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posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Monday, March 24, 2008 0 comments

Author's Notes

Friends, family, strangers… whoever has been reading this blog… it’s time to come to a closure. As any good book also the good experiences come to an end. On Monday 18 Feb I'm packing my bags and flying back home. Consider these as the author’s notes on the back of the book.

What will I be missing about Sri Lanka?

Sounds of life: It´s not just tuk-tuks, music, prayers and tooting horns but also the sounds of nature. In Sri Lanka you feel as part of nature. It surrounds you. You are part of it. And every living creature around you is your fellow citizen, not just the human beings.

Being recognized: As awkward it might have been in the beginning, I will miss the fact that complete strangers greet you on the street. And for them you are “Sir”. New people that you meet are genuinely interested of where you´re coming from, how is your country and how do you like their country. For them you are someone interesting, someone different, someone.

Diversity of nature: The parrots, crabs, slugs, spiders, stray dogs and the huge flying foxes (enormous bats) are just a fraction of the nature. You observe the trees and without turning your head you see ten different ones. Within just a couple of hundred km radius you shift from city to hill country to a paradise beach. It´s all there - all you need - compact on one small island.

The beach life: You jump into a bus and in three-four hours you are in paradise (namely Mirissa beach). So far you´ve spent 50 cents. You spend your weekend there among coconut trees, crystal-clear ocean water, fine-grain yellow sand, and absolutely no one bothering you. You eat and drink well for the whole weekend and still end up spending just about 20-30 euros. It´s affordable, no? And the best thing is that it seems like made for you. Just a handful of tourists lingers on and on the low-season it´s just you and your friends.

Solitude among chaos: The weirdest thing is that though in the city (Colombo) the hazzle is omnipresent – except after nine in the evening – you somehow find a lot of time for reflection. You can walz among the chaos and still feel that it´s just you with your own thoughts.

Anti-materialism: Except for my laptop (that enables me to create text, sounds and images) I managed to rid myself of nearly all materialism. Losing cameras or phones didn´t matter that much. Going around in far-from-perfect clothes was ok. And the so called necessities like fridge, TV or an oven became distant luxury.

Tuk-tuks: No matter how much hazzle you have to go through to bargain a reasonable price or how annoying it is that 50 drivers bug you on your Sunday walk, the tuk-tuks – or three-wheelers – are a very convenient means of transport. They are everywhere, anytime! You just hop in and they take you to your destination saving you the trouble of walking or using a crowded bus.

Riding a Gizmo: Even the tuk-tuks pale in comparison to your own moped – or the commonly known brand name Gizmo. The freedom that you feel when you are criss-crossing amidst the traffic and finding your way through the smallest entries possible is just overwhelming. You can break all the traffic rules and just speed away when the cars patiently wait in the rush hour.

Kirulapone family: Regardless of poor living conditions in my first accommodation in Kirulapone the people there made it home. As we were all going through the same tough experience the bond between people was amazing.

Time freedom: Being the master of your own time and not feeling any external pressure to hurry is such a good state of being.

Food: Though you quickly get fed up – no pun intended – of rice and curry when you have it every day that will be something I will miss. So elegantly mixed tastes of different curries and sambols mixing and matching with the plain rice… and the best thing is that you could use your fingers for eating! Also the seafood, deviled dishes, kotthu, wade etc will always remain in my memories… and hopefully again on my plate one day.

Sun: It seems that I´m physically made for a place with an everlasting sun shine and warmth. I feel better, I look better, and my friggin´ skin is not dry!

What will I not miss?

Pollution: Though you get accustomed to it very quickly and it doesn´t really bother you after a while, the pollution in the city is something I will not miss. I´ll be glad to breathe the fresh winter air again.

Mosquitoes: Those vicious little bastards suck your blood and keep you awake at night. It´s not the thought of them spreading diseases but just the mere annoyance of their presence that really gets to you.

