Day 3 of consecutive class and it seems like we've been doing this for weeks. For breakfast I had some weird interpretation of honey nut cheerios. It always interests me how they have the same things but they are always different. Nothing here is the same. It's strange how everyone has their own versions of things. I guess we all want to feel like we have originality and want to set ourselves apart from other groups of people, even in the smallest of ways. And yet, we are the same. Maybe that is obvious to everyone but me. I just assumed everyones Kellogg's cereals (and everything else sold in stores) were the same. That's just not the case. Anyway, French was a review on numbers and verbs. Our Western Heritage discussed Greece and its city states. Also some mythology of course. We had chapel and then we talked about watching King Leer at the Globe Theatre this Saturday and who wanted to go so we could get tickets. That was pretty exciting because that is like the coolest thing ever to go to a Shakespeare play in a similar setting that they were first performed. Then it was time for a lunch of creamy chicken and rice casserole type thing. I've been craving chicken and rice so that was perfect timing. We also had applesauce, vegetables, and green beans. After lunch I worked on studying. I have three tests tomorrow: a French test, which won't be hard because it is only a few things that we have learned so far, a Life of Paul test which is all memorization of lists, and a World Literature test which will be exhausting. It is over the Princess of Cleves, Candide, and Tartuffe. We will be tested over their authors and some themes and literary terms and the writings in general, but also we have to write some short answer and a whole stinking essay. I like literature and pretty much took this same class in high school, but if you know me, you know I hate writing on the spot. It takes me weeks to develop acceptable essays. So test essays are my worst nightmare. All of that to say, I was very stressed all day and spent all of it studying pretty much. On top of the studying, there was the stress of planning and collaboration. When you travel in groups, everyone has different likes and dislikes. It is pretty difficult to come to a decisive result in any small amount of time. It's not that anyone is hard to work with, it is just none of us like to make the decision for all of us. So it is a lot of limbo. We also just kept getting updates on schedule changes and encouragements to plan our free travel and such. Each announcement of a new idea or activity brought about a conversation of decisions that needed to be made. It was just a lot of information and thinking for one day. Also it seems like there is never an easy and direct choice, always complications of some sort lol. This travel stuff is hard work! And all the while I'm trying to study for tests. I think we got some things worked out though, except my heart is broken in two pieces because we went to buy tickets for the Harry Potter set tour and they were sold out. Tears. All the tears. And lots of them. I guess Ben will just have to bring me back to England one day. hint hint. Remember, heart is broken. I should be able to see some plays and go on lots of tours of amazing history so I can't be that sad haha. That was an understatement. I'm stoked to go to the U.K.. It is pretty much the best and I've never even been. I just know it. Then it was dinner time and we had breakfast for dinner. My fave thing ever. I love breakfast. EGGS. YAY. BACON. LOVE. and pancakes, also good stuff. I went right back to studying after dinner. Finally it was tea time and I drank some coffee to give me that caffeine boost to help me through the night. After tea time, was a girls devotional led by Marie (group leader). She talked about Esther and when life gives you lemons. Also buttons. And traveling. An eclectic lesson but lots of good thoughts and applicable lessons to carry with us for the rest of our time here and in life. This is where the peace came in. Time with God always puts me at ease. Instant calm. Something I really needed after a day of crazy. My head was filled to the brim and about to burst, but there's always room for God's Word. Always. I was extremely thankful tonight that I am on a trip with a group of Christians. I don't think I would make it without fellow brothers and sisters by my side on this journey. I studied some more after that until about 1:30 AM. But I think I came to the conclusion that I could probably just do my best and it will be good enough. May not be up to my usual expectations (which are of the highest normally) but that's okay. Because I am in Europe, and these are condensed classes, and I have only spent a total of 4 days in class before I have tests, and these grades won't matter as much in the scheme of life. It is about time I let go of silly stressors and appreciate where I am at in life. I think now is a good time as any to put that into practice. So we shall see how this goes! Trying new things is what this trip is all about;) I promise not all of my entries will be about my complaints, homework, and meals for the whole trip. Just the weeks we are in the facility, they will be more dull. Stay tuned though! London in two days! WOO!

Special shoutout today goes to KRISTIN LILLY. because she made a cute journal for me about what has been going on at Freed lately and I loved it. Made me feel like I was in the loop again. I miss my cute friends and Freed and Ben everyday but it helps they are the sweetest.
Second shoutout: SUITE 18 for sending me videos to put some smiles on my face. LOVE.

Okay, ciao America. (you know the French say ciao sometimes? How weird is that?) okay really, goodnight.