Reflections & Resolutions

As I've reflected on the last year and thought about what is coming in this new one, I cannot help but feel overwhelming gratitude for my life and all the love in it.

I knew being married to Austin would be good, but I had no idea how good. It's one of those things that you don't know you are missing from your life until it's in it, and then you have no clue how you lived so long without it. Like avocados or cafe rio, but infinitely more. Austin is so kind, thoughtful, funny, intelligent, hard-working, caring, adoring, and absolutely adorable. He makes every day better and never fails to help me see the good. On top of that, he also does all the laundry, most the cleaning, and half the cooking. So really I am winning BIG TIME over here.

With my new marriage, I have also discovered a whole new level of love for my Savior. Don't get me wrong, I have always been grateful for the atonement and always understood that without it, I could not live with my family again in Heaven. But it was not until I was sealed to Austin that I fully appreciated the atonement meant I could live with HIM forever and ever, and spend eternity becoming perfected, creating worlds, and just loving him. And oh my goodness how my perspective has shifted. I cannot imagine life without Austin in it. I would not want any life or existence that did not include him quite honestly (sounds dramatic, I know). I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior who provided a way for me to truly have Austin for forever. What a blessing. I can tell you one thing is for sure: I do not deserve it. God really is good.

I am not quite sure what this post is about, but I wanted to start keeping a blog again. Being February, I thought it was appropriate to talk about love as it has been on my mind a lot lately. As cliche as it is, love is what makes the world go round! I think it should be a part of everything we do.

I have also been thinking lately about what changes I want to make in my life this year. The one I keep coming back to is just being more kind. Not that I am a mean person, but I do not want to become a complacent person. I want to actively do good. I want to seek out opportunities to serve, rather than wait until one falls in my lap. I want never suppress a generous thought and just give all I have to give. Because let's be real: I have more than I need, and as Anne Frank said, "No one ever became poor by giving." *mic drop*

So from me to you, Happy Valentines and Happy New Years! I hope you take a moment to appreciate all the goodness and love in your life, I hope you realize where it originates form, and I hope you go find someone you can serve. Whether that is texting an old friend to say hi, making treats and door-belling ditching them, paying for the person's food in line behind you, giving someone the Book of Mormon, donating to the refugee efforts.. there is something YOU can do. How lucky are we that God trusts us enough to serve His children?! Personally, I believe it is one of life's greatest joys.

2017, I am ready for ya.

Love Always, Aimee

I promise I am alive.

I used to think that I was terrible at blogging because school made me so busy.
However, after being out of school for a month, I have to conclude that that is not the case.
I must just be lazy.
But I'm not a lazy person, so that can't explain my prolonged absence either.
I think the truth is deep down I am worried my life is no longer interesting.
There.
I said it! I no longer live in the most enchanting and exciting city in the world, so my world must not be noteworthy anymore, right? ... Even typing that out sounds silly, but I can't deny the ring of truth I have been trying to avoid.
Coming home from London sucked.
There.
I said it! I am being brutally honest with you all. It was hard to come home. I jokingly told my mother if it wasn't Christmas I wouldn't have been coming home. Except it wasn't a joke, not really. It was hard to leave 27 Palace Court and all the adventures every day brought with it. The 40 best friends I spent all my time with, the 20 million stairs I climbed daily, the never-ending tube rides, the city lights and towering buildings that made me feel so small and yet so at home, the breathtaking countryside that was so opposite of London itself and STILL felt like home, the misty rain that made my hair a hopeless mess, the theatre, the archaic churches, art galleries galore, and street market after street market full of fascinating people and unbelievable food... Yeah. It was hard to leave and even more heart breaking to know I would probably never call that place home again.

They say London is the cross roads of the world; I full-heartedly concur. You can walk down any street and hear many languages and you can get authentic food from literally any country in the world because people come from all over to world to live in London. Something about that tiny, over-populated city draws people to it. Even though you practically have to sell your first-born child to pay for a tiny apartment, people find it worth it. There is something so unique and special about that city. To just sit back and watch the world walk by you and be a part of every culture and every type of event is just... I am at a loss to explain what it is really like to be a part of. England will always be home in my heart. I would not trade that opportunity for anything.

