Only 12 Days...

until I'm back in America?! Is that for real? The time has gone by way way wayyyy too fast.  I have loved every second of being here, though.  I've met some amazing friends and made memories that I will never forget.  I think this experience has been life changing, to say the least.  Some of my housemates have already left to go back to their home towns and it's feeling more and more empty at West One! :( We did get to have one last "house" dinner which was so much fun! All of us made some sort of dish that was popular in our country.  Jonathan and I made BURGERS! They turned out amazing!

Here are some of my roommates with some of the food--before we all went crazy and ate EVERYTHING! :) 

Tomorrow, one of my best friends Gillian gets in! I'm so excited to see her.  Then on Sunday me, Gillian, Laney, Carrie and Shelby leave for Paris and Barcelona! I am freaking out I am so excited! It doesn't feel real.  Tonight I've started to pack a little bit--lets just say I'm not good at packing light.  Fitting everything in one small carry on bag is harder than it sounds!  I also got my British Pounds exchanged for Euros and US Dollars which was exciting! US money looks so different compared to European money.  I'm hoping to make it on only a limited amount of money...let's hope I can have some self control when it comes to shopping ;)

Well, I have to get back to packing and cleaning up my room a little bit.  

I'll update after Paris :)  

xx

Ready...

to go home.  Feelin' homesick.  I think it's because I know I am going home so soon, I'm getting antsy.

Other than that little bump in the road for me, I'm enjoying the last little bit of time I have in England. In 2 weeks me and the girls will be in PARIS! I can't believe it.  This year is definitely one for the books.  Next year has a lot to live up to.  I have a feeling I won't be traveling the world or anything, I'm just lovin' how everything is turning out in my life.  Now I'm just crossing my fingers for this internship, but I'm also going to keep a lot of other options open.  But as amazing as these past few months have been, I'm quite excited to get back into my normal routine, and work, and drive my car, and just get a huge hug from my Mom and Dad! Blahh, well I should be productive with my day.  It's already 2:45 in the afternoon and I've done nothing but eat some Taco Bell (Freddy got it from Manchester!!).  I will go on a walk and enjoy a coffee today I think. Oh and maybe do a little bit of homework ;)

xx

I love the holidays!

So much going on! Ahhh!

So today was so productive and exciting! I got to sleep in until 12pm, which always is a great start to the day! I then got my butt up and moving and ran all of the errands on my to-do list, watched the christmas lights get turned on in the city with Jonathan and left a voice mail with a lady with the AZ Cardinals, in hope for an internship!  (Crossing my fingers I hear back from her!!)  Seriously, if I could land that internship, that would be amazing! I now have to go to the grocery store and get the rest of what I need for making Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night.

I love the holidays.  It seriously is such a beautiful time of year.  From now until New Years just makes me so happy inside.  Tonight there was live Christmas music being played in the city before the Christmas lights got turned on, and literally everyone in the crowd was singing along and enjoying themselves.  Everyone just looked so joyful! I wish I could be with my family tomorrow for Thanksgiving, but I am at least grateful that I get to spend the day with some people that have become amazing friends to me.  :) I'll post later about how our Thanksgiving festivies turn out!

Until then!
xx

Annoyed

Sometimes you know when you have those days where everything just bugs the crap out of you?

Yep, today is one of THOSE days.  I guess not everything has bugged the crap out of me...just realizing so much going on! I'm sick of unreliable people! It drives me nuts. I hate when someone says they will do something and then bam, they don't do it. 

That is all I have to say in my little complaining rant.

I did have a Toffee Nut Latte from SBUX this evening which was very delicious.  I also got all of my laundry done and did some grocery shopping :) Not to mention got to talk to my 'rents, always love hearing a voice from home!


That is all for today xx

Realizations!

These past 2 months in England have been so amazing.  I feel so lucky and fortunate to have had the opportunity to take part on such an adventure!

