From our house to yours, Happy Christmas, everybody!

Thanks for giving

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I took lots of pictures of my wonderous time at home.

Much needed rest with the family and friends.

9 days at home.

Time to myself.

I forgot what that felt like.

It was the best.

With just me, cam, and my parents, we still got to share the day with family.

The tradition of putting up the twelve foot tree.
Ma and pa.

The ol' fart of a dog.
Maddie, keeping watch :)

 

Then Cameron joined in.
And I continued to take pictures.

My contribution?
Pulling apart the branches :)

And loving on my puppy!

She loves me too most of the time.

7 days till I'm home again. 

For good. 

I cannot wait.

I guess I'm sick or something

I was only getting worse so I decided to face my weakness and take myself to the Doctor. I really hate the doctor for multiple reasons:

That "sanitary" smell

The impending doom of needles

All that poking and prodding of cold instruments would make anyone uncomfortable

The amount of time and energy it takes. (today was especially horrible)

The confusion you feel the whole time

And, of course, those idiot people who get all showered and nice-looking just to go to the doctor!

Sorry if you're one of those people, I'm not making any personal jabs, I just hate how you don't even look sick. It's like, did you really need to come to the doctor today or is that cough totally exaggerated? Yeah, and here I am, lookin like CRAP because honestly, I feel like I could involuntarily fall over at any moment.  True story. I don't have time or energy or an ounce of care in my body to even shower today. I showered yesterday and THAT seemed like a milestone to me. Also, I ate three crackers this morning, which was also a HUGE feat considering I can't keep anything down. okay, I'm done. Here's a visual:

Yes, they made me wear a mask.
Yes, there's a cheesy sad face under there..

So, I went there at 11 and explained all my symptoms and they promptly saw me! Not bad for just walking in. They gave me the mask took my fever temperature and let the doctor come bombard me with questions. She then determined, "You are so dry" that's the nice way of saying "dehydrated and slowly shriveling up". So she demanded an IV!!

Ugh, how I hated the sight of this.

And not just one.. I was REALLY dehydrated. I got THREE bags to soak up! Guess what time I left? 5 PM. Yup, SIX WHOLE HOURS of my day just laying around texting people and playing games on my ipod and being fed crackers and Gatorade. Super fun, lemme tell ya.

Every time I stood up to go to the bathroom I felt so dizzy and achy.. I wanted to die. And I wanted my mom, and dad, and sister, and brothers. All of whom texted me or had something to say on the matter (word gets around very quickly in my family) :)

Finally, I was released and they allowed me to walk by myself out to my car. It was head-throbbing, mind-numbingly painful at first, but I got through and made it home safe. I was so hungry by this time that I was excited to eat. Unfortunately, everything ended up tasting funny (maybe cause I still have that "sick taste" in my mouth) and I couldn't eat more than 4 grapes and a few spoons of yoghurt. And then I sat up and stuff came up and I quickly lost my appetite again. 

So, for now, I'm just gonna focus on keeping up my fluids so that I don't continue to deteriorate and maybe one day I will be able to eat again. Thank goodness for Club crackers otherwise I would be a goner.. 

Moral to this story? Illnesses are a vicious circle. I got sick with a fever and tried to sleep it off so I wasn't eating or drinking because of all the sleeping. However, the fever was burning up my fluids and I was getting so weak that it hurt even to lift my head to drink some water. So I didn't drink enough cause it took too much effort. Then I lost my appetite (also because of the vomiting) and everything spiraled out of control. So now I'm drinking a TON even if it doesn't appeal to me or sounds gross. I have to. And I'm eating whatever little I can keep down.

Now I just have to decide if I'm going to class tomorrow hahah!!

soooo siiick

I'm sitting all alone in my apartment, sicker than I've ever been, and avoiding the mounds of homework I have due tomorrow.

I hate the flu. so much.

all I want to do is be home with my family and loved ones. Which is what inspired me to do a countdown!!

