Come Together

That Beatles song was playing in the background as I entered "Olympic Park" this morning. 

There's something absolutely awe-inspiring about the Olympics, beyond the superior superhuman strength, endurance, and artistry that the competitors show: the Olympic spirit.

They talk about the "Olympic spirit" all the time on the television, but you can only slightly comprehend the true meaning of it. It's only when you're in the middle of it, surrounded by crowds, that you begin to feel it resonating within you.

The fans that you come across at the Olympics are unlike any that you'll probably ever meet in your life. They're ambitious, excited, energetic individuals that have traveled thousands of miles across the world just to see--possibly from the top bleachers, in the last row of the stadium--their favorite competitors show the world what they are made of. 

Not only that, but they are incredibly friendly and kind hearted (well, at least all of the ones that I met). Maybe it isn't the individuals themselves (though the people all seem to be innately wonderful), but maybe it is this Olympic spirit manifesting itself in them. The best way I can describe the Olympic spirit is that it has a similar affect on people that the Christmas spirit does. It makes everyone willing to give, to reach out, be respectful, and just simply to be happy. 

I met a lot of people on this trip from all areas of the world, but my favorites were, ironically enough, the Americans; running into people with familiar accents was so comforting! 

My favorites were these girls

Lisa, Liz, Gia, and Kim

I had heard them talking near me on the escalator, and it was just my luck to have them ask me to take their picture. After taking it, I had them return the favor (I asked so many people to do that this weekend, but they were so willing to oblige). Then we just started talking. Turns out, they all went to college together but are now in different areas of the country, and all doing amazing things. One works for St. Jude's Hospital doing advertising in D.C., another is in L.A. working on reality TV shows, etc. They were definitely driven people, but completely down to earth. It was fun to get drinks with them and just enjoy the atmosphere as the Brits cheered on their "Team GB" women's volleyball pair on the telly that were playing against Canada. 

Overall, the Olympics were amazing. I'll post again soon about the events themselves, but for now, I just am enjoying remembering the social atmosphere of the Olympics. It was truly something to marvel at.

Run This Town

Last year, when I studied in London, I never ran. Not a single day. Unless you count the mile long sprint during my first week. We seriously underestimated the time it would take to get across town in the tube and a stern warning from our director indicated that if we were late to the show that night, there was NO WAY they would let us in. So, we got off the tube at our stop and ran for our lives. Although, ironically enough almost lost them (I had a close call with a car and angry driver) on the way to the theater. But we made it to the theater on time, no problem. So that was my one and only unplanned running excursion, even though I regretted it once I left London. I had so many opportunities: Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Wales, and multiple areas of England.

Well, why didn't I run?

First off, I'm lazy. I fall under the same category everyone else does. Just lazy and tired.

Second off, I have scoliosis.
Yes, that ominous thing they tested us for in middle school.

But don't worry, it's not the worst version of it.

My back. I'll let you in on a little secret--it's not supposed to look like this

The past few years were a massive mess of doctors telling me I had degenerative arthritis, an extra vertebrae, and a bizarre and dizzying string of theories that makes me wonder who let these people graduate from Med School. I got x-rays, an MRI, and doctors said there was nothing wrong. It wasn't until I went to a chiropractor this past year that everything became apparent. The verdict: acute scoliosis. The curve is relatively minor and it is primarily located in my lumbar region so it doesn't really show. So, it could be MUCH worse. However, the issue is that my hip bone is shifted upwards on one side (again, barely noticeable). So... a shorter leg and a curved back? Yeah, not the best combo. My muscles have to work about 80% harder than everyone else's as they struggle to balance me out. Doctors have told me not to run because it will ruin my joints and batter down my back, but for some reason, I don't feel like listening. I'm in pain every single day, so why avoid doing something I love simply because it will put me in "pain?" Pain is something I'm already extremely familiar with. And believe me, its not going to stop me from horseback riding again in the future as soon as I find the time and money.

