Adios Szab - Hello MC!

It was the morning of May 18th, I frantically gotup at 9:30am to literally RUN off to college, as we had our Research Project Presentations - which you have to give at the end of your BBA, and is pretty much worth 2 courses! Got to college by 10:15, in a rather unusual setting in the Auditorium (where we were presenting for the first time), and witnessed nervous, tensed, hyper (some losers were for some reason!) and some happy buncha' students.. who were about to unofficially graduate!

Presentations from 10:30am - 5pm, and my group's turn was at 4pm! Sighh. So after catching up with my sleep, joking around, millions of sms-es, going for prayers in the middle (friday), taking pics!, having lays, revising notes, we were on the stage for 1 final time! (why is this turning into a lame story of some famous band's last gig?! :p)




So that sums it up pretty much. Presentation finished, went ok, less raping as compared to others, and we were treated by our college to tea and snacks!

And so after giving 100+ presentations, clearing 48 courses, taking 144 hourlies and 48 finals, going to a huge number of seminars/conferences... I still have the same old car!.. Ok no, I finally graduate!

It was indeed a pleasure studying here, and a greater pleasure to have met the life-long friends I made over here.. the early morning halwa-puri's, the frantic runs to the lab for print-outs, the lays with tea sessions, the samosa with tea sessions, the random arguments in the cafe over why we chose a certain topic for a report, the mimicking sessions! (oh damn!), the walks from 90 to 100, the birthday celebrations in the study, the flamingo trips, the meetings! (SO many!), the EBM's!, the random AIESEC memories, the fights, the daewooooo! (oh how can I forget you! you SUCKER!!:p), the drops, the same damn feeling after giving every exam, and the billion other things.. this all would definitely be missed!

And now its hello to the MC of AIESEC in Pakistan! Can't wait to start, though I do need to wrap up some stuff. The last couple of days have been a lot of corporate meetings with Emad/Kurt, desperately trying to sell off my car (sadness), family stuff, hanging out, and a lot of green tea for some odd-ball reason.

The entire month of June is transitioning into next year's role as the National Team of AIESEC in Pakistan, which entails living with 3 old MC members, 3 new MC members, 2 Interns, and 1 CEED-er from Canada, at the MC Mansion! Not to mention crazy transition sessions at the Office as well as at home/roof/wherever!


July is when we officially take over, and thats when things get insane!


More of that later, right now some more pics.





So am I going to end this off on a really emotional note in a background of empty corridors?!

No I'm not! Thank God its over!

:)

NPM!

So National President's Meeting 2007 starts in another 12 hours! This is defintely one of my firsts. Another first, is the fact that I'm on the OC (not on the same levels though, but still). And since I was (volun-told) to be on it, its an interesting experience going to Zamzama Park with Kurt to figure if its worth having an "inspirational" session over there or not.

With 14 leaders from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad.. venues ranging from the MC Mansion, Cafe Coffee Day, NGORC, SZABIST, to Zamzama Park.. the following 3 days are going to be worth it all!

After a couple of months, I have now realized that it is really really hard to keep a blog active and to post on it regularly! It just is. I didn't think it would be this hard, but it actually is a pain. I made a conscious effort tonight to update it, as I knew the weeks to follow after tonight, are going to be absolutely insane.

In more news, I'm selling my super cool car off. Yes, very sad. But hey, how cool is that for you?! Benefits include no locks, no moving windows, no AC, alot of natural air, a CNG system to heavily rely on, 4 and a half tyres, half-key, a radio tuning into all radio channels, no headlights, zebra-print seat covers, very reliable, locked dashboard, a trunk with empty oil cans, empty chips packets, and alot of memories. Offers start from Rs. 0.2 million. Hit me if you're genuinely interested! First come, first serve basis, so don't try to woo me by our personal or friendly relationship!

A discharge video to make, portfolio presentation to finish, term report to submit, budget to look at for tomorrow, make a list of calls to make tomorrow morning, some sort of packing to do.. all of that, or a power nap? Hmm.

Anyway, I know you're gona read this soon! So this is a reminder for you to pickup that tennis racquet and practice!:P Time's passing by!

Haha. Later.

AIESEC in Pakistan

Please Join Us in Congratulating..
8 Impressive Candidates..
For Your..
! MC 2007-2008 !

4 Brilliant Pakistani Candidates
for:

President 2007-08,

AIESEC in Pakistan!

:: Nida Rasheed - Lahore ::
:: Saba Imtiaz - Karachi ::
:: Sohaib Athar - Lahore ::
:: Taha Durrani - Karachi ::

&

4 Brilliant Candidates for:

Vice Presidents 2007-08, AIESEC in Pakistan!

- Aqeel Akbar (VPX and VPTM&LCD) - Pakistan -
- Poornima Venkatesh (VPX) - India -
- Tiffany Curtiss (VPER) - USA -
- Tomas Klesken (VPTM&LCD) - Slovakia -

....