This morning I went on a jog by the river.  It was so beautiful.  I found myself the other day realizing that I need to take time to sometime say to myself,"Hey, Emily! You are in England! Ahhhh!" This morning, it wasn't rainy (as it usually is), and it was a relatively decent temperature too! I put my headphones in, blared some Jack Johnson, among other artists and started jogging...then after only about 100 yards had to stop because I thought I was going to puke.  (Horrible idea to go on a jog when you went out the night before...) So my jog turned into a brisk walk, but that's okay :).  Anyway, I went on a jog/walk around the Trent River.  There are beautiful trees lining the river, there were others walking and running enjoying such a beautiful day, there were swans, there were canoes, it was so pretty! Then as I was taking a little 5 min break and chilling out with listening to some Banana Pancakes and suddenly I heard a little birdie chirping noise that sounded like it was right in my ear! I was looking all around me, obvi a little freaked because I hate birds!! They scare me to death.  Then I imagined a little baby bird in my hood of my jacket and had a little freak out and did a little freak out dance to get the "bird" out of my hood.  How that bird would have gotten there? No idea, in my head I was determined that it was totally there though! Whoever saw my little spaz attack probably got a nice little chuckle out of it. Hahaha

Anyway, I only have about 1 month left here.  It's sinking in, and I know the time is going to go by soooo soooo fast!! I do miss home, and my family and friends so much, but this experience has been something that has definitely changed me and I'm going to miss all of the new friends I've made here just as much.  A little perk is that I now have some friends in other countries for when I feel like a little vaca ;). But,  I feel like I am so much more cultured, responsible, knowledgeable and mature young lady.  Today I woke up with a new outlook:  See the beauty in everything and try to notice the little things.  As the holiday season is approaching I'm realizing how grateful I am for everything and everyone in my life.  I really do have the best family and friends a girl could ask for.  I'm focusing on me from here on out; working out, eating right, studying, and I am going to stop worrying about trying to please everyone-I need to make myself happy first. A little month and a half early New Years resolution I guess you could say ;)

Sorry for the gushy-inspirational post, but just a little insight on my morning!

Gotta get to finishing planning Paris and Barcelonaaa! Ah :)

Oh and not even a month and one of my best friends Gillian is visiting me! Watch out England!!!

xx

21st BDAY WEEKEND!

So, it's official. I'm 21!! So exciting...only if I was in America it would have gone down a little different ;).  I did have such a great weekend though! My birthday fell on a Sunday, so we all ended up going out Saturday night.  A small group of us went to this really yummy restaurant called ZiZi's. I had this pizza/calzone thing.  It was so good!! And Carrie, Petra and I split a bottle of rose wine from CA.  Here is the group of us in the city after dinner :).

After dinner we came back home to change into "going out" clothes and have pre-drink a little bit.  I have always wanted a sequined dress for my 21st.  I thought I would never find it...but then on Saturday morning I figured I would give it one more try and BOOM I found it :) I was so excited about it and I get to wear it to Vegas too...or if I ever want to be a disco ball for Halloween ;).  I'm pretty sure there are sequins all over the house.  A few of my roommates found them in their rooms...and I was never even in their rooms with that dress on haha.  Before we left Carrie and Petra surpised me with a yummy yummy birthday cake! It was carrot cake which is one of my favorites!

After we finally left, we started our night out at a place called the Pitcher and Piano.  It is a really cool bar.  It used to be an old church but the turned it into a restaurant/bar/club.  Looook!

This picture doesn't even do it justice, but trust me it was so cool and pretty! We stayed there until midnight and the Carrie even got the DJ to play me a birthday song! Another girl also thought it was so cool we were both turning 21 that night! I did have a party foul and dropped a full double vodka redbull...sooo embarassing.

We did manage to get a good picture of all of us girls though! I'm so glad so many of my great roomies could come out and celebrate with me! :)

After we left the church turned bar, I wanted to go to this place called Market Bar...still not 100% sure why we didn't end up there...but we ended up going to BaBar (not that cool of a place...still fun though) and I got exactly what I wanted at the end...A KEBAB!  It was absolutely disgusting and not what I thought a kebab was.  When I think kebab I think shish-kebab.  Apparently I was wrong.  A kebab here is meat in a pita/naan bread pretty much.  Not very good.

On my real birthday we went to Weatherspoons and had a traditional English Breakfast and then went on a walk around Trent River and played in the leaves!  It was so relaxing and exactly what I needed after a night out :)

Then...I had to work on my group project, which was no fun :(.

This week has been awesome though! Carrie, Laney, Gillian, Shelby and I booked our flight to Paris and Barcelona! Needless to say, I AM STOKED! I'm just turning into a little world traveler ;)  I am a little antsy to get home though, I'm missin' it a lot :(.

Gotta get back to work on this project! Until next time..

xx

Fully immersed in England

Welp, it has happened.  I wanted to rub shoulder to shoulder with the British, I wanted to fully experience the culture.  I think this list will tell you why I am officially fully immersed into the British culture...

