Hi there... I just got home from the last party of this semester. Colorland. Schumacer, Marlene, Julianne and I was at the preparty and ate first class food. I've missed Julianne. Hope Camilla.. No. Schumacher! Had a good time tonight.
Note to myself: stop drinking. You love dancing but going out is just not your thing, okay?
I'm going to Buenos Aires in two days and I hope to get some peace. Can't wait to attend those Tango classes!
Had Diep and my brother + two of his friends here visiting me last weekend. So much fun! Me and my brother are closer than ever. Daniel, his friend, told my brother he had beatiful lips.. God. And the other friend, Sebastian, has kept a lot of things from 6th grade! including the calander I draw the front page of and a birthday message my brother sent almost 10 years ago.
It's important to keep things that reminds you of the good times I guess.
experience
tirsdag 20. mars 2012
onsdag 14. mars 2012
Uken12
Marlene, my roomate, and I went to a pre party where I basically talked with a guy named Andreas about childhood memories (Pokemon, HIMYM and such). At the point we were in the tent people went bananas and danced while pushing others. But as most people around me I was in a good mood and didn't pay much attention to it. Had a great time!
I met Marius that night and couldn't remember where we had met, but I finally got to it. When I started at NHH I went on an audition for all sports (allidrett) and turned out to be the only girl.. Since he had a Vietnamese girlfriend we spent a lot of time talking about the Vietnamese culture and such. "nuoc mam!" (fish sauce) and "chuc mung nam moi" (happy new year) he kept saying.
Another person I was talking to that night told us how she had forgotten about a girl several times and the girl had said to her "people always forget about me"... I need to start putting a bigger effort in remembering people i meet! It makes them feel important and it would probably make me look pretty smart as well = win win situtation. Hehe.
(PS: I've heard that it's a good thing to repeat a guy's name if you're interested in him)
søndag 11. mars 2012
Project happiness
So I'm reading a book called "the happiness project" by Gretchen Rubin and I've started on my very own happiness project. Before I tell you more about that I'll just quickly give a recap on my past weeks.
A weekend in Krakow, 02.03.2012-04.03.2012:
Check: http://www.cracow-life.com/info/info.php
I was home the day before and arrived pretty late, but I ate dinner with my mom while talking with my sister about the trip before we went to bed.
NB! By mistake I had given the wrong time for when the bus was in Moss an my parents had to wait for about an hour. I was so mad at myself. Learning point (LP): don't rush when you're texting people to inform them about DDL, pick-up times and etc! Easily done and will make your life much harder.
Friday:
Morning: went for a run to the center of Moss with mom. Lovely weather! Had dinner with the family before we went to the airport.
PS: I was worried that Ryanair wouldn't let us go on board because I had only written "Anita Bui and Linda Bui" as our names which didn't match our passports completely (full name: Minh Chau Anita Thi Bui and Linda Minh Trang Bui). I had tried to change the names online before check in, but then we had to pay about 2000 kroners!!! Can you believe that?! So I didn't... Thank god it was alright.
Talks on the plane: we wan't to learn Chinese. Benjamin Button. Krakow!
When we arrived at the airport we easily found our way to the city center by the free airport bus and then by the train (10 PLN per ticket). Don't take the cab! 20 minutes, or less, later we were there at Greg and Toms hostel. Tuns of diplomas stated that this was one of the worlds greatest hostels, if not the best, ahn receptionists gave us a warm welcome followed by shots during the tour around the house. They recommended us "U Babci Maliny: "Grandma's kitchen second location" which turned out to be one of the best restaurant I've been to!
Take a look at the picture and let it speak for itself. The piano man was very skilled and the food was delicious and quite cheap. Conclusion; a must if you're in Krakow!
We went to the market place and ended up lost on our way back. It took us about 1 hour, but on the brighter side we burned those calories away!
Saturday - salt mines here we come!
After the various and surprisingly good breakfast we were picked up at 09.20 by a guy through the company we had booked the tour at. It costed us 80 PLN each and after being in Krakow for one night we realized it was a tourist price. They ripped us off! It was a price we had agreed through mail a week before we came and nothing much to do with that. Tip: take the bus (didn't check it out, but it has to be one going there)!
The mine was curved from the 1300th century until now and it's still producing salt. We walked for 2,5 hours and saw 1 %. The funny guide claimed that it would take us 6 months to go through it all. "you can lick on the walls to try the salt if you want, but be aware that over a 1000 people probably have done it before you." HAHa. She had a lot of funny comments that made the trip even better!
The mine was amazing and you have to be there to see it yourself to know it.
The plan was also to have time for Go kart (http://www.crazystag.com/enquire-thankyou/krakow/
crazystag@gmail.com) but we went to the market and around the city in the sunny weather instead. Next: all you can eat, drink and play for 45 PLN per person! We ate, drank and went to this club near the hostel. Met a lot of people, some nice and others were just.. old, and had a lot of fun!
Sunday - last day! :-(
Tour with crazy guides was on the agenda this morning. We checked out at 10 and the guide was there to pick us up around then. He took us to Nowa Huta, a communist part of Krakow which was Stalins gift to the city. Check: http://www.crazyguides.com/krakow_tours/communism_tour_of_nowa_huta_district. We wen't to this communist restaurant, got some drinks, and he told us about the history of the town. After that we got to take that communist car out for a ride! My sister almost stopped the engine several times, but managed to keep it alive even though she has only had one driving lesson at the driver's school. He also drove us to see other buildings and parts of Krakow that he had told us about in the beginning. All in all it was a great tour and we strongly recommend it!
Dinner and shopping was next and my favourite store was Pull and Bear! To bad we don't have it here in Norway. The meal was very good too and we left Krakow with a promise to return!
Things I've been busy with: AIESEC-promtion: 10 interested in GIP and 4 has signed the contract for GCDP! We had a lot of fun with fortune cookies (examples: "discover love in China!" and "Hakuna Matata"), Red cross meetings: had infomeeting and dinner with the group of leaders, and I've been to Tone's birthday (met people outside NHH for once. Hehe) and during promotion I had a lecture bash which went very well!
My mom visited me on the 8 of March - 10th: she arrived with 23 kiloes of luggage which I had to drag up that monster of a hill we have to get to our appartment (took us 40 minutes!). We saw the Ukerevyen, ate great meals, went to her friends house and to the pool. I had such a great time with her. Finally some one and one time with my mom and just what I needed. The last morning I also joined my moms regular morning work out. HAHA, it was hilarious and a good workout as well.
After dropping my mom off the airport it was time for the AIESEC promotion celebration! I had prepared a speech and the evening was filled with speeched! Ladies speech, the guy speech, welcoming speech, OGX speech and a OGX poem. After tapas it was time to enter a bar and we went to Kaos! They tried to make me drink, but I only ended up having to glasses of whine. My plan was to study the next morning, so I wouldn't allow myself to cut loose.
Result: didn't sleep until 5 O'clock the next morning since Øyvind and I slept at Ingrid's house. Love was the topic that night and I realized that I do not want a man with a stomach! Oh... Anita.
So about that Project of happiness. I'm going to watch a Ted movie now, but get back to it soon :-)
PS: watch this video about Kony http://vimeo.com/37119711
A weekend in Krakow, 02.03.2012-04.03.2012:
Check: http://www.cracow-life.com/info/info.php
I was home the day before and arrived pretty late, but I ate dinner with my mom while talking with my sister about the trip before we went to bed.
