Monday, November 23, 2009

Jungle law

Why Lion is a king of the jungle? He is not the biggest one in Safari... He is not the fastest on the ground... But he has a powerful roar coming from his throat. And he has something what most of us are missing. He has a feeling of ownership... Does he asks zebra when he is hungry? Does he asks zebra for permision or approval? Is he waiting for some secret signs from other animals before going to hunt? I don't think so...
If I would stop waiting for a sign from a girl to ask her out, if I would stop hesitating to ask for higher salary and more responsibilities, if I would stop thinking for a second what other people think about me... I would be a stronger personality. I would be a person with respect and authority.

Jungles are calling! Back to the nature... Back to the roots.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Lets the party get started!

One thing which I can't get use to in Pakistan is Parties... Rember when I was 12-13 years old, I used to attend or organize 'parties' with my friends which looked something like that: we gether to one place, we have small snacks from a local shop (or in best case moms made food), we get some cold drinks (pepsi, for example), cool music and the party ready to go!
Now, imagine the same with people who are over 20s... I'm not trying to make fun of those people; for God sake No! I just want to illustrate what I see happening around.
From one hand it is very cost effective way to have fun. Also it is good for health! But the problem for people like me that we can't really enjoy such parties... I have to mention that there are 'advanced' pakistanis who can 'drink' and smoke up! Which makes them even more pathetic... (from my point of view). Or maybe I'm saying it only because I have my own antipathy for easy drugs. However, from one year experience in Pakistan I made a conclusion, that pakistanis don't know how to drink. By saying that I mean the atitude they have then they are drunk and the reason they getting drunk. Of caurse I'm not a role model as well and there is nothink cool in that. But the thing is that they traying come up with something (like copying western living style) but they not good in that.
There culture has nothing to do with alcohol - so don't! Before coming here last year I was afraid that I will stop drinking... I didn't, because I was living witg other foreigners.
All in all I hope we all will find our own way to express ourselves...

Protect your kids from drugs and alcohol...

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Work it out

Working in Pakistani company looks something like that:

A) fixed time means nothing more than approximate time to show-up to the office (anyway management is coming much later and it just a thing of respect to be at your desk before your boss)

B) verbal communication practically mean nothing until it's put it written, for example in e-mail with other 2-3 random people who might be involved in on or another way (most likely your boss, his boss and etc.)

C) deadlines are for those who can't manage their own time. If you think you are good at that - you will re-plan deadlines according your need...

D) there is a crucial thing to know before starting to communicate with respectful Pakistani: 'Yes' means No and 'No' means No. Confusing? For me too...

E) if your relations are not developed with colleagues yet, it's better to approach them by Mr. If you writing e-mail it is strongly advised to use as much as possible advanced and super polite English words as you would be writing letter to President of country (Even your colleague is sitting across the table).

F) I don’t even dare to talk about ‘F’ point…

Sunday, November 15, 2009

About new beginning: be part of it

Well well well... guess who's back again! As most of the bloggers I'm not going to apologize for not posting for a quite long time. Because (!) I have a reason for that.
As you know from my last post (end of September) I decided to dedicate one more year for Karachi, Pakistan. Since that decision my life was little bit messed up: a) traveling back home to Lithuania, b) flying back to Karachi with small adventures in Istanbul, c) business trip to Dubai, d) finally settling down in Karachi and working your ass of for better results.
It might sound strange, but I'm one of those people who don't really like traveling. Sometimes I write traveling as my hobbies in various applications just to impress people with my open mind-ness. True. The life "in luggage" is hell for me.
Besides changes in my career and living place (honestly, I expected today be employed in one of the successful companies in Lithuania) I had to say goodbye to few people who were living with me since very beginning. From the moment they left Karachi I realized that: "Oh f...k, I'm here already one year!".
I don't want to make this blog entry as a report "what's new in Andrius life", but just to give you an overview about my current situation.

So back to basics: mentally I'm prepared to stay for another year in Karachi and go through the same cycle: work, home, dinner at home or/and going out, meet new interns, goodbye to old interns and etc.
The main difference is that this year I committed to myself few things which I skipped last year. Yeah yeah - know: as an AIESEC'er I had to set expectations, goals and etc. - didn't work as I was too much concentrated about my job (I didn't have that much time and opportunity to travel around and get to know country). So this year I promised myself that I will push this environment closer to my needs.
First thing I need to do - meet more foreigners (sorry, but there are only few Pakistanis with whom I can really build meaningful conversation) and expand social circle. Secondary, I will work more on my eating habits (less and less fast food). And finally I will make sure that sport and exercises will be my regular activity. Can't promise attendance in sport gym, but I have ideas how can I use my surrounding for keeping "shape" (girls, you know what I mean!).
Dear reader, you just had an honor to be witness of my commitments to myself. Feel free to criticize, comment, use psychological pressure and keep reminding me about it. You are part of my commitment... Cha!

I also have good news for you. Very soon (so soon, that I almost can smell it) I'm going to get a brand new smart phone (brand name and model is unknown yet). So it means that I will be able to shoot you with: mini, smart, funny, shocking, deep and philosophical blog post. Sounds fair? Think so...

That's all for now.