thoughts about London

1. the perfume girls wear here is gross. I hate the smell. One girl sitting next to me on the tube had on so much and I almost suffocated.

2. I am starting to understand why going on a study abroad is so valuable. Even though I am in England and everyone still speaks English, I understand more what it is like to be the odd person out in a place you have never been. I don't know all the different amounts of money and how they add up. I don't really know how to get around. I don't know all the words that they use. I don't like some of the food here.

3. I think I am going to end up eating chocolate every day. so far I have had one candy bar a day and it is so delicious. I have also eaten out one meal every day (but cheap meals... less than 5 pounds)! I am a bit sad because I have not gotten anything from a single pastry shop, but I have seen some delicious looking sweets and I can't wait to eat them.

4. The parks are gorgeous. and way too big. I went on one of our required walks for class today and it took me an hour to get around half the park. but there was a big pond, and a restaurant, and a beautiful garden of flowers. I am sad that we don't have awesome huge parks like London in the United States (at least not where I live), but it's nice to not need to find a map to know where to get out of the park. oh, and I am still loving the weather and how green it is.

5. class starts tomorrow. that's not really a thought. the thought is... I am not ready to start taking classes! I have been trying to get all the reading done and I feel so behind! but I guess it's good because I am still getting in done and I am taking time to go out and enjoy London. I hope the classes don't get too demanding because there is so much that I want to do!

I'm in London? for real?

The best thing about London is that I just want to explore everywhere and see all the cool buildings. I love all the parks and how green they are. I loved seeing all the British people walk by our flat. I love that everyone walks around to get places. I love the big red buses. I love riding the tube. And my favourite part of all has to be the weather. It is excellent. I am all for 60 degree weather and it is so great to be escaping the hot part of the year here! (everyone thinks I am crazy because I have not yet worn a jacket). The part of London where we live is definitely confusing to get to, but I will learn my way around. More adventures will follow, I just wanted to document my initial thoughts. I had tons of fun wandering around the city yesterday, but I was so tired by about 3:00 that I was just ready for bed. Luckily, I managed to stay up until about 9:30. However, this made even the simplest tasks difficult… I really struggled grocery shopping and I don’t think much of what I bought will be helpful. Though the chocolate certainly is delicious! Can’t wait for day 2 of exploring and starting my homework! (yuck)

some things that it would be really hard for me to live without

zumba

board games

sweet chili sauce

my family

chocolate

music

nature

friends

hot showers

cheese

Pinterest

cute clothes

Cafe Rio

pools

sandals

This list could probably go on forever....

nerd moment of the day.

I was the only one in my Humanities class to answer the question "What is the uncertainty principle?"

3 things emphasized in conference that are probably important

1. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 

We can receive revelation today to the questions that we have if we are obedient. 

2. "And now my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Helaman 5:12

This has been quoted frequently in the past couple conferences. Thus, it is very important to make sure we have a foundation on Christ. 

3. Use digital devices with discipline. Devote the time you would spend doing other things you do on your phones and devices to studying and memorizing scriptures. Don't let digital devices get in the way of family time. 

There are so many great teachings that I want to apply, but these are just three repeated themes that stood out to me! 

happy.

so many reasons to be happy right now, even if school is crazy stressful.

I got to hang out with Keith and Spencer and this is embarrassing... but actually hang out with my roommates and it was wonderful.

tonight I am going to volunteer at my friend's work and we are taking some of the residents to the park. I love them and it will be gorgeous.

then we are having a study abroad get together and so I will get to know some of the people going to London with me better. and speaking of London... they told us that we are going to the Harry Potter studio tour. pretty much the biggest thing I wanted to do while we were there so I am beyond stoked. they also told us to expect to spend about $200 a week. yikes. I know some weeks I will spend that much money. I might spend that much money alone in the gift shop at the HP studio tour. but some weeks I will definitely have to hold back!

then I am going to a bonfire up the canyon. man how fun!

anyways... since I have been failing at my Friday Favorites... here is one today. I LOVE to read. The first three years of college I stopped reading for fun all together because I just did not have the time. but I have been trying to make it a priority again and I am remembering how awesome it is. books are ten million times better. You get to know the characters better and really experience the story. Because it takes longer, you get to make predictions and hypothesize. I also love the symbolism in books and analyzing the stories and characters. so basically I am obsessed with reading again and I can't wait to read a ton of books spring semester when I have way more time.

here's my goodreads... if you are wondering what I am currently reading or want to read! :)

another reason I am happy... I am more in shape and healthier than I have been in a long time! the last couple weeks were not so healthy, but I truly love my body, I love to exercise, and I am working to be healthier. 

Friday favorites

I decided that I am going to post at least every Friday. and these specific Friday blog posts are going to be about my favorite things in life right now. because life has been feeling pretty normal lately, but there are still some things I really love about my life right now.

oh, and starting today, I am working to overcome not only my school senioritis by learning about something new and fascinating, but also my social senioritis. I have become apathetic about my social life too. How does that even happen? so, I am ready to party and hopefully will actually do something with my ward by the end of the semester!