Don

Your life isn't hard.
This is something I say multiple times a day, everyday. To the point that it is annoying. If people complain about silly things I say "your life isn't hard." I get this saying quickly and quite mockingly pushed back onto when I fall into the same trap. But it is true. My life isn't hard. But, today was a hard day. My amazing cousin Don passed away early this morning. He has fought cancer like a warrior for years. I am overwhelmed in heartbreak and sadness, though I know he is in Heaven right now, with his perfect, healthy body. I hope he has his muscular calves back. I hope he is hanging out with my Grandpa Jack. He passed away 11 years ago today. I felt my Grandpas spirit all around me today. Though, I am so sad, I feel extremely comforted, loved and watched over.

This afternoon around 4, after I had heard the news, I got a call from Bronte. I nervously picked up the FaceTime call, not knowing what to say and fearing I would make things worse, not better. Bronte was all smiles and freckles. She is the prettiest 11 year old around. She asked me if I knew what today was. I said I did. She said "Today is the day my Daddy went to heaven". I burst out in tears. Bronte said "Don't cry. I'm all cried out. It's okay. He is in Heaven." The morning of her fathers passing and she was comforting me. In that moment Bronte became my hero. She is smiling and blessing everyone around her, on a truly hard day. I talked to Gavin too. He was smiling a rather gappy-toothless smile, as he tried on the obnoxiously huge Lightning McQueen hat I got for him years ago. I talked to Haydan, as she watched over baby Ali. I told her the McKeon girls would try to get married so we could make more babies for her to play with, but it looks doubtful. The Brenier kids are my heroes. To face hardships with love and faith in the Lord.

I need to remember my life isn't hard. I need to be actively enjoying each moment of my life, smiling, whatever the circumstance.

Don. I love you. I love you soooo much. I'll do everything in my power to keep your kids smiling. I promise.

xx Jac

Day 40

Thursday, January 30th 2014

On Tuesday, a group of us went to see Othello at a theatre in North London. Before we left I went on a short walk around Hyde Park. The grass was green, the flowers smelt sweet, the squirrels were running up to me... and I was running away. It was lovely. I love that Hyde Park is my neighbor.

My other neighbors. Royal Albert Hall and the Albert memorial statue

Tube fun. 

Amazing picture quality. 

On our way back from the play, we got off at the wrong bus stop and had to run in the POURING rain to the tube. Then, since we went out of our tube zone we had to put money on our cards and it turned out to be a big hot mess situation and not worth the trouble. Othello... you are dead to me. 

Yesterday, we got on the bus bright and early at 7:45 and took a 2 hour train ride to Stonehenge. I listened to every Spice Girl song ever. I forgot how good they are and had forgotten about a lot of them. I even listed to the CD when it was only the 4 of them. Freaking "goodbye" is the saddest song. SPICE GIRLS FOREVER. I want to relive the days of dressing up like them and putting on performances in the backyard. Anyways...

So Stonehenge is chill. LIKE HOW DID YOU GET THERE? WHAT ARE YOU FOR? I want to see an alien  SO BAD and it pissed me off I didn't have any E.T. experiences there but whats. 

Stonehenge Selfie

 Then, we drove another 2 hours to go to the city of Bath, which is BEAUTIFUL and I would like to go on a vacation there and stay in a B&B.

First, we went to the Roman Baths which is a Roman day spa basically. The water is heated naturally from springs. They don't let people bath in it anymore though because some one died from meningitis after bathing in it. Plus, there was algae and the water was a murky green. I'll pass. I'll go to the Grand America for my spa needs thank you.

The water had steam coming off it. I didn't feel it because I didn't want to die, so I don't know how hot is was. 

I looked up this guy, John McKean Lawson afterwards and his mother was Jane McKean. So my relative helped build the reception hall for the Roman Baths. Coolest. 

Madison. This statue had no chin, no chin. I thought of you. (Not because she has no chin everybody. She has a beautiful chin!)

Next, we went to a Jane Austen museum thing. Heres the thing though. Jane didn't even like Bath because at the time she lived there she was poor and everyone in Bath were snobby and pretentious. She did get inspired by the city and the people and used it towards some cities and characters in her novels... but like don't have a museum just because of that. Whatever. It was fine. We got to dress up so  that was fun. 

Around the city

We had an authentic English dinner here.... because yolo. 

In my British Literature class, we read these 2 poems by George Herbert. I thought they were beautifully written and a great depiction of the relationship between God and men and woman. 

Redemption

Having been tenant long to a rich lord,

Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,

And make a suit unto him, to afford

A new small-rented lease, and cancel th’old.

In heaven at his manor I him sought:

They told me there that he was lately gone

About some land which he had dearly bought

Long since on earth, to take possession.

I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,

Sought him accordingly in great resorts –

In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts:

At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth

Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,

Who straight, “Your suit is granted,” said, and died.

Love 

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here":

Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,

I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

"Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame

Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?'

"My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

So I did sit and eat.

Day 36

January 26th, 2014

Yesterday, we went on a field trip to see the Canterbury Cathedral and the Bodiam Castle. We left at 9 in the morning, taking a very scenic and windy road. I love looking out the window as we drove past acres  and acres of lush, green farm land.

Camille was too busy sleeping to enjoy the view. 

Bodiam Castle 

Only the outer walls remain. But, there were plaques describing which rooms was which as we walked around. 

FUN FACT: This castle was used in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail

The royal crapper

This is Spencer. He laughs at basically everything I say. Its awesome. 

Robin Hood guy loved his job so much. 

Next, we drove to Canterbury. 

S/O to Truman. This is a test to see if you read my blog. 

This is the ruins of St. Agustines Cathedral, also the perfect location to make a LOTR spoof. (see below)

Canterbury Cathedral

Prayer Candle for Don

This courtyard area felt super Hogwartsy to me. 

Later on, we went out shopping in the little town and went to dinner with Ali, Andrea, Emily and Taylor. We saw these things in a souvenir store. We almost got Danilee this keychain but we felt that it was yelling at her to keep calm. KEEP CALM DANIELLE. Plus, her name is Danilee and they didn't have any danilee keychains. I'm gonna make her one that say KEEP CALM AND CAN I JUST HAVE A QUESIDILLA?! 

...we almost got this shirt for my dad....love you lizza

LOTR LARPING

xx Jac