10 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT KIM JONG-UN FROM HIS CLASSMATES

BY JAKE ROSSEN

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is one of the great agitators in modern political culture. Known for being temperamental—he is said to have executed his uncle for plotting a coup—and unpredictable, Kim has helped give his country the reputation of being a wild card that can capture the attention of the world’s superpowers.

Like any powerful leader, Kim was once just a bright young man with homework. At the behest of his father, former supreme leader Kim Jong-il, Kim was schooled in a Swiss boarding school between 1998 and 2000, and the media has often turned to his former classmates to uncover details about his teenage personality. No one has yet discovered his doodled-on yearbook or a prom photo, but his peers did have some other insights. Here’s what we know about Kim Jong-un’s formative years.

1. HE LOVED HIS AIR JORDANS.

Young Kim probably never dreamed he would one day be hanging out with former Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman, but it must have been some kind of life goal: the 17-year-old was obsessed with basketball in general and the Bulls in particular, devoting an entire room in his apartment to memorabilia. Kim also spent time penciling sketches of Michael Jordan and was said to favor Air Jordans both on and off the court.

2. HE HAD AN ALIAS.

Not wishing to be identified as the son of Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, Kim registered with the Swiss school Liebefeld Steinhölzli Schule under the name Pak Un. He claimed to be the son of a North Korean embassy employee in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Both teachers and students alike noticed that Kim’s parents never showed up for school functions.

3. HE LIKED ACTION MOVIES.

In 2009, friends of Kim’s related to The Washington Post  that Kim was slightly socially awkward, particularly around girls; when he wasn't watching basketball, he was usually watching action movies and using his Sony PlayStation. Kim played combat games and reportedly enjoyed the filmography of Jackie Chan.

4. HE HAD AN ENTOURAGE.

Kim’s presence was unique in the Swiss school for his entourage: At any point, a small number of Koreans appeared to be acting as servants, bodyguards, or assistants for Kim. Two employees would videotape his basketball games. Friends thought it was “strange” but wrote it off as “a Korean thing.”   

5. HE OVER-SHARED.

Despite the lengths his family went to keep his real name a secret, Kim couldn’t always help but share his father was the leader of North Korea. According to classmate Joao Micaelo, Kim once announced his heritage during a conversation with him. Micaelo thought Kim was lying. “Normally the children of people like this, they don’t go to a normal school,” Micaelo told CNN in 2010.  

6. HE WOULD NOT TOLERATE COLD SPAGHETTI.

Friend Micaelo often visited Kim at his apartment, which was located at the Korean Embassy’s headquarters. While he noted that Kim was typically a little reserved, he didn’t see any flash of anger until the Embassy’s chefs served the two of them lukewarm pasta one evening. “He spoke to the servants in a manner that was quite sharp,” Micaelo told The Telegraph in 2010. “I was surprised because it was not how he normally was.”

7. HE FAVORED TRACK SUITS.

Like Tony Soprano and his father before him, Kim tended to dress for comfort, not presentation. His wardrobe apparently consisted heavily of Nike track suits, which he wore to class. 

8. HE WASN’T THE SMARTEST KID IN CLASS.

Although Kim was two years older than most of his classmates because he wasn’t as proficient in German, he still struggled to keep up academically. In 2012, The Telegraph reported that Kim missed 75 days during his first year of school and 105 days his second, flunking natural sciences and getting minimum passing grades in most other subjects.

 

9. HE GORGED HIMSELF ON SWISS CHEESE.

Prone to bragging about how much he can eat and drink, Kim may have developed an appetite for gastronomic excess during school. He was reportedly so fond of Swiss cheese that he later deployed his personal chefs to a French culinary school to try and replicate the medium-hard Emmental he had enjoyed while he was a student. Kim is said to have gained 90 pounds from 2012 to 2016, though it's unknown how much of this was a result of his cheese intake.

10. HE TOTALLY VANISHED.

Kim still had a partial school year to finish out when he abruptly disappeared in 2000. He offered no forwarding address nor any indication that he might be leaving. “We thought he was ill or something and would soon be back,” former classmate Nikola Kovacevic told The Washington Post “I hope he is a good dictator, but dictators are usually not that good.”

Source: http://mentalfloss.com

WEEKEND FRENCH CLASSES COMMENCES IN LAGOS

In a bid to make the learning of French Language easier and and convenient for corporate executives and busy entrepreneurs, L' Ecole Francaise presents weekend French Language classes in a cool and conducive setting. 

Comencing Saturday May 6, 2017, the programme comes in four modules of 12 weeks each. At the end of the programmes, participants would be able to communicate (read, write, speak and comprehend the Parisien French) in French Langusge.

Classes would hold at Ramat Crescent, Ramat Estate, Ogudu GRA, Ogudu Lagos from 12pm - 4pm on Saturdays.

