O Gymru, O Gymru

           Well, this past week has been crazy long, stressful, and without as much sleep or food as my mother would like. Now my brain still seems to be in recovery mode and doesn’t want to do much. I started writing this Friday when I woke up from a nap in the WILK after my physics review that morning. What better time than to write about Wales than finals week?! I even went to the Welsh choir concern Thursday night in preparation! Okay, that’s not true because I planned on getting a lot more done Friday and today in the form of studying for finals and not writing my blog...

WALES

          My flight was to Bristol from Iceland, and after the lady questioned me a bunch about why I was studying at Cambridge, what I was studying there and back in the states, why I was in Bristol at all, what I was doing in Iceland, and so on until I was the last person there, she finally let me ‘cross the border’. I had a short wait and then took a bus to the train station and a train to Cardiff, Wales.

          I considered getting a taxi as it was raining and I didn’t know where I was going, but then opted not to cause I’m me and cheap. But it was a good thing I didn’t as my hostel was only like two blocks away if that. I got all checked into this cute hostel right on a main street in Cardiff and then went in search of food as I hadn’t really had much all day. I found a nice pub down the street and around the corner where I experienced my first Welsh portion size; a huge burger, good helping of fries, and a salad! It was delicious though and I watched the US play in the World Cup while I ate.

         I’m usually fairly observant and have good peripherals but, as most of you know, I’m also good at ignoring people… While I was eating there was a drunk guy, probably in his 40s, that was acting really strange. I couldn’t tell at first if he was trying to get my attention or if he knew someone behind me. So, I ignored him completely, never looking straight at him. He turned at one point towards the bar so I glanced behind me and it was obvious that the few people behind me weren’t connected with him. He walked back and forth past me, close-ish… and I ignored him. After a while of this, he came up to me and made some comment about me being hard to impress. Then, he reached to take a drink from my drink (probably didn’t know it was coke haha) but because it was across the table from him I stopped him before he could. Lucky for me (the person who always finds the most secluded place in the back of wherever I am) there was really only an empty clean table right in front of the bar when I got there. So, bartenders saw all of this go down and so pretty much as soon as this guy actually approached my table, one of the bigger bartender guys got him and threw him out. Several times, this guy tried to come back in, but every time one, or sometimes multiple, bartenders yelled at him to leave and/or forced him out. New appreciation for bartenders!! I was afraid he would still be waiting outside for me, so I waited a while to leave after I was done eating and kept an eye out for him to make sure he didn’t see where I was staying, but I didn’t see him again.

        The next morning I used my hop-on-hop-off pass that I bought online to take the bus tour around the city. It gave me a discount on the Castle in Cardiff, so I spent a few hours inside there which was really cool. There were other parts of the city I was going to see from the bus tour, but they stopped running fairly early and I didn’t want to walk back from too far away. I rode the bus tour a couple of times. Once to hear all of the recorded audio about everything and then again later when there was a really funny tour guide doing it instead of the recording. That’s when I was going to get off and see further away, but he just was too interesting to leave! 

         I also went in a few of the little shops and drooled over all the love spoons and of course designed my own in my head that was way better. But they were expensive and the custom ones were even more, so I got a key-chain version instead. I just wandered around for a while exploring Cardiff. I went to my hostel fairly early that night as it was Friday and all the clubs and bars were on my street. Which I thought it was interesting how there were two bouncers outside of the McDonald's, but one outside of the gentleman's club next to it....? There was music and partying until super late, almost immediately followed by the street cleaners for the rest of the night. So sleeping wasn’t great.

        I had to meet for my bus tour fairly early and there was only one other person in my hostel up. Turns out, she was going on the same tour. But, we didn’t know this though until we both got to the museum where it was picking us up. There were just a few of us on one of those van/bus things and it was a lot of fun. We drove all the way to Tenby and stopped quite a few places along the way. They also altered the tour so that we would hit some of the places at the better times of day. It was beautiful! I think I made some comment to my mom wondering what our ancestors thought going to Utah after growing up in Wales. Tenby is such a cool little town. Little streets everywhere at all angles and directions, colorful houses, and all the views of the beach were beautiful! And looking at the town from the beach was just as amazing! The whole day was a lot of fun and I was glad that I got to see more of wales. Including gorgeous land that the prince owns and lets people rent some cottage that neighbor his Welsh home. I made a mental note to remember that and look into it later!

           I was pretty tired from the little sleep I got the night before, so I went to bed again fairly early. There was still quite a bit of partying that night as well outside my window. I got up early the next morning to catch a bus that took to me London where I got on another one to Cambridge!

