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!