing my forward and they started to sing happy birthday in Icelandic for me and then the whole plenary partcipated in english in the second round.
It was so AMAZING having around 700 people sing for you from over 100 countries. I dont think many people can say they have experienced that.

So my stay here in Brazil has been great.
The pre meeting was Awsome and I really love my team. I know we are going to make things happen this year.
I also am very happy to see the VPERs in WENA and how motivated and passionate they are.
Final thing that I'm thankful for is the change in the WENA spirit. WENA is finally enjoying themselves and letting go.
It make the region fun to be around with but still they are professional in all their work.

So cool news from me..
-with love-

Last day in Iceland - Again ;)

Today is the day.
It's not like the first time was easy, saying goodbye to my family. Today I have to do it again.

my frustrations are still there but they are diminishing by the day. I'm finally getting some answers and I feel good about finally seeing some clarity in my role and the next days.

So whats next for me you might ask?
Well today I'm packing and flying off to London. In london I will spend around one day and meeting a good friend of mine, Kristín. She was in AIESEC with me, in the career days team and now living in London.
After staying with her my plans are to take another flight. This time to Zurich where I will spend one hour waiting for my next flight that will take me to Sao Paolo in Brazil.

Brazil BABY!!
How unbelivebly exciting is that?

This all came very sudden. Last wednesday night I found out I was going, yesterday I bought all the things I need for my trip, and today I'm finalizing some work and packing as well as taking of to another country.

So now my stay in Iceland is over. Its been both extremly fun and unbelievely sad all at the same time for me.
Coming home for the reasons I did is not something that I want to try again. I miss my grandfather a lot and I also have gotten more and more closer to my family. For that I'm extremely grateful.

So I'm taking off but with a smile on my face. Even though my mom and my grandmother are nervous for me flying all this way by myself.

I will be great.

- with love and a smile -

Every rose has it's thorns!

Oh man.
Today has been a very stressful day even though it shouldnt have been.
When I'm stressed somehow my mind closes up and I can not think about other things exept those that are bothering me... or stressing me.

So now, I do not know if on saturday I'm going half way around the world or not...
IC 2008 is held in Brazil and so far I'm not sure if I'm going or not.. and the conference start in less then 10 days. Actually the pre meeting starts on monday :S

So now you can understand where my frustration comes from that I blogged about last time.

for those who know me, I'm fairly organized person.. I mean I love to be flexible but this situation is making me feel uncomfortable.
I hope it will get clear soon. :)

I feel like this is supposed to be a learning for me, but I'm not seeing the lesson right now.
I just hope it will come soon so I can get over this and start more positive part of the role.
Actually getting some results.

Let's see how this goes.
- with love -

p.s

I had my first company meeting last friday - selling WENA (Western Europe Norht America ) conferences.

The meeting went really well but OMG how stressed I was. No sleep the night before.

So now it's up to me to do a proper follow up and make some new ideas how to involve the company into AIESEC's activities.
I look forward to it even though I'm a little angry at the moment.

Lets see how this day will go

-with love-

Why am I so frustrated?

Another week has started with new tasks to work on, new people to meet and keeping in touch with friends.

Last week was great, I had a lot of work to do, may tasks and priorities to work on and I managed them all and then some. I see the week as being one of the most positive weeks since I started working in ER. But the ending of the working week was not all that pleasent.

I was looking forward to things that was then looked over related to work, my e-mails I feel like dont reach the reciever and it makes my tired and frustrated. So my overall view of the work weekend was killed. damn.
But then I decieded to not look at this and not work the whole weekend.

On friday I was in the mood to party and Anna and Auður came over for some drinks.
The evening was a an added value to the good week and I forgot the frustrations.

On Saturday there was a huge celebration. Gay pride walk and concerts down town and at least one third of the Icelandic population shows their support to the cause of gay people and their fight for their rights.
I decided to go with Auður and we had a great time seeing all the colorful people, all the different people and their families being so proud and happy.
There was a pure joy when you were standing there, you got swept into the mood and you just wanted to dance.
So I danced on the street - dont get me wrong. It was not something like out of the movies. It was just a small celebration dance :)

Then in the evening the girls came back to play card and drink some more..

