I first want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope 2010 is a fantastic year for you.
So lets start from last Friday.
I finally went to Koktobe with Galimova. It was a very beautiful place (for adelaieans, it is similiar to Windy Point). The air there is so fresh I love it. There were some movie attractions as well, like this: (and yes I can pull of Hugh Jackman)
We then went to a lovely place and for the life of me I cant remember the name. Anyway it was awesome. They spoke a little english and when someone speaks just a little english in this country I count myself lucky. I had some fettucini Carbonara and it was awesome!!!
We then went to Stout to celebrate xmas eve. I had a cosmopolitan (Yes I know its the sex and the city drink, I dont care, I like it) It was great to have the company of Galimova and Dasha.
So the next day I went to A-Club for the corporate party, and what a party it was!
We started off getting the rooms ready, having lunch (It was okay food, but horrible service) We then went to play russian snooker and some pool. As I said in a previous post these guys are champions when it comes to handling a cue. I managed to win the first game, but failed miserably afterwords. We then began the ten pin bowling.
Its been a long timed since I have bowled hence my considerable amount of gutterballs and missing the front pin. It was great fun but again crap service. I bet this guy from Astana that I could beat him in the next game. The bet was 20 pushups. I was more than happy to do them when he beat me by 30 points.......
So I we went back to the rooms, had a few drinks, and got to know a few differnet people. My russian is getting slightly better albeit my accent and pronounciation of swear words in russian is getting MUCH better.
Some of you may not know that male Kazakhs have to do compulsory military service. I was telling a guy about Australia having no such rule and he said in no uncertain terms that "I should join the army so I learn the meaning of life". Well Im not joining the army mate. I cant swim for a start and make a joke out of almost everything.....
Finally the xmas party begins. Everyone is there. From the engineers to the commercial director (who I had previously not met). Food was horrible, service terrible, but there was some awesome singing and dancing. I saw real kazakh dancing. It was pretty awesome. I might upload the video if I get time later on.
Some of the engineers taught me some kazakh phrases for happy new year, and I remembered them amazingly. There was a host and a lot of activities. Dancing, dancing, dancing to the forefront. Costumes, everything.
It was an immensely happy place. I was very glad to be there.
While I said the service was horrible, they were very good at the one thing. We would cheer for something (I assume happy new year), have a shot of vodka, and some orange juice. IMMEDIATELY after I put the shot down, the waiters refilled it.
The after party was also awesome, more dancing more drinking. The executive director invited me to have a drink with him, as did other people. Everyone was very happy and it was a truly amazing experience.
So I had a walk around with my friend Igor. If you have ever tried to walk on ice, at night, with alcohol in your body, it is not a pleasant experience. To that end, I managed to slip and fall quite drastically at around 2:00am. God it hurt. Seriously. Igor was telling more stories about Russia, belarussia and kazakhstan. Im getting to know more about it, and my western education is starting to be augmented with this type of education.
The next morning I began with having a philosphical, religious, and political talk with the guy from Astana. Seriously, I tried to offer comment but I was so tired. However, he did have some interesting thoughts on the money system we currently use, the controlling or dumbing of mankind so a few amount of people can control the world, and some 'conspiracy theories'.
This talked continued whilst I was swimming, as well as in the sauna. It was hard to keep up but i managed to offer some comment. The RFID chip idea for humans is frankly scary to me. It really is.
So this week has just been relaxing and partying. I have had work, but not too much. However, I had to review some business plans by the sales managers of the company. We (the company director, executive director, heads of department, sales managers, my marketing colleague) all viewed one of the presentations. I have to tell you, I was brutal. I put a hole in everything, cos frankly it needed to have some holes. I mean the SWOT analysis they prepared for their segment was elementary. The marketing strategy they explained had no strategy in it. I mean they wanted to prepare seminars for people who have not heard of our business. Think of this logically, why the hell would a company who hasn't heard of Company B, go to a seminar for company B unless there is some really good reason to go? And seminars are one of the most boring things known to man as well.
I was very happy that the company director involves me in all discussions, even when there is two languages at the table. I was kinda acting like a director of the board, advising what company B should do.
Oh ye I had a massive meeting with the film director the other day. It was a pretty long meeting, and I wanted to dissect what would be a good video for presentations. I then thought for half the day how to implement a video in a presentation/personal selling atmosphere. I like this job because I can think. Other jobs, like retail (!) dont make you think, your just a pawn. Here I directing and I love it.
My family will be very happy to know I like hot tea now. Albeit with 3 sugars. But that stills means I like tea.
So twas the day to be happy on wednesday this week, where I hanged out with some people from Leo Burnett. Was pretty chill, we were playing truth or dare (I came in and they playing it, I mean high school much?). Anyway one of my friends showed of his indian dancing skills, and there was a good discussion about kazakh boys.
Yesterday we began new years celebrations (here actually they celebrate the old year, then the new year). I made sure I got a lot of sleep for the big night ahead. We first went to a house party, then a club, then another club, then a 5 star hotel, then another club. The partying went well into 8:30am!!!! But it was a great time. I was wearing my slightly contradictory Brasil T-shirt which was a present for me from my roommate. People I thought I was from Argentina (go figure) but (tonights gonna be a good good night). It was awesome.
Today will probably be more partying im not sure. but let me reassure Im gonna have another great experience.
I just wanted to say that im a new man this year. My confidence in myself has increased dramatically as has my resilence to negative feedback. Whilst Im only 21, I portray myself as a much more experienced person at work, and as a party animal in my free time.
For the people in Adelaide, I really miss you. Most of all, I miss the talks. I miss the friendly banter, the australian accents, and meat pies (please dont send me one mum, I doubt it would get to me in one piece). Daniel, I miss the talks about Toyota engines, the playing of your synth, and the relationship talks. Lesley, I miss the laughing with you, you have the most infectious smile I know. Aaron, I miss the polically incorrect talks so much, and as a side note, please be careful, you know what its about. Ek, I miss your high pitched laugh, and I miss motorcycling so badly and for the fresh air that is the beauty of Adelaide.
As the song says, "I still call Australia home".
Kind Regards
The reformed Australian/Brasilian guy
Bryan