NB! By mistake I had given the wrong time for when the bus was in Moss an my parents had to wait for about an hour. I was so mad at myself. Learning point (LP): don't rush when you're texting people to inform them about DDL, pick-up times and etc! Easily done and will make your life much harder.
Friday:
Morning: went for a run to the center of Moss with mom. Lovely weather! Had dinner with the family before we went to the airport.
PS: I was worried that Ryanair wouldn't let us go on board because I had only written "Anita Bui and Linda Bui" as our names which didn't match our passports completely (full name: Minh Chau Anita Thi Bui and Linda Minh Trang Bui). I had tried to change the names online before check in, but then we had to pay about 2000 kroners!!! Can you believe that?! So I didn't... Thank god it was alright.
Talks on the plane: we wan't to learn Chinese. Benjamin Button. Krakow!
Take a look at the picture and let it speak for itself. The piano man was very skilled and the food was delicious and quite cheap. Conclusion; a must if you're in Krakow!
We went to the market place and ended up lost on our way back. It took us about 1 hour, but on the brighter side we burned those calories away!
Saturday - salt mines here we come!
The mine was curved from the 1300th century until now and it's still producing salt. We walked for 2,5 hours and saw 1 %. The funny guide claimed that it would take us 6 months to go through it all. "you can lick on the walls to try the salt if you want, but be aware that over a 1000 people probably have done it before you." HAHa. She had a lot of funny comments that made the trip even better!The mine was amazing and you have to be there to see it yourself to know it.
The plan was also to have time for Go kart (http://www.crazystag.com/enquire-thankyou/krakow/
crazystag@gmail.com) but we went to the market and around the city in the sunny weather instead. Next: all you can eat, drink and play for 45 PLN per person! We ate, drank and went to this club near the hostel. Met a lot of people, some nice and others were just.. old, and had a lot of fun!
Sunday - last day! :-(
Tour with crazy guides was on the agenda this morning. We checked out at 10 and the guide was there to pick us up around then. He took us to Nowa Huta, a communist part of Krakow which was Stalins gift to the city. Check: http://www.crazyguides.com/krakow_tours/communism_tour_of_nowa_huta_district. We wen't to this communist restaurant, got some drinks, and he told us about the history of the town. After that we got to take that communist car out for a ride! My sister almost stopped the engine several times, but managed to keep it alive even though she has only had one driving lesson at the driver's school. He also drove us to see other buildings and parts of Krakow that he had told us about in the beginning. All in all it was a great tour and we strongly recommend it!
Things I've been busy with: AIESEC-promtion: 10 interested in GIP and 4 has signed the contract for GCDP! We had a lot of fun with fortune cookies (examples: "discover love in China!" and "Hakuna Matata"), Red cross meetings: had infomeeting and dinner with the group of leaders, and I've been to Tone's birthday (met people outside NHH for once. Hehe) and during promotion I had a lecture bash which went very well!
My mom visited me on the 8 of March - 10th: she arrived with 23 kiloes of luggage which I had to drag up that monster of a hill we have to get to our appartment (took us 40 minutes!). We saw the Ukerevyen, ate great meals, went to her friends house and to the pool. I had such a great time with her. Finally some one and one time with my mom and just what I needed. The last morning I also joined my moms regular morning work out. HAHA, it was hilarious and a good workout as well.
After dropping my mom off the airport it was time for the AIESEC promotion celebration! I had prepared a speech and the evening was filled with speeched! Ladies speech, the guy speech, welcoming speech, OGX speech and a OGX poem. After tapas it was time to enter a bar and we went to Kaos! They tried to make me drink, but I only ended up having to glasses of whine. My plan was to study the next morning, so I wouldn't allow myself to cut loose.
Result: didn't sleep until 5 O'clock the next morning since Øyvind and I slept at Ingrid's house. Love was the topic that night and I realized that I do not want a man with a stomach! Oh... Anita.
So about that Project of happiness. I'm going to watch a Ted movie now, but get back to it soon :-)
PS: watch this video about Kony http://vimeo.com/37119711
søndag 5. februar 2012
What doesn't kill you
Damn right!
Next: Red cross meeting for the year with pizza followed by skype meeting with Chen and Diep! What a great Sunday :-)
Next: Red cross meeting for the year with pizza followed by skype meeting with Chen and Diep! What a great Sunday :-)
tirsdag 31. januar 2012
Personaly types!
ESFJ
Seller/Provider — "Extra Special Friendly Joiner"
Alternate Reviews
ESFJs are warm-hearted individuals who highly value their close personal relationships. They are very service-oriented, and their own happiness is closely tied into the happiness and comfort of those around them. They are valued for their genuine warm and caring natures, and their special ability to bring out the best in others. They usually do not handle conflict well, and may tend to be very controlling or manipulative. Relationships are central to their lives, and they put forth a great amount of energy into developing and maintaining their close interpersonal relationships. They expect the same from others.
ESFJ Strengths
- Put forth a lot of effort to fulfill their duties and obligations
- Warm, friendly and affirming by nature
- Service-oriented, they want to please others
- Take their commitments very seriously, and seek lifelong relationships
- Responsible and practical, they can be counted to take care of day-to-day necessities
- Generally upbeat and popular, people are drawn towards them
- Generally very good money managers
- Traditionally minded and family-oriented, they will make family celebrations and traditions special events
ESFJ Weaknesses
- Generally uncomfortable with change, and moving into new territories
- Extreme dislike of conflict and criticism
- Need a lot of positive affirmation to feel good about themselves
- May be overly status-conscious, and interested in how others see them
- Have very difficult time accepting the end of a relationship, and are likely to take the blame for the failure onto their own shoulders
- Have difficulty accepting negative things about people close to them
- Don't pay enough attention to their own needs, and may be self-sacrificing
- May tend to use guilt manipulation as a way to get what they want
ESFJs in Love
ESFJs are warmly caring people who give their intimate relationships a lot of special care and attention. They're usually traditional and take their commitments very seriously. Once the ESFJ has said "I do", you can bet that they will put forth every effort to fulfill their obligations to the relationship.ESFJs want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give to others. This need of theirs is sometimes intensified to the point where they are very emotionally needy, and constantly "go fishing" for affirmation if it is not freely given. ESFJs typically cannot stand conflict or criticism. They take any sort of criticism as a general indictment of their character. This is a potential pitfall for ESFJs to be aware of. In the face of negative feedback, or the absence of positive affirmation, ESFJ may become very depressed and down on themselves. Appreciation is the greatest gift that their mates can give them.
ESFJs have a tendency to be very conscious of social status and "what other people think". They should take care not to let this interfere with their close relationships.
Romantically, ESFJs are warm and loving, and welcome intimacy as an opportunity to express their affections, and receive their partners gifts of love. Many ESFJs have a tendency to be highly scheduled and traditional in their romantic habits, but this is almost always overcome by increasing their education and awareness of options. ESFJs are very service-oriented and will place a lot of importance on making their partners happy.
Being highly practical, the ESFJ is excellent in matters regarding home management. They're likely to be very responsible about taking care of day-to-day needs, and to be careful and cautious about money matters. They are interested in security and peaceful living, and are willing and able to do their part towards acheiving these goals for themselves, their mates, and their families.
Most ESFJs have a strong need to "belong" - whether it be to institutions or traditions, or family units. This need usually causes them to be quite social creatures, who enjoy attending parties, as well as throwing their own. They're likely to strongly desire that their mates share in their social experiences.
