Jeralee's Visit

Last week one of my roommates from BYU came out to visit me--just in the knick of time! We had a blast exhausting ourselves playing tourists and pilgrims.

Here's a link to my instagram account where I kept pretty good record of the main highlights:

• As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe theater
• BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall
• the Victoria and Albert museum
• Evensong services at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral
• 221B Baker St.
• Cadbury World
• Dover Castle
• Evensong services at Canterbury Cathedral
• Canterbury Castle ruins

And here are a few more

Dover Castle

 

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Castle Ruins

It was so fun to spend a few days with such a good friend! And it made me feel more than ever that this is home.

After I took Jeralee to the train station, I headed to Camden Market that my friend Spencer had recommended. I had such a fun time exploring this quirky little art hub/tourist trap. It was pretty empty on a random Tuesday morning, which made it even more enjoyable.

Afterward, I walked to Regent's Park. I really fell in love with this place. I just sat in the gardens for hours, occasionally walking around to find new spots to sit in.

I was feeling more than a little emotional, trying to come to terms with the idea that I have to leave this place I love so much. But this was the time I decided to give myself to feel emotional. For a few hours, I just embraced all my feelings instead of trying to ignore, deny, or run from them. I leaned into the discomfort and tried to work through them in the only ways I know how... crying, praying, writing and sitting quietly in a beautiful place feeling as if time has stood still just for me. And by the time I left, I was feeling ok. Still emotional, but more peaceful and hopeful than I had felt before walking into those gardens.