Day 3: Meeting the up with the Crew!

Today was an easy day. I didn't sleep much last night so I decided to have an easy day. I checked out of the nice fancy hotel that I was staying at for 2 days to go to central London. To kind of give you a bigger picture of what I have. I have one large suitcase for my clothes, my school bag which has my laptop and school stuff, and finally my camera bag. As I was checking out, I asked the receptionist what the best way to get to 19 Bedford place. They said the tube. So I gather all of my things and made the trip to the tube got my ticket. I had to carry my suitcase down the stairs. Thankfully, there are gentlemen in the world and helped me get it down the stairs. This time I made sure I got off at the right stop. I got off and had to carry my suitcase up some stairs. I thought I had one more flight of stairs instead they had a lift (elevator)!!!! I was so excited. Came out of the station and I immediately realized this was college town. There are a lot of colleges in the area so naturally the streets are crowed. I have included a map. Where it is circled is my walking distance. It really was not that bad, but when you have tons of stuff it seems like it was a long distance.

The awesome map!

Once I arrived at Bedford Place I had to find ACCENT office to check in. The  ACCENT is the study abroad program that ASU is connected to. They had told me that the dormitories that the females are staying is not ready and should come back at 1200. So I went exploring central London. Found several gift shops and little market stores. I also found some clothing stores (this can totally be fun).  After a brief exploring I went to a park near by and sat on a bench and proceeded to ready the Chronicles of Narnia. Such a fitting book for London! A little after 1200 I went back and they said they are ready. I was the first to arrive from my group. About an hour later the other girls showed up. It a nice dormitories for us quite a lot of space.

The Kitchen

Living Room

The backyard

The eating/ study area

The stairs down to the rooms

One of the smaller bedroom

One of the three loos 

My room

Soon after everyone arrived they added me to "WhatApp" so I can be part of the London group text. We all went to get a bite to eat before we had to meet up with ACCENT to have a "tour". Basically to tell us where things are at and the rules. I really didn't hear much because for some odd reasons my interpreters did not show up. I hope they will be there tomorrow. Anyhow after the tour we did a little shopping for breakfast, and other essential things that were need. Afterward we all came back. We did a tour of the male dormitories. I must say the ladies lucked out because our place is much nicer than theirs! Shortly after that everyone decided they needed to get drunk tonight so I am in my room enjoying some quiet time with chocolates!

Here is the schedule of what will be happening the rest of the week, looking forward to it! 

That is all for now. Tomorrow school starts at 10 am!

 

Day Two of London!

Today was a busy day for me! Today I woke up and I was sick. I don't know if it was from the long flight or what but I took some time sleeping in. I finally got myself out of bed and was out the door by 1400. Yes i am learning military time because that is what used here. I decided to attempt in taking the tube (subway) today. I didn't pay attention as to what stop I was suppose to get off at. That was a fun experience.

I get off the tube and had to walk through Green Pak which was just as amazing as the garden that I walked through yesterday. Tomorrow morning I think I will go to the Garden parks and just sit and relax while reading a book that I brought to read on the plane. After walking through the garden I saw Buckingham Palace. There was a huge crowd. I arrived just in time to watch the changing of the guards. That was cool!

After I went to the Palace I started walking down the road to Westminster Abby. I had to go though another garden/park. As I was walking I could hear drums. I decided to go check it out. It was at he Imperial War museum. There was a rehearsal for the Household Divison's Beating Retreat at Horse Guard Parade. I was amazing to watch how they stay in step. I got to listen to the bagpipes play. Listening to bagpipes never get old. After that I continue to walk though the Buckingham garden on my way to Westminster Abby. I stopped along the way to There was this Pond with this cute little house. This cute little house watches the birds. I saw pelicans, ducks, and some other amazing birds (of course I have pictures of them). While I was taking picture of a bird I was not paying attention of what was going on around me. After I was done I turn my head and I see a squirrel sitting on my shoulder. He just sat that. I didn't want to make any sudden movements, therefor I did not get a selfie with the squirrel. However, some person gave me some sunflower seed and it just crawled down my arm took some and off he jumped. He just wanted some food. I did get a picture of the squirrel on the fence! After that I continue my journey to the Abbey.

I finally arrive and of course there is a crowd of people. This magnificent building is beautiful. I have been watching the Netflix show The Crown. Knowing the history behind the Abbey is just so rich. I did not make it in time to do a tour inside of it. But seeing the outside was just as good. Next I wandered over to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The sad thing is that Big Ben and part of that building is under construction. Right behind Big Ben is London eye. It this big ferris wheel. I cross the Westminster Bridge and I stopped right in the middle to take a picture of the boats going out on the River Thames. After that I went to the Florence Nightingale museum. It starting to get late so I start to head back. Then I see the Churchill War Room tour I decided to go to it.