Damn! Pretty much true! Think I need to focus on some of the weaknesses mentioned:
Indeed, but the last part doesn't
I do? Will pay attention to that.
What a cool test!
fredag 27. januar 2012
Anita Time
Hello there. So this is one of the few Fridays I've been able to spend alone. It's almost scary how little time I spend alone these days (not taking in account the time I spend studying). I made myself a great pasta dish today! I made quite a lot but it was so surprisingly good so I ate up the whole thing. After watching TV and knitting I took a hot shower. I couldn't sleep last night and I woke up in the middle of an AIESEC reflection: "we should make the google docs sustainable for the next VPs!". It hit me once again how AIESEC have had and still are having such a huge impact on me and my life. It has shaped me as a person.
I also thought of my goals for this year. So far, not telling anyone, has worked!!! I'm making progress. And just a quick update: the volleyball practises have started again and it was so much fun playing with both the old and new members! Recruitment in AIESEC at our school was a kick ass start of the semester: at the conference in Oslo I finally got to start planning and settle some expectations for the members, the info meeting turned out very good and I felt we were quite visible during this promotion period with the blue man and all. I met Doris at a GEP-lecture yesterday so we're going climbing together! Aaaand this Monday enough people signed up for the Buenos Aires trip. Woop woop!!! 10-12 days in the sun going to museums, going out to dinner and watching football games live? Ah, life is good. I've also surprised myself by being sporty: I tried pilates the other day (hard core training!) and done Zumba twice and I went to the swimming pool last night (managed to forget soap! stupid la..) Okay, now I'm just listing up things, but I have to mention that I've put the scratch map in my room and scrapped all of the countries I've been to! I didn't scrap away the whole US since I've only been to Seattle.
Which leads me to the next topic and something that has been on my mind since I left Seattle; Adrian.
I've laughed, cried, got angry and gone through this roller coaster of emotions. It was at its worst when I saw him available on g-chat on Monday. We were just told that we're going to Argentina. I told him, and this is the first time we talked since he sent med that e-mail.
A wave of anger came over me. I tried to fight the tears, but lost. I'm siting here on the bridge of crying again, but I won't allow it anymore. This experience made me realize that some things are just not possible. No matter how much I want for us to be in a normal relationship, I know it's just not possible. I have to accept the situation and it's a good learning point I'll take with me... There are some things I simply can't control and impact. I'm still in the process of accepting the situation but I know I'll get there. I will always remember what we had but I just need to decide to let go at some point.
All in all, you should be proud of yourself, Anita! Giving 110% of yourself and truly living in the moment knowing that it was in the short run. I really love travelling and get to know new people. Seeing his life and being a part of it was amazing and I could barely grasp it all- too much excitement! Another thing I really loved was that I could truly relax with him. And just going out to dinner almost every day was like being in heaven! I remember our first night together when he told me that he didn't know what to do. "I've been thinking about this day for such a long time now, that now that you're here I don't know what to do". Ditto. I've never been so dependent on a guy before and I liked being taking cared of, but not having "my own space" and my friends and life there was a challenge. When we said goodbye at the airport it was so surreal. "this is not really happening!!!". "You just came". We didn't talk much... I didn't want to say goodbye. We kissed and I stood in line. I looked back seeing him for maybe the very last time, because the next time I turned around he was gone. I must have looked so funny standing there with my bag crying while trying to cover them up with a smile.
I feel lost. I am okay, but... Just kind of lost. What is my passion? What do you want to leave behind? Do I believe in love? How small am I really? Thinking about the universe make me dizzy so I'll stop. And do I really study at NHH for my own sake or for my parents' sake? It's kind of hard separating these kind of things.
I'll stop being all Socrates and all that but the conclusion is: I need to start defining who I am and the person I want to be.
Okay, scratch the questions.. What I mean is that I feel this emptiness inside of me that my mind is trying to fill: either with questions, food or other tasks. I really miss that idiot! AAAHHHHHHHHHH.æsføjg.. Can't stop listening to his songs either. And everything keep reminding me of him. My keyboard next to reminds me of him sitting by the piano playing. "Someone like you" is on the radio from time to time and his voice is on repeat.
However, I'm grateful for having such a supportive family and friends. I met Thea over a cup of coffee in Oslo, Dinh at the train station to Oslo and Vymi, Diep and my mom has talked with me about it while several close friends have checked up on me. I should be happy and will be back on track soon.
Pretend that you are, and you'll start believe it.
"Fake it until you make it, right?"
I really needed this talk with myself! So.. Thanks, Anita :-)
Good night!
" Difficult times are miracles
I also thought of my goals for this year. So far, not telling anyone, has worked!!! I'm making progress. And just a quick update: the volleyball practises have started again and it was so much fun playing with both the old and new members! Recruitment in AIESEC at our school was a kick ass start of the semester: at the conference in Oslo I finally got to start planning and settle some expectations for the members, the info meeting turned out very good and I felt we were quite visible during this promotion period with the blue man and all. I met Doris at a GEP-lecture yesterday so we're going climbing together! Aaaand this Monday enough people signed up for the Buenos Aires trip. Woop woop!!! 10-12 days in the sun going to museums, going out to dinner and watching football games live? Ah, life is good. I've also surprised myself by being sporty: I tried pilates the other day (hard core training!) and done Zumba twice and I went to the swimming pool last night (managed to forget soap! stupid la..) Okay, now I'm just listing up things, but I have to mention that I've put the scratch map in my room and scrapped all of the countries I've been to! I didn't scrap away the whole US since I've only been to Seattle.
Which leads me to the next topic and something that has been on my mind since I left Seattle; Adrian.
I've laughed, cried, got angry and gone through this roller coaster of emotions. It was at its worst when I saw him available on g-chat on Monday. We were just told that we're going to Argentina. I told him, and this is the first time we talked since he sent med that e-mail.
All in all, you should be proud of yourself, Anita! Giving 110% of yourself and truly living in the moment knowing that it was in the short run. I really love travelling and get to know new people. Seeing his life and being a part of it was amazing and I could barely grasp it all- too much excitement! Another thing I really loved was that I could truly relax with him. And just going out to dinner almost every day was like being in heaven! I remember our first night together when he told me that he didn't know what to do. "I've been thinking about this day for such a long time now, that now that you're here I don't know what to do". Ditto. I've never been so dependent on a guy before and I liked being taking cared of, but not having "my own space" and my friends and life there was a challenge. When we said goodbye at the airport it was so surreal. "this is not really happening!!!". "You just came". We didn't talk much... I didn't want to say goodbye. We kissed and I stood in line. I looked back seeing him for maybe the very last time, because the next time I turned around he was gone. I must have looked so funny standing there with my bag crying while trying to cover them up with a smile.
I feel lost. I am okay, but... Just kind of lost. What is my passion? What do you want to leave behind? Do I believe in love? How small am I really? Thinking about the universe make me dizzy so I'll stop. And do I really study at NHH for my own sake or for my parents' sake? It's kind of hard separating these kind of things.
I'll stop being all Socrates and all that but the conclusion is: I need to start defining who I am and the person I want to be.
Okay, scratch the questions.. What I mean is that I feel this emptiness inside of me that my mind is trying to fill: either with questions, food or other tasks. I really miss that idiot! AAAHHHHHHHHHH.æsføjg.. Can't stop listening to his songs either. And everything keep reminding me of him. My keyboard next to reminds me of him sitting by the piano playing. "Someone like you" is on the radio from time to time and his voice is on repeat.
