a few confessions

if you're ever in london, go here.




it will change your life!

confession: sarah, kellen and I forgot to pick up food for the munch and mingle at our ward.
another confession: at the train station, we decided to pop in real quick to marks and spencers to get some food for it.

we made it to church, I taught my lesson, and sarah and I conquered sharing time with plato. Our belgium cookies were a hit at the munch and mingle, and we successfully mingled with many of our friends in the ward including the missionaries. I love my ward so much. They have been so warm, open, and welcoming. All of the ladies there always give me hugs even though they hardly know me.

one more confession: we stopped at marks and spencers again to buy a few more biscuits and snacks to hold us over til dinner (we're kind of in between normal life and trip life. it's so hard to eat normal here!).

We got off the bus at marble arch and then walked down to speaker's corner. It's this big corner of Hyde park where a ton of crazy, random people go to preach/argue/be crazy. It was really interesting to hear all of them, but it was neat to feel the spirit tell me once again that our church is the only true one. We sat on a bench at the park, popped open our snacks, and enjoyed the sun and the daffodils.

I forgot that I had a huge blister on my toe from paris. I guess it was a bad idea to wear high heels! After a few seconds out the door, I took them off. I walked around barefoot in the city london and hyde park today. lots of people gave me funny looks. I guess people don't do that here? who knows!

















Sarah, kellen and I may or may not have eaten the entire box all by ourselves.



Then we walked down hyde park along bayswater and looked at all the art for sale.

it was a very successful and uplifting sunday! I loved it.

mon amour

ok I promised I would blog about paris, so here it is!
paris in a nutshell.

on monday morning, we woke up bright and early. I was planning to pack that morning, but my alarm didn't go off. I woke up about an hour late, so I just threw some clothes in my north face backpack and headed out the door. I was kind of a frantic mess, but thankfully I made it on time onto the eurostar on time. We started off heading out to Chartres. We also found this fun merry-go-round.




that night I went to the eiffel tower, got a crepe, and ate some french onion soup. The eiffel tower at night was INCREDIBLE. It was probably one of the pretties sights I've seen, hands down. it was too late to go up, so we just took some pictures in front.





The next day started off at versaille and then the musee d'orsay. Versaille was cool--it was kind of similar to the vatican in a lot of ways. I loved the musee d'orsay and all the beautiful art! It is in my top three art gallerys. After that, Karalyn and I got separated from our group at the museum, so we tried to meet up with them at the pantheon. It closed just a few minutes before we got there, so we just walked around a little. I was super tired and not feeling well, so I grabbed a sandwich and pastry and went to sleep by 9:30. I was bummed to have to go to bed early, but my body was about to shut down.








The next morning, I felt much better! I had slept for approximately 11 hours, and I felt almost completely better from being sick. It was also st. patrick's day, and I completely forgot until Macfarlane tried to pinch me. Little did I know that it would turn into the best st. patrick's day ever! it was probably one of my favorite days of my life actually. I saw like 20 sights in paris, walked my feet off, and had an amazingly fun day with the dream team.

first on list, notre dame. Walked to the very top, saw the beautiful view, found my inner gargoyle, and snapped a pic with the bell.









next, saint chapelle and the cluny museum. Saint chapelle had gorgeous stained glass windows, and the cluny museum had the unicorn tapestries. loved the beautiful windows and fell in love with the tapestries. didn't see that one coming!






then we took a nice long walk down to La Rue Mouffetard. It was so fun for me because I started to ask lots of french people (in french) how to get there. I simply got up the guts and just starting talking. I remembered more than I thought, and I was so happy to be able to speak to the people. some of the nicest people ever!
on the way there, we walked through the latin quarter and luxembourg gardens (in the madeline stories). The mouffetard had the best savory crepes I've had in my life, and we also had amazing ice cream.






continuing on, I led the group of ten to the louvre, where we walked little kids play with the boats and then walked up the champs elysees. I had my first macaroons ever at La Duree. Then to the L'arc de triomphe! beautiful view of the city and eiffel tower.




what we did at the top of the arc

next up, louvre.


