Family History, I Am Doing It.

During the past two days I have been quite productive, considering I had been laying in my bed for 60+ hours. I have made an excel spreadsheet graduation map comparing my two majors (semester by semester), watched two TV shows (thanks Jenna), organized my iCal for the next four months,  downed a six-pack of Sprite Zero and Saltine Crackers,  organized my iTunes library, and may have spent the remainder of time day dreaming about finding the perfect man, and how he would be a combination of Mr. Knightly, Mr. Thornton, and President Monson, (but my age- of course). Yes, I will admit, as my family claims, that being sick can make me slightly dramatic or engage in a tad bit too much hyperbole. But in the long run who am I to blame? It comes from the perfect mix of my exaggerative father and my dramatic mother. They have strong genes- or tight pants- as Melissa puts it. 

Today has been a very good day, most of all because it was the first time in two and a half days I got out of my bed, ate, had an appetite, and had a taste of much needed fresh air. After classes I was more than happy to take a much needed shower, put make up on, and run over to the Hyde Park Chapel for FAMILY HISTORY!

Elder Crandall- homie and life saver!

Okay family,go, call me a nerd. But I LOVE family history. Jani and I spent the first hour at the Family History Centre trying to find census records from pretty much anyone we could find that is related to us. And after that hour we were convinced we didn't come from anyone. I just appeared from my mum and pa, and all these people who I claim to be related to don't really exist, or they just lie on their census records to look down on me in my agony and find amusement, for I am sure I was somewhat amusing. Alas, through the sweet sweet Elder Crandall I was able to track down some relatives. During the rest of my process I learned the following things:

1. Jemima is my future daughters name. It's a family name. I most definitely have to keep it in the line.

2. I am Norwegian. Say What? Yes, Grandma is more Norwegian than she thinks! Or she knows and so does the rest of my family but just failed to inform me, which is more likely the case. 

3. The Wixom family line definitely understood the whole Polygamy concept. Good ol' Solomon Wixom (not Solomon Avery, although he did follow the trend quite thoroughly) had 9 wives and 22 kids. Ummmm. Yes. We come from the first wife, Sarah, so we are all the much more superior, for we are the true Wixoms. hahah, just kidding. But, no, really- we are. 

HOWEVER- he was only recorded in the 1880 census and was not with Sarah at that time, so our family line isn't recorded. Wife no. 2- Hannah Montgomery was. Not cool. I guess it isn't a grudge I need to hold. I wonder how Sarah felt about this. Family drama: Wixom style, that is always exciting in my house. (recap to Collette's wedding eve anyone?)

4. I spent a great deal wondering why the name of Thankful & Experience Sprague never got passed down to our family line. I think whomever has a child next gets to pick from those two names. I even thank they are unisex names. :)

After I finished up I decided to go do some shopping. I was just minding my business on the tube when the blasted emergency man got on the microphone and said there was a fire or something lame like that at the station I was supposed to get off at. I am officially convinced that the tube does not like me. I have the worst luck. Tube Strikes, closures, bomb threats, fires. But at least I am having tube issues in LONDON! 

It's such an amazing experience living in London. Every morning I wake up and think, oh my stars. I AM WAKING UP IN LONDON! I am sad for the day when I wake up and all the sudden I can't say that anymore. I love and adore this wonderful place. The little kids that love standing in que's, the cars on the left side of the road, hearing the people speak, going to museums for homework, the politeness of people, little old english ladies asking you to help them across the street, the diversity at church, never seeing the same person twice, the beautiful green rolling hills, hiking up stairs to wherever I go, running past castles and palaces on my daily run, the absolute beauty in all the architecture. I just love everything about this place, it is purely magical. I can never think myself worthy of being able to have this experience. :)

"When you are tired of London, you are tired of life: for in London there is enough to fill a mans life." -Samuel Johnson

But I Want to Go To Brighton!

