Adieu, Day Trips, parting is such sweet sorrow.

WENESDAY


LAST Day Trip Day. Ug, that makes me want to cry. Day trips are exhausting and we have to sit on the coach for forever, but that’s because we go to see cool things. So it’s worth it. It’s some kind of unwritten rule that Annie gets the window seat and that I always fall asleep (with my mouth open, I bet you ten pounds that at least 3 people has a picture of me on the coach asleep).

Today we went to St. Alban’s Cathedral first, mostly for the classical architecture. One side has Romanesque style, the other side Gothic style. We had to walk through a park to get there and it was warm and beautiful. We also went to the Verulamium Museum, aka ancient Roman city museum.

{St. Alban's Cathedral}

The next stop was the American Cemetery. It was a grounding experience and I’m so glad that we went. It felt like I was back in America and it was a nice feeling. There was a wall of the soldiers who went MIA. There was also this beautiful chapel we mosaic ceilings and a wall honoring the air forces during the war. Yay, America!

{American Cemetery}

Last stop was in Cambridge, to see the King’s College and its Cathedral. The Cathedral was pretty and the campus was amazing and old. After looking around the Cathedral, Annie, Eliza, Jen, Jenny and I went to the river to go punting! We had a cute tour guide and we got to see about 10 of the colleges from the river and learned all about them. I loved seeing the Wren Library. Next, we went to the market area and got some sweets and dinner. Annie, Jenny and I meandered over to the Fitzwilliam Museum, where the lady gave us special permission to go up to this balcony with paintings that we needed to see for our BritLit class. I was bummed that it closed before we could check out the impressionist paintings, but oh well.

{King's College-Cambridge University}


{punting on the Cam River-The Sigh Bridge, like the one in Florence}


{Wren Library, Cambridge University}


{antique-ing}

From Stonehenge in the snow to Warwick Castle and its peacock garden, from Shakespeare’s Birthplace to Oxford University, our day trips have been amazing! I loved ever one of our day trips and they will always be wonderful memories from my London study abroad.

Pennsylvania, I don't know where that is...pink pajamas penguins on the bottom...

TUESDAY


...or also know as: “Swaasavenyaaaa…badabeesadabah…”

If you’re reading this blog, you probably know that I don’t cry. I promise I’m not heartless, but it just doesn’t happen for me. So when I DO cry for something, you know it’s worth the cry. And the minute those words were sung and the animals started coming out, it happened and I couldn’t help it!

I hadn’t really thought about it before that night, but Disney rocks. Yeah yeah there’s that whole global domination anti-corporate that comes up, but think about it. It’s global because it’s good. Walt knew what he was doing when he started making movies about princesses being saved by prince charmings from the evil villans.

Take Lion King, for example. They really do speak Afrikaans and they really have those types of animals in Africa. And the music! It has and will continue to go down in history. I’m proud to say that I grew up during Disney’s glory days.

Anyways, back to this musical. I loved it! Rafiki was phenomenal, Timon and Pumba were funny, and Scar was perfectly scary.

It reminded me about my fav Disney movies and how long it’s been since I’ve watched one: Hercules (when we talk about him in myth, without fail “Zero to Hero” pops in my head), Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, etc etc etc…

“Who put the glad in gladiator? HER-CU-LEEZZES…” Don’t deny that you love it.

Only 23 days left?!?!?! booooooo

FRIDAY

Our new goal for Fridays after classes or day trips or whatever we do is to go to Borough Market and feast. Borough is this wonderful market filled with food and drink a-plenty. This time, I had Mongolian chicken curry and rice, freshly-squeezed OJ, and a choco-chip and cherry muffin. Oh my deliciousness. You can’t beat Borough. Brit and Kira got ostrich burgers and Annie got this sausage sandwich thing. Everywhere you look is something new to try and love.

Our tummies were happy as we walked down the Thames to the Tate Modern (museum). I went in with an open mind and it started out pretty good and I saw some things that I liked, but then I got into some exhibits and I was weirded out. Sometimes I don’t really know what goes through artists minds as they create these things and I don’t know what goes through the minds of the people who buy it and put it on display as art. I’ve seen too much beautiful art these past few months to accept THAT as art.

