There are so many people that have had a positive impact on my life (great or small) that I don’t know where to start, but I would like to thank my family and all my close friends. I really appreciate having you all in my life!!

Family

My father has always been an amazing role model for me to look up to as a good citizen, hard worker, Christian, husband and father. My mother has always been the “brains of the operation”, so to speak and I’ve always appreciated her organization and efficiency. My little sisters help keep me in line – Liza usually with my patience (or lack thereof) and Joanna with my kindness (or lack thereof AT TIMES). I try to set some sort of example for them although I’m not sure I’m doing a great job! My grandparents are really great always providing old school wisdom and constant encouragement as well. I’m thankful for my aunt Heshani who’s also very good at putting me in my place, but I know it’s for my own good! My uncle Mike who’s always interested in and encouraging my entrepreneurial pursuits and my cousin Johann who’s been like the big brother I never had over the years!

Mentors/Advisors (also Friends)

I’ve had so much great life and career advice over the years by such intelligent, successful (and generally good looking! ) people. Here are a few names that come to mind are Gerry W., Meral B., Mark H., Amanda H., Leslie P., Angie O., Heather H., Vince S., Hooman T, Hans L., Tara W.

Friends

Again, faaaar too many amazing people to count and I know I’m going to forgot some names, but here are a few that come to mind:

Friends that go way back (> 15 years): Daniel W., Kuldeep S., Fabrizio C., Matt E., Marie T., Cyara P., Jenelle J., Rekha R., Eli M.

Good friends: Olivier T., Amit S., Patrick S., Hugo R., Trevor Y., Jen S., Jaimie B., Taryn B., Gen G., Gen M., Hicham R., Yifeng S., Sandra H., Ted Z., Emily R., L-E S., Dustin C., Manuel V., Steven B., Elissa M., Jen A., Vanessa D., Matt F., Dom B., Phil D., Roshni D., Caster A., Gio M., Elizabeth R., Robin M., Bernhard A., PY G., Tony M., MH C.

Amazing people I’ve met during my travels and/or projects: Eben A., Krishan K, Hannah W., Luke H., Samali K, Tammy C., Selma P., Lina B., Mireille M., Jen M., Jenn S., Josh G., Dash, Tom G., Bonnie A., Anna C., Geetika C., Craig C., Moose A., Monica P., Jaclyn P., Jen and Court, Paul R., Tika R., Salome L., Amanda F., Pascale L., Munir D., Chantal J.

Church crowd: Jacob P., Dwayne L., Rex V., Eden V., Gioia E., Steph J., Erica P., Jack K., Arthur M., Michael M.

Over the years, all of you have had a positive impact on my life in some way or the other- whether it was good advice, listening to me vent or sometimes just a conversation that made me think. I really appreciate it!

A lot of people have high expectations and while sometimes I feel like I’m letting them down, I’m very excited about this year! It’s only been 2 weeks, but they’ve been pretty intense and a lot of good things are happening!

I truly hope I’ll have the opportunity to enrich your lives as much as you’ve enriched mine! Looking forward to an amazing 2010 for all of us!!

It turns out that the event was sparked by an article written in Chatelaine magazine: À la recherche de Karla F. by Jean-Yves Girard. For those of you who don’t read French, the article is about a journalist, who is also a child sponsor, who went to Nicaragua in search of his sponsored child to have a first hand account of how things were going.

A Lack of Efficiency?

Not surprisingly, as an outsider, his reaction was exactly the same as mine when I first saw how large NGOs operated in Sri Lanka. While I feel the article is worded in a way that makes things sound much worse than they are, and the journalist seems misinformed on several accounts, I have to agree with his final question which, I suppose, was the main point of the article. Here’s my rough translation:

“This billion dollar organization makes us an offer we can’t refuse: transform a life, help save a child. But does World Vision approach this in the most efficient way?”

While this particular article picks on WV, the same question applies to all the large NGOs. I’ve never worked for one, so I can’t tell how things are managed on the inside. I can, however, describe what I’ve seen first-hand and I would have to answer “No, things are not being done as efficiently as they could be.”. This is exactly why I want to work in this sector. Anyone who knows me will tell you that if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s finding the most efficient way to get something done.

Do you or someone you know work for a large NGO? World Vision? UN? Red Cross? What do you think?

My bullet point “requirements” from 4 years ago are still more or less true, but several of them have evolved to allow for a little more flexibility. Most are also very specific, so a “wiser” Ian will present his ideal woman a little more eloquently. Here are the main characteristics* I’d be looking for in my “ideal” woman:

Intelligence
… EQ over IQ (in my books)
… being able to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time
… being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses
… having confidence and self-respect
… having a sense of humor and not sweating the small stuff
… getting it
… understanding basic math
… being able to adapt to new situations and surroundings

Trustworthiness
… the cornerstone of any relationship
… being open and honest
… having integrity in all situations

Humaneness
… putting others before yourself even in small things
… making a difference
… being merciful, compassionate, understanding, forgiving
… believing in something

Courage
… taking risks
… jumping out of a perfectly good airplane for fun
… staying in a creepy house in a shady area of a developing country
… speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves
… doing the right thing
… having a sense of adventure

Sternness
… being fair and just
… saying what needs to be said
… being strict when necessary

Bonus points to the person who tells me where these 5 traits come from as I’ve mentioned them on this blog before! Am I still being too picky???

*Note that all these characteristics can apply to men, so ladies, feel free to use this check list as well!