Days 20-22: Canterbury and Dover

Hey all, I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Hope all is well:)

Day 20: Monday - I had the day off because I'm only taking the history classes so I slept in and then after the first class, me and a bunch of girls went on a walk for our walks class! It was super fun and we saw a lot of cool places like The Old Shop of Curiosities immortalized by Charles Dickens which is like the oldest shop in all of London. Pretty cool, yo! Then!! I found Narnia:) Seriously, I walked into this little square and there was the most perfect lampost I'd ever seen! I can't believe how much I am LOVING London!! And all the sites I recognize; it's magnificent! We also saw Fleet Street as in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - never seen it, but I was still excited!

After the walk, we headed straight to the Victoria and Albert Museum to look at art and stuff for our Fine Arts class. I really loved it. You don't really understand how huge these museums are until you realize that you've been there for 45 minutes and have only looked at three rooms. However, you're so far into the museum that, when it's time to go, you have to race through a maze to get out. It's wonderful:)

I also started kitchen duty this week! WOOHOO! it kinda really sucks.. not gonna lie. But only 6 days of it and then its all good.

Day 21: Tuesday - This was a shaky day. But our classes were switched today!! We had the history of England class in the morning and then our Ancient Civ class in the afternoon because we got tickets to go see THE BOOK OF THE DEAD at the British Museum. This was good for me because I had to go to the Brit Musee for my Ancient Civ class. So I had time to do that in between the classes. Our first class got done at like 10:50 and I raced over there to spend an hour looking at Ancient Egypt artifacts and I FINALLY saw the ROSETTA STONE!! (I know it's a crappy picture but it's just proof).

Then I ran back home and wrote up my report and had lunch all in time for class at 1. I rock. Then after his lecture, we took a little field trip BACK to the British Museum and this time we went to the Book of the Dead exhibit which turned out to be pretty neat. The best part was that I found a book called "Keep Calm and Carry On". So... it's not the shirt but in case I never find the shirt, at least I have this, which is full of motivational quotes and stuff that I was sorta needing at the time.

Came home, did dinner duty, and then Megan, Brittney, Jamie, Emily, and I went and saw Mamma Mia!! It was so great! And so much fun with those girls! I forgot how much I loved the music and story and everything. It made me miss my mum and our shared love for that:) And the cool part was that the theatre that it was at was on, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE!! (Harry Potter 7.1 reference!!!!) I literally almost died when I saw the sign! 

The street Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparate to right after the wedding

Day 22: Wednesday (Today) - Had another day trip. We went to Canterbury and Dover to go along with us talking about Medieval times in our History of England class. So first we went to Dover, a two hour bus ride, to see a castle and, of course, THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER!!! (another Beatles site, for all you Help! fans:)) The best part was, thought, that when we all got off the bus and walked up to the gate to get to the castle, IT WAS CLOSED!! And the bus had already driven away.

Excellent.

Canterbury Cathedral

"White cliffs of Dover?" *Point^^*

Apparently, the person who booked our tickets gave us the wrong day or something but yeah, wasn't happening. So we just sorta took pictures from the outside and then waited for the bus to turn around and come back. Then we drove a little down the hill and went to the beach that was the English Channel wooo!! And we got to see the Cliffs:) Some people dipped their toes in and said it was freezing and I collected a rock!! YAY!!

Then we drove about a half hour to Canterbury to see the Canterbury Cathedral where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered and me and Emily re-enacted it beautifully. The cathedral was pretty cool and while I was there, I lit a prayer candle!! 

We also got some shopping in since we didn't do the castle and we came home early. Got home at like 5:30 and ate leftovers. Trip to Tesco for laundry detergent so I can do laundry tomorrow!

Then, since I really didn't feel like going out, a bunch of us watched Inception in the classroom and now, as we speak, I'm Skyping my mommy:)

Days 15-19: First weekend trip!

wednesday, not much happened except for THIS:

Wizard Duel

THE most epic wizard duel outside of Harry Potter. But, wait! That IS the Millennium Bridge right behind us!! So are we not in Harry Potter?? I say yes!! It was excellent:)

Thursday we drove to this place called Fountains Abbey in the middle of NOWHERE (but the closest town is Ripon) and it was really quite amazing. Just ruins of this old monastery raided by Vikings way long ago. Really pretty now and BIG. 

