Homeless Adventure

Well friends, there is never a dull moment in London. It's a proven fact. This last week was, as most of you know the HARRY POTTER 7 (part 1) world premier in London.
You know how you see on TV those crazy people who camp out and look like they are homeless for a day just so they can go to the red carpet? Yes, the same ones that I, as well as my family make fun of mercilessly.  Well, that was me and seventeen other BYU students this last Wednesday. I am not ashamed, it was the most EPIC day of my life. Let me just share the adventures of this day.

On Tuesday night we spent all night making posters and costumes. A few of the girls even went out to Leicester Square (where the premier was at) to stake out who was there and what kind of crowd we had to compete with. The verdict was that we had to be on bus 94 at 3:15, so we could be one of the 500 that got inside the gates. DONE- we were there.

The next morning we were out at Leicester Square by about 3:40. Looking as homeless as ever. About an hour later the wind started to kick in, along with the FREEZING cold. We made our own little wind blocker with umbrellas. Classy. 

At 9 o'clock the guards let the first 500 people inside the actual square. We got our hands stamped and everything so that we could go in and out as we pleased. 

Kenzie and Jordan just laying down on the random Asian lady that was sitting by us. Poor girl- she didn't know what she was getting herself into.

As happy as can be at 10 AM

Made it till about 11 AM

Made it through three torrential downpours. It was INSANITY. I do really have empathy for homeless people. I was essentially homeless all Wednesday.

Around 3 we began to make our Dementors costumes for " We are here to Kiss Potter"

At 5 o'clock the camera men and started filming. Around 5:30 is when all the stars started showing up. We had a prime spot because we were right next to the interview stage (we made best friends with Edith Boman, the anchor, and she hooked us up!), and also up against the fence. It was unreal. 

Malfoy

Ron

Arthur Weasley

JK Rowling

Luna Lovegood

Hermione

Dean Thomas

HARRY!

Ginny

I do have to give photocredits to many different people. Some of them are from mine, others from Lauren and Jani's. My camera died half way through. But these were all the stars that we could get close up. It was one of the epic nights of my life. The adrenaline from the crowd gave everyone such a rush. I have never experienced anything like it before.
After everything ended Jordan and I may or may not have stolen a poster the size of a small building. We have yet to decide what to do with it. But we have it, just chillin by my bed. It just gives me that sense of pride to look at it, knowing so many people tried to take it, but we were one of the few successful people. That's what's up.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!
Yes, I know that many of you want to murder me for saying such a thing. HOWEVER- here in London, it is officially the Christmas season. I am not committing some cardinal sin here by celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving, for in London we don't have Thanksgiving. :) The day after Guy Fawkes Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season. I am not complaining, so bring on the Christmas Season! London Style. And yes, I do believe that I am listening to Josh Grobans Noel album while writing this blog.

First we can start with the Harrods Christmas Parade. (Saturday November 6). It is much like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but not really. It is smaller, but it is all the better. We got there, and there were tons of people, but Harrods was kind enough to pass out candy, juice, water, and balloons to the kids. Of course, us college age kids totally qualify. Let me also clarify that the gold chocolate coin I was so excited to receive sells at £5 in the actual store. This is roughly about $8.50. Yes, it was big, but not that big. Nevertheless, I was excited.
The parade consisted of, (along with candy distributers) roller skating snow men, clowns, a band, reindeer, father christmas, peter pan and other various disney characters. From the tops of the buildings they blew off  green and red confetti, and fake snow! It was so fun, and was perfect to put me in the mood for Christmas time.

I came home and took a much needed nap, considering I average about 4.5 hours of sleep a night. I tackled some homework, and then Jani, Lauren, Grace, Jordan, Morgan, Mackenzie and I headed off to Greenwich! AKA- the prime meridian. We hiked up to the National Observatory, stood in two places at once, and then went to the Planetarium. I LOVE astronomy and that sort of thing, so I was so excited to go to the planetarium. It was probably the highlight of Greenwich for me. After coming our of the planetarium we decided to head back home because it was freezing and dark-- and then we stumbled upon the Greenwich Market. I know I always mention a new market, practically everytime I blog, but this is really one of my new favorite markets. It is indoor like Spitalfields, has every food you could imagine (like Burough) and it also has the artsy craftsy appeal like Camden!

