Update from Helsinki international airport

Just about to board the plane heading to Shanghai...

Change is great!  I am sincerely looking forward to new impressions and opportunities this trip will bring to me (and us).

Meanwhile have finished my studies, moved out from the Helsinki apartment and moved in to the new place in Tallinn, spent some rare quality time with my family in St. Petersburg and tried to find positive sides in everything that happens in my life...

Student life

This is how I spend Saturday afternoons since some weeks ago...  Looks a bit messy, but I tend to believe that it is under control! :)
One more week to go, then the biggest chunk of master's thesis is done!

On Saturday morning I equipped myself with my Leica and intended to take some photos of beautiful wintery Helsinki. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, but temperature was over -20 C. Gosh, it was just too much. I couldn't sacrifice myself for the sake of art :) I'll have to wait for warmer days. Until then, here's Helsinki promotion card, courtesy of Liza Marklund and James Patterson, whoever they are :)

Moving forward...

Started applying for jobs... Started proceeding with thesis... Restarted going to the gym... Restarted taking yoga classes... Those I take on Saturday mornings, they bring peace to my mind, and are great kick-off for the whole weekend! Got Bloomberg TV at home to be connected to the world business news... Reconnected with friends who returned from their journeys abroad...

But I feel something is missing... Maybe my traveler's spirit is waking up after two weeks "at home". Or maybe it is something else. Action and motion around? Maybe...  Someone called Europe "lazy cat" and Asia - "hungry tiger"... And to say the truth, Finland, and even its capital, Helsinki, is quite a sleepy hollow. They call Helsinki "provincial capital of Europe"... And there is much truth in it. It's actually quite a nice city, with many lovely corners, beautiful architecture, great sea views, stone-paved streets, small cozy cafes, designer shops, and in a way I like it here, but hey, I am a big city girl! :)

Now I have to finish something in order to start something new in my life. And it feels great and keeps me moving forward!

 

Helsinki seen from air balloon - summer 2009

 

Some final remarks on Singapore

Few words... While flying to Singapore I wrote down what I expect from my stay there. I don't have this paper with me now, but as far as I remember, some of my expectations were the following:

- gain new impressions and experiences
- get to know and learn new people and insights
- understand better myself and what I am good at
- retain positive attitude
- be / become more open towards different and diverse opinions, cultures, mindsets, values
- travel a lot

Now, after my stay in Singapore is over, I can say that all this has become a part of my experience. I met a lot of new people, very different and very interesting, and learned a lot from them and their attitude towards life.

I was lucky to share my room with a very sweet, bright and open person, Paula, who also made my stay in Singapore so easy going, funny and memorable at the same time...

I went to school (SMU - Singapore Management University) and experienced 'their' way of teaching and learning. I also learned and contributed myself: my classes on Intercultural communication, Investor relations, Managing corporate reputation, and Negotiation skills for business - all of them were in a way interesting and enhancing for me, personally as well as professionally...

I had a chance to be part of Russia Singapore Business Forum - a yearly event that attempts to bring together businessmen from both countries and discover new chances and opportunities for them. Some of SMU students were invited to participate and work at this forum, and it was definitely a chance for me to get insights into the world of business I am interested in...

I went to many parties and events (even to Formula 1 Singtel Grandprix in Singapore!), I socialized and networked and had lots of fun! I met so many people of different age and background, some of them became good friends, some close acquaintants, and all will stay in memory in a very positive way. I realized how easy it is to meet new people and to gain new acquaintances in this part of the world - it seems that people become more open and sensitive once they leave boundaries of their own comfort zones in the home countries (maybe myself as well?!)...

I traveled a lot: Bintan in Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur and Tioman in Malaysia, Bali, Borneo, Malacca and now Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong... I believe that once one starts traveling, he / she gets a wonderful taste and adventurous spirit of it, and will always long for new destinations... At least this is what I discovered in myself...

Overall, it has been amazing time! I did feel a bit sad when leaving Singapore, but I am not anymore, since I know that I will catch up with all those wonderful people I became close with, and we definitely stay in touch!

And, who knows, maybe one day I come back to Singapore, to work and live. I am so open for opportunites to come along my way! And moreover I am creating them myself! :))

Ringing an IPO bell at Singapore Exchange :)

Notes of a student

Today I devote myself entirely to studying. At least I attempt to do so.

Currently reading chapter on Corporate Social Responsibility in the book on Corporate Communications. Now, throw the stones onto me, but I wonder why is it so extremely boring, if it is considered to be so extremely important. Or are we just trying to pretend, that we care, although deep underneath we are still all after old good profit and maximization of shareholder value. Is Gordon's Gekko "Greed, for the lack of a better word, is good" still adamant for us?

To be continued... went to bore myself more ;)

Update:
From discussion about negotiations: what is crucial  for negotiation between two parties:
1. Both parties should be in a position to move from their initial standpoint into the zone of mutual agreement.
2. Empowerment - person negotiating should have power to take a decision.

I have recently started with course on "Negotiation skills" and this one promises to be one of the best ever! Lucky me! :D

Always on the run

and I truly enjoy it! Today I've done bunch of things (booked tickets for beautiful Tioman island in Malaysia, exchanged money, made some purchases etc. etc.) and even managed to the library, to read for my thesis.
I am looking forward for the weekend in the amazing Berjaya Resort in Tioman: if pictures reflect reality at least to some extend, we'll definitely have fantastic time over there.

Every time, when I see the Singaporean crowd, I am amazed by this multicultural but predominantly  Asian mix. Every now and then you see some Westerners, especially at the City Hall or financial district Raffles Place, or at touristic Orchard - but still, great deal how all all manage to live together in peace on this small tropical piece of land.

Singaporean crowd - Independence Day 

View from Singapore Flyer

 

Famous Singapore Sling