Whenever I am asked to be a guest writer on my mom’s blog, I realize just how big a labor of love it is. I find this blog to be an incredible treasure for our family history (imagine how priceless it will be in forty years), and I find it to be a bit daunting. But this isn’t necessarily supposed to be about the future. It is supposed to be about now! And right now, I’m sitting in a flat at the University of Cambridge. And I’ve been in the UK for the last two months!
Back in November of 2015, I decided with my parents that I wanted to try and go to the BYU London Film study abroad and the Pembroke-King’s Programme at the University of Cambridge. Surprisingly, the Cambridge program lined up perfectly with the school schedule.
As BYU is excellent and self-aggrandizement, they required that I apply not only directly to the University of Cambridge (as the program required), but to BYU as well. And funnily enough, I received word that I was accepted from Cambridge a good month and a half before BYU said I had the go-ahead. But that is tangential.
I spent three days in Ireland visiting an old friend, Brittney, who has been living there for several months as an intern working with special needs children. We spent a day in Dublin, visited Giant’s causeway, the dark hedges, and Belfast.
Dark Hedges, featured as the King’s Road in Game of Thrones
Giant’s Causeway.
After a few days in Ireland, I started my seven weeks in the London Film program. We had Ikea-modern closets to live in and hardly spent a moment at home. We saw countless films at the British Film Institute, where it was “psychological westerns” month. Apparently Clint Eastwood and John Wayne’s films didn’t warrant an appearance. We saw several west end musicals and shows, from Les Blancs to The Curious Incident with the Dog in the Night as a program. And on top of that, I think I spent at least three hours in every single museum in London.
This is Windsor Castle.
Somewhat incredibly, Maddie and I were both in London at the same time. And it wasn’t planned that way! Before we had even met, she had decided to do the London Theatre study abroad, and it just so happened that it was the same term as mine. I must admit point blank that spending seven weeks in London together so early in our relationship was unreasonably exciting. Date night was always something new and incredible.
At first, we weren’t sure that we would be allowed to date (I was worried because it was part of my interview to go to London that I wouldn’t date). Even though I was scared, I was stubborn. Maddie had not trouble at all on her end of things. And my professors seemed to have no problem in the end. They encouraged it, even.
We saw several shows together. Two of which were Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera.
Here are some photos!
We went rowing in Regent’s park, only a stone’s throw away from 221 Baker St.
Maddie had another week left in London when my time was coming to an end, so we went out with some of my odd coins that I had collected and hit the slots! Every time I think, lets prove that gambling is bad, I seem to win. 
Apart from everything I did with Maddie (literally everything), my favorite part of the London Film experience was our visit to the Lake District. This was the home of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. It takes no stretch to argue that a large part of their inspiration came from their mystical surroundings. On one evening while there, we went and hiked up Loughrigg Fell, and the view was spectacular. 
This is now me (Kristin) inserting a little proudness sharing – Master D applied for and received enough scholarship money to cover all but a little less than $2000 of these programs, as well as – adding some more photos Master D sent to me that I thought were cool enough to post:
And…..June 27th Lelu embarked on her BYU study abroad program for the next six weeks starting in London but sadly not catching Master D as he is in Cambridge. It goes without saying that I live somewhat vicariously through my kids. I know I’ve done a lot of traveling but studying abroad is one of those bucket list things I’ve realistically switched to the vicarious list things
I guess, as grandparents, we too must live a certain part of our family lives vicariously. How enjoyable it is to see all the photos that make up a large part of this blog. Would that we too could realize at least a part of the remaining “bucket lists” we share in these our declining years. But we will not enjoy any less the traveling joys of our burgeoning posterity and the photography that plumps up our own days at the computer. Hooray for the internet and those willing to use it in bringing us joy.
What awesome experiences. Yes, and I know that word is overused, but these do seem awesome. When I was a student at BYU and would hear about the study abroad opportunities, it seemed like the most out of this world experience, but it also was out of my world financially. I was barely making it on campus. Vicariously is a wonderful way to live, and my children and grandchildren have given me many joyful rides!
Your blog is not overkill by any means. When you are in school, there is a real drought. This is like a refreshing catch up rain. Loved Dhane’s contribution, too!
I love everything about this!! What awesome experiences!!
And I guess we have a wedding coming up??
Love you all!
Becca
What a great experience for both of your kids! Thanks for letting us share in it.