Saturday, 4 October 2008
The London Quarterly - October 2008
It’s been fun – lots of parties and drinking, meeting new people. It was a good change – I needed that. However, I’m back to feeling like a hamster in a wheel – no time to myself. I guess this time it’s more of a choice, but at the same time, if you don’t go to the functions, meetings, pubs etc, you feel like you’re missing out. I don’t like that feeling and am fighting it.
Classes have started and they are remarkably boring. So far, the core subjects are what I did in first year undergrad. I’m falling asleep in class. I am thinking of getting a blackberry (which I can’t afford) and emailing under the desk to stay awake. Still deciding…
Quick summary, in case you’re out of the loop – I’m presuming a bit of knowledge here:
1) I’ve moved to London to do an MBA at LBS for a couple of years (it appears to be reasonably good timing on some level – it’s going to be impossible to get in next year as all the bankers and other recession-fearing people will be applying)
2) I’m living with Julia in her flat in Kilburn (after her flatmate moved out, I moved in. Except I couldn’t fit all my crap into the single bedroom (single is a euphemism for “shoebox”) so I’m living in the living room and the single bedroom is our living room)
3) I’ve started classes in August but real classes only started this week (we did fluff for a month). I’m not enjoying the revision of my undergrad so far. I think the copious consumption of alcohol has reduced my attention span to an unprecedented extent.
4) One of my first London experiences was a stolen handbag with 2 phones, wallet, black book and passport. I still haven’t replaced most of these. (I have a passport appointment at the High Commission on Friday. We’ll see.) Thus, I have not been able to leave the country. It’s quite possible that even after I replace my passport, I won’t be able to leave the country as I am not yet sure how to replace my student visa. Well, I’m sure I’ll be able to leave – I just may not be able to re-enter. *Sigh*
5) I think I may need a new liver soon.
In other news, in no particular order:
1) Have had to take a Russian exam in order to prove to LBS that I speak a second language. 3 hours. I’m officially level 3 Russian speaker now (they only tested up to level 3 – level 2 is all you need to graduate)
2) I’ve taken up (touch) rugby. A bit outside my comfort zone – will see. Kind of fun so far and I get to exercise outside (in the rain).
3)
The Melbourne Daily – Monday [in July]
[found this entry on computer - back from July]
There has been a bit of a lapse in my writing. I have managed to move a little bit beyond the denial phase and get into work. Mostly it was stress that pushed me out there. It was getting to be 1 week before the workshop and initial deliverable and I still had nothing. So I crammed for quite a bit, including the weekend and now appear to have a document of sorts.
And I got distracted….
[continuing on Tuesday]
Yes so back to it I suppose. 9 days left. However, have a workshop to lead/ facilitate tomorrow. Which is a bit stressful. I hate these things. Stress, responsibility. And it’s not even that interesting – at least this particular topic. But then again, I’d say that about ANY topic that I had to lead a workshop about. As I keep saying, on days like these, I wish I was a hairdresser. Or a yoga instructor. Or a PA. Actually, my perfect job would be a ‘mattress tester’. Oh yeah….
9 days left. No news on my passport still. A bit concerning, I think. If nothing happens by Thursday, I’m going to have to call their rip-off hotline again. Where they first charge you $10 on your credit card and then proceed to tell you that they can’t help you with your query. Lo-ve-ly.
What else? Bored. I’m bored. And stressed. That’s a nasty combination, I tell you…