happy birthday zach!

dearest zach, 

I celebrated your birthday by eating a pumpkin cupcake.

 I ate it a little too quickly.

May it rest in peace.

I hope your day was wonderful and full of fun. 

And that the next year brings you 

lots of happy times

lots of good things

and lots of adventures. 

all my love from london,

molly jane

ps. thanks for being the kind of brother that makes me laugh. you are always so kind and loving and that kind of stuff really makes a difference. 

of course I fell in.

Once upon a time we went to Northern England and explored a couple places called York and Ambleside. 

The lake district is incredible. I'm pretty sure I want to live there. 

In York we spent time at the Minster, museum-ing, shopping, and ghost hunting. 

While on the road we did lots of other cool things...like see Hadrian's Wall...or the wall of the Roman Empire. 

Also went to Bede's world (think Disneyland, the Venerable Bede style)

In Ambleside we spent time dance partying on the docks, cruising, nature walking, and of course appreciating the poetics of Wordsworth. 

A story:

Thursday morning we had the option of "hiking" to Dove Cottage (William Wordsworth's house) or taking the coach. It was about five miles, and it was GORGEOUS. I cannot describe it. We even stopped to read Wordsworth (as the walk we took was very likely a walk that inspired him and his greatness). One spot along the river we were following had some precious little picture perfect rocks to stand on. Grace and I went out on said rocks and after taking a couple pictures (while the rest of the hiking group just stood in a line and stared at us awkwardly) decided "Oh! This isn't even deep and we're wearing wellies so we should probably stand in the water!" I quickly step into the water, but it takes a while for my foot to reach the bottom...and by this point I slip, grab Grace (who saved me), and I practically sit in the water. I drenched my jeans, filled my boots with water...and even got my hair wet. Shoot. This was still the first half of our "hike" and I was completely soaked. Yes..It was pretty cold. Luckily, I was wearing leggings under my jeans so I took my jeans off (had Dr. {or Saint as he's more commonly known} Tate help me get my boots off) and continued the rest of day with wet feet. I actually didn't completely freeze the whole day. So I count it as success!

Before...

After...

 

"been there, done that, got the t-shirt" 

(credit for this quote goes to Anne, our awesome York Minster tour guide...she was the "rebel" of the bunch). 

one for the books.

Last week so many wonderful things happened.

We attended the Ballet at the Royal Opera House as a group. It was lovely getting all dressed up with a house full of girls.

Joshua Radin, as I've told you, was one of the highlights of my life so far.

This picture is a little weird...but the day after Joshua Radin Jord and I both wore our concert T's and we ended up color coordinating as well. (I seem to be the one to match these days...)

We saw Stone Henge...which was a lot cooler than I thought it would be. This picture of Morgs and I is a little blurred...but hey! Stone Henge Rocks!

Another weirdly uploaded photograph. We went to Jane Austen's House and it was thoroughly enjoyed by most of us, especially since we spend multiple hours a week discussing her.

We went to Portsmouth and toured the Victory ship (think Master and Commander) and it was HUGE. It was pretty amazing seeing the types of conditions they lived in and what life on the sea would have been like back in the day (late 18th c, early 19th c). Portsmouth also has a Cadbury Outlet!!! Don't worry, I spent way too much money there. My family will be thanking me later.

Brighton Beach! Pebbles and sunshine...felt like a vacation and we only spent an hour here. 

Natalie and I love cowboys.

Other highlights: 

Grace and I met Bruno Mars

Some of us were able to do Baptisms at the London Temple

We've been swamped with school lately...tests, papers, assignments, and more tests. 

But that's okay because this week we're going to Wales! 

So, cheers!

....

until my next random post

strawberry fields forever.

24 hours in Liverpool is good for...

Playing in Halloween stores...

First time experiences with the cinema in England...
(seeing great movies with babes like josh duhamel)

Visiting the Docks where many sailed to America from...
(including my great-great grandfather)

Then last, but definitely not least, experience anything and everything related to THE BEATLES

Magical Mystery Tours...
Penny Lane

Strawberry Fields...
forever.

The Cavern Club
(where the Beatles played 292 times)
(my name is now on the wall)

Coolest. Place. Ever.

We partied here. Live music. Lots of drinking (not done by us of course). An altogether good time, and it was only four in the afternoon! 

We also shopped. Ate. Museum(ed). Ferris Wheeled (on the Liverpool eyelash of course). 

LOVED IT. 

arrived 10.15 at 5:00ishpm

departed 10.16 at 7:48pm

I (HEART) LIVERPOOL. 

I dedicate this song to molly and grace.

If you know me well, you know how much I LOVE Joshua Radin. As in, he's my number one. As in, I have ALL of his music. As in, he's been at the top of my concert-to-see list for quite some time now. Tonight, my dreams came TRUE. Not only did I see JOSHUA RADIN IN CONCERT. But, I was front and center. I made eye contact with him. He smiled at me. (pretty sure I gave him the biggest smiles ever) Then there was a conversation (from the stage, to the audience) that went a little bit like this:

Joshua: Something about how he's going back to the states...
Grace: "That's where I'm from!!"
Joshua: "What part?"
Grace and Molly together: "Utah!"
Joshua: "New York?"
Grace and Molly together: "UTAH!"
Joshua: "I like Utah, it has great skiing!"
Grace: "We came all the way from Utah just to see your concert!"
Joshua: "Oh wow. That's humbling."
Us: "We love you!"
Joshua: "What's your name?"
Grace: "Grace!"
Joshua: "Grace? That's a good name."
Molly: "Molly!"
Joshua: "And Molly. Well Grace and Molly, I dedicate this next song to you."
I can't remember the EXACT words...but those are pretty darn close. I was FREAKING OUT. 
He was full on talking to us. Looking at us. Directly. BOTH of us. I LOVE HIM.

