Show You Off.

"You gotta boy feeling lucky.

Mmm, how you love me.

And you're making my heart go

(boom boom)."

-Dan & Shay.

Usually, people hate Mondays. But this semester, four day weekends are my reality and Mondays are prime. I literally did nothing today. Okay, wait. That's a bit of a lie. I did my reading homework, I bought my roommate a notebook, I called my family and watched about nine episodes of Friends. Productive day, am I right?

While I should maybe be applying to more internships or doing reading for future classes, it's nice to have a little break before the week transitions straight into schoolwork. Maybe I should explore the museums or the city by myself, but I hate to admit that I'm a homebody and watching TV is one of my favorite activities. 

So, here we go with week two of trying to be as studious as possible while maintaining a healthy balance of chill time. Because nothing beats Mondays like these.

Nashville Without You.

"It'd be just another river town.

Streets would have a different sound."

-Tim McGraw.

Well, Kelly and I have the country music blaring and it's official: we are definitely missing Nashville. By no means do we love London less, but Fido and friends are calling our names.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think I miss my home away from home because of the memories and the comfort of the city. I got used to it, even if I pretend to think it's overrated. Nashville is the latest home in my life development and it's amazing in every aspect of the word. Reminder again: I still am in love with London, but Nashville is my rock as of late.

Between Snapchats of iced coffees or Facetiming with pals from the South, it's hard not to long for Music City. Sure, I'll be back next fall but it's become a norm that I'm totally used to and am adjusting out of at the moment.

I guess I just find myself as a reminiscent soul. I don't live in the past, but I sure do love on the past. Memories can define a person and make them greater and I'm a huge advocate for that statement in my life.

Nashville is putting up some stiff competition and London better be ready to pack itself a major punch.

Don't Speak.

"There's a lot that you don't notice

when you read between the lines.

The future's out of focus

when you're blinded by the light."

-Jonas Brothers.

I swear, I'm turning into a U.K. citizen. Even a little bit of the accent has been put into my tone and a legitimate British person told me I used the right slang. AH.

To prove this fact even more so, I went to afternoon tea with scones and champagne on the side, viewed the Crown Jewels and attended a rugby match at Twickenham. WHAT EVEN IS THIS LIFE I'M LIVING.

Despite the morning sleet storm and the numbness flowing throughout my entire body from the freezing cold night, I still am in love with this place and will be forevermore.

Goodness gracious, London, you have a hold on me.

(Cue the sounds of beautiful choirs.) THE CROWN JEWELS.

Oh, hey there Tower Bridge. Been a long time, eh?

I don't even understand this sport, but who cares IT'S GREAT.

Tea for two and two for tea.

People died here and it's creepy but awesome.

#fundon

Yay for friends and random British guards who like to chill.

In Da Club.

"Go, shawty.

It's your birthday.

And we gonna party

like it's your birthday."

-50 Cent.

In da club...more like in da pub.

To celebrate Kelly's big 21, we decided to pretend we were in our 30s. Not like we did anything boring, but let's just say that the business professionals are where the best mac and cheese is at. Leicester Square added enough chaos for a night (at least in my eyes) and after being rather indecisive, we ended up in a local borough pub per usual.

While this night seemed more on the calm side of things, I feel as if it was the best mix of food, booze and laughs. I like the low-key things in life and even though it's not my special day, I hope Kelly feels the same way with her night as well. Because trust me, I am not the life of the party whatsoever. Try kid in the corner who just wants to look at Twitter jokes and stuff like that.

CHEERS.

One Black Sheep.

"Lord know I'm not home.

But I'm on my way..."

-Mat Kearney.

If there is anything Nashville has taught me, it's these things:

1) Nothing can replace horrible or burnt coffee. I'm talking to you, Starbucks. Quality coffee is so worth it and I do not care how much it costs. 

2) Music by actual singer/songwriters is organically produced and some of the best stuff you could ever come across. Experimental sounds mix together with simplistic voices for the greatest blend.

Relating to the latter portion of that, I'm obsessed with new music. It's a whole new realm of listening, almost like a new horizon I'm coming across. I cannot describe how cool it is to start listening to a new song. Especially when that song comes from a man such as Mat Kearney. 

Everything I've heard so far off his soon-to-be record, Just Kids, sounds like some of the raddest stuff coming out of Nashville. It's too incredible to describe. Here, just listen to this one.

Meant To Be.

"It's a new view, babe.

But it's the same air."

-Parachute.

We got to go to the London 2012 Olympic Park. Emphasis on OLYMPIC PARK.

Think about school. Think about sitting in class taking notes. Think about tests and reading and assignments. Okay, now think again. I spent my first day of class walking where the athletes of the 2012 Summer Games were. For lecture, we went to the facility where Michael Phelps made history. My teacher encouraged us to take pictures under the Five Famous Rings. Hello, study abroad college classes!

I don't even care that half the time, it was raining and windy as sin. It was amazing to be in the atmosphere as those athletes were a couple years back. 

If every course is like that one while I'm in London, then sign me up for everything. Regardless of requirements and syllabus.

Always knew I would be going to the Olympics one day...(lol not)

Someone jumped this length in the long jump. Let me repeat: IN THE LONG JUMP.

Am I Jessica Ennis yet? What about Missy Franklin?

Cue the Olympic theme music.

London clouds are legendary.

In An Aeroplane Over The Sea.

"But for now, we are young.

Let us lay in the sun

and count every beautiful thing we can see."

-Neutral Milk Hotel.

While everyone else went off into their business world worries, I spent the afternoon with myself running errands and figuring this city out. I'm learning how to do this thing that others do, which is to "adult." Basically, I'm trying to pretend I know how to take care of everything like cell phone bills and riding the Tube. I guess you gotta fake it 'til you make it, am I right?!

As uneventful as today pretty much was, it's still cool to look around my daily walk to the station and see that I'm legitimately living in London. Like, what the heck. I cannot get over the fact that I'm living in this mega-huge city that everyone knows about. I'm 20 and I get to explore places like Big Ben and Hyde Park. For four months. How sick is that?! I just can't even believe it. I have to pinch myself every day, even when it's all dreary and rainy out.

Let's see how school goes when I check in with you tomorrow. 

To Olympic Park we go...