Hi All,

 

What an action-packed weekend it was! There were a few things that happened over the 3 days (Friday-Sunday) which were quite significant.

 

Friday was the first day of the AIESEC Victoria Mini-Conference at Aireys Inlet (about 1.75 hours from Melbourne), suitably themed as "The Final Countdown". This signified the last hurrah for myself; it would be the last conference that I would attend in a capacity as an active member. I ran the first session on "AIESEC Identity" which seemed to go fairly well (some feedback would be good!), and being the only session I was in charge of, I was cruising for the remainder of conference =D

 

Things were going fairly well until it was time for outgoing speeches. "Don't be an AIESEC girly-man" says Arnie, but I was again attacked by a case of the waterworks. I can give the excuse that I had hayfever (which I did), and that I was "lucky" enough to carry my mum's emotional gene, but my heart was truly on my sleeve that night as I revealed to everyone just how much AIESEC has meant to me, and has been a big part of me. I think I've said everything that I needed to say that night, so I'll leave it at that.

 

It was a nice way to wrap up my time in AIESEC, spending it with the people who I enjoyed working and partying with over the years. Just sitting back and chilling with a few drinks, not to mention skolling! The awards and changeover night will be a highlight that will stay with me for a while. Thanks to everyone who was there.

 

Saturday night was another marked the last night for Abi (Melbourne trainee from the Philippines) in Melbourne after being here for 15 months on a traineeship. Abi has been the closest friend that I've made from all the trainees we've had in Melbourne since I joined AIESEC, so it was a somewhat sombre occasion. Farewell drinks were held at the Portland Hotel, and many of us stayed til the very end when the place shut up shop at about 1:30am.

 

Sunday afternoon was the airport farewell for two of AIESEC Victoria's beloved. Abi was leaving at 3:50pm, whilst Weymin aka Wangers of AIESEC RMIT fame was heading back to Malaysia at 3:40pm for 12 months to do co-op. So we had a small group of people there to farewell them both. It was again an emotional occasion, with many moist and teary eyes in attendance. Luckily my emotional side didn't get the best of me this time. It's just so difficult to say goodbye to people.

 

Amidst all that, I'm still trying to organise accommodation for Sydney (it's so difficult trying to find a place for 3 months!). So ironically, I will be saying some more goodbyes myself, as I will be flying out to Sydney on Saturday for 10 week summer vacation work with Citibank. It should be good experience though.

 

I'll try to catch up with as many of you as possible before I leave, but feel free to give me a yell if you happen to drop by Sydney. I might even be able to put you up for free!

 

William

Dear Reader,

 

It's been a while since I last did a posting, but here we are again. I think from henceforth, I'll do away with being "formal" with my postings so I can just go on random rants and the like. Much easier, and I won't have to bore people with 6-8 paragraphs worth of blog. Also, cos I cbf doing the long postings =P

 

Well, another year, another lot of exams over. It's a vicious repetitive cycle for me, ie. bum around throughout the semester, then cram and stress at the last minute. I guess it's much the same for many procratinators out there. Procrastination is the worst enemy of all university students.

 

In the meantime, I need to get my arse into gear for Sydney. I haven't organised any accommodation for my 3 month stay yet, and there are heaps of other things to organise (stuff to take, flights) and finalise (jobs at work, AIESEC duties, etc.) before I jet off. There are also a few social events I want to attend before I leave =P Not to mention another conference to prepare for!

 

Hmm, so in next 2 weeks before I go, here a list of a few things I need to do:

- watch the 2nd leg of the World Cup qualifier, Australia vs Uruguay, on a projector at a friend's place

- write up a session for mini-conference

- meetings, meetings, meetings!

- wrap up my tasks that I need to get done at work

- attend a farewell drinks for a beloved friend

- attend to various family commitments (before I say goodbye to them for 3 months)

- BOOK ACCOMMODATION!!!

 

 Argh!

 

William

 

PS. GO SOCCEROOS!

PPS. I've finally uploaded my 21st party photos (most of them anyway)