London July 29th-August 5th

July 29th, Sunday:
I'm so surprised I was able to wake up for church. After I got home, it was all about relaxation. Roma was go go go and I was ready to relax lax lax. All I did all day was update this blog (which believe it or not takes FOREVER)! And, after dinner, went to bed. No pictures seeing as nothing really happened.

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July 30th, Monday:
So even as we near the end of the semester, my professors still give us assignments to visit museums and fill out worksheets and what not. I wanted to knock the two assigned museums out of the way quickly, so that I wouldn't end up procrastinating on it later. Kim, James, Lexy, Patrice, Kiley, Anna, and I decided to go to the Tate Britain first. When we got there, we found that we couldn't answer 3 out of the 5 questions we were assigned, because they had just taken down all the artwork from the main room (because they were renovating the room or something like that). Oh well...such a shame (note sarcasm). We did see the famous painting "Deluge" though, which was really cool.
After the Tate Britain, we headed over to the Imperial War Museum. This museum was one of my favorites. I'm glad they didn't glorify war, but was instead very much anti-war. I learned a lot. There was so much to see that Anna, James, and I ended up staying at the museum until it closed. I got to see the small bomb (or replica) of the bomb that blew up Hiroshima during WWII. My favorite part of the museum was the Trench Experience. It basically recreated what the trenches were like during WWI. It was dark and damp inside the trench. It was also very loud and rocky. They even recreated the smell of what the trenches smelled like, and believe me it smelled SOOOO bad in there. But, it was very interesting.
After the museums I headed back to the Center to grab some dinner (which I was late for).
After dinner, Spencer, Katie, Page, and I went to the movies to go see Transformers. Before going into the movie, I started to crave a milkshake. Page and I went to go get some, and they were mixing the milkshake for a very long time and Page said, "Stop mixing it...It's really stressing me out!" It was the funniest thing ever! I guess it's just one of those you-have-to-be-there moments. The movie was great! Lots of action and great special effects. Loved it!

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July 31st, Tuesday:
Surprisingly...I actually woke up early on a day that I could have slept in, because I went with a group of people to Kew Gardens. Spencer woke me up and said, "Sean...I feel like today is a kilt day." I said, "I concure." So...we wore our kilts, and it was amazing. I don't see why girls don't wear skirts all the time. Anyway, now that I've gotten majorly sidetracked. On our way to Kew, we saw a movie being filmed! I didn't recognize any of the people acting, but it was exciting nonetheless. Kew Gardens was very pretty (Sorry if my blogs seem rushed right about now, I just really want to get to talking about Paris...not Hilton...although I'll be happy to talk about her whenever you like!) But Kew Gardens was very pretty. They have a lot of different trees and plants and cactus. I had the best organic burger EVER! OH MY GOSH Moment: Okay, so there was a place on the map called "Ice Garden". I thought this sounded really cool. I thought it would be like plants that could grow in cold temperatures or something, so I really wanted to see this "Ice Garden". Well we get to the door leading into the "Ice Garden", we walk in, and it was just this TINY room or NOTHING! It was just DIRT inside. THERE WASN'T EVEN ANY ICE! I was way disappointed...but seeing the Pagoda made up for it (everyone loves Asians)! After spending all morning at Kew Gardents, we headed back (on the wrong tube...OF COURSE when everyone is tired and just wants to get back to the Center). It took about an hour to get home which should have been 20 minutes.
After all that drama, I can't even remember what I did. OH YES! I took a nap until dinner time.
After dinner, Katie, Page, Spencer, and I went out for Conveyor Belt Sushi! It was my first time doing the convey vey belt, so it was very fun. Then, we all started to crave chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. So, we put our money together and got a 2 liter tub of vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, and brownies. When we got back to the Center, we dumped everything on the kitchen table immediately, and started to devour our lives away! It was the best thing I could have done for my body I'm pretty sure. I loved it!

