We are now onto our week of lasts. On Friday night, when we were up having our crazy 2 am study party, a few of the girls introduced us all to this song. I can't even believe how perfectly it describes my life for the last three months. It truly has been the good life, and it's just unreal how blessed I have been to be in this city and have this experience.
Today was our last Sunday and we had to say goodbye to all the amazing people in the London North Ward. They truly are incredible. Sister Rainsley even gave all 5 of us £1. She is the cutest. I never got a picture of her, but she will be remembered!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Arsenal, the Greatest Team Ever Seen.
Just as a recap, this finals week has probably been the craziest and hardest finals week I have had. It has been a combination of midterms and finals because we have had projects due, tests to study for, and have our last minute play sessions in London. Cap that with zero sleep, and 36 girls, it makes out to be a memorable week. All I have to say is caffeine does a lot more for people at 2 am when they are already sick of studying.
On Monday after classes Meegan, Nikki, Andrea and I did some last minute homework, which mostly included going on out Bloomsbury and Mrs. Dalloway walks for Great War. Lucky for us the Mrs. Dalloway walk took us along Old Bond street where we all were mesmerized by the 6 karat diamonds as we walked passed Tiffany's and then we stopped at Hatchard's (the oldest book shop in London) where I may have gotten overly excited and bought s few beautiful books. Yet again, I somehow got stuck in the tube strike. The bus system was madness, and by some miracle Meegan and I were the last to hop on a bus. It was about the last bus out of Piccadilly because they were all too full to pick people us. We would pass bus stops and people would start pounding on the bus because we weren't stopping. I thought I was going to die. It was out of control.
On Tuesday Jani, Lisa and our friend Nicole from the Harry Potter Premier went to the Arsenal football game. It honestly was everything I could have hoped for and dreamed of in going to an English Football match. I loved every second of it. There were almost 60, 000 people there, and they would just all start singing, what sounded like B-O! But, we all figured that probably wasn't what they were singing. It was so much fun, for once English people were very open and engaged in conversation with you. We met some nice English lads who taught us about the Arsenal fan club. It was most definitely a most memorable experience.
Wednesday we had the opportunity to go to tea at Kensington Palace. It was a nice break from finals, and a good way to get out of the house. Most of us got dressed up and just had a lot of fun. They offered us herbal tea and cucumber sandwiches. I felt as though I was in "The Importance of Being Ernest". It was so much fun, it was just perfect!
Thursday we had The Messiah at the church which Handel attended. I loved every minute of it! Except for the minute when I may or may not have left early because I had to write papers for Great War.
In all honesty the last week has been an daze. I have gotten about an average of three hours of sleep a night and every night it is the same group of us who stay out on the dining room table to study and do homework. One night it started to snow and we went out barefoot and ran around in it, another night we stayed up studying and just were out of control. I don't think I have ever seen so many girls so wired from a lack of showering, sleep and an overdose of caffeine. Oh, the memories.
I have three full days left in London. It is starting to hit me how much I will miss this incredible city. There isn't one to compare to it in the world. The people are so approachable, I never feel threatened, the city is clean, the tube is reliable and safe, the shopping is out of this world, there is always something to do, and everything is just beautiful and there is so much history every place you go. I have three days left and fully intend to take full advantage and go absolutely crazy (after I study of course.......). 2 finals down, 2 more to go!
 |
| Nikki, Rachel, Jordan, Meegs, Jani, Andrea, Me! |
On Monday after classes Meegan, Nikki, Andrea and I did some last minute homework, which mostly included going on out Bloomsbury and Mrs. Dalloway walks for Great War. Lucky for us the Mrs. Dalloway walk took us along Old Bond street where we all were mesmerized by the 6 karat diamonds as we walked passed Tiffany's and then we stopped at Hatchard's (the oldest book shop in London) where I may have gotten overly excited and bought s few beautiful books. Yet again, I somehow got stuck in the tube strike. The bus system was madness, and by some miracle Meegan and I were the last to hop on a bus. It was about the last bus out of Piccadilly because they were all too full to pick people us. We would pass bus stops and people would start pounding on the bus because we weren't stopping. I thought I was going to die. It was out of control.
On Tuesday Jani, Lisa and our friend Nicole from the Harry Potter Premier went to the Arsenal football game. It honestly was everything I could have hoped for and dreamed of in going to an English Football match. I loved every second of it. There were almost 60, 000 people there, and they would just all start singing, what sounded like B-O! But, we all figured that probably wasn't what they were singing. It was so much fun, for once English people were very open and engaged in conversation with you. We met some nice English lads who taught us about the Arsenal fan club. It was most definitely a most memorable experience.
Wednesday we had the opportunity to go to tea at Kensington Palace. It was a nice break from finals, and a good way to get out of the house. Most of us got dressed up and just had a lot of fun. They offered us herbal tea and cucumber sandwiches. I felt as though I was in "The Importance of Being Ernest". It was so much fun, it was just perfect!