After dinner, we wanted to watch a movie and, since we’re reading it, we chose “Wuthering Heights”. Verdict: not my favorite, but I didn’t hate the book like many people did.

SATURDAY

For Saturday morning breakfast, we tried El Posterino (I think that’s what it’s called) down the road. Traditional English breakfasts have yet to let me down.

Today could have been a flop because Annie and I had lots of good things planned, but a few things fell through. Fortunately, we’re in London and so we have plenty of back-up plans. We wanted to go see Abbey Road, but the tube was stupid. We wanted to get milkshakes at the original Hard Rock Café, but the line for waiting was really long. So, we did our last assigned walk for our cultures class. This one is called the theatre walk and so it took us down Drury Lane (no, no muffin man). We stopped by the Somerset House to check out the gallery (for free!-bless you, student cards) where I saw a print that looked really familiar to me by Monet. I’m 95% sure that my mom has a print of it in our house and that’s why I know it so well. I liked the gallery since it had lots of impressionism and the house is cool.

The walk also took us through Covent Garden, which I’ve only been to at night for shows and dessert. I LOVE it during the day! There are tons of stands and stores open and yummy food and, best of all, street performers. I love the energy of this part of town.

We went to Starbucks for a bit to read and rest, then we hit up the British Library. Now THAT place is cool. They had an exhibit out all about Chopin and I really liked it. First, because I love Chopin’s music and playing it especially. Secondly, I saw some of the original manuscripts of some of his works. And thirdly, I discovered that he’s Polish (a distant relative of mine, possibly…?). The main exhibit of the Library contains: original manuscript of Beowulf, original Alice and Wonderland book, a copy of the Magna Carta AND, my personal favorite, notes from the members of the Beatles of when they were thinking up lyrics for their songs, including “Michelle”.

That night, some of us girlies watched “Young Victoria” (again…). Don’t worry people back home, I bought a copy so we can watch it every day when I get back.

SUNDAY

At church, I got to play with the Sunbeams. They are so sweet and energetic and curious. Next Sunday is the last Sunday in our ward and that makes me sad. I’m really going to miss this ward.

MONDAY

After class, Annie and I finished our theatre walk. We did some shopping while we were at it (didn’t get anything…I need to work on that) and went to the National Portrait Gallery for the first time. Some cool art there, but probably not my favorite museum, to be honest.

I've been talking with my mamma lately about our up-and-coming adventures. I found out from her about some plans for this summer regarding our WASHINGTON DC trip!! Not to brag or anything, but all of this traveling has made me an expert traveler and so I’m excited to be a more informed and experienced traveler when we go places this summer. I also found out that we are quite possibly going to Paris, France next summer for my brother’s Senior trip (SENIOR trip?!?!?! Whaaa? Not possible). I’M SOOOOOO EXCITED FOR THAT! And if we spend a week in London, also on this trip, that would be the best thing ever. Especially since I’m going to be leaving London in less than a month against my will.


But I’m excited for things to come this summer. DC trip, seeing my family again, friends coming home from missions. And this trip has made me more ambitious and eager to go out and explore more of wherever I may be.

~Things I’m excited about for when I get home:

-first and foremost, my family. And I’m excited to meet Petunia.

-all of the movies that are English-/French-/Rome-/Irish-related (plus some favs)

-all of the books that I get to read for fun

-Taco Bell

-driving

-memories from my study abroad on my mind

-road trips??

-sunshine

-the beach

I’m sad to leave London, but I have a lot to look forward to...

...like this

...and this...

...and my silly Sam...

...and my beautiful mother!

Par-ee Holds Da Key To Your Heart

…More about my week in Paris, France!


WEDNESDAY

I kinda really liked Paris. I’m excited to go back, especially since it’ll be with my family.

Wednesday was tiring, in a good way. 387 steps to the top of Notre-Dame, 284 to the top of Arc De Triomphe, 2 mile walk down the Champ Elysees, 2 flights of stairs to the chapel of Sainte Chapelle…you do the math…

First thing on the agenda for the best day in Paris EVER: Notre-Dame Cathedral. So so pretty. We were able to walk all of the way up to the tippee top and overlook Paris. We also went up to the bell tower and met my man, Quasimodo. A definite must for a Paris trip, fo sho.


