Say You'll Love Me...

Ok so I SUCK at this blogging thing. I'm not sure why I thought it would work... when I can't even keep a journal. Anyways this past week was pretty amazing as every week is in London. I'll give you a simple overview of the highlights: we saw Oliver!, Grease, and Phantom of the Opera on broadway... and LOVED all of them. My favorite of course was Phantom... Raoul was dreamy. We visited Dover and Canterbury. We went to the British Museum, Natural History Museum, and National Gallery. We took a lovely walk through St. James' Park, saw Buckingham Palace and have never felt more touristy, saw the Banqueting Hall. Went to a singles dance, tried out Camden Market (which is not even comparable to Portobello), watched a street performer. And ate lots of delicious food!!!

I could go into so much detail about everything I just wrote, but since I am getting on a bus in 6 hours and need to get some sleep (which is just my excuse... it's really pure laziness)... I'm going to just show you some pictures and let them speak for themselves. Oh and don't worry because I have already filled my 2 gig memory card twice on my camera... which is the nerd way of saying there's plenty more where these came from...

Just the Beautiful Natural History Museum...

The Amazing Panda Adventure. Anyone who knows what I'm talking about is my friend.

For Tress and Syd:)

On Wednesday we visited Dover Castle... which is right on the sea and is the closest point in England to France. We could see France! We got to tour the secret tunnels (not so secret anymore if you ask me)... where many of the plans for WWII battles were made. They have been in use since Napoleon's time, and even have a hospital!

Model Shoot on the Castle Grounds

We got to explore the whole place it was so cool... Kira DOES normally flick her feet when she walks if you were wondering...

At the highest point of the castle!

View from the Top!
I see London, I see France... I see Kira's underpants!!!
(You actually can't see any of these things in this particular picture... but I have pictures of each of those things... contact me if you're interested)

Thinker on the Rock
This is at the ruins of a St. Augustine's Church... of course taken down by Henry the Eighth... he's so obnoxious...

Yes, the beautiful entrance into the Canterbury Cathedral IS right next to a Starbucks.

Outside the Cathedral

This is the place where Archbishop Beckett was murdered... I put it up not to teach but to show how I want my place of murder to be remembered . Thanks mom!!

I just love Cloisters:) And no Bobette, that is not a bad word...

Awkward...

We saw Grease AND all of the most feminine guys in London in one night!!! I love backup dancers I'm going to get some one day...

Picturesque London

Yup, we came upon a squirrel on a bench eating a peanut in real life.
Daddy, I want a Squirrel. And a little Italian Boy.

The St. James Park Birdwoman

You can see the Eye in the background. How much more London can you get. (I only use this phrase with pictures and shoes...)

Nothing says home sweet home like gold plated gates!!

Buckingham Palace!

This is the banqueting hall for queens and kings (and of course the place where Charles II was executed... because, as they say in London, every great place needs an execution). It was dedicated on my birthday so I think that means I'm royalty.

Before the singles dance!!

Don't worry mom, I HAVE made some friends... shabby as they may be:)

Street performers think they're awesome. I wanted to tell him anyone can do that so stop making such a scene... really...

Trafalgar Square with Big Ben in the background!

I'M ALIVE!

Wow its been so long since I've had a taste of the internet! Today marks my third week out in New Zealand! Its been a wild ride as I made my way from the top of the North Island, to my new home, Invercargill, at the bottom of the South Island. I am sooo far south that my ward's chapel is the furthest south LDS chapel in the world! Where I am living I currently do not have the internet so I have to bike to school to get it. Yes, my mode of transportation out here is my lovely bike. Wooh! My legs are getting buff! Get this, I live only 15 minutes friom the beach! (meaning a 45 minute bike ride) and I'm super tan already! We can't get enough of it. I know this is a quick post, but I just want everyone to know I am alive and so HAPPY! Pictures will be posted soon, I pinky promise :) Over and out, Tressa Lynn

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.