Then we headed back to York and spent the night there. Unfortunately, when we got there at 4:30 it was dinner time for us but bed time for the entire city.. Everything closed at like 5 and then the "opened late" stores only until like 7. what a lame town. 

The next day, still in York, we visited a cathedral (of course) called York Minster. This was probably the most boring out of all of them, so far but what WAS interesting was when it came time to meet the bus and leave, we had NO IDEA where the bus was picking us up and me, Brittany, and Liz got lost and were late.. But, in our defence, the bus was like a mile away and not "just up the road". Ridiculous.

Then we headed to Preston for a while where it was numb-freezing-cold and we walked around OUTSIDE all day looking at Church History Sites. Fun. Then we headed to the Preston Temple! At sunset! On a clear day! With frozen faces, hands, and toes!! Up & downs, they happen everyday; even in England. Here's the beautiful sites to be seen:

The Temple,

The Sunset,

Together in Beauty

So yeah, an okay end to the day:)

We then made our way to Liverpool and spent the night till the next morning we spent walking around this pretty interesting museum called "The Beatles Story"

haha jk, I basically cried while walking through. Not a big deal or anything. Just the most incredible Beatles experience next to the LOVE show in Vegas. 

PICTURES: 

Be jealous:)

Epic

so yeah, the best day ever, and still more to come what with more Harry Potter sites and Abbey Road.

I'm a happy girl.

OH and today at church was the first day in my calling, Primary, and they assigned me to teach! The SUNBEAMS!! Seriously, could not be more excited!!

Day 14: Wicked - warning: CONTAINS SPOILERS

Okay, can I just say that when Wicked came out, I at first had a tiny speckle of interest to see it that could have grown but instead, everyone ruined it with all the hype and that STUPID song "Popular" (sorry if you've ever performed it, but really, so did everyone else). Okay, so that kind of ruined it for me.

Then, I get here to London and everyone starts raving and wanting to see it and I was just like, "Meh, I could skip it and not care less". Then, our professor announced that instead of Oliver! we'd be going to see Wicked. Oh boy, the squeals that came at that moment... "well, cool. If it's on our agenda, then yeah, I'll see it and be okay with that"

So last night, everyone's getting all geared up, comparing how many times they've seen it, and singing all the songs. But for some weird reason, I just couldn't get excited. Weird, I know.

Then we step out of the Tube and I see the sign, and finally start to get a tad bit excited. Then we went in, had great seats, and the set was FABULOUS (no denying that). Then. It began. Now right before, I was telling everyone that I'd never seen it and that I knew nothing about it, which they said was for the best. Some girls were claiming it was their "FAVOURITE play of all time" and they'd seen it like 3 times and LOVED it, blah, blahblah, blah, blah... Still wasn't that excited.

So I sat there, and enjoyed and just soaked it all in. There were some catchy songs and the lead girl, Elphaba, was an OUTSTANDING singer. But the others were just Okay. Costumes, set, stuff like that was cool. Then came intermission. Now, I already have a problem with people asking my opinion right after watching something unless I really feel strongly that I need to share it. And, of course, they all bombarded me. So I just laughed and smiled politely and said, "Well....." 

OH MAN.. WRONG THING TO SAY IN THIS CROWD.

So I came back with, "Yeah, I like it, it's okay, but I don't LOVE it. And there's still a second half. i could learn to like it more (but not love)". So THEN, Intermission ended and oh man. I was just not feeling it. As soon as the lights went down and the music started, my first thought was, seriously, "I have to sit through another half of this?!". And that's when I realized:

I DO NOT LIKE WICKED.

Needless to say, I sat through the rest with gritting teeth and false composure as everyone else around me was enthralled with the story and music. Yeah, sure, I like how now you understand where the Scarecrow, The Lion, and The Tin Man came to be, but the whole thing with the Wizard of Oz being like an evil man and the whole underlying animal rights story line was just too much for me. My exact thoughts were, "Oh sad, they're trying WAY too hard to make this a story". I also felt like it couldn't decide if it wanted to be a love story, a comedy, a drama about believing in yourself, an inspirational story, or just a friggin prequel. I just don't know..

