Oxford Life

Not much has changed at home. (Oxford) When people ask me what I have planed for the weekend, I always end up with a I’m not sure?? But then Friday night I went out to drinks with people from work, so by the time I got into Oxford it was 11pm, Rich had already been to Uni drinks, a Pub and then ended up at a dinner (all the colleges have dinners) to enjoy the open bar. So by the time I got in I meet him and his fellow Uni friends at the Kebab stand, it was time to go home.

Saturday morning I got up early and road my bike to Sainsbury’s to do the weekly shop which had n’t happened for two weeks while I was away. I’m sure while some of the other Oxford Wags (Wife’s and Girlfriends) think I’m crazy, I think at least it makes me exercise and I love having choice in what I buy at the supermarket, instead of only getting to chose from Coles express.

Rich and I had lunch and then he went off to Uni for a group meeting, I did a little cleaning and had a nap. We then went down to the boat Races to watch all the College’s compete and see who would cross the line first and who would bump.
We then went to basket ball, Richard to play and me to watch, after the game we then road home again.
I then went back to finishing the cleaning and Rich went to another Group meeting.
We then went to the Retreat with all the people from that group meeting with their partners for drinks, followed by this Indian Restraint called 4500 miles from Deil, which everyone keeps telling me is the best, but we found this other one in the centre of 0xford when my Parents where over, and the service there is always a thousand times better than what we got at 4500 miles form deil. Plus I love the food at the other place. By 11.30 we where kicked out of the Lamb and Flag (another oxford Pub) and Instead of ending up at the Kings Arms (its open till 1am, so you normally get kicked out about 1.20 am) where pushing our bikes home. Sunday morning both my Nana and Mum called which was nice.

Rich and I watched a movie about an Irish Guitarist, the movie was Ok, but the music in it was really great, I still have the song going though my head. I had a nap, and then got up to go to a class as I really need to do more exercise, the music was good but the teacher was so happy for 3.30 pm on a Sunday afternoon. By the time I picked up a few things at the small Sainsbury and road home, I then started on dinner.

Its now 6.03 am on a Monday morning and I’m glad that I’m writing this instead of trying to sleep as this bus driver has left the lights on the entire way from Oxford to London. In 25 mins I will be sitting at my desk and the day will begin.

New York - New York

Some how I managed to land in New York at 1 am, have the Cab driver work out I am an Australian and so I clearly, needed to see Heath Ledger’s location when he died, it was only the next block up from my hotel. End up on a train to Coney Island; buy a new (cheap) (left the camera at home) digital Camera, pick up breakfast and be in the office by 9.30 am.

Friday night we went out to a trendy bar in the China town area of Manhattan. While I have the wearing all black down pat, I am a long way off the size Zero Manhattan Women.
All my sex in the city has also paid off; I still know where all the funky places in Manhattan are to live eat and go out.
I was surprised by the swearing, I had been lead to believe that the US is very PC, but no….
I am going to go out on a limb and say UK, then US and then Aus in order of least conservative. For dressing and swearing in the office.

While this next part is very politically incorrect, I learn that American Black women never wash their hair. Every week they have it professionally straighten. or A number of them just shave all their hair off and wear a wig.
When it came up why they don’t just wear it naturally, the response was that one of the top constantly companies has a rule against it……
I had never thought about it, till this conversation, I just assumed they where all great at blow drying their hair straight.

On the plane I needed to get a landing form to fill in and the hostess did n’t give me one, so I asked again her response was but you’re not American, Correct, I am Australian, was my response????

The shopping surprised me, last time I had never been to the UK or Europe, but now every where has H&M, Miju, Gap, Esprit, Zara, Abercrombie and Finch.

So while Lush and Start bucks have made it to down under, I wonder how long before you get the exact same shops everywhere in the world, guess that’s why Japan and Amsterdam are so great! (though even Star Bucks has made it to Japan)

While I did n’t make it to shoe mania, I did make it to 34th and 6th.. I love to also walk down 8th West, I love the shoes.

The do something you have never done before is (1) walked down Canel st and (2) Went to Duffies. (not so great)

Still a big fan of Forever 21

Manhattan is still fabulously, but shopping in Manhattan, even when you are poor, on the pound is the only way to go.(not to say Rich is n’t going to take the Amex off me when he sees the bill)

One of the girls from the New York office is going to Oz for a month in April, so I got to educate her about how Entree in Australia is a US Appetiser.

The service even though everyone seemed to complain, was a 1000 times better than in the UK.

Somehow when you travel, while you’re becoming less Australian, e.g. losing the accent, having English Mannerisms, drinking tea. You are never so glad or so proud to be an Aussie : )

Guessing I should mention Miami, well the 27 degrees was great, the humidity not so much and the salted Taffy is in the suitcase.

