Hi, everyone!
Since today is Saturday, and most of Kazakhstan 1 Team went to a 2-day tour to Kolsai Lakes, I'll spend my free time on some important activities, like laundry and buy some supermarket stuff. I don't even intend to go out for lunch, because of the pouring rain that started this morning. Most likely I'll buy something to snack and have a cold beer at my room, while I watch TV. Despite all TV channels here are spoken in Russian, I found a channel called "EuroSport". Maybe I can watch some european football game (Barcelona?).
Talk to you on Monday. Have a nice weekend! STAY TUNED!
quarta-feira, 29 de junho de 2011
JUNE 24TH - SUCCESS! (PART 2)
We finished up this morning all our presentations. Jennifer and Nayana were great!
CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!
CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!
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| Nayana |
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| Jennifer |
JUNE 23RD - SUCCESS!
Hi, everyone!
The 1st part of our task in Kazakhstan was complete! Jennifer, Nayana and I presented our work to Kaznex Invest staff, and all presentations were successful! CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNIFER AND NAYANA FOR THE GREAT WORK!
Also, THANKS TO JENNIFER AND NAYANA FOR BEING SUCH EXCELLENT TEAMMATES!
Well, time to get back to work.
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
The 1st part of our task in Kazakhstan was complete! Jennifer, Nayana and I presented our work to Kaznex Invest staff, and all presentations were successful! CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNIFER AND NAYANA FOR THE GREAT WORK!
Also, THANKS TO JENNIFER AND NAYANA FOR BEING SUCH EXCELLENT TEAMMATES!
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| Myself, a few moments before start the training. |
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 22ND - MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Hi, everyone!
After 3 more drafts (draft #4 had come to 40 slides), Jennifer, Nayana and I agree that I was in the right way to get this job done, but now I needed more high-skill help.
At this point, my guardian angel showed up and guided me by the hand, with all her good will. She walked through all slides of my presentation, suggested me some changes, commented my job with such an enthusiasm, pointed some things that should be excluded, and this way I had my job done!
After my guardian angel's intervention, I felt very confident on making my presentation tomorrow morning for Kaznex Invest's Astana's staff successful.
Thank you, my guardian angel! Her name? It's SANDY SMITH!
After 3 more drafts (draft #4 had come to 40 slides), Jennifer, Nayana and I agree that I was in the right way to get this job done, but now I needed more high-skill help.
At this point, my guardian angel showed up and guided me by the hand, with all her good will. She walked through all slides of my presentation, suggested me some changes, commented my job with such an enthusiasm, pointed some things that should be excluded, and this way I had my job done!
After my guardian angel's intervention, I felt very confident on making my presentation tomorrow morning for Kaznex Invest's Astana's staff successful.
Thank you, my guardian angel! Her name? It's SANDY SMITH!
terça-feira, 28 de junho de 2011
JUNE 21ST - IT'S EASY IF YOU TRY
Hi, everyone!
It's amazing how team work and mutual cooperation can make the difference.
As I got my share of job to do, I though "oh my! what can I do to get my job done".
I started doing my job trying to grab the most information I could about the subject. The 1st people I asked for some guidance was Jennifer, since we are the same group. She showed me a book of her and said "you could start trying to scan some chapters on this book about good practices on writing to the web". It was really a good guidance. From that point on, I decided to start writing some slides on Power Point and show them to Nayana and Jennifer to hear their thoughts. The 1st draft of my presentation had just 11 slides. Jennifer and Nayana sent me their feedbacks, with criticisms, comments and suggestions. I'll take them and improve my presentation. Ah, a single detail: I'll have to present it within 2 DAYS!
Well, let's move ahead! I'M BRAZILIAN, AND NEVER GIVE UP!
Well, time to get back to work.
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
It's amazing how team work and mutual cooperation can make the difference.
As I got my share of job to do, I though "oh my! what can I do to get my job done".