All of that being said, I still truly do love my life here. I do! It's such a wonderful life. This last semester was my favorite one yet (besides London, obvi). I finished my minor in family studies and took anatomy so I LOVED all of my classes, my random roommates turned out to be some of my very best friends, and I had an awesome ward. I was so sad to move out a few weeks ago and say goodbye to such a brilliant time.

Other things that have happened:

I bought a car! Does that make me an adult? It's a cute, little silver corolla affectionately named Louis. (Yes, after One Direction.. I asked my London Ladies and they suggested Harry Styles, but my car was just not perfect enough to be a Harry Styles. So we went with Louis; adorable, but not Harry. Also he was my perfect mate according to buzzfeed so it only made sense).

I missed my first college class EVER to go see my dear cousin Linds return from her mission to California! It was a much needed break, even if only for a weekend. Oh my gosh I did not realize how much my heart needed to see that girl. ALSO. As of last week, she is now engaged! How crazy is that? Turns out I get to go back to California this August for a wedding! I love love.

I turned 20!!
RIP to those awkward teenage years. I am sorry, but you will not be missed.

One of my best friends since age 7 (and future roommate!!) came home from her mission!!
Best birthday present ever, right? I am so excited to show you the ropes at college, Rick! <3

I got a job as an EFY Counselor for the summer! My wish from 5 years ago is coming to light. It seems so weird, haha. I start next week. Sure, it might just be glorified babysitting of teenagers for the summer, but I am so excited! I love the youth and the enthusiasm and light they have. I am pumped to work closely with them again, and a small part of my hopes that I can have a good influence on at least one of them this summer. That would be the ultimate dream; to be a force for good and bring someone a little closer to Christ by loving them as He does.

I threw my soon-to-be-sister Emily a bridal shower! It was a lot of work, but so much fun. I think my love language is actually party planning. Or at least my dream side job anyways (so if any of you need any parties planned... hit me up). *pictures coming soon. I think it went well? There was a point about two hours before it started that I did not know if it would all come together, but of course it did. It was real good food and real good people celebrating a really beautiful girl; I am going to deem it a success.

Are they not just the cutest couple in the history of ever?? 

Well. That's about it! I have been spending my mornings running or swimming, days cleaning/organizing or doing research for a professor at school, afternoons watching my sister's softball games, and my evenings with my family or friends. It is a pretty good life, I tell you. Noteworthy, even without the adventures afforded by London. God is so good and life is so beautiful.

these are some of the best people I know. 

Oh, yeah. I guess I dyed my hair back to it's natural brown. Kind of miss the red, but it will be easier to maintain this summer. Or so I keep telling myself. 

Love Always, Aimee

This is what happens when my sister asks me to tend her dog for the weekend. 

I'm more of a cat person, tbh...

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives
oh sweet the joy this sentence gives.
He lives; He lives who once was dead. He lives, my ever living head.
I lives; my kind, wise, heavenly friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
Oh sweet, the joy this sentence gives.
I know that my Redeemer lives.


I am so grateful to be blessed enough to know that I have an elder brother, Savior, and Redeemer who not only died on the cross for me but rose again and broke the bands of death. He paid a debt I never could have and gave me--and the entire human race--reason to live, reason to hope, reason to feel joy. There is life after death; it is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Lord. He is my light and my strength through every day of life. I am so grateful for His loving arms that are continually reaching out to save me. Without His great infinite and eternal sacrifice the whole human experience would end in nothing. But because of his act of pure, deep, and unconditional love for each and every one of us, death will be the only thing that truly dies in the end. That is the most beautiful irony of all. We will live forever with our families and Savior. All He asks is that we come and follow Him.

I truly stand all amazed at the beautiful grace Jesus offers me.


Love Always, Aimee

MIA

I must have had some theory when I returned to school that my life was suddenly uninteresting and thus did not need to be updated via this blog as often.