Monsoon rains: Oh boy, the infamous mid-summer rains back home are a pathetic tricle compared to these mega-showers. And they are so unpredictable! There you are enjoying the sun-shine when a cloud appears from nowhere and pours cats and dogs for the next three hours. And sometimes it just doesn´t stop! Nearly continous rain for three months is not fun anymore! Seeing a sunny day gets you hoping it stopped and then the showers return. You are wet all over and you got to walk through the shitty water on the streets that´s up your knee level.

Malfunctioning Gizmo: Regardless of the freedom and ease of travel the moped provides, finding it malfunctioning can really get on your nerves. It was not uncommon for me to try and start it for ten minutes before the poor bugger would turn on. Sometimes it drained my wallet but mainly it was the burden of getting it fixed over and over again that was really irritating.

Kirulapone residence: For a normal westerner the house in Kirulapone would be a no-no place to stay. We did. We put up with the discomfort of having no basic home equipment and sometimes not even water. We put up with the hideous bugs, rats, mosquitoes, spiders, cockroaches and whatnot. We even tolerated the friggin´uguduwa (infernal beaver-like predator cat whatever it is) peeing through the ceiling and running around in the attic. I guess the last straw was the increased discomfort of knowing that someone is watching you through the window in the night… that someone is coming in through your bathroom window and stealing your stuff no matter if the people are there or not.

Dishonesty: People trying to rip you off just because you happen to be white or someone taking your belongings is something I cannot tolerate. Full stop.

What were my most impressive experiences?

Climbing Sri Pada: Going up more than 5000 steps in the middle of the night being surrounded by pilgrims of four different religions and of all age classes from babies to grannies and grandpas is a once in a lifetime experience. Waiting the sun to rise on the top of Adam´s Peak to take away your shivering cold and unveil the beauty of the landscape is something you cannot describe in words.

Sitting on Giragala: Sitting alone on top of the parrot rock in Mirissa and watching the wide-open sea is what I did many times but what I never got bored of. The process of going there became kind of a tradition. First you get yourself to the rock – usually through shallow water. Then you go and see the diversity of fish that are gathered to swim around in nature-made aquarium next to the big rock. Finally you climb on the top and just sit there contemplating and observing the beauty of the white-foamed water that splashes against the rock revealing the crabs that hurry back and fro. Your vision is filled with the splendor of the most exquisite beach, lined up with coconut trees and caressed by the waves that change their color from deep blue to green to white as they proceed.

Nature trail in Belihuloya: Facilitating treasure hunts for the clients was just a minor part of being in Belihuloya. That place became so familiar so quickly. You would know every rock, stream, tree and paddy field in the vicinity. Still every time it was a bit different. The water levels had changed revealing things that you had not noticed before or disclosing pathways that you thought you could be using. In my mind´s eye I remember every small detail along the seven-kilometer trail. I can still feel the mud on my feet, the water on my face, and the distinct odour of the nature. I can still see the beauty of the 12-foot waterfall and I can still remember the joys of the river bath – the ultimate treasure at the end of the rainbow.

What were my worst experiences?

Bureaucracy: Dealing with government agencies in this country is a major turn off. Whether it´s department of immigration, post-office or police station there should be a huge warning sign AVOID for all the westerners – well maybe not Germans – who have got used things going smoothly. Honestly, these guys are just killing time in those offices, not actually working. The fear of the man keeps them fixed with their rigid rules, guidelines, stamping and checking processes that slow things down considerably.

Sweaty nights: Waking up in the middle of the night crying and wondering why are you sobbing just to realize it´s because of the smoke from the mosquitoe coil pervading your eyelids is not a pleasant experience. Adding to that, the extreme heat caused by the malfunctioning fan could well make it to the list of worst experiences. And of course all this happened in that lovely house in Kirulapone, without a real bed but just a mattress on the floor!

What will I enjoy about being back home?

Friends: My best friends are there. I will find time to spend time with them and catch up the lost time together, regardless of whatever urgencies the life might pose.

Sauna: Integral part of my upbringing, culture and my lifestyle has been missing for so long. I want to go to sauna at least once a week from now on.