Face Book

Karen is/has become a face book junkie.

Karen is also pondering the English vs. Australian philosophy to bike safety. E.g. the English approach where you aim for Car drivers not to hit you and so wear a dorky yellow vest. Vs the Australian, let the Car hit you then once you are flying through the air be grateful you are wearing a helmet.

Karen is thinking the combined approach might be best.

Karen has just read Stephs blog and thinks maybe she should have applied for that New York job after all……
(Its funny, but rude)

Karen is also sad because Stu has been made redundant and thinks he has had enough challengers this year, (Karen can write this because English people, don’t know what that word means) but Karen is glad he is well enough to come back to work so they can do lunch.

Karen needs to get over her sad face book addiction.

A Oxford Weekend

Last weekend was a typical Oxford weekend. Friday Night drinks at the Uni Bar, for once though we actually went home for dinner. ( I was still suffering from that Train crash feeling)
Saturday, I was starting to feel more like myself and attended the Oxford Said Women’s Network event. Saturday afternoon we managed to buy Rich a suit, very big achievement, not always the easiest thing to buy a 6 foot 5 guy a suit. .

Saturday night a Bop. (Just like Oxford calls the hat and gown Subfusc, they also have a name for a Party – Bop) I love to go to a party and chat to absolutely everyone and as the bulk of the people are either MBA students, their Partners with a few French exchange student’s in-between in was a really fun night. Though I was a little concerned about the weight limit on the balcony and amazed that the neighbours, did n’t complain with the huge number of people.

Sunday, not so exciting, but after convincing Rich that he had to lower the seat on his bike for me, that I may be tall but not that tall, I set off for the BIG Sainsbury’s. Nothing quite like doing the weekly shop(e.g. going to Coles or Woolworths) and riding the bike past a paddock (Mmm maybe it’s a field over here??) of Mooing Cows, also road over some streams as well but since I daily walk over three Bridges, just to get to the Bus stop. My ducks, Swans and Streams are unfortunately taken for Granted. I do appreciate how old and green Oxford is though and even though I may lack sleep, Oxford is no London.

Sleep

Oxford is starting to feel even more like home. (Not sure for Rich though, How can a Queenslander be at home in England?? ....but time will tell)

Though Rich is doing hours of study and I get to spend hours on the bus, there are still never enough hours in the day….

One of the things in the last two weeks, which comes to mind, would have to be watching the Rugby world cup with all the South Africans at the Rhodes University. Nothing quite like the atmosphere while drinking very cheap Vodka beside a Painting of Bob Hawke and Bill Clinton.

Last week I think the lack of sleep had caught up with me and I was feeling like I had been hit by a train but I still went out with the Oxford Wife’s for catch up during the week. I am so glad I went. While there is the Oxford Partners Club, they do things all the time but its always during the working week. But catching up with the wife’s and Girl Friends of the other MBA students, many who also either Bus, Train or drive to London everyday. Maybe its that united feeling of lack of sleep? But all the partners also from all over the world have had really interesting Career paths as well. Left me smiling all the way to Friday.

The Cat

When Richard said we had a cat, I though he was talking about my white rug, so I was rather surprised to learn that, we really did have a cat. (or did that Cat have humans?? being a dog person, I’m not sure I am experienced to say)

The window now stays almost closed, with a tiny gap – so the cat can’t stop in when ever it wants.

This Cat, its not stupid, onto the bed or if you not fast enough walks in the font door, like it owns the place, probably did before we moved in when the place was empty.

Dear English people,

Something us Aussies do really well is have this stuff called fly screen, it keeps out all the moths, mozzies and spiders - also cats.

Please think about investing in some.

Oxford life

I feel a little guilty about not coming down to London on the weekends, but with 16,000 students Oxford has a pretty good night life.

And what are we here for.... really?

So after work drinks on Friday night its back on the bus, home to Oxford.

By the time you attend the lunch, followed by catching up with the other MBA students at the pub on Saturday night, a stop in at the ice cream shop that’s open till midnight. (well something has to be the last coffee shop shuts at 8pm and it’s a Krispy Cream’s – not sure its actually counts as coffee) it really feels like the weekend just flies’ by.

Last weekend we also managed to squish in catching up with one of the girls from work who also lives in Oxford.

By the time Richard does his hours of Study and I run up to the shops and back again to get what I have forgotten. And then the staying on top of the washing…

Its back to work.

Oxford to Brighton

There is clearly something about Wednesday’s; maybe Wednesday should be my working from home day. I have slept in and am now on the 6am Bus out of Oxford.

Yesterday, was another lovely day down at Tech in Brighton. (Lovely because of the people, not the rain)

The time it took to get their though I could of gone to Kazakhstan and back, while still doing 8 plus hours of work.

