Hakuna Matta

Last Monday was a colleague’s going away party after work. The entire office went out together and this type of British office culture is one that is entirely new to me. I have been out with co-workers before but this was something entirely different. Long story short, we partied. The next morning I was one of the few people into the office on time as everyone else straggled looking haggard. Including Monday night, last workweek was fun. For work, I have gone to a couple of Gorkana breakfasts. These are morning breakfast receptions where public relations professionals come and listen to the editorial staff of various British press publications. We learn about the best ways to pitch stories to the editor or a certain section of the paper. A couple of weeks ago I attended the one for the Financial News and this past Wednesday was for The Observer, which is a Sunday only paper on business and economics that is affiliated with The Guardian. On Thursday, I went to lunch with my consultancy’s CEO. I found him to be a highly intimidating northern Irishman until we sat down for lunch. I was appreciative for the chance to break the ice with him as well as get to glean some of his PR knowledge.

My kitchen before the Ministry of Sound

On Saturday night, I went out for Mary’s birthday to one of London famous dance and concert venues called the Ministry of Sound. I kept calling it the Ministry of Music until a co-worker corrected me, while Mary kept calling it the Sound of Music. Luckily, we figured it out and made it there.

On Sunday, we went to the musical, The Lion King, at Lyceum Theatre. IT WAS THE MOST EPIC PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN. I am in love with it. The costumes and set were incredible. My favorite costumes belonged to the elephant with one person in each leg, and the giraffes (people on stilts moving with the grace of a real giraffe). The space was used wonderfully with the cast in the aisles and the balconies were used to make it look like birds were flying overhead during the circle of life song. It was magical. (Click this link and as the page loads you will get to glimpse what I saw. http://www.disney.co.uk/MusicalTheatre/TheLionKing/)

Hakuna matta