1.  I don't recognise an accent any more
2.  I've started to use "s" instead of "z" in words like "organisation/organization" (in America we say "z" pronounced (zeeeeee) in England "z" is pronounced "zed"
3.  Found my self reffering to the cost of something in America in £ instead of $.
4.  I am only in 3 classes and I am an even bigger procrastinator than when I was working 20 hours a week and in 5 classes.
5.  I'm getting used to the fact that people in England don't tend to follow walking rules when they are walking...I follow the rules of the road in America...if you are walking head on with someone in America you go to the right...in England...they go in all directions. You end up dancing with a lot of strangers.
6.  I've discovered Top Shop and how amazing it is.
7.  I can totally navigate the public transportation system.
8.  On my way to school I see a castle; it is no longer a big deal.
9.  I know how to order a proper English tea
10.  I've started to use x's at the end of writing a text, message, etc.  Still wonder if there is any meaning behind if it is --> x or --> X. I do know if there are 2 x's it's cuter than only one x. :)
11. Oh and today I finally figured out how to do this --> £.  I want to just type it all of the time now!! Only 2 moths in England and I FINALLY figure out how to do this! Haha

Well, that is good enough for now. But I HAVE to finish this damn paper. Due tomorrow at noon.  It's Thursday at 10:38 p.m. oopsie :|.
Missing my mom, dad, roommate, friends, chris, ahhh the list could go on...
I'll try to update later!

xx

Oh by the way!

Listen to this song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs0hNnJeEt4

Kind of obsessed with it lately <3

xx

Bad at Blogging

Sorry for the non-regular posts...I really have lots of intention to write in here as much as I can; it's so hard to remember sometimes.

Well, let me update a little bit since my last post :)

School is getting really intense/I am a huge procrastinator...but I already know that! I have a research report due on Friday...yep today is Sunday and I just started on it.  I can finish it by Wednesday at the latest though; I'm sure :).  I put the pro in procrastination. 

On a more fun topic...one of my best friends is visiting me in England in December.  We still have to work out details and figure things out because me and Gillian and a few other girls I live with plan on traveling to Paris, Barcelona and Dublin! Needless to say I am SO EXCITED!  Seriously, Friday was just the best day EVER!  First I woke up to that good news, went and grabbed a coffee with my friend Arron, found out my 1 pm class was optional, and then my class that started at 3 that was supposed to end at 5 got out at 330.  I couldn't have asked for a better day!

We had a Halloween party last night (Saturday), and I think for the first time in my adult life I actually looked scary for Halloween.  So weird...as many of you may know I absolutely HATE dressing up for Halloween...but everyone here seemed to be getting in to it...so I had one of my roommates "zombify" my "cowgirl" costume.  Me and Carrie were actually quite scary....(didn't mean to rhyme ;))

Carrie was "Death" as you can see; and me the zombie cowgirl...so original ;)

Carrie and I also went to run some errands before the party and we ended up at a "fish spa" as reccomended by one of our roommates.  First of all, I hate fish.  They are all slimey and bleh! They freak me out.  But, I mean I was looking forward to having super soft footsies.  So we went to this place in the mall and you just put your feet in a fish tank basically.  It tickled so much at first! I kind of screamed a little bit.  But after a while you get used to the feeling and afterwords your feet are super soft.  It was definitely worth 10 pounds.  I think everyone should try it :) 

Here's the little fishes sucking on my footsies.  It was kind of weird they would all be on one foot then switch to the other one! 

Anyway, I should be getting a little more reading done before calling it a night.  

xx

P.S. One week from today and it's the big 21! Eek! <3

Loving England :)

I haven't updated in a while...so let me fill you in on some stuff! :)

Well, nothing too exciting has been happening...Last week there were 3 birthdays within our house so needless to say we went out...A LOT.  My body hated me. 

School has been going good...I'm a little stressed because I have 3 assessments due so soon.  They all are focused around marketing though which is exciting, because I finally get to be taking classes I want to take!  One is due in only 2 weeks! I need to buckle down and do some research! And what is even more fabulous about these assessments is that my 21st is right in the middle of all 3 of them :(. I'm still going to celebrate anyway ;)

Some of us went to the Nottingham Beer Festival the other day, which was SO much fun!! It was held on the Nottingham Castle grounds.  It was so beautiful.  You pay about 12 pounds for a ticket to get in and you get a 1/2 pint mug and some tickets so you can try out some beer and cider!  They also had so much food! SO delicious! 

