From February to June..summary

Highlights from February to August...Part 1
March
Visit to Montevideo
It was my first visit to Montevideo, to Uruguay generally. They invited me for their local conference, and for coaching of ER and ICX area- generally sales. All my MC mates that came from Monte were very satisfied and relaxed so I was really looking forward to see that magic ;)..
.. aaand- was really great- the last cultural experience of ConoSur I was missing and very important part to get this mosaic of ConoSur together. The most open and relaxed part of ConoSur ..There are many many things to talk about but I will highlight just some..
Business Culture
That was incredible!! I went for several meetings with the guys and in each of them we spend first 30 min talking about our life, about Slovakia, about Czech Republic , cultural differences- whatever ad then like 1 hour on working stuff.. Record time on the meeting 2 hours! In Czech Republic that would be highly unprofessional.. yes - just small icebreaker at the beginning and then directly to the point… here? Uuuff talking about everything possible but business .. very interesting :).. But on the other side I could feel the “relationship building”.. Once I caught myself that I really liked the conversation so much that in fact I did not want to proceed to AIESEC stuff hehe :P..
Mate Culture
This was really really interesting- mate everywhere! All the time you take a mate cup, put there the mate herb almost until top and then all the time add water from a thermo bottle. Then pass it to other people.. yes everybody drinking from one cup, one straw.. no washing :P… it kind of shows the trust, friendship, relaxed attitude.. and I started to LOVE mate! Really!
What is the funniest thing about that that you see people going on the streets with Thermo under their arm and mate cup in the hand, there is one advertisement how Uruguayans do everything with right hand, cause in other they hold mate.. and it s not exaggerated!!
People
Amazing how people are open and directly accept you as friend .. the feeling there with all the people was great from the beginning. very open and very hospital- Thank you Juampa, Guille and Chechu for hosting me, Diego for invitation for family lunch!! I really hope once I can host you in my home and invite for lunch or dinner as well!!!!!And another thing- girls- if you want really hot guys.. well- I recommend Uruguay! ;)
The conference in Monte
At the conference I was really enjoying, delivering sessions about balanced scorecard or competencies and the one I liked the most was “Be One Day as” when I thought them how to be Slovaks :D.. Aaai that was soo funy- they are so much NON Slovaks :D.. I thought them how to say “Ako sa volas?”(what s your name) Volam sa” (My name is), we screamed the hockey shout, we said “No” what meant actually "yes" in our language as shortcut of “Ano” etc etc.. when they were trying to say our words was really great.. or when they just shaked hands and greet themselves just with ahoj without any kiss they were so unnatural and soo cute :)– was visibly very weird for them and for me was very interesting to observe :D
Well after the conference I got sick so I stayed in a home of one newie- they cared about me so much! Thank you Guille once more and to all your family!

March..
A hard month for me.. very much.. especially in terms of results, choices, decision, values.... That time I had to choose.. I knew I have a lot of work and I knew I need to bring sustainability and money to the MC.. and I knew I need to focus, cause working on 5 things at one time did not bring nothin positive..and I needed to bring sustainability to whole region, especially in sales in local level.. and I chose more the region than MC.. I focused on training, coaching, tracking and education and relied on results coming from LCs than bringing them by myself only..
Then imagine.. having a looot of work, doing a loot of stuff and.. no results were coming.. and in sales when you are not bringing money to the budget it affects the whole MC team.. I felt all the time very embarrassed and stressed coming to “Financial sustainability task force meeting” and declare the bad situation..It was like- Father of the family that is not earning enough money..Terrible feeling.. several times reflecting my decision and thinking should I persist in this way, should I still invest more in LCs? Or doing the things myself? I tried to do also by myself while involving them, I took them to the meetings..Still many times I did not feel it works.. but time after time the things started to move.. at least I saw people are getting more and more meetings, getting more people in their sales teams..
On the other side.. The projects I put totally aside.. and then it was very visible.. and I got depressed also from that - again that I was not able to show in ConoSur that yes projects, or- exchange done in project way- is a good strategy.. and many other things that I wanted to do and did not have time.. because I focused and prioritized.. and chose…
Just then when at the end of Q3 we raised the biggest number of X/Quarter in last years I realized – yes it was for something Yes it s GOOD to FOCUS!
Here I really want to thank to Rodrigo that supported me amazingly in these times.. :*

April
One of last working months in MC.. starting to prepare for leaving though do not want to leave.. strange feeling.. It s all the time at the end, when you get used to do the environment, you know finally how the things work, you get to know your team mates much better and finally get friends and trust in them.. and suddenly you need to think about finishing.. This month for me is connected with louds of fun at MC flat with the guys, a lot of jokes, sarcasm and laugh..

