Closing thoughts...

My tribute to the partners in the best way I can- with poetry and verse!

One chapter ends
and many more are born
Joy must fill our breasts
and yet, our minds are torn!

Palms red with clapping,

Chests filled with hugs,

Eyes moist with tears-
Pride that heart unplugs!

We go our separate ways
Riches and Fame, to find
But, alas, the only wealth that lasts
are souvenirs of the heart and mind!

-Arvind

....and everything comes to an end ...

Today is the last day of IMD life...

When I sat tonight to write this post a song from Semisonic, "Closing Time", instantly came to my mind:

"Closing time, open all the doors

And let you out into the world

 ...

Closing time, one last call for alcohol

So finish your whiskey or beer

Closing time, you don't have to go home

But you can't stay here...

Closing time, every new beginning

Comes from some other beginning's end

...

Closing time, time for you to go out

To the places you will be from"

It was a truly special year. 

- So many new things...

- So many new parsons
- So many new places to visit...

- So many parties, meals to attend...

- So many works to do ...

- New languages to learn

- New cultures to explore

... and yes so many laundry, cleaning, cooking, supporting the students ... 

It's hard to describe in words how special this year was for me. And a big part of the role experience was the people I meet and became my friends, my family.

I've learned a lot with and from them and that made me grow in so many 

aspects. 

You guys made my year !!!

We began the year as strangers and finished as friends. And by analyzing we all changed in a good way =) 

We weren't chosen as the students were chosen to be part of IMD. But the outcome of our group was outstanding. As individuals we have lots of  qualities and as a group we manage to work really well. We've been trough lots of stuffs and I risk to say that we did a very good job.

This past days a mix of feelings is surrounding all the IMD Community. We are happy for closing a cycle but at the same time we're sad for leaving....

Leaving a city that we learned to love , living a lifestyle that we enjoyed so much and above all leaving some good, really good friends....

As Maria, a wise 4 year old kid once said "we won't have this anymore". She was completely right. We won't have everybody at the same place together again. And maybe that's way the fact of saying goodbye is so sad.

As you can see  I'm already missing everyone and everything.
I'm sure I'll meet you again someday.

I'll bring everyone in my heart wherever I go for the rest of my life.

I love you all.

Lots of hugs and kisses to you ;-)

...

Now let's enjoy our last day !!!

"Carpe Diem"

Marta

P.S.1: a small retrospective of our year in pictures. Sorry for not including everyone, but I have many pictures for a few slides (it was hard to choose)

P.S.2: I added the song that I was talking about in case you want to hear.

This past year

I have been trying to post something for the past week, but as you all know, life is crazy busy this time of the year.

But here I am writing an entry while getting ready to go to the airport in few hours to start my flight to Lausanne, to celebrate my husband's achievement with him. I am celebrating my achievement as well. It has been a long year, full of emotions, successes, failures, hope and excitement. I have grown too.. This year was a great learning experience to me. it made me appreciate the hubby more :-) and appreciate single mothers as well... 

I remember that same time last year, when we were preparing for Sam's departure, how difficult it was to be away from him. How difficult it was for him to be away from his daughters, who mean the whole world to him. This year, at this same time of the year, we are preparing for his graduation, for his dream to come true. We are preparing for his home coming, for spending Christmas with him, and being able to attend our daughters' Christmas concert at school.

We are now looking forward to see what the future holds for us, as new doors open and new beginnings appear in sight.. But first, let's have a blast and enjoy the graduation ceremony this weekend..

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow..

Heidy

2012 at a glance

This is my year – I was one of those partners who could travel to Laussane frequently as I lived and worked in UK.  I think it was a great experience for me to be away for 10 months and think how life has changed over last 4 years.  The day I received my citizenship and OCI status for India I flew to Lausanne.  Here is a snapshot of my 12 months.

January - Begin of new life where your partner is not around you and the auto pilot of your life is missing.

February – Begin to make new friends and realise I need to add value to myself while he is studying.  Started with my salsa classes and got enrolled for CIMA master’s gateway course. 

March – Looking forward to see hubby after a long gap of 2 months and you find hubby pressed with loads of assignments – you think I am here for few days and he doesn’t have time to spend with m L

April – 1^st holiday for Easter.  You want to do things but he wants to relax and chill.  You want to have conversation with him but it seems very difficult with circumstances … u think why????

May – the month of ICP and travel.  But thankfully I get to see him for a day.  You want to plan and do things that one day but excitement missing at the other end as for him he is home and wants to chill out on his sofa watching tele.

June – A week of holiday booked to spend time with him.  He is physically around me but mentally mind is occupied with school.  I am given a book to read to keep myself busy.  Hostage at the table – a leadership book.  Book which makes you think if you choose to.

July – Summer holiday.  Hey ho – finally he is at home.  You just want to catch up with as much as you can.  Go for long walks, cook yum dishes (we are lacto vegetarian) and most importantly have conversations.  Few things happen and few don’t. Again expectations not realised.  You finally confront and express yourself. 

August – I receive my UK passport and time to apply for my OCI.  Students busy under pressure for applying jobs.  But communication improves marginally as classes’ pressure decreases.

September – Another week holiday in Lausanne from work. This time I was prepared to be busy and was constantly studying for my CIMA.  As I had no expectations I would say it was my best holiday.  I had few good days with him going for long vineyard walks, montreux and rochers-de-naye. 

October – Receive my OCI, resign the job and join him in Lausanne for few days.  Proud of him doing the Lausanne 10K marathon in snow.  I realised the importance of not having any expectations and kept myself busy with CIMA preparations.

November – Option to do the electives – thanks to Martha (Program Director).  Doing electives was an eye-opener. Not only personally it made me think of what I want in my life but also made me realise how much work load they have with class preparation, case study, group discussions, presentations and assignments. 

December - The final month and here comes graduation.  Everybody passing out in flying colours and embarking on a new journey of life.

All I can say is 2012 has been eventful and challenging.  As I sit and look from my window at the snow I am thinking as to what kept us going?  I feel its communication and a strong desire to understand and be understood.

And this needs to continue as the new phase of life begins….