This last week (as in last Tuesday until today) has probably been one of the craziest weeks of my life. To sum it up, Joshua Radin, No heat or warm water, break-up, Brighton, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehedge, Cadbury Chocolate Outlet, Portsmouth, Brighton, Jane Austen House, London Temple, Black Swan Premier, 18 mile run, stake conference, called as Primary Secretary, and to top it off being really sick for the last two days.

Monday morning I woke up at 3 am and made best friends with the toilet until about 8. To say the least, it was not my favorite memory of London thus far. I spent the day in bed wishing I was dead. Yes, I may be a bit dramatic, but it was not fun. Late last night I decided to ask Dr. Tate if he would give me a blessing. He and Dr. Seely were more than willing and it was such a wonderful experience. Being really sick, especially while living in a room with 8 girls and a house of 38 girls and not really having any where to just be sick (not that I don't love my room, they are the greatest! They have been so sweet and helpful!) just kinda made me homesick. The last week was just crazy and being sick topped it off really made me want to be home. Dr. Tate & Dr. Seely finished the blessing and I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed. It was just what I needed and I was so grateful that they were able to provide that for me. Dr. Tate offered to kick his son out of his room so I would have somewhere to be alone (I didn't, but it was just such a sweet thought. He really is Saint Tate) and Sister Seely just was my little mom and made a run to TESCO for crackers and such for me. Even though I am 7,000 miles away, it's nice that I have my own little (I guess little isn't necessarily the right word) family of 36 girls, 2 guys and my professors. 

Because I have been laying in my bed for the last 36 hours and don't really have much energy, I can just sum up the week with pictures. 

Joshua Radin Concert

Jane Austen House

Salisbury Cathedral (yes, another Cathedral. They really just keep appearing)

Yeah, I don't really understand the statue either

Stonehenge 

It was FREEZING

Portsmouth

HMS Victoria

I may have spent 20 pounds on chocolate: Cadbury Outlet

Brighton

London Temple

London Film Festival
London is hosting a film festival right now in Leichster Square and on Friday night was the premier of Black Swan. All we knew is that Natalie Portman was going to be there, so we were so there it was insane. We got there and found out she bailed. LAME. Her costar was going to be there though- Mila Kunis. Don't know her? It's okay, neither did I. But she was famous so that was good enough for me! And then I saw her. That 70's show anyone? I now have a claim to fame! I have seen someone famous, and she was so nice. I stole this pic from Jenna, but she was so close to us! I could really reach out and touch her.

Frozen. Literally.

Never will I take hot water for granted again. Oh, and warm air too. That was nice, and it's just something I dream about now. Sigh. After my epic concert to go see Joshua Radin on Tuesday night we came home to a freezing house and no warm water.

Two of the professors are letting us use their showers in their flats. And some of the girls are just opting that professors inviting us to come shower in their flats is a little to close for comfort and just are not showering. I may or may not be one of these people. And then there are the girls that brave the 15 degree water and do shower. Yep, definitely not happening on my part.

So for the mean time, we just laugh-- and wear two sweatshirts, leggings, sweatpants, two pair of socks, gloves and occasion go warm our hands on our towel warmer in the bathroom. And for those of us very hygienic girls, we just go through a lot of dry shampoo and baby powder. :)

So, Just Come on This Journey With Me

The last week of my life, I have been playing, playing hard core. We had our trip up North to The Peak District, York, The Lake District, and Preston/ Liverpool to see Church History Sights. Now that I am home (and got pictures from my lovely pal Brianna) I can rewind and recap the amazing adventures I had up North.

Monday October 11

-Drove on the Coach- for a LONG time (watched North & South :))

Chatsworth (aka PEMBERLY) 

Bronte Parsonage

Climbed through sheep fields and to the top of a hill covered in moor (very bronte-esque)

Arrived at our York YHA

Explored the town of York: Everything closes at 4:30-5- we may or may not have done some trespassing. 

Ambleside Youth Hostel. 

Tuesday October 12

Tour of York Minster- we had a spicy older lady tour guide. She is my idol.

Exploration of York (aka-shopping)

Castle Museum

Viking Museum

Linner at the Assembly Hall. (Best pizza ever)

Hiking Friends!

