a) truly productive days: good meetings, successful outcomes, action items completed and dusted (no overhang)

b) non-productive days: rushing about, counterparts coming into meetings unprepared, lots of fluff

c) semi-days: rushing about, off-beat somehow, running late, late deliverables, but yet no big crisis

Today was a semi-day.. but still ended in a good mood, knowing that although no huge progress made on central core project, other items had been dusted… Time is a luxury. So is sitting down, cup of tea and a good book. Yet I’m a person who would be happy condensing that luxury time into 5 minutes It’s all I have these days.. and I’m happy with what I have.

And as we drove through the winding hills of villages and dry sand (because it’s near the end of dry season and the ground is urgently crying out for the fall of the first dew)… The sun came up.

I look back at that last statement and I wonder how I can take such an awesome feat of nature for granted. Bright blazen orange over the treetops lighting the sky. And I couldn’t remember the last time I got up early to enjoy a sunrise. Mental to-do note: must enjoy the natural wonder that is the sun rising in the east everyday – more often! Enjoy it with friends and family and just appreciate the constant beauty of nature and be thankful for our world.

I would classify the ingredients as luck, kind hearted people and a stubborn desire to really fight for it. Okay, so my “fight” wasn’t as epic as refugees fighting for political freedom or a mother’s fight to save a child from malaria, but it was a good one in my books.  Again, brick walls are only there to make you realize how much you want to acheive your goals – thanks for the line Professor Pausch, the last lecture.

Am happy my 24 year-old version fought for the 16 year-old version… !

One minor interruption to the dream this past weekend – but just a reminder that we shouldn’t walk around 24/7 with rose-tinted glasses on and still need to keep our wits about us… in some of the safest countries in the world as well as all others.

Okay, so it may not have been someone’s life dream (ie. still working on finding the cure for cancer), but it was a small request – sincerely made a few months ago – that I never forgot. 

The magic was that the person asked for what they wanted out loud – in a manner that was genuine and true, not imposing or arrogant. And when I heard of the opportunity, I knew I could link the two.  I made a cool experience happen, which is cool in itself. This whole week, I have lived in a suspension of magic, splendor and a magnificent aura of celebration of hard work. I wish I could bottle up this positive gratitude… but smiling because I know it will always be here.  

I love random acts of kindness, I really do – and when within ability and capability, I hope to enable more dreams.

Gone by

Fast,slow, changes and escapades

Definitely grateful, this week was worth the party. x

First inspired by Professor Randy Pausch to make better presentations… for work, for school, in life – tell YOUR story. Today was a first step on that journey. 

The presentation today was followed by a great dinner of great people, great conversation and even better ideas… Ideas in action and ideas in motion – let’s implement. That’s my mantra for the day! x

That’s the funny thing about maps – everyone has something to say about it! Conversation naturally starts around ideas of where people’s dream destinations are, where they’ve been, where they would like to get married, where they are from, did you know questions regarding countries/capitals/geography trivia.. ! 

Global Village

I’ve always wanted a globe – a big old fashioned 18th century globe (like the kind you see placed about in Pride & Prejudice). I finally did get a globe for Christmas this year (yes! Santa’s been paying attention).  It’s about 8 inches high and 4 inches wide – pretty symbolic of the fact that I’m not a property owner and I travel, and travel some more. It’s the dichotomy of wanting something that symbolizes part of your life and yet, the practicality would be the mini-mobile version of it! 

When I finally do become a property owner, you know what the first piece of ornament will be – and yes, it will sit pretty next to my plastic 8″x4″

SwissMiss – Innovative Design

WorldPulse – Global issues through the eyes of women 

Thanks to my friends at YWiB !

I’m here in the store for one of my lessons that I signed up and yakked about in my previous mac marketing kudos post. 

In a continuation of the apple fever spread.. I am joined in the store at 10 am with 30 of the most excited 10 year olds I have ever seen. Decked out in yellow mac shirts, cheering and with 3 very enthusiastic mac/camp leaders. Except this is 10 am on a weekday and not camp!! I am joined by the Apple school program team where they are teaching kids all about computers (well, macs). This is genius. 

I turn to my right and ask an apple employee, this is what’s known as a “Field Trip”. Completely free, any school can sign up – bring in the class!! The kids are STILL excited 2 hours into the morning. Amazing. The teachers love it, the kids love it, man – I am in awe of apple marketing. 

Consumer lock-in.

Secured future revenue stream from I’d say at least 75% of the class. 

Lifelong appreciation of macs. Early indoctrination I’ll say!

Good thing your mind is not defined by your suit.

Minds are free to wander and think. Spinning right, spinning left and right now, spinning circles around the Grameen Bank.