Before all of the students ventured out for Thanksgiving travels, Sister Seeley had a fireside discussion with us about the importance of travels. The important part of traveling is to come home from our travels and not discuss what our favorite part, or thing was during our trip, but we should be asking ourselves, "how has this journey changed me? If our travels and journeys don't change us, then they are for naught."
So, here I am at the end of my travels (or a little bit past the end :) and I am more that happy to answer the questions Sister Seeley so beautifully asked.
While spending three and a half months in London I have seen more and done more that I could have ever imagined. I have always been a huge fan of Jane Austen. (That may or may not have been the aftermath of growing up with six sisters.) In other words, one may consider me a romantic.
I have romanticized England for so long and was worried that I may be disappointed when finally arrived, that my expectations we set too high. Little did I know that my expectations were set far too low. It was during this time that I have seen the most beautiful sunset in the entire world (this isn't a hyperbole); gained 38 friends; ran through Hyde Park, past Kensington Palace every morning as the fog was clearing and the river was at peace; became a humanities nerd; saw more famous writers homes that I would have dared to imagine; see the beautiful green rolling hills; hike up grassy knolls to the most spectacular view; learn about my ancestors in England; learn how to do family history;
had the best gelato of my life; seen the most incredible art collections in the world; ran through Paris with crazy fun girls. This list could continue on for many, many pages. Most importantly I look back, and I see that going to London was the best decision I have ever made in my life this far. I learned how to become fully independent, I learned to appreciate other people, and how their gifts and talents benefit others, that each person truly is a son and daughter of God. That the world is so much bigger than the little corner I knew and lived in. I learned to come to appreciate things that I would've considered different- that things are truly different than what you conclude on first glance. You can't completely experience something unless you are willing to throw yourself 100% in, feet first. If you are going to do something, grab it by the horns and go for it.
Now that three months has come and gone, I look by and appreciate every second of my time in London. Most importantly, I am grateful for the way I learned to listen to the Spirit, and rely on the Lord in all things. I see that I am where I am in my life at this moment, and for the upcoming few months because of choices I made while I was in London-- and will forever be grateful. I will never forget late night chats with Jenna and Jani. The all-nighter homework parties with Rachel, Jordyn, Jani, Meegan (the list goes ONNNN). The football games, the harry potter premiers, the shopping trips, the friends, the professors, the homework, museums, etc. Though I currently live in Las Vegas, and seem to always be jumping around from place to place, a part of home will always be at 27 Palace Court W2 4LP, London England. I learned lessons there that forever changed my life and will always be remembered. As Samuel Johnson once said, "When you are tired of London, you are tired of life: for in London there is enough to fill a mans life." So London, I will be back, for I most certainly have much life left to live.