So I decided to brave running again today. I'm actually doing a 5k in the fall, so I figured I better guarantee that I'll be in shape. I put on my ankle brace (a necessity lately, otherwise I limp the rest of the day) and headed out on this beautiful and rare England morning.

And I'm so glad I did. I mean, just look at this.

New goal: different route every day

I felt so good after I got back from the run that I think I will start running at least 3 times a week, if not more. NEW RESOLUTION.

And just in case you needed a laugh today:

Madingley Cemetery

We went to Madingley Cemetery today. It was probably one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have seen in a while. I loved Arlington when I went (minus the heat), and I loved Normandy when I went (although, I was dead beat by the end of the 8 hour tour), but this one has its own beauty. I think I came onto the cemetery already heavy with emotions. 

Let me first say this: I am not a crier. One of my best friends didn't see me cry until sophomore year of college. However, in recent years have allowed myself to tap into my emotions and cry at times. And for some reason, last night I wanted to watch a movie that would make me cry, but didn't. Unable to purge those emotions, I walked into the cemetery with raw emotion waiting to surface. I walked alone through the rows of graves just thinking to myself.

One thought came to mind. Well, not just a thought, but a poem. I memorized it last year, but the words escaped me past the first stanza. But here it is:

It is so beautiful, and so overwhelming to me. It is as if the dead are saying, "Don't forget what we have laid down our lives for."

The second thought that came to mind was this:

As our professor, Dr. Martland, stated: these men were all around our age

I imagined all of my guy friends that I am close with, and even those that I am barely acquainted with, and the thought of them all filling a chunk of those graves was unbearable. I was looking at the graves of brothers, husbands, lovers, friends, sons. It was heartbreaking. War stole their lives. It reminded me of the scene in Remember the Titans where they run to Arlington Cemetery and Coach Boone gives a speech about hate. It made me wish that wars didn't happen. It's a tough place, because as a historian I love to study them. I find them fascinating. But they are heart wrenching as well. I sat there, in this beautiful memorial in honor of them and silently thanked them for their service. 

May they rest in peace.

British Words

I may come home saying: lovely, brilliant, cheers, pardon, and other such words. They just sound so beautiful when British people say them.

Oh, and just for fun: CHUFFED. I found this mug in Scotland and got really excited. Here's why:

I'd be chuffed to bits by your ba-donka-donk!

Cambridge: The People

I have to say that I'm impressed on a daily, if not hourly, basis at the people I've met while in the PKP programme.

A few of us with our new adopted friend, Briana, in Killin, Scotland

First, let's start off with the BYU kids. Holy cow. Talk about the most amazing people you will ever meet in your life. These kids are going to change the world. But besides their intelligence, these people are sincerely nice, helpful, down to earth, and some are just downright hilarious. I mean, seriously. HILARIOUS. Especially when you get into a game of ebonics bananagrams with them. Oh man. Best version of bananagrams I have ever seen. DISNDAT = Best word of the night. Honestly, I was worried coming over here that I may not make friends easily, and while I don't feel like I have made best friends with anyone (because honestly, we're forced to be on our own a lot), I have loved getting to know everyone in our group. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible these people are and how much they make me laugh.

Then, there's the BYU Cambridge students. Talk about helpful in every way. They have given us tours of the town and libraries (today's was definitely a big help--the University Library is an insane place), tips, and have put their pride and dignity aside to sit with us BYU students as we talk about things that are hardly intellectual. Hey, we gotta blow off some steam somehow... But seriously, it's been great to have them around.

Additionally, there's the students from other schools. It has been an awesome experience to meet students that are from Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. There have been also people that I have met that are from various places in the Middle East. And seriously, everyone is so dang nice, as well as funny. There's one guy I met in particular that I don't know very well, but every time I see him, he's saying something hilarious. It makes me smile. In my mind, I always assumed that those that were studious kept more to themselves, but it has been refreshing to see that all of the students here seem to love being social as well as throw themselves into their work. I love the balance.

