Life Across the Pond, Part II

I'll just jump right in. Last week was much less eventful due to that lovely fact of life called homework. Would you believe I'm actually going to school while I'm here? Sometimes I forget, too.

Last Tuesday, I was walking around the city for an assignment when I had to regain my bearings. Thus, I sat down on a bench to do so when I looked up and saw THIS. For those of you who aren't freaking out, this is St. Bartholomew's Hospital, or as I and my fellow Sherlockians like to refer to it--where the Reichenbach Fall occurred. I was so stunned when I realized where I was that all I could do was feebly utter "nope" while staring in disbelief. For those of you who know me, you understand what a big deal this is for me. I had John's exact viewpoint and everything! 

These are the remains of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed in World War II. England kept it ruined as a reminder of what happened during the war. You can't see it, but at the base of the middle window, the words "Father Forgive" are inscribed. I felt some serious chills after reading that. 

Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. Really cute, and still thatched!

The birthplace of Shakespeare. It's surreal that I've seen this. 

A fun window in the house where Shakespeare was born.

Nightlife in Stratford from a coffee shop window. 

We attended the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to see Much Ado About Nothing. I am in love with that play. They set it in post-WWI England during Christmas. The costumes were stunning, the sets were detailed and mobile (one even moves up from the bottom of the stage!), and the acting blew me away. What a treat it was! If only I'd thought to buy a program...

This is the front of Westminster Abbey in London, where we attended another Evensong. Although the York one is still my favorite, Westminster has an awe-inspiring interior. I kid you not, my jaw dropped when I stepped inside. If they'd let me take pictures, they'd be up here in a heartbeat. 

Here's Dover Castle. It was open for exploration, and every room inside was decorated to recreate how things would have looked in medieval times. This might be my favorite castle that we've been to, simply because it was an ancient castle, completely intact, and fully functioning. None of the castles we've visited previously have had all three of those characteristics. Plus, I really loved all the spiraling staircases that branched into passageways between each floor. Those were cool.

The White Cliffs of Dover. Bucket list item accomplished! 

What a stunning view, no? It's from the top of Dover Castle. 

Huzzah for silliness! Apparently, my shield was a "newer model" according to the guide. 

Two reasons why I like this building (in Canterbury). One, it's an old, leaning bookstore from ye olden days. Two, I might have pinned an image of this on my London/travel Pinterest board. 

The magnificent interior of Canterbury Cathedral--probably the largest cathedral I've been in yet. 

Okay, these are the lovely ladies I befriended at the OneRepublic concert this Wednesday--Natalie and Charlotte Sanders. They were such dears to me, and they made the whole experience better, if that's even possible. 

Ryan Tedder at the OneRepublic concert, which was glorious beyond words. They played all my favorites--even old ones! You know music is good when you feel inspired and energized, right down to your bones. That's how I felt as I listened to the ballads, covers, thumping anthems, and soaring melodies of OneRepublic that night. Every time I listen to those songs now, I feel like they're mine in a way they weren't before. Also, seeing this concert--and hearing the song "I Lived"--made me realize something. I've had (and still have) the freedom to do essentially whatever I want here. Going to the concert of a famous band is something I can do on a whim. And that's completely crazy to me. Infinitely wonderful, but crazy.

This is evidence of how college students can quickly revert to five-year-olds if capes are involved. Apparently, Hannah and I didn't get the memo the picture wasn't a silly one. Dorkiness at its finest, my friends. I love it. 

I felt queenly in this picture!

Hampton Court (where we got the capes and explored).

I took a stroll through Hyde Park on Friday evening. I wish cameras could portray exactly what your eye sees; in real life, this pathway was stunning. The picture pleases me anyway, though. 

Saturday morning, my friends and I grabbed crepes for breakfast at Portobello Road market (they were divine) and headed off to the National Gallery for an assignment. I still shake my head in awe when I think that my homework involves stuff like that--seeing museums, looking at famous pieces of art, going to see operas and plays, and exploring the city. My life is a dream! Anyway, this picture hangs in the National Gallery. For some reason, it struck a deep chord of familiarity and significance, though I couldn't remember why. I knew I'd seen it before, but not where or how. I'm still puzzling over it...

