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.