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August 1st, Wednesday:
Happy August! After class, a group of us went to the LONDON TEMPLE! I didn't even know that people were planning on going until the day of, so I totally wanted to take advantage of that opportunity. Going to the temple really is an all day trip, because the London Temple isn't really anywhere near London. You have to walk to the tube, take the tube, make tube connections, get to the train station, take the train, get to the spot you get off the train (where the guy working at the station knew we were Mormon, because of our happy, smiling faces), and then from that spot call a cab to come pick us up and take us to the temple. It's quite the journey but SOOO WORTH IT! The temple didn't have an Angel Moroni on top, which was different to see, but still beautiful! I went inside, and SURPRISE, my Bishop from back at home's parents were working at the temple! I first met my bishop's dad, and I told him that his son is my bishop and he was in shock. Then, he took my recommend and showed his wife and said "Look at that signature and tell me if it's valid." She looked at it, and thought I was trying to sneak into the temple or something, so she said "Why is there something wrong?" He made her look at it again, and then she looked at me, and her jaw dropped. She was so happily surprised! It was great! We talked for as much as we could about everything, and they are the sweetest people ever! It was so great to meet them! I did my temple work, and then left (I would love to talk more about my temple experience, but some of those things are just sacred that I probably shouldn't go into so much detail about on a blog that's posted for all to see). But, the experience was amazing, and I'm so glad I got to go.

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August 2nd, Thursday:
So, I knew the night previous that it would be nearly impossible for me to wake up early enough to finish packing and get ready. I should have just finished packing the night before, but I was too tired so I just went to bed...BAD IDEA. The bus was set to leave at 5AM, and I was the LAST person to board the bus at 5:10AM. Whoops! Well, we still got to the station on time, and I was in such a rush leaving the Center that I forgot my bagged lunch that I made the night previous. So, I bought a breakfast bagel at the station, and two packets of dried mango strips that were to DIE for!
The moment we boarded the train I fell asleep, and I was so tired that I didn't wake up once until we arrived in PARIS! I naturally started to practice my French immediatly saying, "Bonjour" (Hello), "Je'taime" (I love you), "Parlez-vous anglaisj" (Do you speak English?) (pronouced Parley vu angley), and "Oui" (yes) (pronounced We). Once we got everything situated, we took the metro to our hotel. As an introcuction to Paris, I decided to go on the optional tour that my professor offered us. First, we made a stop at Notre Dame. This is an even more magnificent building than I expected it to be. It was very large, ornate, and beautiful. I unfortunately didn't get the chance to go to the top, but I saw the gargoyle statues from down below and they were really cool. And just like "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" there were gypsies everywhere (except they were all old and none of them looked like Esmeralda...Shame)! In any case, after Notre Dame we walked over to the Latin District where we grabbed some lunch. I basically ate a huge, delish gyro period. OH MY GOSH Moment: While I was on my nice little lunch break in Paris (say like Parii), I went off by myself for a little while to find myself a drink while everyone else was at the meeting place. On my little journey down the street, a gypsy woman came up to me and said, "Do do you speak English?" I cleverly said, "No." Good thing "No" is a universal word...I love it. Anyway, I said, "No," but she still kept talking to me in English, so I said, (cleverly again) "No comprende." OF COURSE, just my luck, she then gets a huge smile on her face and says, "OH ESPANOL!", and starts going off speaking in Spanish! Ahh! So, I just said, "No, sorry," and walked away! Wow...of course that type of thing would ONLY happen to me. REDICULOUS!
But, FINALLY I made it to get my drink. I got Orangina in a can. Okay, so basically Orangina is AMAZING, and they have it EVERYWHERE in Paris! I've never see such an abundance of Orangina until Paris! Crazinesss!
After meeting up, we took the metro yet again to Sacre Coeur. We walked up about a gazillion and a half stairs to the top, but it was well worth it, because you could see all of Paris. It was gorgeous, and so fulfilling. We walked around there for a while, and saw a lot of the typical artist painting away. I just sat on the stairs of Sacre Coeur and looked out at the view forever.
But obviously it wasn't forever, because then we made our journey to the Eiffel Tower FINALLY! I've been dying to see this forever, and let me just be the first to say...It's WAY better than the one in Vegas. It's HUGE, and incredible. I can't even express how much Je'taime Eiffel Tower (I love you Effiel Tower...I don't know how to just say love, but I basically say Je'taime to everything). JE'TAIME EIFFEL TOWER!
After getting crepes (banana and nutella crepes are AMAZING), and being drizzled on a bit, the whole group met under the Effel for the world's most famous boat tour along the Seine River. This boat tour was the best. Holly kept me warm (because it was a little chilly out), and we saw the Effiel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, the building the White House structure is inspired from, where Mozart lived, etc. It was so great.
Right when we got off our boat tour, the Eiffel Tower lit up! It was one of the most fantastic, gorgeous things I've ever seen. Now I know why Paris is the City of Love. It was incredible! It flashes for 10 minutes every hour once it's dark. I could have watched it blinky blink for hours! It was way cool!
...Late...Tired...Bed.

