Hey guys and gals---I am currently sitting in NYC with a little bit of free time before a meeting, and I thought to myself, what better to do than write everyone...so here goes, in no particular order..:-)
2 Weekends ago I went on my first "Thames River Boat Cruise"...the weather was amazing...the sights were tremendous and overall I had a wonderful time. This leads me to write about two very interesting myths about London that I want to dispel while I have a moment...
MYTH #1
WEATHER---So the conventional belief is that London weather sucks. This could not be further from the truth...So i have been in London for two months and have enjoyed some tremendous weather. In fact, as I talked to my mother mother today who mentioned that Chicago experienced its first snow fall the other day....while I was playing golf in lovely sunny weather and a short sleeve polo shirt...I have had to use the umbrella a few times...but now that I think about it, no more so than in NYC...
So here is the basic London weather primer---About 5% warmer on average than NYC with less wind, but slightly more rain..I would rather be warmer...I don't know about you...It's still no LA...but then again, what is...
MYTH #2
FOOD---Lots of people complain about the food in London...I think they are delusional....In general I eat out about 5 times a week, so i sample a wide variety of food..and here is the big update that everyone is waiting for..the food is AWESOME....in terms of cuisines, you can eat anything that you can dream of, and if you dream of Indian, then you are truly in heaven...I have eaten every type of cuisine imaginable and have enjoyed every meal i have had...I have also been lucky enough to hit some really nice spots (Thank you Adam, Matt, Bruce, Jordan) and the food is on par with NYC...
This leads me nicely to NYC---I am in town for a few days on a big NYC Investment Banking LBS trek...we are visiting 6 banks in 3 days...so far the trip has been amazing, as had been Max's couch---but the more time I spend in London and NYC, the more different the cities seem to me. At the end of the day, London is just more livable---it does not have those SKY scrapes looming over every block...no jack hammers, no sirens---just more of a n easier way to go about things and enjoy..almost like Chicago in a sort of way with nicer weather, and more multi-cultural. But---I do have to hand it to NYC in terms of SUSHI...It destroys LA, Chicago, and London--I truly feel the no city has better sushi than NYC, and my incredible meal at YAMA last night (Thanks Heidi..-:) was the final nail in the coffin to that fact...
Last but not least...Last weekend I was lucky enough to head off to Dublin for a weekend of fun (probably my last fun weekend until semester ends in December)--Going to Dublin solidified why I went to LBS...I was able to stay with a friend of mine from Dublin in her amazing house, 10 minutes from the city center---she invited 8 people along, and we just had the times of our lives---
Shockingly, it did not rain at all..I drank enough Guinness to satisfy even my deepest desires (by the way, the Guinness brewery tour is incredible and has to be seen to be believed). We went up to the coast, walked on the seaside, saw BONO's house (i took a picture in front of his gate..:-)
It just felt great to be really enjoying Europe with close friends, etc. I truly feel that when I am done with LBS, I will have a couch to crash on in every country that I could possibly want to ever visit..
School is moving along at a frenetic pace--Mid-Terms are coming up!!! I feel my daily limits in terms of time/sleep have been stretched to the absolute limits..but somehow I am still going...The good news is my team and I completed the AT KEARNEY Case competition..hopefully we will be one of the top 3 at LBS and we will move on the European Semi-Finals---Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!!
Ok...I have to run to another meeting..but I will try to write again soon--highlights everyone can look forward to are: Jordan's big Halloween party, my first PREMIERSHIP GAME!!! I am going to see Arsenal play on Saturday...and my first mid-term.
One last thing...the blog is ALMOST ALMOST ALMOST done...so that will be up soon--then I promise everyone PICTURES of EVERYTHING will be up...i know you guys want to see them...so just be a little bit more patient and they will be there soon...
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
London #5 and a Small Soccer Primer
I am proud to announce that I have my first official American visitor...Jeff is coming over Thanksgiving...so I will send out a nice update of our exploits to all back home. Jordan's wedding is in Feb, so I am excited to a lot of you then as well.
