Mid February -already

I’m sick in bed, so I might as well post. I woke up sick yesterday and only stayed for Sacrament meeting before heading back home. I tried to have soup, but when I was done I felt worse. I fell asleep for an hour and when I woke up I felt even worse. I was online talking to friends in and felt better so I had some toast with nutella and a banana, and I felt even worse. I couldn’t sleep for hours because my stomach was revolting against me. I think the bread I had for breakfast and snack was slightly mouldy… that may have contributed. So today I’m going to just rest. Watch movies/Arrested Development, sleep, and generally not do much. The only thing that sucks is that I don’t have wireless internet and I’ll have to be sitting at my desk to do anything instead of snuggled up in bed. :(

 Remember that photo I told you all about, where I had to draw from the deck of cards? Well there it is. I really like it, and it was super cool that I got to take part in that project.

But here’s what happened to me this week.

 

Monday was a normal not-too-much going on day. I ran and did sit ups, but I was not feeling particularly happy about myself since I now have two pairs of trousers that I cannot fit into. I’m not ok with this. For FHE we did a funny skit like ‘The Dating Game.’ It was all good, but the boys were definitely funnier.

 

Tuesday something bad happened. First I ran over 3 miles and got ready for my day. I had every intention of going to Westminster Abbey, but I got lost and ended up in TopShop, then Zara, then H&M, then Schuh, etc. I also bought some makeup for the first time in like forever. I told myself I wouldn’t buy clothes whilst I was here, but that all went out the window today. I was very good about it though. I took pictures of everything I tried on and went home to think about it before I spent any money. Then I spent the evening talking to friends online. 

Wednesday was a good running day. I ran 3.7 miles, at least. And during my half way break I stopped to watch the Changing of the Guards. It wasn’t super exciting, but I saw some people standing right outside the doors of Buckingham Palace, so they were probably famous or something. I went back into town to buy the things I decided upon and I only spent £100. And I got a lot for that, so I’m pleased. I hadn’t, however, eaten because I was planning to eat in town, but I didn’t get around to it. And on the train home imagining all the delicious things I was going to make when I got in I realized that it was 3.30 and I had to get on the opposite train and run to make it to class on time. I didn’t make it on time, but it was fine. Chef made Saint Honore, and so that was my lunch… I didn’t feel well afterward. I talked online to a few people, and felt sad because Hilary wont come back to BYU with me and I will miss her dreadfully. I don’t know what I’ll do without her.

 

Thursday. It is amazing how comfortable I am living here. Sometimes I have to step back and think, goodness, I’m in London! I live in London! If I don’t, walking down Oxford Circus or past the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace doesn’t really phase me. And I’m definitely not scared. But it’s amazing that I am here and thank you to everyone who helped me come. During class we made Madelines and Lemon Cake. Both were fabulous. 

 I brought them to institute and they were devoured. I went home with Angus and Jake afterward and we watched Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. It was a rubbish film, but I always enjoy spending time with them. Though lately Jake has taken to tease me about/encourage me to be more interested in Angus’ best friend David Perry, with whom I went on a blind date a couple weeks ago. I don’t mind so much. Jake treats me like I’m his little sister, and that’s fun for me. He kind of looks out for me. And David seems pretty cool, and I quite enjoy talking to him online, but he lives in Reading, so… 

Friday, the 13^th. Today wasn’t particularly unlucky being an unlucky day and all. We made Gateau Alhambra in class today. It was intensive, though not difficult. That marzipan rose? Yeah, I made that! And it was surprisingly easy. It looks just gorgeous, and mine was the best rose in my group! 