That same day, we went to the Tate Britain for another assignment when we were roped into a cool project. My friends and I helped make a film! We got inspiration from a piece of art in the gallery, created a story from it, storyboarded (mapped out scenes for) it, made props, donned costumes and makeup, and acted it out. Our scene was the first of many in the film; other people would create the rest of it based off our initial one. Cool, right? I played a girl who died in a fire, hence the flames on my face and the veil. I had so much fun. 

I took this shot while walking down The Mall in central London on Saturday. Fall in London is simply lovely. 

Though I didn't get much closer than this, I saw Buckingham Palace yesterday! No royalty to be seen--just a bunch of tourists. I gleefully exempt myself from that status because I actually live here. Ha! 

Life Across the Pond, Part I

There are two instances when time flies by: when you're having fun, and when you're busy. Combine the two, and you might be left in a daze wondering where the past few weeks have disappeared to. Welcome to my life. Let me fill you in on what's been going on. With a few exceptions, each picture will have only a very brief explanation--but that doesn't mean my heart wasn't bursting with joy for each of them!

What? Green phone booths? I found these while on a walk exactly three weeks ago. I show you them to illustrate how out of the ordinary that day was. It was General Conference weekend, but since there's the seven-hour time difference here, the first session didn't start until five PM. So, for the first half of the day, I explored the city by myself--mostly the financial district area. Church bells were ringing as I strolled the pavements, and I loved getting to know my city more. After finishing my walk and with a delicious pistachio macaroon in hand, I hopped over to the Victoria & Albert Museum to check out their wedding dress exhibit. I got to see wedding dresses from the 1700s to the present! Unfortunately, no photos were allowed, so I can't show you how cool it was. I loved it and learned lots, though. Conference and dinner were waiting when I came home. What an enjoyably different Sunday!

This is Burghley House in Stamford and our first stop on a week-long trip to the North. Palatial, isn't it? For my fellow Jane Austen fans, this is Lady Catherine's house in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice! Believe me, it's just as lovely inside as it is out. 

It gets better, Jane Austen fans. If you're not hyperventilating yet, I'll tell you why you should be: this is Pemberley (aka Chatsworth, its real name). There are so many incredible pictures, but here are some of my favorites. 

(MR. DARCY, OH MY GOSH)

A view of the grounds from the top of the fountain

Isn't this a cool shot? Fall was just starting to make itself evident...

We spent the next day in the charming city of York. This tiny, eclectic street is called the Shambles. It's incredibly well-preserved and dates back to the 1300s. 

Here's York Minster, where I went to my first Evensong. Evensong is a Catholic practice of reading lessons from the Bible and singing psalms. Oh man, what a neat experience; the choir (made of men and young boys) sang so beautifully, it was like I'd stumbled upon heaven or something. I very easily imagined myself as a young woman in medieval times, listening to the praises sung and admiring the almost intimidating beauty of the minster. Night had fallen by the time we returned to the streets, and the minster's bells rung a happy tune. I find myself thinking of this night often.

Say hello to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire! Once upon a time, this was a flourishing center for worship; that is, until King Henry VIII decided to create the Anglican church and dissolve the monasteries. This one was sacked and left to ruin. It may be in ruins, but it is one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking places.

Whitby Abbey: the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. More pretty than spooky, in my humble opinion. 

I had the privilege of witnessing such a view while walking up to Holy Island. This is also notable because a friend of mine (the same one who let me borrow his computer--great kid) and I quoted SpongeBob all the way to there. It was the greatest. 

Different shots of Hadrian's Wall. I went on my own for a little while and just followed the wall. For some reason, Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" lingered in my mind as I ambled through the hills. It was tranquil, the only noise being the rustle of wind on grass and an occasional distant bleat from a sheep. 

Good morning, Scotland. Edinburgh is a breathtaking city.

As some of you already know, I visited the Elephant House--the cafe where J.K. Rowling began writing Harry Potter. This is another cherished experience of mine for three reasons (not in order of importance, mind you). One, the food there was amazing. I had a tuna sandwich on focaccia bread and a slice of cappuccino cake. So good. Two, IT'S THE BIRTHPLACE OF HARRY FLIPPING POTTER. Of course it's important. I was raised on those stories, I think of them always, and they're a part of who I am. It was a pilgrimage for me. Three, this may sound silly, but I connected to Rowling in a way I never had before. As my friends talked about her struggles with depression and poverty, and what the Harry Potter universe meant to her (and all of us), I felt this deep surge of love and respect for her. We're all fighting the good fight, aren't we? I can never thank her enough for battling her demons and giving us this incredible series.

