good news and bad news.

I have some good news, and some not-so-good news.

Which do you want first? 

We'll start with the good. 

Okay, so a lot of you know that I love "The Parent Trap" 

{the 1998 version with Lindsay Lohan}

I watched the movie countless times when I was younger, 

and memorized every line. 

I may or may not still know almost every line of that movie. 

No shame in my game.

Anyways, in the movie, Annie's mom, Elizabeth James, lives in London. Elizabeth James, Annie, and Annie's grandpa live in a beautiful

 house in South Kensington.

{I will find that house before I leave this city. 

You will see a photo. I will be freaking out}

So today, Chelsea, Megan, and I basically did a grand

 {walking} tour of London.

We walked and walked and walked and walked--just to explore. 

At the end of our walking, we decided we wanted to get Ben's Cookies. 

{ http://www.benscookies.com }

We hopped on the tube and rode to South Kensington, satisfied our cookie cravings, and headed back to our dorms. 

Naturally, we went to the South Kensington station.

Okay, now here's the good news: I saw the family that inspired

 the James family in the movie!

I mean, they really weren't people who inspired the characters. I don't even know if there is a family in London who inspired the creation of the James family. That being said, I saw the real-life version of the James family.

Am I making any sense? Probably not. It's okay. Go with it.

First, I noticed the grandpa. He looked just like Grandfather from the movie. Then I heard him talk. He talked just like him too! No joke. 

The similarities were crazy!

It gets better...the mom looked like Elizabeth James!

 Same age, same haircut, same demeanor. 

And there was a little girl. She was the same age as Annie, and had the same haircut. One thing that would have made it better is if the girl had red hair.
Plus, they were leaving South Kensington, where they must live, of course!

I so badly wanted to sneak a photo, or even ask to take one of them! But that would just be creepy. Plus, it was on the tube, so they were super close to me.

Which brings me to my bad news. 

I have no photo. I have no proof that I saw the real-life James family. I have built up this excitement and now have nothing to show for it.

Oh well. Megan agreed with me. 

It was them.

I just know it.

miss independent.

Yesterday, I had my first day of class!

 {Or as the British would say, I had my first "module"}

Tuesdays, I don't have class. {Trade off: I have class Fridays}

Before I go on, here is a photo of the entrance of my school! 

I have to swipe my student i.d. to pass through those metal things...whatever they're called. But it's like Disneyland! 

Anyways, with yesterday being the first day of class, it was also the first day I rode the tube alone--the first day I was out and about in London alone.

My family and friends know that I don't like being alone. I always like having someone go with me to the store, to walk to class, to have lunch with, or just someone sit and watch TV.

However, I love being on my own in this city.

ISA friends if you're reading this: you're great, and I truly love hanging out with you all! I promise. You guys are the best!

I have spent the last week in London constantly with people. I am making new friends here, and I love it. We talk about home, make plans for the semester, and are always excited as we discover

 and explore London together, as a group.

But there is something about independently discovering a new city--specifically London, that is magical.

The last two days, I have been on my own. 

I have been getting lost, finding my way, and discovering shortcuts. Walking around by myself with nobody to talk to, gives me time to think, pray, and take it all in. It makes me feel more appreciative, blessed, thankful, confident, and successful. I take in the quirks and beauty of my surroundings.

Let me tell you: figuring out my way throughout this city all on my own is one of the most rewarding tasks I have ever accomplished. 

Today, I went to Hyde Park to read The Scarlet Letter for my American Literature class. 

Talk about a nice study spot!

It was beautiful, but super windy, so I relocated to Starbucks. I sat and read for almost two hours, then walked to the ISA office. On my way, I stopped into "Boots" and bought some toiletries. After leaving Boots and continuing on towards the ISA office, I found three friends spending their day independently exploring London, as I was. {Although I love exploring on my own, it was extremely comforting to see a few familiar faces!} I then got lost trying to find the bank, but eventually found what I was looking for. While making my way back to my dorm, I felt proud. 

I now know what people are talking about when they say how rewarding it is to learn a new city while living/studying abroad for an extended period of time.

I no longer feel like a tourist. I am learning London, and making it my {second*} city. 

*It may appear that I am having a love affair with California. Don't worry, California forever has my whole heart. 

being touristy.

