Everyone Look at Brittany and Kira... :)

It has been an exceptionally busy week!!! For our group excursion this week we traveled on the coach to Hastings, Brighton, and Rye. One of my absolute favorite things is leaving the city and taking in the countryside :)

My summer home.

October 14, 1066--the most important date in Enlgish History...obviously :) Well...The English army was led by King Harold of the Anglo Saxons (ruler of England since the Roman Empire), while William Duke of Normandy approached the fields of Hastings with his army in hopes to conquer. Harold was holding a fierce front and William could not break their line of defense. William decided to fake a retreat to throw off Harold...it worked!! With Harold completely caught of guard William reversed their retreat and attacked. History states that an arrow pierced King Harold directly in his right eye. William Duke of Normandy became King and his line has remained the monarch of England till this day.

Fields of Hastings where the battle took place

So Serene

Battle Abbey

Literally almost fell into that pond below

Anthroplogie Ad

Our trip to Brighton was gorgeous. We went a little picture happy...

I do try with photopraphy sometimes...

Silly

It played "Under the Sea" from the Little Mermaid! I had to ride it, true happiness.

Naturally

Fresh donuts on the pier! Britt: cinnamon Kira: chocolate

Lovely Lady

Almost felt like home...almost

The main attraction for our trip to Brighton was The Royal Pavillion, built by King George IV as his getaway palace where he loved to entertain guests and floosies. The theme is all influenced by the Eastern culture --a little Indian, a little Chinese. The inside was unbelievable, but of course 'no photos!' are allowed.

An evening at the Cinema was in our best interest, so we walked to the nearest theatre. With our ticket in hand we walked through the doors....wow, WOW!

just casual and precious... creche

Westminster Abbey!!! Over 3,000 individuals buried here. Favorites: Darwin, Dickens, Mary Queen of Scots, Chaucer, and Handel.

Britt found out the British Museum was opened late on Thurday so a small group of us went. We spent the entire first hour in the Egyptian Sarcophagus Exhibit. So fascinating and creepy, we couldn't stop. We never left the exhibit because an interpretive dance/drama club interrupted our evening with a performance. Words can't explain, we'll try to post the video for your own enjoyment.

Yes, this is real.

On our day off we decided to go to tea in Kensington Gardens. It was a great idea, but just a dream because it was closed. All dressed up and nowhere to go. With our stomaches in mind we went to Zizzi's, a delicious italian restaurant. After dinner we went to the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum for you non Londoners). A new exhibit was being celebrated and it happened to be a Masquerade!!! The day was a success.

Finding a good diet coke can be a challenge.

Best Tiramisu in da world

Chandelier in the V&A

Totally wished we had our masks...huh? huh?

Our first Indian Dinner at Giftos in Southall. Britt loves the curry, I preferred the lentil.

Professor Shuler took our group to the Sikh Gurdwara (temple) for a tour and worship. Sikh is a blend of Hindu and Muslim and we had to cover our hair with scarves and take off our shoes in its duration. We got a free lunch and there may have been some serious gagging. Jack, imagine your worst nightmare: mass prepared mush.

"I like your Bindhi girl"

So we spent an entire day just outside of the city in a town called Southall. It's basically a Chinatown but India... I'd say we got into the spirit of the day.

Sharks

Due to the imposing terrorists warnings upon London, the refusing to ride the tube by many girls in the center, and the heightening security with Tony Blair speaking tomorrow, I, Brittany Anne Carpenter, have decided to make my official statement.

I do not believe in terrorists, just like how I do not believe in sharks.

Yes, I have heard of many examples of terrorist and shark attacks and know that people have been affected by them. However, when a shark attacks in Carlsbad and is spotted in Oceanside, I'll still swim. I'm not going to let the slight possibility of death keep me from my most favorite thing to do. I love the ocean. Anyways. When a shark is spotted, the LIFEGUARD'S security is heightened, people are more aware, and I actually think it is the most safe time to swim. You know that there is risk involved. You won't be completely surprised if you happen to die. Also it weeds out the true ocean lovers, and the rest can burn in the sun and have no fun.

My point in telling you this is that I am refusing to let the possibility of a terrorist attack on London today, tomorrow, or forever, ruin my time here. Tomorrow is my day off for the week and I'm going to live it up and see as much of London as I can. I will even take the biggest chance of all and ride the bloody tube.

So, while this may not be the most politically sound theory (Bobette IS my mother and has said on the pulpit that she knows nothing about politics, I'm pretty sure I inherited those same genes), and while I may be one of the few who encounters a terrorist tomorrow, at least it will be more fun than being cooped up in the London center on my day off in fear of everything. Life is to be enjoyed and when it's your time to go you must seize the opportunity.

I do not believe in terrorists or sharks, but I do believe in fairies. Maybe, just maybe, as J.M. Barry teaches, if we all adopt this belief more terrorists will drop down dead and fairies will remain from going extinct.

A Week In Pictures

So this has been our past week:

Wednesday: We went to lunch and Breakfast at Tiffany's. OH WAIT!!! It ended on the Saturday before so it was over so I will never get to see it in London:( Worst news ever... good thing I had this food to cheer me up. Oh, and we saw Les Mis instead... which was amazing and incredible and whatnot. But still...

Appetizer...

Main Course... our Macaroni Grill away from home:)

Thursday: We had school all day!! Afterwards we went pubbing with a bunch of the girls and had our first fish and chips experience, which was quite amazing. Minus the mushy peas. That night was attempt #1 to get Kira's bag... don't even want to talk about it.

Friday: We went to the Tower of London, which was built in 1066, the oldest building we've been in thus far. It was originally part of the wall built around the city, and then William the Conqueror made it a fortress. It is the place where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, and many prisoners were kept. Afterwards we went to the Borough Market and got the most amazing chorizo red-pepper sandwiches. Ladies, the food there was insane I will take more pictures this week. Imagine our farmer's market food multiplied by 10,000. It was the food version of Portobello. I cannot wait to go back. Cheese samples, soup, lava cakes... Mmmm....

Tower of London Bridge (different than the London Bridge)

The fortress. For Tress.

The White Tower... been up since 1066

Borough Market Treasures:)

Saturday: We shopped on Portobello road for... 6 hours! Found some awesome things... I'm beginning my career as a designer right now:) That night we ate at the Spread Eagle Pub... yup...

Sunday: We had our first meeting in our own ward! It was so small! I'm guessing 50 people. What BYU does is split the students into wards around London. Somehow Kira and I got into the same one:) I was called as young women's teacher and Kira was called as youth Sunday school teacher. We already have a ward activity on sunday... Munch and Mingle after Ward Conference! We're bringing a dessert. Oh, by the way, church took up a total of 6 hours on Sunday! We had to leave 1 1/2 hours early, stayed for 3, and got home 2 hours after it ended! Be grateful that your wards are so close! (our trip includes a bus and a train and a bit of walking...)

Monday: Homework ALL day. Do not want to talk about it.

Tuesday: Classes all day. Then we took a trip to the British Museum and saw all of the Greek artifacts. We only had a small amount of time though, we'll be going back soon:)

Wednesday: BEST DAY EVER! Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, and Bath. I am moving to Bath...

Inside the Cathedral

Cathedral Garden

Outside the Cathedral

The Roman Baths!!

Jane Austen Assembly Rooms: Think Northanger Abbey and Persuasion

Tea Room

Men's Card Playing Room

You guessed it! The Ball Room!!
Mom I want my 21st birthday party here... start planning now!

Casual Kira