To top off my evening on the way home I stopped at Starbucks and got a Peppermint Steamer in the picturesque little red Christmas Starbucks cups. So, there you have it. Christmas is here, the best time of the year. So, remember to enjoy every minute of it. And for all of you in the States (which is pretty much all of you) enjoy Thanksgiving first. But, just know your favorite London Studyabroader is just basking in Christmas Heaven over here in London, wishing you too could experience an English Christmas Season.

Home Sweet Home.

The family has been asking for pictures of my dwelling for quite some time. Okay, so for the past ten weeks. So here it is! Better late than never. A grande tour of The BYU London Centre!

First off we have the entrance. It usually is a little cleaner, but the mail just came- explaining the stacked large boxes. Just excuse the messes, sorry about that.

 Here is the lovely dorm 1. My bed is the top bunk with the bright orange towel, it's hard to miss. There are 8 of us in this room. Bethany, Emily, Mandy, Julie, Jani, Jenna, Kaitlyn and  me! 

This is just another view of my room. You are able to see the two bunks and lockers to the left. Did I mention we have the best room in the centre? We are on the first, and don't have to hike up 4 floors to dorm 4 or 5 floors to dorm 4. Those poor girls. 

 Library. Ah, the beloved library. It is supposedly a  "quiet only zone". That defiantly never happens, except on the eve of a test. Then it turns into a "don't even drop a pencil" zone. Did I mention that too is on the first floor? Yep, dorm one wins. :)

Sitting Room This is where we meet before dinner- it is one of my favorite rooms in the centre. It is cozy and just so victorian, I always feel like I am in a fairy tale when I sit in this room. Silly I know.

Dinning Room I guess this room doesn't need much explanation. This is wear we eat dinner. It's our formal eating area. 

Servery This is pretty much where the hang out spot seems to be outside of the dorm rooms. We are big late night eaters here and so you can pretty much always find people in the servery just chatting away and snacking. It's pretty much a party. All the time.

So there are other rooms in the house but they aren't all that thrilling. In the basement is the kitchen, laundry room, and the pantry. On the second floor is the faculty office and classroom. Floors three through five are just more dorm rooms. Well, there you have it. I hope that satisfied your need to see my home for the past 10 weeks and the next 4 weeks! I love it. Home sweet home.

Put On Your Yamaka, We're Gonna Have Some Funuka

Once again, I have had a once in a life time, unique opportunity. Everyday I can't believe how blessed I am! Dr. Seely has connections with the oldest synagogue here in London and set up a private tour with the  "bug" of the synagogue.

  I have never been in a mosque, and I learned so much about Judaism and Orthodox Judaism.  He opened up the the Holy Ark and took out the Torah for us to look at, and talked to us for quite a while. All the men had to put on Yamaka's, and I think they rather enjoyed it. The whole time there was the constant hum of Adam Sandlers Chaunakka song running through the majority of our heads.

The New West End Synagogue 

Later on that evening we had a group outing to the Royal Festival Hall to see the London Philharmonic. It was so good! Yes, it may have been a three hour concert, and my bum may have gotten a little sore, but it was very much worth it. It was the memorial concert for a man that I should probably know- but don't.  

Jani, Lauren & I at the Royal Festival Hall

After we got home, around 11 or so, it was yet another crash study session for the whole centre. We had our second Humanities exam this morning- and since I live in a house full of 36 intelligent BYU students, it was a very- lets say stressed atmosphere.  Some of us up later than others, and naturally, me being me, I was up till 3:30 studying. Oh the joys of the "study" part of study abroad.

After the test this morning we had the day to go to Westminster Abbey (where the coronations take place). I loved the Abbey! Yes, I think it was cathedral number 106 in the last two months- but, their grandeur never cease to amaze me. This was probably on my list of top 5 favorite churches we have been to so far. Along with St. Pauls, St. Martins, Amiens and Canterbury.

After we headed over to Old Spitalfields Market. It was like a mix of Portabello and Camden, but indoors and a little classier. I loved it. We ate at this unique cafe place called Leon. It was like a mix of Whole Foods and Middle Eastern cuisine. I had hummus. It was the happiest day of my life. mmmm humus. Over all, it was another successful day in London!