I started doing my job trying to grab the most information I could about the subject. The 1st people I asked for some guidance was Jennifer, since we are the same group. She showed me a book of her and said "you could start trying to scan some chapters on this book about good practices on writing to the web". It was really a good guidance. From that point on, I decided to start writing some slides on Power Point and show them to Nayana and Jennifer to hear their thoughts. The 1st draft of my presentation had just 11 slides. Jennifer and Nayana sent me their feedbacks, with criticisms, comments and suggestions. I'll take them and improve my presentation. Ah, a single detail: I'll have to present it within 2 DAYS!
Well, let's move ahead! I'M BRAZILIAN, AND NEVER GIVE UP!
Well, time to get back to work.
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 20TH - TEAM WORK!
Hi, everyone!
Let me tell you something about the real job we came to do here.
Kazakhstan 1 Team was splitted in 5 groups, and each group was designed to a different client.
As you must have read in previous posts, my group is composed by Jennifer, Nayana and myself. We were designated to KAZNEX INVEST, a government company encharge to increase kazak international trades and attract investors to Kazakhstan.
The job we were designated to do is related to how can they improve their web site. Our goal is, in others, training local people about best practices on writing a web site, prepare a brochure for quick reference and also prepare a final presentation with all our recommendations.
My job is to prepare the training for best practices and guidelines on Web design, and also prepare part of final presentation about our recommendation for Kaznex Invest Corporate Web site.
So, as Paul McCartney said in "Live and Let Die", "when you got a job to do you got to do it well". I'LL DO MY BEST!
Well, time to go back to work. STAY TUNED!
Let me tell you something about the real job we came to do here.
Kazakhstan 1 Team was splitted in 5 groups, and each group was designed to a different client.
As you must have read in previous posts, my group is composed by Jennifer, Nayana and myself. We were designated to KAZNEX INVEST, a government company encharge to increase kazak international trades and attract investors to Kazakhstan.
The job we were designated to do is related to how can they improve their web site. Our goal is, in others, training local people about best practices on writing a web site, prepare a brochure for quick reference and also prepare a final presentation with all our recommendations.
My job is to prepare the training for best practices and guidelines on Web design, and also prepare part of final presentation about our recommendation for Kaznex Invest Corporate Web site.
So, as Paul McCartney said in "Live and Let Die", "when you got a job to do you got to do it well". I'LL DO MY BEST!
Well, time to go back to work. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 18TH - CITY TOUR AND VISIT TAU TURAN UNIVERSITY
Hi, everyone!
This is our 1st weekend in Almaty. Kazakhstan 1 Team Members were pleased in a Almaty City Tour, and after a visit to Tau Turan University.
Here goes some pictures of that unforgettable weekend:
Well, tomorrow is Sunday, and I intend to spend most of time sleeping ;-)
Talk to you on Monday. Have a nice weekend! STAY TUNED!
This is our 1st weekend in Almaty. Kazakhstan 1 Team Members were pleased in a Almaty City Tour, and after a visit to Tau Turan University.
Here goes some pictures of that unforgettable weekend:
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| Kazakhstan Independence Monument (from left to right) Standing: Bruno, Anjana, myself, Tatyana, Eri, Tanya, Sandy and Jennifer. Sitting: Bia, Desikan, Rosane, Nayana, Vaidy and Asha |
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| At Tau Turan University Camp |
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| 844 steps down! |
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| A beautiful stadium built at the top of the hills for Asian Winter Games 2011, held in Astana-Almaty |
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| Lunch is served at Tau Turan Dinig Room! |
Talk to you on Monday. Have a nice weekend! STAY TUNED!
segunda-feira, 27 de junho de 2011
JUNE 17TH - FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT IN ALMATY!
Hi, everyone! THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!
Today, we had the first friday night in Almaty. To celebrate that, we went to a local indian restaurant some blocks away from the hotel. To get there, we got 3 gipsy taxis. Yes, I know we shouldn't ride gipsy taxis, since we were strongly recommended not to do that. However, those taxis was arranged by the restaurant's manager, an indian guy who became Vaidy's an Desikan's friend. It's amazing how easily those indian guys make friends! Sometimes they seem to be "cariocas" (for those who don't know what that means, a quick explanation: "carioca" is all people who were born in Rio de Janeiro).
