It's all coming to an end...

Alright here it goes, the sappy awwww it's almost over post. 

Yes, let's be real, I can't believe it. I feel like I just got from spring break last week. It's insane. My classes will be done this week, so I'm doing a bunch of end of term papers and have a final as well. Then my family is arriving Wednesday for five days and I've worked it out to fly home with them as well. I feel like we've been talking about them coming for months and the day is almost here! 


Honestly I have learned a ton on this experience, not just about London or Europe, but about myself. After last semester full of changes and going through the "what do I want to do with my life?!" crisis I'm so glad I got the opportunity to come here and just get away. I've fallen in love with my routine here, having work and school to make the week go faster and some variety! I've truly rediscovered my independence, I've done so much on my own and it's great to feel confident just being alone again. I know that I'll figure out life and what I want to do after graduation eventually, but right now I'm just happy living in the moment, week to week. Most of my friends reading this are probably thinking whoa.... Savannah not think ahead?! WHAT? But it's true, here I just look from one week to the next enjoying each day and the differences it has brought me. I'm excited to go home don't get me wrong, but I think this is the kind of experience I needed to re-evaluate me and my life. 

I'll always thank London for this new attitude of mine, I'm focused on the positive, taking the day by storm, enjoying the little things, just appreciating everything I have. This has been an incredible opportunity I've gotten to see numerous countries in Europe, seen the beauty they have to offer. I've been able to work for a corporation with some incredible people who I've learned a lot from and laughed endlessly with. And I've gained two incredible best friends who have been there through it all, and I'm so thankful to have them at the U this next year for even more good times.

Alright back to the London business, what have I been doing?? Well honestly been working a ton! But also going to tons of shows!!!! Since I got back from Barcelona I've seen Grease, Legally Blonde, and Les Miserables. And all of them were fantastic! As you can probably tell musicals are my guilty pleasure, I can't get enough of them. I also saw two more plays for my theater class: Rocket to the Moon and Clybourne Park both of which were really really good! One of my favorite parts of London is definitely the West End, it's always packed with people and full of light, very vibrant part of the city. I picked up tickets to Wicket while my family is here so I even get to end my last week with another show :)

 It's exciting that they are coming at the end because I get to do all the big touristy things one last time with them. I can't wait to show them the city I've fallen in love with. I'll definitely be back to London many times in my life :)


Otherwise I've been trying to walk the city as much as possible because it has finally gotten really nice outside! I really love Parliament Square and Big Ben of course, also I've been up to Regent's Park this past weekend which is HUGE! It's absolutely gorgeous, they have a big pond where you can rent paddle boats and lots of gorgeous gardens and open areas for football too. I walked past the zoo too but dang was the line long to go so I figured I'd wait on that one ha


Otherwise hmmm I went to my first official "football" match to see the Queen's Park Rangers which is a smaller more local team. My were their fans enthusiastic! Haha I've never heard so many people yelling the same vulgar cheer at once! Even little kids were standing on their seats screaming at the opposing team's fans. Seriously major entertainment. QPR killed them so all the fans were extremely happy and confident leaving haha It was a fun experience and would  you believe that the reason i went was for CLASS? Yes for my understanding modern britain class our teacher felt it necessary to experience this environment. Can you tell he's my favorite? :)


I also have been to the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum, and I am hoping to get to the Imperial War Museum too before I leave. Otherwise honestly there isn't too much that I wanted to see that I haven't had time to yet. Just the markets probably, which I'm going to take my family to at least one! 


Here's some of my pictures since Barcelona :) 
1 paper, 1 presentation, 1 exam left
3 days until the Georges arrive
7 days until I'm back in the USA!


I'm off to enjoy my last week, enjoy the pics!

My desk at Bank of Ireland

My marketing team! Emma:Colette:Keith:Paula

Whole team together :) Gonna miss them sooo much!

Best manager in the world :) <3  Paula

!                                                Grease <3

                              Savory Theatre where Legally Blonde is

                                  Les Miserables at Queen's Theatre

                                                     Regent's Park!

                                       Finally Springtime in London :)

                                                    Piccadilly Circus!

                                    My dance Studio in Covent Garden!

                                                  Trafalgar Square

                Yep, we're already countin' down towards the Olympics

                                   Oh Ben, I don't wanna leave you!

    We got to go to the Mosque for one of my classes and meet the Imam

Hola Barca!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, been enjoying life in London taking two weeks off from travel. It's been great to just explore the city and stay in one place. 

Work has been crazy busy. We had two St. Patrick's day drinks receptions for our clients on the 9th and the 16th. Those were fun to work and mingle amongst the guests. I have gotten to know a ton of people from the office, mostly the regional managers from the different departments and a few associates here and there. Everyone has been really nice and fun to get to know. Bank of Ireland will be one of the things I miss most when I leave London, my internship has been one of the best parts of this whole experience. I've started doing some more marketing projects for work too, we've been trying to revamp the website and I've been doing a project analyzing competitors and trying to figure out what we can do to improve the site to make it more accessible for our customers. Cool thinking some of my ideas could actually be implemented on the site! 