But then, it ended and I was left satisfied (cause it was over) and slightly confused if Elphaba was alive or if her and Fiyero were like, in heaven or something.. Yeah, too much for me. PLUS, it kinda ruined The Wizard Of Oz for me.

Anyways, the more I sit here and think about it the more I've come to realize that not only do I not like Wicked, but I purely hate it. Like, can't-stand-it-will-never-see-it-again-or-buy-any-paraphernalia-from-it hate it. Sorry folks. But if you've never seen it, go and see it just to see it. There were a few on my trip that had never seen it and DID end up really loving it too, so maybe.. 

I think I'm just a theatre snob and have seen some that are way better, that it just doesn't even begin to compare:)

Things I Miss

Okay, I know I'm not one to complain because I'm in this amazing city, but everyone misses something when they're away from home for four months or more! So I have compiled a list of all the things I miss; in no particular order and NOT including people:



1. - the food and the people

2.,  , ,  - i'm sort of over this weird English food

3.  - I mostly miss the amazing, random trips I took there with Dylan:)

4.  - my wittle wittle baby!!

5.  - i guess driving on the other side of the road makes me want America... (this also includes singing in the car as loud as I want)

6.  - fast internet - "What a novel idea!!"

7.  - alone time - MAN, do I miss this!!

8.  - going dancing; YES PLEASE!!

9.  - and Netflix, yeah, these sites don't work over here..:( 

AAANNNDDD...

10.  - MY WARDROBE!! my ENTIRE wardrobe! You try making a different outfit everyday with like 8 shirts.. yeah it BLOWS!!!

Days 4-10

If you don't want to read everything, just know that I'm having the time of my life and soaking everything up!! Miss you all! I hope I can remember everything that has happened in the last week:

Saturday, 8 January 2011:

(L-R) Taylor, Kaylee, Holly, Jamie, Sharon, Carly, Kinsey,
Me, Liz, Ramzi, Annie, Elyse, Paige, Emily, Ashley,
Michelle, and Heather on our Central Parks walk!

Changing of the guard day at Buckingham palace. We were like 1.5 minutes late and apparently missed the whole thing!! So stupid. But it was super crowded so we probably wouldn't have been able to see anything anyways. This was also our first day of NO RAIN!! however, don't let that fool you, sunny days are the coldest days here in L-Towne. We did our first walk this day as well, through the Central Parks, which included St. James's park, Green park, Hyde park, and Kensington gardens. Pretty cool in some parts but was just long and boring and FREEZING! On our way through Kensington Gardens, we stopped at the Serpentine gallery to watch this exhibit that was probably the weirdest thing of my life. I can't even begin to explain.. So strange. Then we came home and had lunch and I decided I WILL GET MY PHONE TO WORK. So I did:) However, it resulted in me not realizing that we had to leave for the play at 3:15 and not getting off the phone till 3:25. But I wasn't the only one not ready on time, so not entirely my fault. However, we left at 3:30, were supposed to be in our seats at 3:45, and when we got off the Tube, had no clue where the theatre was. So we ran around for like 10 minutes asking random people here and there where the FORTUNE THEATRE was. Nothing. But eventually we found it and were taken in late. Turns out, I LOVE THIS PLAY!! So flippin scary, I loved it. So many people screamed out loud and I'm proud to say, that I did not, I held it in:) But I did jump haha. So GOOD!!
Then we stopped at a Kebab place on the way home and it was pretty good. And that's pretty much it.

Sunday, 9 January 2011:  Church. I, along with half of our group, am in the Hyde Park Stake and didn't have our ward assignments yet so we just had to go with Professor Dursteler to the Stake Center. It was pleasant. I was surprised at how many Americans there were, ugh! Kind of a disappointed.. Then we got our ward assignments. I'm in the Stratford Ward. mmmm, so British:) So yeah, I'm excited about that. mostly a pretty chill day.

