So many things to do. Not enough time.

It has quickly became apparent that we have way many more things to do than we have time for. London is huge and theres still alot to do in Surbiton and Kingston where we are staying.

On Friday we went into London for the day. It was absolutely gorgeous but our timing was terrible so we only stayed for a few hours. London was packed because it was London Pride Day, so we managed to ride the tube down a few stops to get to a quieter area. It's such a small world. On the tube we randomly got on we were talking to some people we recognized as Americans. Comes to find out they were 3 of the 18 people here from NC State and it just happened that they were riding around on the tube attempting to get somewhere too. Just shows how much of a small world it is. We were exhausted and went and sat down for an early dinner and then made our way back to Surbiton to get ready for a night out.

When we got back we all changed and showered and got ready to go out to celebrate July 4th and one of my flatmate's 21st birthday's. We went into a club in Kingston and had an amazing time. Everyone here loves Americans and apparently in the town there is a rumor that 130 American students are here studying and were thrilled to find out that the rumor was true.

Today we celebrated Stephanie's birthday as well as America's and cooked and even made her a cake and decorated her room. She was getting homesick so she was excited that we made a big deal out of her birthday. Tonight we made our way into London to take pictures and see the city at night. I loved it even more than I normally do and couldn't get enough of it. We hadn't payed attention to what times the tubes closed so we missed them and had to practically run back to the train station in Waterloo to catch the one and only train headed back to Surbiton. We made it thankfully in time but barely. It was quite an adventure but fun none the less. My group of friends here are awesome and we all look out for each other. Most of them are from Michigan and I know we'll stay close friends even after the trip is over. It already feels like we've known each other forever.

We are finally in and getting ready to go to bed. We have to meet at a dock in Kingston to board a boat and our first fieldtrip is to the Hampton Court Palace. I'm really excited but exhausted.

Pictures have been uploaded to flickr. ENJOY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA!