These are a few of my favorite things

The past few days have been filled with some of my favorite things. Here are just a few.

CLUELESS!! A theater hosted a quotealong of this little gem. I have loved clueless since I heard Alicia Silverstone say As If that very first time. It was sold out, and it is completely safe to say that everyone in that theater shared my love for the 90s teen angst. We screamed for Cher, booed for Amber, and fell in love with Paul Rudd all over again. The night was fab from start to finish.

GRILLED CHEESE! So, it is not too much of a secret that Tonj is struggs a little in the kitchen, but she can make a grilled cheese with the best of them (one flip is the secret). My childhood was filled with grilled cheeses and veggie soup, so they quickly became some of my favorites! We found a place in Borough that sells one of the best ones I have ever had, and on this bitterly cold day it was beyond perfect. I must say Tonj may still have them beat...

SURPRISES!! Katie's birthday was Saturday, and while she was picking up the students from the airport, Laura and I baked some cupcakes (Laura is going to be crazy famous one day for her culinary creations! Just a little side note)! It was so fun to surprise her and celebrate her birthday!! Not to mention we had a bit of viewing party of her wedding photos!! They were to die for!!

Here's to favorite things!

Discovering

The past few days I have found myself falling even more in love with this place. Had you asked me if this was even possible a week ago, I would have quickly replied no. I already love this city beyond words, but it has happened. There are many reasons for this actually. 

The play Somersaults changed my life. It was beyond beautiful in every manner possible. I have seen plays that have really moved me before, but this one was fantastic. It was put on in a wine loft and about 35 people fit into the space. The intimate setting was incredible; the actors were able to see you and you were able to see them. The invisible curtain between actor and audience that is created in some venues was nonexistent. The play focused on the power of language specifically our first language or native tongue, and how if that native tongue was simply absent one day it would take a part of your identity with it. We have all been taught that words are powerful, but I had never really focused on how extremely powerful a language as whole is. Beautiful from start to finish. 

I sat in on the House of Commons debate in Parliament this afternoon. As they debated safety, student visas, immigration, and a few more topics, my mind was blown. I was seeing government decisions happening before my eyes; it was such a unique experience. I felt like a true Brit sitting there hanging on their every word (Well actually, I felt like an actual member of parliament thanks to the super legit photo badge you receive post security scans). Everyone should take advantage of this free opportunity.

The little things have also added up; everything from simply having my favorite yogurt to going on my the same walks I loved the first time round. Discovering new things, trying that cup of coffee I never did, marking stuff of my list, and exploring different areas have all revealed new and different aspects of London than before. How great is this city? You must come visit and simply see for yourself. 

All of these are teaching me new and different things about myself. It is crazy how a city can do that...

Here's to discovering more about both myself and this city.  

What January Brings

I have been back in the land of red telephone booths, black taxi cabs, royal palaces, and one pretty well known clock for over a week... and I have not written!! Why, you may ask? Well since you did (and in such a nice manner if I may say so), I have not been able to put into words exactly how I feel. So there you have it, a disclaimer. I am not sure it is possible to explain at all, but I will let you in on a bit and then just share some experiences.

First, it feels like home. The moment my eyes saw 12 Ashburn Gardens my heart jumped. This place housed so many great memories, laughs, tears, and moments that changed me forever. It was coming home in a sense, but then the ones I shared all that with were not here. They were just as important (maybe even more) to my experience here, so it is weird not having them here. Luckily, I was warned of this, so I have been preparing for this feeling prior to the trip. Once that first initial shock wore off, I just had to remind myself of the new experience that lays before. There are new friendships to be made, new growth to be sought, new adventures to be had.

So, that is what I have been doing this week: creating new friendships, seeking growth, and adventuring all around some old and some new places. I have spent my days wandering the city for my independent study (which is an analysis of a few of the London's Boroughs), and my nights are usually dinner out with the group followed by shopping, show, or some more wandering.

The highlight? NEW YEARS EVE!!

We spent about six hours on a bridge with no food or anything to drink, only each other as entertainment, and barely enough space to breath... it was the best experience of my life. A dance party was had, Don't Stop Believing was screamed at the top of our lungs, and it is safe to say we entertained a majority of those surrounding us (or at least for the group who kept recording us and playing it back right in front of us... I am sure we will all be Youtube sensations soon). The fireworks were beyond anything I have ever seen, and I am girl who loves fireworks (there's just something about them that brings out the 5 year old in me). I do have one complaint... Wide Awake by Katy Perry was played?? Confused, aren't you? ME TOO! Fireworks is the clear choice, so let's just say a quick PTL that the director of London's NYE fireworks is not in charge of a stepsing show. We spent another 4 hours making our way home and welcoming in the new years with some chicken nuggs.

It is good to call this place home again.

Here's to this opportunity and what January will bring.

The House That Built Me

I know they say you can't go home again. 

I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.
And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn, concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness 

inside me might start healing. 

Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Here's to you, 4411 Landon Drive. You provided the perfect backdrop for countless adventures, STNPs (stay the night parties), Gilmore Girls marathons, Tuesday night dinners, and oh so much more. I know you will do the same for the people who now call you home. 

Surprise!

Nothing beats a good surprise and a great friendship.

I am beyond excited to spend the next week together!

Here's to sharpies, yellow tiles, and best friends.

Movie Forts and Sammies

Today I tucked John and Hans in for the last time until February. How will I make it two months without movie forts, playdough fights, countless readings of Elmo's adventures, and car races? To tell you the truth, I am not sure.

These two have taught me more than I could have ever imagined. There innocence is sweet and their love is deep.

I simply can't imagine my weeks without them.

Here's to all the Sammies, bubbles, laughs, and love we've shared.

Football and Farms

Bluegrass. Bourbon. Basketball. All things someone would think of when they hear Kentucky. Football not so much, but that is exactly what landed me there. Samford was playing UK, and conveniently my friend Paul lives in Bowling Green. Perfect? I would say yes; the only thing that could make it even better would be a farm. Oh wait, that's where we stayed.

So there you have it, the perfect mixture for a harvest weekend. Football and Farms.

Most of our friends spent the first night in Nashville, so Rex, Paul, and I held down the fort with some monopoly (which I would have won, but Rex made sure that would not happen... smh) milkshakes, and a fire. It was the perfect Friday night.

The rest of the group joined us Saturday, and we headed to the game. We had to drive about two hours to get to UK, and of course that became an adventure of its own. Rex decided to eat Doritos (the one thing forbidden on any road trip... That smell. Ew.), we learned our hands were in the shape of Kentucky, and the Mississippi River was the star of conversation ( which, Paul can discuss with anyone later if he has a map).

By the time we found our seats, I would feel confident in saying it was 32 degrees. We were frozen by the end, but it was great to see the Bulldogs play. Although, we didn't come away with a W; the memories made were worth it all including the freezing temperatures.

We traveled back to Samford on Sunday, but not before having breakfast at the farm, playing a few rounds of connect four, and sitting in traffic for seven hours.

Memories made? For sure.

Here's to Neil Taing (the real reason we visited UK)