Now I'm back at work, or should be, but the frustration is back and it's hindering me in actually wanting to sit down and plan this weeks priorities.
But I will try to overcome this and make sure I have some valuable things to do this week and the next one.
Because otherwise I'm gonna go crazy.

- with love -

A new month - new beginning?

New month has started, August 2008 and only 16 days until my big 25!!

This month started out good.. some mistakes were done, some partying was also done and I also worked on me supporting my family.

This week will be hectic for me.. but I'm enjoying it. I'm getting ready to have skype chats with WENA VPERs. I'm looking forward to that, to learn more about external relations in the region and get to know the people I will be working with this year.

Today my friend moved to Copenhagen, she's starting school and moving out of the house for the first time. It's a huge step and I'm very proud of her.
ALL THE BEST.

There are still no news about my location. I'm getting tired of constant questioning and waiting. I just want to know and have things clear.
This is not for me. I need to have things clear.

Not much to say, so I'm ending this.
-with love-

The winner takes it all - and I'm a winner

Today is the last day in July, the weather is great and I'm sitting at my parents place listening to the Dark Knight theme from the new Batman movie.

Since last time I wrote, things have been up and down, mostly way down and lower then low. Life sometimes takes you there and you need support to get up again.

In times like these you not only find out who your friends are but you find out that your friends are chosen wisely without you knowing it really. real friends are there for a reason; to support you, have fun with, challenge your thoughts, grief with you, laught with you, smile and shake head when you say something silly or smart, be there when you need them, send you flowers in times when you need to know people care and in more ways that is possible for me to share here.

I know now that I chose my friends as wisely as I could. I'm proud of them, I'm thankful for them and they mean the world to me. My family and my friends - my life. :)

I'm getting better and better. now the music changed from the dark and heavy theme from Batman to ABBA music - the Dancing Queen.

People leave your life but it's up to you to make their memories alive. Now it's up to me to make the memories of my grandfather alive, make him proud of me and his family and support my family in hard times. That's my role today. I love that role but I still miss my grandfather. Of course.

I'm rich today, rich with family, friends, love, respect, experiences and faith. And I'm only going to get richer if I take care now.

Thank you to all those friends and family that have shown me this last days that I'm rich, thanks for your support and your thoughts.
It means everything to me.

Enough of this sentemental things...
- with love -

No words of my own

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. ~Author Unknown

Tears are words the heart can't express. Author Unknown

I love walking in the rain, 'cause then no-one knows I'm crying. Author Unknown

The pain passes, but the beauty remains. Pierre Auguste Renoir

People never know how special someone is until they leave, but maybe sometimes its important to leave, so they are given that chance to see how special that someone really is! Author Unknown

Without you, there'd be no sun in my sky, there would be no love in my life, there'd be no world left of me. - Leann Rimes

I pull you from your tower, take away your pain, show you all the beauty you posess if you'd only let yourself believe. - Sarah Mclachlan

I'm sorry for stealing other people's words here today but sometimes quotes from people how have experienced and shared gives you comfort and support in times of need.
Thanks for your support!

Knowing each other better

well.. then this week is almost over - or what? hehe

this week has been very good, finally I'm seeing some action steps to make to make ER blossom this year.. hehe
Last night the GN board members from WENA, CEE and Africa decided to take a road trip to Deen Haag. the main reason for the trip was the decision of two members to go Bungjy jumping. the rest of the people went with them to cheer them on in this scary process they were in.

We made it to the site very easily thanks to Vincent :)
Vincent and Juli jumped and had a blast if I understood them but then again they were still in a shock after this horrifying experience ;)

After the jump we sat down at the beach in Deen Haag, drank beer and ate chips. it was a very fun evening and the people got to know each other more and learned interesting things about each other.
When I crawled to bed at 01.00 I was happy with a good day :)

This weekend will be an interesting one as well since we are expecting over 150 people to arrive in Rotterdam for the AI transition Party.
people i have talked to say this is a crazy weekend... I'm very curious to find out.