Old or Crazy?

What can I say, it was a really bad day at work, but some how I’m really calm.

I’m still my normal self e.g. I worked all the way home on the bus till 11.30 pm on the issue and then when I got to work at 6.50 am back working on it again, so I know I still have my drive but yet I don’t feel stressed, I’m not crying. Is it living in Oxford and being able to completely escape it or does Richard make me sain? Or am I just getting hard and old?

Couple of people at work are leaving, one of them a little bitter, I can see they have poured their heart and soul into work and I think they have nothing left. They are going to take a few months off and just do lunch, don’t think I could ever do that.

Your not going to believe the number of passwords and user ID I have to remember now. One to turn on my computer, anther to log onto my computer one to connect to the bus network, one to connect to the work network, and then one for every email account and blog account I have.

Can life get any crazier?

The Internet is for...

I love the Internet, I love that feeling of being in touch with the world 24/7. I also love hearing about all the cool new stuff and hearing what the latest tech geeks had to say about what the next Internet BIG idea is. But everything always seemed to be at 3 am for Australia.

I also worked out that I wanted to be in this team, the people in this team where the best of the best, they where the Internet Gods.

So I set up meetings with VPs and directors asked them for feedback on what I needed to do to achieve my goal. Set out action steps with small mini goals along the way. I showed my CV to any one and everyone and asked them to spell check it, provide feed back and more “IT” words. I spent hours on the phone to my Nana practice for Interviews. And then I looked for “ME” jobs and I applied. Lets face it I even went all the way to the best place on earth Manhattan to network.

And now I have that Job, I am in “The Team” and the cool Tech geeks come and speak to us face to face in fung swa rooms. (mind you, you still can’t get a glass of water if its not in a designated break in this crazy land)

This cool Tech geek, who among other things, won an award for top 50 - best Interactive Marketing campaign in the world, told me the most important thing in the world is to be in love.

Damm maybe I should of just stayed in Australia?


Nar….


: )

The Bus

At this time of the morning your choice of buses is limited. You can go to Gatwick and Heathrow or London. One good thing though is that it’s so early that the weather is still in bed.

On Tuesday, I caught the bus home with Nina, (who also lives in Oxford) so it was almost like I was still at work, we where both doing emails and conference calls, just shearing a battery pack, as the Internet seems to suck them dry on the bus.

My Parents are currently in Townsville with my Nana staying at my brothers place, so I can’t wait to call my Nana on Friday and talk to her as its been ages since I have talked to her or my parents, with moving and going to Spain.

One great thing about London is that all the chick shops also sell men’s clothes, they finally worked it out. While in Aus their is the husbands chair and when they are really smart a netendo or play station. But in the UK Zara, topshop, Next - actually sell Mens clothes as well, very smart move.

My Parents are currently in Townsville with my Nana staying at my brothers place, so I can’t wait to call my Nana on Friday and talk to her as its been ages since I have talked to her or my parents, with moving and going to Spain.

Back to the real world

After Spain, London was such a shock to the system, mind you I think it did actually turn into winter the day Richard arrived, when it was 6 degrees when I meet him at the airport, but it is efinitely cold now.

Apparently if this was Richards blog this entry would be dedicated to the diesel Kia, that Richard drove the remaining stuff at Nic’s house to Oxford in.

I will say for such a small car it fitted a lot for junk into it and took on the M40 motor way, very well.

There are still two boxes to unpack. (both mine) But other than that our damp little shoe box is almost there, the next place is defiantly having a bigger wardrobe.

Last Saturday, we had a little mini reunion in London as this coming weekend is my 10 year high school reunion in Australia. Ben was over so it was great to catch up again, with the rest of us who live over here full time.

Last weekend was also spent with the Oxford wife’s, kind of grateful after the previous conversion about the political situation in Jordon, though I do feel I can hold a conversation with all these Oxford MBA students and be on par. They are all very interesting to talk to most of the time and come from such diverse backgrounds, all over the world.

Richards uni course though, mega hours, crazy and so many exams. Also sounds really fun and inspiring. Maybe this will kick me into gear….

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the importance of the political situation in Jordon, but it was late Saturday night, I had been to London all day and was just stuffed. More interested in a light hearted conversation. Very different to the conversation over lunch with Anthony, Lisa P, Ro and Ben. For those of you who know Anthony you will know what I’m talking about…

I am never quite sure what to wear to these Oxford things as smart casual is a business suit and tie. Which is completely different to the world at work and every etiquette course I have done.

Spain

As Richard needed a break before hitting the books and I was in need of some much needed sun, we are currently in Barcelona.

