'All Black' gUImaS: adventures in Kiwiland

Bye bye Kiwiland, Hello Paris..

2008-10-18T23:38:00.003+01:00

For more and recent adventures come CheZ gUImaS

Busy days :/

2008-09-16T18:09:00.002+01:00

I've been away over the lat couple of days for a very good reason, to write my final report.
It's taking far more time than I predicted because I want to do well as I did in New Zealand at HQ.
Unfortunately, and even though I got the 3 weeks extension, I am running out of time as I am leaving Thursday to Bratislava [SK], from there to Kosice [SK], and then to Prague [CZ] for the Univ of Missouri-St Louis Annual Meeting. Finally I will head to Paris [FR] and start working the day after [slavery is about to start!]..
Hence, I MUST end the 1st version of this report before leaving Portugal, but I am far from reaching half way due to the literature review!
Anyway, better or worse I WILL FINISH IT BY TOMORROW!!
I am in need of VACATIONS (and a tan, but it is getting too late for that..).

Btw, I bought myself (actually it was my father who paid for them :) two suits today. I only had one before since I only used it for presentations and interviews.

Arrivederci Coventry

2008-09-13T01:14:00.002+01:00

For the first time I won't be missing a place where I lived!
I will miss people I met there, friends only.. not a place, buildings and architecture, a situation, certainly not the weather, nor food or even going out.
It's sad but true, Coventry was not a nice place to live, and it gave me a bad image of England.
I will try to change that image by travelling around whenever I can throw the nicest cities and places next year as my gf will be studying at Univ of B'ham..
One thing I liked from England was the countryside landscape but I find the cities ugly and too "shopping oriented". I think British are losing their culture and education amongst the new generations! I was expecting to find British as I knew from TV series but I found out that TV series rule British nowadays...
You may think I am being too dramatic but recall speaking with older generation British and they were the 1st to criticise, I even remember one saying "rubbish people" commenting on younger Brits. I woudn't go that far but you better do something about it asap!
Anyway, I arrived today to Portugal and my days off are over and 8am tomorrow I'll be typing the rest of my report.

Moving all my junk to Paris

2008-09-11T23:13:00.008+01:00

Musée d'Orsay et Musée du Louvre

2008-09-11T23:00:00.000+01:00

Museums in Paris are free on the 1st Sunday of each month... What a coincidence :]

Montmartre-Paris picnic dinner...

2008-09-11T22:58:00.008+01:00

...avec ma cherrie

Couscous, bacon rolls with cheese, olives and wine.

To Kill a Chevy..

2008-09-11T22:57:00.000+01:00

EuroTunnel train crossing Calais [FR] - Folkstone [UK], and the poor destiny of the crap Chevy Matiz. I was trying a rehabilitation programme but it died in my hands!!

My last days in Kiwiland

2008-09-11T22:56:00.001+01:00

Instead of bothering you with lot's of reading I'll just leave the pics to speak for themselves...

Dunedin...

2008-09-11T22:46:00.007+01:00

University of Otago campus, Otago Boy's School, and a typical neighbourhood of Univ students accommodations.

On the way to the tip of the Peninsula

2008-09-11T22:41:00.005+01:00

80Km/7h cycling around Otago's Peninsula...

On the way back...

2008-09-11T22:23:00.006+01:00

The strenuous return from sea level to about 350m high [on gravel] to end up with the fabulous view you can see from the lower right picture.

Chinese Garden

2008-09-11T22:20:00.002+01:00

Animals!

2008-09-11T21:44:00.004+01:00

One is a cycling animal [me], the others my favourite bird from NZ [much nicer than the Kiwi]. I really like their long legs and big feet [they're swamp birds], they are also very intelligent birds..

6 of the 40Million

2008-09-11T21:40:00.005+01:00

Going to NZ and not having pics of sheep is not going to NZ!
Makes me remind the tasty dinner Pauline cooked the last Saturday before I left... Nhamm... They're not only cute but tasty too! EHEHEHEH

New Home

2008-09-11T21:02:00.002+01:00

I just got to know yesterday my new address in Paris :]
Even though it is not as close as I wished to work and just outside the "Périphérique" [Ring Road], based on the fact that it is provided by BNP Paribas I am not in a position to complain.
For the first months I'll be living in Nanterre next to La Defense in a studio.
To those willing to come visit me and Paris, you better book in advance as reservations and interest is high and space scarce! :/
I'll do my best to accommodate everyone on my floor [sofa will probably not exist] and bed is already taken :P

The outcome of a great experience in NZ at HeadQuarters

2008-09-11T20:11:00.003+01:00

I was asked to reflect on my Internship experience and add it to my final report [I guess it is the easiest bit of all]. So, here's an excerpt...

"My Master Internship was definitely one of the most challenging individual treks of my life. I embarked in this Internship to push myself to the limits, but I went beyond those. It contributed immensely to increase my knowledge and expertise, and likewise my life experience.

Following a tough selection process the project with HeadQuarters was the perfect match. Capitalising on my MSc Finance I prepared a Business Plan, and simultaneously maximised management information available, automated and improved the reporting enabling accurate monitoring and decision-making.