May
Our last conferences
In our last conferences I was responsible for External day- we got there very very great and interesting people! Many of them were actually those that I met during my term on the meetings and I told to myself: "Damn our memers have to get to know them!"
Then for example watching the panel discussion of Argentinean entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs was very interesting, they supported many of our messages and for me it was very incredible cause finally I understoood!! Finally I could react on their talks and everything.. :)
For me was great to go lunch with Francisco McKinley (Endeavor Entrepreneur) and talking about the failures he did in his Entrepreneurship.. as he told :” I will not tell you about my successes! You will not learn so much as when I will talk about my failures..” Very inspiring guy..also the conference itself- for me was first time I was facilitator on leadership development conference so I enjoyed a lot! Was something new but I really really loved that! That is topic that I enjoy!
And also the MC despedida (good bye) was cool- LC guys simulated MC in such a great way I almost peed from laughing! :D
Only thing that was sad, when we were crying with the guys while saying good bye… Was very strong, I had there many very very good friends and people that I really liked to talk, to have fun to work with... and I was preparing myself to not to see them again.. aaah… so sad that AIESEC is all the time about coming and leaving…

June
Month of transition- month when our successors came and we were teaching them what everything we learnt, lived, did last year.. Me personally I have to say I was very satisfied with my successors, how they were catching the things and using the inputs form us for their term, coming with new ideas and inputs… I saw in them he energy that in our case was already a bit missing, I saw in them the huge motivation adn DRIVE to move the things.. to show to ConoSur how to use it potential .. I was very happy they came.. in right time on right place.. :)
Leaving ConoSur MC happy and satisfied that it will be in good hands..:*

When reflecting on the year a bit- all the stress, all the tough situation, all the work, learning all the people all the experience made it tiring but very special and amazing year that really changed me and my team mates as well..
Was very interesting when on our last non-formal meeting with MC we were discussing who changed and how.. and generally all of us moved a lot, gained self-confidence, became stronger.. and us CEE girls became much happier :D.. then it moved in philosophizing where we will end up in several years and then much further how will be our children like :P….aai that was so funny! On request I can describe you our image of children of Marina, Maxi, Emil, Vika and Javi hehehe. aaaai I miss you guys!!!!
Was nice finish and then even better start of the new life - my family came with my sister and we went to travel around Latin America.. but that is already another story….

Winning a battle...

What I lived in last week I can really call a “life changing experience”.. I just hope I will be able to pass it in this post in a right way ;)..

When I came from Slovakia, we had like 7 days to prepare the conference for 1 whole week..
I met my facilitators in Santiago for our first meeting exactly 5 days before conference. We spend a loot of time on talking what does the conference mean for us, what impact we want to see in the delegates afterwards, we discussed a lot our way of working and expectations from each other. After meetings of 2 hours I just loved my faci team- I had 3 very very special people- Piotr from Poland, currently working in Ecuador as Vice President external relations, I had Felix- ex Local Committee President from Germany, currently studying in Santiago and I had Tomas- our star-member from Chile opening the new committee in Mendoza in Argentina. All of them had very diverse experience and I knew from the beginning that the conference with them will be just cool..

And so it happened.. but not from the beginning..I did not feel ready for the first day I felt kind of stressed cause I knew how many things are still missing and what everything still needs to be done- and as I was Agenda manager I was finally responsible- I had to make sure that everything is going on well..

