Breaking Up With London

I have had my heart broken plenty of times before, but London..this is the true stinger. I never thought that I could fall in love with another skyline beside Chicago, but you did win my heart over for the past four months. I would never have thought I wouldn't want to leave. My family, my friends, my life is all back in Illinois and all I want to do is walk around Hyde Park, go to the pub at 5pm, and basically stay here forever. If I could have everyone I loved move to London or at least be guaranteed I could see them in person every few months, I wouldn't leave..that is how hard I fell for this.

First night in London

Last night in London

To be honest, the past four months have flown by in the blink of an eye. I didn't know time could travel that fast. At the beginning things got a little bit rocky with being homesick and finding a good group of friends, but now I am leaving, already homesick from London and saying good bye to some of the most amazing people. I have made wonderful and life long friendships here in London, I will never forget any of them. Distance will not keep me from talking to the people I have met here. I am the type of person that holds on until the last string is cut, so don't expect me to leave your life once I leave here.

The past four months has done wonders for me. I left home with a broken heart and in a rut with life. I was sort of "over" life and looking for something new. Sometimes I would walk around with this heavy weight on my shoulders and not even know what was wrong with me, I just wasn't happy. If it weren't for London, I wouldn't have been able to pick myself up again. But I flew myself the 4,000 miles to London for a life changing experience. I am sad to leave London but besides the good bye tears, I am going home happy with a smile on my face and a smile in my soul. I haven't been this emotionally and mentally happy in a while. I hope I carry this home with me because I don't want this feeling to go away. London has shown me how to be independent and to believe in myself. I have learned that it is okay to push myself to see my strengths. Not everyone can go to another country and study abroad. Before January, I have never flown without a member of my family and two of my trips here from Barcelona and to/from Sweden I flew all by myself and to be honest, I am really proud.

I can't wait to get back to the states. I know seeing my parents at the airport will make me so happy and I can't wait to see all my friends and hug them with great happiness. I can't wait for everyone to pick at my brain to see much I have grown, how much I have learned, and how much I have experienced. The stories are endless and I am willing to share all of those. I have over 700 pictures to show to my family tomorrow night at dinner. It means so much to me that I have had such loving and supportive friends through this wonderful time in my life, I want to share everything with those people that mean a lot to me. Being here has made me realize who my true friends are and who aren't. I know people have envied me and my adventures and it isn't always easy hearing how happy I am here, but those who love me know how much this experience has helped me and they are happy for me. All your happiness, love, and support mean more than you know and I can't thank you enough.

My plane takes off in 5 hours and good byes will be horrible. As cheesy as it goes, but I firmly believe in the saying, "It is not good bye, it is I see you later." This goes for my friends and for London. London, I PROMISE I will be back as soon as I can. I have fallen in love with you and everything you have given me, I would be silly not to come back. My friends that I have made here in London, thank you for everything. You have given me more than you know. I will never forget all our pub visits, the nights that ended by the toilettes, the family dinners, sharing moments over horrible cafeteria food, and our days in Hyde Park soaking up the sun. You all mean so much to me and are in my heart forever. I have so many friends in all parts of the US and I am planning on visiting you all one day! I can't wait to travel out to "buttfuck" New York and to see the joys of Boston. I can't wait to be at the premier of Trista's tv show in LA. You all have a warm welcome in Chicago, I wouldn't reject a visit for anything!

It isn't good bye, it is I'll see you later. I will see you later my wonderful new friends. I will see you later gorgeous London. Thank you for the best 4 months of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. As for those in Burr Ridge, Chicago, Darien, Peoria...I'M COMING HOME!!

-Cheerio!

The Royal Wedding

For those of you who stayed up or recorded the wedding, you could only imagine what I went through being there! Thursday night we went at 9pm and camped out in front of Buckingham Palace and it was so worth it! We had a great spot and very close to the procession, we got to see everything. There were a lot of people, rumors said there were supposed to be 1.5 million tourists visiting for the wedding and 2 billion people watching it from their homes. There were screens set up in Hyde Park to watch the actual wedding ceremony, however we are in London so we couldn't pass up to opportunity to be there in person!!

Matt and Meridith from the Today Show

Kate driving to the wedding

There were about 15 of us girls who tried to keep ourselves awake but we all crashed around 3am. It was freezing and none of us got a lot of sleep. Needless to say, for 18 hours I was on a pretzels and cream cheese diet and 30 minutes of sleep. Around 6am, you didn't want to talk to me! People started pouring into the area officially around 8am but we still kept our spot. People of royalty and ambassadors of different countries started to leave their hotels and the Palace around 10 and the Queen left at 10:45. She was ADORABLE in her cute little yellow dress and hat. We were all so excited to see the Queen! People of royalty are actually real! Right after the Queen and Prince Philip drove by, Kate and her father drove by. As you all have seen, she was absolutely stunning!  We then listened to the ceremony on large speakers and about 12:30 they drove back to the Palace in their carriages. The couple looked so happy and everyone was cheering and singing their national anthem. After they drove by we quickly made our way closer to the side of the palace to get a good view of the balcony where they were coming out to kiss. About 10 minutes before they were supposed to come out, they opened the barricades and it was every man for themselves. Luckily my roommate Jenn and I were able to stay together and we got really close to the Palace!

The couple first came out on the balcony and then the whole royal family followed. Yes, I will admit that I am now obsessed with Prince Harry! It was so surreal seeing the whole royal family out there and they all looked so happy. We joined along with all of the crazy Brits and sang "God Save the Queen" and cheered hip hip hooray! Needless to say, I will always remember April 29, 2011. One of the best days of my life. I came home from the wedding happier than ever! I called my mom and I couldn't even put in to words how I felt and what I just saw.

More stories to come once I am home. I can't wait to see the recording of the wedding!

-Cheerio!