| Ashwin's profileLet's get ready to RUMMM...PhotosBlogLists |  Tools  Help |
|
March 12 The Indian JobFirstly, IM BACK!!
Secondly, IM EARNING MONEY!!
Fourthly, I CAN'T COUNT!!!
You may have seen the movie the Italian job, the old one being a classic, and the new one being a very passable remake, though not at the same level. The old one involves a bunch of crooks who steal a shitload of gold and end up hanging on the edge of a cliff, with the gold on one side of the bus they are on, and their lives on the other side of the bus.
My Indian adventure has wrought something of a cliff's edge period in my life as well. I haven't really talked with anyone about it, mainly because I came back and was thrown into the corporate world head first and at great speed. The balance is as follows:
- I experienced India, I wondered at its breathtaking natural beauty, its diverse history, its heartaching reach at becoming something great. I also breathed in the dark, heavy air, i coughed; i drank the suspect mineral water, i wandered the dirty streets, traveled to the remotest villages and looked at the ugliest face it had to offer. Most of all, I connected with its people; they are a different lot over there, more open about matters of the heart and more closed about matters of the mind. They look forward and think backward at the same time. They are cheesy, and sophisticated, they are westernized and so very traditional. And I sit, unable to to remove the idea of India from my mind. I traveled in the southern regions and I seriously, for the first time, considered that I could live in this country, regardless of the problems it has or maybe because of them, and be happy.
- I arrived back in Australia, and it was like waking up from a vivid dream....I had returned home, to safety and to the things that I know well. To my friends (one in particular) to my parents, my house, my city, a new job, money, and all with a new outlook on life. This is where I will be safe, this is where I can rest.
So the balance is, where is my future going to lie? Will I play it safe and stick with what I know, where my support system is, or am I going to plunge into the timewarp that is India, and make my fortune (i mean that in a broad sense) there?
I don't know, I just don't know and so I'm gonna do my best to enjoy my time here with what I know, and the people who care for me, and continue to ponder this conundrum.
The question for me therefore, is: "where am I going?"
Ashwin December 05 A traineeship at lastI thought that I would post here about my self-organised traineeship in Udaipur Rajasthan. Firstly, sorry to Lammo and Been for not adding to Monash statistics :), but this opportunity was something I wanted. But from my point of view, its all about making a positive impact, and it doesnt matter whether you do it through AIESEC, though in my case, I wouldnt be doing this if I hadn't been part of AIESEC.
From the start. Like I said, I'm working in Udaipur, my family's home town and the city where I was born and have a deep attachment to. Its a "small" city of about 400,000 people in the South of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is a desert state on the border of India and Pakistan, with a population of about 50million people, with a large percentage living in rural areas. It is one of the boom states of India, with growth due to tourism, mining and just recently IT starting to push up incomes, but its history is a poor one, with many backward practices, marginalisation of women, illiteracy and other problems having plagued it, and still plague it.
I'm working for an organisation called Seva Mandir (translates literally: Service Temple, but service in a good karma kind of way, it you get that). They work with rural populations around Udaipur and service about 500 villages within 100-150 kilometres of the city. In brief, they have three strategies:
1. Livelihoods: providing sustainable methods of farming and other natural resource management strategies to help villagers improve their standard of life.
2. Capabilities: This word actually refers to their Women and Children Development area, where they run various programs to encourage education of children, empowerment for women and general health initiatives for all the people in the village.
3. Institutions: this program deals with then trying to "outsource" their programs to the villagers themselves, ie providing them enough training, guidance, monitoring and money to run Village "funds" where they can basically provide loans to members for small projects that will make their lives better.
I'm working for a project that cuts across all three areas. The Capabilities program helps women set up small businesses (by providing, research, expertise and credit facilities). They currently have 60 such businesses set up, employing somewhere around 500 women. The problem they are having is with record keeping, tracking of these businesses, and then having a reliable database to be able to learn from their programs and make adjustments where needed.
So my project is looking at firstly making better record keeping systems that semi-literate women should be able to keep up-to-date. Then looking at the ways that Seva Mandir's field workers can best translate that information and send it to Seva Mandir. Finally I'll be assisting in the creation of a database that will store this information and I'll need to help create queries that the people at Seva Mandir can use. One of hte functions will be providing better credit information to their partner banks that lend at a micro level, to ensure that they can secure additional funds for more micro-enterprises.
So that's my story for the next few months, and I'll be attending a shitload of weddings during this time (the benefit of staying with rellies). I had thought I would stay in a hostel that they have set up for other foreign volunteers (from places like America, Canada, France), but they put me down as a local, and my cousins said "WHY??" so I'm staying with rellies and hopefully doing some good in the daytime.
