Partner of the Week: Alex MacDonald

Spanish loving, British-bred, laid back scientist who loves to have a good time.

"I'm Honored to be the Partner of the Week"

Name: Alex MacDonald

Age: 31

Current City: Madrid for 2 years

Birth Place:  London, in Greenwich, grew up in Brighton.

Partner: Daniel Rincon Met Daniel in Cambridge

Degree/Profession:  Genetics and Masters in Intellectual Property. Now works in a Clinical service – analysis of chromosomes of new born babies and children with developmental problems. 

Favorite Song: Estranged, Guns N Roses

Yann & Nicki: How did you react when you found out Danny had been accepted into IMD?

AM: Obviously very pleased and proud. It's not the easiest place to get into. And excited. He was considering both IMD and INSEAD. So really pleased.

Y&N: Daily life in Madrid...

AM: A lot of people told me that as Daniel would be away for all the year, I should keep myself busy. I carry on working. I work in a laboratory. I have quite an easy time table, until about 3:30 but I usually work a little bit later. I started trying to do lot of things after work. For example painting classes. I give English lessons once a week to one little boy. I have started Spanish lessons twice a week, as well, to try to get fluent. I see my friends and try to keep myself busy. The things that I miss the most about Danny's not being around, is obviously not seeing him. It's really different to come home and not be able to talk somebody about your day everyday, and cooking -I'm not very good at cooking if there's nobody to cook for. So, most nights i have some toast and eggs.

She forgot to mention she's a rock star

Y&N: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

AM: Easygoing...Good-natured... Genuine...

Y&N: Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

AM: I'll be 36, so I'd like to be still working in my job in genetics, to have maybe gotten a promotion by that point. I would like to have 2 children. Still living in Madrid and I would like to have a mortgage. I'd like Danny to have a job that he really enjoys, challenges him but also allows him  to spend enough time with me and the 2 children.

Y&N: Do you miss London ?

AM: I love London. It's  A wonderful city. I feel more at home in Madrid, maybe because it's more residential. I love the food so much. It's a beautiful place. I miss certain things about London, the sense of humor of Londoners, that's why I get along with Craig so well, he's not a Londoner, but he has the sense of humor. I miss and love things like tea...That's not the same in Madrid.

Y&N: Your favorite drink ?

AM: It's a tie between red wine and coffee. I'm completely addicted to Spanish coffee.

Y&N: Favorite food ?

AM: My favorite meal would be my mum's lasagna. But there's a lot of things in Madrid that I love. Croquetas with potatoes , jamon and cheese.

Y&N: Dinner or drink with celebrity, dead or alive...

AM: I'm thinking of writers that I like, I am between Stephen King or C.S. Lewis...A book called...ScrewTape Letters, letters from a devil to his apprentice and his observation on humans...very true and interesting...My other favorite book is Midnight in the Garden of  Good and Evil... based in Savanah... Yeah... I would have to choose C.S. Lewis... He'd be a good influence on me.  

C.S. Lewis

Y&N: Something strange about Lausanne...

AM: It's a very nice place... Having to pay a permit for your bicycle is a little bit strange. It's quite good to have rules. It's very clean. But maybe it's going a little bit too far. It's so expensive too.

Y&N: Is there a place you really want to visit?

AM: I really want to go and see Costa Rica. I've got a friend in Madrid who just moved to Costa Rica. She met an Argentinean last summer and completely fell in love with him. They have arranged to meet in Costa Rica and try to find jobs together. She left last week. It is the place where people are the happiest. I'd like to do a tour in South America. Go to Easter Island. Machu Pichu...

Y&N: Something unique or interesting about you?

AM: I think people are often surprised by my taste of music. I like rock, Guns n Roses, Metallica... I don't know why... They are also very surprised that my favorite film is Aliens.

Y&N: Your favorite  memory with your partner...

AM: We both differed about our favorite. He says it was when we went around Europe. My favorite was when we went Malaysia. We rented a very cheap hut on the beach, on an island of Malaysia.We went for walks, swimming, and he was scared about the fish saying they were biting him...We used to sit on the little balcony, play cards and spend time with each other while looking at the sea. 

Huts in Malaysia

Y&N: Can you tell us something in French? 

AM: Je suis anglais, je m'appelle Alex. Ou est le gare? Bonjour mon petit poulet! * 




*audio to folow