However, I'm grateful for having such a supportive family and friends. I met Thea over a cup of coffee in Oslo, Dinh at the train station to Oslo and Vymi, Diep and my mom has talked with me about it while several close friends have checked up on me. I should be happy and will be back on track soon.
Pretend that you are, and you'll start believe it.
"Fake it until you make it, right?"
I really needed this talk with myself! So.. Thanks, Anita :-)
Good night!
" Difficult times are miracles
They make you stronger, and wiser. You have to lean to live past all the things that you can't change, and be happy. Happy with yourself, and happy with the wonderful gift of life that god blessed you with."
Best quotes FB
Best quotes FB
mandag 9. januar 2012
Drunk off your love, Seattle 26.12.2011 - 08.01.2012
So.. I'm back in Norway! To sum it all up: these past two weeks has been amazing. I've eaten good food, been a proper tourist, met both Adrian's friends and family and got the chance to relax, write and read. Most importantly I've had time with Adrian. I got to be with him again and I've truly been happy with him even though we've had our though moments.Looking back at it I'm always filled with tears in my eyes. Still can't believe I'm back in Norway. Can't believe that we said goodbye... I wanted to get "the plan" smacked up and ready to be followed step by step, and I did... We agreed on "project closure". Right now I just can't take the steps. I don't want to...
When I got back he had written me this e-mail:
Ani,
So you're still on the plane right now and I just got back to my apartment. Today was hectic for me and felt like it went incredibly fast, I told myself that I would not cry today and I can almost say that I accomplished that task. Yet, when my dad dropped my off at the apartment tonight and I walked into my room, everything about these past two weeks suddenly rushed up onto me and I could not stop myself from crying. I hate crying and showing this side of me. For me, it shows a vulnerable side of me and I really don't like being vulnerable or showing too much emotion, you probably know that by now.
I'm glad that you came these past two weeks. You've taught me so many things these two weeks. I've learned alot about myself and my own character. I'm so grateful that a girl like you would think of me. You deserve an amazing guy. Again, I know that I have not been good at all in keeping you company and giving you what you wanted this trip. And I apologize. I just read your letter and you said something about me having already said goodbye. I don't really know what to say to that. Anita, you know that I care so much about you and the past six months all I could think about was you and the two weeks we had together. But when you came, I tried so hard to go back to our time in China but I just couldn't. My heart wouldn't allow myself to fully commit knowing that I would have to say goodbye to you and I think that's why you saw at times that I was so distant. I'm sorry that I couldn't give you what you wanted Ani, I really am. And I'm sorry that you felt so frustrated by me this trip. The last thing that i wanted you to feel was unwanted but you ended up feeling this way.I miss you a lot Anita, I might not show it but it kills me inside. The worst part of you coming here is that now I'm stuck with thoughts of you even though you aren't here. My room breathes of you and everything smells of you. When I sit down on the ground using my laptop, I see you sitting across from me on the bed. Even when I'm in the shower, I see your mango shower gel and I can't keep myself breaking down.
I hope this year goes well for you though and you'll have the time of your life in Chile. You know that you always have a special place in my heart. I don't say much but I hope you will never forget how much you mean to me. I will always, forever cherish you. Don't ever change, I love the Anita that I have in my heart.
Forever yours,
Adrian
Vymi was with me when I read it... It helped. 10 hours later I responded to his e-mail:
Dear dear Adrian
Thanks. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself. Don't be too lazy and wake up in time for your classes! :-P
You've made me stronger, Adrian. More independent and I know to cherish the good moments more because of you and you've reminded me to not take the little good things in life for granted. I definitely don't regret coming to Seattle to visit you. I promise that I will always remember the showers, dinners, talks and the good memories we've shared. Right now you are the love of my life, I'll be having a hard time letting go. I believe that you have to let go of something to make room for something else. I know this is the right thing to do. For you. For me. Both of us in the long run.. You never know what the future will bring, but I know it will be great Adrian. I want you to be happy. I can't give you that now... I can't make you happy right now... I also believe that time has nothing to do with moving on. If you happen to meet someone or get to know one of your lovely girlfriends better and like them, then go for it :-) I'm not saying that with a smile on my face. It will be hard standing on the side line watching but yeah... I can't tell you what to do and you're.. Not mine anymore...
You'll always be in my heart too Adrian. at the very bottom. I miss you like people in Bergen often miss the sun. I hope we'll meet again someday Adrian. I will still be the same old Anita. Just.. With more confidence and more money I guess. Hehe.
Have a nice day at school!
I'm home now. Felt dizzy and kind of sick, but after a dinner with family and a visit from Vymi I'm all good. Same here! I almost slept through the whole flight and watched two movies on the plane. I actually cried quite a lot on my way back... No surprise there huh?
Yeah, I know that side of you but give yourself a break Adrian. You're human too, even though you are my superman.
Same! These two weeks was just as great as the adventure in China to me and I couldn't ask for more. Back at you Adrian. You are so kind and original with a great taste when it comes to food and music. "Again, I know that I have not been good at all in keeping you company and giving you what you wanted this trip."
Damn! I forgot to slap you!!! I'll give you an electronic one right now. S-L-A-P! Because... I kind of realised that on new years eve that you weren't.. "There". I knew that I cared more about you than you did about me, but I decided that I wouldn't give less of me. I hope that there were never doubt about how much I care about you during these days. And I didn't feel unwanted okay. I just had a very hard time grasping that you wouldn't give your all because there wouldn't be "an us" in the future. No hard feelings. I totally understand, Adrian. And you exceeded my expectations in other ways. I didn't expect you to spend that much time with me and to be such a good guide taking me to all these places and I really enjoyed the nights together.
Yeah, I know that side of you but give yourself a break Adrian. You're human too, even though you are my superman.
Same! These two weeks was just as great as the adventure in China to me and I couldn't ask for more. Back at you Adrian. You are so kind and original with a great taste when it comes to food and music. "Again, I know that I have not been good at all in keeping you company and giving you what you wanted this trip."
Damn! I forgot to slap you!!! I'll give you an electronic one right now. S-L-A-P! Because... I kind of realised that on new years eve that you weren't.. "There". I knew that I cared more about you than you did about me, but I decided that I wouldn't give less of me. I hope that there were never doubt about how much I care about you during these days. And I didn't feel unwanted okay. I just had a very hard time grasping that you wouldn't give your all because there wouldn't be "an us" in the future. No hard feelings. I totally understand, Adrian. And you exceeded my expectations in other ways. I didn't expect you to spend that much time with me and to be such a good guide taking me to all these places and I really enjoyed the nights together.
I read your letters again. And as you wrote to me: it is depressing. Knowing that you're across the ocean feeling like this and not be able to do anything about it. I just want a hug from you. A kiss. I don't have the mango scrub around here, but I have the pictures. I have your gifts and the memories and it's on replay right now. I know that I'm soon going to let myself be super busy. It's my way of handling missing you.