Namaskar,
Ashwin November 11 OFF TO INDIA FOR 3 MONTHS!!I'm leaving tonight for India, away for 3 months, during which time I'll be attending an awesome wedding, catching up with my cousins after a long time, and hopefully working on a DT or something similar (might be non-AIESEC organised, if I organise it myself) for 2 of those months...........
To everyone who has made this year the best ever for me, thank you so much. I hope that I when I come back from India, I'll have some amazing experiences to talk about and I will be able to encourage other people to do the same thing.
Au revoir for now, and I hope that all of you have an amazing summer!!!
Ash October 28 Exam procrastinationI should be sitting down and studying, as I have the toughest two exams of my degree coming up, and if i fail either one, im screwed. BUT i have hay fever, and can't think straight, so perfect time to do some exam procrastination. I was looking through the archive of funny pictures that people have sent me over the years through emails, etc and found six pictures from a look alike competition. Doggone it, but I must say, these people are really scary!
October 18 am sick, but found my ENGLAND PORTRAIT!!!!!sick again, as per usual, im used to it by now, just something that i guess that I will have to put up with for my life, i have a shit immune system.
BUT, in some good news, my mum was cleaning the back room and found something which I thought I had lost forever..........when we were in England in 1998, i had a portrait drawn by a Chinese Artist in Trafalgar square. It cost 10 pounds, but it was worth it. I feel it brings out a level of innocence and an almost feminine quality of a 13 year old boy. I used to be very insecure about my appearance (what's changed and who isnt?) but this portrait was awesome because although it didnt make me look "good" per se, it did bring out a certain quality in my face which I was really proud of. I thought I had lost this, that we had left it in India somewhere, but it was here all along!!! so happy and so many memories of my trip to Europe all those years ago....
October 13 MY LAST EXAMS!!!! but that means.........major nausea (is that how you spell it?) just hit me. on the 3rd of november, the day of my last exam, i will have (assuming i pass my subjects) finished my 4 year degree!
oh my god (haha, funny i say that, just read makka's blog), i thought I would be happier than this. But i don't think I wan't to leave uni. I think the reason for that is that this year has been absolutely the greatest ever. I haven't worked part-time, i've grown so much, and learned so much, I've slacked off studies, I've achieved the goals that I wanted to achieve (including a fairly personal, through no action of my own :) ), I've developed close relationships with people and really felt like I have become a better person.
What next year? working 50hrs a week, in a job that will probably not be my future, and living for weekends, so that I can go and get wasted to drown out the boredom of full-time work?
maybe i shouldnt go into the job with an attitude like that, but at the moment, I feel like i wanna call them up and say, screw you, im doing honours, or starting a new degree!!! i wish.........
Ash October 09 So there it is, the new EB, the future of AIESEC MonashPeople say Human Resources at companies is an easy job. and maybe they are right, but when it comes to selecting or not selecting people who you have a connection with and are immensely proud of, let me tell you its not easy, at all.
Friday night was a difficult night for a few people, people who I care for. To those who made it to the EB, congratulations, I'm sure that you will have a fantastic year and hopefully develop.
Its tough when you want something and you don't get it. Something that I've learned is that when one door closes, another opens. Leadership is not just a position its a series of actions and decisions, and as Will has said, second year team members can really drive the LC, because they are knowledgable, experienced and passionate, but are not burdened with the responsibilities of a team leader. Make the most of what you have learned from the experience and im sure you will also have an incredible year as well.
From my point of view, being on the EB this year has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life. It has been more rewarding then anything I have ever done and for that I must thank all the people who made it possible, the past leaders of AIESEC Monash who put in so much hard work to ensure that the organization survived at Monash and allowed me to gain access to this opportunity and the current crop of leaders who have helped, inspired and motivated me this year. Thank you EB.
The whole EB was inspiration for me, but just a quick special thank you to Nicolai. Nick has been a shining example of dedication, hard work, craziness, passion and leadership this year for me. His inspiration after he came back from AP was something that really moved me to put in the hard work that was required.
Inspired by the kind of help that Huy and Vivi gave us and are giving us, I would like to be the kind of alumni who properly takes part in the AIESEC experience, and if there were only one reason for it, it would be so that others can have the experiences that I have and become the kind of people who will make a difference to this crazy world of ours.
I would have liked to leave a more enduring and solid legacy, but the one thing that I think I have done, is follow through with the hard work that Darren had done the year before, and at least reminded AIESEC Monash, what it means to have trainees. If that can help inspire the LC to perform and grow, I will be happy.
So, to the EB and all the members of next year, I wish you the best of luck, and look forward to hearing about the amazing things that you are doing, as well as seeing you develop and discover your potential and follow the AIESEC experience.