Obviously it was not always easy living on the opposite side of the World, leaving family, girlfriend and friends behind (even a warm summer), nor absorbing ‘Kiwi’ culture and learn all about a new business in a short period of time. However I was welcomed with open arms and got adventurous exploring this remarkably gorgeous country.

In conclusion, the outcome is the certainty of a right decision… WOW!"

by Luis Vieira

Looking back...

2008-09-11T19:51:00.002+01:00

It wasn't an easy process getting to Kiwiland.
First I had to pass all my modules, not only those from the 1st semester but all to make sure I would not have any frustrations in the end.
Then was the Curriculum Vitae selection. It was easy for me but with some of my friends not really. Make sure you keep only the most relevant info and 'flower' it [it's suppose to be a marketing tool right] but DON'T make up things!
The worst for me was making a presentation on myself [my skills]. As those who know me will recall, when it comes to me I am very introverted but I dedicated probably more time than the others preparing a creative presentation and that gave me more confidence.
When it came to the interview I was already relaxed and simply focused on demonstrating I was keen to use all my knowledge and bring forth only the best.
In the end, I got selected :]
And now, looking back... [as I said to Marie Hardie today] it was the best part of my MSc Finance.

Coventry University - Master Internship

2008-09-11T19:42:00.005+01:00

Today I went to say hi and thank you to the people in Coventry Univ. who do their best so people like me can have not only a great internship but also a FANTASTIC experience in Kiwiland.
I was told my blog will be used as a marketing tool to future students.
To these I have only one word:

GO!

Within me a lunatic sings!

2008-09-11T18:23:00.010+01:00

The song I cannot stop listening over and over again... can't wait to get the album [all very legal downloading of course :]

Sigur Rós - "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" [the translation is the title of this post] from the album "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" recently released [Sigur Rós homepage and the video clip on Youtube here]

"Á silfur-á
Lýsir allan heiminn og augun blá
Skera stjörnuhiminn
Ég óska mér og loka nú augunum
Já, gerðu það, nú rætist það
Ó nei

Á stjörnuhraða
Inni í hjarta springur, flugvélarbrak
Ofaní jörðu syngur
Ég óska mér og loka nú augunum
Já, gerðu það, lágfara dans
Allt gleymist í smásmá stund og rætist það
Opna augun
Ó nei

Minn besti vinur hverju sem dynur
Ég kyngi tári og anda hári
Illum látum, í faðmi grátum
Þegar að við hittumst
Þegar að við kyssumst
Varirnar brenndu, höldumst í hendur
Ég sé þig vakinn
Ég sé þig nakinn
Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
Alltaf þið vaða, við hlaupum hraðar
Allt verður smærra
Ég öskra hærra
Er er við aða, í burtu fara

Minn besti vinur hverju sem dynur
Illum látum, í faðmi grátum
Ég kyngi tári og anda hári
Þegar að við hittumst
Þegar að við kyssumst
Varirnar brenndu, höldumst í hendur
Ég sé þig vakinn
Ég sé þig nakinn
Inní mér syngur vitleysingur "

Don't burn your brain trying to decode the above, Sigur Rós are from Iceland :P

Goodbye Kiwiwonderland..

2008-09-10T10:43:00.004+01:00

As you suspect I am no longer in NZ :(
The day after the long cycling tour I went to HQ to say goodbye to everyone and I was faced with a "Goodbye Tea Party" :]
The last Tuesday I was suppose to pack and stay at home, instead I went exploring the campus as I didn't have time for it before. I also went for my last Korean lunch in the near future before I go to see the Chinese Garden in Dunedin [one of the few real ones outside China].
Once back home, I did laundry, went out for dinner with John & Pauline, and finally packed all my stuff just before 2am!

In the morning Pauline drove me to the Airport where I was confronted with a NZ$25 expense I didn't forecast: YOU NEED TO PAY TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY!!
The flights back took over 25h of my life, including the 4h delay in Sydney. At least they provided some refreshments and AU$20 dinner voucher as I was out money. So, I ended up having not 1, nor 2 or even 3 but 4 dinners (including 2 on the flight to Singapore, excluding 2 sandwiches I bought for lunch once I would be in London)!! :D

Once in London, I rented a car I was going to use to drive my things to Paris (the difference of 1 extra day was the same as getting a coach to Coventry!).
This weekend I drove my stuff and 'Gunia' (gf) in a tiny-weak-ugly-smelly-Chevy-Matiz, the worst car I ever drove [surprisingly even worse than the previous Daewoo Matiz, before being bought by Chevy!].
We stayed in Dounia's place at Choisy le Roi, and were welcomed by her family especially her excellent cooker mum :) I tried some tasty typical Marrocco food besides the dellicious Parisien croissants and pan au chocolat.
I left all my junk in her garage until the 28th Sept. when I definitely move to an apart. hotel studio in Nanterre-Paris, close to La Defense [got to know yesterday].

On the way back I tried the EuroTunnel and just before returning the car it broke down, with only around 5000miles I KILLED the bastard! [lets just say it isn't an eco-friendly vehicle] MUHAHAHAH..