Comfort of living: I will now appreciate more the great living standards that we have. Being home is at least as good as going to movies or dining out.

Ease of traveling: Finnish trains and buses are light years ahead of these cramped public transportation methods and slowly proceeding traffic.

Nature: Jotting down the best sides of Sri Lanka made me realize how much I appreciate being in the nature. I will go out of my way to explore the Finnish nature more than this far and stop taking it for granted.

Drinking tap water: We have the best water in the world – better than any bottled water - and we use it for washing our cars and watering our plants! I will do my best to preserve that scarce resource and enjoy every drop of it.

What willl I not be enjoying about being back home?

Cost of living: I hope I won´t be converting all prices into rupees because then everything will appear very costly. I have to start getting revenues from my business pretty soon in order to afford living in Finland.

Cold and dark: I don´t know how my system will react to the immense switch in temperature and humidity that I have to deal with going back home. It might be very depressing if I´m not able to enjoy the four seasons anymore.

What would you like to keep having/doing at home?

Sports: Going to gym and playing badminton became nearly a routine for me towards the latter part of my time in Sri Lanka. I need to build a routine of these to activities also back home. For that I need to have some company because playing badminton is pretty difficult just by yourself and I also need someone to kick my butt to the gym regularly.

Time freedom: Though the life rhythm in Finland is more hectic and people respect time more than in Sri Lanka, I will try to get the best of both worlds. I will avoid saying “I´m busy” because that´s the only way to become busy.

International lifestyle: For the past three years or so I´ve mainly used English as my first language and the diversity of people surrounding me has been stunning. If I´d discontinue this kind of lifestyle it would be odd.

How is organizational culture different in my home country from Sri Lanka?

Everything is much more planned, punctual and organized. I should not let it inhibit my ability to explore and innovate unplanned ideas every day. If I can combine these two ways of work it will be a true strength.

What are my expectations and ideas about the return situation?

I don´t expect it to be too easy. I guess I need to take the same approach as when coming here: take the whole package with positive and negative sides and withold judgement. I don´t expect anything. I can not. If I do I will be let down, disappointed, by my home culture.

What has changed in me, my world’s perception, and values?

Having gone through this experience I don´t take anything for granted anymore. I forbid myself of seeing just one side of the coin, of judging that there´s only one way of doing things, living, making decisions and co-existing with the rest of the world. Maybe it is increased tolerance or maybe it is that I´m now more ready to see and explore other ways of leading one´s life.

As for the values the family has become much more important. I know see and admit how grueling it must have been for my parents to try and raise me. I see how much my siblings have invested in helping me. I see the family as a safety net one can always fall back on. They don´t judge you. No matter what they say or do, deep within, it´s unconditional love. I´ll do my utmost for enriching their lives as they have done for me. And all they ask is that I be with them. Doable.

What has changed in my family and friends?

My mom, dad, sister and brother are all seemingly enjoying their lives. Sometimes it seems that they are even getting along with each other better than before. I hope we could become a tight-knit family with open communication and a lot of interaction. If I can be an agent of positive change in that I´m willing to see through what it takes to make it happen.

My girlfriend remains an enigma with increased independency and a curious human being seeking for more international adventures. Though it will be painful to let go again, after this common experience I know our relationship is strong enough to take whatever hits that might lurk along the way.

Many of my friends are becoming more and more stable, getting married and raising children. I fear that I will soon have nothing in common with them, or that we don´t find time to nourish the friendship. Then again, my best friends are still in their adventurous phase of life with high ambitions and future dreams. I feel that time away from them has connected me with them on even deeper level than before. That is genuine friendship worth living for.

What are the difficulties I may face? How will I overcome them?

Being an outsider: Living in a community of people who are going through the same experience for the past one and half years will no longer be there. I will be totally alone with my new perspectives if I don´t find people to share it with. Luckily I have a few very close friends who have gone through that hell already.