{Notre-Dame}

{we met Quosimodo-picture courtesy of Annie Spackman}

{view from the top of Notre-Dame--Annie}
We then went to Sainte Chapelle and saw the beautiful stained glass windows.


{Sainte Chapelle--Annie}
Across the river we went to the Cluny Museum to see the Unicorn Tapestries. I don’t know much about them, but they were cooler than I anticipated!

We then walked up the hill for a while. A long while. Until we reached rue Mouffetard market, that wasn’t really a market. BUT it was successful because we ate the BEST BEST savory crepes EVER with eggs, cheese, ham, lettuce and tomatoes. Mmmmmm…we then walked up the street and ate quite possibly the best ice cream I’ve ever eaten. I may or may have gained weight in Paris even though we walked a ton.

We made our way back down into town and walked down Champ Elysees. All two miles of it. We saw Tuileries Garden and the Egyptian column that was a gift to the French. At the end of the Champ Elysees and at the intersection of 8 to 10 major roads and in the middle stands the Arc Di Triomphe. We went to the tippee top and found ourselves facing a sign that said no eating/drinking/smoking and no speedos. We asked the guys up there why there were no speedos allowed and they said that it was because people used to go up and sun bathe, sometimes naked. So no sunbathing allowed. The view was great and it was really fun being with these 9 other girls. Usually the larger groups during our trips get split up just because people want to do different things. But this group of 10 girls stuck together til the end of the day. And it was a huge factor in this perfect Paris day. Another fun thing about the top of the Arc Di Triomphe is that since the French don’t really have lines between the lanes of traffic, they just go for it. Imagine 8-10 major roads leading to a round-about and there are no lanes=havoc and chaos.


{Annie + Me + The Eiffle = no big --Annie}

{The Dream Team of Paris 2010 -- Annie}
We thought it was a good idea to take the Metro back to the Tuileries instead of walking. Guess what was waiting for us at the Tuileries? Late night Louvre time. Let me break down the Louvre Museum for you. Kira told us that if you were to stand in front of each piece of art in the museum for 30 seconds continually for 24 hours, it would take you over 4 months to see everything in the museum. Sensory overload. It was a bit overwhelming, to say the least. But we saw the important, famous things (Mona Lisa, Madonna on the Rocks, Michelangelo’s Slaves, Aphrodite, etc. etc. etc.) plus some of our own things, like the Napoleonic Apartments and some Poussin paintings. It was so big and cool that we spent about 3-4 hours museum-ing it up.


{The Louvre -- Annie}
And that is the conclusion of the best Paris day with the most fun girls with the yummiest food. I couldn’t walk or move back at the hotel, but it was worth it.

THURSDAY

Last day in Paris…booo

Having recovering from the previous day, we started off at L’Orangerie, which I loved a lot. Monet’s Water Lilies cover the walls in his specially, self-designed rooms. I was expecting a single painting on the wall, but it wasn’t like that. It was a mural spread across two rooms. And it was prettier than I anticipated. Downstairs proved to be just as satisfactory since it contained impressionism and post-impressionism paintings from Cezanne and Renoir.


{Monet's Water Lilies -- Annie}
Across the river, Annie, Rachel and I found the Musée Rodin, which I quite enjoyed. The collection had everything: The Thinker, The Kiss, The Gates of Hell, etc. I’ve discovered on this study abroad program just how much I love art. I appreciated it before, but I love it now. I’ve acquired favorite artists and styles and even subjects. And I love statues. I’m glad that I got to see the Rodin Museum.

The very last thing we saw in Paris was Montmartre-The Basilica de Sacre Coeur. Yes, we walked up the 235 stairs to the top of the hill, and yes it was SO worth it! The Basilica was beautiful and the view was breathtaking (the stairs helped that one ha). The streets behind the basilica were touristy and there was a square filled with just artists and their artwork. One of my favorite souvenirs of all time is this caricature that a lady did for me. I was all excited for it to look like me and all artistically fantastic, especially since the Italian tourists that walked by kept saying how much it looked like me bella bella! When the lady (who was a native Californian who has been living in Paris for 30 years, btw) revealed the final product, I was like uhhhh great here’s your 10 euros. Let’s just say that we decided that it looked more like the artist herself than me. It’s not bad, it’s just not…great. Hahaha we got a good laugh from that.