Read Their Applications Here

....

The Countdown has begun to Elections at the

National Leadership Conference 2007!!!

Alot can happen over coffee..

21 Dec'06: Karachi, Pakistan.

11:04 am: Gotup from the following sms:
Joanna: Hey, your lunch with Ryan is at 12:30pm! Take care!

11:30 am: I can sleep more..

12 pm: A litttlee more..

12:09 pm: 5 minutes won't kill me..

12:15 pm: RUN!

12:30 pm: I get a call..
Kurt: Mr. Taha, when would you be here?
Me: 2 minutes! I'm almost there.
Kurt: 2 as in 2? Or Pakistani 2?
Me: Okay 3 minutes honestly!

12:39 pm: I enter the MC Office to find them engrossed in their laptops. Yes, I don't have one! Anyway, exchange of greetings and..

Emad: Where are you guys going?
Me: Not sure. Nawab, CK.. ?
Emad: He can't eat!
Me: Oh.
Kurt: You have 51 minutes with him!

12:50 pm: I walk into Costa with AIESEC International's Director for the Asia Pacific Region (woah!), Ryan Sheppard, and we quickly grab the best table right next to the window.

12:51 - 1:35 pm:
If there was possibly a time when I could actually give a practical example for the word "Inspired", it would be during this time! From talking about the progress Pakistan has made till now, or how to tackle with my parents, or what mind-set to be in always, or why I haven't washed my car in so long! (lol), it was highly inspiring to say the least. I never believed it was actually this huge, and the step I was about to take would have been this enormous. I never thought so much could happen over coffee. I never knew the dude was only 22 years old! And I never knew that I could be that high about something! I never thought this would actually be a huge investment into my future. I never thought 2 small packs of sugar would be less for me. And I never felt a more strong sense of belonging and belief in this organization. I just have to do this now. Not because I have to, but because I really really want to! And ofcourse, regardless of what happens, never have any regrets whatsoever!

1:44 pm: We enter the MC Office..
Kurt: You are 14 minutes over-time! Pay us!
(lol).

2:01 pm: Leave the MC Office with a spirit to die for!

2:20 pm: Enter college to look for Rabia and her department members. Can't find her anywhere. Quickly sms her (i love Warid!). Run into OC's meeting, go through updates, list down potential companies to call for myself, and leave!

2:50 pm: Check email. Half of my department has applied to become Team Leader for the Xteams! (so that's 5 outta 10 people). Only 2 people would actually get it!

3:15 - 3:45 pm: Call 4 companies and setup meetings for next week!

6:10 pm: Go all the way to uni-plaza to get my pc fixed (pending for the past 184,302 days!)

8pm: Actually washed my car!


Alot can happen over coffee.

Aaaa.

88 hours to go.

For President and Vice President Applications deadline for AIESEC in Pakistan.

Time right now: 6:03 am.

Status on sleep: vanished.

Recruitment's first-phase moments.

Phew. The first phase is over. And what a phase it was! Surprisingly, we never took any pics. Sharmeen however, did. Now I know what you do with those maxell batteries, muhahaha. :P.

Anyway, there were so many moments to take pics of. Ofcourse, the most significant, noteworthy, momentous and meaningful was the time when someone very responsible, got biryani for his hard-working team-member. How sweet was that. Also, the time when that same responsible person treated the whole OC for coffee. Wow. I never thought someone would actually do that in this gruelling heat and busy life. Not to mention the time when we got to know that Augie's driver was pathan. LOL. That was way too freakishly funny. Augie, thumbs up for that! What else did we have, oh yes. We had our sole member of PD, a.k.a Anti-Army Style, answering to questions in a millisecond like:

Anti-Army Style: I hate him.
Me: Forget it, he'll be here soon.
Anti-Army Style: He had to pick me up 2 hours back!
Me: What's his nam.... (didn't let me finish)
Anti-Army Style: Ghadda.

Lol. He was just 3 hours and 2 minutes late. Not much eh. Anyway, then we had the Wji-lock!

Wji: heyyyyyyy there... ;)

Student: :I. hey.

Wji: Are you like.. applyin'?! you really should;)
Student: (speechless) :I :I (blinks eyes twice) :I (gulp!) :I OKAY I AM!!!

Lol. I never thought I would have so much to write about. :P. Oh yeah, we also had the following moment! How can I miss that. It rarely happens at Zabbie.

Sharz: Is our class cancelled?
Wji: Yes, for sure. I checked the notice-board.
Mikaal: I think its on.
Me: Wait, leme check the notice-board.
(I walk to the notice-board where it says that our class is actually cancelled. I turn and start walking back, when I am intercepted by a totally unknown species for the very first time in college who walks by leaving the wind under a spin of temptation and taking the world by storm. (sighhh) :P. Anyway, before I forget the fact that I am still narrating this conversation.. :P)
Sharz: So, is it on?
Me: :I (blinks once)
Mikaal: Cancelled or nott?!
Me: :I :I (blinks twice)
Sharz: Dude!
Me: :I... I forgot what I had to say. :I

Dayem! Anyway, I think thats enough. Some pics are given below.