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August 3rd, Friday:
So, I knew there was NO way I would be able to get up early without help, and so Melissa came and woke me up...it was great! Thank you Melissa. After getting ready, Katie, Brittney, Whitney, Coryn, Spencer, Page, and I went back to the Latin District for breakfast. We had such great success there for lunch the day before, we had to try our chances at breakfast. And...we won yet again. Breakfast was probably one of the BEST I've EVER had...EVER. I ordered totally in French saying, "Zurich et Eclair Chocolat et Coke s'il vous plait." (s'il vous plait means please and it's pronouced see vu play). So zurichs are these really amazing pastries. It's flakey like a croissant, but has a light pudding and chocolate chips inside, and it was seriously Heaven in a pastry. SO GOOD!
After breakfast, I bought a children's book (in French) from a used book store (exciting...I know). Then, we headed over to Luxembourg Gardens. It was very pretty, and definitely worth seeing. We didn't spend much time there, because we were all very excited to see Sainte Chapelle! However, of course I got distracted shopping, but at least I ended up getting pretty good deals Yay! Well, eventually we headed to Sainte Chapelle. If you're ever in Paris, you MUST go to Sainte Chapelle! It has the most BEAUTIFUL stained glass windows I have EVER seen.
We took the metro over to near where the Arch de Triumph was, and had lunch there. Okay, so maybe all of Paris just has AMAZING food, and I just was never informed of this previously, but I had the most AMAZING (no exaggeration) Mozzarella, Tomato, and Pesto sandwhich EVER! It was so fresh, and so big, and so delish, and so amazing...I think I could eat a billion and still not have enough.
We did some more shopping near the Arch de Triumph, and then took the metro to where we (because by now we split up and it was just Coryn, Whitney, and Me) were supposed to meet up with the rest of the group. We went to the Rodin Gardens, which were interesting. It was a lot of Asian stuff. Very different. Then, we found a nice little shop that sold very interior designish things. Then, we went to dinner at a restaurant called Le Solferino, and it was just Whitney, Coryn, Spencer, Melissa, and Me at dinner. I just had to buy Escargot. How can one go to Paris, and NOT eat Escargot? I don't even know. It was SO YUMMY though. I loved it so much! It was like a game. You grab the snail with the snail grabber thing, and you take the little fork they give you and get it out of the shell. You never know whether it's going to be a big peice or a small peice, so just the anticipation of the whole thing is fun as well. I don't know...maybe I just have too much fun with my food. Regardless, escargot is amazing.
After dinner, and I must say this was probably the most fun part of the trip, Whitney, Coryn, and I went to the CARNIVALLI!!!! (okay so Carnivalli isn't really French...in fact I think it might be Italian...and if it's not Italian...it's probably not even a word, but it's just what I called the Carnival the whole time so deal with it)! But JE'TAIME CARNIVALLI! Where do I even start, well the first thing I noticed was that most of the games where shooting games. Basically, you shoot a gun (and I don't mean water gun...I mean...real guns with real bullets) at targets, and if you hit it you win a stuffed animal. What a great thing for little 4 year olds to be doing. So, I really hope we never go to war with the French, because they've been practicing their gun skills since they were toddlers. We also took a ride on the scariest ferris wheel ever! It was a gorgeous view, but it was probably the first ferris wheel ever made, because I seriously felt like I was going to die. At least if I did die, the last thing I would have seen was a fantastic view of Paris. After the almost near death experience on the ferris wheel, Whitney, Coryn, and I decided it was time we reward ourselves with a stuffed animal. We found this one game where there is a winner every time, and all you do is pull a rope, and whatever stuffed animal the rope is attached to...that's the one you win. So, I was looking at the stuffed animals before playing and I said, "I want to win the penguin." What did I win?...THE PENGUIN! The lady was getting Whitney her shark, and Coryn her cow, and in the midst of that...she forgot what I had won. I told her I won the penguin, and she said, "OH PINGOUIN" (pronounced Penguah). Therefore, I named my stuffed animal, PINGOUIN CARNIVALLI EDWARDS (don't forget, it's pronouced Penguah). We named Whitney's shark, REQUIN CARNIVALLI (Shark in French), and Coryn's cow, PARKER CARNIVALLI (because it looked like a cow you would see at Park City). Then, we wanted to go on the ride that looked like one of those scary children's rides that aren't actually scary at all. Well, joke was on us. We had to ride in a little cart thing by ourselves, so on my little journey, I took Pingouin out and just said "Pengua Pengua Pengua" the whole time, and all the sudden near the end of the ride, a REAL person came out in a sheet and grabbed me, and followed me and AHHHH IT WAS SO SCARY! OH MY GOSH! It was for real the scarriest thing that's ever happened...ever! I screamed so loud, and when I came out, everyone and their French neighbor was laughing at me. Oh good times.
Finally, after eating a chocolat-coco crepe, we went to go find the metro to head over to the Eiffel Tower. We got a little lost, so I went up to this guy and said, "Excusez-Moi" (pronouced Excuse em wah AKA Excuse me). So, I said, "Excusez-Moi", and then just stood there, looking at him with a stupid, blank look on my face, because it was then that I realized...I didn't know what to say next. He said, "I speak English if you want." I was just thinking to myself, "YES YES I WANT ENGLISH!" So, yet another Sean Moment.
When we made it to the Eiffel Tower, we walked up 700 stairs, and then took the elevator to the top. I'm so glad I did it, but I don't know if I would do it again. It's definitely a tourist trap, but I think for every first-timer in Paris...you HAVE to go to the top, because the view is just GORGEOUS. You can see everything!
Then, my feet told me they hated me for walking on them all day, so I went to bed.