In terms of me, the crazy thing is that I can't possibly include everything that is going on in my life...I think that is best kept secret to business school...and Robb, Achi, Jeff--my MBA mates back in the states at Kellogg, MIT, and Harvard can attest to---Basically, MBA Schools try to make your life as busy as possible...throwing about 1000 things at you on a daily basis...clubs, speakers, events, networking sessions, class, study groups---not even mentioning trying to have a social life or live in LONDON...to try to mimic a hectic business schedule..basically trying to make us all world class decision makers---so we shall see...I am trying my best to stay afloat as time flies by so fast that I constantly lose track of what day it is.
My next big announcement is that I am in the process of setting up a blog. Now...I am not that good, in fact, not good at all..so it is taking a long time...so Josh or Amy...perhaps you can lend me a hand...but my goal is to try to update the blog and you guys can then just pop on the blog, instead of my boring you with these emails. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the blog and when it will go live...hopefully not too long from now, maybe another week?
In terms of LBS--here is what i have done lately...Went to a consulting panel with about 10 consultants from BCG, Booz, McKinsey, Bain, LEK, Marakon, etc. They all spoke for hours trying to convince us why consulting is the best career choice..and IT WORKED...i think at this point that consulting is my top choice...especially if I can get the LA office at Bain and do some cool Media consulting?...we shall see....if anyone thinks consulting will be the biggest mistake i have ever made...PLEASE chime in...More on the consulting front, that AT KEARNEY competition I wrote about a few emails ago is under way...we are trying to tackle the tele-communications industry...if anyone is specialist...also PLEASE let me know...We meet with the heads of AT KEARNEY London next week and interview them...I am excited!!
I am also now a proud statistical regression expert...Hopefully the teacher agrees and I can get my first official A at LBS. Now I am knee deep in Finance, Strategy, Accounting, Ethics, and Economics---so about as boring as you can get with a ton of work...but the professors are honestly world class---shockingly a subject like finance is interesting...we shall see if this continues.
On the social side, tonight LBS has its biggest party of the year, TATOO--a world and cultural extravaganza---our dean gave her final address this morning...she is leaving to become the top political advisor to Hillary Clinton for her 2008 Presidential Campaign. We get a new dean in 2 weeks and it is rumored to be the CEO and President of BP..which I think would be cool...Next weekend I am off on my next EURO trek...I am off to Dublin...I promise to have a pint of GUINNESS for each and every one of you..whether I make it back in one piece or not...well that is another story.
I am also proud to report that I have officially played my first round of golf in proper BRITISH weather conditions...basically rain, rain and more rain...Now...we won't comment on scores, but hey...that is not the important stuff. I also joined the LBS Ultimate Frisbee team...which is AWESOME...and the football team. Shockingly I have lost like 10/15 pounds since i have got here, and really feel like I am in somewhat good shape...DESPITE all of the drinking..:-)
Anyway..that is it for now...I hope everyone is doing well...and anyone who is on the fence about getting an MBA...Personally, I could not give it a higher recommendation. Without doubt it has been the best decision I have ever made...every day just gets better and better...now I could whine and moan if I dont get that dream job...but for now I shall be optimistic...
Now...some people have asked, and I thought why not...so below is a quick primer on FOOTBALL...(Alex and Dave and Boris..let me know what you think)---people who could care less about Soccer...don't read on....
FOOTBALL PRIMER as written by me...:-)
So, since i have not done this yet...I thought I would write about the game that captivates Europe, England, and the world--Football or Soccer--
It's fair to say that I consider myself a fan of the beautiful game--so I was extremely excited to come to the world class home of football and immerse myself in it...
So far, so good...It's amazing how much football is actually played--how the different styles permeate the games, etc. So...I think soccer can be compared to best to NFL...But..unlike the NFL..they don't play soccer only once a week...literally...there are games 4 DAYS a WEEK...Every Saturday and Sunday there are Premier League games...also...games from every league in Europe...Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, etc. Now...Don't forget about the Champion's League---Played every Wednesday and Thursday---AND....lets not forget about EURO 2008---
Not for everyone that does not know..Euro is the next biggest tournament after the World Cup--Basically it goes like this:
1. World Cup - Every 4 Years
2. Euro - Every 4 Years--Only European Countries are allowed to play
3. Champions League - The top clubs from every league play
4. Uefa Cup - The next teams play
5. League Championships
So...bascially...at the end of the day...try to imagine NFL or College football games of the biggest magnitude playing at all times...A footballer's heaven...Every paper has pages and pages on football...basically in about 1 month...you can become a full expert...so now being an expert...here are my feelings after 2 months of League and Euro football:
Euro - After England's 0-0 tie...I have decided that national football is not nearly as interesting as League football...maybe it is because the games mean so much more, etc.--But teams refuse to take chances...The speed is not there..I don't know..I just don't like it nearly as much..
