Codruta Stefaniga

Grand Central Station

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Top of the Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Easter Sunday meant ''Easter bonnets parade'', Central Park (both coming later) and going up on The Rockefeller Center, which had better views than the top of Empire State building-they say. Enjoy the views...

Times square by night

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Ground Zero and Wall Street

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:47:00 +0000

This is all one can see in the place where the World Trade Centre twin towers were...the place they now call 'Ground Zero'. It is located in lower Manhattan.

A large 16 acres empty space...where they plan to build 6 buildings instead, including a transport hub and a memorial museum. This is the only tour we didn't go on in NYC.

What we did go to see is the church that was miraculously left standing when the towers fell. It served as a place of comfort for people searching the ruins. Truly a touching place that to this day has a collection of memorabilia from those days. If you look carefully to the left of the tall black building in the middle you may see the church.

This is a photo of the inside of the church: St.Paul's chapel. It's now a sort of museum and it was quite touching. This is also the church where George Washington prayed for guidance before being sworn in as president.

Next we ventured onto Wall Street via Trinity Church with its lovely architecture. Apparently this is one of NY's most important houses of worship.

I always imagined Wall Street to be bigger...and...more impressive. But I guess with all the skyscrapers everywhere it doesn't exactly have a 'Canary Wharf' effect on you.

Above the entrance and below the side of the New York Stock Exchange. Love the big flag...a true symbol of America's power.

It's closed for visitors unfortunately...for security reasons.

Right next to it stands Federal Hall...the place where George Washington was actually sworn in as the first president of the US.

Below the inside...Did you know that New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790 and has been the nation's largest city since 1790?

Finally, we had a look at the Wall Street Bull or the 'Charging Bull'. The sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial prosperity. It is one of the most photographed art works in NYC and has also come to be an unofficial symbol of the Financial District itself. (Everyone loves to just take photos of its balls. :P).

Finally, before arriving at the south most point of Manhattan and taking the boat to Liberty and Ellis Islands, we had a look at The National Museum of the American Indian. This area is called Bowling Green and it is apparently where Dutch leader Peter Minuit bought Manhattan for $24 from Lenape Indians (although that tale is often questioned).

9 days of adventue in NY - Niagara falls

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:18:00 +0000

I sort of have to start this very exciting adventure with the end...as the photos from the very beginning are stuck on a DVD in Juju's office.

So I will start with the very last photos we took...of Niagara falls!!!

After a 3 hour drive from Ithaka (where Sonia- Julien's friend studies temporarily), we finally arrived close to the Niagara Falls. There, the tourist office told us that actually most of the attractions were closed till 7 May :(, as it was still too cold. We had also heard that the view from the American side was not too great, but we thought...'how bad can it be?' So not too discouraged, we bravely started our walk towards the falls. Below you can see the river before the falls, already agitated, knowing what's gonna come its way...

...And few moments later..voilla...the falls! But what? Is this it? Are these the real falls? But they are much smaller than I imagined and have seen on TV.

Lots of people seemed to be taking photos of them...and so did we. Can you see the rainbow? :)

So as it turns out these are actually two smaller falls called 'The Bridal Wave'' and ''The American Falls''.

So here they are...finally! This is what you can see of Niagara falls from the American side.

People were right...the 'horseshoe falls' look towards the Canadian side...so you really cannot see that much from the US side. Disappointment!

But we could still hear its roar and what we did see was very beautiful and quite impressive.

Later on...we put our water ponchos on...and proceeded on the only tour that was open: The Cave of the Winds.

It was called that because there used to be a cave right under the Bridal and American falls.

However, it caved in a few years ago. So now they are trying to build a new walkway around the falls...but this will take considerable time.

We took an elevator down to the bottom of the Bridal falls and got a different view of Niagara falls.

Behind me you can see the very touristy Canadian side, with lots of hotels and towers that offer an amazing view of the falls. In contrast, the American side is kept quite natural, as a natural park, hosting thousands and thousands of seagulls.

At this point I really wished I had a Canadian visa...but oh well...I guess I will have to just come again.

So here is what we did get to see on our mini 'Cave of the Winds' tour: on the left the American Falls and on the right the Bridal Falls.

...and a close-up of each....

There was still quite a lot of snow and ice, so there was no getting any closer. Still, they were very worth the trip as they were. :)

Red nose day

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:05:00 +0000

I was hugely impressed with the British people last night. Every two years Comic Relief organises a day called 'Red Nose Day', where people have to 'Do something funny for money' (meaning do something funny so that they can raise money for charity). All the money raised goes to charity, half to projects in the UK and half to Africa.