This friday, we had also the visit of Tatyana, from IBM Moscow, and she came with us. It was a great night, with "good food and good company". All was arranged by Desikan and Vaidy.
This is the picture of that awesome night:
Also, MANY THANKS TO VAIDY AND DESIKAN FOR ARRANGING EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE OF US HAD AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT!
Tomorrow: a City Tour and visit Tau-Turan University. STAY TUNED!
Today, we had the first friday night in Almaty. To celebrate that, we went to a local indian restaurant some blocks away from the hotel. To get there, we got 3 gipsy taxis. Yes, I know we shouldn't ride gipsy taxis, since we were strongly recommended not to do that. However, those taxis was arranged by the restaurant's manager, an indian guy who became Vaidy's an Desikan's friend. It's amazing how easily those indian guys make friends! Sometimes they seem to be "cariocas" (for those who don't know what that means, a quick explanation: "carioca" is all people who were born in Rio de Janeiro).
This friday, we had also the visit of Tatyana, from IBM Moscow, and she came with us. It was a great night, with "good food and good company". All was arranged by Desikan and Vaidy.
This is the picture of that awesome night:
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| From left to right: Sandy (USA), Jennifer (USA - back), Rosane (Brasil), Tanya (CDC staff), Eri (Japan), Asha (India), Nayana (India), Tatyana (IBM Moscow), Vaidy (India), myself and Desikan. |
Also, MANY THANKS TO VAIDY AND DESIKAN FOR ARRANGING EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE OF US HAD AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT!
Tomorrow: a City Tour and visit Tau-Turan University. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 16TH - NICE PEOPLE IN KAZNEX INVEST (AND LANGUAGE IS NOT A BARRIER!)
Hi, everyone!
It's time to talk a little bit about Kaznex Invest staff. They are: Sabit, Chihgiz, Guzel an Nikola.
Sabit is the top guy in Almaty's office of Kaznex Invest. He was very kind and polite with all of us. He was also the first one we talk about the job to be done. His english is clear and fluent. He told me that he went to UK for an immersion couse in english for 2 months.
Chihgiz is the other guy at the office. He was the first kazak people I knew, even before I come here (Facebook really work!) He's very nice, and is usually smiling and joking with all of us. He also has a very good english. Great guy.
Guzel is the only lady in Kaznex Almaty's office. She graduated at Binghamton University, NY, USA. No need to say her english is flawless. I told her I visited in 2004 the university where she graduated, when I was in Endicott. She got surprised! Also a nice and kind lady.
Last, but not least, there's Nikola, he's the Kaznex driver, who drove us kindly and safely through kazak traffic. He's the only one of Kaznex staff who don't speak a single word in english. Despite of that, he was the guy whith whom I had the longests conversations, about several subjects. Check this out:
- He is married with a korean lady called Olga, and has 3 daughters: Anastasia, Alessandra and Elisabeta. - Today he was a little bit late for picking us up at the hotel. He apologized, and explained his baby daughter had a sore throat through the night, so he had to take her to the doctor in the early morning. Thank God, she's feeling better now. No problem at all!
- On weekends, he usually takes her wife and children to run roller-blade freestyle.
- He had quit from smoking 5 years ago, but started over 1 month ago after smashing his car.
- There is a kazak poet and singer called Konstantin Nikolski, and Nikola is a fan. He showed me some songs of him. I liked it very much.
Even though neither I cannot speak a single word in russian or kazak, nor Nikola cannot speak a single word in english, we could sustain a long time of a very pleasant talk. How come?
Here is some people of Kaznex Invest staff:
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
It's time to talk a little bit about Kaznex Invest staff. They are: Sabit, Chihgiz, Guzel an Nikola.