The last few days have been filled with simply being a tourist. Who cares if I am blatantly obvious with my tube map whipped out and my camera constantly snapping pictures? I love being a tourist! 

On Thursday, Sarah, Jessica, and I went to tour Westminster Abbey. This church is so amazing and I cannot stop taking pictures of it! 

Westminster Abbey was founded in 960.

It is the church where Princess Diana's funeral was held, as well as Will and Kate's wedding ceremony.

Westminster Abbey is where Queens have their coronation. 

Hundreds and hundreds of people are buried in the Abbey, most being Dukes and Duchesses, and other members of the royal family.

In addition, there is "Poet's Corner" where many famous writers are either buried or commemorated. Among these are: William Shakespeare, Lewis Caroll {the author of Alice in Wonderland...Disney reference, of course}, Blake, T.S. Eliot, Charles Dickens, Tennyson, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Byron, and Oscar Wilde--to name a few.
{I was truly grateful for my British Literature class when I saw Poet's Corner and knew who all of these authors were!}

Westminster Abbey is truly an amazing sight to see!

This morning, I went with a group of friends to explore Borough Market. Borough Market is a food market with everything from chocolate crepes, freshly squeezed juices, kangaroo burgers, amazing grilled cheese, to fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, coffee and teas. 

After buying nectarines and grapes from one man, he gave me my change and said "Thank you darling, have a lovely day. Cheers." with his perfectly British accent.

{I'll tell yah...it's those little things that make me really feel like I am in England!}

http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk

Please, do yourself a favor and check this link out. 

Borough Market is so fun and I plan to go back once a week and try something new each time.

{Bonus: it's a short tube ride from my dorm!}

Chocolate crepes. Crepe making is definitely a talent!

The biggest piece of focaccia bread I have ever seen!

The grilled cheese stand! 

Me and Chloe...twins?

Later this afternoon, ISA offered a visit to the Tower of London. The Tower of London was {please correct me if I'm wrong} the first palace in England {?} but more significantly, the place where King Henry VIII executed his wives, and anyone else who spoke against him. 

The Tower of London, most importantly, is where the Crown Jewels are now housed. Unfortunately, they were very strict about not taking photos of the Crown Jewels, but trust me on this one--they were incredible! I am not usually one to love big, glitzy diamonds but when I walked out of there, I just really wanted one of those crowns. 

Oh well, at least I got a photo with a super friendly beefeater! 

harrods, high tea, and happy birthdays.

Today, ISA arranged for us to go to high tea at the one and only Harrods! 

Most of the girls were extremely excited to see Harrods, and dress up for tea time!

Me, Megan, Sarah, Jessica, Shannon, and Chloe in front of our building!

In the midst of our over-anticipation, we decided to head to the area a few hours early to explore the  department-store-of-all department-stores!

First, we stopped at Ben's Cookie Company, and after much contemplation, I chose a double-chocolate cookie and ordered milk to go with it.

It tasted more like a super delicious brownie, and I have already decided that I need to go back once a week, every week I am here to try a different cookie. 

{I think there are 18 different types of cookies to choose from!}

After, the group decided to get some real food at a pub, but Sarah and I opted out and chose to start wandering through the store!

{Fact: Harrods is made up of 7 floors, over one-million square feet of selling space, covering over 4 acres!}

They also have a ton of restaurants and a food market inside, which sells not-so-expensive pastries that are amazing! Sarah bought a focaccia bread and I think it was one of the best I've ever had!

Harrods sells everything from clothes, to espresso machines, to pets! And let me tell you, it is not easy almost impossible to find a good deal there!

Example: Sarah and I found a chandelier made of real crystals, for 79,000 pounds!!!! Which is basically about $130,000...for a light! Yes, I know. Over the top. Insanity. But it's totally fun, because it's in London!

I could talk about Harrods forever, and probably will tell you more about it in the future. But for now, just know that it is impossible to see the whole store in one visit, and I will certainly be back many, many times. It is so fun to just walk around and window shop!

Around 4:30 we met up with the whole ISA group and went inside back Harrods for tea! There were little desserts and sandwiches, and it was so fun trying everything!

Lime and butterscotch macaroons, fruit tarts, raisin scones, plain scones, and 5 different little sandwiches--my favorite was the curry chicken salad!

Delicious tea!

