Sunday Morning.

"Sunday morning,

rain is falling.

Steal some covers,

share some skin."

- Maroon 5.

Well, I can say for the first time in a long time (or maybe even since I've been here), it actually looks like your stereotypical London outside. The skies are grey, there is rain sprinkling here and there and the wind is beyond blustery. I'm so glad I can just look out the window in my nice, warm comfy chair rather than brave the elements on a day like this.

While I cough and procrastinate the dreary day away, it makes me think how this is probably my last weekend here in London. For the next few weeks I'm abroad, there are trips to be taken and other cities to be seen. I can't wait to explore what more Europe has to offer, but I'm incredibly sad to think my explorations of London town are coming to a quick close. And, of course with my good measure, I have to use all my spare time on the gazillion amount of papers I have due within my time left here. Good job, me. Way to go.

It's so weird to think in a few weeks time, I can't tell people I live in Chelsea. I can't hop on the Tube to Covent Garden just to treat myself to an iced coffee. I CAN'T EVEN GO TO NANDO'S. (Sorry for my quarter-life crisis upon saying that statement.)

Basically what I'm trying to say/do besides kill time is that I'm definitely going to be missing this place. I just love it here, simple as that. It may seem, at times, that I have some love/hate relationship with the city, but who doesn't in a place as big and crazy as this? Heck, Londoners complain more about their lives here than most, which is saying something. Nonetheless, we all love this city. So much, it's hard to even describe. It's just cool and it's London, for goodness sake. 

So while I try to finish at least 1.5 out of 4 essays today, I'm going to continue looking out my raindrop-splattered window pane and be thankful to have that view for the next few weeks. Soon enough, it won't be there for me to look through, even in the midst of my lack of attention span.

Spaces.

"Leaving us speechless

and I don't know why.

Who's gonna be the first

to say goodbye..."

- One Direction.

I JUST CAN'T EVEN DEAL WITH THIS RIGHT NOW IT'S JUST NOT HAPPENING.

CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT. SO I'M GONNA GO.

(proceeds to cry internally and mourn this loss until the end of time.)

Goodness Gracious.

"I wanna hold you close.

I just never wanna hold you tight."

- Ellie Goulding.

You know what? Lately, I've been getting pretty frustrated quicker than normal. I don't know why so many things tick me off without warning, but it seems like the smallest inconvenience kills my mood and they have all been adding up.

I don't mean to complain and I don't mean to feel like I take everything for granted, but I just sometimes don't know how to just breathe and move on. Maybe it's the pace of the city that's getting to me. Maybe it's cold weather, to be honest. But whatever it is, I need to get over it and find my right mind again.

Don't get me wrong: I am obsessed with London. I think this city has let me explore and learn new things that I couldn't possibly find in America. But America is also my home and my familiar zone, which I love a lot. Forever wishing to combine the best of both worlds...

Putting stress aside though, a month from today is when I will be waking up in my own bed on the soil of my home country. Lots to be done until that moment, but that picture will no doubt be stored in the back of my mind.

Let's just hope I can make London proud for the next four weeks.

In The End.

"And in the end, the love you take

is equal to the love you make."

- The Beatles.

Spending weekends roaming the streets of London is becoming more and more desirable as the sun stays in the sky later and the minutes left in this city are passing quickly. This place is huge and by the time I take my seat on the flight to LA, I know there will be spots I never found and landmarks I didn't have time to take in. Adventuring has started taking over my mindset and today was the perfect spring day to go do some.

After taking a class revolving around the Beatles, it's a definite fact that I am a huge fan of them and their music now. I mean, I always was, but now I guess I can say I'm a more educated one than many. (Jokes on jokes, I'm really not that smart.) With this in mind, a trip to Abbey Road was definitely at the top of my London to-do list. Sure, it took me a while to get there, but you can't blame me for leaving the best for last (month). 

It's kind of funny walking up to your average city crosswalk and see swarms of tourists walking in single-file line just to get the best snap. To be quite honest, I think the citizens driving get rather ticked off at us dumb fans for wasting our time in the middle of the street while they are on their way to take care of business. Nonetheless, Julia, Kelsey, Amanda and I all took part in the obligatory Beatles landmark in full John-Ringo-Paul-George fashion. We even peered through the metal gate to catch a glimpse of the famous studios in which some of the albums were made. 

We enjoyed the English sunshine even more while we took on Hyde Park in all its glory. I'm just so loving this transition of London weather from grey and cold to sunny and nice. It makes for the best days off and the vibes to be at their greatest. 

Man, oh, man. England just keeps pulling me back in time and time again. And I don't hate it.

Geography.

"This is meant to be.

I thought what's wrong with you and me.

It's geography."

- Andy Jordan.

