One Post, for the ages.

That's right, it's been a long time.

Surprised that there hasn't been a post in a while? I'm not, really.

Amidst interesting conversations, encounters and other experiences, I suddenly got the urge to write a quick spin at what's been going on.

Praise be to God, most gracious, most merciful.

Last semester, time to finish it off, final run, 5 classes, 1 assistance project, 5 other roles, 1 job, 1 goal.

More to come. Time to run.

Ciao,
Zulkarnain

Reformation.

Hello,

This blog has hereon been modified to suit a new profile.

All are welcome to read through the notes made herein.

The blog will feature my personal writings on differences in business between Eastern and Western styles of business, as well as newly learned material that might prove useful for implementation in the East.

Welcome, and have a good one.

Regards,
Zulkarnain

Paradise

I came home a few days ago, but with a different perception this time around.

I came home thinking that being home was not that much advantageous; although there is a brand new set of opportunities to be explored, I dreaded the general slow-down that would happen.

In the almost ritualistic procedure of my every return, my mother greets me at the door as I get out of the car, and Rocky runs up quickly behind her, hopping.

I set my bags down, and walk over to the couches and I update my mother on everything. I was dreading the slow-down, she knew.

I went on to catch up with everyone else that afternoon, and came home to find my father sitting with my mother, he had just come home. I updated him on things too, and checked on my grades for the semester.

Excellent, this past semester has been absolutely excellent. To see my parents proud was, and has always been, one of the best feelings.

I talked with my father about the plans through the Summer, and he agreed, allowing me the leeway to do what I have in mind with the company – not without proper measure, and control of course.

I digress, as I always do in long conversations, or one of these posts.

I woke up today at 4pm; I denied the fact that my jet-lag was still there. I slept at what must have been 5am, and expected to be up by noon to get productive, didn’t happen.

I hit the treadmill, took a shower, put my CD in the system, and went downstairs looking for food.

I thought there wasn’t any food, so I thought of ordering something in. Until, I caught the familiar sight of closed wet-kitchen doors. I strode over to the door and almost flung it open – to the alluring smell of my mother’s fried chicken.

I asked my maid if my mother had cooked, yes – my favourite, simple food.

I put some food on my plate, and felt a strong urge to not sit in front of a television as I usually do.

I went instead to the couches, the main windows were open, there was a gentle breeze. I took the system remote and turned on the music – to my CD.

A warm glass of water, food that struck me almost like the archetypes that stay in our minds from ages ago – the taste that goes back to my ancestral home, music. Then, I thought:

Paradise.

Exactly what I needed, after another long run. That sense of recline, retiring into the couch and submitting to the massage of music was irresistible.

It’s good to be home.

Revelation I

Revelation I, 10 hours prior to my birthday.

I remember writing somewhere that I would like for my 21st birthday to be a silent, solemn occasion.

So I walked out of my exam this morning and began to feel the impact of the receding tide - a sense of not knowing what to do with free time. I walked over to the Student Union and went to a room I have not been in to for months.


And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

If you are aware of your humility, then you are arrogant.
- Ibn Ata'illah

Your loud voice is not proof of the depth of your knowledge, for an empty utensil makes more noise than a full one.

I found these quotes online, only after having read two that were truly thought provoking in the prayer room:

"True faith is one without loudness, the silent proclamation of faith in Him."

"Remember Him in an assembly, and He will remember you in a better one."

I felt a rushing revelation, like a man shoving his way through a bustling mass of people, carrying a message. I remember the solemn occasion that I wanted for my birthday, and realize now that the 'inconveniences' that are presenting themselves for Wednesday are truly blessings in disguise.

There are lessons to be learned, always.

I am most thankful to God for today, let tomorrow come.

Time and Plans

The Center of All Plans

I was just talking to my brother the other day, and he asked me about what I will be doing with the company this Summer, I detailed to him then that I have plans. I need to write them down and keep them in this book. If those plans hold well with the company, my business travel plans might come through as well - and I will finally have a go at international business development.

There are a couple of things to note also, with visitors, a place to stay in August, VPPA work and UMA work. With good teams and good ideas, hopefully the plans will come to fruition.

My Birthday, 21 years and still going strong.

It's funny how my planner notes that the day is of 'Ste Prudence' and it's the 'May 3rd Substitute Holiday'.

I will be spending this day studying for a Finance exam a friend told me is heavy with materials, and will hopefully fill me in on the next day or so.

