Tribute to a great year 2005

Yes, definitely a year that sharpened my life! 2005 was a year of discoveries and personal learning.

In June 2004, I was selected External Relations coordinator for SSGN, meaning that I spent 12 months travelling between Brazil, Mexico and Peru being responsible for setting up regional partners and increasing the ER capacity on the region.

Brazil
Starting by the fact that it was a country I never planned to travel to, it was a journey full of surprises, the business market, the different Latin American culture, the complex people I met and and the unforgetatble friends I got it are the main core of my experience.

Although I have lived and worked abroad before, I've never had the feeling of leaving my place as I felt when returning to Peru.

Big part of this, were 3 amazing individuals who shared with me the happiness of the successes and filled the emptiness of the failures. From our weekend trips in the country to our weekly visit to our favourite bar "Braumeister" for drinking free cappuccinos. There was a story behind every visit!
As Johanna said once you cannot choose your flatmates but you sure can choose your friends, and those were Johanna, Rita and David

AXLDS 2005
Faci team, mainly taking care of the companies' participation throughout the conference. My first international conference as facilitator and the first time drinking in one. I always thought that as a delegate drinking and partying till late was not the best idea for getting most out of the conference (which could be true) but certainly you can as a faci! Cheers

Mexico
Closing partnership negotiations right after EXPRO was the reason for my last month in Mexico. Besides discovering the beauty of the huge apple as Mexico DF (some kind as Lima) I actually realized that definitely the media has indeed a high influence in the culture and represent it at the same time. I realized I knew a lot about Mexico thanks to the long hours spent as a kid watching soap operas, shows and following music groups. It was ridiculous!

AIESEC International -
The decision process to apply to AI was not the easiest one, but the one I was most sure about. So far a great experience in all senses.


International Congress -INDIA
A pillar in my AI experience as a team and as an individual. Counting on my 2 teams (AI team and the partners) we ensured to accomplish success of the conference and provide a living powerful and unforgettable experience to our champions partners.


A true love Hollywood Story
Probably some of you might now but I met this guy when I went the first time to the Netherlands to do a CEED. He was in the national team and the next year he decided to work in an international team in LATAM ending at the MC in Peru working for ICX while I was ER, so the story goes on.... I went to Brazil, he went to Central America, and we met again in The Netherlands to start a new chapter for us as a couple and as individuals. So far so great, he could be humble while being so brilliant, he could be sweet while being very mature, he is my COMPLICE.

Living Netherlands
Building my own space and settling myself in a city as Rotterdam is very easy being this city a combination of classic and modernism.

My birthday
It was the best party far from home. I havent had so much fun since long time, at least out of the office!

My dutch family
Dating a foreign boyfriend means dating the whole family. From all the dutch families I have met, I got the best one! They are warm, fun, open, noisy and made me feel as part of the family, should I call myself Veronica Smulders?

Already a new year has started full of expected and unexpected things to come, so as a typical peruvian I ate my 12 grapes at New Year (with my key goals defined for the coming 12 months to be achieved), run out around the block taking my suitcase (I guess this is not a tradition here as even the neighbors were taking pictures of me running) and ware yellow underware for the coming year to be a success! Its just fun!