Well that's it...
that I actually feel like sharing with you guys.
- with love -

Today is a big day. AIESEC International 0809 are presenting their plan for the coming year and its very interesting to hear and see what they think it the most important things to happen for the overall success of the organization.

People are all sitting around a whiteboard, listening carefully and giving feedback to the plan. I’m listening and thinking how this should support me in my role, how can I support the AI plan and how can we make sure that success will be visible in the end of our term.

As the last posted showed, my weekend was very relaxing.

On Sunday night I was invited to a dinner made by Li Zhen from Mainland China. The food was very delicious and something very new for me.
I had eggplant with beef and Tofu with VERY spicy beef souce thinghy. I really enjoied trying this new food ( for me ). So this weekend was very diverse in the way I had my dinners and I can not wait to try to share my culture with the people :)

Today I am one of few people responsible for team dinner, meaning that on Mondays to Thursdays there are some spesific teams that cooks for the rest of the team. This is a good way to keep the team spirit as well as to have cheap dinner made by people from all over the world. What more can you ask for :P

So this is going to be a new experience for me.

This week I want things to get clear. Things related to my accommodation, International Congress, Other responsibilities in the GN Board as well as what are people expecting from me as External Relations Coordinator.
So my focus this year will be in making my next days clear, making my year clear and making me feel better about this whole experience.
So lets see how this goes.

- with love -

sunday, bloody sunday

Today felt like Sunday to me. I woke up after this big party and I was even more tired then when I went to sleep :)

So today has been about resting, cleaning and watching TV. Like my average Sunday back home in Iceland hehe.

Last night was a big party with the current AI team and the GN Board members. People had fun, danced and drank. It was great party and the atmosphere was very positive. I had fun watching people, talking to people, and actually getting a little tipsy.

The party was at a very good time for me, I needed to bond with the GN board members and party with them. I also wanted to party with the current AI team because I might have very short time left with them and many people are very close friends.

So all’s good at that end.

So now I’m sitting in the bed, like I have been doing for most of the day. I’m feeling good, just had dinner made by a brazilian guy so that was a first. Now it’s up to me to cook for the guys here. :P

I’m gonna continue watching Desperate housewifes and then go to sleep. Since this day has been about doing nothing I want to make sure I use tomorrow wisely.

-with love-

keep coming back for more

Well, it’s been some time since I wrote last time and many things have happend since then.

I’m getting more and more into the role that I have officially taken over since 1st July. It’s been a challenge since there was nobody in this role before me and it’s been hard to get everything started up.

On the 2nd July I left Rotterdam to visit Prague where we had WENA and CEE Presidents meeting. This was my 3rd presidents meeting I have attended but the first one as Non MCP :P that was very challenging as well as interesting. I enjoied it very much and I enjoyed learning more about where my focus should lie.

Prague is always amazing and it helped a lot to meet good friends. Ali and Svetla were both in Prague on the same time as I ended up there. It was so cool to meet Svetla after one and a half year. I met Ali in March but still it felt long time since I saw him.

So now I’m back, sitting at AI office and I should be working but I have already been very active today even though somehow I dont feel very comfortable. So now I’m in a need to feel comfortable and also have time to look at the next task I have to do. So I’m clearing my mind.

I have had a little homesickness feeling these last days. When I dont feel healthy I want to home, in my bed and just making sure I’m resting and getting my energy back. Here I dont feel I can do that.
I can not wait until I can settle down somewhere and make my own space.

So things are good, somedays are better then others. This one is one of the low points – but it will go up soon, I’m sure of that. As soon as I feel better ;)

So now I better clear my mind and start thinking about Regional Exchange partnerships for WENA and how we can benefit for those.