All of the sudden, I heard someone on the piano start playing "Happy Birthday" and a waiter sets this in front of me! All of the September birthdays in ISA got one, and it was extra special since my birthday is tomorrow!

All in all, today was a great day, and I cannot wait to go back and explore this part of London more!

time to be honest.

Confession: Last night, I was super sad. I was homesick, and did not feel a fraction as excited as I thought I would be for the first day I was in London. I was down, and went to bed a little after 7 pm. 

{I was awake for over 24 hours, though}

I think one of the main reasons I was so bummed was because I

 was completely exhausted.

Oh, and because my bedding that I ordered did not arrive {and won't until Monday} so I slept with my sweatshirt for a pillow and my new coat for a blanket. Pathetic, right? Not the best first night in a new place.

But today, everything is so. much. better!

The day started at 10 am, so I was able to wake up slow and think about how I would have a better attitude and see London with a clearer, more rested mind.

Anyways, we headed to the ISA office for orientation via the Tube. The ISA staff is wonderful! They are all so nice and helpful with everything. They are definitely making this easy! 

After orientation, I went to Primark with some fellow ISA-ers and bought a throw blanket and pillow for tonight--such a relief! {And it only cost 7 pounds...another relief!} We explored Oxford Street, the longest shopping street in all of Europe! I cannot wait to go back and explore that area!

We then went to Starbucks and grabbed a bite to eat before heading back to the ISA office {which is near Piccadilly Circus--another really cool area!} to hop on a red double-decker bus and a 2-hour tour of the city!

That was when I really started feeling like I was in London. 

We saw all of the major sights that are icons of this city. 

And can I just say...when I saw Big Ben for the first time, I think my heart skipped a beat! It was truly incredible. I am in love with Benjamin. 

Now, I know everyone has seen a million pictures of famous London sights. However, I can't resist posting them. After a conversation with some new friends, we established that the pictures just do not do London justice. It is truly amazing in person!

Thankfully, today was a lot better than yesterday. The ISA staff is wonderful, I am meeting so many cool people from all over the U.S., and London truly is as beautiful as everyone says!

BIG BEN 

Westminster Abbey!

The London Eye with Ben in the background

Tower Bridge

ISAer's in front of the Tower Bridge: Jessica from California, Sarah from California, Megan from New Jersey, and Chloe from Nebraska.

and we're off.

{disclaimer: I wrote this about 22 hours ago, and it would not post. I am now in London and will blog about it soon!}

This is so unreal

I am sitting at SFO waiting to board my flight.

Last night, my parents, Grant, and I all drove to Sonoma State to pick up Christine and we all had dinner in Santa Rosa. 

{I am so bummed--I meant to take a photo with her and completely forgot!}

After dinner, we dropped her off at her dorm and headed down 101 to San Francisco. 

We stayed at a hotel for the night, woke up this morning, had breakfast in Burlingame, and 

now here I am. 

I am still in disbelief. 

In a little over 10 hours, I will be in LONDON. What?!

Finally finished packing! 

Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport...

...and to Grant, too!

Not gonna lie, saying "goodbye" was harder than I thought. It has just been a complete roller-coaster of nerves and complete excitement!

I appreciate all of your sweet texts, phone calls, facebook posts, thoughts, and prayers.

I will post again once I arrive in London and am settled in my room.

Here we goooooo!

i've got london on my mind.

This time next week,  I will be on a plane to England!!!! I know I keep saying this, but it still hasn't hit me! I have come to terms that it will not hit me until I land and see everything for myself. 

Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about my trip.

I never know how to respond to that question.

I am so excited. I know "so excited" sounds like a cliche and obligatory

 thing to say, but really...I am so excited!!

I look at pictures of London, constantly visit travel 

websites about London, look at FaceBook pictures from others who have already been to London, and I have even had dreams about the city. 

However, there are times when I am scared nervous. I am not one to head off on a trip like this by myself for 3 months. It's out of character for me, and certainly out of my comfort zone. 

But I think that is why it excites me.

I have heard stories and stories from people who have traveled to London, and I love hearing them. 

It makes me excited, and helps me get more of an idea of what my experience might be like. 

However, I have been listening to other's stories for 6 months now,

And I am ready to make my own.

But at the same time, I am freaking out. 

In a good way, of course. 

Also, my to-do list is shrinking a little bit each day, thanks goodness!

  {And thanks to the help of my family}