Work-life balance: Becoming an entrepreneur and practically starting out with nothing is a scary thought that will push me to work real hard to become successful. Then again, it is not going to be a success if I lose my mind in the process or seriously harm my closest relationships. Finding time for myself, for my business and for my closest people is going to be a balancing act.

How can I best present my experience back home?

I will take part in the re-integration seminar (Success 2008) to hear the stories of other returnees and discuss the similarities in our experiences. For our “old gang” there will be a special “homecoming party”. For my other friends and family I share what they want, without pushing them too much Sri Lanka this and that. As per my previous experience people don´t seem to care where I have been or what has happened. What they do care – and that is more important – is that I´m back with them. Still, I would like to share this extraordinary experience with others. If you are reading this it means I´ve managed to do it.

If this really was a book, what genre would it be?

Romance-action-thriller-tragicomedy.

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3 comments

Does passion make you scared?

I'm shit-scared of starting up as an entrepreneur, to the extent that I'm unable to get a good night's sleep. For a while I didn't know why... Let's face the facts:

• I've pretty much lost the interest in money: That word is nothing more than a necessary evil for me. Of course you got to make money if you're in business, but losing money is a no big deal for me.
  
• I'm not scared of failure: Damn, I'm actually looking forward to it! I know it can be teeth-grinding misery for a while, but the best things in my life have happened after failure.
  

So, what am I so scared of then? Shouldn't it be smooth-sailing from here onwards? Finally going on my own and fulfilling one small part of my life dreams...

I just realized that my fear might be coming from the fact that I'm still not certain if leadership or helping others are really my biggest life passions. Can it be that I'm thinking "what if I could be doing something even more exciting?" that is causing me the gray hair?

Just recently I clarified that it's actually generating ideas that I'm truly deeply madly passionate about. I love starting things, coming up with unique - even crazy - ideas that might work. Should I already go and explore to make a business out of that, or should I just wait and concentrate on something that can bring the bread in my table? Hmph!

So many questions without answers.

Ending on a less philosophical - even vain - notion... I cut my hair yesterday. I don't know what was the final trigger in that - was it the people nagging for the past few years that I should do so, or was it just the fact that my hair looked like a bird nest every morning? Don't know. But now I feel incomplete. People say I look younger (which might not be a good thing in business where all the rest are competing with their years of experience and amount of gray hair). People say "It's not Tomi". That's exactly how I feel like. They cut off part of me... was it really me who made that decision?

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Monday, January 07, 2008 0 comments

Appendix: Exercises and executive summary

I used the metaphor of a book for my stay in Sri Lanka. Now that we are approaching the end of the book (flying back home Feb 18!) it has become evident that the theoretical content of the book has come to an end: All major things that were supposed to be done here have been done. Now it's time for the exercises and executive summary.

Exercises...

My objective for the stay here was four-fold: "To become mentally, physically and spiritually balanced entrepreneur." Mentally I have grown to understand who I am, how I think, what are my flaws and how to live with them. Mental balance: check! Spiritually, I've come to respect people with different belief systems and realized my one is as good as theirs though mine doesn't involve a god as such. Spiritual balance: check! Physically, now that's still a work in progress.

For the past few months I've played badminton a lot. I love that game. I used to play it before and I'm happy I got back to it. If you're playing singles it's all about power, stamina and over-witting your opponent. Not to mention breaking the mental barriers of being afraid to win people who are supposedly better than you. Playing doubles is a different game altogether: You need chemistry with your pair to move around the field and cover the empty spots while always thinking 2-3 moves ahead. Maybe not as advanced tactics as in chess but still something. Whatever game you play it's still sports, it makes you sweat and it's good for you, right? And it's so much fun!

So, what's news? I've always loved playing games. I've always been very competitive. I always enjoyed winning. Surprisingly, I also started enjoying going to gym. Now that is a biggie for me.

