Life lessons from programming :)

Because I had this magic attraction to IT and geeks since early youth (and still trying to find the logic behind the magic :) ), I was so happy to find on Dragos Roua's blog the "7 Life Lessons from a Self-Taught Programmer". In a nutshell, here are the lessons and how I see them:

1. Bugs are on you - if it doesn't work, most of the times it's you. It's not a bad thing, that's the catch :) but you have to find it in order to get things right.

2. You have to face a problem, detours are not an option - we don't like everything we have to face, but, although learning that life's a bitch might help to some extent, it's a fact that one cannot live a perfectly neat life. Bad things happen, one cannot avoid them. They didnt' invent the perfect program to set our lives with (at least not yet :D). But the shortest way to restore peace in one's life is facing the problem and solving it. Any delay, detour, lie to one's self that it might just go if we don't think about it...won't work. Ever.

3. Today's problem is tomorrow's laughter - always. Moreover, once we collect experiences and succeses, problems will not look as bad as they used to.

4. Good focus builds good things - just doing things in order to be done and get rid of is not going to provide the solution on the long run. Sometimes I feel the need to let my mind chill between tasks just to reset it and make it work to the fullest again. It might come not so handy when one's in a great hurry, but in the end the good focus will pay off.

5. If you feel it, do it - I used not to do that and thus accumulate many frustrations. But once one gets the taste of it, life will look oh so different :)

6. Be neat - oh, yes. Being neat can be a quality as well as a misfortune. Being neat might seem to take a lot of time and be of not such big importance (since the big picture is good), but this is a false impression. The little mess one lefts behind would errode what's been built and eventually lead to disaster.

7.There's more than one way to skin a cat - I used to get very upset when the solution I thought was good didn't work at the end. It's an exercise for the self to free one's mind to get the right ways to solve things out (and to understand and accept that sometimes the others'minds can give you the solution :) ).

These were my ideas around the 7 lessons - I bet each one of us has his/her own version - play around the lessons and see what you get :) for me it was a good exercise for the mind.

TEDx Bucharest - Things that make me think twice if what I've known about myself is actually true

1. One can choose to live his/her own life or let life live him/her (Oana Pellea)

2. One can look at the world through the eyes or through the mind (Adrian Bejan)

3. One can curl back to bed in a cold winter day... or get up and go run the North Pole Marathon (Andrei Rosu)

4. One can invent the device of the future or re-invent the mechanism of learning through helping the others learn (Arnoud Raskin)

5. One can be unhappy by expecting the world from oneself or lower expectations in order to get the most out of life (Eric Weiner)

6. One can skydive for the thrill of it or skydive to help communities without access to communication means (Roland Hermann)

7. One can go with the flow or stop and get acquainted to one's self (Oana Pellea)

... and these are just a few things that made me lower my head and promise myself that next time I'll think again before saying "I cannot do it".

Gustul amar al dispretului

Am tot citit in ultima vreme o multime de istorii despre neprofesionalismul oamenilor care lucreaza in PR*. Istorii spuse in general de jurnalisti sau de bloggeri - cei mai sinceri observatori ai oamenilor de PR (si,credeti-ma, stiu bine ca nu ar povesti lucruri rele daca nu le-ar fi ajuns cutitul la os...).

Problema sunt chiar acei oameni de PR care sunt subiectul istoriilor respective. De ce ajungem acolo? Ce nu e bine? Sa incercam cateva variante:

1. Chemarea - O ai sau nu o ai. Cum o identifici? Simplu: stii limba romana? esti curios? iti place sa citesti de toate? ai bun simt? stii sa intri pe geam cand te da lumea afara pe usa? Atunci probabil ca ai chemare. Du-te la scoala, vezi daca-ti place cum suna, du-te in practica la agentii in timpul verii, ca sa constati cu ochii tai cat e teorie in ce ai invatat si cat e cu adevarat folositor in lumea reala... A, si daca nu-ti place, RENUNTA! :) N-are rost, sincer. Sunt absolut convinsa ca vei gasi ceva cu adevarat pasionant pentru tine intr-un alt domeniu :)

2. Scoala - da, scoala iti impune o multime de teorie si poate, daca ai noroc de o facultate buna, primesti in ultimul an si ceva seminarii cu profesionisti. Abia atunci parca-parca incepe sa sune altfel meseria asta... Atentie insa: CA SA DEVII PROFESIONIST, NU AJUNGE SCOALA! Ea te pune pe drumul cel bun, dar tine de tine sa experimentezi, sa inveti, sa lucrezi cu tine pentru a deveni mai bun. A, daca toate astea ti se par prea complicate, RENUNTA! :) Altfel, vei fi cel mult mediocru.