Sabit is the top guy in Almaty's office of Kaznex Invest. He was very kind and polite with all of us. He was also the first one we talk about the job to be done. His english is clear and fluent. He told me that he went to UK for an immersion couse in english for 2 months.
Chihgiz is the other guy at the office. He was the first kazak people I knew, even before I come here (Facebook really work!) He's very nice, and is usually smiling and joking with all of us. He also has a very good english. Great guy.
Guzel is the only lady in Kaznex Almaty's office. She graduated at Binghamton University, NY, USA. No need to say her english is flawless. I told her I visited in 2004 the university where she graduated, when I was in Endicott. She got surprised! Also a nice and kind lady.
Last, but not least, there's Nikola, he's the Kaznex driver, who drove us kindly and safely through kazak traffic. He's the only one of Kaznex staff who don't speak a single word in english. Despite of that, he was the guy whith whom I had the longests conversations, about several subjects. Check this out:
- He is married with a korean lady called Olga, and has 3 daughters: Anastasia, Alessandra and Elisabeta. - Today he was a little bit late for picking us up at the hotel. He apologized, and explained his baby daughter had a sore throat through the night, so he had to take her to the doctor in the early morning. Thank God, she's feeling better now. No problem at all!
- On weekends, he usually takes her wife and children to run roller-blade freestyle.
- He had quit from smoking 5 years ago, but started over 1 month ago after smashing his car.
- There is a kazak poet and singer called Konstantin Nikolski, and Nikola is a fan. He showed me some songs of him. I liked it very much.
Even though neither I cannot speak a single word in russian or kazak, nor Nikola cannot speak a single word in english, we could sustain a long time of a very pleasant talk. How come?
Here is some people of Kaznex Invest staff:
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| From left to right: Nayana (India), Erbolat (from Astana's head office), Chihgiz, Nikola (on background), Dinara (from Astana's head office) and myself. |
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
domingo, 26 de junho de 2011
JUNE 15TH - IBM CENTENNIAL DAY AT ORPHANAGE #1 IN ALMATY!
Hi, everyone!
Before starting this post, I want to thank God for the opportunity He gave me to be there at that Orphanage. It was one of the most exciting, thrilling, amazing and touching experiences I had in my entire life.
This is the picture we took before boarding the bus to go to the orphanage:
As we got there, IBM Almaty and the Orphanage staff welcome us, as we were honored with some welcome performances.
The first one was 2 boys playing a kazak welcome song in a typical kazak musical instrument (I forgot the instrument's name - I'l ask and write in next posts). Great performance, boys!
The second one was a ballet performed by the small kids. It was beautiful see those so small kids concentrated to do their best in their performances. Very beautiful.
The third performances was 2 young girls singing a beautiful song. Despite I cannot understand a single word of russian, I felt somehow in my heart that the lyrics said something about hope. I can be wrong, but something deep inside my heart says I'm right.
And then, suddenly, there he comes: MAXIM!
Maxim, a little boy around 3-4 years old, came with other 2 boys with similar age to dance while the 2 girls sang. He danced with all his heart, and his movements were so fast and discoordinated, and he seemed so happy just for being there, dancing for us. He smiled all the time he was performing. He also did some steps of street dancing, also smiling. Maxim, definely, stole all our hearts.
As previously scheduled, all teams performed their activities and enchanted all people there. Everyone of us had a great Centennial Day!
Unfortunately, Maxim doesn't appear in this picture, but I bet someone took a picture of mine with him. I'll check and post the picture as soon as I locate it. STAY TUNED!
Before starting this post, I want to thank God for the opportunity He gave me to be there at that Orphanage. It was one of the most exciting, thrilling, amazing and touching experiences I had in my entire life.
