Stonehenge, Sailsbury and Hyde Park

This weekend has been quite busy! I have been trying to keep up on homework, but then I get disracted by big rocks and old cathedrals, so needless to say, me papers have been neglected. But on Friday the school took us to Stonehenge and Sailsbury (pronounced Sauls-bury). Stonehenge was really rather impressive. They told us the old cave type people who were hunter gatheres finally settled near there, and that is where they woudl bury their dead, cuz I guess they could sense the "good vibes" from that place, so there are now hundreds of mounds of earth, wich are really mass graves. Very interesting. But why woudl these people build stonehenge? It was really a remarkable feat to accomplish, so they m have had some reason. But perhaps it was just a bunch of bored teenagers who got the idea to build this rock fortress so they could confuse people thousnads of years in the future. Or maybe it was the aliens. Who knows? But it was really cool!!!

After that, we drove another 45 minutes to the town of Sailsbury. It was so cute and quaint. It reminded me of Belgium, with the small shops and old buildings. That is where I ate my first pie here in England. It was super good too!!!! But Sailsbury is famous for their cathedral. It has the tallest spire in all of England. It is an early Gothic cathedral, and it was absolutely gorgeous! The stained glass windows were especially stunning. And it was so cool, because it is still an operating church, so while we were there, the priest got on the loud speaker, and gave a preayer. So we all stood silent for a moment of prayer, and then afterward, the organist started  to play a haunting hymn. It was so cool, and it was like the music transported us back in time! But I was able to learn a lot about gothic arcitecture and such. I loved it!

Saturday, I spent the day in Hyde Park. It is so huge! My friends and I walked around for a bit in Kensington Gardens, and then had a picnic. We then rented some bikes, and rode around for a bit too. But it was so fun to to spend a day of liesure at the park with the locals. It was so crowded! Lots of people come to jog and walk thier dogs.

Today I went to two church services. The first one I attended was at Westminster Abbey. It was such a fun experience. I have never been to a catholic or anglican service before, and it was really interesting. I loved hearing the music though. The organ and choir filled the whole church with their songs of praise. And seeing all of the priests and deacons in their elaborate robes was like stepping back in time. The whole ceremony is filled with pagentry. And it is impossible to fall asleep during one of these services because you are constintly having to stand up and sit down, and sing a hymn or something. It is very interactive. But quite facinating. I am so glad I went.

Afterwards, I had a little time to waste before my normal church service, so I took a quick tour around part of the Natural History Museum. I didnt get to see much of it, but it seemed very nice.

The singles ward was fun. I met a lot more people today (including more cute British boys!)  But it is so good to know that no matter where you are in the world, you will always find fellow brothers and sisters in the gosple that will help you and befriend you. The church is true, no matter where you are!

And I have been wearing my nice heeled boots all day, so my feet are a bit sore. But I did have a fabulous day!

But here are some pics of my recent adventures!
Cheers!

So Aparently, if you hug this rock, you will pick up the good energy from stonehenge. I dont know if it worked. But it was worth a shot!

Its a bit out of order, but this is me and my buddies on the steps of the Prince Albert Memorial in Hyde Park.

Ok, so this creepy statue is on the outside of the Sailsbury cathedral. They were having an art exposition there, this artist sculpted various life-like statues. And then, someone thought it woudl be funny if they placed these creepy statues all over the church. Weird, I know. So I had to get a pic!

Sailsbury Cathedral

So this picture was taken inside the cathedral. We were all standing in a dark part of the church, when all of a sudden, a radient light from heaven shone down through the vaulted windowand rested on me. The organ played and the choirs sang, and I felt like an angel who had touched down on that sacred ground.

Actually, im just kidding.

But the light really did shine on me like that. It was pretty cool.

This is the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, and we got to play in it! It was so much fun! The water was freezing! But now I can say that I jumped in a fountain!

ramdom pic on bridge in Hyde Park

This is Kensington Gardens, just outside Kensington Palace. If I were to sit somewhere and wait for Mr Darcy (or in my case Mr Tilney) I woudl wait here. It is so cute!!!

Me and Chucky at the Natural History Museum. And this is me modeling my new dress that I bought here on Oxford Street. What do ya think?

This Week In London!