This is near the entrance of the beer festival and the grounds of the Nottingham Castle

I'm now in the process of trying to plan a trip to Spain or Italy! And I might move my flight home back a week so I can travel around just a little more! :) 

So basically I've fallen in love with England! It is soo beautiful :)

I'll try to keep this thing more updated so I don't have to keep rambling!

xx

P.S.

In addition to my last post, I'm loving all of my roommates!

Tonight, Tania and I went to this Thai restaurant...SO YUMMY. 2 pounds for some sticky rice but whatever right? It was delicious so it's okay!

And I love how all of us pretty much stayed in tonight and just enjoyed eachothers company in our kitchen sharing stupid jokes and having some quality bonding time. (For all of my friends that know the cookie joke...it was told tonight hahaha).  It is so nice getting to know so many people from all around the world :).

AND Flag got SNOW today! Eek! So exciting!  And I got to talk to one of my best friends Sabastian yesterday on her birthday!  It is always so nice to hear a voice from home.  It gets a little lonely being in another country all alone :(.  Anyway, have to get to sleepies, our bus leaves at 7:50 a.m. for Birmingham tomorrow ayiyi.

x

First week of school = success :)

So, this week has FLOWN by! The first week of "uni" is already done and their way of doing things is NOT what I am used to.  First of all...I'm a library geek that stays in Cline until 2 a.m.  Needless to say I don't think I will be doing that here.  Boots Library closes at I think 8 or 9 p.m.  What do these students do here?! Haha, but Sunday I plan on spending the day there figuring out how to print, and find my text books...I do not want to buy books! And hopefully they just have an e-book version too ;)!  I have also met some really nice people in my classes.  And it definitely helps having a cutie in one of my seminar groups ;).  I like the seminar type of class they do here, though.  It is for each class you are in you have 2, one hour lectures per week and 1, two hour seminar each week.  The seminar is a lot more hands on and I feel like I've learned so much.  It is just confusing they don't hand out syllabus' in class it is all on line on this thing called "NOW" (kind of like Louie or Vista).  Soo I think I have homework? I'm not sure? I will figure it out Sunday because tomorrow I am going to BIRMINGHAM! :)

Also this week a group of us went to the Goose Fair! It was fun besides the fact it was pouring down rain and I had no jacket or umbrella...we went on 2 spinny rides which was a horrible decision.  After getting off of the second one Carrie and I thought we were going to throw up.  It didn't help that I was a little freaked out because before the second ride started Carrie mentioned how it felt like it could have been a scene from Final Destination.  Haha after our adventures at the Goose Fair, Carrie, Christian and I went and got some dinner and enjoyed some yummy ice cream :)

Anyway, this week has been soo busy! Can't wait to tell you how Birmingham goes :)

x

First day of school in the UK!

So, my first class didn't even start until 6pm yesterday.  It was so strange to have a full day to get things done and then go to class.  By the time I was sitting in my first lecture I was ready for a nap!

 Before I even got to school though I had a very eventful day.  First, I was working on my laundry and the coin pusher in thing wouldn't go...I knew that was a bad sign to start my day...I haven't washed my clothes in 3 weeks, which has given me a great excuse to just buy new clothes.  But still, I was desperate for a washer and dryer.  Then, I went to ASDA (kind of like Walmart or Target) with Carrie.  I got all of my school supplies and fun stuff like that.  But with our hands full of groceries and other junk I saw our bus approaching...and we had to run!! Needless to say it had to have been a funny sight seeing two girls running across the street almost getting hit by cars to catch a bus.  Apparently, the guy who yelled "Run Forrest, Run!!" also thought it was a funny sight.  Carrie, Tania, Cinderela and I all went and got fish and chips too! I usually am not much of a fish fan...but it wasn't half bad! At least I can say I have had the traditional fish and chips in England ;)

So, very eventful first day of school...and I hadn't even been to class yet! :)

One of my housemates, Ronja, and I have two classes together.  I'm so happy that we do! That way at least we have someone to go to when we don't understand something.  Well, apparently, as I have learned you wait outside of the lecture hall BEFORE going in.  It isn't like at NAU where you sit in your class and wait for class to start...as we approached our room I noticed there were lots of people waiting outside...I thought that was weird and decided I would just go in the room and wait since we only had a few minutes before the lecture would begin.  Note to self: DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN.  I walked in to find 300 faces staring at me and the whole room in complete silence.  After feeling SO embarassed Ronja and I walked out laughing histerically and couldn't believe that just happened.  While her and I were talking about how funny that was...I noticed some guy (probably from England) chuckle to him self.  He probably thought we were so dumb, and definitely not from around here.  Other than that my classes seem like they are going to be really interesting, but kind of difficult.  Pretty much only two assignments make up your grade which intimidates me a little.  I guess I will just hope for the best.

