London Summer
August 9, 2011
Since I am transitioning from a UK system to the US, my summer was cut short to just under 8 weeks. In which, I took up an internship at a social investment fund here in London. This is the 2nd time I have spent summer in London, and I remember just how much I love it. Sure the constant 60…
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Taste of Cameroon in London
July 16, 2011
After nearly one year of leaving Cameroon, I finally visited a Cameroonian restaurant. I don’t think I’ve been that happy since I left that country. Le Maestro Bar & Restaurant is located in southeast London by Deptford Bridge. I first learned of this place when attending a talk on Cameroon a few months ago. For months, Autumn (the other Cam…
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My Battle Hymn with Tiger Mom
July 10, 2011
During my French Riviera vacation, I polished off Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. I first heard about this book from Amy’s WSJ article, “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior” and literally laughed out loud while alone in my dorm room. I told myself the day after exams were over, I’d indulge in this book. I finished the…
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LSE MPA Books
July 8, 2011
GV 478: Political Science and Public Policy Shepsle and Bonchek: Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior, and Institutions. EC 440: Micro and Macro Economics (for Public Policy) Varian: Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach. 5th Edition. Frank: Microeconomics and Behavior. 8th Edition. Mankiew: Macroeconomics. 6th Edition. EC455: Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis Stock and Watson: Introduction to Econometrics. 2nd Edition. DV441: Development Policy…
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Frolicking Along the French Riviera
July 3, 2011
Before those two months of intense exam prep, I knew I would need something to look forward to. My world-traveling sister happens to be spending the summer in Cambridge, so we booked a trip to the South of France before her summer classes commence. When two people enjoy globetrotting around the world, it’s difficult to be at the same place…
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Facebook Hiatus, or rather, Detox
June 25, 2011
So remember that Facebook Hiatus that I went on? I went off of the Hiatus and back on Facebook a few days ago. The 68-day ban came to a close. Rather than a hiatus, I felt the experience was more like a detox – much like when people go on spa vacations or yoga retreats. It was good to remember…
Read MoreLSE MPA: the Good Stuff
June 24, 2011
So, it occurred to me that I may have been a bit harsh on the LSE. I blame it on my Asian upbringing where I demand improvement even when things are already really good. Tiger Mom in the making, anyone? (I just started reading Amy Chua’s book: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. But that’s another post for another day.)…
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Academic Purgatory
June 21, 2011
Phew! I’m done with my first and hopefully final (given I passed everything) set of LSE exams!! This honestly has been the worst academic purgatory I have ever endured. It was just so… long, and painful. Cramming 5, year-long courses worth of information in my head is definitely not anyone’s definition of fun. The evidence that this was horrible? I…
Read MoreNew Changes to the LSE MPA
June 18, 2011
Since my last post on the LSE MPA, there have been some significant changes made to the curriculum. How did I find out about the new changes? An email from my blog reader. This in and of itself should raise concern over the level (or lack thereof) of communication between administration and the student body. So, what are the changes?…
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Lonely Londontown?
June 9, 2011
I am tired. For the past few weeks, I have been holed up at a two-story Starbucks in central London prepping for my first exams at the LSE. This British system is difficult to adjust to. I have no idea how the exams are graded and thus my mood swings all day between “oh my goodness, I am going to…
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