Learning and Adapting -- Keys to Leadership Success

How perfect!  Today in my Leadership and Change Management Class, we learned that based on extensive research, **The ability to LEARN and ADAPT is one of the most important competencies for leadership success.**  This means that not only is it healthy and helpful to learn new concepts and skills, but learning from mistakes teaches you to take appropriate risks and to change and adapt more easily.  Of course, living in another country, conducting oneself in another language and adapting to a new culture --- are all key facets of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship program.

Source:  "Leadership in Organzations" by Gary Yukl.  Class taught by Dr. Jose Luis Rivas.

Mixing Germans and Mexicans

On Tuesday, October 12th, I enjoyed attending a concert hosted by the Club Rotario Polanco.  The musicians consited of a group of very talented 14-20 year-olds from Germany.  They played Phantom of the Opera and music from Forrest Gump, and ended the evening with Mexican National Anthem.  Following the concert, we had the opportunity to mingle with other Rotarians and guests, and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the German Ambassador to Mexico and the Director of Hospital Angeles Lomas, where the concert was held.  The concert was very far from where I live, in a beautiful hilly area of the city.  I rode with my Host Rotary Counselor, Susy, and with traffic it took us about 2 hours to get there!  Fortunately on the return trip (at midnight), it only took us an hour.  This city is extremely large and spread out.

Life is always better with family

I was fortunate to have a last-minute visit from my mom this weekend.  I gave her a tour of the campus and we hung out in the cute colonia of Coyoacan.  We visited a local market, had coffee at a local cafe and enjoyed the sights of the main plaza.  Come back soon, Mama!

Vale la Pena

"Vale la pena"  is to say "it's worth it."  After a 15 min. car ride, a 40 min bus ride and a half hour car ride, we made it to the Rotary Club of Ecatepec.  It was definitely worth the trip.  This club serves a very needy community to the north east of the Federal District.  We were told that this area has a lot of poverty, including many young people sniffing glue on the streets (sadly, it reminds me of Kampala, Uganda) and mothers giving birth prematurely and to babies who are deficient in nutrients.  I hope to return to the club during one of their service days at the local clinic.

The former club president, Juan Carlos, and his wife, Lupita, organized the visit and were great hosts. 

Featuring...the Ambassadorial Scholars of Mexico City!

This past Saturday, all four of the Mexico City Ambassadorial Scholars attended the District's Seminar on the Activities of the Rotary Foundation.  We learned about local fundraising goals, District projects around Polio Plus, how to apply for matching grants, among other interesting things.  We each had the opportunity to present ourselves to the group of about 150.  I am happy to report that I easily and enthusiatically presented in Spanish. I wasn't nervous or at a loss for words.  I felt good about my connection with the group. 

We also had the distinct honor of being there with two Past-Rotary International Presidents, Luis Vincente Giay of Argentina (who obviously quickly became my Argentine buddy) and Frank Devlyn of our very own Mexico City.

Here are some pics!

Ernesto Ibarra (Chair, Amb Scholars Committee), Billy Blaustein (Scholar from San Fran), Yours Truly, Jose Luis Martinez Larios (District Governor), Rebecca Watts (Scholar from North Carolina), Luis Vicente Giay (1996-97 Rotary International President), Manolo Herrero (Regional Foundation Chair)

So excited - I now have an official Host Counselor, Susy de Leon of the Jardines de Pedregal Club. She is fantastic.  I had lunch with her and her son, Augostine on Saturday after the seminar.

Frank Devlyn (2000-01 RI President), little ol' me, Billy, Robert (from Kentucky...love the bow tie!), Rebecca and Luis Vicente Giay (Past RI Pres)

Los Becarios del DF! 

Vanessa with her new Porteno buddy, RI Past President Luis Vicente Giay

Hey yall!  We got the 2011 Super Bowl in Arlington!  You can crash at my place.

Great Weekend of hiking, beautiful views, sun salutations and theater

This past weekend was the first time I have really gotten out of the house (away from the books) and explored the city and nearby cultural and natural beauty.  Saturday, I travled a short 1.5 hours on bus with about 75 UNAM students to visit nearby Tepoztlan.  We enjoyed climbing the rocky path 400 meters to reach the Pyramid of Tepozteco.  It was a beautiful sunny day and you could see the whole village and beyond.  We also had fun with the coatis (wild muskets).  Afterward, we strolled the village, eating tepoznieve (their unique icey sweet treat in rare fruit flavors) and visiting the expansive market or quality and inexpensive artesenia.

On Sunday, I was finally able to attend a yoga class (after 6 weeks! not to worry, I can't live with my yoga practice, so of course I did my own each day)...this one was at Jiva Spa (fancy I know) and consisted of 108 sun salutations (a traditional vinyasa yoga sequence) - half facing the east to honor this past summer and be thankful for all it has brought, while releasing any negativity or attachment to things of this past season, and half to welcome the autumn and welcome a new outlook on life for the coming season.  This workshop was extremely valuable to me as I have been adjusting to a new culture, new student life style, and a new world in Mex City. 

In addition, Sunday evening, I attended a great show, "Las Tandas del Centenario" which was the final production of the season.  It chronicled a Mexican theatre company in the early 1900s, mocking the constant change in leadership, yet proudly showcasing Mexican culture and triumph over decades of unrest and change. I went with Rebecca and Billy, two other Ambassadorial Scholars, as well as some of their UNAM friends.

Today I started my classes in the full time MBA program.  So far, great! I will write more at the week's end.

Chamba, Chula y Otros Palabras Mexicanas

I am learning that Mexicans (for their great indigenous influence) use many slang words that begin with "ch".  (Note: the ending for most of these words changes from "o" to "a" for a woman.)  Some of these include:

--Chilango:  someone who is from Mexico City, like Washingtonian, Texan, Porteño (A los chilangos, les gustar pachangar!  Mexicans (from Mex City) love to party!)

--Chulo:  term of endearment or cat-calling (Hola chula, como estas? Hi honey, how are you? ...can be used to taunt women or to speak sweetly to a girl/boyfriend or friend)

--Chamaco:  child/young person (Preoccupo por el chamaco. I worry about the child.)

--Chavo:  guy/friend (Voy a salir con los chavos/chavas.  I'm going out with the guys/girls.)

--Chamba:  work (ie. Tengo mucha chamba.  I have a lot of work.)