Fun facts: All castles face east... interestingly similar to mormon 'castles'
                 Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in Wales and we drove past the area on our tour
                 Anthony Hopkins was born across the road from where it was filmed
                 A little bit of Batman 3 was filmed in Brecon Beacons National Park
                And so are a lot of car commercials because of the long windy roads

This is inside of my Iceland Hostel. See, it was nice inside, Mom:)

Wales

Part of the Castle

The library inside the Castle!

The castle was full of spiral staircases. Some not as decorative as this one...

There is a whole in the center of this table so that a plant can grow through the middle. Specifically fruit tress so you can pick them off during dinner.

View of Cardiff and the Castle grounds from the one tower

This would be a toilet. In the tower/older part of the castle grounds

Playing dress up cause that's what I do if they leave out clothes to do so;)

The prison... just for Angela and Jeff

Where Roald Dahl (author of Willy Wonka) was born in Cardiff.

Welsh Countryside
Brecon Beacons National Park

In the ocean in Tenby

Tenby

Our tour guide made sure we hit Tenby at low-tide. She said it was better.

This is from 1035 and it is said that it has healing powers if you touch it. It was amazing enough to me that you could touch it at all!

Carew Castle. This one was more in ruins, but still beautiful.
It is also where the last knight's tournament was during Henry the 7th's reign (if I'm remembering that right...)

Something about this couple reminded me of grandma and grandpa... they were in my tour group

The mall in Cardiff where an episode of Dr Who was filmed

Legitimate tupperware that I got for taking some of my pizza to-go.
 Which the ladies at the table next to me questioned why I couldn't eat it all!

Just one part of my hostel in Cardiff. There were 20 beds in that room.

Bí, bí og blaka

 I am going to attempt to update my blog about this summer on top of everything else that I am trying to do at once this semester... Hopefully it goes well and I don't get too ridiculously behind. The fact that reliving my summer in Europe will be way more enjoyable than OChem homework means that I may have a chance at writing this ;)

WARNING: These posts will be on the long side!

The time leading up to Cambridge was unreal. It didn't seem possible that I was actually finally going to get to go. I was working two jobs all spring which kept me busy, one of which was sometimes grave shift which kept me from associating with people during normal hours of the day. I planned out where I wanted to go before Cambridge during my grave shifts and the day to pack and leave came quickly!
The night before my flight, I stayed with Miranda and we had the adventure of trying to get a lock off my suitcase so that I could use the special TSA locks I bought. No one had the little generic keys to the lock, so Miranda and I slowly were able to cut through it with some tools she had at her apartment. With that overcome, I was off the next morning to Iceland with a short layover in Canada!

On the airplane leaving the continent for the first time!

ICELAND

I tired to sleep on the plane, but it was super bright the whole time and the good movie options were a bit distracting. I did watch the Secret Life of Walter Mitty on the way over. I thought it would be fitting as I flew to Iceland. I landed about 6am Iceland time and got my luggage and went out to try to find my hostel. I figured a taxi would just be the easiest to find where I was supposed to go. The driver was super nice and my hostel wasn't too far away. I got there I think a little after 7am and the paper said to call. I did (forgetting how early it was) and the guy who answered, whom I obviously woke up, told me to just put my stuff in the kitchen. I took some tourist pamphlets with me to their little kitchen and found out that nothing really opens in Reykjanesbaer until 10am. So... I took a nap on the table. A few hours later another lady joined me in the kitchen who also couldn't check in yet. She said she would watch my bags while I went out and grabbed some food. It was super cold, windy, and rainy so my exploring didn't last too long. I did walk up the road to see the ocean though.
When I got back, the guy at the hostel let me check in even though it was still technically too early. I didn't really do much the rest of the day as I was so exhausted and it wasn't very good weather outside. I did decide that I wanted to go to the Blue Lagoon the next day though and called to make the reservation.
I really liked the drive there as I was able to see more of Iceland. Really, it reminded me of Craters of the Moon, just with more green between the lava. The Blue Lagoon was beautiful! it was raining when I got there so everyone was soaked walking up the path. We also were supposed to rinse off in a shower before getting in the lagoon. That was the worst part as I had to walk outside into the rain and wind already being wet! But once I was in the Lagoon, it was super warm and the steam rising kept your face warm even in the rain. There was a waterfall that you could stand under for a massage, a few saunas to sit in, and buckets of silica mud for a face mask. It was kind of funny seeing people everywhere with white paste all over their face and neck. I stayed for a while and when I finally left, it had stopped raining!
When I got back to Reykjanesbaer, I walked down to the Viking Museum. It was small and I'm pretty sure I was the only one there the whole time. It was pretty cool though. I went through an exhibit that was all about Thor and the other Norse Gods (Don't worry Kerissa, I still like Loki best;) ) but the best part was the viking ship. They had a big viking ship replica that was suspended over the first floor. Well, come to find out, Iceland is awesome and lets you play on their exhibits! I went up to the second floor and there were stairs to walk down into the ship! So of course I did mainly because I could!
After I left the museum, I walked around Reykjanesbaer for a few hours. And by a few I mean until like 9/10ish at night. It was a pretty small town and really cool to explore.
I ate dinner at a really nice place that I found a coupon for. I wanted an Icelandic meal, but I had a really hard time finding one. I passed all the places with pizza, burgers, chinese, etc and this place seemed to be the most Icelandic. It was a bit pricy even with my coupon so I got an appetizer. It was so cool though as I was at a table over looking the ocean while I ate! As I was waiting for my food though, Forever and Ever Amen by Randy Travis started playing. I know there are plenty of songs in Icelandic, but no, I'm sitting in a fancy resturant looking at the ocean in Iceland listening to country music! The American family at the table next to me thought it was really funny too.
It was so wonderful just wandering around after that. I walked along the ocean and through the town a bit past the city limits. I was attacked my a seagull that repeatedly yelled at me and flew down like it was going to literally attack my face!
I got back to my hostel and my room was full of Asian girls in their early teens. The first night, I had the room to myself. They unfortunately were not accustomed to the time as I was, and woke up about 3am and were not the quietest from then on. I finally got out of bed a few hours later and left for the airport. Met a very nice middle-aged man from the midwest (I think Michigan) named Steven and then stood in line to check my bag which was the only line I had to wait in at an airport the whole time I was in Europe.