This week has been another incredible one! I have been pretty busy with school, but I still have managed to find time for fun! Tuesday we went to a football match. It was so much fun! I am not a huge fan of sports in general, but everyone had so much energy and excitment about it, so that helped.
Football is also much more interesting that baseball of american football.

I went to Harrod's yesterday, and that was incredible! That store is soooo huge! I just about died when I walked in becuase there were so many nice things. I especially loved the shoes! But they had everything! Furniture, designer handbags, shoes, crazy dresses that no one would ever really buy, purfume, puppies, hampsters, gourmet chocolate and other yummy foods, groceries, and they had 8 differnt places to eat inside. It was insane! I am going to make at least 2 trips back, and next time, I am going to dress up all nice so the people will think I have money, and then maybe they will let me try on some expensive shoes! Mwahahha! But I may even be able to afford some chocolate there. At lease a few pieces.
After Harrods, my friends and I went to China Town to eat. It was pretty fun.

Today I went to tour Westminster Abbey on my own. It was gorgeous on the inside and out. The arcitecture was beautiful, and I loved seeing all of the tombs, even if that is a bit morbid. But They had the tomb for Sir Issac Newton, Chucky Darwin, as well as Poets Corner where they have graves and tributes to famous writers including Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Chaucer and Handel. We wernt technically allowed to take pictures, but if I paid 16 pounds to get in there, I was FOR SURE gonna take some pictures! Westminster is also were they have the coronation chair. It was currently being restored, so it wasnt in its proper place, but we got to see it anyway. A lot of famous butts sat in that chair...

After the Abbey, my class got a tour of Parliament. Words cannot even describe how breath taking that building is on the inside! Unfortunately we couldnt take pictures, but the wing for the House Of Lords was especially stunning. Old Gothic architecture, massive frescos on the walls, marble statues the line the corridors, and a whole room with a dozen Tudor portraits. I was awe struck with its regal history. We even got to walkl the pathway that the Queen takes when she opens Parliament each year. I loved it so much!

Arsenal Stadium

Westminster Abbey. I think the pic woudl have been better without me in it though hahah.

This is a lovely courtyard at Westminster

Newtons Tomb. I had to sneak this picture...if you notice the sign.

CHUCKY!!!!!

Gorgeous view by night from across the Thames

And how could I not?

My Abbey Road Adventures

After class the other day, my friends and I decided to find the real Abbey Road. It is actually quite a busy street. And we were there during rush hour, so it made it a bit difficult to get a proper picture. But after several times crossing the street, I managed to get a nice shot. And as you may notice, I am barefoot in this picture. But it was great fun. We met these two guys from Argentina who were also trying to get t perfect picture. One of them followed my lead and took off his shoes. It was really fun to meet them. But of course there were tons of other Beatles fans who were there to get the perfect picture also. And right close by is the Abbey Road Recording Studio. 

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, I chose "Come Together" as the Abbey Road song I woudl sing as I did the famous walk.

London So Far....

I have been in London a week now, and it is so fantastic! The first two days here were packed with sightseeing and adventures, as well as the class orientation. We got a 3 hour bus tour of the city, and then a leisurely cruise along the Thames. London is such a big and beautiful city! There is never a dull moment. So here are a few of the adventures I have had this past week.

This is  my view from the boat of Tower Bridge. It is so big and majestic!

This is me, sailing along the Thames.

Here I am chilling on a bench in Hyde Park. This park is sooooo massive! There are little lanes that zigzag all over the park which makes it very popular with runners and there are acres of open fields wich make the very good looking futball players happy as well. And the trees there are huge! It is just a gorgeous park!

They even have a Peter Pan statue! Apparently, this is the spot where Peter first landed in London. And if you look closely at the pedestol he is standing on, you will see there are fairy's and little bunnies.

"I wont grow up!"

After the curise on the Thames, we stopped to eat at this very yummy fish and chip shop. I loved it!

And here it is, the famous Kings Cross train station to catch your train to Hogwarts!!

Im on my way to find Fred and George!!!!! (And hopefully Oliver Wood too!!!) Hogwarts or Bust!!!

Yes, this really is Hugh Jackman! He is absolutely gorgeous in person! My friend heard that there was a movie premeire in Leschtier Square for this Real Steel movie. We had nothing better to do, so we decide to check it out on a whim. And we are very glad we did, becase look who we saw! He stood 2 feet away from us! It was pretty cool, becuase we just happened to be in the right palce at the right time. He is a lot smaller than I thought he woudl be. Shoter and skinnier. But still incredibly good looking.