After today:

• 12 days till my mum comes to P-Town
• 13 days till I'm home!!
• 18 days till Thanksgiving
• 32 days till the last day of classes
• 39 days till I'm home FOR GOOD!!
• and 49 days till CHRISTMAS!!! (yes, I'm currently listening to Christmas music :))

my, how time has seemed to fly.. just not fast enough..

I have so much to do these next two weeks that I feel like I shouldn't be getting excited yet.

I just can't wait to be home and done with this semester. :)

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

i may or may not have changed into a lion tonight..

this is just the aftermath, my hair WAS like 5 times bigger before

happy halloween!

*makeup creds go to the amazing Jennica Nielsen. would not have been able to do it without her. Love you! :)

BOOP!!

HAHAHA! This makes me smile every single day!!

SNOOOOOOWWWW!!!

We got snow. Mark this down in your calendars people, on October 6th, 2011, Utah got SNOW!

Oh how I love these dreary fall/winter days in Provo :)

well.. until next time!

And that September sky, how it whispered 'I love you'

Oh, how I love September. Fall is coming, school is back in session and I actually have a strict agenda to live by, and, oh yeah, my birthday :) 'Tis a grand  month.

Well this one was just as awesome, if not awesomer, than the rest. This was my 20th September!!

Once again, I spent this year in Utah with my brosters. See here:

This is just about the best picture I can ever get of three or more siblings.. :)

BUT FIRST!!

Caleb, Cameron, and my dad drove up and surprised me!!! They were supposed to come the weekend right before my birthday, aka the 10th, but instead drove all night to come to me on the 4th!! And I got to spend Labour Day with them :) It was such a wonderful surprise that, apparently, everyone was in on. Including Dylan. Well, we spent Sunday together and had a lovely dinner at Nate's with Holly, too. Then, Caleb and I walked around the Provo temple grounds and it was such a wonderful night.

The next day, we had no school so we (kinda) slept in and then my dad tried to fix me car (wah wah) and I suggested we go and HIKE THE Y!!! Since my dad had never done it and he's all totally in shape and smoked all of us going up. It was just as hard as I remembered. But we all four made it to the top :)

Then we got to go to dinner with Josh and Amy! So it was Me and Caleb, Josh and Amy, my dad, Cam, and Nate. So much fun! We went to J-Dawgs and feasted on the glory that is the J-Dawg.

They brought me all kinds of fun gifts, such as, THEMSELVES, and CARAMEL NIBBLES!!!! Like 5 bags! FROM LONDON!! It didn't take me long to scarf every single bag. I'm sad they're gone. Then, they left that night. Short trip, but well worth it :)

The rest of that week was pretty boring in comparison but then my birthday week was full of even more surprises!!

Caleb and Cameron's official birthday gift to me came! And it was the book set I've wanted for a while now:

I believed I've linked to it in another blog somewhere in the past, but in case you missed it, here it is. It has all 7 Harry Potter books but they are special because

                1) they're the BRITISH versions (i.e. different spellings and language), and
                2) because they are paperback and the covers are completely different pictures but
                     all really super neat looking. [Collector's item, really].

So basically, they love me mucho. This came a couple days before my birthday so I was STOKED!!

THEN, on my birthday day (the 14th), I was late to Biology but didn't really care all that much. I was sitting in the back when my phone rings with an 801 number. Because I'm in class and don't know the number, I ignore it. It calls back, only this time, it left a voicemail saying, "Hi, this is so-and-so from such-and-such flower company, I'm at your apartment building but don't know which room is yours. If you could give me a call back and let me know what room to deliver these to that's be great.."

I ran out of class and called him back IMMEDIATELY! He left the flowers in the office and I spent all day going crazy just wanting to go home to get them. They were so worth my acting crazy:

I think he loves me or something :)

So, of course, I didn't think my day would get any better until Caleb offered to fly me home in two weekends to spend some time in AZ. He's so amazing :) [Unfortunately, these plans got a little changed around]

OH, and when I came home with my flowers, my room was totally decked out with streamers (As you can see in the pic above)! I love Dylan :)

Then, Jennica came home and brought me like a bouquet of balloons! So sweet!

And then, of course, no birthday is complete without a cake:

Yup, sparkler candles!