And I also felt a bit stressed cause I made a promise with Joaco on last conference that I will deliver one session in Spanish- and I announced it to whole faci team so I just had to do it.. :S
We started our track on Monday, the first session and I suddenly just ask how many people have problems with English- several hands arose- so I switched to Spanish. I could not express myself so well- made a loot of mistakes and mixed English and Spanish but anyway- for me was huge step forward- 1st time I spoke in front of more people Spanish, first time I was not so scared to use Spanish.. so I was very very proud about me .. but not for long time..
Every day we gathered the inputs from the delegates what they liked, what not, what they wish to improve and feedback for me this day was like: “Improve your communication (language)”, “use either English or Spanish (don’t mix!)”, “Use the language that is more comfortable for you..”

Uuufff.. this was like a slap into the face when you do not expect it! it made me almost cry..
People could not imagine what a challenge I overcame that day, what a huge step it meant for me, how proud I was.. I was very disappointed- the positive feedback and appreciation of some people that I m trying to speak in their language I just did not take in consideration..
I just told to myself ok.. so this conference I m not going to deliver the session in Spanish. It s too bad.. Sorry Joaco, sorry other people that supported me.. it s not the time now..and I just gave up..

Next day I just spoke in English. I did not want to use Spanish at all.
Then in the feedbacks in the evening appeared “ Tina try to speak Spanish more”..
Mmmm..So what do you want finally?? It was really ridiculous everything.. I was even more disappointed cause these people do not know what they want..

On 4th Day I woke up and suddenly there was a light in my head saing “Well Tina it is not really about what “they” want.. it is about what YOU want!!”

That day we had a simulation of a Project in our track and I was supposed to present the flow and rules and all tasks.. In a break I took Piotr and Felix and I said to them- please listen and correct me. And I told them all the session in Spanish asking for the words that were missing to be prepared to deliver all information in Spanish to the delegates fluently and without many mistakes..

and so I did!!

I talked like 30 min in Spanish needed help like with 1 or 2 words and at the end I just said- so this was my first session in Spanish and guys started to clap so widely that I just could not believe !!

And what was even better- afterwards I had my ER track where 1 guy does not speak English at all- so I decided to do all in Spanish- and I managed!! I don’t know how but suddenly I found myself speaking Spanish..Of course I sometimes lost the words of course I sometimes could not explain everything- but the guys helped me and at the end everything was ok!
So this was the day D.. but just the day D No1 ;)..

My next objective of the conference was to pass clear message about the projects- how to do them and that it really makes sense to do exchange in a project way.. After our simulation that we had a feedback round with the delegates, where we gave them inputs for all the tasks they did and introduced the Regional Project Strategy, several people came to me that they want to stay in contact with me, that they are really interested in projects and that they want to be part of regional project strategy..

You cannot believe what did those words after my half-year-striving (and usually) falling-down meant.. It just made me more motivated to continue with the partnerships and finish in the right way all the strategies I started!.
Furthermore on this Day D No2 I fulfilled my next objective-
to have a speech in front of whole plenary of ConoSur in Spanish- as I never did so..
so I did that day..I told them the story about trying, getting comments, giving up, striving more and now staying in frint of all of them speaking in Spanish..I have never had such an applause as this one!! :)

What was even better- after this speech changed the attitude of the people- the started to approach me more, were not afraid of me, were much closer, and I felt I m part of them I felt I am welcome, I felt I … suddenly became LaTina!! :)
I remembered the post that my predecessor- Sveta- had in her blog about “key to Latin American heart”- it was exactly about the language, about understanding, about joining the discussions, about listening and getting the point of talks around.. it was really the Key that was missing in my stay here..

But anyway mine Day Ds did not finish yet that time:)..
After 5 days of the conference we had 2 more days – Project Days where I was supposed to teach in detail all the people how to lead the team, how to manage a project, how to connect all the different areas together to create outstanding results.. Imagine group of people after 5 days conference working during day, partying during night, totally wasted.. and now Tina teach them! Tina show them! Tina motivate them!.. uufff.. I was soo glad I had Tomas and Piotr to help me cause alone I would be totally wasted after that- with them I believe we put our strengths together and really created very good seminar for the particpants

And best moment but for me also to most scaring moment that persuaded me about the success was when Tomas at the end of Project Days said to the delegates standing in the circle: “Now all those who want in next year join a project do a step in the front”
Iin my head was just “O my God Tomas, noooo.. what a quetsion what if nobody will do the step?? Aaaa” I was soo much afraid of the truth- but suddenly I saw that like 70 % of the delegates- except of Vice presidents (that of course cannot join projects cause they have their areas) took the step in the front!... I was just so happy that I forgot to do the step by myself :P
So the conference finished with my huge satisfaction.