Before I go talk about the war room I need to mention what I saw while walking past the Houses of Parliament. I saw several people out protesting against the Brexit. What is Brexit? First of all the word means "British exit". It relates to the idea of United Kingdom to leave the European Union. I had to study this as part of my program and how it will affect higher education if it were to happen.

Now back to the War Room....

The Churchill War Room was AMAZING! Several months ago I got to watch The Darkest Hour now after I got to see where it all happened was a humbling experience. World War II was a harsh war and Churchill was a man who stepped up to recognized that England would be next if he didn't go to War. Seeing the Map room where it all happened was just chilling and amazing at the same time.

After I visited the war room I walked back to the Abbey to get a better picture without the bright sun. I saw this huge line of people waiting to get in for a service. They were all dress so nicely and in hats. Some of the cutest hats! I decided to walk back toward Buckingham Palace to get another picture without the bright sun as well. Instead of walking back towards the tube station I decided to walk through Hyde park and go through Kensington Garden. By this time cyclist and runners are out in the park. If i was to live here I would be biking everyday in the summer because its so easy here in London. They actually have bike lanes, parks and etc just for these types of activities. Walking through the park I saw a practice of rugby, cricket and football. It was fun to just sit and watch. It took me 40 minuets just to walk back to my hotel. My feet hurts!

I went to have dinner at a local Pub and had fish and chips. It was delicious. By the time I was walking back to my hotel the streets lights were coming alive and seeing the city be alive in the dark was fun.

I think I have fallen in love with London! Tomorrow I start my journey to meed with my class and my learning begins!! So excited

The Map Room
" Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousands years men will still say " This was their finest hour." ~Winston Churchill~

Big Ben

The Square

Buckingham Palace

Westminster Abbey

The friendly Squirrel

Buckingham Palace from another angle

The Guard Museum

First Day of London!

I finally accomplish something off my bucket list that is to travel international. I had the opportunity with my graduate program through Arizona State University. When I made the decision to go to Grad school I wanted to have every possible experience that I did not have while doing my undergrad. So the purpose of this trip study how England do their higher Education programs.


I decided to arrive two days early before the actual study abroad program begins. I must say that I am glad that I chose to do this. The first journey of the trip began Monday, May 7, at 4:30 am drive to the Airport. I was so nervous that I was up 3:30 am making sure I had everything packed. I had two layover one in Chicago and one in Toronto Canada. I am not sure which airport i loathe the most. When I landed into Chicago  my phone would not update to tell me which gate I was supposed to go to. I ask for help the first time and they told me this gate. I grab lunch and waited until it was time to board that gate. When I scan my ticket it denied me. I was at the wrong gate. I then went and talked to the same person and he said "my bad this is not the right gate" proceeded to look up the right gate and tells me were to go. i had less than 10 minutes to make there. I ran so fast!. I barely made it in time. Then I arrived in Toronto. That Airport has very little signs to point the right directions. I was annoyed. I finally boarded my plane to London! This would be a six hour flight. They served dinner to us on the plane. It was not a good meal. Finally at 6:30 am the plane landed at the Heathrow Airport!

Getting ready to fly!!

First Stamp in Passport!

The view from my Room!

This was the part I nervous about. Being hard of hearing and trying to understand the British accent is is hard and is bound to be some sort of communication breakdown. I arrive at custom, the guy starts speaking and I am just lost. So I proceeded to hand him my passport along with a letter from the study abroad program. He said all is good and I have my first stamp in my passport! I go get my luggage and then had to figure out how to get to the Green Gate hotel. I decided just to take the taxi because my brain was already dead from such a long flight that I didn't want to think about which Tube station I needed to get to. I have a nice quite little room, with a Patio the opens to chairs and tables. Gorgeous view TOO! After resting for a couple of hours I decided to go do a little exploring. Yes I brought my camera.


Today I thought it would be good to start off easy. I went to Kensington Gardens. It was a beautiful walk. Just green grass everywhere. There were a lot of swans, which are beautiful birds. Today was the perfect day just to sit in the grass and enjoy life kind of day. I got to see the princess Diana memorial Fountain, Prince Albert memorial (married to Queen Victoria), and saw a little of Kensington Palace from a distance. In a little area of the park there was a small gathering of individuals holding their hands out with sunflower seeds or piece of fruit. There were these small parrots. Somebody was kind enough to give me a handful of sunflower seeds I was able to hold my hand out. I had two parrots land on me just enjoying the seeds. When they left up flew two pigeons. The song came to my head "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins. I began to walk back toward my hotel. I just fell in love with London and the cute little apartment type complex.

