Hidden Secrets of the City; (Mayfair Walk)

Last week I took a stroll through the part of town known as Mayfair. Dating back to Roman times, May Day Fair was the celebration of the first day of summer. Over time the theme transformed to one of love and lust as the young and single would dance around and hope to entangle a lover of sorts. Now the area is known as Mayfair, and while it still mostly attracts the youth it is not just a festival to satisfy lust. It is now a vibrant part of town that I found full of bright colors, intriguing alleys, and delightful markets.

It is no wonder this area draws the younger generation in as the vocal point for their social life. I was enchanted by the quiet energy in the air. Driving though it I don't think one would notice anything particularly memorable or different about the district. But, take a nice walk and you are quickly pulled in and lost in the magic that is market alleys and hidden churches. I am fairly certain I could make Mayfair my home for good.  Or at least spend a good number of nights exploring it.

  

There are flowers all over London. I love it. Why doesn't Salt Lake follow suit? I will never know. You can walk down any street and spot flowers either in a shop, hanging from pubs, or in flower boxes outside of windows. If you are really looking you will get lucky and spot little paths that lead to a sanctuary of sorts: paths lined with enough foliage you momentarily forget you are in one of the biggest cities in the world. If you are ever lucky enough to come through this city make sure you really do WALK it; none of that taxi business. This walk really showed me it has so much to offer to those willing to be curious enough to look for it. 

  

Don't you just want to wander down every alley and go in every shop? 

It's mix of natural beauty and aging buildings still full of life make it the perfect hang out and young adult atmosphere. It's trendy, fresh, and energetic while managing to show off it's old charm and traces of history. What more could you ask for on a Friday night with someone special or a free afternoon with friends?

Another favorite part of the walk was finding the markets. Here is Piccadilly Market outside of St. James's Church; a return trip will be planned soon for sure. If you are willing to talk to those selling you can learn so much about the area, life in Mayfair, and things going around London. They might even lower their prices if you're cool enough ;) 

So obsessed with these hand-painted bowls. I would buy enough for my future home if I A) could actually get them home and B) wasn't a poor college student, haha. Really, these markets are as good as finding buried treasure in my opinion. 

Three cheers to Mayfair for having alluring alleys, delightful scenery, and an ambiance full of zest and (possibly) some magic. Now go take a walk around your own town and discover the secrets its been hiding in your own backyard all along!

Love Always, Aimee

Long Time, No See

Long time, no post. I know, I know. Spring term has knocked me off my feet temporarily. Turns out doing organic chemistry for 4-8 hours a day 5+ days a week is a very real and possible situation to find yourself in. But enough about that.

What have I been up to?

Well. I entered my last year of being a teenage with my 19th birthday! It was a wonderful day full of my favorite people. I went shopping with my mother, had a picnic in the park with my best friend, went laser tagging, and to my favorite restaurant.
YOU GUYS.
If you have never been to The Mandarin Restaurant in Bountiful.... You have not lived. Go. Now. Stop reading this. Go. And get the almond chicken and veggies and honey walnut shrimp. I'll just say you're welcome in advance.
Anyways. It was a good day to say the least :)

I had a few days off between school semesters where I watched my younger brother and sister with Mom and Dad off in Hawaii celebrating 25 years of marriage with eternity to go!

I also said goodbye to Jae Col as she left on her mission to Virginia. That was hard.. But she is amazing and I will see her soon enough I suppose. 18 months is nothing!

Isn 't she a babe? I thought so.

Then I have been in Spring term for about 6 weeks now? I love it but I would be lying if I didn't tell you it was hard. Classes twice as long and twice as fast is a lot to take in.. But you get used to it. Plus it's way nice to get it done fast. There is no way I would survive this chem class for 15 or 16 weeks in a regular semester. No freaking way. But having it as my main focus with a little class and the best TA ever isn't too bad at all! Seriously we have the best TA. Liz. We owe our lives and grades to her. And I am not exaggerating.  Someone needs to up her pay.

Nights consist of hiking, temple trips, exploring provo, swimming,  watching movies, making cookies, playing volleyball, ward activities, and making friends. It's a pretty good life.

Provo Temple <3

I am also in swimming and ceramics classes. Probably two of my very favorite things in the world. Getting up to exercise and swim is wonderful and ending the day in the studio on the wheel is perfect.  When I get stuff out of the kiln maybe I'll post a picture!

Here is a view of the studio I wish I could live in 

And now. The point of this post.
The most exciting thing of the entire year (so far) has happened.

**drumroll**

I can't get over this picture. Isn't he cute? Aren't we cute? Isn't the temple wonderful? Everything in life is wonderful.

JACOB CAME HOME FROM HIS MISSION!!

My older brother  returned from his two year service as a missionary for the LDS church in London, England this Wednesday. I don't know if I have ever been more excited or smiled more in my life. Or cried so much from pure joy.
It was so incredibly good to see him, see he's a real person and not just a memory, and hear is laugh and voice again.
Two years is long time.. It's weird to think how much has happened in both our lives and how much both of us have changed and yet still managed to look basically the same. Though he does seem taller..

Hey look! It's Jake!

Our house flying it's true colors. 

Aren't my posters adorable? 

Ah. Such a good day at that airport though. It's crazy to think I will switch him places in less than 3 months! And what an adventure that will be.. But for now I am so happy to just be home and hang with my family. It's been too long since we've all been home. (And I suppose I technically still have two weeks of living in Provo before we are all home again but... What's two weeks after two years, right?)

I am currently on my way home for his Homecoming weekend and couldn't be more excited.
The Church is true. God is wonderful. And life is an amazing adventure.

Love Always, Aimee