Faux-Thanksgiving

On November 27th, when most of America was sitting down to a nice Thanksgiving dinner, I was sitting down to a lecture on "Management Contracts and Counter-trade Agreements."  So unfair, right?!?  Not surprisingly, I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind.  The lecturer mentioned "turnkey contracts" and I immediately thought he said "turkey."  And then he really did say "Turkey," (as in the country) and I was out for the count.  Thankfully, I had two American visitors staying with me (Kaylie and Lauren from JBU!) and we had a modified-Thanksgiving dinner that night, along with another American friend and some of my British flatmates.  All in all, I think the dinner turned out quite well.  I was able to find cranberry sauce and Marks and Spencers provided a lovely turkey.  A friend had given me some pumpkin bread and I was able to gather the rest of the items (mashed potatoes, veggies, bread, etc.) locally.

The funniest part was actually explaining Thanksgiving to non-Americans.  I went online to find a comprehensive story of Thanksgiving and was, well...horrified!  Besides finding multitudes of versions, my innocent recollection of happy pilgrims eating turkey and yeast rolls with equally happy indians is probably not historically accurate.  I also discovered the pilgrims did not, in fact, go to Wal-Mart at 5am the day after Thanksgiving to buy discounted electronics as my family does today - how very unfortunate!  Anyway, I'm very thankful to be in England and to have had the chance to share this day with new friends and I'm also thankful I've found a Whole Foods so I know where to buy a pumpkin pie for next year!

Happy Heatherween!

Friday (31 October) was my birthday and I had a lovely party Thursday night ("Heatherween Eve") at the Slug and Lettuce on Borough High Street.  When I arrived in London in mid-September, I didn't know anyone, so it was really nice to spend an evening with so many new friends (classmates, flatmates and friends from ChristChurch).  I did a small, informal poll and I believe there were over 13 nationalities represented at my party (including a friend from Transilvania - whah, hah, hah...)  Halloween has become pretty commercial here in England, so I had no trouble tracking down accessories for the soiree (including plastic spider rings from Asda - the British Wal-Mart).  My birthday cake was from Konditor & Cook, a gorgeous bakery next to Borough Market.  I thought they did a great job (although I had to talk them out of using glitter.  Glitter on a Halloween cake?!?  That's not very spooky!)

On my actual birthday, I did a bunch of random "fun things" (Starbucks [of course!], walked around Chelsea, went to the movies, got lunch at Pret a Manger, walked along the Thames, sushi for dinner, etc.)  That night, I met up with some friends at ChristChurch' first "Evening Prayer Meeting."  There we were, mere steps off Oxford Street, hundreds of people singing to the Lord and praying for the people of London and around the world.  For me personally, it was a great way to launch a new year.  The last song we sang that night was "Spirit of the Sovereign Lord" which has a line that says, "this is the year of the favour of the Lord."  What a great message as I start a new year in a new country with my future a complete...unknown!  I had a lovely birthday and I'd like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes!!         

When School Isn't...Fine

It's been about six weeks since I moved to London and I'm often asked how school is going.  Most of the time, the answer is "fine."  Yes, it's been an adjustment being back in a classroom after years of working, but it's usually...fine.  Today it isn't fine.  Today I'm tired.  In addition to my usual lectures and seminars, this week I have a finance exam, a presentation looking at Nintendo's strategy for launching Wii in China (umm...OK?), an on-going project for International Buyer Behavior on online shopping and I'm leading a workshop group on IKEA's foreign market expansion (I also have projects pending on Kodak and Tiffany & Co. but they'll have to wait).  In fact, I should be working diligently on one of those endeavors right now, but I figured I deserved a much needed break to complain.  If I were back in Arkansas right now, I'd make my sisters take me to Sonic for a Mocha Java Chiller and possibly a fieldtrip to Wal-Mart for white-out and more highlighters (which would result in an hour's diversion as we looked at Halloween candy and tried on clearance tank tops).  It's hard to be "fine" when you can't ditch the Wii project and go to Wal-Mart.  There's no Wal-Mart, no Sonic, no sisters down the street, no Dad to say, "quit your bellyaching" (OK, I don't miss that).  Alas, it's just me and all these piles of papers and books and journal articles and stupid TWO HOLE punch (don't even get me started...) 

So ask me how school is another time [sigh]         

All work and no play is...well, pointless!

