Spending this week on campus, seeing the fresh intake of MBA2007 (rightly) excited by their new life (and struggling with their statistics pre-programme) and getting to know them, I can’t help but remember me one year ago and of all the great stories that append and made that year so special to me. This was reinforced tonight by the clubs fair which was the first occasion for our class to get together and socialise after our summer break, filled with internships.

There are many stories, anecdotes and small facts that I’d like to capture for my old days (and my autobiography – a future best seller of course) and I think I’ll try to write some of them during the next week which is completely free and that I plan to dedicate to sleep and relaxation.

As they come to my mind:

My arrival in London and my two first weeks, staying (camping?) at the Goodenough College near King’s Cross, struggling to put my brain back to student work on stats and basic accounting.

The great friendship that I built with my study group over many challenges (high ropes, MOB experiences, case studies, drinks, more case studies and more drinks).

The hilarious Squirrel story with John on the morning before orientation day – which I was reminded tonight when passing in front of Lord’s Cricket Ground on my bus ride.

The surreal New-York trip to New-York with Amit – actually, I think I’ll have to get a few authorisations before writing this one if I want to tell the full story…

The School Band gigs ?

The infernal first term – damn.

The first night working to 4 o’clock to handle our first MOB and Ethics papers – John and many others were around on the campus that night…

That evening at David’s place in Soho and walking back home afterwards on a cold January night.

The pub crawls after the last exam of each term. And the other ones – extended sundowners…

Spending (very valuable “workable”) hours speaking about nothing or very serious stuff with my flatmates up to late in the night.

Having my friends coming over and spending an evening at the Oxo tower and later at the Electric Ballroom (a heavy-metal club) in Camden Town.

Really enjoying London, especially with Raquel on week-ends, going to the movies, wandering in the neighbourhood (Maida Vale, Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden).

My two-week vacations in Hawaii when we both learned to surf – what an amazing part of the world (but then, which one is not if you think about it).

There are also the not-so-funny stories like feeling alone sometimes and leaving Raquel at the Eurostar terminal almost every Sunday afternoon.

I’m sorry for the nostalgic almost war-veteran tone, maybe that’s tonight’s beer talking. :)

Sure, I’m going to miss living in London this term and it’s going to be weird commuting every week but that’s the low cost MBA – no rent in London as Raquel has to stay in Paris anyway.

Anyway, there are still a lot of fun and great moments to come and my term on exchange in UCLA will bring its share of good stories too. So, stay tuned!