Best roomies ever! (Minus two)

So, yeah. It was a splendid day. Then two days later, I got some unfortunate news that changed my flying-to-Arizona plans. Read Here. But Cameron flew back into town on the 17th and stayed till the next Tuesday and we were able to party (for the most part). On Saturday, I went to Nate's for a while and we drove out and got lunch at this Wing's place (I got a wrap) and then we got to go see Nate's NEW HOUSE!! It's really far out there but it's pretty and this move'll be good for him. Then I returned home and me and my roommates had a crepe party, thanks to Jennica and then got ready for the Holy War. The BYU vs. UofU football game. I was so nervous...

and we lost.. bad. I won't say anything more.

But I actually had a bunch of homework this weekend and the only real celebrating we did was going out to SUSHI!! on Monday.

It was really fun because I invited my/Nathan/Holly's friend Wes to come along because Holly and Nate didn't know that we knew each other so it was a really cool/fun/hilarious surprise on our part. hahahahahah! anyways... It was probably the funnest night I'd had in a long time. And definitely the most I'd laughed that hard in forever! It's nights like those that I remember how much I LOVE my brothers :)

The next day, I took Cam to the airport and that was bittersweet. I always get sad when he leaves me.

The next week/weekend was a whirlwind which, if you followed the above link like a good little child, you'd know all about. So worth it :)

Next thing I knew, September was winding down and Caleb was coming back up to Utah for Conference and to spend time with me and his family.

He landed on Friday and we went to his mission reunion which was actually really fun! The people were so cute and friendly and (we won the football game that night) it was just so great to be around him again and see him with all his old buddies. Such a sweet experience to share with him.

so much fun :)

We spent the weekend at Otto and Emily's which was super fun because, well, they're super fun people. Plus, we got to spend the most time with baby Eli, hee hee. His parents flew up Saturday morning and drove up to Salt Lake with Josh and Amy and we all went out to dinner at Rodizio Grill! WOOOO!! It was so good.

Just bein a creeeeper :)

Sunday, we all watched the wonderful conclusion of Conference together and had a fun time eating and laughing and just hanging out. [By the way, if you missed Conference, I'm sorry, but you NEED to go watch it. This year was SPECTACULAR]. After everyone had gone, Caleb and I walked around Temple Square and it was lovely.

Visitor's Center

Caleb flew home early early Monday morning and I said goodbye to him and went back to sleep, meaning to wake up at 6:30 and drive home for class. Welp, that didn't happen and Otto had to wake me up AT NINE for my class. I booked it out of there and made my way home, but didn't make it to class (oh, how sad...).

Monday night, I got sick in the middle of the night. Blacked out, hit my chin on something (don't know what or even remember doing this until I felt the sore today), and threw up six times. Yeah, uh, I didn't go to class on Tuesday.

Today, Dylan's present FINALLY came for me! haha it was supposed to come like LAST Tuesday or something but JUST got here.

Yeah, that's a full sized cardboard cutout of RONALD WEASLEY. Take that, yo! Best part is, he was just chillin in my room when I came home and scared the crap out of me hahaha

He had a speech bubble that said, "Happy Birthday, Katie! Sorry I'm late. The Floo network was down and someone stole the nearest portkey. So I had to fly. Hope you still love me. Much love, Ron Weasley"

Yup, I have the coolest roommate. Everyone can now commence being super jealous :)

August 17, 1951 - September 16, 2011

This past weekend was an amazing yet somber weekend. This is how it started.

A l'il background.

My dad, Rick, Kenny, Thom, and Chris

This is my dad and his "Fab 5". Friends since high school and closer than any relationships I've ever seen. Especially for guys :) They do everything together and some of them I'm closer to than family members. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to call them my Uncles.

This past March, the one second from the left, Rick Smith, was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer; incurable and unoperable. This sad news pierced our hearts harder than anything. All my life we have spent practically every single summer on the houseboat with Rick and his family. I have so many memories of Rick teaching someone on his boat how to wakeboard or ski or, in my case, knee board.

