A year ago, my sister and I went on a study abroad program in London. And many pictures were taken.
This was the morning we arrived, taking the train to Hampstead, where we stayed with my dad’s cousin and his family for a few days before the program started. Jet lag is lame. Also lame? Dragging heavy suitcases through the Tube stations. But, I have never been so glad to see Merrick in my life as I was when we actually managed to meet up. We had no cell phones and I didn’t know where she was coming from or what airline she was on. It was a bit scary.
This is us waiting for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I thought this was WAY overrated. Also, it was cold. I was cold for the first three weeks. And finally, let us all mourn Merrick’s cute jacket that was lost on the ferry going to France.
You knew this picture would be coming. I embrace my nerdiness. I revel in it.
In front of the eternal flame at the Arc de Triomphe. Merrick is getting sick; you can tell by her eyes.
One of the days, we spent hours at the Sephora on the Champs Elysee. Behold our lovely painted fingernails.
The last remnants of my red hair.
No explanation is necessary.
World War I memorials.
The Grover brothers were the other set of siblings on this trip. The one with the red shoes is getting married this week to a girl he met on the program.
We thought this was amusing. I still do, but I can’t explain why. It just is, you know?
Fear not, there are more pictures where these came from.
janet says
you two are so adorable! makes me miss my little sis AND makes me want to go to london!!
Merrick says
This is the best post ever! Mostly because it’s all about US!! I love us. Man, we’re awesome. Let us mourn for that poor lost jacket. And my eyes look terrible in that one picture. But at least we used my sick time wisely…lots and lots of Remington Steele.
By the way, for all you readers out there, the best way to overcome jetlag is to sleep for 9 hour right after you get off the plane, wake up, eat dinner and then go back to sleep for 9 more hours. Works every time!
RA says
I’m confused as to what’s going on in that picture of you pushing a car (?) into a wall (?). I want to understand the nerdiness! Am I just missing something?
RA says
* I meant carT, not a car… must preview before posting…
Janssen says
Sorry RA; I should have captioned that picture better. It’s Platform 9 and 3/4 at King’s Cross, in honor of Harry Potter.
Kristi says
I am so jealous that you have such a close family! It would have been awesome to have a sister that close in age (and looks!) to have adventures with! You guys seem like you have a great relationship! Thanks for the fun pictures!
Noelle says
This is a great post–but I can’t tel you how it makes me miss London. I wish I could have gone with my sister too–but my sisters preferred studying abroad in Jerusalem and New Zealand…I especially loved seeing the Grover brothers on the trip-yay for fellow writing fellows!
Ralphie says
A cute little Janssen, even then. And BTW, LOVE the red hair. Way fun!
Megs says
Oh, I miss London. Remember when we were on dish duty together? Good times.
heidikins says
Amazing pics! So incredibly jealous! Must go to London, Must go to London… if I repeat this 1,000 times while I sleep a plane ticket should magically appear in my inbox, right?
Merrick says
Why did I never have the urge to actually do my hair, or even comb it once in a while during these 2 months? I sort of look like a train wreck in half these pictures…oh well. At least you look nice 🙂
JoLee says
Hooray for London Study Abroad! I can't believe it was almost 15 years ago that I was there. (Taking Dr. Tate's very first WWI seminar and hanging out with Heather every minute of every day.) I want to see more of your pictures. Rachel and Andrew are in my ward. Rachel and I hang out almost every week, and we have filled much of our time together with conversations about London and viewing of old scrapbooks. (How I wish digital cameras were a thing when I was there.) And, Merrick, I completely understand the impulse to never comb your hair on study abroad. What I thought passed for an "outfit" by the end of the summer was pretty laughable.
Rachel at Maybe Matilda says
Hang on, I know those Grovers! We hung out on occasion at BYU. Small world. So excited (and jealous!) that you get to go back!