Another form of advertising

McDonalds has recently offered to pay rap artists if they mention the 'Big Mac' in their lyrics. Advertising is taking different new forms.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4389751.stm

Earthquake in Indonesia

And there is a prediction for another tsunami:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4388579.stm

AIESEC

So what am I feeling about this organisation? Where is this organisation going towards? How will it be shaped in the next year or two? I am not sure. I have been struggling with these questions since WSC 2005. That was when the C0 3 colloboration group presented its first peice of work. They have been meeting every month since then and I attended their second conference call last Monday. I attended it to find out more about what was being discussed and what progress has been made since WSC 2005. Unfortunately, I dont agree with some of the core things that are being stated or I am worried in the way the organisation is going. I am stuck between two things. One is that I am an alumnus and now I am busy at work and other things. How much time can I give to this organisation. Should I be worried about what I was part of for 3 1/2 years and now not a member of, per se. Second is that would this organisation remain a student-run organisation? Is it more important for this organisation to achieve its mission so much that it might lose its nature of being student-run or is student-run and achieving the mission both important. I believe in the latter. If I wanted to achieve world peace so bady and at a faster pace, I would join the UN or the Red Cross or some other organisation. The only reason I joined AIESEC and not the others was because this was a VOLUNTEER, STUDENT-BASED organisation that could make an impact on this world. I also believe in the volunteer aspect a lot. It hurts me when some people say I would work for AIESEC more or better if I get paid for it. I understand putting 20 hours or a similar amount can be tough when you have to support yourself through college and such. Yet, an AIESECer is someone who is so passionate that he will manage his time if he needs to work, go to school and then do AIESEC work. He/she will be someone who does not need motivation to do work. He wont mind going at night to pick up a trainee rather than "outsourcing" that aspect of AIESEC just so it can be done and at a possible better way.

Life is funny

So I was walking by Times Square yesterday. I do that everyday but yesterday I realised something. I was getting fustrated with the people in the middle of the streets and such taking pictures. It brought back memories of me coming to New York the first time in the winter of 2001. I was one of those people taking pictures. My mind was like man, I am never going to live in this city. It is too cold and the culture is too different from Texas. I did an on-campus interview and knew if I passed the first round, they will fly me to New York and the position would be in New York. I got the second round and I was like, I am not going to move so why not just go and have fun. The Company gave me an offer and they said if you want, we can fly you for an office visit. I am like, yeah another free trip why not. And yesterday, I saw myself dodging people on Times Square, yellow cabs being driven like crazy and Times Square lit up like its a festival. Life is surly funny and wierd.

Decisions

So I have to make a decision pretty soon. I have to decide whether to put money in a 401(k) plan or not. I dont know if I am going to be in the US after maybe 10 years or so. I understand the tax advantage but that only exists if I retire in the US or somehow wire my money to the country I would be living in the future. If you take money out of the plan before retirement, you get taxed and then pay a penalty. What do you guys/girls think?

Mazzy is coming into town

For those of you that dont know Mazzy, she is a crazy AUSTRALIAN Aiesecers and she was the chair of the WSC 2005 conference. She is coming to NYC for the weekend. Cant wait to see ya girl.

Two nights

For the past two nights, I have been arriving back to home late. On Monday, I left work and went to AIESEC Baruch to attend the conference call for CO#3 with them. Yesterday, I stayed at work til about 10:00 pm. The past two days have got quite tired, understandly. I have found that a few food carts in NY sell halal meat. Thats good since I can eat the dishes then. I have been eating meat for 3 days though and I think I cant have more for some time. My stomach cant take it often after eating mostly seafood for 4 1/2 years.

Another school shooting

There has been another school shooting in the US. This is the worst incident of its kind since the Columbia killings. The story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4370617.stm

Ikea furniture

So I bought furniture for my apartment from Ikea. I got my furniture on Friday and this weekend I tried to set it up. Basically, the stroe delivers the furniture to your apartment and then you have to set it up. I was successful in putting up a coffee table and tv unit but I could not do the sofa bed. In the process, I hurt myself too. I have realised that setting-up furniture, dealing with screws and the like is not my deal =( .

Fustrated with US Banks

So I go to BOA ATMs in New York and they are not accepting any deposits. I went to another location and the same result. I call them up and ask whast going on. They state that due to the merger with Fleet Boston, they are making ATMs able to handle the merger. Yet, they tell me about a certain location where I can deposit checks. So I go there after work, tired and all and I find out that I cant deposit there either. So I call BOA and they are like no ATMs in NYC are accepting deposits. I am like WHOA, I was told otherwise on the phone yday. So I register a complaint and I bet nothing will happen with that. On top of that, I see two people making deposits and they can do since they are Fleet customers. I am like this is a BOA teller and Fleet people can use it and I cant, what is this ?????

Then, I go today to talk to a BOA teller. They let me deposit one of my checks. Then, I talk to an assistant telling him about my situation. He was like, in order to use ATMs, you need to open an account in NYC. In order to access the money you have already, you need to withdraw the money from your account in Texas, close the account and then come back and open an account in New York. I am like what, cant you do that, His response "Different systems". I am like this is just great.