In terms of England--1. Wayne Rooney is OVER RATED--I have seen him in a lot of games now..and he just has not not done anything to impress me. People keep saying give him time...but I don't know...I think England's best player honestly does not exist--what I mean by that is everyone on England is good---but no one is amazing...the team lacks a leader to inspire them and hence the lackluster results...and to top it all of the new manager refuses to play or to even add David Beckham to the squad...to tell me the Beckham is not one of the top 23 footballers in England is ridiculous.
In terms of league ball---far and away the best player in the premiership is the guy i have written about before...Didier Drogba--The guy is amazing in every level...he is hungry for the ball...decisive, physical, can pass as well as shoot--just spectacular to watch. And unlike national games, league games are amazing to watch---so much more fast paced, lots of scoring, shots all the time...just awesome. Another one of my favorite players is Christiano Renaldo---I know I know--a lot of people are unhappy with him for what he did in the world cup--but watching him is simply mesmerizing...He has skills coming out of every pore in his body---he is selfish beyond a doubt..but if he grows into that and learns to be a better passer...watch out Ronaldhino...
Anyway..hope I did not prattle on too long about football..just wanted to give everyone a little primer on everyone here talks about at all times. As Scotland just shockingly beat France 1-0, A huge smile went on my face..I have had enough of the French...
England also is in an uproar after the PATHETIC 2-nil loss in Croatia---We shall see...but thankfully league ball is back and Man U is losing as we speak to WIGAN of all teams...Who knows how that shall turn out...
Be well everyone...
In terms of me, the crazy thing is that I can't possibly include everything that is going on in my life...I think that is best kept secret to business school...and Robb, Achi, Jeff--my MBA mates back in the states at Kellogg, MIT, and Harvard can attest to---Basically, MBA Schools try to make your life as busy as possible...throwing about 1000 things at you on a daily basis...clubs, speakers, events, networking sessions, class, study groups---not even mentioning trying to have a social life or live in LONDON...to try to mimic a hectic business schedule..basically trying to make us all world class decision makers---so we shall see...I am trying my best to stay afloat as time flies by so fast that I constantly lose track of what day it is.
My next big announcement is that I am in the process of setting up a blog. Now...I am not that good, in fact, not good at all..so it is taking a long time...so Josh or Amy...perhaps you can lend me a hand...but my goal is to try to update the blog and you guys can then just pop on the blog, instead of my boring you with these emails. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the blog and when it will go live...hopefully not too long from now, maybe another week?
In terms of LBS--here is what i have done lately...Went to a consulting panel with about 10 consultants from BCG, Booz, McKinsey, Bain, LEK, Marakon, etc. They all spoke for hours trying to convince us why consulting is the best career choice..and IT WORKED...i think at this point that consulting is my top choice...especially if I can get the LA office at Bain and do some cool Media consulting?...we shall see....if anyone thinks consulting will be the biggest mistake i have ever made...PLEASE chime in...More on the consulting front, that AT KEARNEY competition I wrote about a few emails ago is under way...we are trying to tackle the tele-communications industry...if anyone is specialist...also PLEASE let me know...We meet with the heads of AT KEARNEY London next week and interview them...I am excited!!
I am also now a proud statistical regression expert...Hopefully the teacher agrees and I can get my first official A at LBS. Now I am knee deep in Finance, Strategy, Accounting, Ethics, and Economics---so about as boring as you can get with a ton of work...but the professors are honestly world class---shockingly a subject like finance is interesting...we shall see if this continues.
On the social side, tonight LBS has its biggest party of the year, TATOO--a world and cultural extravaganza---our dean gave her final address this morning...she is leaving to become the top political advisor to Hillary Clinton for her 2008 Presidential Campaign. We get a new dean in 2 weeks and it is rumored to be the CEO and President of BP..which I think would be cool...Next weekend I am off on my next EURO trek...I am off to Dublin...I promise to have a pint of GUINNESS for each and every one of you..whether I make it back in one piece or not...well that is another story.
