Trinity Term - the Beginning of the End

Just a quick review on the first couple of weeks back in Oxford. Because of the MBA Olympics on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of week 5, four of my week 1 classes were brought forward to the Thursday and Friday of 0 week. Therefore, I am well into the work and approaching my first round of assessment deadlines next week.

Highlights have included attending the Exter College Ball on the Saturday of 0 week and a moving ANZAC Day memorial service in the stunning chapel of New College. With the warmer weather and longer days there has been a temptation to spend the early weeks enjoying the outdoors and it is true that England is coming alive after a cold, grey winter. Happy hour drinks last Friday were for the first time since my arrival at Oxford, consumed outside the building to capture the last of the evening sun and led to a group dinner at Kazbah.

My Irish mate Tom organised a BBQ on Saturday afternoon which I attended and I again enjoyed the sun playing softball with my American mates until the late faded at about 8pm. I feeling a sense of urgency to make the most of the weather and the remaining opportunities I have to meet new people and forge firm friendships with my MBA class.

Having said that I have begun to reach out and reconnect with my old friends and attending lunch last Sunday with the Stone family in their home in the suburb of Brockley in London. It was very nice to catch up with Niamh and Andy having attended their wedding in Scotland only days after my arrival in late September 2006.

There is a pervading sense within me that my time in Oxford is drawing to a close. Perhaps this is brought on by my new, additional focus on post MBA employment. I plan to make the first of my trips to London to meet with contacts and recruitment agents next week.

Till next time, take care.

Cheers,
Doug.