3.Primul loc de munca in PR - o, Doamne, cat de multa importanta poate sa aiba asta si cat de putini manageri realizeaza puterea pe care o au in viata noilor veniti in meserie! Si aici sunt doua lucruri:

- Angajatorul: cand e dezinteresat, cand merge exclusiv pe principiul ca meseria se fura sau ca pestele trebuie aruncat in apa ca sa invete sa inoate, greseste cumplit. Fara directie, fara sa le explici macar importanta curiozitatii si a dorintei de a fi mereu mai bun, cei mai multi tineri se duc in balarii.

-Tanarul: in 90% din cazuri va sta dupa tine, angajator, sa-l inveti. Daca nu-l indrumi, el singur va evolua foarte putin profesional, in timp ce i se va parea ca, daca timpul trece, el acumuleaza experienta si deci merita o pozitie mai mare si bani mai multi. Si multi angajatori chiar angajeaza acesti tineri judecand dupa numarul de ani in meserie si nu dupa pricepere...

Daca oricare dintre aceste variante nu se aplica in cazul omului de PR, ceva e grav, teribil de grav. Si, daca nu facem ceva in acest sens (fie lamurim omul ca nu e chemarea lui, fie il intoarcem la manual, fie il indrumam sa invete sa fie cu adevarat profesionist), vom perpetua - noi insine, cei care lucram in aceasta industrie - non-valoarea si vom atrage un vot de blam si dinspre cei pentru care lucram, si dinspre cei cu care ar trebui sa lucram.

A, si las lista de variante deschisa...





*PR - prescurtare de la termenul american Public Relations (in romaneste se cheama relatii publice);meserie in care meseriasul ar trebui sa stie sa faca doua lumi sa comunice: vorbim de o companie/organizatie si de fiecare dintre categoriile care au o legatura, orisicat de marunta, cu aceasta; tot acelasi meserias trebuie sa mai stie/aiba cel putin urmatoarele lucruri: limba romana - vocabular si gramatica -, CURIOZITATE, dorinta de a invata tot timpul, bun simt, atentie, rabdare, diplomatie(definitie personala).

Post despre un Guest Post :)

...pe care l-am scris, as a humble amateur in the world of makeup, pe blogul Ancai, prietena mea si makeup artist :)

Enjoy :)

Influenta celorlalti - manual de intrebuintare

Pentru ca pana acum anul 2010 a fost unul foarte interesant, in care am avut de-a face mai mult cu vesti rele, critici si greseli, mi-am pus problema cat de tare ar trebui sa ne lasam afectati de parerea celorlalti.

Dupa mine, treaba e personalizata :) Adica, de pilda, daca ma trage de urechi un profesionist in comunicare pentru o greseala profesionala, o trec prin filtrul meu cu mai putin orgoliu decat in mod normal, pentru ca am de invatat de acolo.

Dar ce se intampla cu oamenii care isi dau cu parerea despre lucruri mai.. personale, ca de pilda culorile pe care le prefer sau hainele cu care ma imbrac, sau accesoriile pe care le port? Logica spune ca ei ma vad din afara si pot aprecia cu mai multa obiectivitate cum ma imbrac, de pilda. Iar eu tind sa iau lucrurile personal, pentru ca sunt ambitioasa si nu ma multumesc cu putin. Si sa vreau sa arunc acele lucruri in secunda doi, desi poate ca parerea lor are un fundament.

Pe de alta parte, am atatia prieteni dragi care nu vad mai departe de propriile preferinte, incat numai obiective nu sunt parerile lor (sunteti familiari, desigur, cu faze de genul "-Draga, dar rochia asta nu-ti vine bine deloc. -Pai de ce? -Pai stii, mie nu-mi plac rochiile, port numai pantaloni si am o parere foarte proasta despre rochii in general" sau "-Draga, esti machiata prea strident. -Dar de ce spui asta? - Stii, eu nu ma machez niciodata si oricum mi se pare inutila chestia asta cu machiajul"...).