My cool pillow on my flight

First time at the shore in Iceland. If you can't tell, it was cold and I was exhausted!

My first hostel

The sea

The town from the top of a hill

Outside my window at about 2am

The Blue Lagoon

Outside the Blue Lagoon

See, Craters with more green

Rock people/guard things

Viking ship I played on!

I just think this is so cute!

One of the streets

While on my long walk on my last night

Another ship I played on :)

Exercise things set up....

....With this view! genius!

Loved this beautiful view!!

Let your Heart, Sweetheart, Be Your Compass

I'm not doing so good at the getting back into the writing blogs thing. Time has gone by so fast! Where has it gone? I was crazy and decided to take 17.5 credits my first semester back in school... not sure where I got that crazy notion from... probably the same place where I got the notion to take the classes I've been avoiding all together this semester. Anyway, I know when I start thinking of good topics to write about, its time to update the blog. My life has pretty much been school, more school, and even more school. This weekend I took a mental vacation and have pretty much done nothing academic the last two days. Almost nothing. It has been nice actually and I am getting to the point now that I am itching to be productive again. Which will be needed this week for my Physics and MMBio tests!
Last semester was great and went by so quickly. I'm glad that I got to live with Kerissa before she got married... and that we weren't living under a bridge. I actually really like our apartment and the ward we're in. Its a good level of social and I am making myself actually go out and do things and talk to people. (My family and friends I'm sure are very proud!) The new semester brought three new roommates and a lot of new ward members as well. It has been interesting having freshman as roommates. It makes me feel super old and out of date with the times. Kinda funny.
For all the things I thought about for blogs, I don't really know what to write. I'm not that exciting. So I guess I'll do a quick update of a few of the exciting things.... 
I found out in January that I was accepted to study at Cambridge this summer! Something that I have literally been dreaming of since freshman year at BYU. I still have a hard time sometimes comprehending that I will actually be spending the summer in England! Now, after talking to the professor who oversees applications and such to Cambridge, I'm also going to go to Oxford! May as well while I'm over there, right?! So I will be in England June-August now. Finally a stamp in my passport!!
I also passed up my dad in the number of temples I've visited! The current list is: Washington DC, Palmyra, Billings, Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Provo, Sacramento, Manhattan, Nauvoo, Atlanta, Cardston Alberta, Draper, Salt Lake, Mount Timpanogos, and Oquirrh Mountain. Pretty Exciting.
I read Ender's Game and saw the movie. I successfully read a book during the semester! It helped that it was really good and I was waiting to see the movie until I finished it. I actually didn't like the movie that much. I know they don't have time to include everything that is in the book, but you should change everything that you do include. This is why I probably shouldn't read the books movies are based off of...
I also dyed my hair black again. I gave into the temptation. I don't know why Kerissa always has a box of black on hand. I always end up using it. I decided to take advantage before my hair got too long for just one box. Cheapness still always wins out.
And I found out:

I was confused and then I read the description. Its pretty accurate.

Well its late and I have organic chemistry first thing in the morning but, I got a blog written. Yay!

