Home again, home again, jiggity-jig

That's right, I'm back stateside. It's lovely to be home. I missed my puppy (and family too, I guess... :P).
My experience this semester was certainly a once in a lifetime. I fell hard for London and just the UK in general (especially Scotland). It will always occupy a special place in my heart. What made it even better were the fantastic people that I had the privilege to meet while there. My professors and their families were wonderful. The friends I made are unforgettable. They're kind, loving, accepting, and hilarious. Hopefully we'll be friends for a while. maybe forever.

I know I haven't posted consistently during the semester. I just ran out of time. There was so much to do in London that I decided I would rather be out there exploring than sitting in the center posting. So that's what I did. In trying to think of a meaningful way to sum up this semester I think I really hit the nail on the head. The biggest lesson that I learned whilst globetrotting is that everything works out.

"Things work out, it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

There are countless times this semester that this quote reminds me of. The fact that I was even able to go was a blessing. I wasn't sure that I would have enough money, but, somehow, I had enough. I was worried about how I was going to pay for school next semester but through some promptings I worked that out. I didn't know how I was going to manage to get housing and a job for this upcoming semester while being a couple thousand miles away but, I did. Even in little things like getting homework done or being able to go somewhere or having my luggage arrive safely. I know He answers my prayers.

"The simple secret is this: trust in the Lord, do your best, and leave to rest to Him."
-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

And to London: Don't worry, I'll be back. Promise. 

Do you hear the people sing?

A few weeks ago I went to see Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre here in London. As many of you know Les Miserables is  my favorite musical and one of my top books. I was so excited I could hardly contain it. It started all the way back in Paris when we saw his grave at the Pantheon and his house in the Place de Vosges.

Then we finally got to London and one of the first things I did was go buy my ticket.
I had to wait two whole weeks after I got my ticket to see it. pure torture.
But, as all things do, it did eventually come.

And it was one of the best things of my life. 
I had only ever seen student productions, so seeing it with a professional cast blew me away. It was incredible. I only cried like 5 times or something... It is such a beautiful story with so many thought provoking themes. Plus the music and lyrics are out of this world. It was worth every penny I spent to get good seats. I might even go again.
I wish I could explain why I love Les Mis so much, but it's really hard to so you'll just have to discover for yourself if you haven't already.

If you haven't been lucky enough to have heard of Les Miserables or listened to the music I recommend the 10th Anniversary Concert. In my opinion, that is the best one to listen to.
I also recommend reading the book. Just make sure you read the abridged version the first time around or you might not make it through. haha.

On a related note, check out my Halloween costume for this year:

And check out these trailers for the Les Miserables movie that comes out on Christmas!!! Can't wait : D

I've seen your soul shine

Last week:

Got some chicken at Nando's. It's Brazilian grilled chicken and corn on the cob and it is soo good.

Ate the most delicious gelato that I've ever eaten. Snowflake (white chocolate, coconut, almond, hazelnut) and Cuoricino (basically nutella in gelato form) flavors.

Went on a walk near the river. For one of our classes we have a serious of walks we have to do around London. It was super foggy and, therefore, super cool.

Climbed on the giant lions at Trafalgar Square.

Saw St. James Place and Buckingham Palace. The guards are pretty intense. And the flag was up at Buckingham which meant the queen was there!

Went to a super awesome concert! The Robbie Boyd Band is super cool. They're a folky/pop-ish sort of band. really chill stuff. We took a cab there. You just tell the cabbie the address and he knows the fastest way there. It's called 'the knowledge'. So that was an experience in and of itself. The concert's venue was at a bar in a bit of a sketchy part of town so I was a bit out of my element there, but it was great. After the concert we got to meet the band and get a picture with them. oh, and we got free cupcakes :)

Saw Handel's Julius Caesar by the English National Opera. It was a modern interpretation of the opera, including lots of modern dancing. It was interesting to say the least. The music was absolutely wonderful though, so I would say that I did enjoy it.

And now some Robbie Boyd for your listening pleasure:

the British bad habit

Last week I went to the British Museum for the first (of many) time(s). There is so much there, it is incredible. I saw the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin marbles. The Elgin marbles were by far my favorite. They are pediment statues that were taken from the Parthenon by the British. The amazing thing about them is the quality of the carving, The figures are draped in cloth and it is so well done that it legitimately looks like cloth. The Egyptian exhibit was amazing! They have so many artifacts that are just sitting out in the open. no glass case, no ropes, nothing. There's just these statues and sarcophaguses from like 2,000 BC chillin. nbd.

{head from colossal figure of a king}
[about 1380 B.C.]

{giant arm from same statue}

{limestone false door and architrave of Ptahshepses}
[about 2400 B.C.] 

{details of an Assyrian statue}

{Elgin Marbles}

{more Assyrian detail}

There is still so much to see there. I've only scratched the surface :)

Mind the gap

A quick wrap-up on week before last:

Saw Westminster Abbey- I didn't get to go inside yet but will be doing that in December.

Took a walk by parliament.

Went to Westminster Cathedral - It's a Byzantine style structure and is loaded with beautifully ornate mosaics and tile work.

Explored the Banqueting Hall - It's the only building that survived the fire at Whitehall Palace. The ceiling panels were painted by Peter Paul Rubens. Charles I was executed here during the revolution. It's a pretty cool place.

Go big or go home...

...or go home big. That's our motto. haha.

First off, I am in love. London is amazing. It's a little different than what I was expecting. or maybe I just wasn't sure what to expect. but it's marvelous all the same.

{arriving in London at St. Pancras station}

The London center is a beautiful Victorian townhouse. We live on Palace Court right across from Kensington Gardens. There are 5 floors. My room is on the 3rd. We kick it dorm style with bunk beds. There are 14 of us in my room. Our classroom is on the 2nd floor. I just have to drag myself out of bed, go down a flight of stairs and *bam* I'm at school. so...it's basically like being at Hogwarts...or boarding school...

Until today the weather has been so lovely. Blue skies and sunshine for the majority of this past week. London put it's best face on just for us :)

{Round Pond at Kensington Gardens}

This week:

We went to a concert at the Barbican.

Went to Portabello Road market and got a giant rainbow sprinkle donut. The market is amazing. It goes on for blocks and blocks and has just about everything. As they say in Bedknobs and Broomsticks: "Street where the riches of ages are stowed. Anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off the barrow in Portabello road." Not like I was singing that song the whole time or anything...

Saw Richard III at the Globe Theatre. It was fantastic! It was a traditional all male cast that included Mark Rylance as Richard III and Roger Lloyd Pack (Barty Crouch Sr.!) as Duke of Buckingham. The men who played the female roles were wonderful. It was amazing how they could speak in such a high pitch, yet still project their voices and express such deep emotions.

Saw 'Big Ben' and the London Eye. Did you know that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower and not the tower itself? The tower is Elizabeth Tower.

Started classes on Monday. I love the classes that I'm taking and our professors are wonderful!

Went to Paddington Station in search for Paddington Bear. We found him!

Saw Swan Lake at the royal opera house!! It was phenomenal!!! The woman who danced the part of Odette was wonderful. The prince and the white swan danced so beautifully together. The story is a sad one and the music just makes it come alive.

Went shopping at Primark. Primark is like the clothing section of Target on steroids. Cute steroids. You walk in and basically want to buy everything. no joke. I managed to restrain myself and only got a few shirts and some socks. crisis averted...for now. I'm sure I will return at least once again in my time here.

That's all for now! London is amazing and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be here :)