Day 6
May 17, 2011
DISCLAIMER:
{This post is extra long and I haven't been able to add pictures yet because the internet is too slow to upload the files. So just FYI, you made need to read in parts and/or skim/skip certain sections.
Sorry for the inconvenience. I'll try to spruce this blog up with pictures soon!}
Breakfast at the Premier Inn was delish...even if their internet services were lacking. At least they know how to provide a decent meal. After eating way too much from the buffet (the fresh fruit was a definite plus to our typically high carb diet of late), we walked a few blocks to the London Family History Center (near the Victoria and Albert Museum) for our London “business visit.” It was actually just a lecture from an LDS expat, Ron Judd, who has worked in London for the past eleven years. He was very excited and passionate about what he was talking about, which made it an interesting lecture. Basically, he used his own life story about business and life successes as a motivational speech for us. It was pretty convincing actually. By the end of it even I felt like becoming a cool CEO of an international company and taking on the world...then I remembered that I hate business and would never want to do his job. But he did make some important and pertinent points.
WARNING: Tangential block of words. This is mostly for my benefit as I have to write a paper about my business trip experiences. However, I thought I would include my thoughts in case you're interested. If not, no worries, just ignore the text within the brackets and skip to the next section of this post.
That is all.
{I especially appreciated his assertion that great business/work success can be balanced with personal/family life, although it will come at a high cost. Sacrifices have to be made on both sides, but in the end, if you work hard at it and make family and your personal values a priority, you can find ways to balance them with your work life and still be successful. I think its important to see an example of someone who has done just that. He is the president of a major international company (Maiden Global Holdings, Ltd.) and still able to actively participate in Church callings, attend family activities (e.g. his childrens’ sports games and school functions) while maintaining integrity and high standards in the workplace. I also found his perspective on the challenges and experiences of moving abroad for work to be especially interesting. Apparently, it was a difficult transition for his family to come to London. The culture, people, lifestyle and even the language (although English) were dramatically different. However, they worked through these challenges and eventually came to love London and England and stayed longer (eleven years now) than originally planned (3-5 years).
One of the things I found especially applicable was Judd’s advice to “build your own brand.” Consciously and subconsciously we have a specific “brand” that people associate with us. He encouraged us to be self-aware and begin developing our personal “brands” now, because that is what people, including potential employers and clients, will think of when they see us. This means that we need to determine now what our aspirations, goals and objectives are, personally and professionally, so that we can work to make them align with our ultimate plans for the future. If our aspirations, goals and values are not compatible, then we will run into trouble either professionally or personally (likely both) in the future. I think as members of the Church this is especially important because we have certain values and standards that do not always align with the goals and typical functioning of a business. Sacrifices will almost have to be made and it is our job to determine now what we are willing to give and what we are not willing to give in seeking this balance between our personal and professional careers.
Another important point he made was encouraging education, for both men and women. He used his wife as an example of a lifelong learner. “Education is important in and of itself,” he told us, and urged us to pursue as much learning as possible. I think this is true for everyone because education (both formal and informal) will open doors in life that would otherwise not be available, and enriches your life personally. As a woman, I know that I want to gain a good education so that I can be prepared to support myself and later on even a family, if necessary, and then be more qualified to teach my own children.
The final point I took away from this lecture was the ability to receive constructive criticism. I know that personally I struggle with this talent. I don’t like criticism, constructive or otherwise. However, I appreciated the way Judd approached it. He explained that we should not only be willing to accept constructive criticism, but to actually seek it. Judd used the example of a colleague/employee he had a few years ago. This man was highly intelligent and a great worker and asset to the company. However, whenever his name was mentioned in meetings for possible promotions, the response across the board was negative and disgusted. Why? Because of his appearance. He was a poor dresser (grungy, cheap and unkempt) and his office space was a mess. Because of this, in spite of his impressive work ethic, all that his coworkers could see was a slob, and he was continually passed by for promotion. Judd decided to take initiative on his behalf and inform his friend of the situation. He explained to the man that he had potential to move far in the company, but that he would have to make some changes to his appearance if he ever wanted to progress. The man took this criticism to heart and the following Monday he came to work a new man. Sharp new suit, briefcase and haircut. Spotless desk and office. He was promoted soon after and enjoyed great success in the business. I liked this anecdote because it shows not only the importance of receiving criticism constructively, but also the importance of maintaining a good personal brand. This man was held from promotion multiple times over, not because he wasn’t performing, but because his brand was tarnished. Once he cleaned up his appearance, his brand received a makeover too.