With a winning a battle that I was taking last half a year here..
and I just realized that this everything was not because it took some time to make the things happen- no- I realized could have done it much earlier!! Seriously!
It did not take so much time to buy a Book of Spanish and go through the lessons- actually I made 12 lessons in 2 weeks before the conference.. the same with projects- I could have done project day sooner at last conference and it would make a difference- it s just matter of will, of effort- but I was waiting..I was scared saying to myself:
“No I m not prepared.. no Conosur is not prepared..”

NO

If not today- when?? We can delay forever- if we try today we will directly see the result tomorrow..can be good, can be bad, can be great- but at least we have something to continue or improve, something to build on.. if we wait until tomorrow we have just something to start.. and start is the worst..

So I have one message one thing that I truly lived in last days- if you have a dream, a wish a task to do that may do a change- do it NOW..

It may feel you very challenged, very happy, very disappointed if others do not appreciate your effort as it disappointed me.. but if you don’t gave up the feeling of “winning the battle” is just …

…you will see ;)

Airport- 2008 reflection.

So finally came the day when I left Argentina and flew back to continent of my origin for Xmas Holiday.. From the beginning everything went smoothly – both flight I was flying were with very good companies and all the time I got seat next to the window what was just AMAZING.. I realized I really like to see the world form the top- to have overview- everything as in a palm J. Sao Paulo – never-ending city at night was really cool, then sunrise from the window above Atlantic ocean, watching snowy Pyreneye from the top..

The flight fro Sao Paulo to Amsterdam took 11 hours, and was first time I had my “own TV for me and I could choose any movie, any music, any game or TV show.. was cool- I wanted something soft and not thinking so I saw finally KingFu PandaJ, them finally listen to all CD of Colbie Cailat, some new signers that I did not know but I liked (and forgot to write down the name:S..) and falling asleep with Frank Sinatra singing.. J.. I ordered vegetarian food what was good because we got the food all the time as first so I did not have to wait until 50 people before me will get their portionsJ..

Only thing that spoilt the trip was the delay of flight from Sao Paulo to Amsterdam by 2 hours what meant that I could not catch the connection to Vienna.. and had to wait 7 hours at the airport in the Netherlands..on Xmas Eve..
... 24th December, all families in Slovakia and Czech republic preparing Xmas dinner, packing presents, watching fairytales in TV, listening to Xmas songs.. and me with few lonely people at the airport sitting, lying, walking.. trying to hurry the time somehow to be as soon as possible with our families..

Lying on a seat in a huge hall going through my diary and remembering what was happening the whole year.. sooooo many things..
just starting from January one year ago-I was at one time preparing a conference, preparing myself for MCP election, regularly updating X competition, finishing one relationship and starting other travelling to Brno and to Zlin for election and coaching visits…everything in one month.. that was crazy!!!

Generally all the half a year in MC Czech republic was mainly turning around conferences and each month is determined by some shortcuts like FM, NTM, PTC, SprinGo, ICX FM, KAM FM.. etc etc..:P

Going from one conference to another, from one meeting to another, traveling around Czech Republic but also to Russia to Sankt Petersburg, that was my first half a year in Czech republic.. January conference, when I was lost in the election- I somehow knew it was right thing.. I really had the feeling that it became because ef something.. but that time I had no idea what was the other thing..

That time I was very very tired and exhausted after giving my everything to this conference and election.. I did not know what to do next and even more I was very sad because my functional team of my VPICXs was finishing and I got new team.. the guys in new team were not worse- but,.. again was coming ..building good relationships, good communication, good working style everything what was already working perfectly in my last team.. and now in this time I really did not have energy to start something new..

The February was month of procrastination- delaying everything for next day and next day and next day..
That time I made several decisions that change the next months totally- one was that I chose a Brazilian girl for a short term CEED program in our MC – Julia, that came and it was a new wind that gave me energy J, and then it was applying to Southern Cone and new motivation for my next steps..

Top moments of 2008...

