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.

It's My Life

Life is interesting. Mine isn't too exciting but then again maybe it is to some.
I am now gallbladder-less and enjoying drinking milk. The first gallon that I bought since being back I finished in a week all by myself. Well, technically six days. I missed it and it tasted so good! I'm conserving my current one a little more so I hopefully wont have to buy a gallon every week.
The semester isn't looking too bad right now and hopefully it stays that way. Thursdays and Fridays I only have two classes so they are my study days. Real exciting. But yesterday I was able to witness a girl in the library that was knitting and then a minute later I looked over and she was leaning sideways asleep. or fainted. Its very difficult to tell in the library! Recently along with studying, I have been working on my applications to three different internships. One in Missouri, another in Indiana, and the last in Tennessee. So hopefully this summer will be spend somewhere cool, for free, earning money, and see if I really want to do research for the rest of my life. If not, I guess I will move on to plan B... when I decide what that is.
Weekends are pretty exciting in our apartment though. Kerissa can stay up later than 9pm and... we watch wedding videos on the blog Iris and Light (this happened tonight and last sunday). Oh sometimes we sing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and then have a heated discussion about what the last echo is supposed to be. Pretty fun stuff. But great roommate bonding time! I do get out every once in a while too. Don't worry mom! ...and Josh... and Andelynn!
Last week I found out I have a whole in my chest. I was showing Kerissa my gallbladder battle wounds for whatever reason and she asked, "Do you have an innie?" I of course thought she was talking about my bellybutton, but no she meant my chest. I guess it is abnormal to have a little hole thing in the middle towards the bottom of your sternum. huh. I seriously thought everyone had that. Although, that probably explains why I claimed I had an extra set of ribs all my life, as the hole does make them stick out awkwardly. See mom, something wasn't right! I was just blaming my ribs instead of my sternum. It is called Pectus Excavatum. I've lived with it this long so obviously I'm not going to die, its just interesting.
So that is pretty much it. I'm realizing I'm more abnormal than I thought, I live in the library when not home or in classes, I watch cute videos and listen to music waiting for a boy to come sit on my bed while I'm doing homework(Josh for some reason said this wouldn't happen), and trying to decide between writing my papers how I want or how my puffed-up professor writes (she is perfect and all should write as exactly as she does).

Not much but hey, it's my life and I'm enjoying it!

I've Been Everywhere

Anatomy is a great class. The lab may be killing my grade... but I still find it all so interesting! I learn so much at every lecture and I am always able to somehow share it with my roommates which is fun. My professor though, I am so amazed by her. She is awesome and seems to have done everything and I think that she is still fairly young. Last week she started a story with "While I was backpacking across Thailand..." and then went on to tell us how she was alone in the middle of the wilderness of Thailand and what she saw in the village she stopped at that related to the lecture. Her graduate thesis work at least partly consisted of walking around Seattle asking the homeless people their history and testing them for HIV and then going back to check on them every now and then, being the first to find some of them after they died. She spends the night outside at least two or three nights a week, ALL year round. Then today, she told us why she decided to go with anatomy. She had started her freshman year as an Elem Ed major but she took anatomy for fun. That summer she decided that she wanted to go to Alaska. She didn't have any money to do this, so she hitchhiked from Utah to Alaska, around Alaska, and back! On the way there, she was in the middle of the Yukon for a long time as no one was driving by. Finally a truck stopped but was full of people but they said she could squeeze in the back by a tarp if she wanted. She rode in the back of the truck for hours so at some point she decided to look under the tarp. It was a freshly shot deer. So as she had just taken anatomy, she stuck her hand under the tarp and started to feel it thinking of all the anatomy terms. When she got to the lungs they 'were like a security blanket'. She loves the feel of fresh lungs (they feel like clouds) and that is why she is not teaching second grade right now.
She just amazes me with all that she was done and seen, everywhere she's been, and all that she knows.