London is SMALL

Sure, there's around 8 MILLION people here, but ya know what, it's a small world after all. Granted it feels a lot smaller since everyone I know is primarily concentrated in one area consisting of the LBS bubble and the Baker Street area, but I am still baffled when I run into people or find out so-and-so knows so-and-so, etc. Case-in-point, I am sitting in my office (and by my office, I mean my favorite Starbucks on Baker Street). It's my fave because it has an underground area lounge, basically a cave with no windows, where you can go once you've got your coffee at street level. It's like a hide out. Anyway back to my story. I am tap tap tapping away on my laptop and I briefly look up and who is sitting at the table directly in front of me, but my professor from my first class at LBS. My only professor I've had so far at LBS actually since I've only had 1 official class so far (I waived stat thank goodness).

In other updates, I had lunch with my study group earlier today. The guy in our group from Tokyo took us to a very authentic Japanese restaurant. Had some good sushi and sashimi.. quite yummy and indeed authentic. Also noteworthy - I have booked my trip to Stockholm and will be traveling there with a ton of other LBSers the first weekend of October. 30 quid for a flight to Sweden? Don't mind if I do! Oh and also - 5 Brunswick Mews will be holding a housewarming party this Saturday night hosted by yours truly. M and I plan to head to the liquor store later this week in search of a case of champagne. yes people, a case. Unfortunately with the student budget, it won't be Veuve Clicquot, but we'll throw a strawberry in there and people won't know the difference, right? Aaaanyway, gotta run to school to print some stuff. Hope all is well with everyone back stateside. xx

Notting Hill Carnival!

"Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe. Every year the streets of West London come alive, with the sounds and smells of Europe's biggest street festival. Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, over 40,000 volunteers and over 1 million Notting Hill carnival revellers."

Ah the Notting Hill Carnival... one of the highlights in London of the year. Think of it as London's take on the Carnival in Brazil. I viewed it more as a cross between Carnival and a massive State Fair (minus anything and everything on a stick). The parade was quite fantastic, very ornate costumes, and there were local flavors of countries around the world. I got to try authentic South African food, for example. The crowds were horrendous though and Notting Hill Gate tube stop was even closed due to all the people flooding in. Luckily I was close enough at Marble Arch to walk along Hyde Park to the event, but I must say, it was a bit MENTAL! The area was trashed as well - rubbish piled up next to every tree and fence - and lost of drunken people wandering around with open bottles. Note-to-self, need to mentally prepare for this event next time (I had come straight from class and wanted a leisurely stroll through Notting Hill lol). Fun times nonetheless! I've provided a few pictures I snapped (not the best photography skills here, sorry!)

My flat: part dos

I’m finally settled into my flat at 5 Brunswick Mews. Loving my flat and my new ‘hood. It’s a short walk from all the amenities including TONS of adorable cafes, a street lined with authentic Lebanese cuisine, Marble Arch and Hyde park a couple blocks away, Pret A Manger and Starbucks down the street, Waitrose and Tesco grocery stores… and the list goes on. It really is the lovely charming 4-bedroom flat that I share with 3 other MBA 2012 students: 2 guys and a girl. It’s a Brazilian (from Brazil), an Egyptian (from Egypt), a New Yorker, and me. I feel oh-so-European as a flat-share like this is quite common abroad.

Since the flat came unfurnished, we rented the big items, but one thing was evident: we had to go to IKEA. What better way to bond with the new flatmates than a trip to IKEA? As fun as it is to move in and get situated, I was dreading the trip to IKEA. You always end up spending way more time than allocated, way more money than anticipated, and way more stuff than you really need. But off we went in search of select items that would fit our student budgets…

A successful trip indeed and 700 quid later, they delivered everything to our door step that night. Sa-weeeet.

My hands may still be raw from building Swedish furniture, but the outcome was quite nice…




Plenty of room for visitors indeed! So glad I brought my 1000 thread count sheets, West End duvet, and heavenly pillow with me from the states. What a pain to schlep them over but I am thankful every night I sink into my bed. This city makes me so tired, and I am happy to report that I have been sleeping like a rock every night – no ambien needed – and the lovely mews that we are in protects us from the noise of the thousands of tourists shopping on nearby Oxford Street or the echoes of Hyde Park/Speaker’s Corner.

So the boys. They crack me up. I think the Egyptian had maid service of some type his whole life because he does not know how to use an oven. I looked over at the oven the other night and sitting in there was a dinner plate of food. He had put his dinner on a plate and proceeded to cook it in the oven ON the dinner plate! I laughed for a good 20 minutes. He looked perplexed.

Another thing I find funny. They slip their shoes off immediately at the steps {see photo}. Wouldn’t want to waste any time putting them neatly to the side right? After all, b-school is all about time management!