For registration and further information, contact Simon on: 0816 000 4988, 

0802 340 4962.

WHEN GRACE COMES KNOCKING

For Efemena Michael Ejeba, April 9, 2017 will remain unforgettable as it marked a turning point in his life. The day marked the beginning of his transition. Transition from poverty to wealth; obscurity to celebrity and from a relatively unknown entity to a very much loved personality. He is unarguably the most popular man in Nigeria at the moment after winning the 2017 edition of the Big Brother Naija. He is the Man of the Moment.

HUMBLE BEGINNING

The Gada Biu, Jos bred Pidgin English Rapper whose humility, courage, determination and resilience catapulted him from the shackles of poverty and obscurity to wealth and fame. His is a classic case of taking one’s destiny into his hands.

The popular reality show turned out the springboard through which this hitherto unknown 23 year old upcoming rap singer and graduate of economics launched himself into the league of Nigerian young millionaires and indeed African celebrities.

Born February 25, twenty-three years in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria to poor and struggling parents from Delta State, Efe schooled at the Federal Government College Jos before going on to obtain a first degree in Economics from the University of Jos. Perhaps, glad to have met minimum parental and contemporary educational standard he decided to pay attention to his first love. Music! The lad, from the outset knew want he wanted.

While in secondary school and all through university years, he showed much interest in the genre of entertainment. Miming songs of popular artistes like Naeto C, 50 Cents, Eminem and the likes became the starting point for him. In collaboration with his friend, Duktor Sett, who like him was also a newcomer in the music business, he went full throttle on his music career with the latter acting as producer.

COURAGE AND DETERMINATION

Determined to make it musically, Efe soon realized that Jos was too small a place for him. He needed to move to Lagos where he believed he could easily enhance his music career and make a living.

Knowing he wasn’t born with the proverbial silver spoon he was determined to make one for himself. As a friend would always say: “Do not blame your parents if you are born poor but blame yourself if you die poor. Hence his mindset has always been about struggle and the quest to make money in life.

He knew what he wanted and against all odds, he went for it. Hence in 2015 he relocated to Lagos with his producer and they hit the ground running. The year 2016 saw him launching his Extended Play (EP) Album titled Lagos. The robust piece comes with 14 tracks comprising tracks like: Lagos, Bad Belle, Introduction, Thank God, Call Olokpa, Sikira, Outroduction, and so on. Hitherto not many people knew the album nor the songs, information has it that industry critiques rate the album very low. However, with his new status his music career is sure to reach greater heights. ‘So Based On Logistics’, Efe now looks beyond music.  

“…Music is my first love. I have realized that my brand is way bigger than music, so I will definitely explore different areas”.

RESILIENCE

Still hungry for recognition and fame, he was among the few shortlisted to contest the just concluded Reality Show, Big Brother Naija. His initial goal was to use the platform to push his music career. But as days turned to weeks and weeks to months, it gradually dawned on him that he could actually win the contest.

“When I got into the Big Brother Naija house I realised that I was a bit different from other housemates. I was not just playing for the camera, so, when I was angry or happy I showed it. As time went by, I began believing that I would actually win the show”.

Determined to come out victorious, Efe went into the game his natural self, without any planned strategy. He just remained himself and that worked out for him. Fortunately his lifestyle and miens endeared him to Nigerians, especially the youth and teens. In the last campaign in the Big Brother House, he was able to convince many that he represented the average Nigerian across board. 

So eloquently delivered, many thought it was a rehearsed speech. NO! It was just the natural Efe. He knew the implication of not getting it right at that point in time. Performing poorly could come with dire consequences.

He didn’t want that to happen, at least not at that point in time.

END JUSTIFYING THE MEANS

Efe wanted a platform to further enhance his career. To him, coming to Lagos and launching an album does not suffice. Having the opportunity to be a contestant in the reality show was just the break he needed to push his music, so he thought. He put in his all to achieve just that, but in the course of the show he realized he was faced with a life-changing opportunity. In his typical determined and resilient ways, he didn’t let this slip through.

He eventually became the last man standing, in the midst of four ladies, and eventually went on to win the grand prize of twenty-five million naira and an SUV jeep. In these, still remained humble and caring as he has great plans for the less-fortunate.

“… I am happy winning but I feel that real success is measured by how many lives I can touch”.

THE 10 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

By Lydia Belanger

In making New Year’s resolutions, it might seem like you’re setting yourself up for failure. So many people underutilize gym memberships, quickly revert to old habits or never take up new hobbies they’ve been meaning to master.

For entrepreneurs, breaking resolutions might mean neglecting networking, spending money rather than saving or foregoing opportunities to learn new skills.