Wednesday October 13

Loaded up the coach and off the the Lake District!

Tour of Durham Cathedral (Harry Potter filming location)

Bede's World: Disneyland of the North

Hadrians Wall

Arrival in Ambleside. 

Dinner at the YHA. Wow. That was just a whole different kind of experience. 

Hikers

Thursday October 14

Hike to Dove Cottage (William Wadsworth)

Time in Grasmere (ate at Heidi's for lunch- I thought of you ma)

Ferry and hike to Hilltop Farm (Beatrix Potter)

Boat cruise on Windermere Lake

Played games with the Tate's

Friday October 15

Left for Preston

Guided tour of Preston- Church History sights 

Stop (5 minutes) in Liverpool. (ran into museum and saw docks)

Bede's World

HOME!

What an amazing trip. I know that was vague. But there is so much to recap on! Me person highlights were running through the gardens at CHATSWORTH.

Jani jumping the barbed wire fence

 mountain goatin' and hopping barbed wire fences through the moor with Jani, Jordan and Grace. Reading YHA bunk beds. Having the extra sound effects during the ride from another visitor at the Viking Museum. Finding a POUND(dollar)STORE in York. Feeding bulls at Bede's World (and for the record- Bede was a monk). Wandering through the Lake District, and Jordan & Andrea reading Wadsworth & Peter Rabbit on our boat cruise. Our crazy boat driver. And to top if off- the senile lady in Preston yelling help from her window.

Sometimes when we get bored we impersonate statues:

Or dress up:

York Viking Museum 

Or take band pics:

Chatsworth Gardens
Sarrin, Brianna, Meegan, Becca, Me, Caroline

Hadrians Wall

Chatsworth Gardens
Anne, Nicole, Meegan, Becca, me, Briana, Caroline

I Have Been There, And Back. I Get It.

 Just as an introduction, this may have been one of the best weeks of my life.
First off. Wednesday: Best. Day Trip. Ever. We went to Glastonbury, Stourhead, and Bath. In Glastonbury we went to two different ruins. The first was an old cathedral, and the second we had to hike 500 something stairs (big shocker, I know. Stairs- unheard of.) up the side of Tor hill to see more ruins. Ruins are about as common in the UK as cacti in Nevada. No joke. However, I do rather enjoy them. They make very good  photo props.
As for Stourhead- I will let the pictures do the talking.

Remember that one time Lizzie read Darcy's letter? 

Look Familiar?

Oh yes, and then that other time Mr. Darcy Proposed?

After all the girls finished taking pictures and fantasizing, we headed over to Bath. Bath is such a cute town. It had the big city feel but a small town charm. It is one of my favorite cities in England so far, but then again, I am pretty sure I say that about every new place I go.

I think they said the water was toxic or something

So, in all reality, don't take my word on that. In Bath we went to the Pump Room and the Assembly Hall (Northanger Abby/Persuasion anyone?). Naturally, all of us Jane Austen fanatics (aka- all 36 girls) were in heaven. It was an Austen replay every place we went.

I meant it literally when I said renactment

 Thursday we had another big study party for our Great War test that was the following morning. For all of those who weren't in Great War, they had a movie night. Unfair? I think yes. They were watching Bright Star to prepare for our visit to Keats house the next day. Later that night a few of us were in the servery having our customary midnight snack (usually consisting of corner yogurt) when the two guys walked in after watching Bright Star. Hilarious. Let's just say. Ben has been there, and back, and in short, guys don't like girl heroines. Apparently they are too whiney, controlling, or something. Psssh. I don't know what they are referring to. Girls, whiney or controlling? Unreal.

Friday we had the best London study. Ever. But this time I am completely serious. The weather was incredible: the sun was out for THE WHOLE DAY. I thought I had died a happy woman and gone to heaven. Granted, I had only had 5 hours of sleep, so for the morning tour of Keats home I kept thinking, "I see now why Fanny Brawne slit her wrists and wanted to kill herself".  I look back and see how I may have been being a little dramatic, but just a little. We continued our way to a cute candy shoppe, and then over to Kenwood and then Hampstead Heath. We may or may not have taken an our long nap while sun bathing in Kenwood backyard, but it felt nice to soak up that much needed Vitamin D. I will never take a sunny day for granted, ever again. 

