Winter Happenings

November was a GREAT month! Mostly because it was my birthday and I did a lot of fun things. But once November ended I had to buckle down and finish school projects and study for finals which is why this post is a potpourri of happenings. First, I went to see Breaking Dawn, twice. Once at midnight with Beck and then again the next day with Alyssa. L-O-V-E-D it! Both times! 

 These are the snacks I packed for the midnight viewing.

 My actual birthday was pretty low-key. Three of my close friends took me to Hard Rock for dinner and then we went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for a night of fun!

 I could not get these two to take a 'normal' picture, so the first one is an outtake.

 Okay, close enough.

 So, the whole Hard Rock Cafe restaurant  sang Happy Birthday to me. I had to sit on the back of the booth and our waitress announced it was my bday and singing commenced. I'm blowing the candle out of my sundae.

 Great friends!

 No birthday is complete without CAKE! After a great night I went back to my room and ate my birthday cupcake that Beck bought me.

 I'm PUBLISHED!!! I entered a writing contest in October and one of the poems I submitted was chosen to be published in a book for my University!

 Beck and I went to South Bank Christmas Market this past weekend. Walking across the bridge and seeing central London made me so grateful to be living here. I am so blessed!

 I went to my ward Christmas party and talked to Santa, mostly so I could get a candy cane.

 Alyssa and I saw the musical American Idiot. I love the album that it is based on. The story was very loose and it was a lot of rage and anger to pack into two hours, but I really loved hearing the music. It wasn't my favorite, but I liked it enough.

My next posts will be from California! Now that I'm done with classes and am one and half hours away from taking my last exam I am packing up and coming home for the next 6 weeks where the shenanigans will continue!

Susan "my life rocks" B.

Taylor Swift In London

Monday night, after my class I was in my room roaming around on Facebook and on the Taylor Swift page, the status update said Taylor will be at Westfield Mall in London the following day and tickets are free! I was instantly excited! All  we had to do was be at the mall by 7am when they start handing out wristbands to see her perform later that night. I mentioned it to Beck and she said we should try to get a wristband. Free concert, right? So, I got up Tuesday morning at 5:30am with a grumble because it was all in the name of T-Sweezy. We got to the mall at 6:40 and were on our way out, wristbands on by 7:40. Totally worth it.

 Got my wristband on, invite in hand, red shirt to boot and ready to go to a concert.

 We went back to the mall around 3:30 and Taylor Swift came on a little after 6pm. So there was a couple hours of standing around that had to be done.

Look at all the peeps we hung out with. Beck and I were right in front by the stage.

I have some videos but blogger isn't letting me upload them. I'll keep trying. Taylor was there to light the Christmas lights in the mall and she sang 3 songs. 'We are never getting back together', 'Love Story' and 'Red'. There was fake snow and everything. 

 Sing it, girl!

Susan "Taylor #1 biggest fan" B.

The island of Delos

We visited the island of Delos, which is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece.

On the boat to the island.

 Biggest ant I ever saw!!!

 I spy a white snail.

 The Terrace of the Lions.

 Establishment of the Poseidoiasts.

 There use to be a lake here. That palm tree makes me happy.

 Sacred Way.

 Hanging out at the Temple of Isis.

 These steps lead to the highest point on the island. It takes about 15 minutes to hike up from the bottom.

 Almost there.

 Just a few more steps to go, but look at how far we came!

 Made it! At the top we had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view.

 Just sitting on the edge of the world.

 Mosaics.

 We had to RUN to get back to the boat before it left. We barely made it!

 I hiked it all in my trusty flip-flops.

 Just hanging out with a pelican.

 Best OJ ever!

 This guy's name is Jonathan. He was the owner of the hotel that we stayed in. Such a nice guy, he gave us great advice and told us where to eat and what sites to see. When we left he said he was going to miss us. He had some great stories. On the first day, after we checked in, he took us to a local spot to eat and had lunch with us.

Susan "if I'm not on top of the world, I'm at the edge of it" B.