ARE you?!

Shamsi smiling, Deej telling us about the number of forms she sold, Mikaal trying to prove her wrong, Taha preparing for an hourly. Lol.

Looking for the 'perfect' candidate.

Memorable

Its been quite awhile since I last posted here. I guess its just because of the absolutely crazy schedule and work-load I have these days. Having outings with foreigners, adjusting to the new semester, just had a gig, managing Recruitment! - which has been insane so far. Addressing 150 students and then 60 students, was totally worth the last-minute adjustments to the banners:) Listening to Thomas and Pascale's experience, throwing kit-kat to whoever answered the questions correctly.. its turning out to be one hell of an experience.

Anyway, since I have (very quietly) deviated from my original motive for this post, I would like to post one of the many memorable conversations from JNC'06.

Alarm-clock: Getup you guys!

Teedee: I'm up.

AN: Man its 7:30! Plenary is at 9! Let me sleeeep!

(AN cursing his luck and putting pillow on his head)

Alarm-clock: I don't care! Utho! I gotup at 7 and came here. You guys have already slept for 30 minutes more than me! Getup!

(Amidst this interesting situation, a very smiling person person comes out of the washroom and opens the cup-board and listens.. )

AN: Alarm-clock, I will do your laundry for a month, just let me sleep!

Alarm-clock: No thanks. Get the hell up! (throws an object at AN)

Teedee: Haha AN, forget it. You can't sleep more today. Learn from that smiley person near the cup-board, he has changed already!

(AN ignores and tries real hard to sleep.. when all of a sudden.. )

Smiley person: Hey AN, do you know Danish?

(AN annoyed at the shrill tone of the smiley person's voice!)

AN: Uh yeah I do, why? (thinking to himself as to WHY would someone ask that sort of a question at 7:45 am in the morning!)

A very smiley person: He's getting married.

(AN sinks into his pillow even more)

(Teedee and Alarm-clock die of laughter!)

Lol.

EB 06-07

Karachi's EB 06-07: Evolve. Empower. Excel.

We shall live upto that! :)

If you comment on this post..

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll challenge you to try something.
3. I'll pick a colour that I associate with you.
4. I'll tell you something I like about you.
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something I've always wanted to ask you.
8. If I do this for you, you must re-post this on your blog.

Here you go Mickey!

Lahoris are interesting and funny people.

Some of them pose in pictures quite openly (centre). Some of them pose even more openly and that too while supporting the sofa! (viewer's right).

Rest are fine.

Amazing TN's in Karachi!

TN-Et-PK-KA-2006-1002
TN-Et-PK-KA-2006-1003
TN-Et-PK-KA-2006-1004
TN-Et-PK-KA-2006-1005
TN-Te-PK-KA-2006-1006
TN-In-PK-KA-2006-1007
TN-Te-PK-KA-2006-1008
TN-Te-PK-KA-2006-1009

Go check them out if you think I'm kidding.

They ARE amazing! :)

First post through Nomadlife!:)

Hey crazy Nomadlife-ers! (or whatever you all are called:P)

This is my first post through Nomadlife and finally feels quite AIESEC-ly to post on my blog.

For those of you who have no clue, I am Taha Durrani, VP ICX-Corporate here in AIESEC Karachi, Pakistan:) - Land of the pure!

Keep checking for further updates.

Awe-struck!:)

I went to college today in the evening to conduct an ordinary sisterly favor and wasn't really in the best of moods, but as soon as I entered and walked through the corridor, I felt quite overwhelmed after seeing our strong presence!

Teasers all around the campus with "Are you" questions, endorsed with our trademark blue and orange strips, students looking at them and walking away with thoughts.. the sight was absolutely awesome to say the least!

Everyone hang in there, this is just the beginning!

Great going Saher and her team!

Recruitment'06 - Leading the Change!

Rockin' JNC!

JNC 2006 was by far the most amazing conference ever!

Thanks to the AMAZING OC! :)

Everyone at the selling session!

The Rockin' Javed Sutringer show!

The one and only.. you would be missed by everyone!

The most significant things to remember from this conference:

• The venue!
• My luxurious room.
• Unforgettable selling session.
• Javed Sutringer!:D
• ICX Tracks:)
• Mr. Amin Hashwani's session!
• Chair's comments.
• Punishments!
• Puneet's Khamba (x 3).
• Legislation!
• That thing we do!
• The Firestarter's entry!
• Lahori's.
• Roomies:D
• Organic alarm-clocks:D
• Sohaib/Aqeel and Sohaib/Hassan's moments:P
• The pasta.
• Ice-cream.
• Kheer.
• Rest of the food:P

Thanks to the OC, EB, MC, Facis, every single delegate who came!

Looking forward to NYDS'06!