Obviously, criticism can be constructive and ultimately rewarding in business, and in any life situation. However, Judd asserts that it is necessary to not only accept this criticism, but to actively seek it out. He claims that much of his success derives from his desire and initiative to learn and develop himself. How did he accomplish this? By seeking constructive criticism and advice from his coworkers, employers and friends. This kind of attitude of humble learning not only helped him turn his weaknesses into strengths, but it was an attractive quality to his business colleagues, and was certainly a factor in his brand success.
Even though I may not go into business per se, I think this kind of attitude and advice is pertinent in any situation. By seeking constructive criticism and looking for opportunities to learn and improve, I can progress much faster and more effectively than if I go along pretending I already know everything. I think this lecture was one of my favorites so far on the trip because his advice was applicable across the disciplines, both professionally and personally. }
Phew. Okay, sorry about the tangent. I am using this blog for several purposes, one of which is to help me write our final paper at the end of this study abroad. Don’t worry, I won’t be offended if you skimmed through that bit. It was mostly for me, although I think that there were some good points that you might find interesting too.
{View of Trafalgar Square near National Gallery: One of my favorite shots of London}
Here are a few of my favorites:
Renoir
Gauguin
Degas
Leonardo da Vinci
Paul Delaroche Monet
Manet
Cezanne
Van Gogh
Alfred Sisley
Camille Pissarro
Favorite pieces:
“The Execution of Lady Jane Grey” Delaroche, 1833
“The Boulevard Monmartre at Night” Pissarro, 1897
---->this was Pissarro’s only night scene. I love it not only for its beauty, but also because it is a painting of one of my favorite places in Paris (the area of Monmartre by the Sacre Coeur basilica). I can’t help loving everything Parisian. AND it is cool to see an old painting of a place I can actually recognize. It is amazing to me how very little old cities like Paris have changed in a hundred years. That street in a painting from 1897 was familiar to me from 2010. Obviously I can’t help but love this picture.
“The Cote des Boeufs at L’Hermitage” Pissarro, 1877
“Avenue at Chantilly” Cezanne
“The Umbrellas” Renoir “At the Theatre” Renoir
“Van Gogh’s Chair” Van Gogh
“A Wheatfield with Cypresses” Van Gogh
“Farms Near Auvers” Van Gogh
“Miss LaLa at the Cirque Fernando” Degas, 1879
“Three Dancers in Violet Tutus” Degas, 1896
“Ballet Dancers” Degas
“Lake Keitele” Akseli Gallen-Kallela
--->a lake north of Helsinki
{Some of these paintings I first noticed from across the room and it’s amazing how clear nda pure the picture looks. Then you move closer and you can see the detailed strokes. The change in perspective is really quite fascinating. For example, Gallen-Kallela’s painting looked like clear glassy water––it appeared as though you could go touch the canvas and come out wet. Truly beautiful. I love art.}
We only had about an hour to go through the galleries, so we couldn’t see everything. However, I really enjoyed it. I think the fact that I had been there before made me less anxious to move through it quickly, so I just went at my own pace trying to appreciate some of my favorites. The impressionist works in the National Gallery are some of my favorite pieces of impressionist art anywhere. I’m not obsessed with impressionism (I know it is a favorite for many), but there are certainly a few key pieces of artwork that I just love from that genre, so I particularly enjoyed going through that part of the exhibit.
At the end, we waited on a bench for two other girls to come back from another part of the gallery. However, while we were waiting, Heather got up and said she was going to walk around for a bit. Well, right after she left, the other two came back and Heather was no where to be found. We looked through a couple of the nearest rooms but didn’t see her. We don’t have cell phones so we couldn’t call her, and our next business visit at the Bank of England was in fifteen minutes. We considered leaving her, hoping she’d be able to make her way there on her own, but we didn’t feel good about that. It would be like the line from the movie Elf:
“Bye Heather!
Good luck finding the Bank!”
That wasn’t a good plan, so then we were going to have two people wait behind for her and the rest of us would go. Luckily though, she arrived a few minutes later and we all headed for the Bank together. Usually there aren’t any problems with getting lost or falling behind, but when it happens it is always a hassle. It is amazing how convenient cell phones are. Good thing this doesn’t happen a lot.
