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...

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)

Favorite Place with my Favorite People

Today was one of my favorite days thus far; we went to the London Temple with most of our group and one of our professors. It took some pushing and convincing to work out the trip, but we got it sorted out in the end. After a quick breakfast this morning and a two hour coach ride we found ourselves on the grounds of the House of the Lord. 

Because we only brought one endowed priesthood holder with us we had to do all of our confirmations before we could start the baptisms. This ended up being a blessing in disguise. While we waited for our turn (in sets of three) we stayed in the lounge room. At first we all just sat quietly reading the Ensign or scriptures, but then one of the temple workers suggested (asked) us to sing hymns. Obviously we started with the Christmas ones and then moved to our favorites, such as 'I Stand All Amazed' and 'I Believe in Christ'.We sang almost every single Christmas hymn in the book (in harmonizing parts, of course) and it actually sounded fairly decent.  Maybe because we were in the temple...? Haha. But in all honesty, it was so special to sit inside the temple with my little study abroad family and sing of our Savior, His birth, and life. The spirit was so strong and we all just felt so peaceful.

It was also a unique experience to have my professor do my confirmations and baptisms. Not many university students can say they have gone to the temple with their professor! Let alone the temple in London. All in all, it brought our whole group even closer together--something none of us believed possible at this point. I mean, we have been living practically on top of each other for three and a half months now. We know almost everything about everyone from eating habits to sleeping patterns to love history to weird quirks to life goals and dreams to friend and family drama to... the list goes on. I can tell who is walking into a room based off how they open the door or their breathing sounds, haha.  I also know that if anything brings people together fast it is sharing spiritual experiences. Going to the temple was the perfect way to start our Thanksgiving breaks and best way to begin the end of our four month adventure together. 

I am so grateful for the beautiful place I've had the opportunity to live these last few months, the amazing and hilarious people I have gotten to know, and the incredible experiences we have been able to share together. I am grateful for the temple and opportunity it provides for us to not only feel closer to our Father in Heaven but to allow us a moment where we can take on a role similar to the Saviors by doing things of eternal importance that they cannot do for themselves. It's quite cool once you think about it. 

Such a solid day. Being so far from the temple has definitely increased my appreciation for it and I will definitely be taking advantage of how close I live to one once I return home. 

Tomorrow I am flying to Germany! Ha I say that as if it were a casual thing, but I promise I know going to another country for Thanksgiving break is not casual; it is freaking awesome. I am pumped! less pumped about the papers and finals to do the next week, but hey. I'll take it and enjoy it all while I have it because heaven knows the time is going too fast. 

Happy Thanksgiving :) 

Eat lots of turkey and cranberry sauce for me because who knows what I will be having..

Love Always, Aimee

(this is only half the group; the other had already ran to the bus because it was raining)

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

Mondays are My Favorite

You heard me, Mondays are my favorite.

No sarcasm attached!

Why, you may ask?

It's quite simple really.

Missionaries. I love missionaries. And Monday is when the emails come and it's wonderful.

And I also love the high you're on from Sunday, I love planning out my week and seeing what's in store, and I love beginnings. 

So yes. 

Monday is one of my favorite days. 

So have a Happy Monday! Be grateful for it.

…

Can you tell I am stalling starting my last paper for the semester?

kay cool. Haha I am convinced one of the biggest life skills you learn to master quickly in college or fail is time management. I am also sure there is lots of research to back me up on that. 

Anyways.

Thanks for the distraction.

Love Always, Aimee