Seaford, Dissertation, and Tube Strikes

It's been one of those months were at first I feel like nothing exciting happened, but as I start to reflect I see all sorts of amazing or crazy adventures mixed in with the struggles of writing my dissertation.

First - I went camping with some friends to a little place called Seaford. It was quite the adventure getting there. It was pouring rain, most people bailed the first night - but I wanted an adventure... so my friend and I continued on our way. We were on the train, about halfway there when we learned that our train had hit someone. The news shocked me and I had a hard time processing it. We continued to try to find our way to the camp ground, but after the shock, and standing in the pouring rain, and general confusion at the next train station, we decided to turn back and try again in the morning. So I went over to a friend's house and spent the night. Then we left early in the morning and got to camping. We set up, walked along the beach, and all the way up and over some cliffs to go see the "Seven Sisters" - we also helped my friend make a music video which was a fun experience, though I have yet to see any actual finished product. After lots of wandering and fun, we made our way back. Got groceries, made dinner, and got ready for the night. Then my friend and I went to take pictures of the stars, only to learn my lens is not quite adequate... but it was still fun. The next day decided to rain again, so we hurried and packed up, soaking wet, and went back to London. Adventure. :) Pictures are on FB!

Next, I've spent most of my time on my final research project - as would be expected. Mostly at home, I've got a nice desk and a big window, plus it's quiet. So I tend to focus for a couple hours at a time before needing a break. I've gotten really good at dividing up my time and setting daily goals, which has helped me not feel abnormally stressed about this project. Throw in the other stressors and I am borderline panic-attack some days... Ok not that bad yet, thankfully. But still. Almost there now as I write this, so much so that I've made progress on my CV and looking for housing- I get kicked out of here in just under a month... and no plans to go or stay anywhere. It's freaking me out. But it will come together. Probably. Haha - no it will. It just will be extra stressful for a while.

Oh! And there have been 2 Tube Strikes already, with 2 more planned, right over the time my dissertation is due. Great. I walked 5 miles one way, just to get to church/institute. I wish they could resolve their issues without this next strike... but it doesn't seem likely. There are a lot of mixed reviews but it surrounds the proposed change to make certain tube lines 24 hrs. starting in mid September. We'll see if it starts then or how it proceeds from here. Anyway - I wish people weren't so stubborn and or were able to resolve conflicts easier, but we're all just trying to find our way forward and sometimes that is really hard to do.

Anyway. Those are my London adventures as of late. Also looking for housing / work, is the worst.

Other Adventures in July 2015

Here are some pictures of friends and food in July 2015. The last few posts are pictures I found on my phone that I hadn't gotten around to updating on FB or other places but I thought should be documented somewhere. :) Enjoy!

Wimbledon 8 July 2015

Ah, Wimbledon. You sure are wonderful. The British are amazing at queues and know how to throw a tennis match tournament.

4 July 2015

Independence Day!

June Adventures

The next few posts are 'blog exclusive' meaning... I am too lazy to put them up on Facebook and my blog, and as I usually favour FB over my blog, I figure it's time to just do the blog? I guess?  you won't find them on Facebook. At least for now. So lucky you for checking in on the blog!

Catching Up

Mmm.... So I'm really behind. Wow. The last time I wrote was getting back from Plymouth? Well, I've been several places, taken hard exams, had a birthday, and just been really busy! Lots of emotions and stress and such in the last two months, I'd say. I don't know where to even begin - and don't think I can quite catch up in everything. That's London for you though, everything happens so fast!

Well let's see, after Plymouth, Easter, and General Conference, I worked a lot on getting my dissertation data. Then I went to Oxford, to Harry Potter World Land Studios... or whatever it's actually called, then I had stuff for my calling (in Family History), and then I hopped on a plane and went to Africa (as one does).

My dear friends Molly, Camilla, and I decided that we were going to go to Morocco. The flights were really cheap and it was a great adventure. We stayed for 4 nights in Marrakesh and loved every minute of it. I even just put up pictures on FB today! I'm only a couple months late.

Then we got back to London at about 4 am... that was fun. Then I was supposed to go to Birmingham at 8 for a rehearsal... but I backed out and decided to sleep.

I also had a big project for my Text-Analysis course, and so I was doing a lot of self-teaching, and trying to make sure I was doing the right thing... still no grades back so I'm not sure.

Then "Summer Term" began - we have the entire term just dedicated to exams - no classes or projects. Just "revising" as they say here - instead of studying. So that was fun. My friend had 6 exams!! I only had two but that was stressful enough while trying to also work on my research project and figure out my future (still undecided).