However, none of those compare to the special bond he and I shared for most of my life. The whole time I knew Rick, I hardly ever called him that. To me, he was, and always will be, my Miss Piggie.

Weird, I know but it stems from back when I was like 5 and I was this skinny little gangly thing with these tiny little legs and arms. I was standing on the houseboat and happened to be wearing a lime green life jacket that made my torso look sorta like this:

Rick took one look at me and said, "Look at that. Doesn't she look like Kermit the Frog?". From that point on, I was lovingly referred to as 'Kermie'. I called him 'Miss Piggie' and the rest is history..

Well, early morning on September 16th, I had gone to bed at like 3 in the morning. But, that didn't stop my body from randomly waking up at 7 am and not being able to go back to sleep. So, I just happened to decide to check Facebook when I got the unfortunate, and somewhat unbelievable, news.

Rick had passed.

At first I didn't know what to think. I was in shock and some sort of denial. It didn't seem real. Then I sent a text to Caleb just to let him know (thinking he would see it when he woke up). Instead, he woke up and instantly called me. In that minute between the sent text and received phone call, it hit me. It became real and all I could do was cry. It hurt so bad and all I felt like doing was crawling back in my bed and falling asleep.

All my memories of him came flooding back. Two days before, his daughter had just written on my wall for my birthday and, of course, called me Kermie. However, I had to press on with my day.

A week later, on September 23, I flew to California for his funeral. My sister flew down too and we had a lovely weekend with our family.

It was a wonderful service, with the rest of the Fab 5 there and all his family. My dad gave a wonderful eulogy with only a few tears. His children had only the sweetest words to say, along with everyone else. Because, truth is, that's just what Rick deserves. He was an amazing guy who would always go the extra mile for others. I know just how much he's touched my life and our family's lives, and the full congregation was extra proof of that.

Thom, Kenny, Rosie, Dad, and Chris

The day ended with a luncheon and then the interment. We then stopped by [Rick and] Rosie's house and spent a little bit there, saying our goodbyes. Then headed home.

We got to spend our Sunday with everyone there; Mom, Dad, Chelsea, Cameron, Me and Caleb. We all went to church together but since we couldn't keep quiet we just decided to leave early and spend the time visiting :) Nate, Holly, and Paul were greatly missed and luckily we got to Skype with Chelsea and Paul that night once she got home.

I love my family and I love that we have all been sealed together in the temple. I'm so grateful for my parents' decisions to get baptized those many years ago (side note: my dad and Rick were baptized at the same time). And I'm so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the clearly active role it plays in our lives. As sad as Rick's passing was, I also had so much relief blended in because I knew he was so much happier and done with the pain and struggle that he was going through. It's a great feeling knowing we'll be able to see him again someday.

Thom and My dad (and my mom)

The Lunch Gang

Thom, Dad, Mom, Aunt Patsy
(I think Kenny was telling a funny story)

Tender :)

Good Sister Bonding Times :)

The Guys :)

My Grandma Cortez used to feed these two
when they would come over and hang out with my dad :)
(aka, they go way back)

What is this? Having fun together? NONSENSE!
:)

the end of summer as i know it

well, I'm back again :) My moving back to Provo signifies the official end of summer. Which is probably the saddest thing I've written since returning from London..

I seriously can't explain how fabulous this summer was. It's gonna be hard to top it. Everyday was something fun and almost everyday was spent with the greatest boyfriend ever.

The rest of my summer was filled with more work and vacations and partying, of course!

I went to a Diamondbacks game with Caleb and the rest of the Single's Ward. This was a big deal since 1) I don't like sports, and 2) we were in the nosebleeds and I got really light-headed but stuck it out anyways!!

The next weekend was the big ALFI!! Which meant California again :) Only this time, I was with family and Caleb came too! It was really fun and there was actually a pretty good turn out. Only a few people didn't come.
We went to the beach and played games and it was a great old ALFI once again :)

Them on the beach with the deadly boomerang

 
Then the next week, Caleb's brother's baby was getting blessed up in Utah and he invited me to go with. So I agreed to and had an amazing weekend!! I got to meet all of his family and I got to see Nathan again, which was really great cause Caleb got to meet him, too. It was a really fun and crazy whirlwind of a weekend, but so worth it!



