Seven Shakespeares, Ten Days (actually that is a bit of a lie, one of the plays was not shakespeare...)

So as of now I have seen four incredible shows with the Royal Shakespeare company, and there are three more to come.  Tomorrow is As You Like It, and it has just been so amazing!  We have even had the opportunity to meet and chat with some of the actors at the Dirty Duck (pretty much the only pub in all of Stratford) after the shows.

Lots of gardens, castles, and old houses, but it has been so interesting to see all of these houses that are still existing from like the 1400-1600.  Shakespeare's houses are a bit like shrines in the town of Stratford, and based on the doors in these cottages I would have been considered a giant.  (so the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk was probably only like 5'7")  Some of my favorite moments in visiting places like Blenheim Palace (where Winston Churchill spent much of his life) and Shakespeare's houses are the moments i nthe gardens.  We took a walk down by Queen's pool at the palace and stumbled upon these huge gnarled trees, which we of course climbed.

That day also encompassed a trip to Oxford, of where I am now applied and will be attending school...false, but I could imagine how amazing it must be to go to school in that setting.  All of the buildings are ancient and beautiful.  We ventured into one chapel with a high wooden ceiling, and I could just imagine singing hymns and them echoing throughout the building.  We also managed to find a dining hall at one of the chapels (you can only imagine the amount of harry potter references that we made on our day trip to Oxford).  One of my favorite parts of Oxford was discovering things that you didn't even know existed...back cobblestone roads, shops that let you taste their delicious fudge.  One time Chelsea (another girl on my trip :) and I went into a random church and when we came out the back down we were in front of this enormous domed building!

I wish I could write more and more but alas I must retire for the evening.

Cheerio and kisses dahlings

P.S. all you skype daters fear not I'm not ignoring your requests and I definitely miss you, the schedule is quite crazy and weird so it may be a bit until actual dates get set up but if I am on it is usually later around like 6:30 your time.  But don't ever doubt my love for you; I'm just working very hard to adjust here to life :)

At "lunch" at Hogwarts (aka Jesus College)

One of the huge trees at Blenheim Palace

Surprise building...beautiful huh?

Safe and Sound In Stratford

Hello all, from my lovely bed and breakfast in Stratford! After an 8 hour flight and 3 hour bus ride all 21 of us arrived in the midst of a rainy England afternoon.  Now I officially am here and honestly it hasn't even really sunk in.  All of you who know me would probably be astounded by the lack of naps that I have taken so far.

It is good to have my feet back on solid ground, and right now I'm up in my cozy room with a few other gals from the trip.  I'll give yall a little glimpse of England that I got today...one word...sheep, lots of them.

But seriously, earlier this afternoon I strolled around the town with my roomie, Catie, and some other girls.  We succeeded in flooding a small UK phone store, discovering a Harry Potter shop, and a delicious little cafe called Graze.  It is fascinating to be in a whole new world surrounded by people with amazing accents!  In fact, I'm a bit jealous of all the beautiful accents, though I'm much too fearful of being judged if I attempt my own British speech.  Stratford is pretty much exactly as I imagined; all of the houses look like little cottages and the world surrounds you with green.  Perhaps the world is so green because it is constantly raining, and you can tell the locals by the lack of umbrellas.  I have also discovered why hot tea is such a phenomenon here..they drink it to keep warm when they come in out of the rain.  Nevertheless, I'm in tea HEAVEN

Now, I know I have only been here about one day, but it is just so peaceful here.  I look out my window at the rain and I can see shingled roofs, flowers, and more rain.  Catie and I spent some time this afternoon drinking a cup of hot tea and then exploring.  I can't tell you the last time I explored and had no set schedule.  It is quite freeing!  One thing that is a challenge is the complete change in everything and I honestly have no clue what I'm doing so the verse that I'm clinging to this week is Hebrews 13:5-6.  "...God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?'"  The same God who is with me at home is upholding me here in England!

Tomorrow the shows begin, first with King Lear, then Antony Cleopatra, Hamlet; the list goes on and on...Tomorrow our Bed and Breakfast proprietor promises to cook us homemade breakfast to order and we will get to spend time with the cast in classes.  Is this study abroad or the best vacation in the world? Now there is only one more thing: To rain or not to rain that is the question?
Cheerio!

Bekah this is for you...our first british dessert of creme, meringue and berries...you would have loved it

Kaitlin, be very jealous of this awesome hogwarts store we found!
They actually sell butterbeer! haha

Dinner at the B&B

View from my window

The dining room at my bed and breakfast

Entering the Movies

So I have this small problem...sometimes when I'm doing exciting things I get into my mind that I'm in a movie.  The background music starts to play in my head and in my mind the cameras are rolling. That is a bit how I feel as I begin to pack up for my semester abroad.  My room is strewn with clothes piles that make me feel like I've really accomplished alot of packing and my homework is slowly wrapping up.


Since I am heading out in less than a week, lots needs to be completed, so rather than typing more I should probably actually move those piles into a suitcase or something.  I promise (well hope) that the following posts will contain a bit more excitement but right now I would really love your prayers as I pack and prepare for the exciting upcoming semester.  And the cameras just keep rolling...