Last night, after a 6 hour telethon put on by BBC, but also as a result of huge amount of work from celebrities, shops and ordinary people alike, the UK beat the record set 2 years ago, which was £9 million! They raised an amazing £57 809 938!!! This is amazing, despite recession!

The money will go to Africa to fight malaria, facilitate education, prevent death on child birth, etc. In the UK it will go to child careres, prevention of human trafficking, domestic violence, etc.

And I am hugely impressed with this effort and very proud to have contributed!

Fabulous St. Petersburg

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:43:00 +0000

Moscow by night

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:28:00 +0000

From Russia with love- Moscow by day

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Chinese New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:29:00 +0000

2 weekends of celebration extended from China Town..to Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square...red everywhere and squealing music.

Beautiful dancers freezing in the cold to showcase Chinese traditions in Trafalgar Square...

Getting squashed on a tiny street to see the lucky dragon near Leicester Square...

Next we headded off in search of a Chinese restaurant...for some tasty crispy duck.

Mmmmm....Waited for a table and for the food what seemed forever...but got to taste sake for the first time...

But over all..it was a great fun-filled good old Romanian (and friends) afternoon :) in freezing London.

The name is Ford....Moss Ford : )

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:04:00 +0000

01 Feb 2009, 22.45, London: a new star is born :).

First name: Moss, Last name: Ford :) Welcome to the Mile End gang on 19 Mossford street! :)

Long live the winds coming from Russia! I can't wait to go! 13 days left...

A few recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:24:00 +0000

If ever in London, part of the experience HAS to be going to a musical.
Recently, Theatre Royal in Drury Lane has premiered a new version of Oliver! based on the story of Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. Starring Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, this has been one of the fastest selling musicals in recent history. And it is an impressive and hillarious production I whole-heartedly recommend.

Check it out and buy tickets here: http://www.oliverthemusical.com/ticket_shop/google_landing/offer.php?gclid=CN-zgov_ppgCFQpOQgod2TUMsQ

Over the Christmas holidays I got to see The Kite Runner. This movie is a moving story about loyalty and character integrity, based in Afghanistan. Its premier had to be delayed in order to take the children actors out of the country, for fear of the Taliban.

It's a moving story and the quote that stayed with me from it is: ''Children are not like coloring books. You can't just put your favourite colors in them.'' You have to let them live their lives according to their personalities and their own dreams.

Finally, the movie I bet my money will win the Oscar for Best Movie and Best Director. From the same director as Trainspotting, comes an impressive story about an Indian who wins 'Who wants to be a millionaire?'. It is nothing like I expected it to be.

President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:17:00 +0000

In case you have not seen it...very inspiring, articulate and educated. He is a true orator.
So curious to see what he does next after closing Guantanamo and pulling back troops from Iarq.

December in London: Ju's birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Ju's birthday was a little dream. After eating typical French King's cake (in which they hide little objects and if you find them you are the king), we went to Chez Gerard near Picadilly for an expensive French dinner (us and the rich Russian youth dominated the place). Snails, duck and stake tartare were in order.

After that, we had a magical time at Somerset house, a courtyard that reminds one a bit of The Louvre. Fully booked every night- it was a miracle that I managed to find any tickets.

There, a giant Tiffany tree invites people to forget about recession worries and just enjoy an evening of fun. The rink is dominated by posh youngsters, with the exception of a few elderly citizens trying to relieve their good times.

The service was impecable, with a few Ice-guards (salvagheti :p) floating around asking everyone who fell if they needed help.

Later on in the week we managed to buy our Christmas tree and decorate it. This is the first year I have done it so soon. The X-mas present was a ticket to my very first musical: Monty Python's SPAMaLOT. Hugely funny, very impressive and extravagant. Would recommend it if you are in London.

Other than that, London is dominated by wannabe German markets selling sausages and mulled wine. Shops are all having sales and I have never seen Oxford street so empty on a Sunday. Because of recession, Woolworths (a well known and old chain of stores) is closing, people are loosing their jobs every day, home owners around Canary Wharf are losing tennants due to job losses and the government keeps trying to revive the housing market, which is going down. The pound has not been so low in a long time and stores are reporting very low sales. So the atmosphere, just like the weather is: grim. Happy Christmas everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:19:00 +0000

So what has been going on?....loads of work throughout November. So much so that I did not manage to post anything. I am now recovering and am sooo looking forward to going home next week! Shopping done, gloves ready for the cold and belly anxious for some grandma homecooked food. Yummm!!!