But then today I realized it is halfway through March and over a quarter of the way through the year and I have not posted one thing. And sure,  I know longer spend my days wandering London or weekends visiting other countries or castles. I spend my days sitting in classes or studying cadavers in the anatomy lab and my nights writing research papers or reading textbooks, but my life is not inconsequential because of it. Freak. I love my life! Research papers, never-ending classes and all.

First day of class shot. This is home. 

My teachers are amazing. I am learning so so much every day. Anatomy? GUYS. Everyone should take it!! It is so cool to study the body. And really, how can you study the body and not KNOW there was a divine creator? This stuff does not just happy people. It's perfect and beautiful and amazing. Even if the smell is less so.

skully is the only one who understands. 

My other classes are so uplifting. I am so grateful I had an extra semester to complete a minor in Family Life (someone remind me of this in a few years when I just want to be done and graduated).

new desk, old memories. 

Here's what I love about BYU: we accept all truth as what it is: truth. Gospel truths included. Meaning my teachers can testify of Christ and Eternal Families and the Atonement and things the Prophet's have taught us as we study the body or chemistry or family finance. And you wouldn't think those things all relate back to the gospel but holy cow I am here to tell you that they do. Everything is related to the gospel because God created this world and the elements in it. He is the only one who truly understands everything and the one who inspires us to be able to as well. There is no where else in the world that you can get such a good education by the world's standard as well as an education in the gospel. It is unlike anything else to feel the Spirit in a science class. There is no where else I would rather be (even if we don't get a spring break..).

original by yours truly. 

My roommates are bomb. I don't know how I have lucked out every semester so far. I always seem to have exactly the people living with me I need to learn from (it's weird, it's like I have someone watching out for me who knows everything or something).

Just your casual Saturday night jam session. 

Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. 

mini London Roommate Reunion. These girls are my favorite humans. 

The weather? Do I even need to explain this one? It has been beautiful. I have never seen a "winter" like this. Sure, we have no water yet for the summer.. But hey. I have nothing against April showers. Those are way better than January or February blizzards in my book.

surprise visit to see my favorite RM in California? YES. YES YES YES.

And that is only the very beginning of the list of reasons why my life is so wonderful.

new favorite place to eat: BAKED. Guys. I am a firm believer that sandwiches = life.

Well. It's almost midnight and I still have some reading to do for class tomorrow, so I will end there.
But just so ya'll know, I am alive and well and still loving life.
Yes, I miss England. I think I always will. But I also know happiness is very much a choice in life. And I will always (try to) choose to be happy.
So come what may and love it.

Love Always, Aimee

 (Sorry I don't have any really cool pictures really to post, just a lot of jumbled up thoughts and shots from real life.. but here's a flashback for your enjoyment and my heart ache)

(this is also home)

the Aftermath.

where has your backpack been?

(obviously) Everyone keeps asking me, "How was London?!" and I keep on saying "good!" or "great!" or "amazing", etc etc, you get the picture. But one word could never convey everything I saw and experienced in my four months there or the ways I grew and changed as a person. In fact, I am not certain any amount of words could accomplish that. I have managed to put my finger on a few small lessons London taught me that will stick for the rest of my life, and that is what I would like to share.

Most importantly, I learned that it is people who make things meaningful and important. 

I saw a lot of incredible places, that cannot be ignored nor should it be, but they would not have meant half as much if I had not been with amazing people. Just like Centerville would not be home without the people who live in it. Elder Bednar said, "The most important things in life almost always involve the people around you" and I am not sure if truer words have ever been spoken. 

That being said, I also learned a lot about service. 

