The London Quarterly - October 2008

What can I say… It’s been busy. Relocating countries, losing all identification documents, finding a place to live, ikea-ing, moving and assembling furniture, bringing liver to the brink of extinction. I even went to class. Not out of choice – they make it compulsory – basically if you miss 2 classes in any subject, you fail the MBA. I guess they know students too well.

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)