I See London, I See France!

     Today was our first travel day.  We boarded the coach at 8AM and went to our first stop, Dover Castle.  We got to spend about 2 hours there exploring and doing what we wanted.  I really loved seeing the views of the English Channel as well as climbing to the top of the Castle.
After the castle we went down to the beach and pier.  The "sand" was made of rocks, but the water was really pretty.  The temperature outside was pretty nice, but it was very windy as one can probably tell from the pictures.  It was cool to be standing in England, yet looking at France.
We then drove for another half hour or so to have a look at Canterbury and the Canterbury Cathedral.  Canterbury is a darling little place.  We got to spend some free time while there and happened to find the cutest/best little candy shop.  We then split into groups of about 120 and went on guided tours of the cathedral.  We had a cute old man as our tour guide.  He knew so much and it was so interesting to learn all about Thomas Becket as well as Roman and Gothic architecture.  After the tour Kacey and I grabbed a DC at McDonalds and loaded the coach to head back to London.  The ride home was a bit long, but I managed to sleep for most of it.  A group of us went to Cafe Diana for dinner and then came home and did some homework.  I still can't believe I actually live here and I seem to love it more and more!

A Day @ the V&A

Today started with me sleeping through my alarm to go running, but waking up in time for Biology.  We had class from 9-10:45 and then went to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  There were a lot cool things there, but we focused on the Rodin sculptures, different textiles, giant Roman pillars, and "The School of Athens" painting.  Dr. Evans know so much and it was so interesting to visit the museum with him.  All of what we saw was some how related to evolution and order.  After the V&A, we went and had lunch at the center.  Then Mandi, Kacey, and I went shopping at Primark (a huge clothing store with about everything you could ever need).  We found some cute things and then came back to the center for dinner.  After dinner Kacey, Mandi, Annie, and I finished out London Walk focused on the government and power.  We cut it a little short, but managed to grab a package of Hobnobs and reach the ending destination which was Buckingham Palace.  It was fun to see at night plus much less crowded than in the day.  The flag was flying so the Queen was there, but unfortunately we didn't see her.  We then jumped on the Tube (and found some cute company), bought some scarves when we got off, and headed home!  Anyway...time to try and get ahead on some homework.

First Day of School

Today was a first day of school unlike any other.  Kacey, Annie, and I woke up and went running, then came back and went right down the stairs to class without even showering.  It was weird, yet nice to simply take about 40 steps to get to class and not even worry about a "first day of school outfit."  My Honors Humanities class was first.  We are studying Medieval vs. Renaissance art and I'm really excited about the class.  Next was religion which was a little boring today, but should get much more interesting.  I then had a break and Kacey and I had lunch slash went and got a DC.  The final class I had today was an upper level Humanities focusing on landscape and architecture.  I'm most excited for this class because we get to paint, sketch, and take photographs, plus class discussion is really interesting.  After class I did homework and got some school supplies.  While we were studying in our room, this girl Emmy was playing her music rather loud so I decided to pull out my remote and control her music.  She got so confused and tried all sorts of things to fix it, yet still hasn't figured out what was wrong.  It was so funny to hear and see her reaction.  Kacey, Annie, and I had to try so hard not to burst out laughing and blow our cover.  We then had a delicious dinner, went on a run to the grape store, did an abs workout, and I even found time to paint my nails with "Big Apple Red."

Let Them Eat Cake

Today was an interesting day.  It was the first day of going to church here.  Mandi, Laura, Megan, and I went to a ward about an hour away.  We had to take the tube and then almost missed the train we needed to take, but luckily we got there ok.  It was really small and unlike any ward I have ever been to, but I got put with the Young Women which should be fun.  We finally got home at about 2:30 and then I took my usual Sunday nap.  We then had a great dinner that DelRay made with really good cornbread.  After dinner I finally decided to trap myself in the library and get my homework done considering it's due in the morning.  A bunch of us got restless and gathered in the kitchen and ate the rest of this cinnamon pear cake that we had had for dinner.  It was so good and we were laughing so hard, but now I have a stomachache.  Mary-Celeste was nice and showed me her Britney Spears ab workout, but I may have to save it for tomorrow.  But time to fb stalk or attempt to sleep.  Peace!

A Sunny Saturday

     First off, Happy Birthday Abigail and Mandi!  Love you both and hope you have slash have had a great day.