{Montmarte Sacre Coeur -- Annie}
We had some time until we had to leave Paris officially, so we walked along the Seine and got some more souvenirs.

It was sad to leave, but, hey, we left to go back to London.

It was, how you say, MERVEILLEUX!

PARIS FRANCE!!


PARIS, FRANCE
Number of Days: 4

Number of crepes consumed: 5

Number of pastries consumed: 3

Number of Museums visited: 5

MONDAY

I’d say, that was a successfully blissful trip.

We woke up bright and early to catch the Eurostar (Chunnel) to get to France. It was instant culture shock once I stepped off the coach. I’ve been to different countries, but not one that doesn’t speak my language. We went outside of Paris first to Chartres. We had some time to kill, so our first purchase in France was a ticket for a carousel. Good purchase. The town of Chartres is so cute and French-y. We were there for the cathedral, and we were given a tour by Malcolm Miller. He knows his stuff. He didn’t even look at the stained glass windows while he explained their stories (he’s been talking about them for 52 years). We were given these handy little headsets that let us hear him whisper in his microphone. The cathedral was beautiful.

{Chartres Cathedral}

Back into Paris! By the time we got back, it was late, so we found a place to eat. I ordered French onion soup. How appropriate, right? The group then made our way over to the…EIFFLE TOWER. It was the same experience as Big Ben. When on the tube/Metro, you go underground someplace and somehow end up somewhere else. The first week in London, we emerged from the tube and Voila! Big Ben! We emerged from the Metro and Voila! The Eiffle Tower! We were too late to go up it, but we took lots of pictures and ate our first crepes, just like good tourists should. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be and more breathtaking!


{yes, this is real life!}
 
TUESDAY


After a restful night in our hotel, we got up for a trip out to Versailles. We toured the Château and it was big and pretty, as a palace should be. We saw the famous and original Hall of Mirrors and took the classic Myspace pict in the mirrors haha…This was the first time on my study abroad that I’ve been absolutely surrounded by tourists. We’ve been in London during the off-season, which makes for short lines and less people, but we were in France during spring break time. No me gusta. But I just had to suck it up and enjoy my time despite the masses. The gardens were pretty, too, and Annie and I got jacket potatoes and just sat and observed.

{girls at the gardens of Versailles}


When we got back, a group of us girls went to the Musée D’Orsay, probably my favorite museum in Paris. It’s a train station turned museum with one whole side with Impressionism (my fav!) and the middle with neat sculptures. After seeing my friends Van Gogh, Renoir, Pissaro, Monet and Manet and a few others, the girls walked along the Seine then up to the Panthéon, a son of the original Pantheon in Rome. Have I mentioned that I love architecture? On the way up was a street and statue dedicated to Sainte Michel. Yeah, that’s right. We also took advantage of some French shopping.

{Sainte Michel fountain and Michelle Ericksen}

{Musee D'Orsay}

We made our way back to the Orsay to meet up with people and eat dinner before heading off to a boat cruise along the Seine River. On the tube on the way there, we met a friendly French man, who was trying to teach us French. That didn’t really work. It was fun to see the sights from the river and go under the beautiful bridges (including the romantic good luck bridge). There was a runner that kept up with us for a while, it was pretty funny to me.

Oh boy oh boy I loved our next adventure. We waited in line for over an hour so that we could go UP INTO THE EIFFLE. While getting on the elevator, I glanced up between the cracks and could see all of the way up. And we went all of the way up. I’m telling you, great view, AMAZING experience. If anyone tells you that the Eiffle is overrated, poke them in their eyes and say “incroyoble!” I wanted to stay up there for forever.

When we did go down, and after another crepe, it was too late to take the Metro, so we had to take a taxi to the hotel. Golly, it was a perfect Paris day.

more catching up...

THURSDAY


Since this weekend we had two tests, I was a bum and studied today.

