Back In America

It has been so amazing being back here in USA! I've missed this beautiful country and all the people here that I love so much. My biggest struggle being back here, though, is not having exciting things to do each day. In London, I would wake up and go to some amazing historical place, a play, or some other incredible location, but now I have to be okay with waking up and kind of doing nothing. I'm starting to get used to it and really liking it. My life has been in fast forward for the past couple of years with graduating early, summer semester, freshmen year of college, and London and it is nice to take it slow for a while. 

My first priority for the next couple weeks is to spend as much time with my best friend, Meredith, as physically possible! This beautiful, incredible girl will be serving a two year mission in Salem, Oregon. She leaves July 10th which does not give me a whole lot of time with her. This girl has always been there for me, so I most definitely want to be here for her as she takes this huge step in her life. 

^^My first day back in America and this girl picked me up from the airport! She is so gorgeous, inside and out. 

Second priority this summer is to better myself. Better myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. I've been slacking on all of these lately and it is time to whip myself in shape! I've finally started reading again and my mom is going to teach me to cook and sew. I'm excited! I also got a gym membership so I will force my lazy booty to the gym. For the spiritualness(is that a word?), I went to the temple one more time with my best friend, Meredith, and lovely Laurel came as well (you like that alliteration!). It was so amazing! I love that beautiful building with all my heart. I'm hoping to go to the temple a lot more. I'm also spending some time with the Sister Missionaries. They are so amazing and fun to be with. Well, now that I have told these goals to the world, I have to do them, right? We will see! 

My third priority, to relax. I don't want to worry or stress about anything! I'm excited for the adventures and fun this summer has in store. I will try my best to keep you updated with all my doings. I hope you have a perfect summer as well. 

Fun Happening today:

My dad taught me how to drive the riding lawn mower and I love it! It's so relaxing to listen to music and just drive around the lawn. I was so determined to get every spot as well. I even ran into a tree! Of course, my dad had to snap a photo. I'm a little sad to think of moving to NYC and not having a lawn. I'll just have to come to the parents house and mow their lawn. My sister loves it too so we will now be fighting over this as well! Never thought I would love it so much. 

London Life: The End.

So I have really been putting off posting this last post. Partly because I've been really lazy lately (lets blame it on jet lag) and partly because I don't want to except that this incredible experience is over. I still can't believe it happened. It seems like a dream! We had a pretty laid back day for our last day in London. We had some last minute things that we needed to do before leaving this amazing country. Our first stop was Abbey Road! It was so fun! I love the Beatles so it was amazing to get to go where they walked and took their iconic photo. We also got to see the Abbey Road Studios where the Beatles worked. It was a dream come true, getting to visit Abbey Road.

^^So artsy!

^^Tessa's face is priceless!

^^I just couldn't believe I was here so I took one more photo

^^The Beatles walked through that door....

^^THE Crosswalk!

^^vvGot to do the iconic walk across the Crosswalk! Can you believe it?!

^^Awesome little shop we got some souvenirs from!

After Abbey Road, we decided we would visit our favorite crepe and gelato shop. It was actually super hot outside so I was looking forward to some delicious gelato and to hopefully see my ridiculously attractive gelato man. We got to the shop and sadly my attractive gelato/crepe man was not there. I was okay because I was happy to have gotten to see him at least once! I got a super delicious lemon sorbet in a cone and we sat outside to eat it. It was so fresh and delicious! I miss all my lemon flavored food. 

After gelato, McKenzie had to leave us to meet up with family, so Tessa and I did some last minute tourist shopping we needed to do. I still had some souvenirs I needed to get for people and for myself. We hit up the biggest most touristy shop we could find and got everything we needed. It was great. After the shopping we headed back to the flat to drop off our bags and then headed to the Globe to try and get tickets to "Taming of the Shrew." We showed up to the box office two and a half hours before the show started and were luckily able to get three standing room tickets! Oh and on our way to the Globe we stopped at our favorite little burrito truck outside of the National Theater to get delicious pork burritos. I'm happy that perfect burrito was my last meal in London. But anyways, after we got our tickets, it was two hours before the show, so we decided to go ahead and get in the groundling line to eat and make sure we got front and center standing spots. We were first in line so we were assured our good spots in the theater. We were first in line so we sat down ate our burritos. Eventually, McKenzie joined us and the doors were finally opened. "The Taming of the Shrew" was performed by an all women cast and was done very well. I left the theater not really knowing what I was supposed to have gotten from it, but it's the Globe so you will basically always get a great performance. 

^^One of my favorite spotes in London: The Globe. 

After the show, we did the long walk back to the tube across the millenium bridge. It was sad to think that this was my last time seeing the Globe or walking across this bridge for a while. I miss that incredible theater so much. We got back to the flat, I did some last minute packing, and headed to bed. I had to wake up at 5:30am to leave at 6am for the flight back to the states.

I was so sad for the Study Abroad to be over, but I was excited to get back to the states to my family and home. I loved every second of London and would give the world to be a able to experience it again. I am seriously so blessed to have gotten that opportunity and am forever changed from it. 

London Life: Day 43

Today was a pretty amazing day! We had our last final which consisted of performing a scene from "One Man Two Guvnors." It was pretty easy and I am so happy to be done with the two classes! Sad to think I only have one day left though....I cannot believe how fast this study abroad has gone by. When we finished class, we headed to the flat to hang out till Tessa and I left for the WB Studio Tour: Harry Potter Experience. I was so freaking excited! It was quite a journey to get there, but we finally did. I seriously felt like I was arriving at Disney World. It was a such a magical and beautiful place. It made me appreciate the film world so much more. Gosh, I seriously don't have words to describe how incredible this was. I will let the photos speak for themselves! There are quite a lot so I apologize. There are also some repeats I think...my bad. Enjoy!

^^Draco Malfoy's Quidditch uniform!

^^vvSo the story behind all my photos with Draco Malfoy and his costumes is this: Ever since the first movie, I dreamed of J.K. Rowling creating the role of Draco's girlfriend and I would play her! 

^^My wand is in there too :) 

When we finished at the Harry Potter Experience, we headed home. It was a full day and we were exhausted. We have a cleaning check tomorrow, so we had to finish packing then head to bed. Can't believe I only have one more day. It's been lovely London!