Pe de o a nu-stiu-cata parte, fiecare avem prioritatile noastre in viata: lista de task-uri de la job, copilul, ce gatim la cina etc. S-ar putea ca hainele (ca sa pastrez acest exemplu) sa nu fie printre aceste prioritati, si sa nu acordam atentia cuvenita cumparaturilor de genul asta. Deci sfaturile celorlalti ar fi binevenite pentru ca macar sa ne pastram intr-o zona de bun-simt.

Ce am facut eu - si-i multumesc prietenei mele foarte talentate in ale hainelor care a mers cu mine la cumparaturi in acea luni seara :) - a fost sa o rog pe ea sa aleaga ce crede ca mi-ar sta bine, dar pe care eu nu as pune mana :) si sa-mi dea sa probez, urmand sa-mi explice "pe caz concret" de ce crede ca acel obiect este o optiune fericita pentru mine. A mers de minune, am invatat o multime de tips&tricks despre cum sa caut in magazinele de haine ca sa gasesc lucruri potrivite :)

Concluzia? Nu va multumiti cu oameni care va spun "nu-ti sta bine cu rochia asta", ci intrebati-i de ce. Daca raspunsul se intoarce la ei, nu va bateti capul. Dar daca raspunsul este unul pertinent si se aplica perfect la voi, ascultati cu grija, s-ar putea ca sfatul sa aduca lucruri noi si bune in viata voastra :)

An honest interview with myself

I took Dragos Roua's advice and asked myself the infamous 33 questions :) Here I am:

1. What Do You Do For A Living?

I am a communication consultant.

2. Who Do You Love?

Many people, though not so many as you might imagine :) and my cat.

3. Do You Have Enough Money?

I have enough to live a decent life.

4. Are You Healthy?

Yes.

5. Do You Think You Are a Good Person?

Sometimes I am a good person. Sometimes I am not.

6. How Old Are You?

My ID says (almost) 31. As about the age I feel, it's weird. From some points of view I feel older. From others, I feel younger.

7. Who’s Your Best Friend?

My sister.

8. What’s Your Childhood Dream?

Amazingly enough, I don't have a Childhood Dream. I was raised with the idea that if I want something in life, I have to work for it, because there is nobody to give anything to me for free.

9. How Often Do You Laugh?

Not often enough.

10. What Makes You Smile?

Here they are, in random order: Kind people. Old people walking in the park hand in hand. Young men hurrying to meet their date with a flower in their hand. Children asking "why?" questions. Kittens. Flowers. Clouds on a sunny day at the seaside. Pictures. New books. Old acquaintances remembering my birthday. Memories of good moments in my life.

11. Who’s Your Most Dangerous Enemy?

Myself :)

12. Where Do You Live?

In a rented studio. My books and the cat makes the place "home".

13. Do You Think You’re Strong?

Yes, and it's a matter of mind and will combined.

14. What Was The Most Important Thing You’ve Done So Far?

Make something that seemed impossible become possible.

15. What Was The Most Stupid Thing You’ve Done So Far?

Fear of failure, of making mistakes. Most stupid thing ever.

16. Do You Love Yourself?

Let's say I like myself a lot :)

17. What Do You Fear The Most?

To look straight down from the top of a very high building or bridge.

18. What Is Your Favorite Word?

"Foarte tare!" (in English might be "Cool!")

19. When Was The Last Time You Cried?

When I failed big and felt powerless.

20. What Is The Best Thing That Could Happen To You Right Now?

(to be filled in later)

21. What Is The Worst Thing That Could Happen To You Right Now?

(to be filled in later)

22. Picture Yourself In 5 Years From Now

Cannot do that. I like to discover the path as I walk.

23. Do You Regret Anything?

Taking a much too long time before making some important decisions in my life.

24. What’s The First Thing You Do In The Morning?

Get out of bed and look out on the window.

25. What Are You Thinking Just Before Going To Bed?

Actually, I don't :) I have this particular characteristic of falling asleep instantly.

26. What Was The Highest Point You’ve Ever Been To?

A peak of a mountain.

27. If There’s One Thing In Your Life You Want To Change Right Now, What Is It?

To be more daring.