Today is day 2.  I have 3 seminar classes today...each are 2 hours long.  Tuesdays are my long days! I've already been so productive...I had a yummy breakfast burrito and got to Skype with Derrik, Alexa and Chris :).  I'll try to keep this thing updated on any more funny stories ;)

xo

T-R-E-N-T...we are the TRENT ARMY!

So, today was so much fun! I went to the City with my housemate Tania! We were in search of some boots...but didn't find any.  Instead I found a cheap and cute top and a few necklaces! :) Then we came back and had a BBQ with our roommates! So much fun! :)

I'm getting used to the lifestyle here...it makes me nervous to go back home now! I'm going to have some reverse culture shock I think.  But it sucks because everything is SO expensive when you convert pounds to dollars.  For example...a shirt at H&M is say 12 pounds...with the conversion rate and fee on your debit card it brings that 12 pound shirt to about 20 dollars.  And in the US that same shirt would be priced also at 12 dollars. I don't even know if that made sense...but needless to say it SUCKS.  And I didn't know this until today but we have to pay to use the washer and dryer.  I've been buying new clothes because I haven't had access to any washing machines...and now that I do it will cost me about 4.50 pounds per load of laundry.  I'd rather just keep going shopping and getting new clothes ;)

Going out has been so much fun...as I think I said in my last post.  We went to an event put on by "Freshers" week I think...They kept chanting something but I finally caught on to what they were saying after hearing it a few times.  It seems like Nottingham Trent Uni is a very enthusiastic school and they are proud of who they are.  In the middle of a dance club the DJ started a chant that said "T-R-E-N-T...we are the TRENT ARMY!"  It was kind of fun to see how enthusiastic everyone is about their school.  I saw a Trent Army shirt and I kind of want to get it! :) I feel like you don't get that kind of school spirit at NAU...at least not saying school chants in dance clubs!

I've definitely been feeling a little homesick...and also that I have a cold of some kind.  All of the going out and staying out late is probably not helping. But I am sure all of that will subside when school starts on Monday.  I miss my family, friends, Target, Taco Bell, In-N-Out, having a car, ohhh the list could go on and on.  Some days are so nice and busy and I am having so much fun...but I have found that other days seem to be so lonely.  Let me just say having a little secret stash of chocolate in my room was the best idea I have ever had.  I guess that is the whole experience, right?  I can't believe I've already been here about 2 1/2 weeks! Time is definitely flying!

Speaking of school.  I am SO excited to start my classes.  Everyone at NAU started about a month ago so it has felt so weird not being busy with school and work like I normally would.  My schedule is so chaotic, and it was strange not making my own schedule.  For instance, I start class at 6 pm on Monday and then Noon Tuesday and then no class on Wednesday and I don't even remember what Thursday and Friday are like.  I'm kind of bummed about my schedule though because it will make it difficult to travel.  Hopefully I can figure something out!

Tomorrow I have plans to Skype my parents and also my good friend Gillian! It is always so nice to hear a voice from home.  Sometimes I find my self going crazy and feeling so disconnected from my life back at home. But it will all be there when I get back in a few months :)

Anyway, I have to be getting ready.  Tonight we are planning on having a more relaxing night and possibly going and having a few drinks along the Trent River which will be fun :) Next post I'll put up some pics!

xoxo

Holy UPDATE!!!

I haven't updated my adventures in probably a week or so...so let me fill you in!!

My mom left today from London! I miss her so much.  We had such a great time exploring London and seeing Nottingham where I will be at school.  I felt so bad that I couldn't spend more time with her in Nottingham since I was busy getting to know my housemates and doing Welcome activities at school.  So mom, if you are reading this, I miss you and can't wait to see you and Daddy in December! Hope you had a safe flight home!