This is the picture we took before boarding the bus to go to the orphanage:
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| On higher step: Bruno (Brasil), Rosane (Brasil), Eri (Japan), Nayana (India), Bia (Brasil), myself, Vaidy (India), Tae-Hoon (Korea) and Anjana (India). On lower step: Asha (India), Jennifer (USA), Sandy (USA) and Desikan (India) |
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| On foreground: Bia (Brasil) and Tae-Hoon (Korea) On middleground: myself, Bruno (Brasil), Rosane (Brasil) and Vaidy (India) On background: Eri (Japan) and Jennifer (USA) |
The second one was a ballet performed by the small kids. It was beautiful see those so small kids concentrated to do their best in their performances. Very beautiful.
The third performances was 2 young girls singing a beautiful song. Despite I cannot understand a single word of russian, I felt somehow in my heart that the lyrics said something about hope. I can be wrong, but something deep inside my heart says I'm right.
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| IBM Almaty welcome us. Most right, Adam Dossymov, IBM Almaty General Manager |
And then, suddenly, there he comes: MAXIM!
Maxim, a little boy around 3-4 years old, came with other 2 boys with similar age to dance while the 2 girls sang. He danced with all his heart, and his movements were so fast and discoordinated, and he seemed so happy just for being there, dancing for us. He smiled all the time he was performing. He also did some steps of street dancing, also smiling. Maxim, definely, stole all our hearts.
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| Maxim's performance. |
As previously scheduled, all teams performed their activities and enchanted all people there. Everyone of us had a great Centennial Day!
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| We took this picture a few minutes before leaving the orphanage. (Note the kids with their painted faces. Great job, Jennifer and Sandy) |
Unfortunately, Maxim doesn't appear in this picture, but I bet someone took a picture of mine with him. I'll check and post the picture as soon as I locate it. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 14TH - 1 DAY TO CENTENNIAL DAY!
Hi, everyone!
Tomorrow will be an unforgettable day for each one of us. We'll go to a local orphanage and (try to) entertain kids over there. We'll form some grpoups, and our target is entertain children with activities of our homeland.
This way, this is our basic schedule for tomorrow:
BRASIL TEAM (Bia, Bruno, Rosane and myself) - Will show some typical brazilian things, like samba, carnaval and football).
INDIA TEAM (Anjana, Asha, Dhesikan and Vaidy) - Will show some indian traditions, like typical indian dancing and vestuary.
JAPAN TEAM (Eri) - Will teach children fundamentals of origami art.
KOREA TEAM (Tae-Hoon) - Will show some basic movements of Tae-Kwon-Do.
USA (Jennifer, Sandy) - Will entertain children painting their faces.
We're all really excited, and cannot wait for tomorrow! We're all sure it's gonna be a GREAT DAY!
STAY TUNED!
Tomorrow will be an unforgettable day for each one of us. We'll go to a local orphanage and (try to) entertain kids over there. We'll form some grpoups, and our target is entertain children with activities of our homeland.
This way, this is our basic schedule for tomorrow:
BRASIL TEAM (Bia, Bruno, Rosane and myself) - Will show some typical brazilian things, like samba, carnaval and football).
INDIA TEAM (Anjana, Asha, Dhesikan and Vaidy) - Will show some indian traditions, like typical indian dancing and vestuary.
JAPAN TEAM (Eri) - Will teach children fundamentals of origami art.
KOREA TEAM (Tae-Hoon) - Will show some basic movements of Tae-Kwon-Do.
USA (Jennifer, Sandy) - Will entertain children painting their faces.
We're all really excited, and cannot wait for tomorrow! We're all sure it's gonna be a GREAT DAY!
STAY TUNED!
JUNE 13TH - GETTING STARTED WITH OUR MISSION
Hi, everyone!
Today the magic effectively began to work. We had a meeting with all our local clients. My work team is composed of Jennifer, Nayana and myself. Our previously designated client is Kaznex Invest, a kazak government organ, responsible to leverage export and investment business around the world. Our mission with them is basicly do make some recommendations for Kaznex Invest corporate web site. Kaznex Invest team in Almaty is composed by Sabit, Chihgiz and Guzel (the office guys) and Nikola (our kind driver). They are all very nice persons, and made all aof their efforts to make us feel comfortable at their office. Now we do have a guideline for our work here.
