Christmas is over...Now to LONDON.

Christmas came WAY faster than expected. Christmas Eve started out with my dad dragging me out of bed to run 3 and a half miles with him. I thought I was in better shape then I really am...Bummer. It was fun nonetheless to spend some "quality" time with my dad. The rest of the day was filled with too many sweets (so much for running those 3 miles..), Christmas music, and fun new family traditions.

What I was most anxious for that Christmas Eve day was speaking to Elder Benjamin on the phone! (A little update: Ben and I dated throughout our junior and senior years of high school up until he left on his mission to Novosibirsk Russia in July 2009. I always told myself I would NEVER have a missionary but, alas, here I am and I love it!) It was so much fun to hear all of the incredible experiences he's having and especially to hear his voice. What an amazing missionary he is!

Christmas was awesome. It always is. Last year, my family was in Newport Beach over Christmas and it was a ton of fun, but there really is nothing like being home for the holidays. I got everything I need to move to London: a raincoat, rain boots, and an umbrella. I got other great things too, but my FAVORITE gift of all was the surprise my sister gave us...She's going to have a baby! FINALLY!!!! I've been wanting to be an aunt the past 3 years and now it's finally coming true! Jess & Dave are expecting their first baby in July 2011. I'm going to be an auntie! Woohoo!!! Congrats guys!

Now to London I go. I leave in 8 days and I have no idea what to do to start getting ready. Luckily I have a super organized and amazing mother who is helping me do everything I need to do. Mostly I have to get shots, a haircut, a dental appointment, blah blah blah. It's all the little things I don't want to do, but NEED to do. I know it's nothing like it, but I feel kind of like I'm going on a mission. I have already said goodbye to multiple friends and family and it feels weird. I'm not a fan of goodbyes, but I know it's definitely going to be worth it! I am excited for this new adventure of a lifetime I am going to have.

LONDON HERE I COME.

Talking to Elder Benjamin!

Baby Nelson - "Tee Time" July 2011!!!!!

27 Days...

Welp...Here goes nothin'. I've never blogged in my whole life, but I have to learn how to do it I guess because I'm going to LONDON!!! (Yes, that is why my blog is called "Liz in London".) Basically all I have to say right now is that I can't believe I am leaving in 27 DAYS. It's been a pretty surreal process thus far and I know that it's just going to get more and more crazy as the countdown continues.

So this is how it happened: I have always wanted to do a Study Abroad. It's been a dream of mine since I can remember. During the summer, I started thinking more about it and decided to look into it a little more. I wanted to do it through BYU because I knew it would probably be the safest and the most logical to do in what I'm going for. (Ugh...I hate saying that I'm going to go to BYU...but really, who cares.) My parents were in Russia when I first started seriously thinking about it and so I needed some advice from someone - Jessica. Jess has always been my "go - to" person when mom's not around. She actually applied and got accepted to go to London 4 years ago exactly, but ended up not being able to go for financial reasons. It was meant to be though because she met her husband, Dave, the day she was supposed to leave. I know - magic right?? Jess told me to decide what I wanted to do and then pray about it. I took her advice and here I am! Thanks Jess!!

Anyways, long story short, I applied and got accepted on September 26th. I was studying in the library with my roommate, Lucy, when I got the email and FREAKED out. "I started kwying a wittle bit" (Just for you, Danielle) and whisper-yelled to Lucy, "I got accepted to London!!" There was nothing I could really do except run down the 3 flights of stairs, out the doors, and scream. Normally I would be embarrassed by this - actually no. I wouldn't. - but I was so excited I couldn't contain myself. It was a pretty surreal experience.

Now, 3 months later, I am finishing up this semester with finals and trying to get ready for London at the same time. Who knew that moving to another country for 5 months would be this stressful? Needless to say, I am VERY EXCITED for the crazy, wild, amazing adventure I am going to have!! Christmas break is going to be awesome this year, by the way: Hanging with the fam, talking to my missionary on the phone, spending time with friends, getting ready to go and then BAM! I'm gone!!

For now though, I want my lovely roommates and awesome family to know how much I love them and am going to miss them. They have really been there for me and I am so grateful for the love and support they are giving me. Thank you to Danielle, Lucy, Whit, and Shayla for giving me the BEST semester at Utah State yet!! You girls are amazing and I love you more than you will ever know.

Well I guess it's time to wrap this up. Who knows if I'll post anything before I leave. So if not...I'LL TALK TO YOU IN LONDON!!!! Merry Christmas to you and a very Happy New Year.

Love,

Liz