Monday, 10 January 2011: Today, classes started but not for me!! Me and Em went to Boots (Walgreens) and Tesco (Grocery Store) to get all the crap I needed. And some food so that I'm not eating out every 5 seconds! But then we proceeded to go out to lunch hahaha at this AMAZING bakery down the street from us called Paul Rhodes. So YUM! I got a ham and cheese croissant that they warm up and is absolutely fabulous! Then we came home, I cleaned/arranged everything and then took a nap from 3-4 and then woke up for dinner which was FISH and NO ONE ate it. so sad. I just had some veggies and these hash brown things dipped in ketchup so I was still hungry. So me and Carly went to get pizza and we each got a 7 inch pizza for 1.50 pound! And it was delicious! Then we came home and a bunch of us went to Oxford Street where there's like this outdoor strip mall thing called Liberty. Our first stop? H&M. My first time ever. and it was? A SUCCESS. I found so many cute things, it was dangerous. That store is my new best friend:)
Then we hopped on the Tube and stopped at High Street Kensington and went to this little crepe place called Cremerie Creperie. Ahh! So cute! And so good!
Then we came home and planned on going to see a show tomorrow night (hopefully Chicago) and got some good news! So instead of going to see Oliver! as a group (because it ends before we scheduled) we get to go see Wicked on the 18th!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! AND! Instead of going to a LAME soccer game (because it was like 100 DOLLARS per person) we're going to FRANCE!! The North of France for a weekend trip in March as a group to a few WWI monuments. It's going to be amazing!! We are very very lucky:)

Tuesday, 11 January 2011 aka 11-1-11: Today was my first day of classes; History 201: World Civ, and History 323: The History of England. I'm pretty excited about the History 201 class, it's going to be a piece of cake! No tests or finals hahahahah!! Awesome! And the Hist 323 class will be fairly easy, a paper and final but, honestly, it's gonna be way way cool. This is how the class works: We talked about the beginning of time pretty much and then moved on to a little bit of Stonehenge and talked about it and the theories and the people and everything and then on Wednesday, we're going to GO SEE IT! This is what we do for every class. And the Hist 201 class? Same concept except in museums. So he'll talk for half the class about something and then the 2nd half, we get to got to, brace yourself, THE BRITISH MUSEUM and see objects that relate to the topic we just discussed! And we get to go to others too like The Jewish Museum of Britain, The Victoria and Albert Museum, etc. But, seriously? Every Tuesday in the Brit Musee? Yeah, legit. I can't wait!

Then, after classes, and after dinner, Carly, Liz, Heather, Jamie, Lyse, and I decided to go to

CHICAGO!!

Liz, Me, Jamie, Lyse, and Carly after Chicago!

And OH MY GOODNESS, was it amazing! Excellent choice for my first (and definitely not last) show here in London! It was a great Girl's Night Out. Just what I needed because I love those girls:)

Wednesday, 12 January 2011: Today was our first full day trip. We went to Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and Bath. We left at the butt-crack of dawn and came back in time for bed. Literally. But I slept on the bus a little bit, I guess. But can I just say that, like, as much as I LOVE London and have no problems with it, this trip was a fantastic break from the city. The countryside is GORGEOUS! Like, greener than anything I've ever seen and just so peaceful and homey. I absolutely loved it. 

(L-R) Britteny, Heather, Megan, Blake, Jamie,
Sharon, Me, Carly, Ashley, Liz, Annie, Paige,
Ramzi, and Emily at Stonehenge!
(Only like half our group)

Okay so, Stonehenge. What an amazing concept. Like, yeah, we drove up and were sorta like, "oh look there it is, neat". haha but, really, once you get out and walk around it, and really think to yourself like, "What were they thinking" you realize you have no idea. And how they got it there? Who knows? It's amazing that with the world as advanced as it is today, there are still mysteries out there. And I'm pretty sure, we'll probably never know why, but that's the beauty behind it. 

Then we went to Bath and saw the Roman Baths. These were extremely cool. The Romans came and conquered the Celts here in Britain and found this ONE and ONLY hot spring and built a public bath around it, like they do best, and worshiped here. I loved walking through because there are still so many remains that they could build it up to look like the original building so I felt like I was walking through the actual place. Plus, it was super Roman and I felt like I was there.. In Rome, I mean. Which, did I mention, I'm going there for Travel Week??!! When I have my heart set on something, it happens haha!

Me, Kinsey, and Elyse at Roman Baths

Then, we just walked around the town of Bath for a bit and did some window shopping and got something to eat. I got cookies from Ben's Cookies!! They were so good and you know how I'm not a total cookie person, so that's saying something. I got the Peanut Butter and the Milk Chocolate Chunk. Both really good but I preferred the Peanut Butter one. i could eat those for the rest of my life. Real, whole peanuts inside and so soft and delicious!

