Once-A-Year Day

Saturday, May 24th

Stayed up till 2am again. I credit that to my freshman roommates. I got used to staying up insanely late every once in awhile and still making it to work. I'm not sure if it is a good thing, but it happens. Justyne and I left the house by 8:30 to go get tickets for Matilda for five pounds. We took a new route though since the day has come that Glouscter Station's Piccadilly Line has been closed for work. We knew this day was coming. Our walk to South Kensington was a little farther, but it is not bad.

The rain has come back. Waiting in line for tickets. Too bad they sold the last two to the couple right in front of us. Bummer. We'll try to get day tickets another time. We walked over to the ticket booth in the middle of Leiscter Square and realized we both really wanted to see Pajama Game. Tickets were cheaper at the box office and we even got to sit front row for the matinee. The morning was successful and then we went to meet Dallin, Jace, and Tracy at Monument Station.

We walked over to the church St. Dunstan in the East. The church was destroyed during the blitz of WWII. Instead of tearing it down or rebuilding, the city turned the ruins into a garden. How is cool is that??

London is the ideal place to take pictures. Yesterday we actually saw a photo shoot near Borough. We pretty much had our own here. 

I was really just sitting here like this. No picture intended.

"Be contemplative!"

Dallin, Justyne, and Jace.

On and off all showers all day. Truly London.

For 2.70 quid you can climb to the top of the monument for the great fire of London. It is a spiral staircase of 311 steps straight up. You get a certificate too for climbing it! I suggest doing this if you are dubious about St. Paul's. It is much easier. You get a similar view and the stairs aren't as freaky. Really relating to Rapunzel up here in this tower.

Tracy, Justyne, Me, and Jace. 

Tower Bridge in the distance.

Did it again. I don't even like heights. YOLO - You Only London Once or DIFTE - Do it for the experience. Shout out to Melissa and Jenni. 

Is there a way you can take a Mary Poppins Rooftop tour of London? I would do that.

According to George, Prince Charles doesn't really like the new modern architecture popping up around London. I think it brings personality. Everywhere has a different story It is fun seeing super ancient buildings and then this cartoon looking tower. Dallin thinks it looks like a toaster.

Standing over London.

Descending the Monument. There were a few ledges to play or rest on. Here is Jace.

The Monument is conquered!

Dallin, Justyne, Tracy, Jace and I. 

Wandering around the area. This light is extremely suspicious. The hobbit across from it was funny too. The block of wood strapped to the wall was from 75AD, when the Roman port stood in England. Uhm, what?!? 

More shots of London Bridge. I finally found the engraving on it to prove this is the bridge. We sang the London Bridge song while walking under it.

Climbing the Monument you say? Done! The view from the river.

Jace and I. 

The guys went to see The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I completely support this decision. Good movie. We decided to continue to walk along the river.

Revolution of Conscience ... ? I like it.

Justyne and Tracy on the River Thames.

Photo bombing by Tracy.

Whenever Justyne thinks she is photo bombing she is really just making a cute pose for the picture. We found our way back to Tottenham Court Road from Cannon Street. We celebrated while changing lines how proficient we have become at navigating through London. Tracy made her way to Paddington Station for Percy Pig gummies and a Paddington Bear for her sister.

Modern Art! This is much better than absurd-ism. Love the colors.

Lunch at Byron just across the street from the Shaftsbury Theatre with Justyne. The one near home has a catch phrase on it that says, "Proper Hamburgers." I didn't know there was such a thing. Ben says the American diet is really popular right now in London. Think of Byron as a British take on Red Robin or Johnny Rockets. Just like every restaurant you can choose to pay extra to stay in to less for take away. It's a British thing. I got a Miami Style burger and the fries were very American. We vote yes for Byron! I liked the shake even better this time. Usually service charge (a tip) is factored into British bills, but this one you could choose your tip since it was American style. By the time we were done eating there was this freezing rain coming down and crazy wind. The two tables by the window watches us prep to run across the street and laughed as we psyched ourselves out since umbrellas wouldn't help in the wind. 

The show was so great!! Why have I never seen The Pajama Game before?? Justyne knew the movie and we both loved it. The girl sitting next to me talked to us before the show, during the interval, and afterwards for a minute. She doesn't live in London, but she is British. We asked her for suggestions on shows, food, and things to go in the area. We even talked to her about the church since she asked us if we had seen Book of Mormon the Musical. Breaking down the unfriendly British stereotypes. I love it. She was the one who started the conversation with us. No rain after the show.

Once I got home I sorted out the paperwork for our trip to Ireland and then went to Metro Gate to print it all out with Sarah. We talked to Ben for awhile in the common room. Printing was easy though I had to check in again to the airport to print the return ticket. Sarah walked back alone and I stayed to skype my family in the computer lab. It is quieter here and I don't know the people from Metro Gate so it wasn't awkward to have them walk in on our conversation. Valerie made me this awesome British flag! I need to find her a small one next time I go to the markets.

I'm hilarious. I also love how they have the same response. Miss them.

Justyne and I sang snippets from Pajama Game all day. It was so great!!! I think I may take a class over summer after to talking to her all day and mom later that night. Just working is going to be long. Especially in comparison to this rockin spring. You might be sick of Harry Potter, but check out this video that Sarah made. Her vlog is probably going to much more exciting than my blog. 

http://youtu.be/1FZu0OG9rIg