Then he sang Today. Please listen to it. It's one of his best! I actually featured it on my other blog a while back.... you can go find it if you want to...

My favorite part about Joshua? His sexy speaking voice! Low voices just get me. Plus, his stage presence is unreal. Seriously. He owns it.

I just cannot express how magical it was...him looking at us while he sang. His interactions with the crowd were fantastic. Plus he kept telling our front little section (probably like five of us...) that he was loving us.

For the encore he came onto the FLOOR. In the middle of the crowd. Once it was over he was being mobbed as he made his way through it. Included in that mob:
Grace grabbing him and reminding him of her name. His response: Grace from Utah! Thank you so much!
Morgan yelling at him to turn around and both her and Jordan grabbing both his biceps. His response to Morgan: Calls her darling then KISSES her HAND. (swoon) His response to Jordan: a firm squeeze of the hand...goes for the kiss...pulled away by security.

We basically haven't been able to stop talking/freaking out about it since. We of course bought t-shirts (that I can't wait to wear) AND we got our tickets signed by Justin Nozuka (the opener...who was also amazing). I feel like I'm twelve.
And I'm loving every minute of it.

I hope I have portrayed how epic this night was. No other word to describe it. Well...magical might work too. 

happenings.

I went to France (and said bonjour! every chance I got).
I came back to London and was asked by an 11-yr-old girl in my primary class if I had ever seen Beyonce.
I saw Phantom of the Opera (for the first time in real life). Magic.
I saw Merry Wives of Windsor at the Globe! Then spent a day stalking the life of Shakespeare...well a life that "might have been his". I smashed my pennies into sonnets. Watched a Shakespearean genius quote any play we requested with perfection.

I went to Kew Gardens....where it rained. and rained. and rained.

I enjoyed a Saturday at Regents Park. Row Boats and roses (from the Queen's garden) included. The roses smelled delicious and looked beautiful. The parks of London improve with each one that I visit.

I savored General Conference without being able to see their faces. I was able to attend one session live. I can tell you now that I am incredibly grateful for technology and the fact that I belong to a worldwide church.

I went on a day trip to Glastonbury, Stourhead (see Pride and Prejudice proposal scene, Keira Knightly version...one word: picturesque), and Bath (a lovely 18th century city, actual Roman Baths included).

I experienced the Imperial War Museum (add to the favorites list).

I read Keats out loud at his house (pure brilliance for any lover of poetry).
I explored Hampstead Heath and found yet another favorite thing to add to the list: Parliament Hill (mostly the path leading to it).

The past little while has been crazy busy with school. It feels like we have field assignments, papers, tests, and reading to do every minute. So we went to Pizza Hut last night to feel some American love (but really...it only semi-worked...they don't even know what ranch is).

Today the primary president (Patience {that's her name in case you were wondering}) was so happy to be back at church after having a break because of conference.
She hugged us and said "It was only two weeks, but it felt more like two years! It is so good to see you all!"
Then a little boy said "It felt like one day to me"

bless. them. all.

Also bless Joshua who can't help but retell me two of his favorite stories from conference (every last detail, plus the moral of the story, and why the speaker decided to share that story) including a story from the Priesthood session (yeah, he's only 9).

"Why walk when you can sit?" Regents Park 2010

I do so many things every day I know I've forgotten loads of details.

but...in case you were wondering...I'm having a pretty good time. 

a few words on france.

It was dirrrty. Graffiti was everywhere. The metro smelled funky. There were way too many creeper men speaking to me in a language I did not know.

BUT

Paris probably has the most (insert favorite adjective for something you adore here) museums I have EVER seen. (Admittedly, I haven't much to compare to other than London...but STILL)

The Seine and the bridges that cross it changed my life. No words.

Crepes and Paninis on every corner? I can't imagine many things better than that. 

 The smaller towns are like dreams... exactly what I pictured France to be like (only better). 

I went to so many places in the five days I was there it was ridiculous (just ask my poor feet, they hated me for it). Want a small idea?

River Seine Boat Tour. Musee L'Orangerie. The Tuileries. THE LOUVRE. Musee d'Orsay. Eiffel Tower. Arc de Triomphe. Champs E'lysses. Opera Garnier (favorite). Chartres. Saint Michel. Notre Dame. VERSAILLES. Musee Rodin. Amiens. 521 WWI sites/cemeteries/memorials.

(3 days in Paris. 2 days seeing WWI sites in random spots.)

I basked in the beauty of Monet's Waterlilies. I was awed by Winged Victory and basically ran a marathon in the Louvre. I walked twice the amount I should have (I was in a foreign city, where they spoke a foreign language...so, naturally). And I spent over 100 Euros on food (which is all I bought). 

The weather was beautiful, we had a dance party at every major site, and we conquered all of our hangry moments.
It was a lovely vacation.

My FAVORITE PART ABOUT COMING HOME FROM FRANCE??

My home is now London. And it actually feels that way. 

I love this city. 

***(side note: this post has taken so long because the internet HATES me. I've tried multiple times to upload lots of (or even just one) pictures to make you all jealous...sorry won't. work. oh well!)***