Hit the Ground Running. Don't worry if I fall there is a good looking Frenchman to catch me!

I have an interesting time here with food. First of all I hate spending money at the grocery store. It all just feels like a waste and I hate spending lots of money at once. But I'm starting from scratch so it didn't work so well when the first day I just bought stuff for sandwiches. That got old before 24 hours even passed. But now I have some more stuff and that is really nice.

In other news I have already seen 2 shows, been to class twice, seen Buckingham Palace, walked around Picadiliy Circus area, gone to the grocery store twice, been to the park, gotten lost on the tube, learned how to navigate the tube(!), gotten used to using the tube, taken a nap (it was very needed), and been asked out by a very attractive French actor! Yes, that's right. Tonight we went and saw a show that was directed by a very famous British Director (he wrote the book that Rodger teaches the directing class from at BYU) and I bought a program (you have to pay extra for a program for every show here. I don't like it) because it was one of the most amazing shows I have ever seen. When I bought it the lady said that sometimes the actors come out after the show and have a drink at the bar (there is a bar in almost every theater). So I waited around and the first one I see I ask to sign my program. He was really flattered and asked me my name and asked me if I was from the states and told me not to be embarrassed because he was French (they aren't very fond of Americans here, they think we are loud and annoying). Then we started talking about the show and how it was working with the director and stuff. Then he told me that the cast was all going out for drinks after and that I should come. He even gave me the location and said if I could come that I should. I was kind of blown away! He was really cute and very fit (that means hot here but his body was also pretty amazing. He had his shirt off at one point in the play and it was beautiful). I said I might and then I want and talked to 3 other actors and got them to sign my program. I don't think that people do that often here because they all seemed really surprised and flattered, one even said cheer to me! At any rate Rodger said I could go as long as I didn't stay out late, didn't drink, and took at least 2 people with me and preferably one should be a boy. Well I didn't even really consider it. It just didn't sound like a smart thing to do so I just went home with everyone else. But I still kind of got asked out by a hot French actor!!!

Tomorrow we are going to see Macbeth at the Glob theater. I get to be groundling (the people that stand around the stage) so all that really means is that I have to stand for all of a Shakespeare show. I think I might just die. Better yet we are starting the day with a country walk and then going to the show in the afternoon. So my feet will be sore already. Oh well, it will be fun.

I road my very first double-decker bus today! It was pretty cool. I don't see why more places don't have them, plus I love having stair in the bus! I have to say that I am loving my public transport pass. I feel like I can get anywhere and all I have to do it show my card. The tube and buses are all included so I can go anywhere!

I'm Here!!

Well I just got through my first full day in London. It has been a little crazy to say the least. We got here yesterday and spent the day moving in and trying to figure out where to get food and stuff. Then we all got a well needed night of sleep. This morning we had class for three hours and then the rest of the day was for us to do as we pleased. A big group of us went and found our way around the tube and went to lots of cool places like Piccadilly circus, Buckingham palace, parks, and just wandering around in general. We ended the day by going and seeing our very first show in London!! We went and saw 39 Steps and it was amazing! I was really hoping it would be good and I thought it would because it has won a bunch of awards. Well it lived up to expectations! It was so much fun! It is a show with only 4 people, but between all of them they play 134 characters. It was brilliant. I really feel like it was a great way to start theater for us.

Sorry that this has been a fast message but it is midnight here and the jet lag is still messing with me. I am off to get some sleep and I will write again soon!

Lu

My Last Full Day in the States

Well we went to the beach today. The strange thing was that it was so beautiful and sunny right until we got to Malibu. Then suddenly everything was gray. I'm not even kidding. The beach was cold, windy and gray. Needless to say we didn't last long. We had a picnic and that was fun but we were all wearing the sweatshirts that we thought it was silly to bring. Christian kept telling us that he was going to get in the water anyway. And he did! ... almost. He got his toes wet and came running back. No one agreed to join him in the experience so he through me over his shoulder and started running for the water. Lucky for me I'm pretty good at screaming and wiggling so he didn't get all the way to the water before dropping me. I only experienced wet sand and I decided that that was enough.

So the beach adventure was a little bit of a let down. But tomorrow we are going to London!!! And that won't be a let down at all!

The Calm Before the Storm

Well I'm in California until Tuesday when I fly out for London. It is really nice to get a little bit of a break between finals and the beginning of my crazy adventure. Tomorrow we are going to the beach! Which will be nice because we have been sitting at the kitchen table for the last two days looking up all kinds of information on different things to do on our trip. The stuff lately has been for the two trips that we are going on to Ireland and Scotland. We are going to Dublin for 4 days and exploring and then we are going to Scotland for Christian's Birthday and going to see the highland games! It is going to be a blast. I'm sorry if some of this doesn't make sense. I'm trying to write and listen to the three crazy boys around me who are still planning trips. Truth be told I have very little say and a lot of the things that we are going to do, but I'm kind of OK with that. There will be other girls when we go to Ireland but I think that I am the only girl going to Scotland. The cool thing is that I got a round trip flight from London to Dublin for only 16 pounds! I'm really excited about it! And no one worry, I am probably going to have two or three boys with me at all times. Which is really saying something because there are only 5 boys going on the trip.

At any rate I'm getting really excited!! But first, the beach...

Getting Ready

I leave on Thursday to go down to sunny California for my roommates wedding and then I am flying out from there. I have two friends that are making this journey with me and it should be interesting. You see, they are both boys. So first I will spend 12 hours in a car with these boys on Thursday and then on the next Tuesday I get to spend 10 hours in a plane with them! I'm actually feeling pretty good about first getting to London with two boys to protect me. In fact, Christian is already getting just a little protective. He is scared that I'm going to find a way to get myself into trouble in some way or another.

Anyway, this week I get to finish finals and pack up my life before leaving. It is always fun to try and get all my stuff in boxes so I can't even imagine what it is going to be like trying to fit all the stuff I need to take to London into one suitcase. I have already decided that I am going to have to buy a lot of the stuff I will need when I get there. For example, shampoo and conditioner and laundry detergent. I think I just didn't realize how much stuff I use at home without even thinking about it. Good thing I'm not going somewhere that doesn't have convenience
stores.

I think everyone hates the preparation before a trip, but it will be worth it when I am breathing in that dank English air!

Going to London!

I am off for a study abroad in London. This is a blog so that everyone can stay updated on my adventures!