Day #3 : Empathy, Excitment and Exhausted!

I woke up early today. As a reward for that, I managed to enjoy the nature and inhale the green fresh air outside, in the corridor. The view of the greenery and the calmness of the swimming pool really gave me peace. I wanted to update my blog but the Internet connection in the room is horrible. But well, at least I didn't have to line up to get my breakfast. =)

 Today we had two inspiring speakers who shared their wonderful experience in their journey to help save the world. I was really, really inspired by them. The words and sentences that they threw out made me reflect on my naiveness about the world and how much I actually spend time thinking about this problem. Yes, we learn about the world and ways to save it. Some even were forced by teachers/ parents to do something, but have we actually done something? These people on the stage actually had done something. And it's really BIG! Who would actually sacrifice a quarter of their life trying to change the world? Even I would have to think twice about that.

Some refreshers in between the conference!

 Not long after that, we went back to our groups. We finished off our EMPATHY issues by interviewing the speakers who had those great experiences with them, and the other half of us explored the information on the Internet. After completing our respective tasks, we sat down and discussed the main importance, efforts, and what we thought was important. Each step we made brought us closer to the solution as we took only the important thoughts and facts which we gathered. 

 Everyone felt excited to go to the swimming pool. When we got there, people started swimming and sunbathing in their swimsuits. The capoeira and Bollywood sessions brought everyone together. After the sessions, people start forming a large circle and started dancing with the beat. As for me, I managed to play volleyball with a plastic ball for a while. Yay! =)

Capoeira 

Day #2: The newbie feels new =p

The breakfast served was kind of weird, in a way, for me. It was all cakes and fruits. Thank God they had croissants and scrambled eggs. At least I find that a 'normal breakfast'. =) owh and they had this sausage that was extremely tasty and juicy. Maybe that's chorizo. So, one down and a few more to go. Hope we get to taste the paella!

 Today's speakers were good - especially Mr. Houston. He was so enthusiastic that he made us feel enthusiastic as well. I don't know how he did it, but he got a standing ovation from everyone in the hall. Basically, we had a rough briefing on what we are supposed to do for the week using the Design Thinking Methodology. We started off with EMPATHY. We were separated into groups and the names of the groups are all based on an important figure in Spain. My group adopted the name of Queen Isabel of Spain. Today, most of us witnessed a wonderful and unique sight of the sky. The sun was surrounded by a circle. Imagine a simple theory like refraction could do such amazing thing. Everyone was lying under the sun, absorbing the breath of nature and to feel its presence. It wasn't a weird thing for my eyes anymore, to see people appreciating the sun (because most Malaysians hate the sun as it's always hot and humid) because I did the same thing when I was in France.

 After dinner, most of us walked into town. One of my friend wore heels and I didn't know how to help and, at the same time, I felt bad for her. Heels? On roads made of stones? I tried walking on that with a pair of boots and my feet hurt like crazy! Anyway, the town amazes me in many ways. At first I thought it was like the petit rues in Paris but the buildings in Segovia town (or in Spain) felt different when I touched it. It was after I touched it that it seemed different. I wonder about the history that lives in that building. That question changes me and my outlook of Spain and its buildings. By the end of the day, we were all walking zombies. Half dead, half alive. But the sight of Segovia's town changes it all and everything seems worth it. =)

EMPATHY session

View from Segovia town

Aquaduct 

The Offical Day #1

This is a continuation from my previous post. Instantly, I met people of different nations. Equador, Holland and Nigeria. Slowly, the circle got bigger. I was impressed by what happened as it was really different from my previous experience from the student exchange program to France last year. I somehow find them easier to communicate with. Maybe because it is a larger group of students attending this conference. I am starting to like the environment and surroundings and I hope this circle of people will grow bigger and bigger, each day. It is amazing how we could get along with each other, despite knowing that we are stranger to one another.

 Tapas for dinner! And we watched the final match for the Euro cup! España won!!!!!!!!! Goal!!!!!! Sorry Italy fans. I love them too but..... (I'm a girl and Fabregas is in the Spanish team so..... =D) I was so tired and so I just crashed on the bed when the magical connection between me and the bed sparked! =)

Airplanes and Airports

Guess what?! I sat in Boeing 380? The biggest airplane? It was AWESOME! My first ride on a double decker airplane! The sit was better than the previous flight to France. The food was great and I was going Malaysian all the way (nasi lemak!) =). Okay, I did said that I wanted to watch the movie but I was TOO tired and exhausted.... So I slept until I reached Dubai. The airport was huge and big! And I will no longer complain about the price in Malaysia anymore because in Dubai, everything is double! Literally! I spent some awesome time with my friend, B. We shared some conversations which I don't think we would have in class or at any othertime because we are always busy doing something and I live in the school hostel and she doesn't. The flight from Dubai to Madrid was..... okay I guess. I mean I was stuck between two huge guys (but they are extremely nice =)) and I felt that my movements were restricted. Anyway, I would say that this flight was a more productive flight because I managed to study (okay, read through) two chapters of Chemistry!!!!! Not that I am a geek or anything but I'm having exams next week...... Owh well, I just have to make do with my time I guess. The worst nightmare ever! I got lost in the airport and thankfully I met two nice Spanish women who tried to understand and explained the direction to us. There's a saying in Malay that goes sudah jatuh ditimpa tangga and I think that happened to me today. Not only I got lost in the airport but even after the security check, I couldn't find the IE booth. B and I got panicked. We tried calling our teacher who came earlier but nobody answered the phone. We were wondering whether we should call the cab and all but, after all the unfortunate events that had happened, I found the booth! It was located at the back most corner, near the gate. B and I jumped up and down, literally. =)

Countdown Day #1

Dear readers, I apologies for my late post but I did wrote a post to be posted on my iPod while I was in car. (I can't live without my iPod!) Nothing really big but yea =) So, here's the copy and paste post from my iPod: We're leaving! Can't believe it but I haven't feel anything crazy yet. Maybe because this week was really really hectic! With TOK presentation, English presentation and homework! Anyway, everything is in a rush and thankfully one of us has prepared the checklist on what to bring..... And I had Ramli burger for dinner! Yum yum! Before I left to the airport, I went Passport.......... check! Health travel insurans............ check! Some Durham............ check! Some euros.......... check! iPod!.......... check! Okay. As long as I have this, I could survive =) and hop la! Off we go. And the goodbye part happens......