Flora London Marathon

(tower bridge in background)



Two of our classmates (Graeme and Jon) participated in the London Marathon this weekend. A group of went to London to cheer them on. It was great fun to watch all the runners as they jogged past the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. Some of the costumes the runners wore were pretty crazy. We saw some rhinos, paddington bear, cross-dressers, flowers, and human caterpillars! Our friends wore normal jogging clothes. They ran for spinal research and both finished in record time.

In search of a quaint little village in the mountains...

So after a few days in Valencia we were curious to explore outside of the city. We asked a tourists information center for a good day trip to a wee village in the mountains. We invisioned a day hiking through the spanish country-side. However, As we road on the train to the town of Sagunt, we became increasingly concerned. Not just for the rustic, "authentic" grafetti covered Spain we were seeing out the windows, but the general lack of mountains anywhere. Flat as you could see. We get of at our stop and follow signs to the "centro urba" or urban center. BAD idea. We found ourselves in an industrial and EMPTY party of the town. Well, it didnt take too long before we found the historic center of town. And soon our luck turned around. Here the artichture was beautiful and you walked up the winding roads. After the best tapas meal at an outdoor cafe, we hiked the hill to some amazing ancient roman ruins and ampli-theater. The view was impressive.

Semana Santa in Valencia

I spent the Easter Holiday Day weekend with four fabulous friends (Catherine, Johannah, Marty) in Valencia Spain (southeast coast of Spain). Its the 3rd largest city in spain, and from all the construction go on we quickly released it will be home to the 2007 America's cup. Valencia is the city where "El Cid", Spain's national hero, fought against the Moors, but is probably most well known in the US for its delicious oranges - and there are plenty of orange trees. A flood of the city caused the resident to re-route the river, so in the old river bed you find parks, playgrounds, fountains and new cultural buildings and museums. The modern cultureal centers are a stark contrast to the old historcial city centre.

We quickly settled into the Spanish lifestyle of sleeping in late, cafe con leches, a stroll along the beach, seistas, dinner at 9:30 of sangria and paella (watch out for the paella negro - its black from squid ink!) , and out late to hear "authentic spanish" music at a club. We also fit in some shopping and sightseeing. Desserts were not overlooked either, I made it a serious effort to have gelato, at least once a day. Not to mention the hot chocolate so creamy you need a spoon to eat it!

It was a wonderful four day escape from Oxford filled with lots of laughs. A great way to recharge before starting my third and final term.

My Secret Garden

Oxford is full of traditional English spired colleges (as you see on any post card), but inside each of these stone buildings are beautiful gardens and quods that are seen only to college members. Just outside my door is a gate which opens to the Worcester College grounds. While there has been college education on this site since the late thirteenth-century Worcester College was founded only in 1714. Inside the walls of this unassuming college are sporting grounds, a pond, ducks and gardens.




Right: the quod

Left : white ducks sleeping by pond

Back to Sur-reality

I only had enough time before catching my flight to explore 2 floors of the MoMA. Its a beautiful new building (just opened about a year ago I think) which a great collection of Picasso (seen right), Dali, Munch, Pollack, Warhol, Matisse, Van Gogh, O'keeffe and more.

Being a art and museum junkie, my term paper is art related - which is what I am now back in Oxford working on. I am working with a team for a private equity firm in London exploring art as an asset class. Basically, the company buys and sells pieces of art not for the aesthetic value but rather to create better than average market returns. It's a quite interesting project that is a combination of art and finance/commerce.
While, its not fun to be stuck working on a paper over the break, I have a great team to share the load with (shout out to Dan, Ilan, Rachael and Vikram!).

God Bless America

As many of you know I just returned from "the States" where I got to see and catch up with many friends. I started in New York City for some Oxford Alumni events. Alumni from all over North America hosted a reunion at the Waldorf Astoria. Friday night the reception was held in the elegant main ball room. After a beautiful sunny day of walking through Central Park and a bit of shopping, I had a college cocktail reception first at the Waldorf, then another in a 5th Avenune Appt. It was a beautiful appartment hosted by a friend of Kellogg College, with a view of the park. There were about 6 other MBAs from my class who also the weekend events to work on securing summer internship in the US.

Then it was south to D.C. for a quick few days where I got to see many of my old haunts from my days on the hill. I caught up with many friends, co-workers, and several of my favorite restaurants! I had to get back to NYC to catch my flight but not before hitting Soho, Chinatown and the new MOMA. It was a great trip and it was wonderful to have some my American conveniences back for a few days.

(Left: Myself and my friend Jennifer, a classmate from Oxford, at Alumni reception at the Waldorf)

Oxford Town and Gown

Now that the days are longer, and a bit warmer, I have been getting outside more. I have found jogging an excellent de-stresser, plus with a beautiful running path its a nice distraction from studies. Im going to participate in the Oxford 10K Town and Gown race in about a month. Its supposed to be quite funny as many of the runners dress in costumes. Should be a fun experience as they shut down all motor vehicle traffice for the morning in Oxford. Here are some photos of the canal that runs through Oxford. I will also be joining Stacey and Rachel in Madrid at the end of the month - I will NOT be running the marathon with them (see link to right). I will however be cheering them on from the sidelines.... with a sangria!