Rachel and I stayed together and wandered around, mostly looking at the highlights. We have similar taste in art, so it was perfect. We decided to take a break and eat dinner there, so all of us just got sandwiches in the cafe. I spoke french to the people who took my order, and they kept asking me questions so I could practice my french. They even gave me a free sucker!
When I went to throw my trash away, one of the guys started talking to me in french again. I couldn't understand what he said, so he switched to english and asked what I was doing that night. He then proceeded to give me a napkin with his name and number on it. Sadly for Baba, I did not give him a call that night! we all got a good chuckle out of that little incident.
I did something more fun...looked at more art. and then looked at the gorgeous fountains outside the louvre.



the next day was just as great.
It started off at the musee d'orangerie, where I basically cried while in awe of monet's water lillies. (lets get real, I wasn't basically crying, I was just simply crying. I was so happy)



Then I directed the group across the river to the musee de rodin, and we just happened to find an amazing pastry shop on the way. The sculptures at the museum were beautiful, and I found a few appreciation for them. We went to the catacombs afterwards (very stupid). I hurried through and went to a chocolate shop, Jeff de Bruggs, while waiting for the others. I talked to the chocolate lady for like ten minutes in french, and a sweet old french lady came in and spoke with us as well.
side note...I counted the number of times I talked to people there or asked for directions. guess how many there were?! 35.
Then I got some underwear and croque monsieurs with kira and brittney.



We walked back to the mouffetard, where I got one last crepe of nutella and banana, and then walked back in the warm sun to our hotel.
My trip to paris was complete bliss. I feel like I left a part of my heart in that wonderful city. All the french people were so sweet and nice to me as well.
I can't wait until I go back to the land of love!! (hopefully in will be in a few short weeks with my parents! cross your fingers)


Paris, I love you!
I love your amazing food, rich culture, kind people.
I loved the amazing memories I made here with unforgettable people!

happy saturday

today was just great.

how can any day in london not be great?!

and it was relaxing.
just what I needed after being sick and traveling!
I slept in a little and then went out to breakfast with macy. We went to le pain quotidien, where I got oatmeal and fresh squeezed oj. Then we walked across the street to portabello.






I bought some plums and that beautiful ring! This little old lady (in the other pic) sold it to me for 13 pounds off the original price. This ring is perfectly me! I love it.
I came back and took a great little power nap and then went to tuk tuk (thai food) and frog (yummy frozen yogurt) with macy again. We came back to the centre, where annie and michelle shared british treats with me, and now we're watching Young Victoria in the classroom. We just watched our favorite part twice! I may or may not have cried.
seriously, if you guys didn't take my recommendation from the last time I blogged about this movie, go see it! so good.



Well, I am off to work on my primary lesson!
I hope everyone had a fabulous saturday:)

perfect ending to paris

I made it back safely from paris last night. I was so sad to leave, but it was nice to be back at my lovely flat in london. I found another piece of me in paris, and I completely fell in love with the city.

I double pinky promise cross my heart hope to die that I will blog all about paris tomorrow, including all the ends and odds. I will also update the missing pictures from my recent blog posts. If anyone out there is reading this, you can hold me to that promise.

today was an awesome because I saw Les Mis. what a great way to end my french exposure this week. It was incredible, as always.

I went right after class to buy tickets with laura and christina, and they only had side tickets on the balcony left. We decided to just buy them because we don't have much time left here! On our way back to the theatre tonight, we decided to stop and get cookies at ben's. We always underestimate how much time the tube will take (it always takes forever. everything here is so spaced out!), so we were running through covent gardens to make it on time. We ended up being a few minutes late to the play, but it was no biggie. We were a little smelly during the whole play, but we were happy to be eating our cookies.



We were planning to go to portabello after getting our tickets this afternoon, but sadly, it was raining. We just went to Whiteleys instead and did a little shopping at Zara and H&M.

that's about it for me today. I was super tired after traveling last night and going non stop in paris, so I'm pooped now (hence the lack of pictures and everything) . I've just been in the kitchen discussing plans for tomorrow.

so much to do, so little time!
I always want to do everything and hang out with everyone here, so it's very difficult to decide.