I know it's been while since I last wrote - sorry!  I wish I could say I've been slaving away at my studies, but that's not entirely true (although it sometimes feels that way!)  In addition to my classes (and an excessive [I feel] amount of reading - ugh!), I've been having a bit of fun.  Here's a little photo retrospective from the last few weeks with some of the highlights.  First up, there was a very entertaining night out with some of my flatmates (notice Tower Bridge lit up in the background).  Next was a "day-o-fun" with Nicole, my friend and former roomie, in town from France. We admired (more like, puzzled over...) the latest exhibit at the Tate Modern.

I then busted a move in Clapham with friends from church.  This past week was a "girl's night out" at a great place called the Gardening Club in Covent Garden (surprisingly, no one seemed to be gardening...) Finally, Nicole came back into town (maybe you should just move here, Nicole - hint, hint!!!) and we explored Borough Market where I tried some excellent chorizo.  Borough Market is the oldest food market in London, dating back to 1756 (which could explain why some of the cheese wheels I saw looked older than the United States).  You could spend hours and hours wandering around looking (and tasting...) everything (which I plan to do when I'm not, errr, studying...)   

Misery Loves Company

My Dad has a favorite saying, "no news is good news."  In my case, no blog news equals good news PLUS a miserable cold.  I suppose it was only a matter of time before the chilly, wet London weather caught up with me.  I'm feeling much better now, but getting sick in a new place can be a challenge.  I'm not yet familiar with the local pharmacies, I discovered I have no idea where to find normal, basic chicken soup (my British substitution: fish pie) and I had to forgo my usual "sympathy calls" to my Mom (I had no one to tell me to drink lots of fluids!) Thankfully, I'd loaded up on cold medicine before I left the U.S. (tip I learned from past experience!), so at least I was somewhat prepared. 

The good news is that I managed to have a bit of fun in the midst of the misery.  I got to see an old college friend, Dean, who was visiting from Oklahoma.  I took Dean to a "game night" with my small group from church which was really fun.  We also went to Inamo, a "pioneering Oriental fusion" restaurant in Soho where you order your food from a touch pad in the table (you can also call the server, change the "mood lighting" and watch a webcam of your meal being made).  It was all very "Jetsons."  The food was good (I'm a big sushi fan, anyway), but I think you go to Inamo for the novelty (perfect restaurant for gamers!!)

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Today was the first full day of lectures and seminars.  I've been finding it a bit strange being back in the classroom again.  For the last decade or so, I've been in the school of "real life," learning on the job.  I realize I'm doing this backwards - learning marketing concepts and theory after years of...well, winging it (fairly well, I hope!)  My biggest fear is that I'm going to discover I was doing it all wrong (that I was, say, making a mockery of the Porter's Five Forces model and didn't even know it!)  I just feel really fortunate to have this opportunity to go back and "catch up" before the next stage of my career (which could entail just about anything at this point!)

I also feel fortunate to have plugged into a church so quickly.  I attended a ChristChurch small group tonight and was reminded (again!) how amazing it is to be part of God's family.  I'm a complete stranger to these people, and yet, we instantly have so much in common because we're Christian believers.  I can tell them strange things like, "I just feel like the Lord wants me to be in London and I'm trusting Him to provide what I need and open doors.." and they completely understand.  It's a true blessing and I'm so thankful for those of you praying that I'll make good friends and be able to touch the lives of the people I meet.  God is so Good.  AMEN!   

Camp in Cambridge

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting my cousin, Jenn, and her husband, Efrain, in Newmarket, near Cambridge.  Newmarket is a lovely town (the "Home of British Horse Racing") and it was great to hang out with family after three weeks of being a stranger in a new city.  On Saturday night, we had a great meal at Nando's (check them out if you're ever in the UK) and then explored the nightlife in Cambridge.  The city is home not only to one of the world's leading academic institutions, but also some of the most enthusiastic dance and costume afficionados I've ever seen.  A woman dressed as Russell Brand?  Check.  Adult men channeling Carlton from "Fresh Prince" on the dance floor? Check.  A geriatric hen party all wearing tiaras?  Check.  It was truly spellbinding.

