Rainy Days in London

So it's a rainy Saturday in London town and like the true Minnesotan I am instead of stomping puddles in the street, settling down to a game of monopoly or renting a movie I dialed up Michael Glotter and we set out to London's answer to the American shopping centre.

Opened in October of 2008 Westfield London Shopping Centre is Europe's largest mall. So how does it compare with our beloved Mall of America? It may not be bigger, but it is no doubt better. Sure it only has 255 stores compared to MOA's 520, there's no amusement park or massive food cafeteria. Rather it's what this mall lacks that makes it better, I didn't see a single gothed-out emo girl with her pathetic teenage bad-ass skateboarding boyfriend waltzing through a hot topic to pick out the most ripped up, silver studded rags that cost $80 so they can show everyone else just how unique their personal style is.

Westfield shopping center was one classy establishment, good brands decent prices, some unique food choices (I had a mock Chipotle that wasn't nearly as good as the real thing). I honestly think if Isaac Adler visited this mall he may just renounce his U.S. citizenship.



This mall even featured a special section reserved for the top brands. "The Village" featured Dior, Prada, Gucci, Movado, etc. Naturally I picked out a few Mothers day gifts and birthday presents to bring home (NOT!). Below is a picture of me below 1 of 3 crystal chandeliers in the classier part of the mall.



So if you're in London on a rainy day (which can be quite often) give the Westfield center a shot. It's right across the street from the BBC headquarters which offers free tours so you can make a day of it.

Cheers

~Sir Ross Samuel Leder

Thinking of you...

Dear U.S.A.,

I'm sorry we haven't stayed in touch in the past few weeks. How is has everything been going? I want you to know that everything is just peachy over across the pond. The weather has been fantastic, which has lead me to do some more in-depth exploring of the city. My lectures and seminars will be over this week and then I'm off for all of April to study and fill my craving for some much-needed travel adventures.

Next week I'm off to a whirlwind tour of Italia, I will be visiting Milan, Florence and of course ROMA! If you have any tips or travel advice for the region I'm all ears. Following that I will have the distinct pleasure of hosting both Mark and Susan Leder for their first trip to the UK. The last leg of my April holiday will be a short trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. This should be interesting, I signed up for this trip with London International Student House so I'm sure to meet a wide range of people from all over the world.

Well USA what else can I tell you? Things are good here, and I wish I had more to say... but instead I'll just leave you with some pictures.



[Me! in front of the London Tower Bridge and City Hall (the orb like building in the background).]


[The Gherkin Building (apparently gherkin is a type of cucumber, I guess if the building were seaside it would be a pickle)]


[View from my bedroom, just kidding... this is Greenwich and in the background in Canary Wharf]


[I think they followed me here]


[Canary Wharf from the Queen Mary Campus]


Well thats all for now, you stay strong AMERICA!

Love,

~Ross

P.S. I'm on Twitter now so add me!

Ross Leder, Up for Hire

[okay I'm not this desperate]

Real estate foreclosures, plummeting portfolios, slowed consumer spending and a volatile currency market, these are some of the many negatives of the economic recession looming over the western world. There is however a silver lining to it all, Ross Leder is still available for hire. That's right! you can have a Ross Leder of your very own. So if you need somebody with proven leadership capability, a creative mindset and the motivation to take on new challenges you have come to the right place!

By now you've probably realized this post has nothing to do with my experience here in the UK. Truth is I have no idea how many people read this blog. Perhaps you're a friend of mine, part of the family or just somehow stumbled across this page and just could not stop reading. Either way right now is a significantly challenging time to find a summer internship or even a part time job, so I have to use every avenue available.

I am available for full-time hours starting in June throughout early September, and part-time availability during the fall and spring semester. I am willing to relocate.

My skills range from design software (think Adobe CS3), website design, to database administration (Access, Oracle, MySQL). I have a good understanding of project management and business administration, I'm a quick learner, an excellent communicator and work well with teams. I've had experience in office settings, restaurants and even summer camps. Ideally I'm looking for something that would relate to my major (management information systems), but I'd have an open mind toward other fields.


So please, if you or anyone you know is in the market for a some extra help at their business feel free to email me at ross.leder@gmail.com My resume is available on request.

Thank you,

~Ross Leder

Czech It Out

This is a bit overdue but here's my run down for Prague...

Since this was over a week ago, I'm not giving the play-by-play, so here come the highlights!

I arrived a bit late into the night since my plane was a good 2.5 delayed. Aer Lingus had delays throughout their entire system that day, the only thing they did to make up for it was 10 pounds to spend at the airport bar while we waited for the plane to arrive... suffice it to say I had a good nap on the plane ride over.

My first night there I visited a small disco-tech, of course it was nice to see some familiar faces.


[Zander Abrams, Ben Abrams, and me!]


[Danny Kanter, Mollie Halper]

Ben Abrams and I split a cheap hotel not too far from Zander, Michael Kaplan and Danny Kanter's apartment. I must say, the digs at the new Zan-pad were not bad. They each have their own bedroom, spacious living room and kitchen and the best of all Jacuzzi and Sauna (never had the chance to try it out).

Our hotel room was not too bad. I'm certain this place was some sort of defunct monastery. We each had our own rooms and breakfast was included!

My first day out I saw the town center and some nice architecture. There was this ancient clock tower that did a really cool routine on the hour.


[Clock Tower]

In the center of the old town, there was some sort of Bohemian festival with all sorts of people in night terror inducing costumes.


[Pictured above: the type of costumes that generate childhood fears]

It may have been the weather, but during my first day out in Prague I got the feeling that weekends during the non-touristy times are pretty calm. Many stores were closed and they're just wasn't a whole lot to explore.

That night we headed out for a great meal, for an even more outstanding price. Handmade smoked salmon pasta $6 , half a bottle of wine $2, pie for dessert $2, dinner with both Abrams boys PRICELESS.



[Me and Ben Abrams sipping Shiraz out of some gangster goblets]


That night we headed out to Prague's night clubs, it was quintessentially the best representation of a trashy Eastern European discotech


[Euro-Trash, gotta love it]


[Zander and Michael Kaplan]

My last day in Prague was nothing to write home about, I had a wicked cold and got up pretty late from the night before. The feeling of getting back to London, must have been how the East Germans felt when the wall fell... capitalism, free trade, modern amenities, color tv... isn't it wonderful?

Cheers,

~Sir Ross Samuel Leder