In all honesty the last week has been an daze. I have gotten about an average of three hours of sleep a night and every night it is the same group of us who stay out on the dining room table to study and do homework. One night it started to snow and we went out barefoot and ran around in it, another night we stayed up studying and just were out of control. I don't think I have ever seen so many girls so wired from a lack of showering, sleep and an overdose of caffeine. Oh, the memories.
 |
| Rockin out with Ben & Jerry's and The Good Life. 2 AM |
Monday, November 29, 2010
Keep Calm and Carry On.
Finals Week.
Yes, it has creeped upon us all. The dreaded week of lasts and tests. I have eight days left in London, three full days before my first finals, and about 96 hours of homework and studying to do. Let's just say I am in desperate need of a reading day (which they don't have), a lot of energy (which I am also lacking) and sleep (which I won't be getting). In other words, I am praying for a miracle (thank you We Shot The Moon- Miracle it's been running through my mind for the last two days).
In short, here is my hypothetical to-do list for my time remaining in London:
I am normally one get very focused (I wouldn't say high strung) when there is this much to do in so little time, but if I have to take finals, there isn't any better place to take them than in LONDON! The next week will be challenging, but I am ready to take it on. Once it's over, it will be an amazing feeling.
Did I mention I love London. I love Christmas time in London. I love running through Hyde Park at dawn (even if the ponds & river are frozen over). I love living with 36 girls + 2 boys. I love the culture and atmosphere. I love the people. I love the shopping. I love the tube system & the double decker buses. I love the strength of the members here in London and Europe. I don't think I will ever be able to get enough London.
Yes, it has creeped upon us all. The dreaded week of lasts and tests. I have eight days left in London, three full days before my first finals, and about 96 hours of homework and studying to do. Let's just say I am in desperate need of a reading day (which they don't have), a lot of energy (which I am also lacking) and sleep (which I won't be getting). In other words, I am praying for a miracle (thank you We Shot The Moon- Miracle it's been running through my mind for the last two days).
In short, here is my hypothetical to-do list for my time remaining in London:
- Field Studies: Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Mrs. Dalloway walk & Bloomsbury Walk
- Journals: Great War, Humanities & International Studies (which is a journal entry for every trip we have gone on-- which was twice a week)
- Projects: Family History, Jane Austen Blog & Emma film adaptation analysis
- Papers: Two, two-page single-spaced papers for Great War, Humanites one-page, and Family History three- page
- Studying: Great War & Modernism, Humanities, and Religion.
- School Activities: The Messiah Recital & High Tea at Kensington Palace
- Personal: Arsenal Soccer Game, Christmas Shopping (Lush, Hatchard's, & Lillywhites)
- PACK
I am normally one get very focused (I wouldn't say high strung) when there is this much to do in so little time, but if I have to take finals, there isn't any better place to take them than in LONDON! The next week will be challenging, but I am ready to take it on. Once it's over, it will be an amazing feeling.
Did I mention I love London. I love Christmas time in London. I love running through Hyde Park at dawn (even if the ponds & river are frozen over). I love living with 36 girls + 2 boys. I love the culture and atmosphere. I love the people. I love the shopping. I love the tube system & the double decker buses. I love the strength of the members here in London and Europe. I don't think I will ever be able to get enough London.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
But I'm a Black Angel
Happy Thanksgiving!
I can't believe how quickly everything comes and goes. Mom, dad and Layne were here this last week, and I actually never thought the week of their arrival would come. But now they have come and gone! Now the date of my departure is quickly approaching. I don't know how I feel about this, but it will be here before I decided how I feel about it.
Life. Is. AMAZING.
Mom, dad, and Layne have been in London for the past week visiting me, and it has been so much fun. When dad first got here it was so cute. He was so thrilled to be back in the place that he loves and holds so near and dear to his heart. Dad was like a little kid in Disneyland and poor Layne held the role of the exhausted parent wondering around with the inexhaustible child (aka- dad).
Overall, I think they had a good time in London, and I was more than happy that I could show everyone the places that I love so much. It was a rough beginning (mom's purse), a rough middle (tire/getting lost/nasty B&B) , and a rough end (getting lost & car breaking), but it definitely was worth it all. We certainly made memories. It most certainly had great fillers amongst all the chaos. I can't recap all of it, and dad has most of the pictures on his camera. But I will do a quick recap of the adventures of the Wixom's in England.
London: Me not getting to the right terminal to pick them up from the airport. Mom losing purse. Portabello Road. GAIL'S BAKERY. Hyde Park- Winter Wonderland. Life of Christ Tour- National Gallery. St. Martins-in-the-fields evensong. Westminster Abbey Organ Concert. Cafe Diana. Mrs. Dalloway Walk. Buckingham Palace. Hatchard's Book Shoppe. Lillywhites. Oxford/Regent Street. Southbank Centre Christmas Shoppes. Wagamamas. Covent Garden. LUSH. 39 Steps.