Will post more tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
Today the magic effectively began to work. We had a meeting with all our local clients. My work team is composed of Jennifer, Nayana and myself. Our previously designated client is Kaznex Invest, a kazak government organ, responsible to leverage export and investment business around the world. Our mission with them is basicly do make some recommendations for Kaznex Invest corporate web site. Kaznex Invest team in Almaty is composed by Sabit, Chihgiz and Guzel (the office guys) and Nikola (our kind driver). They are all very nice persons, and made all aof their efforts to make us feel comfortable at their office. Now we do have a guideline for our work here.
Will post more tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 12TH - MEETING ALL TEAMMATES
Hi, everyone!
Today was our first breakfast together, when I finally could meet all team members face to face. I had already met Anjana, Asha, Desikan and Vaidy in flight from Abu-Dhabi to Almaty. Now, I had the pleasure to meet the reast of the team: Nayana (the 5th indian), Sandy and Jennifer (the 2 american ladies), Tae-Hoon (the korean guy), Eri (the japanese lady) and the "Brazilian Team": Bia, Bruno and Rosane. Now the team was complete! We had a small meeting at the hotel's conference room, where all of us introduced ourselves and made a small resume of our professional lives at IBM. After that, we walked out for lunch in a Georgian restaurant, our very first contact with the region's food. DELICIOUS! After lunch, we walked the hotel's nearby and went back to hotel (at that time, I was still feeling bad because of 9-hours timezone difference. Also, it was the very first time I made to call Márcia. She was worried for having no news about my whereabouts since the time I left Rio. She cried a little for it's Valentine's Day in Brasil, and it was th first time we spent a date like that apart. DON'T CRY, HONEY! I'LL BE BACK SOON! LOVE U!
Now it's time to say good night and go to bed. Will try to have some more rest.
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
Today was our first breakfast together, when I finally could meet all team members face to face. I had already met Anjana, Asha, Desikan and Vaidy in flight from Abu-Dhabi to Almaty. Now, I had the pleasure to meet the reast of the team: Nayana (the 5th indian), Sandy and Jennifer (the 2 american ladies), Tae-Hoon (the korean guy), Eri (the japanese lady) and the "Brazilian Team": Bia, Bruno and Rosane. Now the team was complete! We had a small meeting at the hotel's conference room, where all of us introduced ourselves and made a small resume of our professional lives at IBM. After that, we walked out for lunch in a Georgian restaurant, our very first contact with the region's food. DELICIOUS! After lunch, we walked the hotel's nearby and went back to hotel (at that time, I was still feeling bad because of 9-hours timezone difference. Also, it was the very first time I made to call Márcia. She was worried for having no news about my whereabouts since the time I left Rio. She cried a little for it's Valentine's Day in Brasil, and it was th first time we spent a date like that apart. DON'T CRY, HONEY! I'LL BE BACK SOON! LOVE U!
Now it's time to say good night and go to bed. Will try to have some more rest.
Talk to you tomorrow. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 11TH - THE FLIGHT ODISSEY
Hi, everyone!
I'm feeling better after a night's sleep. Now, I''ll try to tell you a few about my "odissey" from my departure in Rio until I got here.