Sounds great, no? Dude is going to the gym regularly and playing badminton. Warning, warning, warning! Maintaining this life style can be another challenge altogether. Going to different environment, with different set of friends, with different price structure, with different climate and with different distances (now we have just 400m for the sports complex!) poses a challenge that I need to be prepared for. Finding excuses for slipping back to the old ways is very easy for me since "discipline" ain't in my dictionary. But at least I'm aware of that fact.

Executive summary...

Summarizing the competence generated here can be a tougher job than getting the experience itself. I'm talking about the entrepreneurship part now! Lately I've done a lot of translations of our Unleash Talent stuff so it could be used in Finland at least as effectively as it has worked here. Now translating is not that easy as it sounds: You're not just taking a word and changing it to another language but you got to take into account how it sounds, how people will understand it and what kind of cultural notions there might be. It is a long, detail-oriented, even monotonous process but every time I'm thinking of "how to communicate this in Finnish" helps me to visualize my near future; a future where I can't depend on anyone else for financial stability anymore; a future full of possibilities; a future packed with failures and a few successes; a future that I'm going to create. Damn excited!

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Monday, December 17, 2007 1 comments

Finally...

...I can publish my posts again! I was waiting and waiting Azri to solve the issue with the server but seemingly the issue was that they don't host any AIESEC-related stuff anymore. Boring! Anywho, now the blog continues living and breathing in astikainen.blogspot.com.

As of late so many things have happened. Where to start... Well, work-wise things are pretty much routine nowadays. Though we got a great addition to our team, Sifaan! He was the first Sri Lankan I ever met (back in 2004 in Estonia) and his words initiated my interest towards this country back then. Goes around, comes around...

Living in the Dream House has been a bliss. I mean, who could complain of air conditioned room, own bathroom, all household gadgets (except TV that I don't miss), nice flat mates and hot water. It's really like a dream here. The dream became complete when Paula arrived about a month ago. Soon our roads depart again when she heads for new challenges in Prague with Finnpro. But at least till February we can enjoy each others' company.

Speaking of February, for a long while I was mourning that the date is becoming closer when I have to pack my bags and go. Now, however, that I booked my flight (going back 18 Feb) I've started longing for home more and more. I can't wait to see all my friends up north. Meanwhile, I've consciously or unconsciously started paying more and more attention to even small shortcomings of this country to level the emotions that will inevitably surface as I step into the Katunayake airport premises.

One of the good reasons (read: excuses) to go was the recent bomb blast that killed 19 civilians. Just before that the government had managed to pull of a major increase in the defense budget. The 20% increase would instill 160.000.000.000 Rs for the sole purpose of killing. Hooray!

When I heard about the bomb blast my first thought was "Shit, there's going to be a lot of traffic." as I was coming back from a training program and wanted to reach home as quickly as possible. My second thought was "Why is it that I don't care anymore? Why this slaughter has become so common place?". Who knows...

Off the topic... Lately different people have tried to "convert" me (or at least convince) behind different religions from Islam to some new-age Christianity. I was wondering if it really is some sort of a God who's trying to contact me through these people and say that I should change my ways, but then I realized it's just that maybe I'm more receptive for that kind of people right now. After all, my goals for my time in Sri Lanka revolved around the theme of becoming "physically, mentally and spiritually balanced entrepreneur".



Mentally I've learned a lot. I've learned how not to stress about small things or lack there of. I've learned to appreciate the simplicity and simple pleasures in life. I've learned how to smile more. I've this and that...



Physically, I've started going to the gym (which I thought I'd never do!) and I'm actually enjoying it. I also went back to my old liking, badminton. Kilos are not dropping but some of the fat is being replaced by muscle. Most imp0rtantly, I've proved myself wrong regarding three "gym myths": 1) People who go to gym are not complete self-righteous assholes (though some of them are), 2) I don't hate the gym and 3) I don't completely suck in it.



Spiritually... yet to see. At least I've learned to respect religious people more though not being religious myself. Here four major religions are living in complete harmony and even an atheist like me don't have to feel insecure or worthless.

Period.

