Day 14: Two Weeks.

Today marks the end of the SECOND WEEK! That means a third of my time in London is already gone. ... I can hardly believe it. And yet, I am beginning to miss things, like the shape of a US license plate, and the familiar chirping sound at a crosswalk, seeing people in regular old blue jeans, and regular grocery stores, where it isn't hard to find frozen cookie dough, or sliced bread, or strawberry jam.

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I made my way onto the bus at 7:20am wearing a black dress, red tennis shoes, and cat eyed glasses--my hair in pig tails. I assured Roger and Lance with a yawn that my black pumps were in the bag, and I wasn't planning on wearing red tennis shoes to the London Temple.

When we hopped out of the bus an hour later, I got my first look at the grounds I'd heard so much about. The temple is beautiful, of course. But the land surrounding it is absolutely stunning--complete with bushes bursting with brightly colored flowers, ponds, bridges, and groves of trees.

After performing baptisms for the dead, we ate lunch in the temple cafateria. It all looked so good! And I'd never eaten in a temple before... Come to think of it, I'd never heard of there being food in a temple before. Unfortunately, as I settled in and began with the soup, I was a little disappointed. It tasted funny. I moved to the corn, and that was not BAD, just really bland. So I added some salt and pepper. But much to my dismay, this addition made it worse! The chips were mushy. And the mustard had horse raddish in it--bitter as all get out, and not at all what I was expecting. But I was absolutely starving. So, I gave a sigh of defeat, and ate it anyway. You always hear that english food is horrid, minus the fish and chips, and it turns out everyone was right. It's awful.

We spent the rest of our time there in the visitor's center, watching Mormon Ads. I know that sounds ridiculous. But we had a whole gaggle of girls glued to the screen. What can I say? We're suckers for daddies who spend time with their kids, and children who can't say their "R"s. Family... Isn't it about TIME? ;)

After we arrived back home Rachel, Robyn, Elise and I headed to metrogate with bags of laundry. We asked where the machines were located, and squeezed ourselves and our clothes into the lift. Bad idea. That thing was ANCIENT. And we were absolutely positive the chords were going to snap any moment. ... They never did. But if you heard that thing creak and rattle it's way up and down you'd have second thoughts too!

We had a good time talking, and doing homework, while waiting for our clothes to become wearable again. And during our conversation, we broached the topic of what kind of animal we'd all be. Well naturally Robyn would be a bird, small and light and colorful. Rachel would be a Lion, strong and sassy--(though she maintains she'd be a fox). And Elise would be a leopard, sleek and elegent. What was the consensus on my perfect animal match? A squirrel! Nuff said.

After several hours of laundry, we headed down high street kensington. Where were we going? To get desert at Pizza Hut. Yes. Really. Now first of all, you've got to understand that American Chain restaurants are different here. Mcdonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut... They're all high class, fancy shmancy places 'round these parts. You can order Chardonay, for pete's sake. And here in London, Pizza Hut features a delicious, giant, warm, gooey cookie, with ice cream on top. (Or in other words, a pazooki). And MAN are they good! So, we got three to split between the six of us girls, and had a grand ole time.

And then I walked home again, to my little 5 floor walk up, braced against the chill and the wind--watching the headlights of taxis and buses speeding by on the wrong side of the road. And whether because of the chocolate in my stomach, or the London cobblestones beneath my feet, or the feeling of another day gone by, I couldn't help but smile.