Then we came back to Arizona and hung out and then on the 15th I drove to Tucson with Cameron, Bryant, and "Madam" to see We The Kings in concert. This was the greatest thing ever! I got to meet the band beforehand and then during the concert I was front row center and just everything was perfect. We bought shirts and wristbands and got free CD's and free posters that they signed at the meet-and-greet before. This is also where I gave them my present. I had bought them a plush cow from Chick-fil-A and a $20 giftcard for the restaurant. They were sooo stoked and so that made me happy and they named the cow after me, so now they'll never forget me. :) Then after the show, we bought two more CD's so that we could go through after and get our shirts signed but Scoot yelled to everyone as we were in line "CD's ONLY!!" "Have them open and ready to be signed!" So I was a little bummed because we wanted our shirts signed. So when it was my turn to get my CD signed, I hugged Travis and whispered in his ear "Can you sign my tee shirts?" and, for fear of getting in trouble by Scoot, he whispered back, "Yeah, yeah, really quick.." Needless to say, I was THRILLED! So I ended up getting all four of them to sign Cameron and my's shirts AND another CD AND the set list that I got from one of their stage hands. I also got a pick out of it. :) The night ended with Danny giving me the biggest hug and saying he loved me and to party on. It was seriously so amazing.

Drew, Cammie, Travis, ME, Danny, Hunter, and Bry Bry!!

The drummer, and my best friend, Danny Duncan :)

I was sooo close :D

yeeeahh... :)

Then, we were all starving so we went to Denny's and reminisced happily and then made the drive home, which felt waaay shorter going home than going there. We blasted WTK's music the whole ride home and sang at the top of our lungs. It was the perfect ending to the greatest party :)

Then, the next week consisted of being with Caleb as much as I could possibly fit into my busy packing schedule. I was stressing out because, as I've said MANY times before, I HATE PACKING!! More than probably anything on earth. I finished up at work and had the weekend to be with Caleb and we spent Saturday night at his brother's wedding reception and I got to see his family one more time.

Sunday night, my mom threw me a going away barbecue and invited my closest homies. After the huge feast my mom made, Caleb and I went to spend our last few moments with his family, playing cards and laughing. I really love his family because they're normal and crazy fun like my family and I feel like I get along with them really well :)

Then on Monday, I drove up with my daddy and moved into the world's most disgusting apartment. Luckily Dylan got here early enough to see all the crappiness with the apartment so she yelled at the front office people and got most of it cleaned up and sorted out.. all with me in mind :) I love my roommate!

So once I got here everything was fine for the most part and I just had to move in. So now, here we are, chillin in Provo getting ready to go to a Lupe Fiasco concert in Salt Lake with my roommates and I'm all moved in and applied to jobs and everything's great!! Except Caleb's not here with me.... we've talked every night and I still am dying without him.. But hopefully I will see him soon. But school starts on Monday and I'll have to focus on that hahaha

But I'm actually excited for this semester because I have a class with Jaynann AND a class with Brittani and Brittani gets married in October and so does my roommate Aubree (November)! So, I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy, busy, fun time!!

So, until next time, friends!! :) <3

Change of Season, Change of Scenery

Well, now that London is over with, I guess it's time to write about life here in Arizona. Normally, I'd say super boring and same old, same old but nope, not THIS summer. This summer, I have Cameron home! And if you know us two, when we get together, there's never a dull moment!

This summer started off fantastically with Nathan coming home for two weekends in April and getting to spend time all together was fabulous! I also started going to the singles' ward with Cam cause he's weird like that and wanted to show me off or something..

So May. May was full of surprises. Pretty much all of them good :) I met a ton of new friends and really started enjoying Singles' Ward again after having been in a family ward in London. I love my new little "family" of friends and they've made this summer one of the best ones so far.