All of us are starting to feel like siblings here. It's crazy how much time we all spend together (not to mention all the time with the faculty too. it's a bit strange sometimes actually) I love it most of the time though. I will be sad to part with all of my dear friends here!

....my own big bed is starting to sound kind of nice though!

Bon Voyage

Paris holds the key to my heart.



In the next few days, I will see if that statement rings true! I will be there in a few short hours.

I've been so busy taking tests and writing papers that I haven't even had time to get excited about it! I just finished taking my religion test, and I still have to go pack. ahhh can't wait!!!

It will be such a nice break after the past few days.
I didn't go to church today in order to rest more . My primary kids sang in church, so I was really sad to miss that.
But!
kellen just told me that cute missionary asked where I was today. I think that is the only thing of importance that happened today.

I'm probably not bringing my laptop to paris, so I will update when I get back!

warning: jenny on meds

This morning, I woke up with a ton of pressure around my nose and eyes with a massive headache.
oh no! I know that's what all of you must be thinking.
thank you sinusitis (aka sinus infection. haha I googled it today and I'm not sure why the doctor just didn't say that. It was so funny when he declared in his middle eastern accent, "you have tonsilitis and sinusitis")

today was supposed to be devoted to me staying in all day in hope of getting better and studying. That was the plan...but then remembered that I needed a new camera! And it all just went down hill from there.
instead of staying indoors all day, I....

got warming granola at Pret

got a new camera just off Edgeware road

explored the huge Marks and Spencers there (new favorite store. I love grocery stores) and got oj

came back and studied for about 4.5 hours for my british lit test

took yet another nap (see, I wasn't out all day. don't worry mom, I'm resting)

was easily convinced to leave the centre yet again. but it was for a good cause! food.

went to TukTuk with Laura and Ally and got the second best mussman curry (first being thaidrift).

got ben and jerry's at tesco (a girl has got to have her chocolate ice cream when she's sick)

Then I came back, hoping to study the rest of the night away and take my test. Laura and Sarah helped me eat my ice cream that I was supposed to save for after my test, and then somehow I was walking with them to H&M and Zara. They are both in this big mall, Whiteleys, which is just down the street from us. I love that we can just walk there. Anyways, I bought this cute light pink british dress and then came home, for real this time. I studied for another two hours, took the test, and then wanted to die from exhaustion!!!

And that was my day in a nutshell. I feel like a crazy woman right now.

It's probably the meds.

Or it's just me??
I'm not sure I want to know!


I love being here and I love all the people here. They inspire me to be more passionate, grateful, loving, understanding, and just overall better. I'm starting to have such torn feelings about only having a few weeks left here. There is still SO much that I need to do here, yet nothing feels quite like home when you're sick. My mom sent me the best email and it made me feel much better.
I'm so happy to be here even though we have to stay cooped up for days during midterms! there are definitely some major ups and downs from being across the ocean from home and family while also living with so many people, but it's worth it. I've learned so much about life. I'm not even sure what, I just know I've learned a lot.

my thoughts are all over the place right now, so this is all for tonight. I need to get some sleep or I'll just get more loopy.

sweet dreams where ever you may be in the world

love jenny

beautiful day

today I have not left the centre once. can you believe that?? I have no idea what the weather was even like. I love being outside and taking in the city, so that was definitely missed.
It's probably good though because it was much needed. I slept the afternoon away, just like the past few days. I got into bed this afternoon feeling so stressed and so sick, so I emailed my professor asking for a blessing.
I was nervous to ask because it was just for some dumb sicknesses and stupid stress that I shouldn't have in London.
I got up the guts and just asked.


We went down into the Schuler's flat, and Professor Schuler anointed me followed by Macfarlane giving the blessing. He said everything that I needed to hear and more. It ended with hugs and tears all around.

I was able to start and finish my King Lear paper. I have no idea how I finished or let alone stayed awake to finish.
Now I'm sitting here blogging wondering how it all happened. There is always hope and light. A new day will always come.
I'm so thankful for priesthood blessings, and it was beautiful to see the priesthood working in my life.




I know it's real.