Notting Hill filimg outside Kenwood

It really is the same house, it just looks prettier in the sunlight. :)

While wondering around Hampstead Heath I also found this tree. Look familiar?

It's a secret, but I actually don't know if that is the same tree. I just like to pretend that it is. We also climbed to the top of the Parliament Hill, which I highly reccomend. I don't have a lot of the pictures we took on Friday, so I do apologize you can't quite grasp everything that I saw and did!

Shakespeare Overload, With A Little Poetry

Caroline's Birthday

It has been quite the week! I have definitely been on overload, considering I have finally gotten into school mode- 5 weeks after the semester has started.
Today has been the first day in 5 weeks I feel completely relaxed and not rushed. Sundays are usually really busy and fast paced, but since today in conference, and we don't get the first session until 5 pm-- I have been playing catch up on life. Mostly gathering pictures from everyone, so I finally have all my pictures! It has just been a happy day, thus far. I LOVE conference.

Anne Hathaway's Home

On Monday was Caroline's 20th birthday, so a few of us watched She's The Man and had a girls night. Her cousin, Briana went to a bakery and got her two fancy cakes and we all sang her happy birthday. It was a fun day!

Mary Arden's Farm.

Tuesday night we had a play night as a group and we went to the Globe to see The Merry Wives on Windsor. HILARIOUS. We were the "groundings"(the poor people who can't afford seats and stand up for the three hour duration of the play). The teachers say it was for the experience, but it was most definitely because the tickets were only 5 pounds. However, I do have to give them some credit, it was fun being a poor person for an evening. Being so close to the front made the actors engage you into the play, and it was just an overall cool experience, even if I did kill my ankle.

The Birth Home of Shakespeare

Butter Beer!

Wednesday was our "Shakespeare" on crack day. We woke up and drove to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see all the Shakespeare homes. (In other words, any home who was somewhat related to Shakespeare). The Anne Hathaway Cottage (his wife's family's home), Mary Arden Farm (his mothers home she grew up in), William Shakespeare's Birth Home, New Place (which was actually a big hole in the ground), and John Hall's Home (His daughters husbands home). After the last home, Jani and I sprinted to the main road where we had seen a magic shop with a big "BUTTERBEER" sign on the front. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. It was called the "Creeky Cauldron", so much of it was a twist off Harry Potter, but it wasn't a Harry Potter shop.

John Hall's Home

Thursday was strictly dedicated to Humanities 202 studying. It was fun though, of course. If you live in a house of 36 girls who are all studying for the same test, it will most definitely be an exciting study session. I do say I am sure we all did really well on our test the next day. I hope. Did I mention I love that living with our professors? It was like 10:30 and Dr. Tate came down to get something from the servery, where we were all being studious (in our PJ's and no make-up), and just talked to us for a while and told us about the test and helped us study.
Friday rolled around and we had our London Study to Kew Gardens after our test. It was pouring that day, so that put a small damper on things. But Kew Gardens has got to be one of my favorite places in London. It was just all too much to take in, and definitely a rival to Huntington Library and Gardens. (Sorry mom and Dad, but it's true). We stayed for over an hour, and then went to Whole Foods to eat. Oh how I have missed Whole Foods! Meegan and I did a little shopping at H&M on our way home which proved to be successful.
Saturday was our homework overload day. We had a big paper due for Great War at midnight about a poem. They are all rather depressing poems, so I was in a rather melancholy mood, that was until our spiritual feast! Starting at 3 we listened to The Relief Society Broadcast, at 5 The Saturday morning general session, and then at 9 we listened to the Saturday afternoon session. It was so nice to listen to conference even though I was in a different country. I will admit to my mother it did make me a little homesick. I was expecting to have to garden in between sessions and have breakfast with the Roskelly's this morning.
I am excited for another conference marathon today! In short, all is well in London. :)