Teamleaders Functional meeting in February..
At sharing time when experienced Temaleaders were sharing what they have learned and experienced in their term as team leaders with the new ones.. these started their terms in September half year ago- and that time they were soooo scared.. full of questions and expectations.. Now I saw totally but TOTALLY different people- each of them grew by 100% and it was very visible in the words they were talking, the behavior and way of thinking..I really saw leaders there that will make change in their LCs and I was very very proud.. of them, of my and Bea (my NST- cause we created the framework and gave the education) and happy that AIESEC offer these impactful leadership opportunities because it really makes sense..

SpringCo in April and Newie track
That was something amazing! First time in my life I was responsible of newie track simulation and we did it much more advance and interconnected the track with externals, alumni, interns and EPs so that our newies had to interact and fulfill different tasks by involving these groups.. it was experiment and it worked!!
We made them to see how valuable is building these connections, how interesting information they can get .. in addition the whole experience for them and for our faci team was very intense from the morning to the evening but the energy that was generated at the closing of newie track and standing ovations was incredible thanks to all the nights we did not sleep and dedicated to development of this track..
Also here was very visible how people were learning and I realize dhow much it makes me happy to see when the job we are doing really makes a change..

Zlin Best LC
On the same conference the LC I was coaching was applying for best LC.. From the beginning when we started to work together they had dream to be the BEST LC of AIESEC Czech Republic . I really liked the work with EB, sometimes kick their ass, sometime recognize things they are doing well, sometimes direct a bit.. each visit I had there was for me very cool XP, and knew how much time and energy they invested in the LC to make it work and bring results.
During the Award Ceremony I was sitting with Zlin people, all of us were holding the hands and waiting who will get the Award- the competition was strong- Prague and Brno.. and ZLIN GOT IT!! I was just amazingly happy and very very proud again! Zlin showed that even small LC in small city can rock and be the best!

My Czech MC team family
It was not one moment but the whole term that I was working with very very special group of people in my Czech MC team..
Starting from guys Jaro Radim and Lukas - very very very smart and very very very funny guys that I love with all my heart!!! And girls- Peta, Petula and Barca- 3 strong professional girls and great friends I could share everything.. All these people impacted me very much. By working together, living together, spending hard and nice times- I took from each of them beside great memories and experiences something that made me grow.

And the whole Southern Cone XP
This I was describing widely in last posts so just to summarize- last half a year was really huge learning and self discovering XP when I had to move from total bottom somewhere up and fight.. Accepting the culture, learning the language, finding new friends and new lifestyle.. Buidling and rebuilding relationships, finding way to totally but TOTALLY different personalities and trying to understand them..even more a lot of travelling, getting to know Argentina and Chile, visiting incredible places…
Because all of this I can say that my last half of the year was one of the most impactful, enriching and developing experiences I ever had.. and it did not finish yet.. I m in the half and I have huge expectations form the second one..

..was cool 2008..:)..

..lets see what will bring 2009..

Xmas Time in Southern Cone

Something very funny is happening to me when I m now in December on Southern Hemisphere.. last 22 years I was spending my Xmas time in Slovakia or Czech republic. With snow, or at least not very nice weather with dark afternoons, loads of candles and lights all around the city Xmas trees shining in the dark days and nights, everybody in the coats and boots..

Now- I also see Xmas trees, I also see lights around the city, Santa clauses everywhere- BUT- there is almost 40 degrees!! People in shorts and T shirts, walking in hawayanas and caring packages wrapped in Xmas paper..

First time I realized that there is something wrong was, when I was reading Slovak newspaper online and there was a “dancing snowman”.. I was looking at the snowman- thinking “how random – It s summer“ and then really… it s November!! Then very funny moment when I saw Xmas tree in the middle of a main square here.. Eating ice-cream, feeling very hot I just had to smile J..

What is also very different- here people do not really celebrate Xmas- they do but do not take it soo seriously- I m talking with companies and they are trying to schedule meeting with me on 26^th.. 26^th!! The day of family visits and eating the rests from Xmas dinner.. I really do not feel Xmas is coming- I m working from the morning to the evening- the bigger issue is that the summer (summer!!!) holiday so there lower level of answers form partners and everybody..