Selfie because I can!

Feeding the parrot!

Again feeding the parrot!

Gorgeous  Swan

Some Duke house that was in the Gardens

Prince Albert Memoral

Ice bream who wants ice cream???

Kensington Palace from a distance

Just sitting and relaxing!

Princess Diana Fountain

Normally I take the time to fix these up, however I do not have my other laptop with me with all of my programs. But I will have fun when I get home!!!

Tomorrow will be another fun fill adventures of London. Look for my post tomorrow for my second day in London!

Adventures of 2017!

     As I look back 2017 was a year of lots of growing and from that growing came lots of blessings.  The one take away that I have learn from 2017 is the Lord know what He is doing.For years I have struggled with an addiction and for a few years I have been learning how to not give into the addiction. I have now been in recovery and haven’t give in for eight months! That is the longest I have ever gone, I am proud of myself!  But in reality, I would not be able to do that alone not without Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help especially the Atonement.

    One of the big major decision happened in my life was deciding to further my education and and therefore started the process of applying for graduate school back in March. I decided to put all my effort in applying to Arizona State University (ASU). I had a found a program that fit with my career goals. Looking back, I can see how I was guided to pick this school. In April I had the opportunity to come and check out the program and explore Arizona. I loved campus the minute I set foot on it. I realized that I really wanted to move to Arizona. I submitted my application. The hardest part was the waiting game and not giving up on my dream.

     July of 2017 was probably the hardest month for me. I had to face a lot of challenges and feeling the weight of everything that was happening around me. I was still waiting to hear from ASU up to this point I have been waiting since April, I was about to give up. However, Heavenly Father continue to give me strength to keep moving forward.  July 7^th was a day of total very horrible day that also became a great day. I had asked work off that day for whatever reason  but work had forgotten that I had that day off. I had gotten dress and out the door. I get in my car and my dad said my car was making odd noises and that I needed to take it in. I didn’t like that either, so I called work told them that my car needed to be taken in. Took it in and learned that there was no problems but still had to pay $200 for something. As I was up with the cashier to pay my bill my phone alerted me telling me I got an email. Keep in mind I had been looking at my email everyday waiting for this acceptance letter from ASU.  I didn’t really want to open my email but something told me I should. I opened it and the first thing I saw was “Congratulations and welcome to ASU”. I began to cry, I had been accepted to ASU. While I was walking to my car I was thinking there is no way I am ready to make this move with everything that has been going on in my life. I ran the idea of just postponing until January. I get in the car and viewed my email more closely and had the strongest impression that I need to make the move and I needed to do it now! So I immediately went to work and told them that I got accepted. Went home and told my parents I have month to prepare to move to Arizona.

     August 7^th I drove my little green car packed so full with my things and drove 10 hours to Tempe, Arizona! I believe it was 110 degrees, I about died from the heat. I started school August 22. Arizona has been good to me. Looking back it was the best decision I have made. I finished my first semester with a 4.0 GPA. My first ever of getting a 4.0 in my life. It feels pretty good!

     Around Thanksgiving time, I met a pretty awesome guy his name is Nick. We met through a mutual friend who will remain nameless for the time being.  Our first date he took me out to Pizza from there we just became the best friends and look forward to more adventures together. Nick and I have some amazing connections, the first connection is through our mutual friend, the second connection is that his aunt is best friends with my aunt (small world I know), and his sister-in-law knows a lot of my friends from my days in Rochester, NY.  We both went to Utah for Christmas  we spend part of it with my family and part of it was with his aunt.

     So I guess you can say the biggest take away from the year of 2017 is learning how to trust Heavenly Father that he know better plan than what I have plan for myself. The majority of 2017 was learning about Jesus Christ and his greatest gift which is the atonement. Without the Atonement I would not have been able to go 8 months of not giving into my addictions. I have learned that Christ is the light and bring light into my life. I have had to learn to embrace Christ light and accept what he has done for me. In the past with coming home early from my mission and my addiction I felt I did not deserve Christ love. Why would he love a woman who is not perfect? Why would he want to help a woman who felt like she failed at everything? Well I learned that is the wrong way of thinking. I came to the understanding that through trials we are made perfect and allow us to improve better each day. Every time I think about this, Anne of Green gables comes to mind,

“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

  I want to express my gratitude to my family for the support they have given me this year. When I opened to them not one of the judged me but simply said they are here for me and loved me. My parents are my greatest heroes and my true examples in my life. 2017 you have been a good year! I am so ready for 2018 adventures!

