Sarajevo Business Forum 2011

Bismillah.

On 6^th April 2011, Sarajevo hosted an outrageous international event which was held for three days. Sarajevo Business Forum (SBF) 2011 was the second this year since it is just started last year. My friend and I were very lucky since we got the chance to witness this international conference which gathered investors from all around the world. At first, we thought that we would sign up for volunteers for the event but unfortunately it was already full. It was a bit frustrating but then when my company told me that they are going to be part of SBF again this year, I jumped happily.  (I was not really jumping, just in my mind). Teloptic was going to open its booth and promoting their product line. And when I asked my supervisor to volunteer during SBF, he simply says, “Sure, why not. You are going to be a volunteer for Teloptic” Thanks, Mr Serif!

The first day involved only people from local government. On the next days, investors started to crowd Holiday Inn, a hotel, which was where it was held. Mr Serif told me again that he wanted me to come just for an exposure. Nothing heavy as what he was doing there like meeting and persuading international investors. He wanted me to walk around and see things and people. I was grateful because that was exactly what I wanted to do and he was like reading my mind. =’) And yes, I really enjoyed the day. Meeting people was what I did the most during the event.

Teloptic booth, MILKOS products

With another volunteer for Teloptic

In the conference room

The press and media

There were several very important persons (VIPs) that my friend and I met especially those from Malaysia such as:

Dato’ Ar Haji Esa bin Haji Mohamed, a renowned architect who was responsible for the building of Putrajaya, KLIA and more.

Dato' Haji Esa Mohamed and his Bosnian Australian wife.

We also had the opportunity to sit and talk with the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Also included delegation from Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Tabung Haji Malaysia, Amanah Raya, and PKNS.

We also met the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Bakir Izetbegović

And also the speaker for the forum, Mr Sami Zeidan from Al-Jazeera English. It's more interesting since Al-Jazeera has now open their new headquarter in Sarajevo for Al-Jazeera Balkan. You can read more by clicking > NEWS (Mr Sami Zaidan is wearing orange neck-tie)

We met lots of UIA graduates as well. 

With Nermin and Vedad, -UIA and Lim Kok Wing grad

Mr Linar Yakupov, from Tatar (CEO of IFC Linova) -UIA grad also

Some of my friend even thought that this forum was like UIA Bosnian Alumni! J But, for me it was great to meet UIA Bosnian graduates, because it is nice to meet someone who knows about Malaysia and when they started to talk about how they lived in Malaysia, ate Nasi Goreng USA, ‘teh-O-ais bungkus’ ( takeaway iced-tea), all of us just smiled widely as we did miss Malaysia as they do.

I never think of attending such international event before, let alone in another country. It was a whole new experience for me to be part of this event. Syukran Ya Allah. 

* Credit to Arif and Amalina (BBI) and SJ for the photos. =)

Paintball or Painball?

Bismillah.

I had the chance to play paintball last April. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I was excited because that would be my first time playing. Nervous since they said it hurts to get hit by the bullet. But then, since to play here is cheaper than in Malaysia, I thought it’s best to have my first time here. =)

Big thanks to my friend here who introduced me to his good friends who own this paintball equipment. They also pick us to the place and sent us home. That was really nice of them to give us a ride to and from the paintball place. J

There were ten of us, half boys and girls. The three boys are Indonesian who studying in International University of Sarajevo (IUS). We were supposed to play in a ruined building since when I first requested to play paintball, it was winter time. It was chilly that’s why the best place that they can offer is in a ruined building. But since it had been delayed for many times, due to some occasions, finally, we got to play and  the best part was since the spring was coming, we got to play in the woods! And I tell you, this woods is so much like in the ‘Twilight’ saga movies. Cantik! I was thrilled! =P

So, above are the pictures for the day.

Team Eagle! Yeahh!

Team Kick Ass! Boooo...HAHA

Kerim was filling the guns with gas.

Before the game started

After the first game,...

We looked just like we had done with some art class, don't we?

Sergeant Nadiah was hit at chest and shoulder

Teya still alive huh :)) Give me five!

...took a break...

Kerim was giving instruction..

Head shot on Atan! hehe

And also on SJ! hehe

We started play at 12noon and the war lasted for about two hours. And when we finished battling in the woods, I was announced to refill bullets the most which means that I used so many bullets than anyone there! What? Okay, I did shoot randomly, but hey, I did make some head shot, ya. For a first-timer like me, to make a head-shot it’s like wow! So, it was totally worth it. =P

Congratulations, my team did not win big. haha I really had fun playing and also it’s fun to shoot your good friend! ;P And thanks to Ihsan, Belly and Aizza for joining. Really glad that u joined. :D

Since they said that if you don't get bruises, then you are not playing paintball, so I proudly say that I brought home two bruises, one of my right shoulder and another on my left thighs. Guess what, the next day, everyone was suffering from muscle pain. Probably, due to lack of warming up before we play. Serves us right!

Everyone looks fat with the uniform. haha. But I think this thick uniforms help minimize the pain :)

It's a wrap guyss! :D

Found a field near the woods...Awesomee! So much like in countryside in the Hannah Montana The Movie =P

On our way back to Sarajevo... I fell in love with this valley right away 

With Nadia

SJ and Atan