And lastly, there are the professors and teachers. In my Spooks and Spies class, there is one lecturer that swears and yells and tries to make the class as entertaining as possible for us, and really, it is. I laugh and smile when he (tastefully) swears to make a point and I love how down to earth he is. There isn't a superiority factor here, which I love. I suppose in my other classes, lecturer to student relation isn't as relaxed, but I love just sitting around in the Spooks and Spies and Travel Writing seminars and speaking freely. It makes me wish that American universities set up their classes the same way.

Oh, Cambridge, how I love you.

You Don't Know Jack

For the week or so I've been here at Cambridge, I've been told that there is a man that lives upstairs--right above my bedroom, in fact. I was starting to doubt my roommates and claiming that he didn't exist, until I was searching for my keys in my backpack and he walked right out our door. I wish I could say I had some exciting conversation with him, but I was so stunned to find out that he was real that all I could say was "sorry" for being in his way. So, I've finally seen, though hardly met, the elusive Jack.

Just Touched Down in London Town

I always get that Estelle song stuck in my head when I'm in London. I don't think it will ever get out of my head. 

But I must say that luck was in my favor the last two days. I woke up early in the morning, got breakfast, and then went to Hyde Park. I only took a quick stroll, but I luckily was right near the area that I wanted to be at: The Peter Pan statue. 

Peter Pan: "The boy who would not grow up"

There really is something truly magical about this statue. I could look at it all day. Too bad there are so many other exciting things in London to see. 

I finally met up with my companions for the next two days: meet Katherine (left) and Liz (right)

After seeing "Singing in the Rain" at the Palace Theatre. Amazing.

Liz, by a crazy coincidence (which we only realized later that night), worked in the Special Collections library the same time that I did. Now that she's graduated, she's living back home up in Northern England. That is, until her fiancé in the U.S. can bring her back to the states :)

Liz's fun facts of the day: 

The Millenium Bridge was nicknamed the "Wibbly-wobbly" bridge by the British after the public found out that the tension on the bridge wasn't right. How did they find out? Well, many of them fell off of it. Haha. This is why when it breaks apart in the 6th Harry Potter movie that it is particularly funny to the English.

The Thames River used to be the dirtiest river in the world. It was only when Parliament became too overwhelmed with the smell when they opened their doors that they decided to do anything about it. It now is one of the cleanest rivers in the world. Go England. 

British drive on the left side of the road, because it ancient times, knights held their lances in their right hand and needed to be ready for battle. The whip and buggy is the reason Americans use the right side. 

One of my favorite parts of our two days was this:

Everywhere along the bank they have pianos chilling for anyone and everyone to play at their leisure. Liz and Katherine played chopsticks and then Liz played a beautiful song that I believe she said is British. A German lady took pictures of her and spoke with her after. While this was happening, I sat down and gave it a shot. I did my usual spiel: Five for Fighting and Regina Spektor. When I started playing "Us" I heard someone say, "Regina Spektor?" 

I turned and saw two boys standing there, taking pictures and videotaping me. I couldn't help but laugh and say yeah. One of the guys said, "I love how music is universal." I dumbly just replied yeah again and kept playing. Then feeling suddenly self conscious I ended the song and got up. I turned around, only to find a larger audience behind me and Liz snapping pictures with my camera. 

I was embarrassed a little bit that I had acquired a crowd, but honestly, I was mostly flattered. Guess my piano playing isn't too shabby after all.

Then the Camden Market--Hello international food!!! Turkish sausage, cheese, and spinach wraps. Belgian chocolate covered strawberries and bananas.

Something that couldn't have been more perfect was coincidentally showing up for "Horse Power Day"  Horses being paraded around everywhere and a new horse exhibit. Loveddd it. 

And lastly... getting excited for this. Hello Olympic GAMES!!!! :)