Thanks. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself. Don't be too lazy and wake up in time for your classes! :-P
You've made me stronger, Adrian. More independent and I know to cherish the good moments more because of you and you've reminded me to not take the little good things in life for granted. I definitely don't regret coming to Seattle to visit you. I promise that I will always remember the showers, dinners, talks and the good memories we've shared. Right now you are the love of my life, I'll be having a hard time letting go. I believe that you have to let go of something to make room for something else. I know this is the right thing to do. For you. For me. Both of us in the long run.. You never know what the future will bring, but I know it will be great Adrian. I want you to be happy. I can't give you that now... I can't make you happy right now... I also believe that time has nothing to do with moving on. If you happen to meet someone or get to know one of your lovely girlfriends better and like them, then go for it :-) I'm not saying that with a smile on my face. It will be hard standing on the side line watching but yeah... I can't tell you what to do and you're.. Not mine anymore...
You'll always be in my heart too Adrian. at the very bottom. I miss you like people in Bergen often miss the sun. I hope we'll meet again someday Adrian. I will still be the same old Anita. Just.. With more confidence and more money I guess. Hehe.
Have a nice day at school!
Love,
your Ani
This is so stupid, Anita! I really just hate myself for caring so much about him. He stole your heart. Get it back will you? I'm sure the future Anita will look back at this with a smile.
torsdag 24. november 2011
SPA012 = finito!
WUHUUUUU! I just finished my oral Spanish exam! Didn't get top grades but I definitely didn't expect that either and I'll nail it when I get back from Chile anyways.
Ah, life is good :-)
Ah, life is good :-)
lørdag 19. november 2011
Funny quote i stumbled upon
"Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark.
You know what you´re doing, but nobody else does"
Stewart Britt
Btw: just finished half of the climbing course! It is so much fun and I'll buy some climbing equipment when I'm in The States :-)
You know what you´re doing, but nobody else does"
Stewart Britt
Btw: just finished half of the climbing course! It is so much fun and I'll buy some climbing equipment when I'm in The States :-)
fredag 18. november 2011
AIESEC Christmas dinner, 19.11.2011
I just got in the door an I'm sitting here in my pink dress with so many thought (to the point girl!). Tonight I've gained my motivation in AIESEC 110 %. I thought I had got it back last week but tonight reminded me of why I spend so many hours every day working for this amazing organisation. In the Nordic circle Runar said in his speech that I was one of three persons that have had a huge impact on him this semester. I repeat: that I, Minh Chau Anita Thi Bui, was one of them! Can you believe that?! Looking back at that shy girl in fifth grade, who barely spoke unless she was in a classroom, to the girl that didn't have permission to be with her first boyfriend in seventh grade to the girl (or even woman) I'm looking in the mirror today I must say that I have grown - both in kilogrammes and as a person. Hehe. If you're just a random person reading this post and you've never heard about AIESEC: you need to JOIN US TODAY.
Definition of the Nordic circle: it's a tradition where the one with the bottle of liquor is the only one who can speak. After the speech you take a zip and pass it on to your fellow next to you with your left hand. Look it up on wikipedia. Well.. Back to the Nordic circle. His words really got to me and when Caroline also thanked me I was filled with pure joy.
Next year I'll give my best and contribute to take AIESEC to new heights. I can't seem to find the words. Tonight changed me and I want to keep this feeling. I'm in the state of mind where I feel that nothing is unbreakable and I can do whatever I set my mind to.
Plan: make my 5 years plan on the 16th of December.
Where is my ship going?
Start project value. Note to myself next semester: prioritise!!
"Don't take life too serious because one day it's going to be game over". I want school to be a better place for the students and I want the people in the society to be more happy! What a strange world we are living in: always competing with each other, focusing on the things we are missing, our looks and constantly complaining about the weather!
We talked about the dating culture here in Norway and came to the conclusion that there isn't any. "Facebook has destroyed our way of getting to know each other!" Runar said during this discussion at the Christmas table. He said something there because Facebook has changed the way we think about each other and has kind of replaced the first impression we have of people. I realised that I've never been asked on a date by someone I just met. It's not on my top of my wish list, but it would have been nice to experience that once in my life.
A huge thanks to everyone who made this night memorable. Tomorrow is a new day. Is it one thing I've learn from today is that what you invest in AIESEC you get back, sooner or later. AIESEC is its members and so much more than meets the eyes.
It's such a shame that most of the students at NHH haven't got this experience and that they can't see the value of being a member. I'm afraid that my parents will get furious at me if my exams doesn't go to well this semester. How can they? All they see is my grades and I need to be better at sharing these kind of moments with them in order for them to understand. I'm climbing tomorrow morning and needs to get to bed.
I'm hitting the shower!
onsdag 16. november 2011
Recap
Hi! So it's been too long since I posted something. I've decided to be an active blogger since at times like this, when it's hectic, I should write. The future 90 years old Anita will appreciate reading about the happy days when I was young and happy with no wrinkles and having an astonishment view of the world. Then again the exam period is here and I'll be living at the AIESEC office studying the next month so it won't be much to excited things to report.
Just a recap on what has happened this semester.
Starting from the summer I must tell you more about Adrian Chan. Briefly. Summer 2011. Love with no commitment. Home and long e-mails. Just to give you an impression of him:
" I can't help similing right now. Its like whenever I see, read, or think of anything that has the slightest connection to you a rush of emotions just fills me up. Happiness, sadness, and an incredible longing to see you...It feels so good finally hearing from you. I did send you an email the first night I got back to Hong Kong! "
I wrote him a poem:
I miss you Adrian Chan,
You became my mi fan.
As the basic to every meal
you were something I needed, for real
Everyday
I would pay..
To have you here
I want you near!
I still have your smile on my mind.
Another you I will never find.
I'm sitting here thinking of an end.
Wondering if you and I are going to pretend
That this didn't happen when we meet again.
But I'm done "fast forwarding" my lover and friend
I want to be with you
Hope you feel the same too!
(...)
I know... And I agree
This is not American TV
It's hard, and I feel an emptiness inside
'Cause you and me we just collide
Why do you have to be so far away?!
There is not much more for me to say...
You became my mi fan
I miss you Adrian Chan
God I'm so chessy. Haha. I will stop now.
Before we went seperate ways I gave him a love passport (god I really am the chessiest person on the planet).
Just a recap on what has happened this semester.
Starting from the summer I must tell you more about Adrian Chan. Briefly. Summer 2011. Love with no commitment. Home and long e-mails. Just to give you an impression of him:
" I can't help similing right now. Its like whenever I see, read, or think of anything that has the slightest connection to you a rush of emotions just fills me up. Happiness, sadness, and an incredible longing to see you...It feels so good finally hearing from you. I did send you an email the first night I got back to Hong Kong! "
I wrote him a poem:
I miss you Adrian Chan,
You became my mi fan.
As the basic to every meal
you were something I needed, for real
Everyday
I would pay..
To have you here
I want you near!
I still have your smile on my mind.
Another you I will never find.
I'm sitting here thinking of an end.
Wondering if you and I are going to pretend
That this didn't happen when we meet again.
But I'm done "fast forwarding" my lover and friend
I want to be with you
Hope you feel the same too!
(...)
I know... And I agree
This is not American TV
It's hard, and I feel an emptiness inside
'Cause you and me we just collide
Why do you have to be so far away?!
There is not much more for me to say...
You became my mi fan
I miss you Adrian Chan
God I'm so chessy. Haha. I will stop now.
Before we went seperate ways I gave him a love passport (god I really am the chessiest person on the planet).
 |
| Skyping with Adrian |
"I wrote two entries in that love passport you gave me, in the empty pages. I think they sum up really well what I've been feeling the past days at night.