I am back in Coventry where Summer is colder and wet than Winter in Dunedin! Fortunately I am leaving Friday to Portugal. Until then I have LOTS of things to do, including my 7000 word report..

PS: Pics and further news will come when I finish my report.

I am a WRECK!!

2008-08-31T09:11:00.002+01:00

Early bird [me] woke up around 8.30am today, I wanted take Sunday off to cycle all the way to the far end of the Peninsula, and I did..

To get there takes 35Km from my place and it's mainly flat. Nonetheless, I was stopping quite often for lots of pics and some snacks. I was amazed how fit I am since I got there quite fast [avg >30Km/h, excluding the pit stops].
Once there I bought a few more souvenirs and decided to take a different route on the way back.
After about 8-10km I turned left to Wier Rd and crossed to the other side of the Peninsula, the beginning of about 20Km on gravel and half of those uphill!! Everything was fine until I reach Sandymount Rd.. a gravel steep nightmare that links to HighCliff Rd [name says it all].
I confess I thought a couple of times turning back and return the same way, flat Portobello Rd.. but I didn't quit :)
I am glad I didn't because I found amazing view points on the way, and the best one a dead end road behind Lanard Castle.
My long cycling tour around the Peninsula ended up with the usual [this time endless] steep High St to get home 7h and over 80Km later, just on time to have traditional Kiwi Lamb [saw a several on the way but I didn't kidnapped any] dish :)
Now, it's 9.20pm and I am about to crash on my bed.. [pics soon]

Final days... :(

2008-08-30T03:09:00.002+01:00

The last couple of weeks I haven't stopped a sec, from 15min lunches to late night work [2am] and wake up before the alarm clock [6.58am].
But guess what, my final report is exactly in the same stage as it was 2weeks ago!! I've done NOTHING..
So, what have I been doing? Mainly extra work for HeadQuarters and meetings, Excel spreadsheets and so on..
Hence, after presenting my work to the company, plus an external financial advisor, a logistic &stock consultant and a strategic advisor [actually it was more like a meeting than a presentation, no time to waste on PPT presentations]; I asked Jo Morshuis [HQ Managing Dir.] to write a letter so I can ask for a up to 3 weeks of extension to write my final report.
I won't be able to get back on it until I reach Her Majesty land back in Coventry. As for now, it's Saturday a lovely sunny day outside and I am here in the Otago Univ. Library working since 10am on two more analysis for HQ.
Tomorrow though.. I am cycling to the peninsula [35Km each way] and enjoy the sun and surroundings since I won't be going to Milford Sound as I wished.

Buffet Breakfast

2008-08-30T02:53:00.002+01:00

One thing I really appreciated whilst staying in YHA [Youth Hostel Ass.] in NZ is the fact that breakfast is NOT included in the price, besides the free sauna in Franz Joseph Glacier YHA :]
This way people have to buy their own stuff and keep it in the fridges... [You now start to see where I am about to go next right?]
WRONG! I DO NOT STEAL FOOD!!
How dare you think of that... I thought you knew me better.
But, as people come and go, they most times leave stuff behind. What YHA does is ask us to tag our food with our names and check out date. Everyday they check the fridges and place the food left behind in the FREE zone [see... What's the point of stealing now?! :P]
So, once I arrive to the YHA I go to the kitchen pick the best stuff around from the FREE zone, tag it as my own and keep renewing my stock everyday with fresh new things :]
In Christchurch I had cereals, orange juice, bacon/ham, yoghurts, eggs, milk, cheese [3 types], pasta, rice, ...
Obviously, you need to be careful with these things, always check the expiry dates, boil the milk, make sure the eggs don't float on water,... and then EAT ALL :]
I am pretty sure the person who got my bag next morning is eternally grateful to me..

Christchurch

2008-08-30T02:30:00.011+01:00

Pic 1: Cathedral
Pic 2: Symmetrical street
Pic 3: !!! Is it for birds or for hanging wet clothes?! Some may call it Art... It does look nice on the pic though
Pic 4: Art Gallery and Museum. Where most of the souvenirs come from.. eheheh
Pic 5: Dyslexic house
Pic 6: Art Gallery [left], Museum and Botanic Garden at the end

Back from Christchurch

2008-08-26T10:16:00.002+01:00

You can expect some pics soon, but I suspect it may take some time as I will be extremely busy at work this last week in Kiwiland :(
Quick overview: 4 days in Chch, 2 days walking around buying souvenirs for everyone [not many though, and my bro was unlucky - even his gf will get something! - .. no cookies for ya!]. Btw, I only buy Made in NZ typical stuff, mainly Maori handicrafted [but afordable for my squeezed budget].
The other day was a brainstorming day closed in a room from 9am~5pm [30min lunch] and then a fine dinner.
I also tried for the 1st time a Kiwi from Kiwiland!! WOW... Well, it tasted similar to the others.. :P
Now, I just arrived from 4h driving E-Class powerful Mercedes under heavy rain or EXTREMELY dense fog!! Once at home, Xena [German Sheppard] was delighted to see me but went running to get her new toy [orange alien which USED TO squeak, not anymore though] before I steal it and make her run after it! John left me a nice big dinner before he went for his play rehersal.