     Anyway...I can already tell I am going to love Saturdays because I get to sleep-in.  Today I slept until about 9 and then Mandi, Ann, Kacey and I went for a run in Kensington Gardens.  It was finally warm and sunny so it made being outside very enjoyable.  After our run we went back to the center, showered, ate lunch, and left for a London Walk.  We weren't super excited to be going on the walk, but it was good once we got going.  Due to street closers we ended it early and came back to the center to do some homework slash take an afternoon nap before leaving for the night.  Today is Mandi's 20th birthday... so Kacey, Ann, and I got her a darling dress to wear to dinner and some delicious coconut cookies.  A whole crew of us went to Wagamama for dinner (so yummy) and then we came back and had birthday cake.  We had planned to watch The Holiday, but instead stayed up talking and laughing in the sitting room.  Mary-Celeste (the sweet girl that cried when we had to leave the British Museum) had stayed up reading Shakespeare and was sweet enough to come and give each of us a hug goodnight.  Now it's about 2 AM and time for bed. Night!

First Friday

Today was the first Friday being here and it was really fun.  We had mini classes today just for an overview of each course.  It was a little long, but got me excited for school to start.  After class, a crew of us left to explore London and run a few errands.  We stopped at the Post Office, a school supply store, an art store, and then made our way down Portobello Road.  Each store along the long colorful road was so cute and we had so much fun shopping/mainly browsing.  We made a stop at Hummingbird Bakery to have a cupcake.  They were delicious and very needed.  Annie/LeAnn (my bunkmate) and I even got matching rings from this little jewelry shop.  After shopping we headed back to the center and hung out until Dinner.  Dinner was yummy and Mandi loved the rice which entertained us all.  After dinner we went to this darling gelato shop in Notting Hill.  We then walked all around the neighborhood and before heading back.  Once back we did the usual of laughing, talking, not doing homework/school, I actually got a hold of my family which was great, and then watched Notting Hill.  All in all it was a great Friday!

British Museum, Brits, and Big Ben

     Today was a really fun and busy day.  Kacey and I woke up at 7:30 and went for a run in Kensington Gardens.  It was so pretty and the weather was perfect.  We got back just in time to have some breakfast and shower before orientation.  Orientation started at 9 and went until about 12.  A lot of information, but really long.  At orientation we were given our first homework assignments from each of the professors which required going to the British Museum and National Gallery.  So off we went, a crew of us (Kacey, LeAnn, Mandi, Abby, Courtney, Lauren, Emmy, Kristin, and I), and not screaming American or anything as we attempted to explore our new home.
     Our first stop was the British Museum.  Biology students were assigned to go see the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III. It had texts on it dating back from 859 to 824 BC and was discovered in 1846. We were also assigned to see the famous Rosetta Stone.  This was really cool.  The top portion was in hieroglyphics, the middle portion Egyptian, and the bottom portion Greek.  Crazy to think how this one stone changed the world and written language.  While we were there we also walked through the Parthenon wing which had major pieces from the Parthenon in Greece.  This was so cool and it was so cool to be seeing this stuff in person and not a textbook.
     The next stop was the National Gallery.  We walked here from the BM and decided a Diet Coke stop was needed on the way.  I think I also may have been "head picked" on the way because my sunglasses went missing off my head.  We finally found our way to the National Gallery, but were distracted by the practically naked men protesting in Trafalgar Square.  I'm still not completely sure what their intention was, but it was very entertaining.  Basically they wanted to entertain the crowd by pushing their limits with the police and sarcastically saying they were harmful.  It's hard to explain, but it made for great laughs and funny photos.  At last we made it inside the NG which was incredible.  For Humanities 202, we were to compare and contrast the subject matter and aesthetics of a medieval painting and a Renaissance painting.  For Humanities 440, we were to go through a traveling exhibit called "Corot to Monet A Fresh Look at Landscape from the Collection".  This exhibit explored and showed the idea of "open air painting" and the effects it had on style and subject matter of European landscape painting.  There were so many beautiful paintings and it got me really excited for the class.
     After the National Gallery we headed back to the Center just in time for dinner.  Dinner was SO good.  I was thrilled because my favorite feta and pecan salad was on the menu as well as delicious chicken and veggies.  After dinner was a fireside type thing with this British guy who is 26 and so funny.  He pointed out some of the many differences between America and England.  Basically Americans are all about BIG, but British are about age and they always win when it comes to being old and doing it first.  He also joked about the cultural differences between the two such as the Brits like to be left alone, but Americans like to barge in.  He pointed out that over here it isn't polite to start a conversation by saying hello and stating your name because you are demanding them to talk back.  Instead, it is better to talk about the weather or a common topic, then should they choose to respond, names are exchanged at the end.  I liked this concept/"rule."
     After the fireside, a crew of us decided to go to Big Ben.  Going there and getting back was as much fun as being there.  We took pictures as if we would never be back.  Big Ben is so pretty and it was amazing to just be out and roaming the city.  I still can't believe this is my home for the next few months and that I am lucky enough to be here!