Adventure of a Lifetime

London 2016

12 days

94.41 miles

187,737 steps

Too many selfies and pastries to count
The Adventure of a Lifetime

Rated PG-13 for Brief Language, Nerve Damage, and the Reveal of My Biggest Secret. Also, I Might Be Getting Married Soon.

Ok. It's been awhile. What's new? I finished up with finals at BYU about a month ago and am now off for the summer. Working Monday-Saturday, going to London in just a couple of weeks, excited for friends coming home from missions and to get a tan...ya know, regular summer stuff. I got my wisdom teeth out several weeks ago; while I was higher than a kite, I revealed my deepest and most darkest of secrets. . .

I am a closet One Direction fan.

I've always liked their music, but that's about it. However, while I was in London living with so many 1D fans, they started to grow and grow and grow on me. I denied it, and poked fun at the 1Directioners to pull myself out of the "crazy girl" pit, but it didn't work. I have shared this secret with only two select individuals. However, thanks to the wonderful world of general anesthetics, the cat is out of the bag.

Also, Jen let me order at Fiiz...

Other news. Being wisdomless has left me with a titch of nerve damage. I am supposed to get 80-90% of it back in the next 6 months, but until then, I will just have to make the most of my quirky, crooked smile. 

Darling Jaclyn got married! Nikki and I took her to the Roof for a celebratory dinner.

Aren't they the cutest? I'm the official president of J's fan club...

This brings me to the marriage portion of this post. I have caught two bouquets in the past three weeks. And it's only the beginning of wedding season...I guess I'm getting married soon?

Megan cut her hair. And it's so darling. Also, McKinley is the cutest human.

 Bonus round: a complementary AlPacca ice cream selfie, just for you. Until next time. <3

It's Just Something to Brighten Your Day

It's been awhile! I feel like life has returned to normal-well, as far as normal goes-and that I've gotten over the reverse culture shock that came from coming back home. However, I am already planning a return trip back in June! Because how could you NOT miss this?

Alright, nostalgia over. I'll be going back soon enough. Let's see, what's new...

I probably already shared this one, but isn't it just beautiful? God is so good to us.

Happy Birthday Keith! Ice skating at the Gallivan Centre.

The lovely Temple Square, after the MOTAB concert with Laura Osnes.

Christmas morning

Star Wars private screening with Will. Thanks, America First!

Provo City Centre Temple Open House 

I moved down to Provo, so this was a loving farewell to my darling U-enthusiast family members. ;)

Ch night

I won tickets to Charlie Puth's concert! We also met him, which was pretty cool.

 

The icky inversion...I haven't grown a third eye yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if I did in the near future. Can you believe we breath all of that stuff in??

I won a Valentine's Day Date Package from my bank! Included was a $100 giftcard to the Roof and tickets to see the ballet "Romeo and Juliet" at Capitol Theatre. Bean was kind enough to be my Valentine. ;)

"It's Just Something to Brighten Your Day"

I was sitting at the front desk at work when a little girl, probably around 7 or 8 walked into the salon with an armful of carnations. I looked at the books to see if she was a client, but all of our appointments had already checked in. Curious, I greeted her, then began to ask her how I could help her; before I was able to do so, she handed me a flower from her bouquet. 

"Oh, um, thank you! What's this for?"

She smiled, shrugged her shoulders, and said,

"It's just something to brighten you day."

Still smiling, she turned, then left the salon. Tears welled up in my eyes as I sat there stunned. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't having a bad day or anything. On the contrary, I was having a great day; I was happy, the day was going well, no apparent problems or anything. I was so surprised that a young girl, on her day off of school, would choose to do this, go around from business to business, person to person, and try to brighten their day. Here comes to platitude...my faith in humanity is restored. What a good reminder to all, to try to make someone's day more pleasant. We don't have to walk around with armfuls of flowers, but we can smile, be cordial, let that person over on the freeway, even if we really don't want to. Show love, kindness, and compassion to your fellow man. You never know what kind of day they are having, what storms they are weathering under the surface. Try to do something everyday that will brighten another's.

I love my job.

Kissing this goober goodbye...Elder Gibbs is going to be such a good missionary! So proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

Well, that's all for now folks! Kind reminder to do what makes you happy, smile more, and brighten other peoples' days. You won't regret it, and it will probably brighten your day, too. Life is short, but oh, it is grand. :)

Cheers

SUNDAY

What a day. I said goodbye to my most wonderful ward; it was filled with just the best people. So caring, kind, thoughtful, and accepting. I will miss them so much.

Bailee, our primary kids, and me

Primary Presidency

Tonight we said goodbye-to the centre, to each other, and many, to London. We had a delicious dinner, followed by our closing devotional and Christmas party.

MONDAY

Bean and I said our goodbyes then checked into our hostel. We then went to Kenwood House, former home of Dido Elizabeth Belle. After, we walked around Marylebone for awhile, then went Christmas caroling at an old folk's home for family home evening with the Britannia ward.

 

TUESDAY
Happy Birthday to me! Bekah was so great; she let me plan the whole day, choosing all of my favourite things to do. If you want the best birthday ever, spend it with Bean in London. We hit the V&A, Borough Market, south of the Thames walk, Camden Market, Starbucks, the live Nativity at the Hyde Park Chapel, the Science Museum, The Parent Trap house, institute, and cheeky Nando's.

Cast of David, Victoria and Albert

Pad Thai at Borough Market

Are we sure London isn't "The Windy City?"

One of Bek's treats to me...she knows me so well. ;)

Live Nativity at Hyde Park Chapel

The Parent Trap house

We finished off our evening by going to a farewell dinner for our dear friend Ben at cheeky Nando's; love this kid!

WEDNESDAY
After picking up tickets for a show in the evening, Bek and I had a bite to eat at Trafalgar before going to the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House.

Bar at the Folies-Bergere, Manet

Dancer Ready to Dance, the Right Foot Forward, Degas

Two Dancers on Stage, Degas

Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil, Manet

One of our professors told Bek and me that we knew how to not be tourists; he said this in regards to us getting involved with the YSA ward, in meeting new people, forming friendships and having adventures outside of the typical sightseeing experiences; those touristy sites were incredible, don't get me wrong, but the people I met and the time spent with them made my experience what it was, and I am so grateful for that, for them. We met up with one of these said friends, Eliot, to have one last hurrah before leaving; we hit Brick Lane (aka the Curry Mile and home to the best bagels), Oxford Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square, and Byron's. It was decided that we don't say "good bye," but rather, "see you soon."







The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time


After the show, Bek and I walked down to Trafalgar Square one last time, then on to Big Ben to say "see you soon."


THURSDAY

As excited as I am to have alone time and jam sessions in my car, I am really going to miss the Tube. I love hearing all of the different accents and languages spoken, seeing all of the different people from different walks of life wearing different apparel...it is such a work of art.

As difficult as it has been to come back, I am so blessed to have so much to come back to.

I don't think I will ever get over the view from my back window.

Megan loves me so chuffing much

Get ready for a whole lot of cliches and platitudes and triteness, but it's still surreal to wake up in Utah; it feels like nothing has changed in some ways: I have my green smoothie in the morning and look out over the lake and go to work and see the same people and snack on the same foods. But so much has changed and I have learned so much. I have the most delicious after-taste that I don't want to escape; I cannot express my gratitude for the past four months, for the lessons I learned, for the joy found; so I'll leave it at "Cheers, London, my dear home, I'll be seeing you soon."