FRIDAY

After class, we took a field trip to the Imperial War Museum, where I mostly saw the WWI and WWII exhibits. I also went through the holocaust museum. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. The thing about this particular museum is that, yes, we do have them in the states, but they’re from the American side. Since it’s here, it’s closer to home for the British. The Americans fought in both wars, but it wasn’t until the ends of each and it wasn’t on our home turf. The British were involved in both 100% and so the exhibits are more extensive. The holocaust museum had actual shoes taken off the feet of those in the concentration camps before they went into the gas chambers. Their pictures were real and heart-wrenching. I don’t know how anyone could still support the Nazi ways or how anyone doesn’t believe that the Holocaust didn’t happen. Let’s pray that nothing like that will ever happen again.

SATURDAY

I decided to go for a run for the first time in forever through Hyde Park. Then back to studying and test taking. Annie and I took a break to go get Ben’s Cookies. Then back to studying. Kira, Brittany, Laura M., Annie and I went to Nando’s for dinner and unlimited soft drinks. That made the fact that I had to take a test at 10 PM a little bit better.

SUNDAY

In church, Sarah M. and I taught singing AND sharing time in primary. It was mum’s day in England, so we made little treats for the mums in the ward and I got flowers. That night was dinner and packing for our FRANCE TRIP the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooo!!!!! Also, Brother Young, Susan’s husband, came to see her for a week during his spring break and so he gave us a fireside that I enjoyed.

Look out for details about my week in Paris to come!!

"You Have Bewitched Me, Body and Soul" -Pride and Prejudice

WEDNESDAY


Another wonderful day trip day in England. Today was Jane Austen Day.
The coach dropped us off at Stourhead, where the famous gardens lay out around a serene pond. The group practically had the gardens to ourselves. The significance of Stourhead is how it was created to have the Pantheon replica and the Temple of Apollo as the focal points in the garden. Remember how in that one movie “Pride and Prejudice”, the scene where Mr. Darcy goes to Elizabeth in the rain? He finds her in this building and then proclaims his love to her. Whew…


{Temple of Apollo at Stourhead}

Next stop was Chawton, where Jane’s house is located. We toured it and got to see the costumes for Becoming Jane and the desk where she wrote her stories secretly. I felt like I was in a dream-like state the whole day and that I’d turn the corner to find a man in chaps wanting to confess his undying love to me while romantic music plays in the background…but really…Jane Austen rocks AND rolls.


{Jane Austen's House}
The last stop was Winchester, where we went to the Cathedral and saw Ms. Austen’s grave. Up the road we saw the Round Table of Arthur’s nights in the Great Hall.

It was Kalyn’s birthday this wonderful Jane Austen day and so in honor of both occasions we watched “Pride and Prejudice”. A good end to a day like this.

Twenty's Plenty!

TUESDAY20THBIRTHDAYPARTYCELEBRATIONWAHOO

Today’s my birthday doo doo doo doo doo happy birthday to me doo doo doo doot doo.
Two decades ago, I was brought into this world in Provo, Utah, USA. Ever since I graced this world with my presence, it has been a brighter, smarter, prettier place. You’re welcome, world.
I was a little stressed about my birthday because I’m in London, and you can’t really make a single day outstanding. Every day is wonderful in London. Today, we had a special day off from classes so we can go on a hike with George Chittock, a cute British man from the Hyde Park Stake. It was such a pretty countryside walk that ended up being an almost 10 mile pretty countryside walk.
Some of my friends were so sweet and got me chocolate that I ate all day (doubly allowed because of my birthday AND the long hike).
We came home to spaghetti waiting for us, a great birthday dinner.
After dinner, Jenny, Annie, Mary, Laura M., and I went to “39 steps”, a play that spoofs Alfred Hitchcock movies. It was funny and entertaining.

{outside the theatre for 39 Steps-Mary, me, Annie, Laura, Jenny}

On the way back, Annie was like: “are we going to get cake or something?” and I was like: “only if someone else gets it for me, cuz I feel funny getting my own cake”. So we walked into the servery to get a glass of water and there were my friends standing around waiting for me with cakes and balloons with my name on it and a banner. I was not expecting it! Shout out to Kalyn, Brittany, Kira, Annie, Sarah S. and anyone else who pitched in to surprise me! Cheers!
This birthday was in the top three, for sure, all thanks to friends, chocolate, and London.