Ash October 03 RenewalDear Electronic Blog,
You know when after a rainy day, the clouds part, and the sun comes out? and if your lucky, the rays hit the moist air at just the right angle, and this rainbow forms? Well its like a sense of renewal, like things are right once again. Sure the grass is still wet, and sky is still a little gray, and you feel like there might be a chance of a little more rain........but you also know that good weather is not far away, and it gives you a sense of hope and energy.
That is the metaphor of the moment for me.
Ash October 01 an emotional childyep, i admit it.........i am an emotional child. I have the emotional reasoning skills of a 7 year old, mixed with the the wants and needs of a 21 year old. What can I say.........its just me.
but the good news (or bad news for the child) is that im growing, and the child is under threat, not just of growing up, but being replaced by a different and more mature person. Now you might think, won't that change who you are? maybe, but this new person will have a bit of what the child used to be and I hope will make more mature decisions and choices.
not sure how many others there are out there, but if you are an emotional child, you are not alone, there is one other person, though maybe not for long.........
Ash September 19 Sunday night, a beautiful girl, a cruise on the river........aaahwhat a treat, goes to show what a little planning can do.............. September 14 Burrawang Rises (Burra = big, get it?)Slightly late entry about last weekend. But haven't had enough time.
It was back to Nick's for some good "wholesome" fun, as well as some sessions and bonding with the LC. It was a great night, lots of mafia, drinking, bonding and stuff..........
I took some photos, but i think i just need to accept that my photography skills are not up to scratch and my habit of trying to take "in the moment" photos needs to stop and i should just stick with posing and smiling or making stupid faces.
Ash September 10 An amazing quoteCheers to Cam for posting this on his blog, I really, really like it, for me, it was one of those quotes that comes along and make you sit up, take notice and really change your way of thinking about things. For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.-- Alfred D. Souz Ash Caption says its allGot a forwarded email with this picture attached, thought it is worth sharing with people
The caption says its all: September 04 With great power comes great responsibilityWatched Spiderman the other night again.......however sad that may be, the only thing in that movie worth really remembering is the line that is the subject of this posting.
However this entry isnt about Spiderman, its about George Walker Bush and his moronic presidency of the US of A. I'm sure that various invective has been used diss him, ranging from "HE IS THE FREAKING DEVIL AND SHOULD DIEE!!!!" to "George Bush's pandering to the religious right has alienated him from all liberal leaning people and many moderate republicans".
I think that everything in between is probably true about him to some extent, but if you have been following the recent events in the States about the poor people in Louisiana and surrounding states, and his and his administration's reaction to it, it pretty much sums up why he is a bad president, HE IS LAZY. Simple as that. Now, I have nothing against lazy people, since I am one of them. But, with positions of great power, like the president of the largest, richest and most powerful country in the world, comes great responsibility, and one cannot afford to be lazy. The president of the United States cannot sleep for 8hrs a day, with maybe a little nap in the afternoon. He cannot take ridiculous amounts of holidays at his Texas Ranch and when his country needs him, pause to finish rounding up the cattle (just made the bit about cattle up, i doubt he did that, but wouldnt be surprised, he does take way too many holidays tho). If he wanted to do those things, he should have stayed as the head of a ranch and spent a nice quiet life living off his father's money, or even as the governor of Texas.
He is lazy enough to hand a lot of power to his neocon friends, including the likes of Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz (though thankfully that's over now) and Donald Rumsfeld. These people are the types who would be brilliant in the business world, but when it comes to running a country of millions of diverse people and taking care of EVERYONE, not just the rich, they are completely wrong. They are the sorts who really advocated and spread propaganda about the disastrous war in Iraq. They are the ones who presided over things like Abu Ghraib and are presiding over Iraq slowly sliding into civil war.
When Americans decided to re-elect a lazy man for their president, they made a huge mistake, which they should realise now, after the horrendous handling of the response to Katrina.
Ash August 30 Tongue tiedNow, I wouldnt describe myself as articulate, but generally I can hold up one end of a conversation. I may not have scintillating wit, but I can say a few funny things now and then.
So I'm completely baffled at my inability to make long lasting intelligent conversation with a certain person; someone who i really should be trying my best of impress with dazzling wit and deep thoughts...........
I seem to start drifting off onto weird tangents, saying stupid things that make her pause, and generally making a complete dufus of myself............what am I? 13yrs old? for crying out loud.........
Ash
August 29 Im going on a DT!!!Just had a chat with Ally Tyree from PWC on friday! She says I can start in June!!! that means..........I can go on a DT after my India trip..........BOOYAH! My idea of using my skills gained from my life, and applying them to make a real difference to a community that hasnt been as lucky.
The one downside to this of course is that I won't be able to see a ceratin for a sizeable period of time. But she has been uber (her little word of the month) supportive and understands that it is something that I really want to do (one of my tops goal for my learning plan). She really is awesome like that.
