Day 6: Classes, the National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square

Well today was our first day of classes! Rachel and I started off with a lovely run through Kensington Gardens. We then had breakfast and went to our 3 hour block of classes. I really like the professors who are teaching--they are both very passionate about the subject at hand and make class interesting and engaging. 

After class, we went to the National Gallery for our "homework" assignment. We looked at some paintings there which were all really cool. No pictures were allowed inside, but we got LOTS of pictures outside! 

Gina and I outside the National Gallery 

We spent some time in Trafalgar Sqaure, and then wandered over to Big Ben before catching the Tube back home. 

Trafalgar Sqaure

Photobomb! 

I'd be lion if I told you this wasn't cool...

We had kitchen duty before dinner, then ate, cleaned up, and we worked on some homework. We were reading Julius Caesar and let's just say we were having a little too much fun with that, haha. 

We went and got gelato for a break, and read a little more before calling it a night. 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 5: Happy Sunday!

Today was my first day in my new ward! It was quite an adventure! We left at 8:45 am and took the tube to the train station that then took us to the stop where we then walked to the chapel. Our church started at 10:30 am. We met very briefly with our new bishop. He is a wonderful man! I really enjoyed visiting with him, even if it was briefly. 

We had a fantastic Sacrament meeting. In it, our bishop shared some very profound words. He discussed the importance of his own personal testimony. He shared with us verses from Moses 7:27-37. He talked about how from this we learn that our God is a very personal God. Even though He has created worlds without end, He still weeps for His children. When we are in pain or struggling, He is in pain and struggling. That was very touching to me. 

We actually receive assignments while in our wards, so I was in Primary working with the 8-11 year olds. I played the piano for singing time and helped in their class. The members there were so kind and welcoming. It was very nice. For more information about my religion or meetings, visit https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng. 

Kim and I enjoying the beauty of the train station... haha

Kim and I on the bus to church

Afterwards, we came home, wrote some letters and post cards, and chatted until dinner, which was amazing! Delicious chicken and pasta, salad, vegetables, and rolls! 

Tonight we went on a walk through Kensington Gardens. I seriously can't believe that's in my very own neighborhood. Life couldn't be any better. :) 

xoxo,

Mallory 

Day 4: Wimbledon

Today was quite possible the best day of my life. Why? Because Austen and I went to WIMBLEDON today!!!!!! We left the Centre a little before 7 and took the tube to Wimbledon. We then took a taxi to the beginning of the Queue, which is basically where you go and wait in line to get a grounds pass. We arrived at about 7:50 and got our queue cards--I was number 7007! It was kind of insane!

My queue card

This was the view from our place in the queue 

Austen and I waiting in the rain! 

While we were waiting, we experienced a variety of weather. It started out warm and sunny, it rained and cooled off, (thankfully we had our rain jackets and umbrellas), the sun came out and it got warm again, then finally it was rainy and cool again. At about 12:30 we got into the complex and made our way to the Centre Court. We didn't have tickets there, they were way too expensive, but we actually got to take a peek inside and get some pictures before play started! So that was super cool. 

Centre Court!

Outside the Court in the rain

We then headed over to a court that we had access to with our passes. We sat right on the front row and watched about 30 minutes of tennis until it started to rain. They had to delay all the games for a few hours. We wandered all around in the rain and decided it was time to call it a day. We finished with a little walk in Wimbledon Village which was the cutest place! 

We found the cutest pathway

Some lovely flowers 

We got home and I went wandering around the neighborhood, got some food and frozen yogurt, and then worked on some homework and went on a walk. It was such a fun day!

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 3: Tower of London

Rachel, Austen, and I all started the day with a run through Hyde Park. It was a gorgeous morning and it was so fun! This morning we toured the Tower of London! It was super interesting---it's basically this historical castle that has served a lot of functions over the years! One of the highlights was the Crown Jewels. They were seriously so stunning. I was in awe! We couldn't take pictures inside, but I promise they are beautiful!

Building that housed the Crown Jewels

Gina and I

Other highlights from the Tower of London include: the White Tower (a museum for the armory),

Can you imagine wearing this armor?! 