I will certainly withhold celebrations until the time is right. :)

Alright, time for some MGS action. No, it's not Metal Gear Solid, it's Management Information Systems - to anyone reading this from home or Aussie.

Ciao.

Building Blocks

Repetition; when it comes to mind and brings forth thoughts you once assumed the lingering sort - it is up to you to see past its lingering nature to the purpose behind its repetition.

The dream, the pressure, the goal, the difficulty, the end, the accomplishment.

That's why things linger. Something needs to be done to address them.

That is the theme for this whole post - the reason why I write generally of the same things is because these are the thoughts that linger, the ones that need to be addressed before they will rest.

Building blocks.

Foundations.

A new beginning, a revolution.

The people, the matters, the horizon, the blind.

The First Front

So it has been done, that a semester has rolled by and some achievement been made. I look back at it all, and I feel hollow for some reason. I am thankful for the kind remarks put forth in light of all that - but truly, why the hollowness?

Maybe it is because I finally realize that its full potential has not been brought forth, there are silent treasures waiting to be found, leaders to be raised from the ranks, and an undeniable presence to be established. The building blocks, here they are. The vision, here it is. The goal, there - in the future, it waits.

The seven who have answered my call are going to pursue this goal with me. Under my direction, and God willing, but the cohesiveness, trust and cooperation we will establish before the end of this semester and at the dawn of the next - we will reap the rewards that are now distant.

The Second Front

I still do not have a sense of magnitude. 3,200 they said. They are paying an amount, I need to know where that money is going. I need to find it, and bring to our coffers. I need to choose from the willing the few who will build the foundation for a brighter and more engaging future.

I asked for the constitution in all directions. In every one, heads have been turning. But now - apparently a grand amount of information is kept away in a cabinet somewhere, I need to find it and absorb it. From there, identify the route, and walk it with my team.

I have to redraft the constitution and rebuild a solid and tangible vision for everyone to look at and live.

I want the vision to realize itself, I truly do. I want to see a School of Management thriving and worthy of recognition. I want to see the people proud of their identity and passionate about their presence. Hard to achieve in a year, I am aware. If we set the tone now, perhaps it will permeate through to the future.

The Close

It is almost a teeter-tottering act when it comes to this. The congregation of dreams and reality. When it is only proper to advocate calm and composure despite the magnitude of things favored or not, I cannot help but douse my delivery in an aggressive approach. Let the calm come with time.

I will.

It has presented itself, it's take two.

At the end of my indescribable journey at Taylor's ADP, having served as the President and spent many good times with the student population there - I went through graduation thinking of the grand grey area which was the United States.

Looking back at that moment now - having shook hands with all my professors and thanking them for having conveyed great lessons to me - I have come back to the point of rewind. I am in a different school, in a different part of the world, with a different group of people, with the same platform.

One difference, most pronounced: Delta Sigma Pi.

Thankfully, I was elected President of the Undergraduate Management Association. I did not know the magnitude of my new duties until just recently.

"It has been with time that the UMA has been.. minimized."

"You are effectively in charge of the largest undergraduate student body in this university."

"The objective, first and foremost, is to restore a steady flow of funding back to this large body of students,"

"It is only then that you will be able to give them value for their time here,"

"What is your idea of value for the students?"

That question still lingers in my mind. Though I gave him the best answer I could muster, I feel there is more to be done.

This is when Delta Sigma Pi, my family, comes in.

I walk into the office and casually make mention of what I just discussed, and my dear older brother, Ben, gives me the set of ideas which will effectively set the tone for a largely successful future.

While I have sight over what needs to be done, and the long-term goal that needs to be achieved, I was unaware of the fundamental means of establishing this. While I had a different and more macro approach to dealing with this concern - I did not see that the answer is truly in the most micro aspect. I see it now.

I will look to address these ideas as soon as I can.

It is time to rally a team of the most driven from the School of Management and push on to forge a greater future for the student body.

First, I will establish a healthy flow of funds.

Second, I will restore professional integrity to the UMA.

Third, I will reestablish the long lost sense of belonging that the School of Management had a long time ago.

Fourth, I will engage the people continually by proliferating the identity of my crew and I as fair and just leaders.

Fifth, I will solidify relationships between faculty, staff and students.

And finally, the point of absolute importance: Glory for the Brotherhood.

I can see it now. I can see us growing to a brand new height, to a new level of excellence.

It will happen, it must.

I will.