A Tourist Again

And I'm back again - just as a tourist this time though, which has been good and hard all at the same time. 

January

My last month on student visa

• NYE and following days through off sleep cycle. Rubbish for days.
• Trying to figure out life, with all stress and no sleep.
• Finally bought plane ticket home, but learned it was on Jess's birthday... oops.
• So spent the month doing little things to celebrate her birthday every day leading up to it
• Then on her birthday I surprised her with the knowledge that I'm coming back in March
• More "hangouts" and such. Had first kiss with guy and then he decided we should just see where things go while I'm away and or when I get back. Bit tough but right call I think.
• Kew Gardens - beautiful. Wish I had explored it earlier, when we went we only had part of a day. Oh well.
• Other fun, lesser known galleries. Fun exploring with Molly and Karyn
• Molly moved back to DC, had a murder mystery dinner party thing very fun
• My fantasy football teams did rather well, 5th and 3rd places respectively
• Went "life drawing" with (Scottish) Karen and Jess - interesting experience. Think it was good for me though I'm not so good at sketching. 
• Lumiere in London, lights and fun. Too many people and we didn't see anything truly "spectacular" but it was a fun way to spend an evening with friends
• Oh, went to Cambridge again!
• Other fun adventures
• Flew to Long Beach, met up with Camilla's friend who was going to the temple, so I was very exhausted and just waited in the visitor's center, then over to Camilla's for two nights, friend and the beach. Best way to have to say goodbye to London I guess. :)
• Home again, family picked me up, there was some scare about a shooter in the parking lot but I didn't see anything, so could have been fake.
• Since then, I've been hanging out with my family, a few friends, and chatting with the guy back in London, and trying to both keep busy so I don't over think things, but also trying to figure things out, so far I'm just spinning wheels I think.

December

• Churchill Arms Thai food. Delicious.
• Cotswolds trip - amazing. Amanda tried to hide me in the boot of the car. Awesome story. Haha. Met a dog named Harvey. Beautiful place, wish I could have stayed longer.
• Back to London, had friends over a few times, enjoyed my little bit in London
• Helped take pictures at friends' wedding with Molly and Karyn
• Walked around Regent's Park. Loved it, as usual
• Had first real "hangout" (i.e., unofficial date) with guy from October, lunch in Chinatown
• Temple trip. Lost phone - but a guy from ward found it and drove it up to me from temple / zone 5/6 to my flat within minutes of me getting back from the train. Amazing blessing.
• Flew out to UT the next morning :(
• Surprised family! Brett helped me arrange it, well last minute. I didn't tell him till the day before/of
• Had lovely time catching up with family, Mom couldn't see / figure out that it was me for a bit, found out Tut may be going both deaf and blind
• T married J, I helped out some with photos. Was a good day
• Christmas was lovely, good to be home
• Bri's birthday - baking and made risotto for them to try
• Back in London for NYE, exhausted but good to be back

November

• After Spain, Guy Fawkes day, went to Greenwich and had a lovely time with friends
• Notting Hill for delicious hot chocolate, with A&C,
• Discovered {for self} the beautiful Holland Park. Never actually went back there but should have
• Went to Fortnum and Mason's for the first time, fell in love. First time felt a bit out of place but soon came to feel right at home. Now if only I could afford it...
• Christine went back to the States, she "owed me ice cream" - which she told me as she was running to catch the bus to leave me. Dramatic girl. :)
• Moved around a lot. Lost my little wire dinosaur that Brett made me before I moved. Very gutted about that still.
• Stayed with Vanya, though she went to Sweden for most of the time I stayed there
• Ran out on a party without getting caught - immediately sent a text but my friend didn't check her phone so after like 20 minutes, everyone panicked. Oops. Haha.
• Tough time in my life though.
• Lots of growth and struggle, good friends, walks in the park, helping film a student project in front of the BBC building, 
• Moved into Penfold flat at the end of the month
• Went to Cambridge for the first time. This is my place.
• Did "Thanksgiving" with Dixon and Louise, such a fun little adventure! 
• Copenhagen - very short but fun trip, stayed at a friend's house there. Loved the hygge and Tivoli, and wandering around in general. Beautiful place.

October

• We went to Iceland! That's right. Christine, John, and Karyn
• Conference... THREE new apostles were called, and I'm grateful to see the growth in the church.
• We had burritos in Hyde Park and it was delightful. 
• Bought watercolours and a calligraphy set, in order to try a new hobby and create something (since then, has been great for postcards and gifts)
• Had a mishap with garments and a broken washing machine... but eventually got it sorted. 
• Saw plays, the "Woman in Black" and "the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time"
• YSA forum thing where I hung out with one guy in particular most of the night and he "proposed" a couple times by giving me a {candy} ring... that I almost immediately ate...
• Got a new bishopric, which is cool!
• Helped friend with his business
• Taylor got officially engaged to Jenny, I heard about it sitting in the airport in Iceland waiting to go back to London

• SPAIN! with Christine - amazing trip. Loved Montserrat the most but Barcelona was so incredible. Had the idea for Hüg, we'll see if it goes anywhere.

September

• Christine Hill + Me lived on Abbey Road, up the street from the Beatles, with a black pug puppy named Norby
• We went on lovely adventures. Mostly camping trip friend time
• Louise and I climbed to the very top of St. Paul's Cathedral and it was so beautiful!!! I love St. Paul's and am so grateful I could have had it on my walk to school for a year.
• Moving in London on public transport... not so fun... but I made it eventually! 
• Oh! And we saw a play at the Globe at midnight and it was incredible.
• CORNWALL! Amanda and Christine - driving around for a week. Amazing. Go to Cornwall and thank me later.