My favorite, however, had to be the masses of Amy Winehouses (here are just a few) who seemed to blend in quite effortlessly with the random Disney characters and university students decked out in full camo.  As someone who has dressed up as Amy Winehouse herself (although everyone in the U.S. thought I was the chick from "Miami Ink"...), I was quite impressed.

Sadly, I didn't have time to see much of normal, "daytime" Cambridge, but I'm sure I'll be back (with a costume, of course...)   

Weekend Wrap-Up

One thing that's the same in the UK and the US is that weekends go by way too fast [sigh].  I'll do my best to recap...

First up, Friday was the big presentation.  Unfortunately, my team did not win, although we received an "honorable mention" for doing the best job tying our marketing recommendations back to our research.  The winning team was Vinopolis - a London attraction built around wine tasting.  I suppose we were doomed from the start (torture devices vs. Cabernet...creepy moaning sounds and the clinking of chains vs. light jazz and the clinking of glasses...)  In all seriousness, the Vinopolis team did a great job and it was really interesting learning more about what there is to see and do around London.

It's been beautiful and sunny the last few days (yay!), so I spent Saturday wandering around the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street...C-R-A-Z-Y!!  I popped into all 14 different H&M's (OK, maybe more like 3-4, but ALOT) and checked out the usual joints - Top Shop, Zara, Miss Selfridge, etc.  I also visited Primark for the first time.  Not for the faint of heart (think super crowded with a slightly aggressive clientele), but excellent prices.  I celebrated my retail success/restraint with lunch from a great little sushi place called Wasabi.  They serve their sushi individually wrapped so you can select your own combinations - BRILLIANT.

Saturday night was a "Party on the Thames" with ChristChurch London.

One of the things I've been praying about (along with many others of you - thank you!) is that I would find a good church to attend in London.  In addition to Google, I also got suggestions from a number of people (again, thank you!)  Last week, I visited ChristChurch and really liked it.  They actually meet in the Piccadilly Theatre where Grease is currently playing (secretly, I've always wanted to attend a church where "Shine Jesus Shine" goes so seamlessly with "Beauty School Dropout").  Anyway, the river cruise was a blast.  The weather was beautiful (I had to include a snapshot of the gorgeous sunset) and I got to meet some new people (OK, and dance to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" - bonus).  I'll probably visit a few more churches in the area, but it's nice to know I've already found a place I really like.  

In the Clink

It's day three of "Induction" (sounds like I've joined a cult and not a university...) and they've already put us to work.  We were lured in with a nice breakfast and a lovely walk along the Thames and then BAM!  We have to do a marketing project on one of London's tourist attractions which we'll present on Friday.  My group is doing the Clink Prison Museum (bonus points if you've a) heard of it and b) actually toured it).  Group projects are always a bit tricky with virtual strangers (especially with language and cultural differences).  I have to be careful I don't come blazing in as the obnoxious American overachiever ("OK people!  I know this is history, but we need to make Tudor-era suffering s-e-x-y!  I wanna see ad banners!  I wanna see a national ad campaign starring our favorite celebrity inmates!  Someone get me a latte!!)  So far, so good - my group is still speaking to me!  I'll let you know how it goes...      

This is the view from my room taken at sunset.  It's a nice trade-off as the view from INSIDE my room isn't quite so...well, vast...

Greetings from London!  For those of you just tuning in, I've moved to London to do an MSc in International Marketing at London South Bank University (conveniently located on the "south bank" of the Thames).  I arrived last Wednesday morning and am happy to say I'm slowly getting settled in.  My first few days have been spent running errands, taking care of school business and exploring my new city.  In spite of the fact that I own four different London guidebooks, I've been trying to find my way without them (nothing screams "tourist" like the London A to Z...oh, and speaking as loudly as possible on the tube - you know who you are...)  It's still hard for me to grasp that I'm really here.  Every morning when I step outside, I'm literally shocked to find myself on a busy London street.  Where am I?  Oh yes, I live here now!  My flat is only a short walk to the university and even better, just a block away from a Starbucks.  I'm doing my best to embrace British culture, but I need at least one vice...OK two.  I went to IKEA on Saturday (along with every other American in London, apparently) and it was fabulous (of course).  Other highlights of my first few days include riding the London Eye (which I can see from my bedroom window!), sampling the culinary fare at the Thames Festival, taking long walks/getting lost all over Central London and meeting lots of new people.  I feel so blessed to be here and am excited to see what the Lord has in store!