8 reasons why you should visit Scotland

1. Men wearing kilts. I thought men only wear kilts on special holidays...No, it's their normal everyday attire. 

2. Picturesque scenery. Did Van Gogh paint this? 

3. Historic architecture. When you mistakenly think you see a castle, and in actuality it is an ordinary shop...

4. The YES Pub. The Yes Pub is relative to the recent Scotland Referendum..someday, Scotland...someday and its only the best place to dance the jig to live Scottish music and spend your 19th birthday!!

5. Eternal river of beauty. Legend has it when you dip your face in this river for 7 seconds, you gain 7 years of eternal beauty. 

6. Loch Ness. Where are you Nessie? 

7. The Elephant House. A cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone. 

8. Haggis. Don't ask how it is made or what it is made out of-just try it. 

London MYTH BUSTERS

Well, I am a little over the half way mark for my stay in London, and I can proudly say that I have learned so much about the culture in such a short period of time.

Before arriving to London, I had a few expectations about the lifestyle. I thought British food would be awful, Londoners only drink tea, the British people are standoffish, and that it would rain all the time, let me tell you, I was soooo wrong.

British food is not awful, there is too much of a variety of food for it to be awful. You can find anything from Indian curry to Fish n chips to a hot dog. Some of the best places to have lunch? The local markets! Walking around the markets with a nice baked good in my hand while browsing at other foods on display is one of my favorite activities to do in London. BUT, I will say this...the Mexican food here is not like at home; nothing like home. My friends and I bought guacamole from the store and it looked like this:

I question myself and ask if there are actual avocados in this plastic, squeezable bottle.

One of the many markets in London. 

I don't know what this is, but it was so delicious!!

Londoners only drink tea. Once again, I was wrong...I find that more people drink coffee here than tea. It seems that every other shop I walk past is a coffee shop. One of my favorite places to have coffee is a modern, hipster independent coffee shop called "Shoreditch Grind."

So far, I have had some of the best experiences with the British people. The other day while I was waiting for my bus, I had a conversation with man and I discovered that he recently visited America, so I asked him, "What do you miss most about America?" His response-"the CORN MUFFINS!!" He doesn't miss the warm weather? Beaches? Mexican food? Cute American girls? But he misses the corn muffins?! Are you serious? I couldn't help, but laugh out loud. The locals are actually quite funny and always willing to help.

As for my assumption about the rain, I discovered that the weather is absolutely unpredictable. For the first 4 weeks, London was nothing but sunshine. Flo even joked that Jay and I (the Californians) packed the sun in our suitcases and brought it to London. Now, as Autumn is taking its course, it does rain, but not for very long. Sometimes it will pour for 20 minutes while other time the clouds will sprinkle for 5 mins, it all depends on how God is feeling that day. I used to check my weather app everyday, but now, I see no point.

Jumping in the puddles on my way to school. 

Somedays, I forget that I am in London because it feels like home. I am a Londoner now and I have never been happier.

XOXO,

Mon

"When the moon hits you eye like a big pizza pie. That's amore"

What did you do this past weekend? Did you fly to Paris? Milan? Did you sit at home and watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians? Don’t lie. Well, like most 18 years olds, I spent my weekend in the BEAUTIFUL city of Rome! It was a weekend filled with dancing with gladiators at the Colosseum, examining the masterpieces of Michelangelo, sipping wine with the locals, and simply “doing as the Romans do.”

A group of my friends and I booked a weekend guided trip through a program called “Weekend Student Adventures” (WSA). WSA provided us with our lodging, front of the line passes to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica & Sistine Chapel, and a super awesome tour guide, Rhianne. 

Rhianne, who lives in Rome, actually, she lives right next to the Colosseum…did a fabulous job of embracing us into the Roman culture. I don’t think my experience of Rome would have been the same without her. Rhianne guided us through all the touristy hot spots as well as all her local favorites. I felt like a queen on her throne this weekend only eating the best of the best; Pizza, Tiramisu, Pasta, Bruschetta, Vino, and GELATO. Pizza Hut does not do justice…once you have tried pizza from Italy, you can never go back. 

Not only did I learn about the ancient architecture and art history of Rome, but I learned about the culture and the lifestyle of the Romans. Something that I was not expecting to see in Rome were Gypsies. Gypsies are very common in Europe and I guess extremely popular in the metro of Rome. Basically, Gypsies pry off of distracted tourists; they find a target, snatch, and run. My friends and I actually saw a Gypsy steal a woman's purse right out of her hands and run off. Unfortunately, for these Gypsies, this is a lifestyle. Once our groups identified the Gypsies, we Americans started to feel a little pugnacious and wanted one of them to come up to us so we could “call them out.” 

Around every corner of Rome, you can find either an Italian restaurant or Gelato shop, but you have to know the tactics of finding the BEST ones. And I learned just how to do that. So, next time you travel to Rome, take me with you and I’ll help a friend out. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the last day. We all woke up early to attend mass outside of St. Peter’s Basilica and then waited for the Pope (let me say that again, the POPE) to appear out of his little window and say hi to the people of Rome. My fellow Catholic friend (Vanessa) and I were hollering and screaming when the Pope came out. It was a dream come true and now, I can die content. 

Screaming Italians, Pope paraphernalia, Say Bella, gelato, piazza, Catholics unite, Vatican postal office, rappin’, Vino, Gypsy, Go Pro, markets, hot, pizza, hostel, fun, cute Italian boys, more gelato-all words that sum up my perfect and memorable weekend in Rome. 

Ciao!

Mon

Just one of the many beautiful Cathedrals. 

Colosseum. 

Heeeyyy, Frankie!!

Walking the streets. 

GELATO! Can't get enough. 

Catholic girl at her prime level of happiness. #Pope'sCrib

Gorgeous weather!