Georgia on my Mind

It’s been almost three months since I returned from my mission in Atlanta, Georgia. I can’t believe how fast time has gone! The mission flew by so quickly! I served in 5 ½ wonderful areas; Ensign, Lithia Springs, Cedartown, Cassville, Lost Mountain, and Barnesville. And I have no idea where to even start telling about my mission. So much information and experiences in one little blog post... is that possible? I guess I'll try.

The MTC was packed with information. It was crazy and tiring, but absolutely wonderful! Most of our group went to Atlanta so we were able to still see each other which was good. My first area was Ensign and I was there for 7 1/2 months. I loved it! I was blessed to meet so many wonderful people and got to know most the ward personally. It was so hard to leave there. I cried quite a bit! I also served in Cedartown for 6 weeks, Cassville for 6 months, Lost Mountain for 12 weeks, and Thomaston finished up my mission the last 6 weeks. I loved them all and they were all unique in their own ways. So many wonderful people down south. Oh and Lithia Springs is the half, as I covered there and Ensign at the same time for 5 weeks (Sister Thornton would be upset if I didn't mention it!) And then my companions. All different, (and there were 13 of them!!) and taught me something while serving with them and many will be continuing friends. (I feel like this is very broad now... )

 I met so many amazing people and had wonderful experiences. I was never a huge ‘people person’ but I grew to love those in Georgia and see the wonderful people that they are. It was amazing to see a person’s eyes light up, and their lives change as they came to understand they are a child of God. That is always true no matter what a person looks like. And so many are searching for that truth.

I had never planned on serving a mission, really it was the lowest thing on the totem pole, but obviously Heavenly Father knew better and let me know accordingly. Now, I can’t imagine my life without serving a mission! (Kind of cliché, I know).  All of the experiences I had, lessons I learned, testimony I better developed, and friendships I formed; I would not be the same person without all of that. I may have been closer to graduation, but even that isn’t worth giving up what I gained on my mission.

 

I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.

A few years ago, Kris and I were talking about a rumor we heard that soda is better in Mexico. This led to many plans of road trips to Mexico just to drink a Pepsi. Years later the Todds went on a cruise and Kris brought back a Mexican coke. After a few more months, we were in the same state as each other, and the coke, and finally drank it. It was a "check off the bucket list" and sort of simultaneously started my "bucket list". (BUT I am creeped out by Jack Nicholson and refuse to watch The Bucket List or call my list a bucket list.)
My 'Life's to Do' list has formed and grown since the Mexican coke in 2009, but I have not had many more checks. Haven't been to Australia or read Les Miserables or had a willow tree in my backyard. But this summer another was checked! Seeing Wicked! I have been wanting to see Wicked since my sophomore year of High School when we sang a medley of songs from the musical in choir. I have been listening to the music since then and trying to figure out the story line. When Kris was going to be in NYC and I was going to visit her, I knew Wicked needed to be involved. It was AMAZING! There were multiple important points in the plot you do not get from just the CD. It was so much fun and we had a lot of fun before it started taking pictures and singing the songs!

 Drinking Mexican Coke June 2009

Wicked May 2011

 

I added 'wear stilettos in New York City' so that was another check.

One thing I never planned on doing in my life was to serve a mission. It may not have been on my list but that is where I'm headed now. So there is now a whole 18 months for Heather to out blog me! (Although I don't think that counts as her winning). I think its good for me to get out and do things I haven't done before whether I have to add them to my Life's To Dos as incentive or almost literally am pushed to by Heavenly Father. So I'll be back in 18months. I'll end this with my address and a video from the night seeing Wicked (Kris is the singer of our friendship... I'm the one that knows the actual lyrics of songs).

 MTC Address (Nov 16- Dec7ish)
Sister Nicole Kathryn Swanson
MTC Mailbox #352
GA-ATL 1213
2005N 900E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

General Atlanta Address/ Packages
Sister Nicole Kathryn Swanson
Georgia Atlanta Mission
112 Governors Square Ste A
Fayetteville, GA 30215-4085

Pictures of you, Pictures of me

Well I think that my goal of writing more than Heather isn't quite a lost cause but that's thanks to her. It has been so long since I wrote a blog that I don't think I'm really fulfilling that goal...
A lot has happened this summer that I don't even know where to begin. I love pictures though and I'm thinking this will just be a picture blog recap of the summer.

I spent time with family and getting to know Kyra and Clayton.

I went to NYC and visited Kristin. Walked through Central Park, went to the Met, ate at great restaurants, played in the Harry Potter exhibit, bought street food, went to the Manhattan temple, and most importantly went to Wicked!

(She said this picture could never be on facebook... this isn't facebook.)

I worked at PPLMontana

Kaden and I worked really hard....

I helped pick out a wedding dress for my best friend and then watched her get married.

I visited friends

And more friends

And I found the adapter card so I can upload pictures from my phone and now have classics like these on my computer.