My birthday saw the best gifts ever! Like this very creative piece by my favourite Russian: Zhenia. It's called The Romanians and the city. :) Also received a whole series of the show that inspired it too.

''What??? and a trip to the spa? Really???

Other events were...lunch and the leaving party also of my favorite Russian at a lovely Russian restaurant. I discovered that one can find fabulous Gulash in London too!
And the best news is that we have just booked flights to Moscow for February to visit her!

Finally, my famous Romanians and friends gathered for Alma's birthday for drinks and dancing last Friday.

All's well that ends well. And I cannot wait to end up home. Soon...really soon. Counting the days...

Very cool

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:32:00 +0000

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple.

But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.

George Bernard Shaw

Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:11:00 +0000

I had to write about this, but I have just been so busy organising an event for a new programme group next Tuesday.

I did not get into the whole elections fever until very close to the actual thing, when I started watching the TV debate between the two candidates to understand what they actually stood for.
It's easy to love Obama, as he is such an amazing and impressive communicator with such a ''down to earth'' family history. And I am very impressed with his campaign team for pulling things off too!

The things he stands for genuinely make me feel hopeful for the future, starting from his propositions for the US economy and ending with the desire to end the war in Iraq and to invest in renewable energy.
I did hope he will win and I am curious to see what he will do with it next! The fight only starts now, when he has to deliver for a nation that put so much trust and faith in him.

The fact that 70% of the population voted, the fact that he is the first African-American president, the speech he gave on the night of the victory- all impressive and quite powerful. I do feel connected to the fact that this all is happening 45 years after Martin Luther King's dream speech and comparisons cannot be helped.

Funnily enough, it appears that part of his speech was written right here in Notting Hill, by a guy who volunteered to help on his campaign.

If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it when you have time- it can be compared I think to all the big, classical US president and not only speeches. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGsP8mnHsg)

Reflective of my mood to explore the world

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:20:00 +0000

"Every man ought to be inquisitive through every hour of his great adventure down to the day when he shall no longer cast a shadow in the sun. For if he dies without a question in his heart, what excuse is there for his continuance?"

Frank Moore Colby, The Colby Essays

My objective for facilitation...

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:02:00 +0000

''Do not try to satisfy your vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Put there just a spark. If there is good inflamable stuff, it will catch fire.''

Anatole France

Amazing

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

A wonderous weekend :)

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:25:00 +0000

Thank you Zhenia for the fun Saturday evening! Loved the laser quest and the bowling! And as usual, you were a star...and my favourite naughty russian!

Discovering London gig scene...

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:13:00 +0000

When fenchie suggested we go out to a gig in some random pub on a Wednesday night, the first thought I had was that I would have to put up with some punk bands for the entire evening and that all I would get out of it would be one big headache...

My surprise was not only an amazing evening, but also the feeling like I am a bit closer to home. Once the acts started...I was hooked. Very cool blues voices, poetry, acting and even a lady that sounded like Ada Milea!

Here is a taste of my favourites:
http://www.myspace.com/ilovespeakershoe - funky sound and very cool voice
http://www.myspace.com/hadarmanor - amazing voice

Romanian surprise at Canary Wharf

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:05:00 +0000

Surprise surprise...the CEO of Canary Wharf is a romanian!

I was going through the top 1000 most influential people in London and guess who I found...a romanian is the third most influential under the Property headline after the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, because Canary Wharf Group owns the Canary Wharf area.

For those of you not from London, Canary Wharf is an area that was redone into London's financial centre from an old dockland that was bombed in the second world war. Today it boasts the 3 tallest buildings in the UK and hosts: major banks, such as Credit Suisse, HSBC, Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Northern Trust, and Barclays, law firms such as Clifford Chance, as well as major news media and service firms, including Thomson Reuters, and the Daily Mirror.

Born in Romania, Iacobescu trained as an engineer, graduated from the University of Bucharest and then emigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto, where he initially worked for the Olympia and York company as an engineer and later as vice president for development and construction at the World Financial Center in New York, and the Olympia Center and the Neiman Marcus Buildings in Chicago.

Iacobescu joined the Canary Wharf Group in 1988 as Senior Vice President, Construction, to oversee the procurement and construction of the first phase of Canary Wharf. He was promoted to the board of Canary Wharf Holdings Limited as an Executive Director in 1994, was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 1996 and Chief Executive in March 1997.He was awarded a CBE in June 2003 and became a Trustee of the British Museum in 2007.