I lived in very close proximity with 45 people. My room alone had 15 girls in it. FIFTEEN GIRlS ranging from 19 to 21 in age. That is triple the amount in my entire apartment last year.  It would have been really easy to become annoyed at any number of them or have silly problems, etc. It was almost expected. But we didn't have any. Honestly, next to no drama. Why? Because we all just acted selflessly to the other girls around us. We all were so willing to give anything to help each other out or listen to each other. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement to lift and love those around you that was so special to me. One of my favorite sayings is to "Never suppress a generous thought". I think London was the first place I consistently lived that way and I absolutely loved it. We know that every good thing comes from God; therefore I believe any generous (good) thought we have is a prompting from the Spirit (from God). So not only did I learn about service, but I learned to listen more to the Spirit and recognize it, which I am so grateful for. I hope it is a habit I can take with me for the rest of my life.

no one has ever become poor by giving; and because I have been given much I too must give.
And I would give anything to these girls.

I learned about how the Church works outside of Utah/the US. 

The members in my ward were so pure in heart, accepting, loving, and so wonderful. Not that members aren't wonderful in Utah -- the Church is the same no matter where you go -- but there was definitely something different. I was the racial minority; everyone else was from Jamaica or Ghana or Portugal or Spain or Brazil or Wales or who knows where else around the world. Many were converts or were inactive for parts of their life and they knew how important it was for every member to feel welcome and loved. They knew that everyone had a history and fell short of the glory of God and they didn't care. They loved you anyways. Tattoos? Great. Drinking problem? We'll help you. Divorced and have children? What can we do for you? Need a lift to the activity this week? Want to go to the temple this weekend? Really. They have nothing to give but they will give you anything. 

home is where the heart is and England has mine completely.

I learned more about who I am and who I want to be as a person. I learned how to be happy in any situation and love any place. I learned to see the world as new and beautiful and to appreciate all that was in front of me. I realize I am in love with London and just completely enchanted by every aspect of it. But to be honest, a good part of that stemmed from me expecting to be. I looked for the beauty and found perfection through the imperfection and 'ordinary' parts of it. I am trying to take that home with me as well so I can see everywhere I am as beautiful and exciting. Because it all is. This life is just one big beautiful adventure and I am so blessed to live it.

I was incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to study abroad in London. As cliche as it sounds, it truly changed me and my life for the better in ways I will never be able to explain or describe further than this. Although it feels like a feeble attempt, I still had to try. I owe that much to my dear city of London and the impact it had on me. 
London, thank you from the bottom of my heart; I will love you forever & always. 

when you hear Big Ben again, that's when you'll know (you're home).

Love Always, Aimee 

#cheerstoyoulondon

Finale

Monday and Tuesday were spent taking finals. I would just like to say I do not think there is any feeling quite at great as walking out of your last final. Can I get an amen? The relief and pure joy felt is unreal.

We took four finals in London; Shakespeare, Humanities, British History, and Church History in the British Isles. It went down much as finals do on campus. Hours and hours of studying, reading over notes, looking over the class slideshows, and asking every person who walks by what they are studying because there's just so information you have no idea where to start for a thirty question test. Half the Centre was up well into two am together holding reviews and talking over Shakespeare's plot lines and characters as well as the last three thousand years of Britain's history. They went well! I think? I guess I will find out when grades are released. Either way WE WERE FREE!

Wednesday we had the whole day to ourselves and our dear city of London. Me, Ellen, Addie, Zoe, and Lexie decided we wanted to see as much as possible so starting lunchtime we walked essentially the entire city. Beginning at Marble Arch we walked all the way down Oxford St. admiring the lights and window shopping as we went, then through the back streets around Tottenham Court and Charing Cross. When we reached Trafalgar Square we went inside the National Gallery one last time. Inside we just sat in front of Monet's Water Lilies and let the impressionist art in the room speak to our souls. I love art. I walked through a couple other rooms to say goodbye to Constable, Renior, Van Gogh, and Lorrain's beauties. Walking out of the front doors of the National Gallery is one of my favorite scenes in London. It gives you a view of the whole square and all the way down the street is where I caught my first glimpse of the beautiful Big Ben.

In Trafalgar Square we had the genius idea of climbing on top of one of the Lions for a picture.
Needless to say this quickly turned disastrous when I ripped my pants climbing up. *insert annoyed and embarrassed face here*. They were my favorite pair too... Lucky for me I was wearing a long coat that covered said damage because we had ZERO time to go back to the Centre and change or even buy a new pair. At this point we were supposed to be meeting at the London Eye in the next fifteen minutes. Whoops. Haha. (No fear everyone; I found the same pair of pants in my size on clearance yesterday so I once again have my favorite pants.)

