Coloring Books and Anxious Dancing

In exactly 1 month I will be on a plane to London, England.

I can't believe it!

But now I'm a believer...just like that awesome musical number in Shrek.

I still remember submitting my application...pressing "send" seemed to be the hardest part.

There were doubts in my mind about whether I'd get this opportunity or not.

But, now, here I am, getting ready to go :)

I think the flight over there will be the new hardest part.

I think to get through it I'll need:

a) coloring books (as of now I have dinosaurs and Beauty and the Beast)

b) sleep- a good  cozy pillow

c) fun people to talk to

d) okay, anyone to talk to :)

e) and lots of anxious dancing

Fifty First Dates

Here's wassup...I am getting pretty "chuffed" (excited)

and am recognizing more than ever just how

"jammy" (lucky) I am to be living in London for 7 weeks. 

Seriously, thank you BYU, thank you Brothers Mason (our professors), thank you madre y padre,

thank you life :)

So...today was our fourth class prepping us for London.  Two girls that have done this same study abroad came to class with handouts on what to pack, do and see during our time in London.

I asked them, "What are some things we should splurge on?"

(no regrets.) 

If I'm going to be in London, I want to really BE  in London.

They answered: plays and food.

Plays: YES.  Just signed up last week to see Wicked, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera

and Les Miserables.

I was so inspired that I went home and put on my Lion King t-shirt.  Yep :)

Food: I'LL BE THERE.  (makes me think of the Jackson 5)

They specifically mentioned a place called...

Waffle Palace

Yummmmmy- that should be their slogan.

That's where the post title "Fifty First Dates" comes into play.

The first thought that came to mind was that scene in 50 First Dates where Adam Sandler helps Drew Barrymore turn her waffles into a house.  check it out here (roll the clip at 3:48)

The more I thought about it, the more I thought that while I'm in London, I'll be doing much much more than just

"50 firsts" in my life.

It will be the first time I see Stonehenge, the first time I see Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, 

or hey, even the first time I see

Platform 9 and 3/4.

And even though they will always be those "firsts," they could also potentially be "lasts."

Who knows if I'll ever make it back to London-one of the largest cities in the world.

There is so much to learn, so much to see, so much to do-and I want to do all of it :)



Never knew I could relate to a clown fish...

"First day of school!  First day of school!" -Nemo

Growing up I would  always get so excited about the first day of school.

I loved getting my back-to-school supply list and then going to Staples  or Target to get it all with my parents.

I thought those days were over...

nope, I was oh so wrong :)

Pictured above is me with my new,

spiffy and blue

backpack!

I'm feeling just like Nemo now that I have my new backpack!

At BYU, if you do a study abroad you get a nifty backpack:

A little extra advertising for them, and a neat new way to carry around stuff for us!

So now it's official.  I have my study abroad backpack and I love it :)

I leave for London in 37 days,

and this backpack will be there with me :)

Dear London, I'm Learning

I have now officially had three classes prepping me and my future buds

to go to London

and take the place by storm.

Just Kidding :)

But really, we're learning all about the culture, the history, and why London is one of the most incredible places to visit in the world.

I mean, I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure that's how I'll feel when this adventure is over.

What I've learned:

Week 1: We're living in, what our teacher likes to refer to, the "Posh" side of town.

(anyone instantly think of Spice Girls? I did .)

Also, we are 3 minutes away from a major park...aka Hyde Park. 

Only problem is, you can only go to a sweet ship playground within the park if you have a kid with you.

(I'm in love with parks and swinging, so I WILL find a way)

Week 2: This was all about the history of London.  Pretty much it's been awesome since day 1 :)

Week 3: Best week so far.

"Best wear your pants under your trousers!" (pants=underwear)

"Oh I'm simply chuffed to get some chips for a quid" (chuffed=excited, chips=fries, quid=1 pound)

Stay tuned for some more awesome words later :)