I am also proud to report that I have officially played my first round of golf in proper BRITISH weather conditions...basically rain, rain and more rain...Now...we won't comment on scores, but hey...that is not the important stuff. I also joined the LBS Ultimate Frisbee team...which is AWESOME...and the football team. Shockingly I have lost like 10/15 pounds since i have got here, and really feel like I am in somewhat good shape...DESPITE all of the drinking..:-)
Anyway..that is it for now...I hope everyone is doing well...and anyone who is on the fence about getting an MBA...Personally, I could not give it a higher recommendation. Without doubt it has been the best decision I have ever made...every day just gets better and better...now I could whine and moan if I dont get that dream job...but for now I shall be optimistic...
Now...some people have asked, and I thought why not...so below is a quick primer on FOOTBALL...(Alex and Dave and Boris..let me know what you think)---people who could care less about Soccer...don't read on....
FOOTBALL PRIMER as written by me...:-)
So, since i have not done this yet...I thought I would write about the game that captivates Europe, England, and the world--Football or Soccer--
It's fair to say that I consider myself a fan of the beautiful game--so I was extremely excited to come to the world class home of football and immerse myself in it...
So far, so good...It's amazing how much football is actually played--how the different styles permeate the games, etc. So...I think soccer can be compared to best to NFL...But..unlike the NFL..they don't play soccer only once a week...literally...there are games 4 DAYS a WEEK...Every Saturday and Sunday there are Premier League games...also...games from every league in Europe...Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, etc. Now...Don't forget about the Champion's League---Played every Wednesday and Thursday---AND....lets not forget about EURO 2008---
Not for everyone that does not know..Euro is the next biggest tournament after the World Cup--Basically it goes like this:
1. World Cup - Every 4 Years
2. Euro - Every 4 Years--Only European Countries are allowed to play
3. Champions League - The top clubs from every league play
4. Uefa Cup - The next teams play
5. League Championships
So...bascially...at the end of the day...try to imagine NFL or College football games of the biggest magnitude playing at all times...A footballer's heaven...Every paper has pages and pages on football...basically in about 1 month...you can become a full expert...so now being an expert...here are my feelings after 2 months of League and Euro football:
Euro - After England's 0-0 tie...I have decided that national football is not nearly as interesting as League football...maybe it is because the games mean so much more, etc.--But teams refuse to take chances...The speed is not there..I don't know..I just don't like it nearly as much..
In terms of England--1. Wayne Rooney is OVER RATED--I have seen him in a lot of games now..and he just has not not done anything to impress me. People keep saying give him time...but I don't know...I think England's best player honestly does not exist--what I mean by that is everyone on England is good---but no one is amazing...the team lacks a leader to inspire them and hence the lackluster results...and to top it all of the new manager refuses to play or to even add David Beckham to the squad...to tell me the Beckham is not one of the top 23 footballers in England is ridiculous.
In terms of league ball---far and away the best player in the premiership is the guy i have written about before...Didier Drogba--The guy is amazing in every level...he is hungry for the ball...decisive, physical, can pass as well as shoot--just spectacular to watch. And unlike national games, league games are amazing to watch---so much more fast paced, lots of scoring, shots all the time...just awesome. Another one of my favorite players is Christiano Renaldo---I know I know--a lot of people are unhappy with him for what he did in the world cup--but watching him is simply mesmerizing...He has skills coming out of every pore in his body---he is selfish beyond a doubt..but if he grows into that and learns to be a better passer...watch out Ronaldhino...
Anyway..hope I did not prattle on too long about football..just wanted to give everyone a little primer on everyone here talks about at all times. As Scotland just shockingly beat France 1-0, A huge smile went on my face..I have had enough of the French...
England also is in an uproar after the PATHETIC 2-nil loss in Croatia---We shall see...but thankfully league ball is back and Man U is losing as we speak to WIGAN of all teams...Who knows how that shall turn out...
Be well everyone...
Monday, October 02, 2006
London #4
Hey everyone...Hope things are well with everybody...Sorry it's been a while, but things have gotten a little hectic back here...so this update will have to be a little short, but hey...I will try my best.