I miss you a little too good for my health Anita! I would give anything to have you next to me right now. I just can't stop thinking about you. Everywhere I go you're there. I try to keep myself busy but it just doesn't help. You are seriously everywhere I go. Never thought one month with you would cut me so deep. I try running away from you but there's no escaping.
7-30-2011
1:55am
I don't know if you remember the time I told you I believed in many loves of my life. I think you're one of those loves Ani. Don't know how I"m going to survive without you. I want to be with you but I don't. On one hand, I think it's best if we aren't together but I just can't help thinking about you. Tell me what to do.
7-31-2001
Haha I was going through some pretty depressed moments those nights. Yeah, I checked plane tickets to Bergen as well. So when we began this relationship, we said that one month and it would be over right? That was when we didn't really care for each other and had logic instead now where we have emotion. (I'm just trying to reason with myself) And still, now we are going through the same plan."
At that time nothing was decided. He thought that we would never meet again and I had a difficult time accepting that. And guess what? On the 10th of September, at night, I just booked the flight tickets and told him the next day.
At that time nothing was decided. He thought that we would never meet again and I had a difficult time accepting that. And guess what? On the 10th of September, at night, I just booked the flight tickets and told him the next day.
I can't really recommend you to have a long distance relationship. It eats you up inside. Knowing t at on the other side of the planet is a person longing for you as much as you want him to be a part of your life. Bergen is a pretty romantic city and even though I'm very social I often feel alone because I miss his touch and his calm voice and joking with him. I've come to the point were I'm still thinking of him, but I'm not sad anymore. I smile and look forward to the day I see him again. The 26th of December. Gosh, I can't wait!
I'll leave it like that and update you when I get back on the 9th of January.
AIESEC is an organisation I'm part of. During this semester I've encountered several challenges: I had booked a meeting with the UIB people without consulting Thao. It was during the Excel conference and I was confused etc. I've been having meetings, planned the process and giving trainings while making documents for the exchanges.
It has been a lot of work and late nights but we have had such a good time. The celebration on the 29th of October was great! Morten Sortland and singstar is a chapter of its own. It was hilarious and Runar's ladies speech was incredible! He compared internships with ladies. Hehe. I've met a lot of students and having good talks and moments with the members throughout this year.
The OPS today was a success. I felt like I've gotten through this fear of talking in front of an audience and are able to breathe and relax when I'm talking. I'm present. FINALLY!
I've also managed to be a volleyball judge this semester and has judged 2 matches so far. Wuhu! I got the opportunity since I'm playing volleyball twice a week now. I met Rosie, the most outgoing girl from England, at the swimming pool and we've had our "dates" there. I hate that I've been so busy that we've lost contact and I'm writing on my to-do list that I need to get back in touch with her.
One of my best friends' birthday was a hit! It was so nice seeing everyone again and I made a video for her. I'll post it.
The opening ceremony of Bergen Challenge. Red Cross strategy meetings (great food and incredible people!). Dinners with friends. Movie nights. Helge Marie and I made a dance and a song for Chen and Thao at their birthday.
Piano song. Poems. "Sveiseaften". I'm just summing up things now.
Can't believe how lucky I am. In AIESEC I'm in environment that in many ways reflects an international work area and I'm surrounded by people that gives me energy. I'm growing as a person. I have a lovely family that supports me (I sent my dad his birthday present: socks and boxer with a card I made and wrote in Vietnamese!) and friends that are amazing. I have a luxury problem: I got too many things I want to do but I need to remind myself that I only have an amount of capacity.
"Be the change that you want to see in the world"
Mahatma Gandhi
Good night!
It has been a lot of work and late nights but we have had such a good time. The celebration on the 29th of October was great! Morten Sortland and singstar is a chapter of its own. It was hilarious and Runar's ladies speech was incredible! He compared internships with ladies. Hehe. I've met a lot of students and having good talks and moments with the members throughout this year.
The OPS today was a success. I felt like I've gotten through this fear of talking in front of an audience and are able to breathe and relax when I'm talking. I'm present. FINALLY!
I've also managed to be a volleyball judge this semester and has judged 2 matches so far. Wuhu! I got the opportunity since I'm playing volleyball twice a week now. I met Rosie, the most outgoing girl from England, at the swimming pool and we've had our "dates" there. I hate that I've been so busy that we've lost contact and I'm writing on my to-do list that I need to get back in touch with her.
One of my best friends' birthday was a hit! It was so nice seeing everyone again and I made a video for her. I'll post it.
 |
| Old picture of us I used making the video |
 |
| Bergen challenge |
 |
| Spring roll! |
 |
| Home :-) |
Piano song. Poems. "Sveiseaften". I'm just summing up things now.
Can't believe how lucky I am. In AIESEC I'm in environment that in many ways reflects an international work area and I'm surrounded by people that gives me energy. I'm growing as a person. I have a lovely family that supports me (I sent my dad his birthday present: socks and boxer with a card I made and wrote in Vietnamese!) and friends that are amazing. I have a luxury problem: I got too many things I want to do but I need to remind myself that I only have an amount of capacity.
"Be the change that you want to see in the world"
Mahatma Gandhi
Good night!
torsdag 20. oktober 2011
Nice quote!
Hey hey!
So I came across this awesome quote while working on my home exam:
So I came across this awesome quote while working on my home exam:
“Advertising is the last thing you bring to the mix. You start by getting the product right, getting your attitude right, getting everyone internally understanding the mission. Then you move to telling the story through PR. You build the advertising last, and that way you can live on realistic budgets.”
Amy Curtis-McIntyre, Vice President of Marketing i JetBlue
Amy Curtis-McIntyre, Vice President of Marketing i JetBlue
And I simply love this quote as wellSteve Jobs
“Stay young. Stay foolish”
“Stay young. Stay foolish”
And that reminds me of his inspiring video at TED.com
Check it out! (I promise you that it's time well spent)
Check it out! (I promise you that it's time well spent)
torsdag 6. oktober 2011
My AIESEC experience in China
My incentives to go:
- I had to know the product.
At that time I had been a member in AIESEC NHH for 7 months and in the outgoing exchange group: sending Norwegian students abroad. I felt that I had to know what I was talking about!
- View of life
I wanted to realize that I’m very lucky and thought that by having “a taste of poverty” I would appreciate everything I have more. Another factor is that my parents came as refugees from Norway for about 25 years ago and I wanted to have an impression of their previous life in Vietnam.
- International network and get to know the Chinese culture
- Learn the language: At NHH I have 3 Chinese friends who are very close to me.
- I’ve been working every summer since I was 13 and urged to have a different experience and challenge myself by putting me out of my comfort zone.
So I paid the fee and from there it was no turning back!
My first encounter with China
20.09.2011 – 26.06.2011
20th of June I left Gardemoen and about 14 hours later I was in Beijing. I spent the first three days in the capital with Chen Cui and her family.
My first memory of China:
I grabbed a cab at the airport and quickly realized that the driver didn’t speak ANY English. At that time I only knew:
Ni hao (hi), wo hen hao (I’m good), nouwei ren (Norwegian), ni de pi guo zen hao kan (“Your ass is fantastic”), Tai giu le and to count after having a few Chinese lessons with my friend Li. I used the three first sentences, called Chen and gave him the phone. I managed to ask him to turn up the radio: some body language and a smile and you can conquer the world!
Eventually we got to the hotel and then the journey began…
Note to all future travellers: write down the name of the hotel in Chinese letters or learn some Chinese before you got to China!