I don't think im the easiet of people to go out with, I can be a little aloof at times, a little out of it.........my planning skills leave something to be desired, and the fact that I've been really busy recently is a pain too. So you may ask yourself, why is that anyone would stick around..........I'd like to think my devastating looks........but I somehow doubt it. I don't know myself actually...........but I'm not complaining, not at all :)
Anyway, back to the DT, its something I'm really looking forward to, but need to start getting things ready now. Like actually putting in an application to Lammo, and looking on the system to the kind of positions available.
Ash
P.S. I should be doing work at the moment, but procrastination has taken hold........ Happiness, the ultimate goal?Hey Electronic Blog,
This is a comment i made in response to one of Yi's postings on her blog. I thought I should put it here as well, because I kind of helped myself crystallize what drives me a little more.
Hey Yi and Lobov, Hope that made some sense, i guess we all struggle with questions like this, just wanted to give u my take on it. Good luck finding happiness, Ash August 24 Midsemester madnessHey there blog,
Just needed to blow some steam after International Finance midsemester.........i screwed it a fair bit.....
not looking forward to getting my results.......not sure where my brain was. I was keyed up for it, thought id done the study, but then in the test, everything seemed to fall apart........man, i don't do that normally........normally its the other way, im confused until my exams, and then go in and everything seems to crystallize.........ah well, just need to get my study back on track.
But, just to screw with me, some fun events are coming up:
27th: Regional Exchange simulation.......fun for the whole family (AIESEC family that is).......I AM OVERLORD!! being able to say that, is the best thing about it........i need more time!! but i have facis now, so that's good
3rd: regional ICX training day, more fun for the whole family
10th/11th - LC weekend away: going to Nick's house, getting smashed, having fun......nuff said.....well, hopefully Marina will be arriving that night, but we'll see. Oh and the daytime on the 10th is screwed too :)
23rd-25th - Huy's eagerly awaited trip to Drommana.......lots of cool ppl, lots of wine, lots of beer, lots of cheese, lots of not sleeping, lots of trying to convince other people to sleep on the floor so that I will be able to get a bed and lots of FUN!! (Huy is officially a legend by the way..........)
August 18 "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away"Ok, im gonna be delibrately obtuse here and not say anything specific, but this has been possibly the craziest week ever.............some weird shit has been happening, and I'm a little overwhelmed and dazed.
Somethings are good, really good.........somethings confusing, and somethings have me worried..........
I've learned a few things about myself, and others, that have floored me, and really changed my outlook.
Hmm, i guess I'll post more down the track, hopefully clarify things, for me and for anyone crazy enough to be still reading this boring old blog of mine.
Ash
August 13 Volunteering, non AIESEC stlyes (THANKS LAMMO)Hey Electronic Blog,
Just thought I would post my thoughts on going on Soupvan with Alex last night. Going on the St. Vinnie's soupvan is something that I've been wanting to do for the last 6 months, but I havent really chased up on, due being busy with my other volunteering, AIESEC. Thanks to Alex for making me get up off my lazy ass and actually going along with him.
My impressions from last night:
1. The people who run the program are absolute legends, closest things to modern day "saints" as I've come across personally in Melbourne. It's amazing how much work they put into something because of their beliefs (be they Christian beliefs) that helping people less fortunate than themselves is their duty as good human beings. And I was amazed that 2 of those guys were afflicted by cancer, going through chemo or prepping for surgery, yet here they were, on a freezing friday night when they could have been in bed, handing out hot soup and food to people on the streets.
2. The people on the streets of Melbourne are about how I imagined them. There are the mentally depressed/unstable, the substance abusers, the homeless and apparently the crooks who take the food and resell it to others. Its not a pretty sight, but its real, its what happens on the streets of Melbourne, right under our noses and its something that I never really faced up to before last night.
3. Alex had told me that generally things are quiet but there can be a few people who get a bit aggressive or take too much food. Personally I didnt experience that myself. A majority of hte people there seemed like normal people down on their luck. I also found out the power of a kind word, a smile and a bit of politeness. People seemed to respond to these things, no matter what their state (well, a few were completely zoned out, but by and large........)
We stayed back longer than planned because they were short people last night, but i didnt mind it. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to get involved in this (not specifically THIS) but any kind of volunteering, whether because your an AIESECer but ur not living our values or your just a good person, wanting to make someone else's life a little better..........
Oh yeah, and Vivi's night was good, can't believe how many people turned out for his farewell thing, AIESECers from I don't know how many generations..........plus other people. Wish I hadn't been driving: THEY HAD BECKS ON TAP!! but oh well.........good luck to Vivi on his journey!!
Ash |
|
|
