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!!)