Sunday, September 30, 2007
A New Beginning
First off, apologies for disappearing into a black hole...I had no idea how behind I would be on things and how overwhelming starting Business School again would be. I feel like it is year one all over again...I don't know anyone here...so I am being extra nice and really trying to make "friends"...no jokes please...
London ended with a BANG...in general it was a great summer...no matter what the jokes were about the weather or about how busy everyone was. The city definitely took on a different tone to it when you are working full time as opposed to being a student. I had an amazing summer and really got close to a lot of my friends outside of LBS...I have a new set of roommates which I am excited about...as well as, at least I think, experiencing London for everything it had to offer. Sadly, I don't know if I will top the ultimate way to leave though....my FIRST CHELSEA GAME...it was incredible...I also saw Prince...who was awesome...and Ave. Q---which is hilarious and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone.
BUT...being back in Chicago now, I miss London terribly...let me sum it up to you in one sentence...Evanston (Where Kellogg is located) has 4 bars...yep...4 bars...which I have already all been to...that is something that I will NEVER get used to...perhaps the leafy, stunning campus will grow on me...perhaps the flip-fops and hot dogs will bring back a warm place in my heart...but right now...I want my South Kensington like you don't even know...
The people here are nice...the professors are excellent...but the first thing that really hit me...and still continues to hit me is the SIZE of everything...when you put all of Kellogg's programs together...you are looking at like 1200+ students...basically double the size of LBS...everywhere you go...there are people here. Every meeting is overflowing...every lecture hall is packed...I don't know how I would deal with it if I were here full time...I guess you just get used to it? On the other hand...size matters as they say...and for example...McKinsey hired 57 PEOPLE from Kellogg last year...freaking NUTS...
In terms of me...well I managed to get sick from my lovely family...so my first real blow out Chicago weekend might be a little subdued...but I am feverishly trying to get better as soon as possible. On the bright side, the CUBS...are back playoffs...a place they have not been in a LONG time. I am very excited and already thinking about how I will some how afford tickets to see them.
So...the future is open right now...I will spend the next three months throwing myself into the city...lets see how everyone in LBS is in terms of keeping in touch...and we shall see...I guess I am supposed to be making some big decisions while I am here...so far my biggest decision has been where to eat lunch on a daily basis since I have no idea where anything is....
Sunday, September 09, 2007
One London Summer Down...How Many More to Go?
Hey everyone...I must say that the last few weeks have really given me a lot of perception onto a year which I already thought was completely filled with perceptions and insights...
This summer I have been lucky enough to see what life is like working in a big company compared to a small company---what are the benefits and disadvantages...but also to see what finance and consulting are like...What does the future hold for me? That is still a question I am working very hard to answer...
I also have met many new people, strengthened friendships and have only really confirmed my love for London as a city...It will be tough to leave...that is for sure...
On September 21st I move to Chicago for 3-months...I am really looking forward to seeing what life will be like in Chicago after being away for so long. Basically, apart from visits here and there, I have not really lived day-in and day-out in Chicago since I was 21...I know that I have changed a tremendous amount since then and I am wondering if I will still love the city as much as I think I love it right now when all is said and done in December...
One thing that I know I will love for sure is Kellogg...I am very happy with the classes I am taking this upcoming term...and from everyone that I have met, Kellogg seems to have some really cool people on campus...Just brings back memories of when I was a kid and walked around Northwestern with awe...I am really excited to be finally walking back on that same campus, but now as a student...
Other than work---which seems to have completely engulfed my life...Let me tell you...consulting is some LONG hours...but I really like my project so far and I am flying to Geneva for a days next week, so hopefully that should be fun---I really enjoyed my first European summer despite the crap weather in London...
Just the buzz on the streets...the overflowing pubs...the quick little holiday trips...the start of football season...it has been a blast. I had a chance to kick back for a few days in Barcelona...which is NO DOUBT the Miami of Europe...The city is amazing...everything is open until 4AM...people eat dinner at 11pm which I LOVE...and the nightlife is out of control...oh yeah...did I forget to mention that the weather is ridiculous and the beaches are insane?
I am sad to say goodbye to friends for a few months...it is weird as I feel like London is home now, so it does feel strange to be leaving...but I am excited for what the future will bring in Chicago...I have many close friends which I cannot wait to see...and who knows...maybe this is finally the year the Cubs make it to the world series and I will be there to cheer them on!
But not to worry, at least I am leaving London with a bang...Hopefully if things go according to plan, in the next 10 days I will go to my first CHELSEA GAME!!! As well as go to see Ave. Q and PRINCE...
So...Goodbye London...surely not farewell...and Hello Chicago...it's been a while, but it's great to be back...
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