I messed up slightly with the frosting and piping of the cake, but I was so proud to be the first one finished with the best rose that I didn’t mind at all. It tasted pretty good, though I was a bit heavy handed with the rum ‘imbibage’ just around the outside. I think if I recreate this at home I’ll use hazelnut liquor and cook that in the syrup so the alcohol cooks out and it isn’t so strong. That evening I met Angus and David on Oxford Circus. We had dinner at Nando’s and I got ‘Extra Hot’ but it wasn’t even spicy. I’m disappointed in the British idea of spicy. I’m looking forward to some spicy Mexican food, since you cannot get good Mexican here. Which is understandable, but unfortunate. The three of us tried to shop a bit, but I don’t think anyone was really feeling it, so we went back to Angus’. Seb and Rob were playing some shooting game so we couldn’t watch a movie for a bit so the three of us alternated playing guitar until they were done. We watched Once Upon a Time in Mexico, I had no idea what it was going to be about, and it was too intensely violent for me. Plus rated R, for really good reason, which again I didn’t know. I didn’t get home until almost 2.30a, which was awful since I had to get up early the next day for… 

Saturday. For Valentine’s Day I hopped a train to Salisbury and then a bus to the ancient mythical site of Stonehenge. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and it was amazing that I got to be there. I may have appreciated it more if I had slept a bit more the previous night, but it was awesome nonetheless. I was lucky to go on a day that wasn’t too crowded and it was such an experience. The place was lovely, smaller than I imagined, but so cool. 

There were tons of crows there all the size of chickens. One walked right up to me and gurgled at me for a bit. I had nothing to feed him but jelly bugs, and he didn’t appreciate that very much.  

When I went back to Salisbury I stopped in this pub that was first erected in the 1300s and I had lunch: Steak and Mushroom pudding, mash, and peas in an onion gravy. De-wait for it-licious. 

I sat near this snooty old British couple that were too funny. They were so stereotypical in every aspect. The things they talked about, the food they ordered. They were very condescending about the place and were ‘surprised’ at how good it ended up being. The best part about them though was the way they laughed. Probably none of you know, but Squilliam from Spongebob? Yeah they laughed just like that, this really nasally condescending, ‘Ah, hm, hm hm” sort of laugh. It was so funny to me. 

I slept the entire train ride back to London. Iron and Wine put me out completely. 

See banner for 'Wedding Fayre'? Yeah, I guess that's not just unique to Utah! Also the archway in the background was the original stone archway built when this city was established hundreds of years ago. 

The lovely English countryside. 

I napped for a bit when I got home and talked to Becky as she got ready for her Valentine’s day. Then around 8, I met my friend Leslie at South Kensington Station and we were going to make our way to Angus’ for movie night, surprise, surprise. When we arrived (later than they told us) they hadn’t even returned from dinner yet! So we walked around a bit until they showed up. I hadn’t expected to see David since he was spending the whole day with his ex, going to see Wicked and then enjoying London, before heading out in the evening, but he was still there. It was a pleasant surprise, though I was a bit sore because if she hadn’t been there I would have had a date for Valentine’s. Jake and David ran to the store for sustenance and all the rest of us kind of hung out and watched some Flight of the Conchords and The Mighty Boosh. Apparently Jake went on a date with 4 girls from the BYU centre. Haha. Oh Jake. He’s such a joker. But he is also the sweetest pseudo big brother I’ve ever had. He returned from the store with a dozen tulips in tow for me! They were beautiful tulips as well.

I gave him a big hug. Later when I asked him about it he said that he would have wanted someone to do the same for his little sister. He comes off as an immature jerk, but there is something good about him. Plus, I know he was disappointed that David had to spend his night with his Ex, who obviously was discontented with the situation, instead of me. It was great. Most people left before we started any movie, and I played the guitar and sang ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ for everyone. We watched some of Labrynth before Leslie and I left around midnight. We only just made the Night Bus. And it was uneventful as usual until we were almost at our stop. This drunk guy got on and sat just next to us and he kept trying to talk to us… He told Leslie how great her glasses looked with her whole ‘look.’ I started to engage her in conversation in French so he would leave us alone. It worked. We got off at the next stop. Poor thing had to take a taxi the rest of the way home because her bus wasn’t stopping anywhere near. But she got home safely. I had to wait 30 min for the 24 to show up. I don’t know what it was about Valentine’s Day, but EVERYONE was drunk. The city was just teeming (or tottering) with drunk teens and adults alike. It was quite disconcerting.

 

I got home around 1 ish and before I went to bed I checked my facebook, and who should be on, but David Perry. I let him keep me up until past 2. This whole weekend has seemed like one long day with little naps interspersed. But it was a good weekend. Very good.

 

Sunday I woke up sick.