OH! Starting in April I fainted a couple times, so that was fun. The doctor thinks it's just allergies/blocked sinuses (?), and it may be... but I'm not entirely convinced. My symptoms lessened a little, I guess, but they never really went away and I just collapsed again the other day so I'm not sure.

Also my friend Jess and I decided to book a holiday. So naturally, we went to Greece 2 weeks later! It was cheaper for me to have the flight, hotel, and transfers for a week in Greece than my flat here in London. Haha. So expensive! The trip was amazing! We went to a total of 3 Greek islands, and loved almost every minute of it (there was a literal spider infestation ... on my birthday ... that I was not so fond of; and of course, I was studying every day trying to prepare for my exams).

It was because of this trip that I missed another rehearsal and was subsequently kicked out of the production of the Lamb of God. That was really hard and I am working on letting go - and I was still able to go up and watch it with a few friends, which I really enjoyed - despite some personal hurt.

And then it was almost constant revising... I don't know that I remember too much now ... and I honestly don't know if I passed either exam. So I'm a bit worried, but there isn't anything more I can do so I'm trying to be at peace.

My dear friend Tara is moving back to Utah... in two days. So I've been spending as much time with her as I can, I got to go to her final recital, two special temple trips, a goodbye party, sleepover, and lots of good chats. I am going to miss that girl but I am so excited for her new adventure! She's currently in Morocco actually, but will be back tomorrow. And theoretically we get to have another sleepover - one where she doesn't leave at 2 am to catch a bus, haha. And so. Yes. I've also been making an effort to be more social lately - so lots of friend time, great bike rides, learning card games, movie nights, standing in the "yard" to watch "As You Like It" in the Globe Theatre, exploring parks, and catching up with friends among other things. It's been great! OH! And I sometimes walk a cute little beagle named George. So, I guess, I've been pretty busy.

Oh and yesterday I carried a banjo in a box across London. That was fun. I tried to put most of the pics up on FB so they are there to look through. And I am sorry for being so vague! So much has happened! Maybe one day I'll be up to make a post for each of these topics. We'll see. :) Haha - I just re-read this. It's so choppy... I should have just made a bullet-point list I think. Well it might be bad enough that I will come back later and fix it. We'll see. That's all I have energy for at the moment.

Plymouth Perchance?

I got back late last night from Plymouth. It was an absolutely lovely and incredible trip. I went with several friends from church – and just had the best time. We were a little family and it was so fun to have that again for a few days. LOTS of new inside jokes came from this trip. 

Happenings at Home in London

In addition to travelling, London hasn’t slowed down in its awesome-ness. Let’s see. After I got back from Portugal, I finished my essays – obviously… I also went to see

Portugal: Quite a Quiet Adventure

It’s been about two weeks since I got back from Lisbon, and I have put off writing about it long enough! Well, not put off so much as I’ve finally found time and energy to sit down and write about it.

I travelled by myself, and spent a lot of my time writing two essays, so it was a quiet adventure. I spent almost 4 days there, it was windy, a bit cold, and absolutely lovely. Of course I was there the last week of “full on winter” as it was described – now it’s a sunny and grand 70 degrees (19-20 degrees C), which would be more to my liking, but it was still quite nice.

The first day, I got rather lost. On the next, I explored castles and wished for ice cream. Then I explored faith and fish, and on the last day I ate delicious treats I am still thinking about and just wanted to be at home.

The end...

March-ing to Spring

Hello again! So sorry for the delay (my friend told me that our mutual friend told her that I needed to update the blog. Haha). March has been busy - And I was hoping I could increase my blog posts to more than once a month. It's not looking likely for this month. Maybe April?

February

So clearly I struggle keeping this blog updated.

February has been an intense month and has passed by me in a blur.

Speaking for a Computer - Part Two

.... to pick up where I left off in Part One... (still the jumpy narrative of funny things I said...)

Speaking for a Computer - Part One

The other day, I was described as severely autistic, an actress, a spy, and just in general, completely unaware of social norms.

Christmas Break - Part 3

After the New Year adventures, my friends decided they should be more productive... rude. Anyway, so it was solo time again. Except for the time one friend and I explored Brick Lane

Christmas Break - Part 2

To pick up where I left off... it was after Christmas, in the final days of the year 2014... in fact, it was my dear sister's birthday!

Christmas Break - Part 1

Well, clearly I struggle updating this. I wish I could report that this was a good sign that I've been busy having adventures. Which, in part is true. There have been days packed of adventure and others have been more lazy. But I've even had some lazy-but-productive days, which is an improvement I guess.