First off again---I got a lot of phone #'s, but a lot of you still have not sent me your #'s...so, i guess if you want me to ever call you again...please send me your #'s...:-)
Next...lots of people have been asking me my schedule in terms of when I will be around, etc. so here it is....
Thanksgiving...LONDON/UK
Christmas/New Years....BANGKOK, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG
Spring Break - I get off from March 23rd to April 10th...I am planning a trip, but it is not yet set...i am thinking Israel and Egypt..
Summer--Undetermined due to internship, but most likely Chicago or NYC depending on job....
OCT-NOV-DEC - Study abroad at Chicago or Kellogg
Ok...enough with the housekeeping...PORTUGAL was incredible...I will try to get my pictures together for next time...but I have officially fallen in love with the South...the beaches were mesmerizing and Lisbon was a wonderful surprise as well. I highly recommend all of you head out there if you can...especially during the "season" which is June to Sept.--you will not be disappointed...
My next trip is to Dublin on Oct. 20th---I have made some great friends at LBS from Dublin, so I will get the official Irish tour of Dublin...so as long as the Guinness is not nutty, I will send some pics of Ireland in a few weeks as well.
Tomorrow is the OFFICIAL NUTTY period of business school. I start 5 new classes and advanced Russian...yes...by November I will be officially reading and writing in my mother tongue...so everyone watch out! The AT Kearney case competition is also getting into gear, as well as all of the clubs, and companies are already starting to visit campus....i have like every hour mapped out for the next month...so i will try my best to hang on for the ride...
I am making some great friends out here, which is great as well...I was a little bit worried of course when I first came out..but I have found that everyone has been really nice...and the fact that it has only been about 6 weeks, and i already feel that I can visit half of the world and call someone who i know there is extraordinarily comforting...I am anxious for what the rest of the year will bring, but I welcome it with open arms. People are already talking about a trip to Russia, and possibly Brazil...we shall see...
All right...this one like I said is a little short...and, this is a little late, but Happy New Year to all of my Jewish brethren...and tomorrow is Yom Kippur...so if anyone is fasting, have a nice fast...
Talk to you guys later...
First off again---I got a lot of phone #'s, but a lot of you still have not sent me your #'s...so, i guess if you want me to ever call you again...please send me your #'s...:-)
Next...lots of people have been asking me my schedule in terms of when I will be around, etc. so here it is....
Thanksgiving...LONDON/UK
Christmas/New Years....BANGKOK, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG
Spring Break - I get off from March 23rd to April 10th...I am planning a trip, but it is not yet set...i am thinking Israel and Egypt..
Summer--Undetermined due to internship, but most likely Chicago or NYC depending on job....
OCT-NOV-DEC - Study abroad at Chicago or Kellogg
Ok...enough with the housekeeping...PORTUGAL was incredible...I will try to get my pictures together for next time...but I have officially fallen in love with the South...the beaches were mesmerizing and Lisbon was a wonderful surprise as well. I highly recommend all of you head out there if you can...especially during the "season" which is June to Sept.--you will not be disappointed...
My next trip is to Dublin on Oct. 20th---I have made some great friends at LBS from Dublin, so I will get the official Irish tour of Dublin...so as long as the Guinness is not nutty, I will send some pics of Ireland in a few weeks as well.
Tomorrow is the OFFICIAL NUTTY period of business school. I start 5 new classes and advanced Russian...yes...by November I will be officially reading and writing in my mother tongue...so everyone watch out! The AT Kearney case competition is also getting into gear, as well as all of the clubs, and companies are already starting to visit campus....i have like every hour mapped out for the next month...so i will try my best to hang on for the ride...
I am making some great friends out here, which is great as well...I was a little bit worried of course when I first came out..but I have found that everyone has been really nice...and the fact that it has only been about 6 weeks, and i already feel that I can visit half of the world and call someone who i know there is extraordinarily comforting...I am anxious for what the rest of the year will bring, but I welcome it with open arms. People are already talking about a trip to Russia, and possibly Brazil...we shall see...
All right...this one like I said is a little short...and, this is a little late, but Happy New Year to all of my Jewish brethren...and tomorrow is Yom Kippur...so if anyone is fasting, have a nice fast...
Talk to you guys later...
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