The first part of my trip (flight Rio-London) was scheduled to leave Rio International Airport on Friday, june 10th, at 12:35 AM, but it delayed about 1 hour and a half (as currently usual for departures from Brasil). This way, the plane just took off at 2 AM. The flight to London took 12 hours long, and was smooth. At Heathrow Airport, I called Márcia to say everything was ok so far. I just had a free couple of hours, until I boarded the next plane that would take me to Abu-Dhabi. Again, I had a smooth 6-hour flight, until I landed on Abu-Dhabi, a huge airport in the middle of desert, where I met 4 of 5 Indian teammates in the boarding line: Anjana, Asha, Vaidy and Desikan. I liked them all since the first time I saw them. They all seemed to be nice, kind and fun (and that's really true, as I'll tell you in next blogs). From that time on, I wasn't feeling so lonely anymore, and we all boarded for the last part of my long flight, this time from Abu-Dhabi to Almaty. This was the worst flight I ever had in my entire life. First, as we boarded the plane, it was very hot inside, since the air-conditioning system was started only when the engines are on (misers!). Second, we had the worst steward I ever met in my entire life. It was really a rude guy, who literally threw lunch boxes on passenger's laps. Last, the plane seemed to drop down right after the descending procedures had started, scaring most of passengers. The lady sitting beside me yelled so loudly that my right ear buzzed for the rest of the day. Thank God we landed safely. After that, we had the arrival procedures, such as picking up our luggages and stamping our passports, and got the van that took us to Astra Hotel. Tanya, the russian lady encharged of the logistics of our trip, was there to welcome us. After the hotel check-in procedures, went to my room and try to have some rest.
In next post: meeting all team. STAY TUNED!
I'm feeling better after a night's sleep. Now, I''ll try to tell you a few about my "odissey" from my departure in Rio until I got here.
The first part of my trip (flight Rio-London) was scheduled to leave Rio International Airport on Friday, june 10th, at 12:35 AM, but it delayed about 1 hour and a half (as currently usual for departures from Brasil). This way, the plane just took off at 2 AM. The flight to London took 12 hours long, and was smooth. At Heathrow Airport, I called Márcia to say everything was ok so far. I just had a free couple of hours, until I boarded the next plane that would take me to Abu-Dhabi. Again, I had a smooth 6-hour flight, until I landed on Abu-Dhabi, a huge airport in the middle of desert, where I met 4 of 5 Indian teammates in the boarding line: Anjana, Asha, Vaidy and Desikan. I liked them all since the first time I saw them. They all seemed to be nice, kind and fun (and that's really true, as I'll tell you in next blogs). From that time on, I wasn't feeling so lonely anymore, and we all boarded for the last part of my long flight, this time from Abu-Dhabi to Almaty. This was the worst flight I ever had in my entire life. First, as we boarded the plane, it was very hot inside, since the air-conditioning system was started only when the engines are on (misers!). Second, we had the worst steward I ever met in my entire life. It was really a rude guy, who literally threw lunch boxes on passenger's laps. Last, the plane seemed to drop down right after the descending procedures had started, scaring most of passengers. The lady sitting beside me yelled so loudly that my right ear buzzed for the rest of the day. Thank God we landed safely. After that, we had the arrival procedures, such as picking up our luggages and stamping our passports, and got the van that took us to Astra Hotel. Tanya, the russian lady encharged of the logistics of our trip, was there to welcome us. After the hotel check-in procedures, went to my room and try to have some rest.
In next post: meeting all team. STAY TUNED!
JUNE 10TH - FIRST POST FROM ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN!
Hi, everyone!
After 2 weeks, I finally succeeded on accessing my blog! This way, I'll try to post my comments from the 1st date swince I arrived here.
It was a long and tiring trip till I got here. About 30 hours travelling, plus 9 hours difference of timezone, it was hard to get used with all of those things. To get things even worse, I cannot sleep on flights. All I wanted as I arrived here was a warm shower and a soft and warm bed, and (try to) have a good night's sleep.
Will post more as soon as I wake up. STAY TUNED!
After 2 weeks, I finally succeeded on accessing my blog! This way, I'll try to post my comments from the 1st date swince I arrived here.
It was a long and tiring trip till I got here. About 30 hours travelling, plus 9 hours difference of timezone, it was hard to get used with all of those things. To get things even worse, I cannot sleep on flights. All I wanted as I arrived here was a warm shower and a soft and warm bed, and (try to) have a good night's sleep.
Will post more as soon as I wake up. STAY TUNED!
quinta-feira, 9 de junho de 2011
Kazakhstan - The Time Has come!