Is it bad to fall in love with a reality television star turned musician/surfer that I've never actually met? Hmm...I think not.

Over pretty much the past week, I started watching (and got Kelly into) this show called Made In Chelsea. The concept is like that of The Hills, but because they live in our posh London neighborhood, we recognize the surrounding streets they visit. And like any show, there has to be one character that I love more than the rest. Enter Andy.

Long story short: within days of becoming obsessed with the show, I found out he was playing a concert here in London and begged (no, wait, bribed) Kelly to come with me just to get a glimpse of him. And we totally did that with a huge dance party and throwback sing-a-long to boot.

Midnight Memories.

"You and me and all our friends.

I don't care how much we spend.

Baby, this is what the night is for."

- One Direction.

I've come to find that since living here in London, I tend to touch everything and never wash my hands.

Wow, that sounds a little weird and gross. Let's try that again.

Moving here, I feel as if every single building and place is a piece of history and I feel the need to get my hands on it all. Not only is it history in the sense that some of these landmarks have been here for hundreds of years, but also the fact that I am making my own history throughout every single day I'm here.

While our good friend, Tori, came to spend Spring Break with us across the pond, I realized how little time I've got left here. I mean, we're literally at about five weeks now. That's nothing. We made a point to visit all of the hot spots around the city and become tourists for the week with her. It reminded me of when I first got here and everything was so new and exciting. It was seeing London through fresh eyes again, but in a heightened way of experiencing it all. 

The way time has been flying is all well and good, but now more than ever, I feel the need to hold everything and every moment so close.

Guess that explains why I feel the need to grasp on to the staircase banisters of St. Paul's Cathedral or revel in the tiles of Westminster Abbey. 

London breathes life back into any human who walks its streets and wanders throughout its boroughs. Although I may not be able to breathe too well due to my constant common cold, I still feel as if this past week rejuvenated me and my love for this city by the Thames. 

I may be sick for the duration of this semester because of my need to touch the past, but I can reassure you I will never grow sick of London.

When we took the trip to Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Tori and I fangirled so hard that even the employees pointed out our excitement in front of a 250-person crowd. But let me tell you, I HAVE NO SHAME. The three hours we spent marveling over set designs and pretending we knew how to fly on a broomstick were completely magical, puns aside. It felt like Christmas morning, but trade the eggnog for Butterbeer and Santa for Dumbledore.

\

Awh, hi Buckbeak. You're super cute in person.

BEST DRINK I THINK I'VE EVER HAD. PERIOD.

Of course I spoke Parseltongue when I walked past this. DUH.

Diagon Alley, where dreams are made of.

Dobby. The real hero.

We spent the other half of Harry Potter Day in Oxford, where other scenes from the movies were filmed. The quaint college town was buzzing from ceremonies and sunshine, so we had to join in everyone's enthusiasm with an artsy photoshoot by this ivy-covered wall. 

Can I go here yet?

Off to school...

Invitation to Dumbledore's office? Accepted.

Oh so art$y.

KB equals this is my bus.

Noms for days.

Hogwarts, here I come.

"The wand chooses the wizard, Harry."

Oxford > any other university.

Best picture of the night hands down.

Ron Weasley lives here.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good..."

Transferring right now.

In the other spare time we had over the weekend, we walked to every major site in London. I'm pretty sure it solidified the fact that the view from the pedestrian bridge near the Eye is the best one you'll find in the world. Well, wait. Actually, the best view ever is from the Eye, which completely changed my life. I knew from day one I would love that landmark more than the rest.

The holy grail of all stores ever.

Totally not tourists at all.

THIS. This is what I'm talking about right here.

Think I about cried while looking at this. 

And this.

"What are we supposed to do with our hands?"

My heart skips a beat for everything about this picture.

Look Mom! It's me pretending to fit in with the London folk!

Best franz.

You can call me Queen K.

Tea for three, please.

On top of the world.

And then the excitement from being on top of the world.

Okay, this is about to get caps lock crazy. Long story short. TORI AND I WENT TO THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AND SAW THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND TWICE WITHIN AN HOUR AND WE DIED. The end.

Westminster Abbey. One of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in and where I dream to get married. (Prince Harry, hook it up.)

Welcome to our new mansion.

St. Paul's Cathedral. Another building that I am not worthy enough to describe. Honestly, it may be one of my favorite places in London. Historical and beautiful, yes. But the messages and its mission is more inspiring than most. A church that's all for uniting people from all faiths and backgrounds for the greater good of the world. Wow.

Last but not least, Notting Hill will be where I live in five years. I guarantee you there is not another neighborhood that got my heart racing and my eyes as wide as this colorful one. Definitely picked out a handful of homes that are on my list of dream houses. It will happen.

I just love you, London. So much. I can't even say it in words. It's more than that. So much more.