But, England is SO much fun.  I love it.  I have met so many amazing people that live in my house.  There are about 32 of us.  There are about 5 other people from America here which is nice to have a "familiar face" and to not feel all alone.  But school still hasn't started yet, classes start on Monday...and I haven't recieved my schedule yet, so hopefully that all falls into place! But Nottingham is amazing.  I've been going to some of the Welcome Week events...even though it is aimed more towards the "Freshers" it is still fun.  My friend Carrie and I might try joining the Rowing group.  That will be interesting...as all of you know I'm not really into sports or anything...but hey! Why not try something new, right? :)

Also! My new friend Christian also goes to Nottingham Trent.  He goes to NAU with me normally but since we are both in Nottingham we have been hanging out grabbing lunch and he has been showing me around the city a little bit.  It's so funny we had no idea who each other were until we came here! It is such small world.  It is nice to have friends to go on little adventures with, though.  If I had to be totally alone I would be so scared!

All of our housemates have been going out a lot! The night life here is pretty fun.  It is different then back home...the girls here seem to dress so...shall we say...scandalous? Haha One of the girls we have become friends with refers to their skirts as "belt skirts." I feel like that pretty much sums up how some girls dress here.  Totally not used to that.  It is so fun being able to go out to clubs and bars since I can't back in the States.  But I feel like since I can now...it isn't that big of a deal.  We are all still going to celebrate my 21st the "American" way though ;). 

That is a little update from here! I've been learning so much and school hasn't even started yet. 

Until next time! xoxo

P.S. I'm a little nervous because I'm getting used to the fact that they drive on the left side of the road here.  I can't wait till I get back to Arizona and it's going to be weird that everyone is driving on the right! Ahhh!  Oh and if you want to look at pictures just check out my FB :)

Miss everyone so much <3

Stonehenge, Bath and the Tower of London!!

Yesterday (Sunday) we went on a tour of Stonehenge and Bath! It was so amazing and beautiful.  Before we hit Stonehenge we stopped for about 30 min. at Windsor Castle which was pretty cool! I wish we could have spent more time there.  It looked so interesting!

 This is one of the only glimpses of Windsor Castle I got to see! So pretty though!

 Stonehenge! It was actually so much smaller than I anticipated. 

 Bath Abby.  This building was right by the Roman Baths.  It was so pretty, along with the rest of the city.

 The Roman Baths.  When you got down to the water you could see the steam coming off of the water.  I wanted to dip my hand in to see how warm it actually was, but they said the water was really dirty and you could get sick...so I played it safe.  There actually used to be a "roof" type of thing covering it too.  This is just a picture of the main bath, but there were 2 other ones, along with many rooms around this main bath.

 This was just a random street corner in Bath.  I would have to say, this is one of the most beautiful city's I have ever seen.  There are flowers everywhere and there was even a couple of guys playing some interesting type of music.  It was hypnotizing...they had a cd but I didn't buy it...I kind of wish I did though :)

 Today, we took the underground about 10 stops to the Tower of London.  This was huge! There was so much to see.  We got to see where the executions took place, all of the crown jewels and lots of the armor that the military had worn in the past.

 This was a guard outside one of the buildings in the Tower of London.  I really wanted to get a picture with him...but there were gates up blocking you from getting close to him. :(

From the Tower of London you could see the London Bridge! This area was so gorgeous! I love it.

That is going to be the last of our adventures here in London I think...for the rest of today we are just kicking back and enjoying ourselves.  Tomorrow we are going to pack and organize everything and head out and do some last minute London shopping.  I'm in desperate need of some boots! (and maybe some other goodies haha)  Then Wednesday it is off to Nottingham! 

Missing everyone so much! xoxo

Out of it

Whew! No one ever told me how exhausting traveling is.  Today, my mom and I didn't do much...we ended up going to a few museums and calling it a day.  My tummy is all sorts of upset and I just feel like closing my eyes! I just want that to stop. Sooner or later it will go away, I hope! Otherwise, no cool update for today! But, we are going to Stonehenge and Bath tomorrow!

xoxox

The Past 3 Days in London!!

Sorry I haven't written yet! Three days have already come and gone! I cannot believe it.  The internet situation is tough.  It costs an arm and a leg to use the internet at the hotel, and Starbucks apparently closes at 7:30 p.m. So strange.  Anyway, getting here was very exciting to say the least.  2 planes, a train, an underground and so many flights of stairs later, and we are here.  Our little hotel is very quaint.  It was an old Victorian Home at one point and they converted it into a hotel.