These big banks call themselves nationwide but thats a FALLACY. I am just sooooooo fustrated. Why do banks have to be so complicated with such easy things to solve.

Acer Computer Middle East (http://global.acer.com/) has joined AIESEC in the United Arab Emirates as a National Youth Development Partner.

Acer recently announced this partnership in the press, Please check out the below links to know more about the partnership.Acer nurtures next generation of business leaders http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/55501.html

AME Info - United Arab EmiratesAcer Computer (ME) Ltd announced today that it is partnering with AIESEC, the world's largest student organization, to provide tomorrow's captains of industry ... Acer nurtures next generation of business leaders http://www.strategiy.com/inews.asp?id=20050310000739

Strategy - United Arab EmiratesAcer Computer has announced that it is partnering with AIESEC, the world's largest student organization, to provide tomorrow's captains of industry with ... Acer to tie up with AIESEC http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=business&xfile=data/business/2005/march/business_march234.xml

NCAA Tournament

Texas has made it again in both categories, men's and women's basketball. Unfortunately, the futre looks dismal since we have tough opponents on the road.

Texas, No.8 seed in the Men's Tournament
Texas, N0. 3 seed in the Women's Tournament

Cell phone

I am using a new cell phone and I took it to the office today. I put it on the Silent mode but once, I plugged in a headset, it automatically changed the profile. Hence, when I was not at my desk, it rang and it was supposedly loud. One of my co-workers emailed me saying I should tone it down and another person was walking by and picked on me too. Ahhhhh, wierd cell phones.

Longhorns

Both the basketball teams lost yesterday. The men's team lost in the first round and the women's in the semi-finals. What a crappy day for the Longhorns was yesterday. At least I did not watch the games; otherwise, I would be feeling much worse.

Comparison

New York:

29°F Feels Like 21°F
UV Index:0 Low
Wind:From W at 8 mph
Humidity:22%
Pressure:29.74 in.
Dew Point:0°F
Visibility:10.0 miles

Austin:

71°F Feels Like 71°F

UV Index:4 Moderate
Wind:From NNW at 15 mph gusting to 22 mph
Humidity:21%
Pressure:30.03 in.
Dew Point:29°F
Visibility:10.0 miles

Finally

I bought a labtop. I was thinking of buying one right after the summer of 2004 and I have procastinated all this time. Well, I have gone with a Dell *fingers crossed*. I considered too many options and in the end, it was just so difficult to choose. However, I will get it next week because it has to be assembled =( .

Snow blizzard

The first 2 days at work and I have experience the rain and a snow blizzard/storm. My skin just could not handle it. I hope it gets used to it pretty soon because the winter is here to stay for a little while longer.

Strained Italy-US relations ?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4328551.stm

First day

First d ay at work was pretty simple. I had to attend orientation and that took some time. Then, I spent the rest of the day filling more paperwork. What was wierd was that two other people were joining the firm today too and all three of us are left-handed. Have you have had three people in one room left-handed?

Some things still need to be done

Well, I got a place in New York. I got a studio on 42nd Street, about 5-6 blocks from Times Square. I got a bed so at least I can sleep. I still need to get some lamps,a couch and other stuff. I will try to go to Ikea today to see what they have to offer. I start work tomorrow. Quite nervous. First full-time job you know. We shall see how it goes. I have to attend an orientation first and then I start working on mutual funds, oh la la. Thank you Melanie for all your help. You're great.

Starbucks Internet

You can get a day-pass for using the Internet for $9.99 through T-Mobile and Starbucks. Thats the service I am using now. Geez, the world has become so technology dependent. Its crazy. New York is still cold so I am hoping it warms up sometime. However, that is only 3 months of the year. I realised through this move that moving between states is a BIG PAIN. I still have to ship my boxes from Austin to New York. I have used too many minutes in the past two days. I called to check on my apartment situation, trying to get my luggage frm Turkish Airlines sorted out and then figuring out what I need for my new place so calling people for suggestions and where I can buy the stuff. Busy New York life!!

New York City

I flew into NYC on Monday, Feb 28th, 2005. I arrived at the Buffalo Airport and I found out there is a bad storm in New York City. I was afraid I would be delayed and would not be able ot leave. I was delayed for 1 1/2 hours but then luckily, the plane took off. Melanie and others were surprised I arrived on that day. I arrived all tired on that night. The enxt day, I had an appointment with a broker for an apartment. Before that, I went to Bank of American. They could not give me any letters showing how many accounts I have with them and the amounts. I needed to provide that to the apartment people. I was highly disappointed that they could not do such a simple thing. I am not liking the banking system here, at least the commercial banking side. I stayed with the broker from 11:00 til 6:00 pm. It was as if I was working the whole day. I came bacj exhausted and ready to just 'die'. Hopefully, I will get an apartment pretty quickly. I start work on Monday, March 7th, 2005. I have to start to get ready for professional/work life. Not having a computer is making updating my blog a lot harder =( .