Sailing in Croatia

words can hardly discribe how stunning this last the dalmatia coastline was. we had 2 boats, 17 MBAs, 4 islands, 2 caves, 1 cliff jumping, and countless memories. Sailing which I have never done before is Fantastic and the Adriatic Sea was spectacular. It is easy to see why the region has inspired so many stories and legends. We would spend most days on the boat stopping to swim in lagoons. Each evening we docked in a new harbor for yummie fresh seafood. It was a surreal way to wrap up the year.
 

Keble Dinner

The Sports and Social Committee of our MBA class hosted a formal 5 course dinner in one of the old colleges of Oxford, Keble. Over 200 people attended sitting at 5 Looong tables. It was a special evening to be with friend and family as we toasted the year, friends, family and the future.

An interesting note, is that this dining hall was actually the first choice for filming the Harry Potter dining hall scenes, but it was already booked for an educational conference.
 

Family Comes to Town!

The Claytons made the treck across the pond to visit me for the Graduation events. It was great fun to show them around and show them off to all my friends. We also had a nice visit with the President of my College and the Registrar. Not to mention the unbelievably nice english weather!
 

The Sheldonian Theather - End of Course!

Our end of course ceremony was held in the Sheldonian Theater - 500 years old. It was quite long but at least -as it was pointed out by Lord Patton - Chancellor of Oxford University that at least it was no long conducted in Latin. Following the ceremony was a reception in the modern courtyard of the Said Business School. LAST TIME to wear the "Harry Potter" outfit!

LAST Exam

What is more fun that taking a cummulative exam with 225 other MBA's at the examination hall in subfusc? the tradition of going to the Turf -famous Oxford pub amoung students- for a pint (s) after your exam.
 

Rural American flare comes to Oxford

What happened to my little town?!? Im walking down the same quiet street I always do, to get coffee at my favorite shop and I round the corner to find a GIANT american-style carnival with rides, games, cotton candie, big stuffed animals and something that was labled "Texas Steak"! I see Beyonce and Usher silk-screened on a ride next to one of Oxford's 500 year old buildings. It was a strange juxtaposition!

Appearently it is part of a Traveling Carnival that comes to Oxford for 2 Days each year. While the 2 blocks of stands does not rival the acres of entertainment at the Texas State Fair, it is the largest and one of the most popular fairs in the UK.

what happened to my little town?

Castles, Sheep and Rain

While in the Brecon Beacon National Park we did some hikes. Below is a picture of us walking in the rain and above is a view from the top of a mountain. We hiked 3 miles to reach the top and nearly were blown into the welsh countryside. seriously, I have never experienced such strong wind. It was a blast inspite (or mabye because) of the weather. On the way back to Oxford we drove through the Wye Valley - the birthplace of british tourism. There you find lots of castles and ruins like Tinten Abby build by Cisertcian monks in 1131!

Mini-Break to the Welsh Country

We turned in our final papers on Friday September 1 and a few of us headed off for the weekend. We headed to Wales for some nature hikes and castles -- and a little R&R in a B&B! In case, you have never seen the welsh language it is interesting old celitic language. To many consanants for one word. Ysbrydoledig. defnyddid. cyrhaeddwch.

Here we are relaxing at the Penpergwn Lodge.

some of my favorite sights

As I approach the 1 year anniversary of arriving in Oxford, I realize there are some little things I see everyday that I really enjoy. I have a couple different 3-5 mile loops I do when I run and on the last couple I took my camera. These are 2 of my favorites. The view of Oxford "skyline" across Christ Church meadow and the other is Observatory Street in Jericho- where every house is a different color.

"What do you do with a BA in English?"

Went to "Avenue Q" the smash hit from Broadway is playing in London's Leister square. For those skeptical of muppet show, let me suggest this show is really clever. Its about a kid who graduates from college, and is trying to figure out what to do with his life. Aside from the fact, graduating from a masters program is no different, the silly child-like songs mixed with adult content had the whole audience rolling with laughter.

When I'm not in London, I've been keeping busy job hunting and working on our summer project - which we will finish this week (keep your fingers crossed!). I had a surprise visitor this weekend, when Ali (from DC) came intown. He got the 3 hour tour of Oxford sights and pubs.

I cannot believe I'm so close to finishing! Final CUMMULATIVE examination is Sept. 7. Whole family is coming for graduating cermonies. Then I'm going sailing in Croatia for 5 days with 2 boats full of MBAs. The exact plans for after that have not yet be finalized, but you can bet I will be headed to Tejas soon -- at least for the short term.

Strategic Consulting in London

Our summer project is rolling along. We went friday to IBM's south bank office in London for a meeting with our project sponsor (we dont have to go everyday which is nice since the trains in the summer are often hot and unpredictable). If you have not looked a the link on the side of this page to the Summer MBA projects blog you should... its really cool to see my friends all over the world (India, Nigeria, Peru). I have some serious travel envy!


It was also a good chance to catch up with an old Blue Mountain Ranch (summer camp) buddy, Will, who was in town with his new law firm. Congrats on the job offer Will!

Sonic : our new flatmate?

So last night my flatmate heard something moving under the stairs -- a closer look reveal this little guy in a shopping bag. For some reason we have been seeing alot of hedge hogs around Oxford this summer - just didn't expect to see one in our own house! Of course, what do you do when you find a hedge hog in a bag? well you take pictures and run to show all your neighbors!

The Wind and the Willows

After a day in Manchester, I went to Glossop to see my aunt Karen who was in town for work. Glossop is a town on the edge of Derbyshire and the Peak District. Karen was stayin a charming B&B(where each room was named after a character from the wind and the willows stories), and we had some lovely hikes in Glossop and the nearby town of Hayfield. Interesting English trivia fact: the difference btwn a city and a town is whether or not it has a cathedral in it, ie you have to have a cathedral to be a city.

(england rose)

high tea

Manchester

England's second biggest city, home to 3million people, 50 thousand students and the Mancester United team - was hosting a jazz festivale this weekend. In an effort to see more of the UK before leaving I headed up north for the weekend.

Summer in the City

One of my favorite things about London are the urban parks, tucked in between bu. I have been going back and forth a bit to London and like finding new parks to lunch in. We also have been gathering for thursday happy hours in various london pubs for all the MBA's who are in London or Oxford for the summer.

Tour d' Angleterre

Lance Armstrong watch out! we biked 17+ miles today! and while I think I will resting the rest of the night, it was an awesome day. We decided to bike to Blenheim Palace -birthplace of Winston Churchill and home of the 11th century Duke of Marlborough- which we thought was just about 4-5 miles away. It was a bit further, but we had a lovely day getting out side of Oxford and biking along the canal.