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Tuesday, December 04, 2007 1 comments

The Rise and Fall of Roman Empire

I haven't been writing in a while... for a reason. Like you know, we used to live in a house called Rome. We were referred to as Romans and we even had Caesar (a two-meter water monitor guarding our property). But even Caesar was not enough for us to be saved of the cunning plans of thieves and burglars who continuously violated our privacy. The last time (a few weeks ago) someone came in during the day through our bathroom window and stole stuff worth 160.000 rupees.

Moreover we had had our share of insects and dirt, of Uguduwas peeing through the ceiling, and of mosquitoes sucking our blood. Finally, the patience of our landlord came to an end. After all he had been tolerating the multicultural community of young AIESECers for nearly five years. Since the house wasn't exactly sound-proof (or even air-tight) he got enough of us. The time had come to let the Roman Empire fall.

We started dreaming of nice clean house with a bit more luxury, something that one could describe as normal living conditions. All of us started working hard to find the place of our dreams. It seemed that all of the places we checked were either too far, too ugly or just otherwise unsuitable for our requirements.

Then we came across a newly built (2003) flat just a few hundred meters from our office. As soon as we saw the place, it felt like home. The only obstacles were a) it was a bit expensive and we were expected to pay one year's rent in advance and b) the landlord was scared of having six people in an apartment where there has previously been maximum of two people. He thought we would completely wreck the place.

It seemed hopeless for a while, but finally we managed to negotiate less financially painful terms with Kumara (now we call our landlord by name!). We also agreed to change our ways and make sure that generations after us will get to enjoy a bit of luxury during their stay in Sri Lanka. So, we got the place!

We started calling it The Dream House. It’s more than we could ever expect: fully-furnished, clean tiled placed with hot water and great kitchen equipment. We even have a washing machine! To build an enjoyable culture within the house that would serve also the needs of newcomers, we decided to come up with The Dream House Values. We didn't want to make rules as such but values seemed like a proper thing to have. Here they are... We value CLEAN:

• Civilized relaxation
• Living tomorrow
• Enjoying comfort
• All-for-one attitude
• Nurturing diversity

We even made a descriptor for the house: "The multicultural accommodation for posh interns to feel like home". That summarizes what it is and why it is. Our quality of life has skyrocketed lately. Within just a week we have had a filthy expensive (posh!) housewarming party, we have joined the gym and started playing badminton on a next-door sports complex, we are cooking together and even planning a healthier diet. Somehow everything just changed when we got out of the dirt-filled Rome. Now we are living our dream, especially when Paula finally joins the Dream Team in 30 October... It's just sad to know that in four and half months we have to leave already...

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Tuesday, October 09, 2007 0 comments

Mandy - The German

“Thank god for Germans!” is a sentence I’ve said a few times in situations where having German punctuality, planning ability and organized manner really saved the day and made things so much easier. Still, for Mandy I might have never said it.

She has had to bear with my stupid culturally insensitive – no… culturally unacceptable – jokes maybe more than anyone else. But I hope that at the end of the day she understands I really respect her as who she is: a great friend with a very unique personality. What I admire most in Mandy is that she never hides her feelings: If she’s pissed off she let’s others understand it. If she’s happy she shares her joy with everyone. If she needs things to get done, she damn sure makes things happen. If she’s sad she cries. If she’s hurt, she talks.

With Mandy you don’t have to put on any kind of act but just be yourself. Together we have acted foolishly, graved for cheese & salami, broken a couple of Gizmos, partied the whole night, savored Salmiakki in both liquid and solid forms, and of course – it’s all coming back to me – started the Pink Panther fan club!

Mandy also has a true passion to her work: She doesn’t speak about work much but she acts more than she speaks. It’s not uncommon for her to work home till late night, have breakfast with a laptop and after that spend a long day at the office, coming back home only eight or nine in the evening. But this doesn’t mean she would be a workaholic. No, she can also let her hair down and enjoy life.

Mandy, you might not always the easiest person to deal with. But you are you! Don’t ever change. Stay true!