So far this summer I

• got my job back
• went to Disneyland with my two bestest friends!
• had plenty of time by the pool and built up a rockin tan! (so nice since I was so white in London)
• pulled PLENTY of all-nighters with the "fam" and made tons of midnight Denny's runs :)
• watched the Arizona sunset which I missed so much
• hiked, ran, and other forms of exercise!
• learned how to longboard! and drive STICKSHIFT! (sorta)
• went to colorado and saw my sister for the first time in almost a year.
• went to california. with the best roommate ever. for her birthday. and harry potter 7.2.
• WENT TO HARRY POTTER MIDNIGHT!
• BOUGHT MY OWN CAR!!

and of course..

met the best person ever :)

I'm truly a 100% happy girl. I don't know if this summer could get any better. And there's still more to come!

I have a bone scan this week and last week Dr. Shah sounded so positive so we'll see.. fingers crossed for January!! And the ALFI is next week and Caleb is joining us this year!! even though my brudder and seester are lame and aren't coming.

And, of course, I have my concert in less than three weeks. and I get to meet Travis Clark. I.Can't.Wait.

PICTURES!!!

The three Amigos together again.
And at the Happiest Place on Earth!!

After all day Six Flags. We were exhausted.

Colorado. Once again puts a smile on my face :)

Too good to pass up

Harry Potter 7.2 premiere with my two favourite people :)

Reunited never looked so good.
jeez, i missed you :)

Until next time, folks :)

"It's Farewell, Not Goodbye" - April 10-14

Well, with my parents in town and only one final to go, this week FLEW by and now I'm safe and sound in America.

Day 96: SUNDAY

April 10th

"the REAL last Sunday"

My family came to church with me! It was so much fun to let them see my weekly journey. An hour there, a tube, a bus, and an hour back. I still can't believe I did that almost every week. But it was a good Sunday because none of the central line was closed so it was easy to get there. They met my bishop and my little primary boys and got to experience the Stratford Ward. Then they got to eat dinner at the Centre with us.

This being our last Sunday, we had our Farewell Fireside which was a fun, emotional experience. We shared tons of memories and lots of laughs and it made me realize what a close family we were in the Centre. We were all we had and though we all didn't hang out with everyone and we had our cliques, we all loved each other and will always have those 3 1/2 months together. It may never be the same again, but I'm okay with that. I got to share this experience with 40 of the most amazing people and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

My parents and I ended up leaving the fireside early, however, because we had tickets to go see the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This is the oldest military ceremony in all of England that takes place EVERY single night at the EXACT same time. It's where military men come and lock up the Tower of London. It may not sound that interesting but going and seeing it and hearing all the history behind it was really quite amazing. This is what Britain is. It's built off of these age old traditions that have stood the test of time and that they refuse to give up. I think it's amazing how preserved the city as a whole is and everything they do to keep it London.

Day 97: MONDAY

April 11th

"Shoot Me Now; FINALS"

Okay, I know this is study abroad and everything's supposed to be waaay easier over here (and don't get me wrong, we got off way easy), but this final might have been the death of me. However, it also made me prove to myself that, yes, I've actually learned a buttload of stuff while being here. Crazy, right?

So, our History 323 final was at 1:30 this afternoon and I can tell ya, EVERYONE was studying like I've never seen before! Every room in the house had been converted into a makeshift private study group room and everyone was busting out whatever notes they had attempted to take from throughout the semester. It was a madhouse. And after studying for like 4 hours, it was time.

We all assembled into the classroom for the last time and met with the Durst. He handed us our test and left. Yup, he just walked out and left us to our demise. He was going to the Tate Modern to hear some guy talk about his art or something and we were left to fend for ourselves. This officially just turned into the weirdest final ever. But, as soon as I began to write my essay answers, I realized "I KNOW THIS!". Amazing. Congratulations, Dursteler. All your ramblings and silly jokes actually paid off. Thanks, yo.

I finished at like 2:30 and immediately texted my parents (who had gone to St. Paul's that morning and climbed to the top). Then, we met up at Leicester Square and got lunch, tickets to Mousetrap, and then visited Twinings!! And bought tea from there!