This picture above is the view of the street our hotel is on :)

Yesterday, my mom and I went on a tour of Buckingham Palace.  You can only go during a few months out of the year while the Royal Family is away.  It was so interesting to see inside.  It was absolutely beautiful.  They wouldn't let you take pictures inside but the picture below is of what I could manage to get of the outside. 

On our tour we went on we also got to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, The Marble Arch--which I couldn't get a picture of, 10 Downing Street, and Westminster Abby and sooo much more!

 Bad view of the Houses of Parliament

 10 Downing Street -- Where the Prime Minister lives.

 A guard outside of the Household Calvary.  This is where the horses that protect the Royal Family are held.  We also go to see a changing of the guard here!

 Big Ben!

 Me outside of Westminster Abby

The Gardens at Buckingham Palace

Just go look at my Facebook for more pictures! Way too many to put up on here!

I have learned that the food is definitely different, and obviously the way you get around and function.  It is all very exciting and I'm finally adjusting to all of the changes.  I'm also getting the hang of how to use the underground! Definitely a good thing to know. 

Today, we went and did a little shopping for electronic things I needed.  The mall we went to was the biggest mall I have ever seen in my life.  I was in love! Of course it was filled with shops that I couldn't afford, but hey, it doesn't hurt to look :) It was weird, I went to H & M and things are just so much more expensive than they are at home.  This is not going to be a good three months for my bank account, that is for sure ;).  After we went shopping for some things, we went to Kensington Palace where Princess Diana along with many many other members of the Royal Family have lived.  It was very pretty.  The gardens that surround Kensington Palace are so breathtaking!

 Outside of Kensington Palace

 The Gardens at Kensington Palace

Next Wednesday I will move into my accomodations which I am very excited about! I'm very anxious to start school!

Tomorrow, I believe we are going to go to the Tower of London and some other things around there! I will try to keep this updated :)

Until next time! xoxo

Lazy Day

It's about 1:30 in the afternoon and I have done nothing productive today, well except run down the street and go to the chiropractor...but that is all.  Still just lounging around.  I can't believe I leave a week from Tuesday! It is so surreal.  Last night I hung out with my friend Julie and her sister Wendy.  It was so nice to see them.  Good thing we know each other well, because I almost fainted because I didn't eat all day.  I need to make sure that never happens again.  I also ordered British Pounds for my mom and I! I can't wait to go pick it up from the bank.  Everything is coming together and I am so antsy to pack, and go.  I already did start putting things in a suitcase. :)  Other than that I have no significant plans for the rest of my time in Arizona.  I hopefully will be seeing my friend Chris a few times before he leaves on Tuesday.  He just got his wisdom teeth out today, I want to see him and tease him a little bit ;).  I can't wait until my mom and I get to England and I have more interesting things to talk about and pictures to share.  Also, whoever (if any one does) read this send me your address so I can mail you a post card :)!
Until next time, xoxo

A little peice of my mind...

I believe God works in mysterious ways, and I trust that whatever happens, happens for a reason.  As long as you fight your hardest for what you want, and put all of your energy into the things and people that mean a lot to you, you will have no regret.

Just a lil somethin' somethin' that I believe. 

The Count Continues...

As of tonight, 16 more days, and I'll be in London! Today, my mom and I went and got some travel sized stuff, and other goodies we will need for our trip.  I am getting soooo anxious to say the least.

But here, in good ol' Phoenix, I've just been keeping busy.  I've been seeing a lot of friends, and in about a week I get to see my cousin! :) Tomorrow I am hanging out with my good friend Cynthia; and Tuesday grabbing some dinner with my friend Alissa.  It is going to be a fun filled week. Oh and going to the chiropractor a few times, that is always nice!

Hopefully, the next time I'll be writing it will be while we are waiting at the airports :)

P.S. The change of the title of the blog is due to my conversation with my friend Eric.  Thank you, Eric, for your creative name choice :)

21 days!

21 days until I leave for England! I am so excited, I wish I could just go right now.
I still have some things to get done before I leave, but all of the "important" things are out of the way.  But nothing ever does go smothly...I'm currently on hold with NAU Financial Aid and have been for the past 47 minutes(...and counting).  I guess since I've been on hold for so long it gives me time to start this blog ;)
I already miss Flag so much.  I don't know how I am going to do it for 3-ish months!
Anyway, until next time!
xo

P.S. Add me on Skype! :)