Thursday, 13 January 2011: BOUGHT MY TICKET TO ITALY!! so stoked! there's like 13 of us going and we're gonna fly out March 2nd (Wednesday), be based in Rome and then do day trips to Venice and probably Florence! then fly home Sunday. okay today, we had our first Fine Arts class and Religion class. Fine Arts was fun and I think will be pretty easy but Religion. That class is gonna be cool. It's all about "The History of the Church in the British Isles" so we started by talking about 1837 when the missionaries first came to London and how Queen Victoria was ruling then and let them come and like it was amazing!! The building we met in (and that I went to church in on Sunday), the Hyde Park Stake Center, was the first church building and Stake center building in all of the UK. I was in shock. It's beautiful and right in the middle of this beautiful area that is like devoted to the memory of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. SO yeah, I'm excited.

Today, 14 January 2011: Had the whole day off, slept in, missed breakfast, got ready, went to the British Museum to take care of business, led one of our required walks for our Walks Class, got lost. crazy fun, though. when we got off the Tube station at home, it was pouring and then started HAILING!! it was quite the adventure. Got home for dinner and now homework for probably the rest of the weekend:) also, 3 MONTHS LEFT! 

Me and Emily, ya know, being tourists:)

So, I hope I got everything.. well the highlights at least. I'm loving every second here and still can't believe how lucky and BLESSED I really am! I love this place and my life and all of you for being my amazing friends! Miss you all, THREE MONTHS!!

DAY TWO!

okay, I know I posted yesterday but we do so much!!

Today was Tower of London, Big Ben (officially), Westminster Abbey and just hanging out!

We headed over to see the crown jewels and the bloody tower and the torture places and they were absolutely AMAZING!! those jewels were ridiculously beautiful. there was a 520 karat diamond! no expenses spared! Also saw Tower Bridge in the distance and it was fantastic. I love being an obnoxious tourist because, believe it or not, the English are so nice to us either way!

Then we headed to Westminster and saw Big Ben and headed to a tour at Westminster Abbey, which I've never really seen pictures of so it surpassed like all of my expectations. And the fact that the royal wedding will be there in only a few months was surreal to me. It will be glorious and I'm sad that I had to RSVP 'no' to the event. ;)

Then we were let loose and we were so tired so we just headed home and rested. Then, we had Brazilian stroganoff for dinner (which I slept straight through haha) and headed to the library afterwards to get internet and our library cards. But, unfortunately, the internet SUCKED! so we headed to McDonald's cause their wi-fi is excellent. So here we sit, updating our blogs and uploading our recent adventures to facebook. I skype'd with my daddy which was excellent! I miss them mucho! Well, time to go home and rest up for tomorrow's crazy day!

I Belong Here

Ever since my Argentina experience, I must admit that I've been a little hesitant about travelling. Even though I have a huge list of places I want to go in my life, that trip almost ruined it for me. Clearly, however, I guess there was still some craziness inside of me that decided, "Oh, pick up and move to England for four months? Hey, sure, why not" before my panic sensors detected what the heck I was doing! But, man, am I glad I did because England? NOT Argentina. And that's only the beginning of what I like about it.

First off, they speak English here. What a blessing even though it seems very basic. Second, fashionably, I fit in more here than Argentina. weird, but true. They are more particular about what they wear and that's very me. Sorry I never dress like a slob (Unless I'm sick or something). Third, I'm living with some of the nicest people ever and we're getting like 3 days to just relax and adjust instead of hitting the ground running. It's been nice to socialize and just chill with the people and all discover things together. So nice.

Tomorrow we head to the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. We get to see the Crown Jewels and have our first real London experience. I cannot wait. Then, on Saturday, we're going to go watch the Changing of the Guard and see the play "The Woman in Black". Then church on Sunday and classes begin on Monday! Tres magnifique!

The place I'm living is amazing. The BYU London Centre is an old Victorian era building that is tall and narrow with a kajillion staircases! But it's a beautiful building and really cool and historic!

I hope that I'll still be a little homesick at the end of this trip so that I'll actually WANT to come home haha but for right now, it's just so surreal being here that I can't wrap my mind around leaving anytime soon!