Strolling Through Sunday

June 8th

After listening to the girls from other wards come back with the stories about cute British kids in Sunday School every Sunday, I went to talk to the Hyde Park 2nd Ward Primary President. The following week I spent some time in nursery, but today I was asked to teach Sharing Time. I have never taught Sharing Time before. I did sub for Singing Time a little bit last summer, but this was new. The primary president sent me a link to the lesson and a blog to draw inspiration from. This week the lesson was about temple blessings. The lesson went smoothly once we finally got there. The printer at Metro Gate was having issues so I ran into primary right after the opening song and prayer. Good thing two of the kids were practicing giving talk for sacrament meeting next week so I could catch  my breath. Sarah was a doll and cut out all of the temples for our memory game while I taught the lesson.

Senior Primary is much more difficult to teach than Junior Primary. They are more intimidating. It's almost like they are too good for games and didn't respond to my silly sense of humor. Junior Primary has tons of energy to make up for it. Most of the kids in the ward are American. I was surprised how literate they are. The primary was a little bit smaller than I am used to, but mostly the same. 

We have Sacrament Meeting last. As I was sitting in a pew with Sarah and Brittany I felt an arm on my shoulder. It was Sister Silcock! I moved to sit by her and her husband. It feels like I haven't seen them in forever. She says I have done almost everything in London. That's relieving, but I still never want to leave! We started making plans to hang out later this week. 

Katie Orong from high school just got to London for a summer internship at a theatre company here. She is in marketing. I went to see her flat after church. I think I went the most roundabout way possible since several of the tube lines were down, but I didn't discover that until I was stuck in one random station after the other. I finally made it after almost two hours of traveling to Elephant & Castle. It would have been faster if I walked there. I'm glad I didn't. Her area is pretty sketchy. The building she is living in is way nice, but the surrounding area is suspicious. It made me realize how lucky I am to be here with BYU and living in such a nice area. I wouldn't want to walk anywhere alone down there late at night.

Regents Park! This park is now my favorite. It was a lovely day so it was packed, but worth it.

Gates!!!!!

The Rose Garden in Queen Mary's Garden of Regent Parks is magical. There are dozens of different kind of roses and all of them have funny names. I should have taken some pictures of the signs.

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” 

― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

~Juliet, Romeo and Juliet, Act II Scene II

The rest of the park is luscious too. That's why it is the best park!!! It has everything the other parks have, but also roses and the zoo!

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end."

~Ernest Hemingway

Literally every time you turn the corner there is something else amazing, that takes your breath away. I think that is an accurate sentence to describe my whole adventure in London. I don't ever want to live. Being here is the best. Even when I'm off a little, it's not because of London. London makes everything better.

After lounging under some trees I decided it was really time to get going. Dinner might have been an influence in that. I got back on the tube at Bakers Street and saw this awesome statue that I don't think I saw last time.  

The blister/callous thing on my foot popped. It's a heart... Love walking through London.