Cornwall: Renting car. GPS not working. Getting lost in Winchester. Nasty B&B (family: think Asian B&B in Vancouver and you will understand). Winchester Cathedral. Jane Austen burial place. Jane Austen home: Chawton. Getting lost, again. Flat Tire (5 hours). Getting lost on our way to Plymouth. Getting lost in Plymouth. An AMAZING dinner at Tanner's (butternut squash risotto with roasted pumpkin seeds). Getting lost in Cornwall trying to find our B&B. Penrose Bed & Breakfast (which is the CUTEST B&B on the earth. I am not engaging in hyperbole here. Really, I would go back there in a heartbeat.). Exploring fishing towns along the coast- Looe. Getting lost in fishing towns. The Globe Pub (layne's first pub-dining experience). The car breaking down-all the way to East Grinstead. London Temple. Meeting Elder McCellen (who has further inspired me to become a nurse). Driving to the train station, where the car officially died. Said good-byes (/ I will see you in a week).
Did I mention it snowed, and that it was the coldest I have ever been, in my WHOLE life? Really.
Today I went to church and spoke. I think the talk went well. It was definitely the longest I have ever spoken, which was most surely unintentional. In Primary the kids were starting to learn their Christmas songs because we finished the primary programme! I haven't really talked much about these kids, but they are all so very smart. They are always asking questions, mostly why questions. Today we were singing Angels We Have Heard On High and one of the kids, Bertrand, is his cute little English accent asked about mangers. We then had a discussion, for roughly 10 minutes about how hay doesn't smell bad. He couldn't understand why Jesus would want to be born in a smelly place. We then started singing again and Bertrand yelled "I'm not a white angel, I'm a Black angel". Then his brother said, "no, we're African angels". Becca (who plays the piano) and I looked at each other and started dying laughing. The whole conversation was hilarious, and then their accent's just made it the most precious, hilarious primary moment.
I do believe children are growing on me. Or maybe it's just these kids. All I know is I am going to miss the London North Ward and these primary kids very much.
I can't believe how quickly everything comes and goes. Mom, dad and Layne were here this last week, and I actually never thought the week of their arrival would come. But now they have come and gone! Now the date of my departure is quickly approaching. I don't know how I feel about this, but it will be here before I decided how I feel about it.
Life. Is. AMAZING.
Mom, dad, and Layne have been in London for the past week visiting me, and it has been so much fun. When dad first got here it was so cute. He was so thrilled to be back in the place that he loves and holds so near and dear to his heart. Dad was like a little kid in Disneyland and poor Layne held the role of the exhausted parent wondering around with the inexhaustible child (aka- dad).
Overall, I think they had a good time in London, and I was more than happy that I could show everyone the places that I love so much. It was a rough beginning (mom's purse), a rough middle (tire/getting lost/nasty B&B) , and a rough end (getting lost & car breaking), but it definitely was worth it all. We certainly made memories. It most certainly had great fillers amongst all the chaos. I can't recap all of it, and dad has most of the pictures on his camera. But I will do a quick recap of the adventures of the Wixom's in England.
London: Me not getting to the right terminal to pick them up from the airport. Mom losing purse. Portabello Road. GAIL'S BAKERY. Hyde Park- Winter Wonderland. Life of Christ Tour- National Gallery. St. Martins-in-the-fields evensong. Westminster Abbey Organ Concert. Cafe Diana. Mrs. Dalloway Walk. Buckingham Palace. Hatchard's Book Shoppe. Lillywhites. Oxford/Regent Street. Southbank Centre Christmas Shoppes. Wagamamas. Covent Garden. LUSH. 39 Steps.
Cornwall: Renting car. GPS not working. Getting lost in Winchester. Nasty B&B (family: think Asian B&B in Vancouver and you will understand). Winchester Cathedral. Jane Austen burial place. Jane Austen home: Chawton. Getting lost, again. Flat Tire (5 hours). Getting lost on our way to Plymouth. Getting lost in Plymouth. An AMAZING dinner at Tanner's (butternut squash risotto with roasted pumpkin seeds). Getting lost in Cornwall trying to find our B&B. Penrose Bed & Breakfast (which is the CUTEST B&B on the earth. I am not engaging in hyperbole here. Really, I would go back there in a heartbeat.). Exploring fishing towns along the coast- Looe. Getting lost in fishing towns. The Globe Pub (layne's first pub-dining experience). The car breaking down-all the way to East Grinstead. London Temple. Meeting Elder McCellen (who has further inspired me to become a nurse). Driving to the train station, where the car officially died. Said good-byes (/ I will see you in a week). 
Today I went to church and spoke. I think the talk went well. It was definitely the longest I have ever spoken, which was most surely unintentional. In Primary the kids were starting to learn their Christmas songs because we finished the primary programme! I haven't really talked much about these kids, but they are all so very smart. They are always asking questions, mostly why questions. Today we were singing Angels We Have Heard On High and one of the kids, Bertrand, is his cute little English accent asked about mangers. We then had a discussion, for roughly 10 minutes about how hay doesn't smell bad. He couldn't understand why Jesus would want to be born in a smelly place. We then started singing again and Bertrand yelled "I'm not a white angel, I'm a Black angel". Then his brother said, "no, we're African angels". Becca (who plays the piano) and I looked at each other and started dying laughing. The whole conversation was hilarious, and then their accent's just made it the most precious, hilarious primary moment.
I do believe children are growing on me. Or maybe it's just these kids. All I know is I am going to miss the London North Ward and these primary kids very much.
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