The Bucket List

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:54:00 +0000

If people ask me what is my favourite movie I never really quite know which one to pick...but The Bucket List has definitely become one of my favourites. Why? Not only because the actors in it are brilliant and interesting people- like I want to become one day- but also because it reflects so well the philosophy of life I believe in.

The basic story is that the two characters meet in the hospital and are both diagnosed with cancer and given just a few months to live. At one point one of them starts writing a list of things that he would like to do before he 'hits the bucket' and so they both end up adding to it and going out there to make things happen.

I have started my list of things to do in life and taking steps towards making things happen too: like chairing a national conference in Kazachstan, which is something I always wanted to do, but also my first ever trip outside of Europe. Travelling will surely be a huge part of my list, and therefore next year I also hope to visit JJ in New York and meet my old MC in Cambodia- also a place I am fascinated by.

Talking to Harman today about the trees that are getting yellow, life cycles and evolution, I remembered a line from the movie which to me right now underlines the basic fundamentals of our lives- as short passers by through the universe. In the movie, one character tells the other as they sit on top of the pyramids, the story about how St.Peter asks everyone who wants to go to heaven just 2 questions: 1. Did you find happiness in your life? And 2. Did you give happiness to others? Something to think about and a very simple way to measure one's impact and whether they have had a good life...

My life...these days...

noreply@blogger.com (Codruta Stefaniga) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:06:00 +0000

Moved house...and even though it's just one tube stop away, I have discovered a whole new world. Close by we have a park, a sports centre and a very cool canal. This canal in one direction leads up to the Canary Wharf buildings lit up beautifully by night, and in the other direction, 3 miles up, it leads to...little Venice (?? in London??- a series of canals by Regents park).

(Up and below my room)

This weekend was the last warm one of the bunch, they say,...22 degrees and a Tshirt, perfect time for Victoria park- also close by. There, people were laying on the grass in the sun with kids, dogs, balls, old people in wheelchairs playing music...hippies, rollerblades, fountains, giant frisbees, man made boats. I love London in the week-end- people just chill out and you feel as if you are not in London:). I am trying to get used to chilled life...it feels good..but after a crazy AIESEC year you just feel like something is missing. And it's almost as if you lose patience for normal life...

Since I work 9 to 5 these days, I have time to enjoy my house, our huge kitchen, cooking...some French lessons, some reading...and lots of theatre. I am getting to know London slowly, slowly and my goal is to read about the city's history as much as I can in October. I want to find out why it became what it is...and what makes it so special. Still...my mind is abroad...at my next trips...Paris, Prague, Cambodia, Kazachstan? And also with my MC who are all abroad (Laura soon in Aussie land, JJ soon in NY, Jule in Viena, Ankit in India, Jan in South America, soon in Cambodia).

(Below my housemates)

And speaking of people abroad...this week will be a tough one. Carlos (below with the Romanian girls and his girlfriend) is leaving back to Columbia tomorrow...which makes me sad...but also excited and happy for his new life...
Laura is also leaving this Thursday..for a year..in skippie land. Which will make me even more sad..
And last but not least Beb is having her last night in London Friday...to go to Copenhagen.
So 3 of my closest friends...gone..in a week.

The biggest reward these days though comes a lot from my work. Common Purpose is fantastic. And every day I get it more and more. CP is a charity, looking to develop leaders at various stages and to show them how to lead beyond their authority. It's all based on the theory that Julia Middleton, the founder, came up with and wrote in a book. And I love her ideas. And it all fits in so well post-AIESEC, to study leadership and training further.

I work on our modular 6 month programme for senior leaders called TheKNOW (below an image from a programme day). Every week we have about 2 training sessions that look at the participants getting to know London better, at them understanding change and leadership challenges while driving change. New question is: are leaders only truely leaders when they drive change?

(Below my team: L to R: Marta, Emily, Niru, Andrea and Tom).
So I am loving my work, as I am doing what I love best: organising thought provoking events. And the best part is that I have moved from students to more senior leaders, which is a whole new experience: new attitudes, new approach, new issues.
Still...I do not see yet where it fits with my bigger picture. And as JJ said, I wonder if we ex-AIESECers are cursed with lack of patience and a need to always kill ourselves to get every little ounce of growth and learning.

That's why I decided to volunteer with kids in East London on the side and spend 2 hours every Sunday helping them develop, as part of understanding whether I am truly passionate about learning and development.