I am so sad to have seen this last week rush by. Unfortunately, this means that my time left in London is now down to about three days. However, I do think I efficiently used my time this week to complete nearly everything I had set out to do in the one month I was here. On Monday, I was still somewhat groggy from my weekend in Paris. After class that morning, I went to the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. I thoroughly enjoyed both of those free museums. After that, I ventured onto the MNM store in Leicester Square.  
               Tuesday I went to monument just off London Bridge, and climbed all three hundred and eleven steps to the top. Monument commemorates the Great London Fire of 1666. Once at the top of the structure, I enjoyed a panoramic view of the city and River Thames. Tuesday night Janaye and I went to the Lyceum Theatre to see the Lion King, and it was spectacular. The costumes, choreography, and overall theatrics were wonderful, and I am so glad I got to see a show while I was here!

Wednesday for class we worked out, and I began to feel sick that morning. Wednesday night I tried to recuperate, but failed. Thursday morning I woke up feeling about as bad as Wednesday, and headed to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a class field trip! It was so neat to look at costumes worn by Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John! After the museum, Terrence and I had lunch at Piccadilly Circus and then ventured over to the O2 arena. Thursday night a large group from CCSA went to the Walkabout Australian Bar for karaoke night. Dr. Lewis showed us how to cut a rug!! She can move! Overall it was a really fun night.

My plans for Friday include taking my final exam for this class in the morning, running over to the free “dirt” exhibition, and then going to a toga party at Barambah tomorrow night. Saturday I am planning on touring Buckingham Palace and possibly looking into finding last minute tickets to see “Mouse Trap” that afternoon. Sunday I plan on relaxing and making sure all of my belongings are as they should be and where they should be, and might try to make service at Westminster Abbey that morning. Sunday evening I believe a small group of us are going to have a sleepover together for our last night in London! I am so sad to see this trip end, but am also so blessed to have been handed this opportunity. I will never forget the friends I have made while studying abroad, and will always cherish this experience! Thank you all for everything!! 

I believe it was sometime around Monday this week that my nonstop attitude towards London has caught up with me. Yes, I feel that in my valiant efforts to own London, London began to fight back and I am feeling EXHAUSTED. With all that aside, this week entailed excellent classes and pretty good use of my free time.

On Monday in class, we learned about the importance of balance and control within your life. Meditating for the first time was an interesting experience. I went from thinking about a rock to thinking about Katy Perry, to thinking about Sweet Potatoes. After about five minutes of letting my mind wander, I realized I had absolutely no control and honed in on my rock, again! Definitely a work in progress. It was also nice to discuss as a class the importance of Park areas within a metropolitan area, like London. Nature and the beauty of nature is undoubtedly a significant outlet for individuals living in London to use and blow off some unwanted stress. After class time, I walked through the different levels of the British Museum. I probably spent nearly two hours in the Museum and still felt rushed. It was awesome to look at the Rosetta stone, as well as the Egyptian, Roman, and Greek displays. Afterward, I roamed through Oxford market and made a few purchases at Primark (including a SWEET pair of shades).

Tuesday our class went to the Arsenal for a tour of their facilities. It was so neat to see the stadium and appreciate its size. After that, we drifted over to Hyde Park where Chelsea, Rose, Janaye, and I paid money for a boat in the Serpentine for thirty minutes. We had a blast singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” as well as crashing into not one, but two other boats.

Wednesday in class we watched a jazz dance video, and talked briefly about nutrition. I really enjoyed the video, and cannot even fathom how much work goes into executing those dances. Prior to taking this class when I heard the term “athlete” I immediately thought of football, basketball, and baseball players. Of course, I would have deemed dancers as extremely athletic, but did not truly realize the extent to which this is true. I have not been exposed too much to the dance world, but from what little I have encountered from this class dancers have no other choice but to be extremely agile and strong in order to pull off the extraordinary things they practice regularly. This class has definitely changed the way I think about athleticism. Wednesday night I stayed in for the first time since I have been here, and tried to get as much work done as I could.

Thursday was my “Museum Marathon” day. While I had every intention of trying to make it to five museums throughout London, I only really made it to two. I saw the Imperial War Museum, as well as the Science Museum. I went to where the Titanic exhibition was, but decided to not pay an outrageous cost for that. The only three I have left on my list are the National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, and the Tate Museum. I also went to the Borough Market, where I made a few purchases for people back home. That market was really neat. Thursday night I packed for Paris, and got plenty of rest for the weekend festivities.

My weekend in Paris was unforgettable. It was so surreal standing in front of actual Monet’s, Van Gogh’s, and Degas pieces. Not only that, but standing in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral and climbing the Eiffel tower (yes, that’s right- CLIMBED as far as they would let us, and took the elevator the rest of the way) were definitely highlights of this study abroad experience. I will fondly remember my first time in Paris, and hope to go back someday. 
 I can’t believe we only have one week left in London. I am wondering where all of the time has gone. This week is my last effort to finish up what I have not been able to do or see yet. Hope you all are having a great experience as well!