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! 

The Place to Get Husbands is Oxford, Not Brighton

What a day! We headed over to Oxford for the day, and what a day it was! On our way we first stopped at the parish church CS Lewis attended, also the place he happened to be buried. 

Our next stop was to the church Winston Churchill attended as well as the cemetery he was buried. For those of you who don't know, Anglican churches always are set in a cemetery, which can be creepy, but also uniquely pretty at the same time. Definitely different than what I am used to, but cool, really cool.

Blenheim Palace was incredible. Yet, another beautiful English country home. I really need to start looking for English perspectives that have a nice title attached to their name, such as Duke, or Lord. One can always wish, or hope. But- Blenheim Palace: birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill (which was actually an accident). His cousin was the Duke of Marlborough. His father was brothers with the duke, making his father Lord Churchill of Marlborough. He was visiting his brother with his pregnant wife when Winston decided to come a little prematurely. 

Blenheim Palace- Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

OXFORD: Yes, most amazing experience of my life. To explain a little, University of Oxford is made up of 36 colleges. When you apply, you apply to a certain college. When you are admitted into said college that is where you live, study, and eat. So each college has a church, library, dorms, president, board, etc.

Many of the courtyards and college entrances said "closed to visitors, perspective students always welcome". Done. Perspective students we were! 

My favorite college courtyard- Hertford College

 For those of you who don't know, the Great Hall in Harry Potter was filmed at Christ Church College at Oxford. 

The Great Hall staircase

The Great Hall

We may have strategically stumbled upon a University of Oxford football game. As Jani said "Jane Austen was soooo wrong, Oxford is the place to find husbands, not Brighton". Well said Jani, well said. This was one of the highlights of my day! It was so fun to see soccer again, let alone, MEN playing soccer. It has been too long since we have seen males. 

Oh yeah-that is just my future husband.

Las stop of the day- Tea with the Dr. Waller, the President of Harris Manchester College of the University of Oxford? Oh, yep. That happened. He was such a brilliant man! He really wants to establish a connection with BYU and have kids come over and do programs with the University. He also took us on a tour of his college. It was such an experience. I feel like the most blessed girl in all of the UK!

Tea

Our BFF- Dr. Waller. AKA- Richard Gilmore

Library at HMC. I look like I'm in my element. Next study abroad Dad? :)

If I Was in Hell, This is What it Would Be Like

The last week has been an absolute blast. Each week just keep topping the next. First off, my blog title. On the elevator, on our way down to the mine in Wales Dr. Seely said very loudly "If I was in Hell, This is what it's like, Really." It was classic. Maybe it was just one of those moments you needed to be there. 

WALES

We made our first stop at the BIG PIT. It was a working mine up until the 1970's when they turned it into a museum. At the start of the tour I thought it was a little bit sketch, but then again I was just reading about the miners in Chile the night before. That may or may not have been a contributing factor to secretly wanting to shed a little tear as the big metal cage creaked as it moved slowly under the mountain 2 miles. 

We had to wear the whole giddup. The hard hat, 20 lb belt and head lamp. I pretty much felt really fashion savvy. 

After the Mine, we went to Welsh World. Um. I really just said Welsh World. I will just leave it at that. Welsh World for LIFE!

Our next day we traveled to different LDS sites in Wales and Western England. Out last stop was the oldest LDS chapel in the world- Gatfield Elm. We had a musical program and sang hymns that the saints would have sung while attending church there. It was a very deeply moving experience, and it reassured me how grateful I am to be a member of the church, and even more so that I have the opportunity to have gone to the places where the early saints sacrificed their whole lives to come to America to strengthen the church. Even if I don't have any ancestors that joined the church in the UK, I still had sense of a connection with all the members who had been there and helped strengthen the church. They truly had a miraculous story. 

Gatfield Elm Chapel

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Saturday I spent all day studying for my religion exam. By 5 o'clock I was done and Brianna came with me to treat myself to some good ole' American food. Chipotle! It was heavenly, although it did make me a little bit homesick for America. But then I just told my self, it's okay, I may be depressed, but at least I am depressed in London! (quote-Dr. Seely)

Our Halloween festivities consisted of a costume contest, a cookie decorating contest, donut eating, and of course a round of MAFIA (in character, naturally). 

Sara Palin & Mary Poppins

I was so impressed with our creativity here! EVERY SINGLE person dressed up. Not many people bought things, but if they did, it was a quick, cheap run to PRIMARK. We had Sara Palin, Mary Poppins, Mt. Rushmore, Santa Clause, Pregnant Bella, Where's Waldo, T. Swift, Michael Jackson, BIG BEN, A Desperate Housewife, A paper bag Princess (she made it ALL by herself), Brittany Spears, and many, many others. Most definitely a successful night. 

 This beginning of this week has been rather slow, just paper writing and test studying. Although- tomorrow is our trip to Oxford. The president of HMS College at Oxford invited our group for tea. (herbal of course). It should be, lets say, an EPIC day. 

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