I realized how it was already boring for me before ..“again the candles, again the Xmas team and this “xmas fever etc”.. Now I miss it sooo much!!! The Xmas stands on the squares, people drinking hot wine with cinnamon and backed cankers.. I miss our house decorated from the top to the bottom with red ribbons and Pine branches with the gold and wooden decorations and the smell of Xmas tree.. I miss the general peace that is created.. And I miss my family..

And its not about the Xmas.. I am really getting here what energy my parents invested in building such a good base for me and my sister.. I feel suddenly- HOW MUCH- my family means for me and I am amazingly thankful that my parents in their willingness to have all the family together for Xmas bought me a ticket and I am flying home for 10 days.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Just some thoughts..

It is almost 3 a.m., extremely hot Fridays night, I am not partying outside, more enjoying the calm evening after tough week..

I was just reading Svetas blog now, what inspired me to write some lines also here.
As I was reading post by post, I felt so much similarities, so much connection and I agreed with sooo many things..
I realized I am really in love with Southern Cone, I love how things are going here fast, how the people are listening and willing to act, how they are coming up with their ideas, proactively seeking for solutions..

I love Argentineans how entreprenurial and active they are, how I usually say- Maybe we could try.. and they are already doing that.. :-D..I love on the other side the Chileans, how calm, how warm, how open is to be there, how accepted and welcome I feel coming there.. and people from Uruguay? Aaah they are the first that supported me in hard moments, that made me smile and feel better..

I just start to be afraid what wll happen when I will have to leave this beautiful countries and beautiful friends and go back to school for studies.. After half a year I really feel Southern Cone as part of my life, part of my "Me", I feel here as at home, feeling the base here and friends around.. well.. just that..:)

My XP in video..

Activating Heroes in Atlantico

Activating Heroes..
If somebody will tell me once that to organize a conference for 100 delegates with 4 paralel tracks external day with 9 partners is impossible- I can proudly announce that it IS possible!!
When we came from Brazil form International Congress, enjoyed our teamdays in Mar de Plata, we started to plan the conference.. It was already too late!! I got responsible for Sustainability day (what was supposed to be kind of “comeback” of “Issue-based XP” to Southern Cone) and Introleadership track for new members and members on taking responsibility stage..

We had one month for making external Day and nothing in hands- no objectives, no agenda, no potential contacts, nothing!! Within 2 days we created everything- I use a lot Buenos Aires LC and their contacts- without some people form there it would be impossible for us to manage. Maxi helped me a lot at the beginning with contacting companies, next week we had 3 meetings and all my “helpers” were writing me about interest of their accounts. Things were moving very very fast.

When I saw Sustainability is on a good way I started to work on Introleaderhsip track.. that was a bit more complicated than I expected- maybe some of you know these typical European AIESEC simulations, when at one time you have several facis playing fictitious companies, several facis playing EPs going for interview and 30 delegates moving while working on the tasks given and you have to coordinate all the logistics, printouts, outputs, trainings in-between, so that delegates really learn something.. I was already doing something similar in Czech Republic- but anyway- here I had to adapt everything to our strategies so anyway it was very different.

I was delayed.. with everything.. I was very afraid of Sustainability Day, on pre meeting with my IL facis still coordinating some externals, coordinating things with OC.. we had confirmed 9 of them!! For panel and workshops- I was not afraid about the content, only about logistics and our preparation as AIESEC.. On the Day D- I woke up later than I wanted and I saw that not everything will be ok from the beginning- I came to university, trying to organize everything, well- the start was terrible- we started late, the place and organization of laptop/panel/chairs was not as I imagined but anyway-y I left it be, lets see what happen..The panel was on ne side interesting because of content on the other side- the logistics I underestimated and in addition- some people were sleeping during panel discussion- when I imagined all those meetings and emails talking about “active young leaders interested in global issues” I was really ashamed and sad..

But as the day went the things were improving after initial mess with logistics who is where and where to go (university was a labyrinth and my wishes to OC on “marking” all the way from one place to another place were spoilt by university restrictions..) Generally with workshops were people satisfied and the whole day at the end was successful- for us in the backstage hard, for OC definitely as well- especially with nervous Tina asking for plenty things and being pretty unpleasant.. poor OC and also poor Maxi- after we solved some challenges and I saw that things are already going in rigt way I delegated everything on him and spend next hours with my facis of IL track to finish things to make conference continue successfully also after Sustainability day finishes..