My Memory of Aunt Anita

   

     This blog is about my Aunt Anita who passed away November 17^th.  She was a person that had so much compassion and never judged. She was a person that could just find happiness in everything. I have several little stories that I want to write down before I forget them.

     First story takes me back to when I was a young girl. When the Bountiful temple house happened. We had Grandpa and Grandma Martin staying in Utah. I remember we had plans to meet up with Aunt Anita and Uncle Bob and they would be bringing my grandparents with them. They were late, and I remember my dad and Aunt Anita got in a small argument. We all ended up going through the temple and then we were to drive the grandparents back to Blackfoot, Idaho that night. I remember it was a few days later that my dad had to drop something off to aunt Anita house. I was with him and I remember she wanted to talk about what happened and asked for my dad for forgiveness for the spat they had. She showed example of not letting thing fester and not to have anger. My dad and her hugged, and it was amazing thing to watched.  

          

     Another story take place when I was a little older in Young Women’s in my church. I was working on my Young Women’s medallion. I was focusing on Faith. I had asked several members of my family to share a story of when they had to have faith to put in my book that I was making. Aunt Anita told me an amazing story that I still have packed away in a box. But the summary of her story was her desire to have children. She had several miscarriages I think it was 15. She said at first, she was angry but then it turns to having the most desire to have Faith that God know what he is doing and that she would have children one day. After each one she said that she would just pray and continued to have faith. She said it was better to have faith then to have anger. She said that in having faith she was able to have her two children that she loves and adores so much today. She taught me a lot about faith through that story that anger doesn’t get you very far.

     The last story take place when I came early from my mission. That was probably the biggest struggle that I was dealing with.  I didn’t want to come home at all but needed to. She was the first person to email me from all my family members. She Reminded me of love and that she did not judge at all. I was harder on myself and judge myself more than anyone in my family. In fact, looking back none of my family judge me. But she said the following:

Welcome home, good and faithful servant. We are all so proud of you. We will give you a week or two to rest then we want to see and visit with you.  We love you Uncle Bob and Aunt Anita and household.

She did give me a big Hug. She was an example, to me in showing love to all and not judge.

     She was always happy no matter what situation she was in. she found ways to be happy and positive. One of my fondest memory of her is every thanksgiving she would give each of her nieces and nephew a book. The best books were from her. My favorites that I got from her was “100 dresses” and first three books of “Anne of Green Gables.” There are so many other books I cannot remember all the names.

I Love you Aunt Anita!

Enjoy the Ride

What do I do to help me get refocused? Cycling is one of those tools that I used to help me.  I had one goal today was to keep my average speed at 15 mph. This is really hard to do when riding by your self. But I managed to stay strong and positive and made my goal. While riding though I had some thoughts about life. I was very much focused on what does it really mean to "enjoy the ride"? Life has it ups and downs. However there are things that can be learned in the ups and downs.

Life is like cycling in a way. It can either be fast or slow, it can even be easy and very hard. Today ride I would have to say it  was easy except  in a few places. Same with life. But its how we look at life. My life currently is not were I have vision my life to be at age 31.

Currently I do not like my job, I am single, and I thought I would be further along in my goals and dreams. But sometimes we tend to create havoc that set us back so we have to climb hill again. This week has been a climb. A very long climb and still is climbing. However, I am almost at the top of this hill. But in order for me to also make it up this hill I have to make some sacrifices to be able to "enjoy the ride".

First I had to make a conscious decision that I am going let go all the negatives that I see about my job and only talk about the positives. I told my parents and some of my friends that if I start to talk negative about work or about my job etc. that they are to stop me and remind me that I must only speak about the positive that happen. Which would require me to actually think of a positive even though there may not be a lot of positive that are happening at work. My hope and goal is that by doing this that maybe I will start to love my job again.That is one major hill I had to face this last week.

Another hill I needed to face was Facebook. I knew I spend way too much time on Facebook. I had it on my phone and on my laptop. I would search friends and see all the great things they were doing and how many "likes" they would get on their comments. It would literally eat up my time and cause depression for me. Technology is great but it can be a hinder in our personal and daily lives.  Facebook used to be a tool for me to just keep in contact with my friends out of state that I do not see.  But that changed and was taking over my life. I would wake up in the morning and look at Facebook. I would have it open while I was at work. It was with me all the time. I  would look at my post to see if I had gotten any "likes" or comments I would only find a few. I would get sad and depress over this. Last week I realized how much my "life" was depended on people.

Finally two days ago I deleted it. It was so empowering to get of something that I had allowed me not to be able to "enjoy the ride" I now have so much time on my hands that I don't know what to do with. But I can tell you this more hobbies will be created or I will improve the hobbies I currently have. Just in the last two days my life has been happier. I was able to look up and can smell the roses. Its a wonderful feeling. 

