Be Bold

     This week went by SO quickly! Every time I get upset here about something, I remind myself that I'm only here for 4 months and I quickly get over myself. I can honestly say, I am falling in love with London and I don't want to go back home (I'll let you guys know how I feel in a few months though haha). 

I love the public transportation here, which I can confidently say I know how to get around by myself (which I love). I love all the walking, I love not having to drive, I love learning about the city while getting lost, I'm starting to get attached and really rely on my DCG here and the community, I'm slowly getting to know and spending time with the girls I live with and the rest of the people in my program and I really look forward to getting to know them better and really strengthening all my relationships with them, I love living in the basement and doing insanity workouts with the girls :') and just so much more. I especially love how much I really try to depend on God here...

I like to give you guys updates after the weekend is over because I can update with GOOD news after I reflect! haha. Towards the middle of the week I had a hard time..because I had gotten my phone stolen at STARBUCKS out of all the places :( my favorite place. Definitely haven't been back there which is for the better since I can always go to starbucks back at home. Though I was really upset, I tried to not panic and reassure myself that God would provide me another way to communicate with the people back home, especially my parents. Still, I couldn't get it out of my head, until someone from my DCG called me to come out to get dinner and to go shopping with her. Without hesitation I went out and had an amazing time with her and just got to know her a little better. As the night was coming to an end, she bought me ice cream :') and had told me that another member from our sg has an old iphone for me to use while I was here. Again, how does God provide like this...why worry..especially about a PHONE. silly me..

my first time trying mushy peas..it wasn't that bad!

Trying on fun shorts at Westfield London Mall w/ Monique :')

This week I also went to go visit Gary's old dorm to pick up his rice cooker that him and his roomie left behind for me. As soon as I got off the tube I was overwhelmed with sadness/joy because everything was so familiar. A part of me felt like I was on my way to meet Gary, which wasn't really happening so it was hard walking towards his building. After getting to his dorm all from memory and picking up the rice cooker I opened the box to find a note that he wrote back in April before he came back to the states telling me to stay strong and loads of ramen! I was overwhelmed by his love and thoughtfulness to do that..knowing that I would be struggling at that moment. Thank you garebare :')

his thoughtfulness :') (this was my last instragram post with my phone...:()

 I feel like the start of the weekend will always be a challenge for me because it's that time when everyone starts to go out at night and it has been a real challenge for me to go out and "have fun" here especially with most of the people in my program because our ideas of having fun and our morals are different. But after a few nights of being a big hermit, I went out with them and had a good time getting to know some of them on a more personal level. Still, I must say...I am a hermit (& love it lol..) and I don't mind not going out every night. I. am. a. grandma. This week I struggled with getting judged because I didn't want to go out with them, but I realized I have to be bold and remind myself why I'm here. Yes, I'm here to have fun, but I have my own ways of having fun and I trust I will meet people here who have similar interests as me.

some of the girls and I went into this CUTE cave at a pub! HEHE it was so cozy :)

Classes here are really chill so far. I constantly have to remind myself that I actually do have to study though! haha I love that we don't have classes on Fridays! This Friday our program and the USC EAP program met together and went to Hamstead Heath to mingle and play some football. Let me just say..it was breathtaking walking up there!

Reminded my of the 500 days of summer spot, but obviously 10000x better! :')

Jamie! a familiar face from home :')

dogs were everywhere! especially where we were..bc they were sniffing our food heheo

Flat 16A girls!

HEHEHEHEHEO

Saturday morning stop before going to the........

ICE CREAM FESTIVAL @ KING'S CROSS!

after milking fake cows...we finally got some ice cream!

was bold and tried to mango chilli! nom

I will get fatter if I keep eating pub food. no more.

Known to have the best and cheapest bagels! I didn't get one because I was too full, but I'll definitely go back!

walking around to get our scavenger hunt done for class. was a pain, but fun to explore different parts of london!

I love these things!

 Today after going to CCIL service, I met up with Jamie to check out another church called Reality London. We briefly met freshmen year at Irvine a few times and I was so surprised when I found out that she was studying in London this fall AND were in the same program taking classes at the same building as I was. It's a blessing to have found out she's here with me and knowing that I have someone familiar from back home. It was really nice spending time with her and it was something I really needed, but it made me miss home SO much, but got some bomb Indian food in our bellies and had a good day together :). 

London Bridge :)

P.S. more venting. I hate it when people share scary stories. WHY do people I meet keep doing it :(
P.P.S. the one thing I really miss about my iphone...is not being able to instagram. INSTA-STRESS haha

Overall, good week!

Week 2? 3? Here we go~

To be continued...:)