Sup, what?! Yeah, I got my Peppermint. I can't wait till this winter to drink it and feel like I'm back in London. Then, we headed back to our respectable homes and I went with the group to "The 39 Steps" which, may I say, was very well done. We were front front row. Like almost ON the stage. But it was a very enjoyable show and made for a few good laughs. I'd recommend it to you. So, yeah, today was a good day.

Day 98: TUESDAY

April 12th

"Temple Trip"

This morning, I woke up earlier than everyone (or so I thought) and got ready to go to the London Temple with my parents. Since Emily was going to be leaving this day, Jaynann started flipping out and made us take a roommate picture before we all went our separate ways. It was bittersweet to say the least.

Brittani, Paige, Me, Emily, Amanda, and Jaynann.
6 AM. 'Nuff said.

Then I met my parents at their hotel and we made our way to Victoria Station to take the train to Surrey where the "London" temple is. Ha. Then we were to take a taxi to the temple to catch the 11:30 session. But our taxi was late so by the time we got there we had missed the session but they took us anyways. The place was beautiful with all the green grass and blooming tulips. It was an awesome experience doing that for my mom. We took two of her family names in and did 15 other names that the temple had ready. Then we ate lunch and walked around for a bit taking pictures and such. Then we visited the Visitors' Center and had a lovely chat with the guy and called a cab that took us back to the train station. We caught a train back and as we were pulling into Victoria station, it hit me once more that I'd had a million adventures in that place and I'd never go back. The countryside was so beautiful and I just realized how much I would miss it. These next few days were gonna be rough.

I was freezing, yo. What with the wet hair and all :)

Once we were back in London, we made our way to the Churhill War Rooms, which were awesome but pretty expensive. So my mom and I only went and the coolest thing about this museum is the fact that it's all the exact same way as the day it was left. The day the war was over, everyone just got up, turned off the lights and walked out, leaving everything to be perfectly preserved. My kind of place. It was awesome and everything was so secretive and intricate. Basically, the coolest thing.

Then, we separated and got ready to go to see "The Mousetrap", a play based off a murder mystery novel by the wonderful Agatha Christie. Now, I love Agatha Christie, and this play just happens to be the longest running play in all of Britain! So, OF COURSE I had to see it! We had front row balcony seats so we were able to see everything. The play, unfortunately, didn't feel like an Agatha Christie. The ending, the most important part being the conclusion, felt rushed and completely awkward. NOT like a real Christie ending, which are much more detailed and drawn out, taking three to four chapters discussing the physiologic behind everything and then finally revealing the killer. So, it was cute and cool to say I went, but not what I expected.

Day 99: WEDNESDAY

April 13th

"What time do they feed the penguins?!"

I got to sleep in this day, which was much needed! Then I packed a little bit and my parents came over and brought me a suitcase (the whole point of their trip) to  fit all my extra crap in. So in case you're keeping track, I have:

                     1 carry on duffle - all souvenirs

                     1 carry on rolling suitcase - all shoes and school papers

                     1 GIANT suitcase - clothes I brought over and whatever left-over toiletries

and now        1 GIANT suitcase (extra) - all the clothes I bought while in Europe.

and yes, each and every one was PACKED to the brim. I disgust myself sometimes.

Then, we did what I've wanted to do for forever. We went to the London Zoo. Again, expensive, but thank goodness for student discounts!! On the way, we walked through Camden Market and saw those crazy sights!

I tend to forget how much I actually love the zoo until I get there and see all the adorable animals and realize how huge the world is and how small I am and that humans are not the only creation on earth. God made so much for us to learn from and ponder on their beauty and I love animals. Especially ones you don't see every day.

This was also the last stop on my personal Harry Potter tour!! The Reptile House from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone aka HP1. It's pretty much the first building you see when walking into the Zoo and then as exiting the Reptile house, the last snake den you'll see is the home of the Black Mamba. There's a plaque there and everything to tell all the peeps that this is where it was filmed!! Then, my dad and I just walked around and toured the zoo like normal people.