The Great Wall, the silk market (had to bargain like a mad woman.), The Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City and The Tiananmen Square: check, check, check and double check!
On the 24th I met Anna (EP – exchange participant) and Kerry from New Jersey, Kasia (EP) and Anastazja (EP) from Poland and Michelle from Canada. We went out for KTV (karaoke) with a group from Yale (VIP room and awesome surround system!). It was SO much fun!
New food and drinks:
Bao dse (white buns with meat), donkey baguette, mini - eggs, Mung bean drink and Peeking duck (PS: not all Chinese toilets can flush poop… Make sure to read the sign)”
After the first days I felt very much at home and loved the culture: the food was great and cheap and the city was alive at all times. At this point I haven’t been talking to any locals yet so I still felt like a tourist.
Tianjin: homestay and training
26.06.2011 – 01.07.2011
Sonia from the local committee and her friend in Tianjin picked me up on the train station and I was welcomed by a magician, Shawn, and the café owner at the café, Wendy. After some mind blowing tricks I went to my homestay. She’s the sweetest lady I’ve ever met!
The following day I met Bryan, the leader of the project, Adrian (EP from Seattle), Mohammed (EP from the States) and Joanna (my EP buddy).
We didn’t get any training but spent the next two days swimming (in most pools you need to wear a swimming cap. Oh yeah… I looked pretty smashing in a bright yellow one! Adrian and Wendy are my witnesses), doing yoga and Tai shi (6 O’clock in the morning!), eating delicious food, getting massage and getting to know each other. I also participated in an “English corner” with the locals and beat one of them in badminton. Hehe.
29.06.2011: this was the day I met all the EP’s and we had a small session in the hotel room were we practiced our presentation as the teacher and prepared our roll call (a dance for the opening ceremony).
PS: Tianjin is the 4th largest city and has the best soya milk ever!
Fuyang: the internship begins!
Teaching at the Middle school for student between 16-17 years
02.07.2011 – 20.07.2011
We got a tour around the high school and met Steve Rogers and Mike (coordinators at the school) and Mr. Lee (now it really started hitting me that I was in China).
At the opening ceremony all of the students were standing in a row and the view frightened me.
Tomorrow the lectures begin and we still didn’t know what we were supposed to teach them!
1 day as a teacher:
I was afraid. I was going to have 25 students in the two first lessons and 50 students in the last ones. What have you signed up for, Anita?!
When I got in the class room I wasn’t nervous any more. Since this was a summer camp I wanted them get to know each other, so after my introduction (I also showed them a video of my family I had prepared: they fancied it very much!) we played “my neighbor”.
To sum the two weeks up:
It was hard to decide what to teach the students at times. Especially when I found out that their school day starts at 8 am and finishes at 10 pm with 2 hours of break in the afternoon. And this is a summer camp people! From the beginning I wanted them to talk, learn and have fun. Hangman which turned into idiomatic expressions, charades, quiz, translations and “picture quiz” was some of the teaching methods I used.
I also wanted to “bring the world to them” so I had brought brown cheese, knekkebrød and Kvikk lunsj which they tasted. Some loved it, others hated the brown cheese. “This is delicious” or “what is this?!” they kept saying. I also tried, among other things, to have a role play and mixed the boys with the girls. They were going to ask each other on a date and go to a restaurant to learn how to order food. The relationship between girls and boys are totally different in China. To put it this way: if there are rumors that a boy and a girl like each other, they are together. I also tried teaching them pick- up lines.
“if you were a boogie, I would pick you first!” or “Did you just fart?...... ‘Cause you just blew me away” or “You’re the straw to my berry (you complete me)”. They didn’t get it and I stood up there for 2 minutes laughing before I moved on to the next topic.
Note to myself: you have such bad humor!
We also had PE and “enspretten” with asshole was a hit! A secret: they say they don’t want to dance but they really do!
The biggest challenge was the language and that we were just thrown into everything. We learned by doing and got to know their culture, situation and how humble they can are. A student gave me a mandarin one day and I was filled with joy. I loved how they addressed me as their teacher and how they always stood up whenever as an act of respect.
”Funny misunderstandings have occurred. One of my students argued with me when I told them that Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth.
The whole class was laughing. I'm gonna miss them!”
13.07.2011
Quotes from students
“You are great person, and we are very happy with you”
Uknown
“I hope that you will marry with your favourite boy”
Dick
“I hope you will more and more beautiful!”
Uknown
“You are the most outgoing foreign teacher I’ve ever met. And I enjoy myself when I’m with you and I regard you as my friend. So I hope you can be happy forever”
Miko Yu
I definitely had some of the best moments in that classroom.
“Being a teacher has changed me. I'm not afraid of speaking in public any more. I appreciate what I have. I'm so glad I'm… me! I'm stronger in a way, and this experience has been beyond my expectations.”
16.07.2011
Next stop: Chun an!
Teaching for students between 13 to 14 years old
20.07.2011 – 23.07.2011
At this secondary school in such a small town I realized how bad the school system really is. These students didn’t speak any English and the food was nearly as nourishing as the food we got in Fuyang. Here I could see the progression after each lesson and I felt I made a different.
I only had two hours of teaching a day but during these few days I really got to know them and I wish I could stay there longer. It was hard saying goodbye.
24.07.2011 – 29.07.2011
Shanghai
This was a trip for all of the exchange participants and we spent these last days exploring the city and saying goodbye to each other.
PS: it’s pretty much ladies night every day! (Find the right clubs and you’ll have free drinks and entrance and the clubs have great music, space and view!)
PS: I recommend you The Shanghai aquarium and to eat Ramen!
29.07.2011 – 05.08.2011
Beijing with my brother who came from Australia and we strongly recommend you to stay at a hostel!
Did the budget explode?
No, during these 7 weeks I only spent 9000 all together: transportation, food, gifts, shopping and sightseeing and the round trip flight tickets cost me 5000 kr. + the visa 500 kroner.
All in all: money well spent!
Looking back at it I realize that this was much more than just a project and it exceeded all my expectations even though the duration of the project was almost a week shorter.
If I’m ever in Italy, the Netherlands, Polen, Mauritius, the States, Canada or China I have a friend or two there; an international network in other words. And I’m actually going to Seattle this December to visit Adrian!
I expected to sleep on the floor but I slept at hotels, I expected to get to know people – I got lifelong friends, I thought I was going to just travel in the beginning and at the end of this project: we explored the cities and new places almost every day, I thought I was going to be a teacher – I also became their student, I thought that I was going to starve – that was the least of my concerns and yeah... I think you catch my drift
I strongly recommend you to do the same.
Thanks to AIESEC, the organization and all the great members for giving me this opportunity. I know for certain that this is one of the most powerful and happy experience I’ll ever have in my life. I’ve grown as a person and I’m sure this project also will help me get my dream job.
- I had to know the product.
At that time I had been a member in AIESEC NHH for 7 months and in the outgoing exchange group: sending Norwegian students abroad. I felt that I had to know what I was talking about!
- View of life
I wanted to realize that I’m very lucky and thought that by having “a taste of poverty” I would appreciate everything I have more. Another factor is that my parents came as refugees from Norway for about 25 years ago and I wanted to have an impression of their previous life in Vietnam.
- International network and get to know the Chinese culture
- Learn the language: At NHH I have 3 Chinese friends who are very close to me.
- I’ve been working every summer since I was 13 and urged to have a different experience and challenge myself by putting me out of my comfort zone.