 So are you "enjoying the ride"?  Have you let go things that will help you to be able to enjoy the ride? I know by me doing these two thing my day will be better. It may still be "bad" but I will be able to see more positive than the negative to "enjoy my ride". I may not be where I want to be at this age. But I certainly can be happier and maybe those goals that I have set will eventually come in my ride. But I have to let go the things that are preventing me from getting there. That is I need to learn to be happier with what I have now.

My awesome experience with Cathy Goldsmith

This last Tuesday had a rare opportunity to to meet Cathy Goldsmith. She was the publisher for some of Dr. Seuss's books. She was an amazing speaker. She mostly talked about publishing and writing books. However lot of it I can apply in my life now.

That the beginning of her lecture she talked about her experiences of working with Dr. Seuss. She told of a story about how he was turned down by 27 publishers before one finally said they will publish his work. She then told audience that no matter how many times you get turned down do not give up. You don't now when you will actually get one accepted. We can apply that in our real lives. I know I can not necessarily with writing books but with life in general.

 For example while I was living in New York going to school at RIT decided to be brave enough to try out for the swim team. Now I Never really swam in high school but I decided to go for it. I made the team to much of my surprise. I would go to swim practice twice a day getting up at 5 am and swimming until 7 and then in the afternoon would swim from 4-7. I wasn't the greatest swimmer. My first swim meet wasn't the best one either nor was my second one. I was probably the slowest swimmer on the team. Well my second swim meet was not my best. I can't remember what school we were competing against. But my event was the 200 yard backstroke. I was at my block watching the light to flash to tell me to jump off. I began to get really nervous as jumped off. I had all kind of thoughts going through my head like "why am I doing this? I am not a good swimmer etc." I am about 100 yard in and I had a full blown panic. I suddenly stopped and got out and told my coach I can't finish. I can tell on his face he was not happy. I wasn't happy either. I ended up breaking my first  pair of goggles that day because I was so mad at myself. The next morning I get to practice. Coach pulled me away from the rest of the team and gave me the best lecture I can ever received. He told me the reason that he  accepted me on the team because he saw some serious potential in me. I looked at him like you are the most insane person. He then asked me why I quit. I simply told him I panicked I didn't know what to do and I was scared because I am not the best swimmer. He said either I quit and walk out now or prove myself wrong and begin practice and do a little extra today. I ended up staying and made a promise that I was never ever stop in the middle of a race again or I am off the team. I made a choice right then and there to do it. It took several practices and several swim meets to finally win 1 place in my heat at State. My coach saw me failed but never gave up. I know its not quite the same way but I think that is what Cathy was saying. DO NOT GIVE UP! It amazed me to this day of how much I improved by sticking it out. OH sure I had lots of nervous panic attach in each of my swim meets, but I overcame them.

Another thing that Cathy talked about was how Dr. Seuss would have a moment of when he couldn't think of something to create he would turn to is other painting. I forgot what she called it but it was paining of lots of cats. She said each time he needed idea or lost of what to do he would go paint a cat. We do that in our owns lives we get stuck but do we really have an outlet to help us get our creative thinking on or out of the mud?.. Mine I usually take the time and go do photography. One time it was crazy hard day and I felt stuck and didn't have quite the idea of what to do next. It happened to be raining hard that day and I took my camera and my coat. I played in the rain and got some good pictures that day. Not only that I was able to get out of my "mud". We all have time in our life that we can't figure out how to get out of our rut. So my question to you what do you do when you are stuck in a rut?

The rest of the lecture about about his work and what books he published. She talked about how book writers need to never give up. Keep trying. She even gave the audience her personal email to have them send in their work and she will look it over. She was an amazing lady.

The Night before I was able to have dinner with her and a group of my coworkers. She was just fun to talk to and listen to her. I think my favorite part of the whole night is when she started talking about dutch oven with my coworker. One of the things she talked about how she got in the the big publishing company. It was by complete accident that she got the job when she did. I can't remember all the details. But it impressed me because took a situation and turned it into a great one. She she has had a great career.

I guess the point of this blog was a reflection of what I took from Cathy. I am not a writer but some of the points she made help me look back in my life to see when I might have given up. If Dr. Seuss gave up after 2 or 3 publisher he wouldn't have been a famous author of children books. If my coach had given up on me or I have given up myself I would have never made it to state and actually say that I swam on a college swim team.


Here to a year of not giving up! Keep trying!

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

― Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!  

"Keep Sailing" Photography by: Elizabeth Martin