The faci team was AMAZING!! The only thing I was afraid to hear was “This was supposed to be prepared before” yes of course it was.. But I needed solution oriented approach no complaints to make things happen- and I got it. I thank so much to Ayelen, Diego and MariPaz for being so- unbelievable! 

At the end of the day the Sustainability Day finished with good atmosphere with great performance of Alec Oxenford, and also with partners promising us next cooperation. Anyway from the backstage you see all the time things much worse than as they are.. I learnt A LOT. Also form feedbacks we got form delegates later on- thanks for them!

The IL track was amazing- we went through different mood different situation and we saw the learning of the delegates and it was really amazing. We made our delegate stow work on more then 20 tasks reading loots of papers, delivering even more. We spent evaluating all the tasks until 2 a.m. to really ensure we have feedbacks for our delegates to make them learn form their own mistakes and make the experience more relevant.

If I imagine that for all this we had 1 month out of this 1 month I spent 10 days in Chile almost all the time being with members, having meetings, presentations or talks, when I look back I really cannot believe how that everything was possible.. and it was not work of one person- that is why once more- I want to thank soo much to my facis, to my MC: Maxi, to JuanMa, Javi, Emil, Marina, Vika, and to Juli, Cami and Lucas from Buenos Aires for helping me so much!!

This I call Activating Heroes!! ;)

Tina 1st time in Chile:)

Sooo this is my first post on my English blog! :)
Now i am sitting in a bed in Chile it 11 p.m. I m dying and wanting to go sleep but before I want to put down some thoughts from last days..
After being 3 months in Argentina, I was assigned to go to Chile to the local comittees there to help , advice and coach them. So I went.. With no clear expectation with fear of next culture hock, being scared of Chilean very very fast Spanish..
I was again late, running from the Office to the bus station going through several checking places and passport control, got on the coolest bus I have ever been before. When I was buying ticket- I could choose if I want to go by normal or „royal“class. The difference was 10 USD s I chose royal awaiting 20 hours of travelling.. and it was sooo cool, stright form the beginning they brought us sprite and chocolate then we had ho dinner then wine,.. actually I had the feeling that we were eating all the time..
Funny thing was that in the whole bus there were around 10 ppl and exactly next to me was sitting a chilean guy that wanted to talk.. but did not speak English.. and so it happened that I had my first „advanced“ conversation in Spanish in my life!!! :D
All my friends that were crossing the mountains to Chile have amazing memories from the mountains and everything, for me the view was also beautiful but I have another memories...

On the frontiers all of us had to get off the bus and got o passport control.. a bit late I realized that I do not have the stamp of coming to Argentina (when I remembered my estate coming form Brazil with fever and caughing after 30 hours spending on airports I really did not think about importance of having a bit of blue ink in my passport..stupid..)..so I hoped they will take it easy.. as everything.. BUT- they did not.. I had to pay 15 USD for this stamp and for being in Argentina for last month illegally..

Then we moved to Chilean boarder and to declaration place- I declared „I have nothing to declare- neither vegetable fruits, etc- although I had like 2 bananas, 1 apple- for me- this is really nothing to declare- i was going to eat it on the way..
BUT I did not know that it is forbidden to bring ANY fruit or vegetable to Chile,.. and I put my fruit into my sleeping bag because my Backpack could not absorb anything else.. after declaration control through this infraview they took my sleeping bag and found the fruit.. first of all they asked me if I knew I had it there- I said“ of course I put it there!“ they:“ so why did you write you have nothing to declare!“ „Because it is just 2 oranges and 1 apple, it is nothing“ For them it was not “Nothing” for them I wanted illegally import forbidden goods to Chile!!… After small argument and discussion and my desperate face, they forced me to write another declaration that I brought fruit, took my oranges and apple :(..and let me go.. (I was lucky- as Emil said to me later I could pay very high fee..)

In Santiago waited already for me Javi and took me to my new temporary home:)

Coaching in Santiago was so great!! I like the people here, I like their ideas, I like they are willing to do something-at least those I talked to..