I am here. You are hot.

Bad blogger. Bad bad blogger. It’s been over a week! But in my defense, if you’re not hearing from me, it’s because I’m too stinkin busy, which is a good thing.
Here we go with the updates…
FRIDAY
The group hit up NoLo (aka North London) for John Keats’ house. It was a cute little house made into a museum, like many of the places we go to. I’m not talking it down, but I’m not talking it up, either. It was…his house.
We had to walk through the Hampstead Heath, this big park that took us two hours to navigate through. It was pretty and muddy.
Our destination was Kenwood House. You know that one movie called “Notting Hill” with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant and that one scene where she’s filming a movie and he comes to visit her? That’s the house and the gardens from that scene. But that’s not why we went. We went for the gallery inside and the mythological references from the paintings.
On the way home, Laura, Mary and I got a little turned around since we’re not so familiar with the whole NoLo area. But it really wasn’t bad-I had good company and good conversation, plus I got to see a side of London that I haven’t explored yet.
I still had a chunk of the afternoon left before dinner, so I went to the financial district area and did some sketches of the cool buildings that I love. I love architecture. I think that I’ve finally half decided what I want to do with my life and it’s get my masters in architecture. I’ve become enamored with the buildings surrounding me, even the residential buildings. I sketched the Royal Exchange and its neighbor, the Bank of England.
After dinner, Annie and I went to the Hard Rock Café store at Hyde Park Corner and got t-shirts that we ended up switching because we liked the other’s. We also took a tour of THE VAULT, which was used to hold the queen’s stuff. It holds some of the coolest memorabilia of rock history: stuff signed by the Beatles, the harpsichord used to record some songs by the Beatles, guitars from Sting-Led Zepplin-Kiss-etc etc, and Elvis’ coat. Plus so many other awesome things. The original café is next door, but it was a 45 minute wait. Eh, maybe next time.
SATURDAY
Since we went out a lot this week, we had school on Saturday. Between classes, I ran in Hyde Park around the Serpentine Pond. I had an experience that proved to me that I have officially turned into a socially awkward person. Being around the same guys for 4 months and not being out with people not in the program equals no practice at being social. I had started to walk on one side of the pond and saw these two guys on horses. The horses were well-trained and I thought they were beautiful, so I was watching the horses. I looked up for a second at the guys in uniform on the horse and they were both looking back at me. We made eye contact and they nodded and I blushed and looked away. AWKWARD!! I was sweaty and frumpy and gross and awkward.
After class, Annie and I went to Camden Market. Yes, it was the same market that I went to before and I didn’t like, but I liked it this time. We actually found the cool parts of the area and so I found some success. I found this little music shop with CDs for one to three pounds. I got the Best of Sting and the Police, Keane, and Nora Jones all for 4 pounds. SCORE!
We then checked out the Tate Britain and saw some cool art and some, well, weird art. My favorite part was the circular hallway with interesting contemporary quotes on the wall. (thus my title)
I had a paper due on Monday, so that’s how I spent the rest of my evening. Luckily, I got a pizza break thanks to my grandpa. My roommates plus some and I enjoyed my grandpa’s pre-birthday gift. mmmm…
SUNDAY
Things got a little switched around in Primary this Sunday, so I got to help out in nursery for the third hour. They are such sweet little kids who just are so fun to teach.
As always, we looked forward to Sunday dinner plus dessert. Never disappoints.
MONDAY
Classes today. Then more myth paper writing. I better get a good grade on that, is all I have to say. That night the group went to see “War Horse”, an award-winning production about the relationship between him and his horse during a world war. My review: the relationship was a bit weird, the plot fell a bit short of my expectations (which were low to begin with), and the acting was bad. BUT the costumes was really cool—puppeteers controlled life-sized horses, making their noises and moving them in life-like manners.
But don't see it, just look at pictures.

Wut up, Shakespeare?

