days 1 and 2

My second day in London is coming to a close and there is so much on my mind. Anxiety-wise, last night was a little tough, but today has been a little better. Yesterday afternoon we had a neighborhood tour as an LIS class and a little dinner thing with the whole program afterwards. After that I went with some of the other LIS students to get cash out of the ATM and to the local supermarket. So far I haven't seen any grocery stores like we know them in the U.S. After that we just walked around for a while before making it back to the dorm. The others decided to go to a pub for drinks, but since that's not my thing... ;) I took a shower in the tiniest bathroom ever (but at least it's mine!) and tried to go to bed... took forever to fall asleep. 

Today... two mandatory meetings in the morning and then I went with one of the other LIS students to get an Oyster Card at Waterloo Station (the closest Tube to the dorm), a pharmacy in the station called "Boots," and across the Waterloo Bridge and down The Strand (the name of the road) to buy a cheap-o phone with a UK number. On the way there we got caught in the rain, which quickly turned into a downpour (for about 20 minutes) before the sun decided to come out again... they weren't kidding about the crazy weather! I came back to my room and dried out before deciding to go on a mini walk around the neighborhood in the drizzle. Then I sat in the courtyard for awhile and just downloaded some offline maps of England to help me get around London. The iPhone is pretty handy even in airplane mode with all the data and cellular turned off. ;)

good things {leaving on a jet plane edition}

Wow, tomorrow is my last day of work before the big London adventure. When I think of all that needs to be done before tomorrow night and early Thursday morning I start to panic a little, but it can all get done, I know it!

So, one of my assignments on this trip is to keep a "reflective journal," aka a blog. So I'll be posting a lot about the places we visit, my research project and where I decide to explore on my own. I've written a lot about finding the program, the application process and preparing for the trip. Those posts can be found here. 

Is it appropriate for me to wish myself bon voyage?!

The study abroad program I'm participating in is the British Studies Program offered through the University of Southern Mississippi.

Astonishment

The other day I had one of those moments where I was just astounded at everything that was happening in my life. I'm going to London in 5 days. My job. My car. Counseling. Tizzie. I feel so very blessed and a little frazzled. Ha. Let the London adventure begin! :)

"we can be grateful!"

I came across this art print on Pinterest last night. I love so many of the great designs on society6 (but like anything, there are some weird and questionable ones!). I much prefer coming across them on Pinterest than searching the website, haha.

{link above}

Anyways... back to the point... When I saw this print, it immediately made me think of President Uchtdorf's talk from this past April conference, "Grateful in Any Circumstances." His talk was by far my favorite of conference. 

"Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I'm suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances--whatever they may be."

Link to talk here.

thirteen

I just saw this iPad commercial {cheesy alert} about a deaf woman who travels the world and it seriously made me tear up! In 13 days I'll be on a plane bound for London. I'll admit there has been some apprehension mixed with the excitement and some/most of it stems from being "disabled" or "handicapped" or "different" - however you want to label it - but as I watched that commercial, I just had this feeling that it is absolutely the most right thing for me to do right now (well, in 13 days). It's not just about seeing London or crossing something off my bucket list, it's more about being brave and not hiding anymore.

The mama has been on my mind a lot since starting my new job. Every time a "milestone" happens I find myself a little sad because it's so bittersweet - all these incredible things happen or will happen or might happen - and she won't be here to celebrate with me in a tangible way. Even going on this trip is one of those - I'd love it if she were here to help me prepare and do last minute things and take me to the airport, but she's not. And that's really OK because I know she's where she needs to be.

{found here via Pinterest}