Joaco is cool, we have lot of fun here- he made me to do a presentation about Czech Republic at „international Business“ class in the school- so I motivated several people to go for internship to Czech republic ;).. it was veeery interesting and I god very nice feedback from the profesor :P, and business card to start a cooperation with my university back in Brno hehe :)

VPER- Martin was teaching me Spanish- on one day he took me around Santiago and we were practising :). Anyway- in Santiago I felt very soon as at home, it was very very nice environment, it was much cleaner than in Argentina, it seemed to be more developed, and people there were not so "noisy"..

After several days I went to Vina de Mar.

This was totally but totally different experience. At the beginning before- I was trying to contact the Eb to know where to go how to go, who will wait for me, if I have place to sleep.. several hours before my departure form Santiago I just knew- yes I will have place to sleep :).

On the station I met Nico- VPER with his Team-mate Carlitos and we went to their University.. MY GOD- such a university I have never seen- they told me that Sveta(last MC) called it Harry Potter s house- and I totally agreed- anyway I liked it- it was old, ancient but was really interesting.. going on the wooden corridor and hear the ground „singing“ :)..

I met first Nico, then the LCP then I made a meeting with VP X and that was it- n the visit I realized that VP F quitted, VP TM was about to quit, and the worst thing for me- the LCP did not speak much English.. I so much wanted to talk, to explain to see really what is happening.. but when you cannot explain the things and cannot talk so much with the person it is soo hard.. sooo hard..

In Vina just several people speak English- I really believe that they can speak, they are just afraid and it is much more comfortable to not to speak with me and speak Spanish.. I was so happy with each person that at least tried, asked at least- how do you like Vina..

It was my first time I felt totally homesick, angry with myself that I did not study more Spanish, sad with the despair- what I will do here if the people do not understand me.. How can I help them???After one day in Vina I was sitting in the university in the morning thinking about all tis stuff, almost crying, chatting with my cousin, talking about „being homesick“ when we are soo far away (she was half a year in Turkey..) and letting her cheer me up a bit :)..

And then suddenly there was a breakpoint.. I met Vicky- a person that was responsible for CSR event in the Local committee and we started to update the plan of the event- se was listening a lot, coming up with ideas- I found a very smart person, somebody that is catching the things really fast and make a huge change in Vina.. I was so happy about our meeting- after that we went for lunch and for amazing Chilean ice-cream, talking a lot about LC and people and how are things going and how they could go.

Then in the afternoon I was having meeting wit Pau- marketing Coordinator- first of all I thought that we will speak in English, but after several minutes I realized that it will not work like that at all.. So – we had meeting in Spanish. 2 hours talking about marketing, planning and tracking, drawing a lot ;), explaining- but we managed, and after my second meeting of the day I was really satisfied and started to believe in things moving in this LC. I was even helping a bit with preparation of Assessment Centers for Exchange participants (almost forgot how it is on LC level..:) and on Saturday I had last meeting with EB and all ppl who were interested. What was interesting- all of them were just guys..It was very funny for me coming form country where usually of the AIESEC membership are girls :P.

I was drawing on the board trying to speak slow and make sure that everybody understand- we put down all the LC processes and people involved and realized that several people are working on 3 or more places and there are some areas not covered by people at all.. Step by step we put down the things that needed to be made, I saw guys understood my points and I felt much more confidence while leaving the LC. Anyway- they are working just one year and many things are missing- but the people there have a lot of energy and if they invest it the right way- it can change many things.

Just one more point- I was living in a house on the beach with a view on the ocean.. Oh My God!! It was sooo amazing!!

On Sunday I met Emil In Santiago- it was so great to see him!! As I would meet my brother J. We were talking a looooooooot.. He invited me to the late lunch with his family- it reminded me our lunches at home (a bit homesickness again..), the family was very nice, and Emils dad speaks perfect English so we talked a lot. I was very happy to share and listen to his experience.

Then on the way to Argentina we were talking soooo much, sharing frustrations and happiness, talking abou everything possible and drinking incredible Chilean yogurt.. that was my journey back “home” :)..

Other pictures you can find on http://picasaweb.google.sk/pospisilova.m/