BACKTRACK: SATURDAY
I would just skip over this and move on with my life, BUT Saturday was noteworthy. Annie and I walked across the street (literally) and entered the world of Young Victoria aka Kensington Palace. It wasn’t the most extravagant palace, but the current exhibit is about the debutantes from a long time ago. It was really cute! I learned how to curtsy and I brushed up on my waltzing skills (acquired from my first semester in college=long live world dance class).

Someday my prince will come.

TUESDAY
Annie and I finished up a walk today through the financial district by the Royal Exchange and the Stock Exchange. This might be the coolest place ever. I feel like the Britons fully appreciate their buildings. Honestly, everywhere I look it’s another building that just takes my breath away. It’s an architect’s dream.

{Lloyd Building-the insides are outsides}

{Royal Exchange-amazing portico design}
That night was girls’ therapy night on the top bunks. I love how it’s just a sleepover every night here and we talk and laugh constantly. We were talking about how perfect it worked out with roommates. Each individual room has just clicked so well and we get along great. We also talk about the fun things that we’re going to do once we’re back in P-town and I’m really excited for that.

WEDNESDAY
Today’s day trip was Shakespeare Day. We started out not doing Shakespeare, but going to Warwick Castle. Imagine a combination between Disneyland and a really old castle and you get Warwick Castle. Kira, Brittany, Annie and I played in the towers singing “Guildaland” and taking fun pictures with the creepy wax figures. There was also this really fun peacock garden with real life peacocks strutting around. Across the pond in the gardens is the world’s largest trebuchet. Funny story: Being on culture committee, I signed up for the presentation on the Castle and when I announced on the bus that Warwick had the world’s largest trebuchet, people started yelling: “WHAT’S A TREBUCHET?” And I was like: “Really? Do you not know what that is?” and had to explain it to them.

{which one's not real?}

{Guy's Tower at Warwick Castle}

Funny story #2: At the top of Guy's Tower (where there are NO guys, btw) and we were all taking pictures. I look over at Kira, off by herself, leaning on the wall, looking contemplative, and singing softly to herself about our beloved Guildaland. Of course, it caught on and we all decided to sing along in our special voices...


The first stop on our Shakespeare tour was Anne Hathaway’s house. No, I thought it was Anne Hathaway as in the actress, but it’s Anne Hathaway as in Shakespeare’s wifey.

The second stop was The Birthplace (yes, that’s the official title and yes they capitalize it) at Stratford-Upon-Avon. If you hadn’t guessed it yet, it’s where Shakespeare was born and lived until he was 18 and he married Anne. It didn’t really hit me throughout the day that I was in the palce where Shakespeare lived. THE William Shakespeare. It’s kind of a big deal, right?

Third stop: New Place/Nash’s House. This is where Shakespeare lived for a time at the end of his life and at the peak of his career. Shakespeare was mostly away in London working on his career, but this is where his family resided.

Final stop: Trinity Church & Shakespeare’s gravesite. It was a pretty surreal day and I felt that I got to learn more about the man, William Shakespeare.

Annie and I then stopped into this cute little pub and had really good fish n chips.

The group then had the opportunity to see “King Lear” in the theatre there in Stratford-Upon-Avon in the coolest theatre ever. It was fashioned like the globe, where the stage was mostly central and our seats where almost behind the stage. It was a really really really good production. The director created this war-like theme with WWI costumes mixed with medieval costumes and a perfectly crazy Lear.
We were out for 17 hours-longest trip, yet. But SO worth it.

Killa Wales

THURSDAY
The group got up early to take the coach to WALES! According to my calculations, by the time I get back into the states, I would have gone to 5 different countries: Wales, Ireland, France, England, and Italy. Quite a feat.
The first stop in Wales was at Tinturn Abbey. William Wordsworth wrote about the Abbey and it’s said to be the inspiration for many artists and poets. It was really beautiful and probably one of my favorite places so far. It’s dissolute-d, like many other abbeys, so it’s a rustic, romantic ruin.

{tintern abbey}

{tintern abbey inside}
I wasn’t quite ready or excited for the next stop. We went to the Big Pit, this old coal mine, and they took us 400 feet underground. I’m a bit claustrophobic, so I was kinda hesitant about it, but it actually was pretty cool. Wayne the Welshman was our tour guide and he was so funny—he made fun of my shoes (I’m not so sure about that).