Hi, everyone!
Sorry for the few lines today. Just finished pack my case (Thanks, Marcia!).
The cab will be here within 2 hours to drive me to the international airport.
Will settle a few lacking things before the cab arrives here. Marcia will escort me to the airport. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in airports, therefore Major will stay at home.
I'll have about 6 hours at Heathrow Airport, London, before boarding the plane towards Abu-Dhabi. Will try to post a few lines talking about the flight (hope it will be a smooth one :-p )
BYE-BYE, EVERYONE! Now it's the real thing. See you in London.
Sorry for the few lines today. Just finished pack my case (Thanks, Marcia!).
The cab will be here within 2 hours to drive me to the international airport.
Will settle a few lacking things before the cab arrives here. Marcia will escort me to the airport. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in airports, therefore Major will stay at home.
I'll have about 6 hours at Heathrow Airport, London, before boarding the plane towards Abu-Dhabi. Will try to post a few lines talking about the flight (hope it will be a smooth one :-p )
BYE-BYE, EVERYONE! Now it's the real thing. See you in London.
quarta-feira, 8 de junho de 2011
Kazakhstan - 1 day to go!
Hi, everyone!
In a rush to get everything ready before I go (Phew!).
Today I had a "farewell lunch" with friends IBMer. After that, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Bruno Taveira, who was appointed to the CSC Kinalabu Kota, Malaysia in March. He told us he had a 35-hour trip to get there (compared to my journey of 22 hours, it seems that I'm leaving for a weekend trip :-)))
Marcia, my girlfriend is a little sad about the temporary separation, but she understands that this trip to Kazakhstan will be very important for my career at IBM. I LOVE YOU, HONEY! i'LL BE BACK SOON, I PROMISE.
Major, my dog, also seems to understand that we are far from each other for a month. Generally, every time I get home, he'll have the ball so I get to play for him. In recent days, he prefers to stay by my side, sitting on my lap while I do my job.
DON'T BE SAD, MAJOR! BE A GOOD BOY AND TAKE CARE OF MOMMY! DADDY LOVES YOU!
Well, time to get back to pack my suitcase.
In a rush to get everything ready before I go (Phew!).
Today I had a "farewell lunch" with friends IBMer. After that, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Bruno Taveira, who was appointed to the CSC Kinalabu Kota, Malaysia in March. He told us he had a 35-hour trip to get there (compared to my journey of 22 hours, it seems that I'm leaving for a weekend trip :-)))
Marcia, my girlfriend is a little sad about the temporary separation, but she understands that this trip to Kazakhstan will be very important for my career at IBM. I LOVE YOU, HONEY! i'LL BE BACK SOON, I PROMISE.
Major, my dog, also seems to understand that we are far from each other for a month. Generally, every time I get home, he'll have the ball so I get to play for him. In recent days, he prefers to stay by my side, sitting on my lap while I do my job.
DON'T BE SAD, MAJOR! BE A GOOD BOY AND TAKE CARE OF MOMMY! DADDY LOVES YOU!
Well, time to get back to pack my suitcase.
terça-feira, 7 de junho de 2011
Kazakhstan - 2 Days to Go!
Hi, everyone!
From now on, I invite you all to follow my experience in Kazakhstan.
As most of you know, In the next few days, I'll begin, most likely, the most fantastic experience in my entire life. I'll be travelling to Almaty to start my assignment for Corporate Service Corps.
For a while, the only "exciting" activity is to make a check-list for packing :-). Anyway, it will be a pleasure to share all the experience I could grab with all of you.
STAY TUNED!
From now on, I invite you all to follow my experience in Kazakhstan.
As most of you know, In the next few days, I'll begin, most likely, the most fantastic experience in my entire life. I'll be travelling to Almaty to start my assignment for Corporate Service Corps.
For a while, the only "exciting" activity is to make a check-list for packing :-). Anyway, it will be a pleasure to share all the experience I could grab with all of you.
STAY TUNED!
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