- with love -

Day one is over - waiting for day 2 :)

Today is the first day for me in my role as WENA External Relations Coordinator. The first one WENA has and the one that will take ER as a focus for the GN this year. I'm so excited about this and I can not wait to start my planning.
But that will come after next weekend ;)

So, one week in Rotterdam so far and I'm feeling quite good. When I was about to leave I had in mind that the moving part might become so hard since I'm moving to a different country with role where no one has been in before and I have to shape the role according to me.
That is scary in a way - no safety and it's all up to you sort of.

But now when I'm walking the streets of Rotterdam I dont feel like I dont belong here. It feels good and it feels right. So the first week has not been as hard for me mentally as I thought it might be. I'm extremely satisfied with that.

Now I'm heading towards the second week as that one I am officially in a role and can start planning and making things happen.
Tomorrow I'm leaving with my team to Prague where we have WENA Presidents Meeting. I have been attending this meeting last 2 years as President so this will be a different angle for me and I'm ready for that.
I will hopefully enjoy this challenge, learn a lot and also see more clearly where my focus inside ER should be and how I can support the countries I should be working with.

Ali and Svetla, my MCVPs from 0607 will also be in prague at that same time so I'm crossing my fingers for me to be able to meet them. I miss them and I would LOVE to meet them, even just for hugs and kisses if we dont have time for more.
So lets see where life takes us :)

Now I'm going to sleep since I have to wake up and pack better in the morning :P
-with love-

Uploaded new pictures

Here you can find pictures since the first weekend in June...

http://www.picturetrail.com/missMCP-5

Enjoy!

-with love-

one week almost....

......since I arrived in Rotterdam.

Last Wednesday my transition started and I met the WENA GN board team. Some I already knew and some I had never met before.
They day started of great - a lot of information, analysing and sharing was done. I knew a lot and still I needed more info about what WENA is doing, what is our contribution and what role should WENA actually play in the upcoming year.

The team is great. we had one evening of team bonding and you really got to know the people. I think that will help a lot when it comes to start working with them in the upcoming weeks. Man, I can not wait to start working.

there has been one thing that has been bothering me this week - and that is waking up at 7:30 local time. that means the time is 5:30 Icelandic time and that also ment I was tired all day long until maybe 15-16 local time. that's really bad when you have to have your focus and take in a lot of information.

now it's Saturday and I woke up at 9:00 to do laundry and just chill.
The Washing machine is still going, lets hope it will finish soon so I can go out and continue preparing for my role.

- with love-

Rotterdam for the first time

Well guys.
I'm in sunny Rotterdam, sitting in the AI office and writing you this update.

Yesterday was the first day of my new adventure. I took a plane to Eindhoven and from there I was supposed to take a train to Rotterdam.
When I arrived and found the bus that goes to the trainstation I went by a statium where it said PSV.
This took my by surprise because I knew PSV Eindhoven soccer team but somehow never connected it with the Eindhoven where Icelandexpress is flying to.
Strange how you learn more about the place around you!

Then I managed to take the right train but carrying this heavy luggage was not a picknick. OMG how heavy it is. I somehow didn't realize, but that's because my dad had been carrying it all over before. ;)

So I arrived to Rotterdam and went straight to the AI office where I met people I know and met new people. It was a blast.
Then in the evening I was invited for AI team dinner - so I enjoyed their company even more.

Then I went to sleep - something I had been wanting to do since 18:00 GMT time - but that was not the plan for me :P

Now I'm back at AI office, and getting ready for my transition that starts tomorrow.

All the best
-with love-

Last day in Iceland

Now I'm sitting in my living room and should be starting to pack but somehow I'm not getting into the mood.

Today will be hardcore day, I have to make sure that I'm using the time as effectively so I dont forget things.
And last few days have been busy as well but getting fully ready takes more then I excpected. I still can not believe I'm leaving to Rotterdam tomorrow :)

One year starts tomorrow, one year full of joy, challenges, hope, fear, hard work, travelling and making new friends and growing as a person.
One year starts tomorrow and I'm scared and excited - I'm ready and I'm going to do kickass job :)

Well, I'm off to pack and get ready for the next part of my life.

- with love -