Beauchamp Tower (which held famous prisoners), 

While imprisoned, they made this intricate carvings! 

and finally we made a new friend! 

Rachel and I with a Yeoman warder

Oh, and Brooke and I wore our matching rain coats today!! :) 

We went on another walk through the city today. We saw the walls of Londinium and lots of other historical sites. One of my favorites was Christ's Church. It was this beautiful chapel we saw!

After dinner and doing our kitchen crew, some of the girls and I went to pick up some things at various stores, then went and got ice cream!

 I could not feel more blessed to be here right now!!! 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 2: Walking through the City

Today was an awesome second day in the city! We started off with breakfast in the morning--cereal, toast, and yogurt! We went to a very brief orientation with our program directors, then we went off for our day of walks! It was a long, but great day! We started off South of the Thames River. Our first book-guided walk was all along the river, with lots of bridges, historical sites, and other things! We then took another walk that was through the city--seeing lots of hospitals, churches, and busy streets!

Outside the Tower of London

Roomies! 

I kind of love her. 

All the roommates at the Tower Bridge! 

Tower Bridge

Obligatory selfie 

...It's falling down. 

Cute houses along the road! 

We had the most amazing Indian food from Borough Market 

What the? 

 Shakespeare's Globe 

The cutest little place! 

After all our walks, we got started on working in the kitchen for dinner. 

Afterwards, I went out and got gelato with some of the girls. It was amazing, and my life is now complete. :) 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 1: LONDON

After an incredibly long day and night travelling to London, I finally made it! I left SLC at 2 pm, went through JFK on a 4 hour flight, and then flew overnight to London on a 6 and 1/2 hour flight. I slept very minimally, but they fed us both dinner and breakfast, which was pretty awesome. I met up with some girls in my program on my flight and so that was really nice not travelling alone. We made it to London at 11 am! Of course that was on their time, so the jet lag immediately set in. But thankfully, it wasn't too bad. After going through customs and getting our baggage, we finally got out of the airport.

We took the Tube to the London Centre. Thankfully it was very easy to navigate! We made the trip in about 40 minutes.

First time on the Tube with one of my roommates Brooke! 

We arrived at the London Centre about 1:30 and got all squared away with our program directors, checking in, getting some instructions, and moving into our rooms. I have 8 roommates and it's already been a blast!

The Centre is seriously gorgeous!! It's this beautiful town home that they've converted into dorm rooms, classrooms, and common rooms. Pictures to come!

Outside the London Centre! 

Lovely ladies

We spent the afternoon doing various things. The first thing we did was pick up our Oyster card which is our pass for the Tube. Then we went on a walk around the area to familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood. Seriously, I have never seen so many cute flats, shops, and cafes. It is such a unique place to be!

Obligatory tourist selfie! 

Some fruit in the market

Such a cute house!

Afterwards, we headed back to the Centre where I served on the kitchen crew. We got everything set up for dinner, then we had a short devotional and ate dinner! We had tortilla soup and some bread. Then we worked on cleaning up the kitchen area. Afterwards, we wandered through Hyde Park and went down to Piccadilly Circus, where we explored some of the shops and streets. It was such a gorgeous day! I could not have asked for a more perfect first day in London!!

Kensington Palace!

On the Tube

Enjoying the city with roommates Rachel, Brooke, and Austen

I'm so excited to see what's in store for the remainder of our days!! :)

xoxo,

Mallory

T-minus TWO days

It is absolutely insane that in 2 days, I will be flying to London!

This study abroad kind of fell on the back burner of my mind, with the GRE and my research project taking precedence this spring term. However, once these were both finished (thank heavens I survived and did well on the GRE!), the only thing ahead was this study abroad! 

While I am absolutely stoked, I've quickly learned that packing is the bane of my existence. Seriously. I am moving out of my apartment and trying to get things squared away for London all in a matter of a few short days. It's kind of been crazy, but I am almost done, which means I'm one step closer to leaving!! 

Be looking for updates on here of all my adventures!! 

xoxo,

Mallory