Oxford

Hi everyone!! Here's a quick recap of my week so far.  Monday was pretty uneventful.  I got to relax all day since almost everyone had started their community service placements and mine doesn't start until October 8th.  Tuesday was my 2 year anniversary with Patrick! It's crazy how fast 2 years can go by.  I'm so happy he is on this trip with me! :) We went out to dinner on Wednesday at an Italian restaurant called Prezzo and it was one of the best meals I have had so far while being here.  I got lasagna (my favorite!) and we shared chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.  It was a wonderful evening!  On Thursday I had a Marketing test.  I'm crossing my fingers that it went well!  It can be really hard to concentrate on studying over here but I know that's the main reason I am in London.  Today we had a day trip to Oxford! We got to see some of the university, which is the oldest university in the English speaking world.  Classes first began in 1096!  We also got a tour of Christ Church Cathedral.  Some scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed here.  We actually got to walk up the same stairs that one of the very first scenes in Hogwarts was filmed at.  They also replicated the hall to make the set for the Great Hall shown in the movies when the Hogwarts students are eating.  It was very cool to see all of these things!!  After the tour we had almost four hours to eat lunch and do some shopping.  It was nice to have some free time to explore the city.  Tomorrow, Kari, Sam, and I are headed for the Portobello Market in London.  It's located in Notting Hill for anyone who has seen that movie!  On Sunday, Patrick, Kari, and I are going to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour.  We get a tour of some of the sets and other things used in the films.  I'm very excited for that!!  Other than those things, I'll just be catching up on sleep and homework in preparation for our Scotland trip next week!  I hope everything is going well back home!!

Happy birthday to my wonderful brother, Luke, today!! I can't believe you are 25!  Also, happy early birthday to my lovely cousin, Kelly! :)

Love and miss all of you!!

The outside of Christ Church Cathedral

Inside the great hall that they replicated for Harry Potter!

The actual steps used in the first Harry Potter movie!