The weather in London has finally gotten more spring like and I've taken full advantage of it spending lots of time in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Honestly two of the most beautiful places in the city! I found Peter Pan for all you Winning London MK & Ashley fans :) He's in such a neat place, hidden near the the pond, just gorgeous. I'm sure as it continues to get nicer I'll spend even more time there, reading and relaxing.

So after my two week break from traveling I went back to exploring Europe. This time heading south to Barcelona, Spain! I went to see my roommate from the U's best friend from high school (yes complicated haha) who is studying there for the semester. Honestly it was so nice to stay with a friend and have someone you know show you around the city.

Alex and I got in really late Thursday night and as soon as we got there we changed and headed to one of the clubs. Unfortunately we didn't last there long, we were soooooo exhausted! So we went to bed and got up the next day ready to sight see!

Friday we got up and first saw Segrada Familia, the huge church that Gaudi designed. Of course they are doing major construction on it, but you could still see the ornateness of it. The church is sooooo big!!! And it's just such a unique design, definitively signs of the artist all over the city. After that we headed for lunch at this awesome sandwich place near the beach that Tasha and her friends love. And let me tell you, I now know why! Everything is so fresh and that sandwich was incredible, totally worth the wait! After lunch we headed over to the cathedral Gaudi designed and then over to Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas the main street with all the street performers and shopping. It was an incredible day out, and perfect to walk around and just soak up the culture and scenery. Barcelona is so beautiful. We walked all the way down to the Christopher Columbus statue and the pier. The Mediterranean is the most incredible shade of blue I have ever seen. I loved just gazing out at the water and seeing all the big yachts in the harbor. We stopped at a restaurant called Tapa Tapas and had a few glasses of Sangria (delicious!) enjoying the stunning view. Next we headed to do a bit of shopping on Passieg de Gracia and then went back to Tasha's to chill and get ready for a night out. 

Now let me tell you, I'd heard about the crazy partying schedule in Spain but I didn't think it was to the extent everyone said... We literally left Tasha's at 1am for the club. It was crazy. That city literally comes alive at night! It was so much fun meeting her friends and dancing the night away, the places we went to were huge and really fun! Great night out :)


Saturday we finally got moving by 1pm haha and decided to check out Parc Guell, another area designed by Gaudi. Now that place was so pretty! It's like up a huge hill (quite the hike!) and built into the side of a hill with the most incredible view of the city. We took some pictures by the fountains and the famous Lizard! And of course tons of pictures of the view out to the sea. That was one of my favorite parts of the entire city. There was a ton of people playing music and street performers around the park, there was even a girl doing some flamenco dancing. She was awesome, that flamenco is so intense and neat to watch. I can see why my aunt loves it! I'd seen flamenco dancing before when I visited my aunt in Ft. Lauderdale so it was even cooler seeing it actually in Spain! After the park we headed back to Tasha's to grab out stuff since our flight was leaving that evening. 


Such an incredible trip! Honestly one of the best ones I have taken this semester, legitimately felt like I was on vacation. It was such a neat city, I think because I didn't know quite what to expect it was even better. So great to see a friend and get shown the city by a "local". We had a great time! I'd love to go back someday. 

Today was another stunning day in London, I did some Primark shopping with Alex, had to get a new pair of shades! And I even went to the Abercrombie here, wow was that an experience! The place had it's own building, multiple levels, a million models, and staff working, models whose task it was to "dance" on the upper floors. It was a dark maze full of clothes and people everywhere. But I'll admit, I loved it :) I miss my A&F crews from home. 


This week not too much going on! Got another play for theatre class to go to on Tuesday and who knows what else this week will have in store. Can't believe I only have less than a month left on the program. Pretty soon my parents will be here and then Abby and I will be in Greece and then home! Totally insane. It's been an incredible experience and I can't wait to see what the next couple of weeks will bring :)


I miss everyone at home, I hope spring is coming soon for you guys!!! Also to all my friends at school hope your midterms and spring breaks all went well, can't wait to be reunited with you soon!


Love from London


Pics! Enjoy!

!                                            Spring in London!!!!!

!                                            Kensington Gardens!

!                                                  Peter Pan <3 

!                                          Serpentine Hyde Park

!                                   Near the area I love to sit & read

!                                            CDLC Club

!                                           Segrada Familia

!                                                   Alex:Me

!                                                     Tasha & I

!                                          Front of Segrada Familia

!                                             Al & I by the beach

!                               Tasha & I in front of Gaudi Cathedral

!                                    Plaza Catalunya aka Pidgeon City

!                                              Las Ramblas

!                                       Christopher Columbus Statue

!                                        Olympic Rings

!                                          Enjoyin the Sangria on the water

!                                   Great host, so glad I got to see you!

!                                    Piece of Heaven :)

!                                                VIP? I think yes!

!                                      Absolutely Gorgeous!

!                                             Hello pretty Lizard!!

!                        Remember this from America's Next Top Model?

!                                               Laura Pic ;)

!                               Great trip with great friends = Success!