So I paid the fee and from there it was no turning back!
My first encounter with China
20.09.2011 – 26.06.2011
My first memory of China:
I grabbed a cab at the airport and quickly realized that the driver didn’t speak ANY English. At that time I only knew:
Ni hao (hi), wo hen hao (I’m good), nouwei ren (Norwegian), ni de pi guo zen hao kan (“Your ass is fantastic”), Tai giu le and to count after having a few Chinese lessons with my friend Li. I used the three first sentences, called Chen and gave him the phone. I managed to ask him to turn up the radio: some body language and a smile and you can conquer the world!
Eventually we got to the hotel and then the journey began…
Note to all future travellers: write down the name of the hotel in Chinese letters or learn some Chinese before you got to China!
On the 24th I met Anna (EP – exchange participant) and Kerry from New Jersey, Kasia (EP) and Anastazja (EP) from Poland and Michelle from Canada. We went out for KTV (karaoke) with a group from Yale (VIP room and awesome surround system!). It was SO much fun!
Bao dse (white buns with meat), donkey baguette, mini - eggs, Mung bean drink and Peeking duck (PS: not all Chinese toilets can flush poop… Make sure to read the sign)”
After the first days I felt very much at home and loved the culture: the food was great and cheap and the city was alive at all times. At this point I haven’t been talking to any locals yet so I still felt like a tourist.
Tianjin: homestay and training
26.06.2011 – 01.07.2011
Sonia from the local committee and her friend in Tianjin picked me up on the train station and I was welcomed by a magician, Shawn, and the café owner at the café, Wendy. After some mind blowing tricks I went to my homestay. She’s the sweetest lady I’ve ever met!
The following day I met Bryan, the leader of the project, Adrian (EP from Seattle), Mohammed (EP from the States) and Joanna (my EP buddy).
We didn’t get any training but spent the next two days swimming (in most pools you need to wear a swimming cap. Oh yeah… I looked pretty smashing in a bright yellow one! Adrian and Wendy are my witnesses), doing yoga and Tai shi (6 O’clock in the morning!), eating delicious food, getting massage and getting to know each other. I also participated in an “English corner” with the locals and beat one of them in badminton. Hehe.
29.06.2011: this was the day I met all the EP’s and we had a small session in the hotel room were we practiced our presentation as the teacher and prepared our roll call (a dance for the opening ceremony).
PS: Tianjin is the 4th largest city and has the best soya milk ever!
Fuyang: the internship begins!
Teaching at the Middle school for student between 16-17 years
02.07.2011 – 20.07.2011
We got a tour around the high school and met Steve Rogers and Mike (coordinators at the school) and Mr. Lee (now it really started hitting me that I was in China).
At the opening ceremony all of the students were standing in a row and the view frightened me.
Tomorrow the lectures begin and we still didn’t know what we were supposed to teach them!
1 day as a teacher:
I was afraid. I was going to have 25 students in the two first lessons and 50 students in the last ones. What have you signed up for, Anita?!
When I got in the class room I wasn’t nervous any more. Since this was a summer camp I wanted them get to know each other, so after my introduction (I also showed them a video of my family I had prepared: they fancied it very much!) we played “my neighbor”.
To sum the two weeks up:
It was hard to decide what to teach the students at times. Especially when I found out that their school day starts at 8 am and finishes at 10 pm with 2 hours of break in the afternoon. And this is a summer camp people! From the beginning I wanted them to talk, learn and have fun. Hangman which turned into idiomatic expressions, charades, quiz, translations and “picture quiz” was some of the teaching methods I used.
I also wanted to “bring the world to them” so I had brought brown cheese, knekkebrød and Kvikk lunsj which they tasted. Some loved it, others hated the brown cheese. “This is delicious” or “what is this?!” they kept saying. I also tried, among other things, to have a role play and mixed the boys with the girls. They were going to ask each other on a date and go to a restaurant to learn how to order food. The relationship between girls and boys are totally different in China. To put it this way: if there are rumors that a boy and a girl like each other, they are together. I also tried teaching them pick- up lines.
“if you were a boogie, I would pick you first!” or “Did you just fart?...... ‘Cause you just blew me away” or “You’re the straw to my berry (you complete me)”. They didn’t get it and I stood up there for 2 minutes laughing before I moved on to the next topic.
Note to myself: you have such bad humor!
We also had PE and “enspretten” with asshole was a hit! A secret: they say they don’t want to dance but they really do!
The biggest challenge was the language and that we were just thrown into everything. We learned by doing and got to know their culture, situation and how humble they can are. A student gave me a mandarin one day and I was filled with joy. I loved how they addressed me as their teacher and how they always stood up whenever as an act of respect.
”Funny misunderstandings have occurred. One of my students argued with me when I told them that Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth.
The whole class was laughing. I'm gonna miss them!”
13.07.2011
Quotes from students
“You are great person, and we are very happy with you”
Uknown
“I hope that you will marry with your favourite boy”
Dick
“I hope you will more and more beautiful!”
Uknown
“You are the most outgoing foreign teacher I’ve ever met. And I enjoy myself when I’m with you and I regard you as my friend. So I hope you can be happy forever”
Miko Yu
I definitely had some of the best moments in that classroom.
“Being a teacher has changed me. I'm not afraid of speaking in public any more. I appreciate what I have. I'm so glad I'm… me! I'm stronger in a way, and this experience has been beyond my expectations.”
16.07.2011
Next stop: Chun an!
Teaching for students between 13 to 14 years old
20.07.2011 – 23.07.2011
At this secondary school in such a small town I realized how bad the school system really is. These students didn’t speak any English and the food was nearly as nourishing as the food we got in Fuyang. Here I could see the progression after each lesson and I felt I made a different.
I only had two hours of teaching a day but during these few days I really got to know them and I wish I could stay there longer. It was hard saying goodbye.
24.07.2011 – 29.07.2011
Shanghai
This was a trip for all of the exchange participants and we spent these last days exploring the city and saying goodbye to each other.
PS: it’s pretty much ladies night every day! (Find the right clubs and you’ll have free drinks and entrance and the clubs have great music, space and view!)
PS: I recommend you The Shanghai aquarium and to eat Ramen!
29.07.2011 – 05.08.2011
Beijing with my brother who came from Australia and we strongly recommend you to stay at a hostel!
Did the budget explode?
No, during these 7 weeks I only spent 9000 all together: transportation, food, gifts, shopping and sightseeing and the round trip flight tickets cost me 5000 kr. + the visa 500 kroner.
All in all: money well spent!
Looking back at it I realize that this was much more than just a project and it exceeded all my expectations even though the duration of the project was almost a week shorter.
If I’m ever in Italy, the Netherlands, Polen, Mauritius, the States, Canada or China I have a friend or two there; an international network in other words. And I’m actually going to Seattle this December to visit Adrian!
I expected to sleep on the floor but I slept at hotels, I expected to get to know people – I got lifelong friends, I thought I was going to just travel in the beginning and at the end of this project: we explored the cities and new places almost every day, I thought I was going to be a teacher – I also became their student, I thought that I was going to starve – that was the least of my concerns and yeah... I think you catch my drift
I strongly recommend you to do the same.
Thanks to AIESEC, the organization and all the great members for giving me this opportunity. I know for certain that this is one of the most powerful and happy experience I’ll ever have in my life. I’ve grown as a person and I’m sure this project also will help me get my dream job.
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