And the picture you ahve all been waiting for... But I hope to get a better one once I go visit parliment.

Hightlights of Belguim

Belgiuim was fun. Not as much fun as Paris, but I did like it. Our first stop was Bruges. I loved it there. It was such a small and quaint little town. And then we went to Brussels which has the old feel to it, yet it is still quite a big city. It actually reminded me of LA. And who can go to Belgium without eating a real belgium waffle and real belguim chocolate? Needless to say, both were incredible! In Bruges, waffle and chocolate shops line the small streets, so it is very easy to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are some pics!

Isnt Bruges adorible!?!?!

Yummy yummy chocolate!!!

This is a shop window display of a chocolate anteater. He is so cute and fat! I want to eat him.

Waffle with chocolate and strawberries. Yeah, it was awesome!

OK, so this is such a random thing! In the center of Brussles, there is this little statue of this boy peeing. No one really knows why he is there, but he is all the rage! It is like the countries mascott. Some say that a fire broke out in the city, and a little boy peed and put it out, so they made a statue of him. But that is just a myth. And apperently, he has costumes and outfits that t city dresses him up with occasionally. Its rather amusing.

And here he is eating a waffle. I was hungry too...

Back in Bruges, they had a lovely old church and inside there was lots of art by Flemish artists. I loved it! Even the outside of the chuch was beautifully adorned with sculptures.

Being the science geek that I am, I loved seeing this giant Iron atom (in its crystaline form) Its called the Atomium.

Beeker liked it too.

And how could I not.....

Highlights from Paris

Paris was so incredible! I didnt expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I love all of its old buildings and rich history. Everything there si so fancy and nice! But I must admit, they do smell bad. The whole city reaks of  cigarette smoke, alcohol and body oder. But the people are actually very nice, and quite accomidating. And did I mention that those French guys are really hot? Cuz they are! Some of the best looking and best dressed men in the world I would dare to say. And here are pictures to prove it. So here is a small photo blog of Paris through my eyes. Enjoy!

As my friends and I crossed the very busy street, we realized that it was a perfect spot to take a picture of the Arc de Triumph. Gorgeous!

The incredible Notre Dame Cathedral. It was absolutely breathtaking! I wish I coudl have gone inside, but we got there too late. But this was my favorite thing to see in Paris. The arcitecture was so incredible! I wish I could go back to see it during the day, but as you can see, it is beautiful by night.

Me trying to blend in as a Parissian, sitting leasurly at a cafe drinking expensive water from a wine glass and wearing a greay sweater with black boots. The French dont dress in bright colors like us Californians do. This is where I sat for a good hour writting in my journal and postcards.

Me and Nicole doing the can can in fromt of The Moulin Rouge. It is really quite small, but cute. This was right in the middle of the Red Light District. Very interesting hahahha.

I dont know if this picture came out, but this is just another one of the Eiffle Tower

At the Lourve! This is me after my namesake Diana, godess of the hunt. Unfortuneately, she is without her trusy greyhound. Thats ok, I have one of my own who lives down the street.

Here is a very good looking and VERY talented violinist. In Paris, they have street performers all over the place! And most are actually very good! This man included. He was accompanied by an equally talented pianist (but the pianist was not as good looking, so I didnt bother to get a picture hahha)

Another very good looking street performer.

This is on the Metro at 11pm. Nicole and I and 3 other girls got a bit lost coming back to the hotel from Notre Dame. Thankfully a nice French man helped us, and we made it back safe. But we were sitting here on the non-moving metro for almost 20 minutes, and we debated whether we should get off and find a new one, or just stay on. We stayed on, but it was mostly because we were too lazy and exhasted to move. We would have slept there if didnt move in time.

  

A sexy Renoult I found on the Champs de Elyeese. This pic is for Mike O'Toole. I took it just for you. BUt it is a sexy car.

And this is the first thing I licked here in Eroupe! Paris will never be the same again. Virginia Hoskins, this is for you!!!!!!!!!!!

I took MANY more pics, but here is a taste of what I did the first 3 days I was gone. I will do another blog for Belgiuim. Eventually....

Cheers!