We saw all sorts of aminals and had the best time. However, the other reason we went was because my dad heard that they have a public feeding of the penguins at 3 everyday. So the first thing we ask the workers was "What time and where do they feed the penguins?" and every person had the same exact answer: "Uhhhhh... I don't know if they even DO feed the penguins here..." so we resorted to being our own kind of resourceful and found out that they were in the process of remodeling the penguin house and only had a few in captivity there and they were being held in the "Birds of Paradise" section. So we eventually found them and they were all peacefully hiding among the greenery. But I was so excited to see them and get close that I decided it was time to break some rules. So I proceeded to sneak behind the gates and just chill with some of ma penguin homies for a bit :) It was fantastic!

They thought I had food so they bowed to me :)

I might be a little obsessed :)

It was a most excellent day!!

Until I had to come home and pack for the rest of my afternoon.. On our way back to the Centre, we stopped by a Sainsbury Local to snatch up a few of my favourite treats to hold me over once I got back to the States. This included Kinder Buenos, Caramel Nibbles, Lion Bars, "British" Snickers, Bubble Lambs, and a bunch of other stuff!! Then, we hung out at my house for a little bit while we figured out how we were gonna get to the airport the next day. Then I really had to pack so my parents decided they'd try and go see Billy Elliot while I packed but it was sold out so they came back and we went and got one final gelato at Gelato Mio!

Pistachio and Peanut Butter :)

Then it was off to bed for an early morning and day of endless traveling!!!!

Day 100: THURSDAY

April 14th

"How long have we been awake now? Oh, 28 hours straight? Cool."

Welp, it seems my adventure has come to a blissful end. I sit here now, three months later, thinking back on everything and it just seems like a dream. Like it didn't really happen but all I want is to go back, back to the place I called home. I remember waking up the next morning after being home in Arizona and crying because I didn't see Jaynann or Emily or Amanda lying in their beds. And, yes, I did in fact wake up at 8:30 like every other day I was in London. I couldn't believe my adventure was over. I was so drained and emotional and all I wanted was to go back.

My trip home started at 5 AM. I awoke, got ready and packed up my last few items. My dad arrived at the Centre at 7 AM and it was finally real to me. I was leaving. I had to say goodbye to the last few people there and try my hardest not to cry, and then we headed off to London Heathrow Airport. We got there safely and in time, however, my parents were on a different flight home. They left an hour earlier and got home two hours later than me. Dumb.

Luckily, Brittani and Sharon were both on my flight home and Brittani and I had seats next to each other!! Woo Hoo!! It was a party for most of the ride home :)

I watched movies the WHOLE time and tried really hard not to sleep hahhaa but.. ya know.Then I landed in Houston, Texas at 4:15 to catch my connecting flight that left at 4:55. Yeah, I was freaking. But I made it through the long line of customs and security and onto my flight all alone.. I was heading home and at the moment, I could NOT have been more excited. And also bittersweet.

Landing in Arizona was such a crazy wake up call. It was like 90 degrees and I could FEEL it. Ugh. But, walking off the plane and seeing my precious kids' faces smiling up at me and holding signs to welcome me home, made everything worthwhile. And then driving home with the windows down and being able to smell what remained of the orange blossoms was the clear sign that I was home again and Mesa hadn't changed one bit.

Happily, my brother flew in that night too from Utah so I had to turn around and pick him up from the airport only to come home and turn around once again to fetch our parentals. And finally, Cameron came home from work at midnight and we were once again, a family :) 

And what a joyful weekend it was being home all together again. It almost made up for missing England so bad.

The only tea house in Mesa. An English breakfast for my mum's birthday.

Do I love them?? More than you know :)

Thus marks the end of my grand adventure. Thank you to all who supported me, I really wouldn't be here without any of you great people and I'm so glad you all got to share this incredible experience with me. Even though there were hard times, it was completely, truthfully, 100% worth every single moment spent under the English rain. I now have a deeper understanding of England, the world, and, most importantly, myself. I can't believe how much I learned while across the pond and I've made a promise to myself that I will go back. Hopefully more than once. I've also made a promise to stick with history no matter how difficult it may be at times. I love it too much to give it up. Once again, thank you all for sticking with me on my adventure. I love every one of you more than you know.

Until next time...