And we're back in business

It's like Christmas break never happened. It's Monday morning 11.20 and I'm already up to my ears in Finance again. And to be honest, although my first instinct is to moan and whine again (since that what I'm supposed to do, right? You moan and b**ch about going to lectures, that's what students do), but then I stopped my own thoughts in their tracks and realised that I actually like getting my brain into gear again :-) Lectures, assignments, readings: bring it on!! What can I say, I'm a geek.

Today also sees the start of the hunting season: the Milkround opens for business. The Milkround is a uniquely English term describing the companies coming onto campus for recruiting and everyone's getting antsy. I've heard from last year's first years that it becomes quite hectic and people will at some point go nuts. Since I won't be doing a lot of Milkround recruiting I will try and keep a cool head.

Earlier in the week I visited the Wallace Collection, a charming museum a few minutes walk behind Selfridges. It reminded me of a large junk-attic, in the best possible way. It shows you how if you have a large (and splendidly magnificent I must admit) house, too much money, too much time and an interest in art, what can happen. I loved the layout of the house, the opulence of the furnishings (think rich reds and blues, boudoir-style), and of course I was particularly interested in the Rubens paintings in the collection. My favourite painting in the collection was not a Rubens painting, but this painting by Philippe de Champaigne.

Yesterday I went to 'The Three Emperors' exhibition at the Royal Academy, which showcases fabulous artwork, robes, statues and calligraphy from the period of the Qing period. I was lucky enough to go with a friend who's from Hong Kong, who could tell me a lot of the background and translate the Chinese characters and that added so much to the experience.

A short article in today's Guardian shows one of the reasons why art is so important: it lowers stress levels! See 'Stressed workers enjoy art for heart's sake'.