USA v. UK -- Round One

So I've been in London for 5 months now. I've seen a lot (and still so much more to come!!). I really like it here. Not only because of the wow factor (WOW. I live in London.), but also because it's a very different pace of life -- big city style. I think everyone needs a little big city time at some point in their life. Three years ago, I was trying to work my way into NYC for a temporary time. That didn't work out, but thankfully, London did. 

I can't help but make comparisons to the American way of life with just about everything. That's natural, right? There are some things that the Brits definitely have the upper hand on, and others that Americans win hands down. So I thought I'd share my thoughts with you on a few different things upon which I've pondered in my five months so far. (Spoiler Alert: 'Merica doesn't always win.) 

Round One: Weather. 

I'm totally beating a dead horse here, I know. And I knew what I was getting myself into before I came. I even told my mother when I was packing that I was basically planning on being cold for the entire year. And so far, that is mostly true. 

London, for the most part, your weather sucks. 

Let's take, oh, say, today for instance. It's June 5th. It's a cloudy, overcast day. 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Not June weather, my friend! I love my Fall/Winter wardrobe, but there is a time and place for everything. June is not the time to be wearing my sweaters, boots, jackets and scarves! 

I will give you some credit though, for two weeks ago. Perrrrfect weather. Perfect! And not London perfect, like, Charlotte perfect. High 70's, sunshine, just hot enough without being too hot. Ah. Where did you go? Come back, I beg you! 

Let's check out the current London 5 day forecast vs. Charlotte 5 day forecast. 

Ok, ok, not too bad. But still, it's June! 50's and 60's are soooo March and April.

Seventies and Eighties, I miss you! Come visit London for a month or seven. 

London, I love you. Really, I do. But when it comes to the weather...

Round One: USA

[Postscript: This post sounds a lot more whiny than I intended. Sorry about that. I promise, I'm done.] 

[Postscript 2: Actually, when I think about it, London weather isn't all that different from Boone weather. I guess those four years prepared me for lots of different adventures! And maybe this year is preparing me to take on Boone weather again next year. :) ]

i am the worst.

...blogger, that is. Seven months ago, I couldn't WAIT to keep up with a blog about all my London adventures. Then I got here and became very shy...Sorry. 


But I'm back! (And not just because I'm waiting for my laundry to finish drying. But maybe a little because of that.) 


So what's happened in the two months since I blogged last? Let's see...

• I visited a town called Pill. I kid you not. The name of the town is Pill. It's right outside of Bristol, which was lovely! It's home to this fancy suspension bridge:



Though, believe it or not, the purpose of our trip wasn't just to see a bridge. 

• I've gotten braver and feel pretty confident about venturing out on my own into Central London, which I do almost every weekend. I've seen the sights, such as Covent Gardens, Leceister Square, Piccadilly Circus, Notting Hill (no Hugh Grant OR Julia Roberts sightings, and I enjoy the actual place way more than the movie.) I've done my fair share of shopping on Oxford Street and have found a Starbucks that I like to call my own. 

They spell my name right on my cup and everything at my Starbucks!

• I saw my first show in London -- Jersey Boys! I was having a homesick week and needed a pick-me-up, and seeing a show did just the trick. I was on the edge of my seat the whole show, and not just because I had to so I could see over the balcony.

No, Stovie, it's not about THOSE boys from Jersey. 

• I visited Nottingham, which is not only the home to Robin Hood and Little John, but also to The Salvation Army's founder William Booth. 

I was there, yall!

• On the way back from Nottingham we also stopped at the Coventry Cathedral, which was (as most of these cathedrals are) breath-taking and beautiful.

Them's some major pipes, eh? 

• Made a trip up to Northeast England to the town of Durham to visit a Salvation Army prayer house called Sanctuary 21. There's some good stuff going on up there. I'd love to tell you about it, but it deserves a post all its own. While we were there, we also visited (what?!) another cathedral. Durham Cathedral is about 1000 years old -- which just blows my little American mind, anytime I visit a place more than 200-ish years old. Oh, and scenes Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets were filmed there! (Though I didn't know that until I returned home. Definitely would have made Stephanie take pictures of me flying an invisible broom at an imaginary Qudditch practice.) 

I walked down the same corridor as babies Harry Potter and Ron Weasley!

• Oh, and I turned 27 since the last time I blogged. Twenty. Seven. I'm beginning to settle into it, I think. Again, more about that soon to come. 

My parents are cute and made me a real  birthday cake for our facetime chat!

That's all for now I think. 

Ok but seriously, I promise I'll write more. I know I promised last time, but I really will this time! :)