Slack - Week 6!

I know. it is now week 6 and my last post was week minus one! life is that hectic. the socialising has given way to hard core studying. trying to get back into student mode has been tough but rewarding. i thought approaching studies as though it were a job would be effective however i quickly learnt that far more hours were required.

so, what has transpired in the past 7 weeks? here is the a brief summary of the highlights:

• met the balance of my classmates from all over the world. 216 people from 41 countries;
  
• played my 1st (and last) match for the Blues. 20 minutes in a victory against Newbury;
  
• have been rowing on the Isis with the college boat club (my 1st time in an eight);
  
• continued socialising and sampling of Oxford pubs;
  
• discovered a quality late night kebab shop (Indian style) on Cowley rd for the late night snack stop;
  
• Attended the OUANZ (Australia & NZ society) BBQ;
  
• Heard Michael Douglas speak at the Oxford Union - a relatively short session (40 mins) though he was quite candid in answering any question that was put to him. Touched on his early days at UC santa barbara, relationship with his father, certain of his films, catherine zeta jones and the actor with whom he would most like to appear (Jack Nicholson). He also discussed his UN role as an ambassador for happiness and particular his role in the subject area of disarmament. He was engaging, articulate, intelligent and personable. Enjoyable though slightly too short for my liking;
• Fortunately my group seems to have diverse backgrounds to cover off different subject areas: Chad (US - trader); Lisa (Swedish - IT); Vaibhav (Indian - family textiles business); Ruchir (Indian - Accountant); and Diego (Argentine who worked in IT at the UN in Geneva).
• Attended some careers events - amazing that although we're not even a term in there are people applying for investment banking jobs and the like. I have managed to speak to some people about management consulting & the careers service has run some valuable training on CV preparation, presentation skills & interviewing skills

• Attended my 1st ever BOP (a kind of college party) at Linacre College;
• Played rugby for Pembroke - like a man amongst boys. I scored a try and set up 3 more!
• Went for a ramble (ie walk) in the Cotswolds countryside with the Master and graduate members of Pembroke. Very pleasant afternoon - Finn enjoyed himself immensely and then we retired to a pub in the town of Burford for a well deserved roast lunch and pint.
• heard Steve Wozniak (the technical brains behind Apple and co-founder with Steve Jobs) talk at the business school
• played an internal MBA class soccer tournament against the other sections -despite not having any reserves & no star player, our team work and aggression combined to deliver a well earned victory!
• heard Pat House, co-founder of Siebel Systems, speak at the business school. She was passionate, engaging, intelligent and very driven. Her key message - love what you do!
• etc etc

life is busy! i'll post again soon.