Oh Yeah, I Forgot I'm Actually In School Here...

So ordinarily I will not be posting everyday…classes started today and boy oh boy am I going to have a lot of homework. So I figure I will blog as much as I can, while I can! And how could I not blog after I had the most amazing day?! I guess I will just start from the beginning. So this morning we had classes. My first was at 9:00 and it was mythology. I am going to love this class! My professor is awesome and the things we learn are so interesting. It is especially cool because we get to go out and see it all in real life! I also had an English class this morning which requires a ton of reading. I think we will read over 1,000 pages of literature in our 5 weeks of classes. Wow baby. So lots of work, but fun nonetheless. Guess what I did in between classes? Went running in Hyde Park! Ahh I can’t even believe it. It’s not every day you get to run past Italian gardens, monuments, and incredible architectural structures on a morning jog! Talk about motivation. In the afternoon we went as a group to the London museum followed by St. Paul’s Cathedral. Words cannot describe the size/power/detail/stunningness (is that a word?)of this building. I have never seen anything like it. Ya know in the old cartoons when they show someone’s jaw drop 5 feet to the floor and they literally have to pick it up and shut it closed? Well that was Brianna all day! I can’t get over how much detail is in every square inch of everything! We also got to climb 530 stairs to the top…and I thought the view from the empire state building was cool. Overall, St. Paul’s cathedral was pretty dang stunning. And to top it off, i got to feed the birds where the old lady in "Mary Poppins" feeds the birds! So guess what I did after dinner?? Okay I’ll just tell you, haha. I went and saw LES MISERABLES! Holy Hannah, talk about life changing! And man did I get teary this time. I didn’t feel quite as bad about myself when I heard the person behind me sobbing and I turned around and it was some man, haha. I could watch that play every night of my life and never get sick of it. It was/is the best! Welp, that’s it for tonight, I’m off to bed…and I fully plan on turning on my iPod and falling asleep to Les Mis 

First Homework Assignment...Check

So in our “London Walks” class we have a book of different “walks” we can do. They give you directions on which tube to take, which sites to see, etc. We have to complete one each week and today I did my first one! I went and saw the Kensington Gardens and it was absolutely beautiful. The entrance we used first takes you along Embassy road, also known as Millionaires Row…and for good reason. The street was lined with these huge mansions, each belonging to a different embassy and each displaying their Country’s. The road ends by taking you to Kensington Gardens. We saw all sorts of statues…William the III, Peter Pan, Prince Albert, and more. I especially liked the Albert monument because I just watched “Young Victoria” last weekend and became Victoria and Albert’s biggest fan! It was so cool and I learned all sorts of new things! I also can’t get over how green it was in the park…The trees and flowers were gorgeous…and it didn’t rain at all so we lucked out J after we finished doing the walk, we went and explored the museum of Natural History. And let me first say that I am so grateful Dinosaurs are extinct. Ah I was even scared of the models! I am excited to go back to the museum though because it was way too big for us to even see a quarter of it in our time there.

Anyways, we did a little more site seeing and then came back to the center for a meeting and dinner. Following dinner a Bishop from one of the ward’s we will be serving in came and met with us. The top things 3 things I learned: 1. Never begin a conversation by introducing yourself…simply comment on the weather. For example: “My it’s dark out here”…this will help you gauge whether or not the person wants to talk to you 2. Rather than discussing the size of an object (like in America “So how big is your TV?”) discuss age…it is much more meaningful to own something extremely old than it is to own something big 3. Don’t try to mimic a British accent…they will know you are faking!

Those were some pretty useful tips…I feel like people see a gigantic blinking sign over my head that says “spot the American tourist”—one of these days I will blend in! Welp, that’s it for tonight, I think I hear my pillow calling my name (in a British accent)…

I made it!!!!

So it is now 8:15...in the PM. I am so confused with the time change. It was funny because on the plane when we took off in Atlanta they served us dinner, Georgia time...then they served us breakfast London time. So we basically had both meals one right after the other. But anyways...after a 4 hour flight, a 2 hour layover, a 9 hour flight, a 45 minute train ride, and a 10 minute cab ride i finally made it! We arrived at the London center around 9:00 in the morning and they wouldn't let us go to bed...so while all of you were sleeping, i was out getting lost and confused on the tube and getting my first taste of London. First of all, London is the BOMB!!! Second of all, London is dirty! It reminds me a ton of New York, i feel like i am a smoker with all the second hand smoke I've inhaled today. But i can't complain because it is so beautiful here! I can't get over it. I went and saw Big Ben today...it was Humungo!!!! We were only there for a few minutes so hopefully we will go back later on and spend some more time there. Third of all, London drivers are terrifying. I wanted to cover my eyes the whole cab ride--driving on the left side of the road really threw me off. Note to self: look LEFT before crossing the street! Right now everyone is unpacking, settling in, and getting ready to call it a night. Despite the sketchy comforter I am using and sheets with mysterious yellow stains i cannot wait to hit the pillow tonight! I haven't really slept since i left yesterday morning so i am feeling pretty tired. But i can't wait for tomorrow...we can basically do whatever we want so it will be a fun day. Ah i still can't believe i am here, it is so surreal. Well, i think that's it for me tonight, I'm going to go catch some serious Z's...sweet dreams!PS. The flight attendant on my first flight was a hoot. She told me a joke and i laughed my head off. Here it is: Question: Which side of a chicken has more feathers? Answer: The outside!!!! haha you know i am getting loopy when i think that is funny :)

I'm off!

Well it's a miracle, but i actually got all of my stuff to fit into one suitcase (thank you mother!), now i am just keeping my fingers crossed they don't lose my luggage! I am leaving for the airport any minute now. I wasn't feeling nervous at all until about ten seconds ago...gulp. But i am so excited!!!! Thanks everyone who helped to get me on my way, here i go! hug hug kees kees