But this year, you’ve resolved to make a major change. To ensure that you’ll follow through with your goals, you have to do more than want to achieve them. In most cases, realizing your ambitions will require a series of lifestyle changes.

We’ve sifted through Entrepreneur’s archives to help prime you to reach your goals in 2017. Read on for some of our best advice, and keep in mind that success is a habit, not an act.

1. Make a list.

In order to achieve your goals, first you’ll have to determine exactly what they are. Don’t let this process overwhelm you -- rely on instinct. Set a timer for three minutes and get all of your goals down on paper without worrying about how difficult achieving them will be. After that, go back and brainstorm what changes you’ll have to implement or lifestyle adjustments you’ll have to make in order to make your goals a reality. Whatever you do, don’t tuck your list in a drawer somewhere, but refer to it regularly.

2. Keep a clean workspace.

Clutter doesn’t just physically get in the way, it’s scientifically proven to distract you. Think of it not only as a physical mess, but a mental one. Extra objects on your desk compete for your attention, and your brain must constantly reconcile the presence of these items with the ones that are actually pertinent to your work. Speaking of presence, consider that some of the stuff that’s been sitting there awhile is likely dragging you out of the present moment. As for any items you might feel symbolically attached to, ask yourself a simple question: Is this thing inspiring me to achieve my goals, or does it serve another purpose?

3. Minimize other types of distractions.

Your desk might look like a Pinterest lover’s pristine dream, but if you fail to eliminate other distractions, your minimalist workspace will do you little good. Find ways to shut out family members (except for in an emergency), social media notifications and personal phone calls and appointments. Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it, even if no one is there to supervise you. If you’re doing professional work, look the part -- or at least change out of your pajamas.

4. Wake up super early.

Sometimes, no matter how much you try to sequester yourself from daytime distractions such as kids, errands or even breaking news, it’s hard to keep focused. One solution that’s helped several prominent entrepreneurs find time to work toward their goals is waking up early. Sure, our bodies become programmed to waking up at the same time every day, and it’ll be difficult to adjust at first. Don’t expect to add three extra hours to your morning in the matter of a day. It takes preparation, patience and peace of mind to become an early riser.

5. Make the most of your weekends.

It’s important to rest and recharge during the weekend, but it’s also a smart idea to prepare yourself for the week ahead, including how you plan on achieving your goal. When you wake up on Monday morning, don’t let the sound of the alarm clock overwhelm you with the dread of mundane chores. 

On Sunday night, set aside some time to select your outfit for the following day or week, plan meals and organize your to-do list. You’ll rest better, minimize stress and have more time for the work you’re passionate about.

6. Stop procrastinating.

You might embark on a given task only to find yourself wandering over to the fridge, checking email or Googling symptoms of an obscure illness (we’ve all been there). While procrastination may seem inevitable, try the 15-minute rule: Set a timer for 15 minutes, and commit to working on something you’ve been putting off for ages. Who knows? You might gain some momentum and not feel like stopping once the time is up.

7. Find people to help you.

No matter how driven you are, you’d be foolish to think you can achieve success single-handedly. Even if someone else isn’t aiding you directly, it’s helpful to establish a few individuals whom you can emulate, who will inspire you to persevere or hold you accountable.

For example, a mentor can dispense valuable advice so that you won’t have to learn basic lessons the hard way. You might benefit from a sidekick or cheerleader to keep you motivated and hold you accountable. Find specific people who can help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

8. Play the role.

Think about who you want to be. How will that new-and-improved version of yourself act? How will you think, speak and live? Chances are, you’ll want to portray yourself as a humble yet confident person. Sit up straight rather than slouch. Look others in the eye and listen to what they say rather than gaze into the distance or let your mind wander. Be deliberate about the words you use. If you can learn from others, make a good impression and discipline yourself to show the world your true aspirations, success will more likely follow.

9. Conduct periodic progress check-ins.

It’s not enough to incorporate new habits and ditch old ones. You have to make time to consistently evaluate yourself to make sure that you’re on track. You might do this once you’ve achieved smaller goals that will build toward a larger one, or if you’ve given yourself a deadline (say a year), schedule quarterly review sessions. During these check-ins with yourself, reflect on what you’ve been doing and determine whether it’s working or how you might revise your plan. Let what you’ve accomplished inspire you to keep going.

10. Motivate yourself with rewards.

If you plan rewards to dole out to yourself once you’ve achieved mini milestones, you’ll have an additional incentive to persevere aside from the big goal in and of itself. A milestone might take the form of reaching a certain number of followers on a social media account, getting up at 4 a.m. for the first consecutive week or saving an additional $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000. You might treat yourself to your favorite dessert, a spa treatment, new recreational gear or just a lazy day off. Whatever the case, make sure your reward system is enticing enough to motivate you to work hard, but modest enough to be sustainable in the long run.

Source: entrepreneur.com