For once I actually managed to go to a country at the perfect time, it's currently the Spanish "before the start of winter festival", so we have seen lots of Spanish dancing and human pyramids. Richard is currently out at a Spanish guitar performance.

We caught up with James (he did his summer internship with work in London) who is doing is MBA in Spain and he took as to a great Tapas Restaurant. I love eating where the locals do the food is always fantastic and this place was no exception.

James was also good enough to suggest we climb Tibidabo (the largest mountain in Barcelona), so by the time we climbed to the very top and then the very top of Temple Del Sagrat Cor (which for some reason also has an amusement park beside this lovely old church, in the middle of the wilderness, at the top of the mountain) I was very grateful for the bus, tram and train ride down.

The beach and sunshine has been greatly appreciated, so to everyone in London, I definitely recommend a stop over.
Richard decided that we definitely needed to experience the never ending meal in Spain, so today we had our two hour meal, I didn't think it would ever be possible to eat that much food. But if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything.

Spain has been another great country, but I am just so excited to get back to London so we can move into Oxford. I am sure Thursday is going to be crazy (move in day) and Friday I will end up scrubbing the place from top to bottom but I still can't help being excited.

Bet Pommy is too, so we can move our junk off her living room floor. Very Big Thanks Nic : )

On the tube again.

(This is a bus that runs between London and Oxford)

After moving out of Chiswick Yesterday I was completely exhausted. I was so grateful for staying at Pommys and having her cook me dinner.

Similar to that feeling when you Grandma/Nana makes you food.

Pommy after all these years still has this ability to make me laugh. Pommy (Nic) used to come over for the English school holidays and go to school with us in Aus. She last came back to Aus for Rach’s wedding. So Richard and I have known her for over 10 years.

I unfortunately had a work presentation to do, but in between I had to run home and do the move out thing. Our check out Lady is clearly deprived of all communication with the outside world and could talk a goldfish in to rolling over and committing suicide through drowning rather than listening to her.

But it did pay off as the little things she was n’t happy with she cleaned her self or Richard and I fixed. (Think Alex was secretly grateful when her move in Man turned up so she could escape.)

So a lot of laughs, yummy dinner, 1 glass of wine and Richard and I where dead to the world.

Life is looking up…

I now have a boy friend who had more than a guitar and BA PJs.

Guess its just as well he went first class to London, else he might be in the nud and Alex and Addriaan probably would n’t of appreciated this.

Its Friday!

I am really excited now....

Everything is in complete Crazyness

Rach Geary is staying on our coach, Richard gets here in 3 days and 8 hours and 15 mins

Working is still going at full throttle

I need to do some study and go for a run before I kill myself on the 10k run this weekend.

12 months on

Today is my 12 month anniversary. (of living in London)

I really appreciate now the fact that I went home in April, it makes you realise what you have at home.

But then I guess also why I don't want to go back yet....

The World

How can it be six years since Sep 11?

Unfortunately, I don't feel we have improved, the world is still rather depressing just thinking about Africa leaves me depressed....

How did we live without "The Chasers war on everything"

New York, New York

While London is no New York, the only thing that sleeps in this city is the tube.

And myself on any remotely comfortable object, hallway, on top of my bed fully dressed, Lounge room floor, or bus back from Oxford – Guess Adriaan my other flat mate will be looking forward to coming home and not having to step over me.

The Last month has been a whirl of trips to Oxford, my first ever cruise down the Thames, the London festivals and the Theatre.

Going out with the Girls from work has been so much fun, a number of them are also Australian and have been here for a number of years, makes me kind of feel like I haven’t really left.

My iPod is full of London theatre music, which I think my flat mates are over the moon about as I no longer play this at full volume on the stereo through our flat.

I am working out of Brighton again tomorrow, I don’t know how many more times I am going to get down their, as I like being down their for the entire day, else it takes a huge chunk out of the day and coming from Oxford, this will be a mission.

Its another crazy week as everyone from Europe is over, last night at dinner their where only 2 English people! Even though 5 of us from the London Office went as we are Swedish, Japanese and Australian.

Its also a great week as Stu, my lovely friend from work has been given the all clear after four rounds of chemo http://stustcdiary.blogspot.com/

6 days till Richard gets here
8 days till I am homeless

London is great again!

London is great again.

I can't believe it where have I been this year???Sex in the City the movie is coming out!!! in 2008.

Mmm how can I convince Richard that New York is only 7 1/2 hours away and that we really should go see it in New York???

Then we could do the Sex in the City tour ......again : )
And then sex in the City's Manhattans 50 memorable Locations.

All day my boss has been saying allrighty then, which is straight from the movie, but somehow I don't think he realises this...

Life is great

http://www.hbo.com/city/

p.s. Note the spots below, see I don't have a Dalmatian obsession, SJP wears spots as well