Here's the cemetery where Rowling found a few of the characters' names--Scrimgeour, Riddle, Potter, and Diggory, to name a few. 

Again, I wish I had more time. I've only given you the most important stuff; there are so many amazing things I simply don't have the time to tell you about. If you ever want to know more, or if you wonder whether I've visited a certain place, feel free to ask me! More is to come in Part II! 

London, My Dear

Frankly, this week broke my heart. I felt the full force of the Fall as everything that could go wrong essentially did. Combined with my own internal issues, these misfortunes seemed to sap away all my positivity. You're not supposed to cry while you're in London! However, every time I was hurting or something went wrong, God and England provided relief and encouragement. In light of this, those troubles are trifling. Insignificant. So instead of focusing on the unfortunate, I'd like to emphasize the goodness.

Monday, we went to the Wallace Gallery, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery, all of which have some of the most incredible art pieces I've ever seen. On the way there, we passed by Selfridge's. We didn't have time to go in, but I couldn't resist a picture! 

These both pertain to Saint Paul's Cathedral. On the top, I simply had to include those amazing roses in the picture--which turned out pretty nicely, if I do say so myself. The next one was taken from the steps of Saint Paul's while my friend and I ate some delicious goodies from Paul's Bakery. I had my first macaroon! 

This is my beloved city at night. Tuesday, we crossed one of the many bridges spanning the Thames to attend a play at the National Theatre--James I. A warning: don't see that play. I had to leave during intermission. 

Also during that day, my professor's wife helped me find my lost tickets, offered to let me use her iPhone to surf the net since I wouldn't have a computer, and helped me sort out the issue of how I'd turn in online homework. She was like my mother away from home. My friend offered to let me use his laptop. Several people complimented me on things I'd been insecure about. Two amazing girls left James I with me, and we got gelato afterwards (mine was a splendid dairy-free dark chocolate). A girl I really admire helped me sort out a few of problems, provided wonderful advice, and gave me some of the sweetest praise. As some of you may have read from Facebook, I truly believe the Lord makes angels out of the people in our lives. I witnessed this that night. 

The 1975 concert--heck yes! What a crazy, festive atmosphere. Thanks to this concert, I discovered a new band I like, called Circa Waves. They opened for The 1975 with an infectious enthusiasm. The title band themselves rocked (all puns intended); hearing some of my favorite songs live was one of the coolest experiences. 

Obligatory pic with Big Ben and a telephone booth! This moment cemented the fact that I'm really living my dream. Also, please note the Leonardo DiCaprio shirt. I'm very proud of it. 

Big Ben, Parliament, and the Thames under a dynamic English sky. 

Here's the London Eye, which I hope to ride in the near future. 

The Royal Opera House! I didn't have my camera with me that night, but this pic from the internet shows almost the exact perspective I had. We saw The Barber of Seville, a hilarious opera buffa about a disguised duke trying to win the hand of a woman held captive by her aged guardian, all with the help of the wily local barber, Figaro. It was my first opera, and what a treat it was. For about two and a half hours, I could almost imagine myself as a young woman in the eighteenth century, joining thousands of others in the rich entertainment a la mode. I didn't realize how often this is made reference to in other forms of media--there were several recognizable tunes. 

Friday, we embarked on a day-trip to explore the LDS sites of Herefordshire. After a hike that reminded me I have a body (nice and invigorating, but not too hard), we reached the top of Herefordshire Beacon, where the early missionaries went to seek guidance from the Lord. How glorious it was! With the wind blowing and a vast view of the area all around me, I was Elizabeth from the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. One could also strongly feel the Spirit up there. We had a little testimony meeting of sorts, and I bore mine. I felt ambiguously about it, but two kind girls told me it was spiritual and intelligent. I might have been glowing after that. 

We had another little testimony meeting in the Gadfield Chapel--the first LDS Church meetinghouse in the UK. I loved singing hymns in there with everyone. 

Here is a gorgeous view from the hike to Herefordshire Beacon. On the way back to the coach (bus), I took a pathway lined with trees and littered with leaves which fell even as I walked! Fall is my favorite. Scratch that. Fall in England is my favorite. No matter how awesome day- or week-trips are, though, I always find myself eager to return home to London. Because that's what it's become to me--home.