Life Lately

It's hard to believe that the semester is over. It seems like I just got back from London yesterday. So much has happened in the past month and a half. It's funny how life happens. I am so incredibly happy right now. happier than I've been in a long time.

First off, I started dating someone back in March. He's sweet and thoughtful and kind. I'm not sure when I've smiled and laughed this much.

Adventures of late:

My first ever time snowshoeing! It is so tiring but so fun! We were afraid we wouldn't find a place with enough snow, but we needn't have worried. There was so much snow up at Mill Flat in Midway. A good three feet in some places.

I've started to become more interested in biking. Our fifth roommate Ian is an avid mountain biker so he kind of sucked me in. haha. I did the Lazyman Ironman again this semester so I needed lots of bike miles. We went on a couple of 18 mile rides; out to the lake, up the canyon. And we did a ridiculous hill workout which included a hill which Ian has lovingly dubbed 'puke hill'. yup. And he even let me do some stairs, which is so so so fun. The most I've done so far is a 3-3-4-4 set of stairs. It makes me feel so hard core. haha.

I ran the Rex Lee Run 5k with my friend Matt in the snow. That's right, March 23rd and it was snowing. Ridiculous.

Intramural soccer came to a close. We played so well in our last game. We had it tied and it came down to 'sudden death'. Then I proceeded to get a handball in the goal box which is a direct penalty kick on goal. Needless to say, we lost. Definitely felt bad after that one. yikes. But the team was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed playing with them.

I went to the hot springs for the first time with a bunch of people from my ward. Luckily it was at night because I'm not sure they could have gotten me in there if I could see it. The water was so dirty. so. much. mud. But, in spite of all the mud, it was still really fun.

We went to the BYU/Pepperdine men's volleyball game and it was so good! I was never really into volleyball before, but I actually really enjoy watching it.

We went to the festival of colors at the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork.

I cut my hair again. I know. I said I wasn't going to do that. But I realized that my reasons for growing it out were lame. Plus I'm dating someone who actually likes it short, which is awesome :)

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! so much goodness. General conference weekend was so so so good this year. Matthew came down from Idaho for his mission reunion and hung out all weekend!!! I went to his mission reunion with him and it was really neat to put names and faces together. I got to meet his mission president and the mission president's wife and they told me what a good, obedient missionary my brother was. I knew it already but it was neat hearing it from them. Then on Sunday we went up to Salt Lake to watch the Sunday Afternoon session at the conference center. I think my favorite talk of the weekend was President Eyring's talk about coming closer to Christ.

My most recent adventure was a trip down to St. George with Jackson to watch him play in a doubles grass volleyball tournament. It was fantastic. It was fun to meet one of his best friends and to watch him do something that he really loves. It was so gorgeous there! sunny and 85. so perfect. Saturday was spent watching volleyball and I was kind of surprised at how much I've really started to like watching it. On Sunday we went to see the St. George temple and then had to head back to Provo. sad day.

As you can probably tell, life is so good right now. We're in the midst of finals but the end is in sight. Then on to Spring and Summer terms for more school. woo! Not going home will be a new thing for me but I know I've made the right decision to stay here and take classes. Today was our last Sunday as a ward and I'll be really sad to see people move out. This week is going to be a little rough with good-byes and such but the bitter inevitably comes with the sweet.

Life Lately

So, it's been a while and life has been a little crazy, to say the least. I'm back at BYU and life is good.

Coming back to Provo after London was a hard thing. I still get homesick for London every now-and-again, but I'm glad to be back.

I moved into a random apartment of strangers and I couldn't have picked them better myself. My roommates are fantastic as are the fugitive reptiles that live in our apartment.

{meet Kevin the closet chameleon and Cissy, the snake that lives under our desk}
[they're pretty cool :)]

Also, there is a giant teddy bear named Albie  that resides on our couch. He's basically the best cuddler ever :)

My ward is equally fantastic. Everyone is kind and friendly and the ward is incredibly social. To illustrate how awesome my ward is: we had a Harry Potter ward activity. I'm talking full-blown, entire church building, intricately planned to the last detail. They sorted us into houses and he went t classes and earned and lost house points. We even played Quidditch. It was pretty legit. I've also gone on a couple dates with guys in my ward, which is a nice change from freshman wards and a no-dating study abroad.

My classes are great. It's so nice to be into upper-level classes that are so interesting to me and applicable to my major. I'm working on a research team with a human development professor that I admire very much, studying the play behavior of preschoolers and I TA for one of the best classes at BYU (a music civ class) working for one of the professors from my study abroad. It's basically the best job ever. no lie.

In my 'spare' time I've watched a few fantastic movies that you really need to see if you haven't. They all have to do with England which just makes them that much better:

-War Horse. Incredible. I don't think I've ever cried like that in a movie before.

-The Young Victoria. Beautiful. One of the best love stories ever. And you know the best part? It's a true one.

-The Four Feathers. Not well known, but worth a watch. Plus, it has Heath Ledger in it. Try saying no now.

Valentine's Day

For President's Day weekend my fantastic brother came down to Provo to visit for the long weekend. It was so good to have him down here and to show him around. We had pupusas with one of his old mission companions, hung out, cleaned my kitchen (he's a pro stove cleaner :P), ate at some of Provo's finest dining establishments, and went bowling (needless to say, I lost). It was a wonderful weekend.

I went skiing for the first time in a few years at Sundance in my new ski boots. That's right! I have my own ski boots now. It was an incredibly exciting thing for me. It felt so good to be back on the slopes. I was surprised at how fast it came back and how comfortable I felt. It was fantastic!

And this is how my life feels right now:

And sometimes like this too:

And just a little bit of this:

The past couple of weeks have been pretty rough but Heavenly Father has blessed me with an amazing roommate and wonderful friends so, it's gonna be ok :)

Happy Christmas Break

I have officially survived the first three weeks of school. whew. 

Being back in P-town is great, but I'm a little homesick for London.
I'm gonna tell you a little bit about my Christmas break, because it's never too late to talk about Christmas.

Christmas break with my family was wonderful. It was our last Christmas all together as a family for a while.

{gallivanting in the woods}

{all things Christmas}
[we even had a white Christmas!]

{we went to DC after Christmas}
[at the Lincoln Memorial, the capital building, and the entryway to the Library of Congress]

{checking out my homeboy Monet at the National Gallery}
[makes me miss Europe]

{a giant metal tree sculpture, in front of the capital building, a replica of a Metro entrance in Paris (I've been there!)}

{we stopped to look at the lights at the DC temple on our way home}

For new year's eve we had some friends over and had a bonfire and stuff and then we went into town to see the 'pickle drop'. My town's name is Dillsburg and so they drop Mr. Pickle for new year's eve. Think Mr. Peanut but with a pickle instead.

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 :)