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August 4th, Saturday:
How did I do it? I don't know, but I woke up at 7:30AM, packed my stuff, got ready for the day, got the most DELICIOUS MCFLURRY EVER (There was a McDonalds RIGHT next to the hotel...and it was so wonderful because I had been DYING for a McFlurry for the longest time. Remember when I said I wanted a milkshake when I went to see Transformers? Well, the original plan was that I wanted a McFlurry, but there was no McDonalds close by so I had to get a milkshake), and left with Katie, Page, Spencer, Brittney, and Whitney to the Latin District for breakfast again. We ate at the same place, because it was just really that wonderful. And of course I got another Zurich Yay!
After breakfast, we headed over to a flea market, where I bought myself a pair of jeans. Gotta have that Paris fashion.
Then, we headed over to the Louvre. Basically, Whitney and I just walked around the Louvre together, because everyone else had agendas of what they wanted to see and how much time they would spend in this room and that. I'm a little more laid back, and I just wanted to walk around, and whatever I saw...I saw, whatever I didn't...I didn't. The famous things I got to see were the statues called Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. I also saw the MONA LISA!! It was so surreal to see it, because you see the Mona Lisa EVERYWHERE, but to actually see the REAL Mona Lisa was incredible. Yes, it was the size of a postage stamp (not really), but it was so cool!
After the Louvre, we went back to the Eiffel Tower for our last time, and got our lunch (crepes yet again). It was very sad to leave the Eiffel Tower.
When I got back to the hotel, I craved yet another McFlurry. Okay, McFlurrys in France are different than the ones in the US and SO MUCH BETTER! The kid I was ordering it from (about my age) didn't really know English, so this was interesting. He eventually understood that I wanted the candy, Diem, and Chocolat in it! Yay! He was was so happy when I said "Merci beaucoup." (pronounced bow ku and means Thanks a lot). Then, I ordered Spencers for him, and said the same thing. He was so excited...or maybe just laughing at my French. Regardless, I made a French friend.
Then, we got on the train, got our passports stamped, and came back to Londontown. When we got back I ate the most delicious dinner at Tuk-Tuk (Thai food) with Melissa, Spencer, and James.
We thought there was a stake dance that night, and so we went out, but then when we got there we realized it was FRIDAY NIGHT not Saturday night...so stupid part on us. Whoops.
I miss Paris.
Here are some words I learned:
1) Vous parlez anglais - Do you speak English?
2) Pingouin - Penguin
3) Je t'aime - I love you
4) Tortue - Turtle
5) Merci - Thank you
6) Beaucoup - A lot
7) Comment allez-vous? - How are you?
8) S'il vous plait - Please
9) Et - And
10) Un, Deux, Trois - One, Two, Three
11) J'ai un petit problème - I have a little problem
12) Bonjour - Hello
13) Excusez-moi - Excuse me

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August 5th, Sunday:
Woke up, church, came home, did this blog (what I'm doing right now), fireside tonight...I'm sure that'll be great, I'll do homework, then go to bed...No pictures obviously.