Your klingelden frosch.

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Thursday, September 20, 2007 1 comments

Shek - Roomie

Having Shek as a roommate was a gift. He was the kind of guy who you'd instantly feel comfortable with. He was the person who was the first one to ask if I'd like to go on a weekend trip in Sigiriya when I had just arrived and didn't feel as part of the community yet. He was the kind of guy who I could share anything and everything with from deep feelings to random thoughts. I managed to shock him more than once with my gross stories and behavior but no matter how disgusting I was he stayed as my friend. I really appreciate the fact that he'd directly tell to my face whenever I was an ass, and believe me it was more often than once.

What I most admire of him is his determination, guts and ambition. He is much more mature than many of his age. He has dreams that he is not afraid to go after. He came to Sri Lanka to work in advertising, though he had never been exposed to the field before. In actuality, due to others' expectations he did a degree in engineering in India. Once roads and transportation didn't really do the trick he ventured out to advertising where he could better use his creativity, ideas and high working morale. It was so interesting to listen to his stories of successes and failures at work because whatever the story was it was always told with unquestionable over-riding passion.

One day we will both be entrepreneurs and he's just the kind of business partner anyone would love to have. Hopefully our paths cross again and we can make miracles happen together. And if that happens I promise not to leave used cotton buds in your room anymore. Thanks mate for the added value you brought to my life! I miss our early morning tuk-tuk rides.

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Thursday, September 13, 2007 108 comments

Katty – Big sister

When I started writing this I had a weird feeling that I’ve already done it. But no, I haven’t posted on Katty yet. Maybe the feeling came from the fact that I’ve already mentioned her so many times before or because I still think of her so often, though she’s already back in Croatia. She was – no she is – like a big sister for me, though there’s no age difference. In the beginning when I had the mindset that Sri Lanka can be a dangerous place I was shit-scared of even fire-crackers, not to mention thunder that made me shiver alone in my room. I’d go to Katty and she’d comfort me, being an ex-Yugoslavian and knowing exactly what sounds of war are like. First connecting factor with Katty was her extensive AIESEC experience. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we share many common acquaintances and one very good friend (one particular Macedonian called Petak). With Petak I had already felt brotherhood and thought maybe there’s a bloodline in my family that originates from Balkans. With Katty that feeling just strengthened.

We would share our frustrations, our moments of happiness, our dreams and hopes. There was nothing we couldn’t talk about. That led to a number of situations where we were the only ones still up when all the rest had already gone to bed. In a way, she was also my shrink: being interested in psychology and having genuine willingness to listen she’d guide me through the darkest valleys of my time in Sri Lanka.

Previously I had one brother and one sister that have always been there for me and that I love so much. Now I have one more sister. Thanks Katty for being there for me! I’ll keep my promise and we’ll meet again.

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Monday, September 03, 2007 3 comments

Wily - The Sinha Raja

Wily wasn’t living in Rome but his social nature made him a real Roman. He was spending more time in Rome than in P-house where he officially stayed.

We were trying to get Wily working for Unleash Talent Inc but it was not because of our company that he came to Sri Lanka. Adventure Asia got him first. As soon as I saw his CV I was impressed. And it was not just empty words on paper: Wily is one of the most uniquely intellectual people I’ve ever met. His strong side was cultural integration. Though he was in Sri Lanka only for three months he learned more of the language, culture and local people than maybe any of us. He quickly made friends with the locals and his smile charmed pretty much everyone around him.

Not only was he the joke-machine for any occasion, he was an excellent cook. More than once he treated us with his Indonesian delicacies. As a matter of fact I wouldn’t mind fulfilling one of my dreams some time in the distant future with him: opening a common restaurant. That brings up another one of his several good qualities: Though only in his late 20s he’s already started, failed and succeeded with many of his own companies. One day, he’s going to make it big! Wily, you are going to be a beautiful entrepreneur!

posted by Tomi Astikainen @ Tuesday, August 21, 2007 3 comments