{Miners at The Big Pit}
The coach next stopped at the Wales History Museum. No one in our group actually went in because it was kind of boring, but Annie didn’t really catch onto that, so we literally had the museum to ourselves. THAT was fun. Next door was a miniature “castle”, if you could call it that (big, rich person’s house that they wanted to call a castle) and the surrounding gardens were pretty.

{gardens at the castle}
We stayed in Cardiff in a HOTEL. I LOVE Hotels. There were 2 of us per room and everyone had their own queen—sized bed.
For dinner, we ventured into downtown Cardiff and found a delicious Italian restaurant called Postiano’s.
Wales is really pretty and I wouldn’t mind living there.
FRIDAY
Did I mention that I love hotels? Especially now since I got my own queen-sized bed, a bathroom shared with only one other person, continental breakfast, and all of the other luxuries that come with hotels. Unfortunately, I had to part with the hotel. Fortunately, it’s because we set out to explore Wales. We were going home that night, so we jam-packed our day. First, the group went to Caerphilly Castle, the first legit-feeling castle yet. The other castles have had lots of alternations and renovations since they are still used, but this one is run-down and has a moat. And trebuchets. Annie and I just wandered around exploring for awhile and it was really fun.

{Caerphilly Castle}
Next, we went to see some Church history sites. In our religion class, we were learning about the first mission to Britain by 7 missionaries and also the second mission by 8 and the subsequent growth of the Church in the British Isles. We learned about the influence of the Benbow family and how John Benbow, the leader of the United Brethren during 1840, and his wife Jane readily accepted the Gospel. The United Brethren followers would come from miles away to the Benbow’s farm in Herefordshire to hear the Word and then be baptized in the pond on the property by Wilford Woodruff. We went to Hill Farm and saw the pond.

{Hill Farm}
Then we went over to the parish that a lot of the Saints used before they became members. Noted names in Church history, like the Oakeys, Pitts, and Benbows, are buried here.
Up the mountain we went to Herefordshire Beacon, a hill that we hiked all of the way up. It was super windy and cold, but amazing.
Lastly, we went to the building where Woodruff preached in after a majority of the United Brethren converted.  I’ve never been to a church history site besides Temple Square in Salt Lake, so it was a really cool day for me. I was thinking about how ironic/funny/weird it is that I’m learning more about the history of England before the history of America. I saw the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace before I saw the White House. I saw the Benbow’s farm before I saw Nauvoo.
Funny how that works.

{Wales from Herefordshire Beacon}

Magical Mika Monday

“It may be a Monday. And you may be surrounded by strangers. But by the end of night, it’s not going to feel like that.” –Mika



A definite top 5 favorite activity is going to concerts.
Last night, I had the privilege of attending Mika’s concert here in London. Correction: I got to see the Mika circus. I think that I said something like this post-production: it was like Mika regurgitated his mind=a combination of pure joy and a crazy party. His repertoire included, but is not limited to: Rain, Big Girls (You are Beautiful), Good Gone Girl, Billy Brown, Stuck in the Middle, Love Today, Blue Eyes, I See You and finished with We Are Golden, complete with gold confetti. The stage was set up with a big notebook and his sparkly silver piano. He also wore this funny coat of feathers for one of his songs. Mika came out with an encore and sang Grace Kelly and started Lollipop with this really cool trash can drum ensemble with his whole band. Lollipop was the final song and everyone was dancing and confetti was falling and there were big balloons everywhere. It was a continual party. The best part was how he looked like he was having the time of his life the whole time. Oh, and his sweet dance moves. Oh, and the fact that he’s professionally trained in opera, so he’s just as good live as on his CDs.
I loved it, just loved it, despite the lack of excitement from the other concert-goers (what is it with Europeans and concerts? They’re so BORING). Some parts were a bit trippy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
This morning in class, I raised my hand to offer a comment and started to talk, but instead of voice, a man with a cold came out. Screaming Mika at the top of my lungs all night would do that to me.




we stole a balloon...and took it on the tube home