28. What Are You Proud Of?

My career so far. But there's even more ahead of me :)

29. Sum Up Your Life In One Sentence

Feed the brain, discover the road and share the knowledge.

30. Name The Thing That Annoys You The Most

Friends too selfish to listen.

31. What Is Your No 1 Question To God?

I have none :) and if by any chance there is some question in the back of my mind I didn't write here, God will show me the answer at the right time :)

32. Do You Have Secrets?

I wouldn't call them "secrets", but rather locked drawers inside myself. They exist, I can feel the lock, they're safe, but they stay back there.

33. What Makes You Laugh?

The laugh of one of my colleagues :) It's absolutely inspiring :)

Thassos by car - tips and tricks :)

Credeti-ma, Thassos merita sutele de kilometri de sosea pana acolo :) A fost o vacanta superba si plina de aventuri. Fiind prima data cand am facut drumul pana acolo cu masina, dar si prima data in Grecia ca turist (am mai fost la Atena, dar cu avionul si in conditii speciale :) ), am adunat cateva lucruri pe care mi-ar fi placut sa le stiu inainte :p

1. Daca vreti liniste, o mare limpede si superba, o plaja cu nisip fin si aglomeratie moderata, mergeti in Thassos, clar. Eu am fost in Skala Panagia, un loc superb intre munti, coborand in trepte pana la mare. Priceless, va zic.
2.Daca plecati prin Bulgaria:
- GPS-ul va poate ghida gresit. Desi am pus o harta cu update-urile la zi, pe noi ne-a dus pe un drum care nu mai era circulat de niste zeci de ani. Iarba apocaliptica crestea printre crapaturile asfaltului... credeti-ma, nu vreti sa treceti pe acolo :)
- benzinariile OMV sunt minunate pentru drumurile lungi cu masina, dar in Bulgaria NICI UN LUCRATOR de la vreo astfel de benzinarie NU STIE ENGLEZA!
- marea parte a drumurilor sunt relativ proaste. Luati-o incet :)
3.Odata trecuti granita in Grecia:
- nu platiti vigneta. Cu toate astea, drumurile sunt bune, motorways la tot pasul.
- NU AU CONCEPTUL DE BENZINARIE :D adica da, pompe de benzina gasiti. Dar atat. Nu au toalete (sau, daca au, sunt destul de ne-ok), nu prea au gustari sau alte minuni paradisiace pe care le-ati gasi in OMV-urile de mai sus :) Asadar, pregatiti provizii din timp.

Am ajuns la ferry-boat-ul din Keramoti, spre Thassos. Dimineata e din 30 in 30 mins, seara din ora in ora. Pretty smooth, un spectacol drumul de 40 de minute. O gasca de pescarusi a insotit ferry-ul pe toata ruta, zburand planat la nivelul puntii cu pasageri :)

Drumul catre nord-est, catre Skala Panagia, este superb. Sau, ma rog, in functie de sofer si pasager, un dezastru :) e numai serpentine si pante incredibil de inclinate, dar cand padurea se descopera sa lase loc privelistii catre mare...uiti tot :D

Faceti turul insulei Thassos. Fara oprire sau graba, nu cred ca sunt mai mult de 60-75 mins cu masina. Dar daca va duceti in jurul pranzului (cand oricum nu e recomandat sa stai pe plaja :)), opriti-va pentru dejun la Potos, in restaurantul Michalis. Mancarea greceasca este de senzatie (incercati Stifado), iar cei de la restaurant te coplesesc cu atentie (gustari si desert din partea casei, de pilda). A, ospatarii nu prea stiu engleza :D, dar cui ii trebuie cuvinte?! :p

Asa, inca ceva important: cand faceti rezervare de camera de hotel, intrebati absolut orice detaliu va trece prin minte, pentru ca nu stii ce surprize te asteapta. De pilda, am avut o camera superba, cu vedere la mare and all, dar cei "numai 200 m pana la plaja" erau intr-o panta criminal de inclinata. Si hai, ca la coborat e simplu, dar la urcat... :)

Mie mi-a placut maxim vacanta asta. Enjoy yours :)

Am pus poze pe Facebook :)

Un proiect extrem de istet

...a fost cel realizat de echipa redactionala BIZ, care a pregatit numarul 200 al revistei, cu tot cu tipar, in 48 de ore.

Felicitari multe, multe :)