I won’t bore you too much on the Bank of England visit. Mostly because I fell asleep during the movie presentation. And because I don’t know much about banks, fiscal policy or currency. However, I will say a couple things. The Bank of England is 300 years old (established in 1694) and was nationalized in 1946. The notes issued by the Bank of England are legal tender in the United Kingdom and it backs the Scottish and Irish banknotes. It acts as the central bank for the U.K., similar to the Fed in the U.S. In 1997 the Treasury was put in charge of determining interest rates, instead of the politicians. The Independent Monetary Policy Committee (nine members) assembles to set rates and try to meet inflation rates/goals. The minutes of these meetings are available to the public two weeks after each assembly. All the functioning of the Bank is very transparent.
Okay. Enough of that. If I fell asleep in the presentation, then you certainly aren’t going to be interested by this. Probably.
Now for the fun stuff. Took me long enough...sorry about that...
I wandered around the area a bit with Michael, Hannah and Heather, and found a snack at a chain called “EAT” to tide me over until dinner (we missed lunch). Then we decided to go to King’s Cross Station.
Why?
Because I’m going to HOGWARTS of course!
We took the tube over to the station and walked down the platforms. However, the platform was blocked off by construction. We stopped in front of the ticket turnstiles and stood around in a confused manner. I guess we were talking rather loudly (stupid Americans) because one of the workers standing behind the turnstiles motioned for me to come over. I walked over to him and he told me that the platform had been moved around the corner during the construction, and that we could get there without needing a ticket. I guess a group of four young girls chattering and gesturing confusedly is a dead giveaway. Oh well. I’m just happy he was kind enough to direct me to my destiny!
We hurried around the corner onto the train platform and walked down until we found
Platform 9 3/4.
Life goal: Completed.
Happiness: Achieved.
We took pictures in front of the platform for a few minutes. A cute train worker walked past us to a back room. I asked him if he wanted to come to Hogwarts with us. He didn’t know I was talking to him at first, but then he smiled and said he’s already been several times, but thanks for the offer. In a British accent. Good times.
Then?
I went to Hogwarts.
{That’s why I’ve taken so long to blog. The real reason. They don’t have free wifi in Hogwarts. Everything is by owl. Go figure.}
However, as you may have guessed, I couldn’t stay at Hogwarts for long...hence this form of humdrum Muggle communication. Sad day.
After a magical time at Platform 9 3/4, we walked (in Muggle fashion) to the tube and went back to the theater district for dinner. We had dinner at a place called Wagamama’s, an Asian food restaurant. Incidentally, it is the same restaurant I ate at in London last year with Meridith and Andrea! We ate there upon my recommendation. I’m not sure if I’ve seen them in the states, but they have good food, and a lot of it, for fairly cheap. I think my dish was about £8. So not terrible, considering.
Once we finished our dinner, we walked around a bit. Heather’s foot was killing her, poor thing. She hasn’t been wearing good shoes on these cobblestones, so it has really messed up her feet. The same thing happened to me the first time I went to Paris while in high school. I was literally limping around I was in so much pain. So was Heather, by this point. Her feet ending up being in even worse shape than mine ever were. She could barely walk. Luckily, we were already in the theater district, so it didn’t take too long to find the theater.
Phantom of the Opera.
Showtime: 7:30pm
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Experience:
So good. Our seats were terrible (to be expected at a discount price I guess). The upper half of the stage was blocked from view by the ceiling. Not to mention the fact that a French couple was sitting directly in front of me. And they kept kissing every couple minutes, further blocking my already limiting viewing space. There was an Asian guy next to me who just sat up on the folded part of the seat. He was basically standing the whole time.
Fortunately though, after the intermission, we moved up to the middle in some empty seats that had no viewing limitations. The show was exponentially improved by this. The music was fantastic. I loved it. Although, I feel like the production was a little hyped up. However, I would see it again. I’d like to see it on Broadway and compare them. I’m wondering if the production is better in New York than London. Either way, it was a great show. The music in that play is phenomenal. Way better than Wicked. That play is much too overrated. The rest of the class went to see Les Mis that night, and the following night many went to see Wicked. Personally, I’m happy with my choice of Phantom. How can you beat Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London??
You can’t.
Favorite line "I wont bore you too much on hte Bank vistit. Mostly because I FELL ASLEEP" HAHAHA Your picture going thru the platform is adorable. Glad you enjoyed your theater experience! Sounds so fun :)
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