*picture wasn't worth the pants, just fyi*

We walked from Trafalgar down to the Houses of Parliament, Ben, and Westminster Abbey. We snapped a last picture and walked across Westminster Bridge to the Eye.

last visit to Ben <3

There we met up with the other 10 ladies of Room 2 for our farewell ride over London. We timed it PERFECTLY. With a pod all to ourselves we watched the entire sunset over our city. It was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't want to watch my last sunset in that city any other way. We were able to see essentially everything and get one last view of the place we had the privilege of calling home these last four months. Obviously it was a little bittersweet, but we kept it light hearted by having a dance party to Imagine Dragon's "On Top of the World" at the top. Ha, it was only near the end of the song that we realized the pod next to us had been watching and recording us... Glad we could improve their experience on the Eye I guess.

isn't he perfect? 

Following that we just went together up the South bank a mile or so. We strolled through Christmas markets and walked under light-strung trees taking in the magic of London until we reached our favorite Millennial Bridge. That took us across the Thames to St. Paul's where we hoped onto the Tube for a stop or two to Covent Gardens and then walked to Leicester Square where we had dinner at THE BEST indian restaurant. It was a Michelin Star restaurant and had a line outside the door so we knew it had to be good. We only ended up waiting about fifteen minutes for a table due to a cancellation. That is what we calling winning at life, folks. Our waiter did not realize we were familiar with Indian food; he kept warning us that things would be "spicy" and told us the right half of the menu was probably too "heavy" for us to handle (admittedly we did not order from that half. BUT I did get chicken labeled spicy and it was not anything spicy like the last spicy indian food I ordered).

After dinner we split up because everyone had a different idea for how they wanted to end their evening. I headed alone (don't tell my parents) all the way to Tower Bridge. I wanted to see it one last time all lit up against the black sky. The excursion did not disappoint in any sense. The overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation for London I experienced as I sat on a bench outside the Tower of London cannot described. Visiting the Tower of London was our first 'London Excursion' on study abroad and therefore my first real taste of the city. It felt just right for it to be my last view as well and have a sense of closure about leaving.

I took the long way home just so I could walk one last time down Oxford Street because it is pure magic at Christmas time. 

At 22:00 (10 pm for those of you who are following along at home) we all reconvened at the Centre to head to our last Snowflake Gelato run up the street. I went big this time and got TWO scoops (and then immediately realized why I normally get one... They're decent sized scoops. Oh well. YOLO). I got their signature Snowflake flavor, coconut, white chocolate, and vanilla perfection with mixed berry that was absolutely heaven. The combination of sweet with tart goodness? Killer. Ten out of ten, would recommend. We took over the whole joint and overwhelmed the poor italians one last time and it was so bittersweet to all be together one last time.

Late that night the whole Centre said goodbyes and then spent half the night packing. I was up until 3 am and then woken up at 4:30 by a girl leaving, then slept again from 5-6 am and then I could not sleep any longer and I was up until after 8 am the next day by the time I made it home!

London fam selfie 

my wonderful professors and their wives 

Packing and packing and packing all the night long + my photo wall at the foot of my bed.

It's hard to believe my adventures in London are over (for now). That city will forever hold a part of my heart, but lucky for me I took so much more away from it than I left there; it has changed me and my life for the better. London, I love you.

last view of Palace Court before jumping in our taxi..

Love Always, Aimee

goodbye for now, England :( xoxo - Aims 

Lucky for me, Hanman was on the same flight home! And how else can you leave school in England except by reading Harry Potter the whole way home? 

(This is just from the mentioned finals above.. Sometimes it hits 2 am studying and you may or may not feel like your brain is going to explode so the only solution is to take a break and give the professor's son cornrows. Nice to know if I fail out of school I can fall back on a solid hair-stylist career, right?)