Weeks 5 & 6 (in Europe)/Weeks 3-4 (in Bournemouth)

(This is Big Ben. I had the chance to see this yesterday).

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

So today I was a bit exhausted but I helped to transport some kids in taxis early this morning to the bus station so that they could return to Calais and Brussels. Then I returned to my apartment and slept for a few hours before heading back to Bournemouth Square to buy some cleaning supplies and to meet the kids and other Group Leaders for the tour. After the tour I returned home and I slept after I quickly cleaned my room a bit. Allegra and I led the tour as Wietske, Marion, and Nieves were in the back making sure the students were going in the right direction. Even though the tour wasn't very long there was this girl Lynne who seemed a bit confused about her bus and since she looked a little nervous all of us group leaders gathered together and we tried to help her understand where she was supposed to be going. This week is going to be the busiest week for all of us as we have even more kids than we did the week before for the English language program and everything.

(This is a picture of a stone that I took today by my apartment at Arts-University section of Bournemouth University residence) :)

Monday, July 11th, 2011

We had the students do beach games today which was nice because the weather finally shaped up for us. It is a lot easier to have five group leaders instead of three or four this week even though three or four would have been enough as well. The kids really enjoyed the water and they were playing with beach balls and making sand castles and just running around with each other. I think everyone had a good time. Tonight was Nieves and my night to cook dinner and we did so by making beef burritoes with a lot of tasty vegetables. Nieves tried to make a Spanish omlet but it didn't turn out because of the potatoes so we are going to cook it tomorrow for dinner instead. All in all it was a pretty good day packed with much adventure and sunshine.

(The students made this cool looking sand castle today).

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

The students went to Christchurch today with us and we also had the chance to ride in small sail boats together. It was a lot of fun, even though two boys kept trying to run their boats into each other and be obnoxious. At Christchurch we were able to get some good photos of the students racing around and also all in front of Christchurch ruins area where there are some ancient ruins that have been standing for about a couple of hundred years. They ended up enjoying it thoroughly even though it was educational. :)

(This is the group that went to Christchurch this week. There were a lot more of them than my first week here in Bournemouth).

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Laser games were fun today with the kids and I think that they really enjoyed it. Since there were five grop leaders and I have already had the chance to play laser games, I decided that I wanted to sit with the purses and coats instead. Even though we didn't get the chance to take pictures today it was a great opportunity for the students to get in some team spirit.

Later tonight I went with the staff and group leaders from Capital School for English, and I met a lot of great people there. I was the only staff member invited from Langues Vivantes, but being there was a wonderful experience because there were diverse people from diverse backgrounds. The food was also excellent as it was fresh sea food and we took a ferry to get to the restaurant. I loved it!! :) Being an intern usually I only get sandwiches on the go or maybe a Group Leader dinner at the house with the other GLs :) 

(This is a picture that I saw about a week ago in London on a billboard. I really wish I could go to a concert or a music festival)

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Tomorrow the Harry Potter movie comes out and everyone is gearing up for it. Some of the schools have already booked going to the movie in advance. Today we are going to Compton Acres and to Bowling but I don't think that a lot of students that went last week will be going this week because they prefer to party with all of their friends before leaving, which is understandable. It makes me sad sometimes when some students leave and the next ones come in because there are those which were so curious abour learning. On the otherhand there are a few which seemed less excited about learning and more about partying but our group has been quite nice for the most part I think.

We had a good attendance for Compton Acres today and for Bowling as well. The only problems that I have been having are involved with my camera as it flashes at me when I take pictures which is really annoying. Tomorrow there isn't any evening activity so we can all have the chance to relax and take it easy later on in the day after Splashdown. Everything is happening so quickly that I am not sure what else to say right now. Lately I haven't had as much time to reflect or have time to myself but maybe someday all of this will end up making sense.

(These are all of the kids paying attention all at the same time of course :) They had to try to be an animal in this photo to get a laugh out of them. They have been taking pictures for a long time now, especially the students from last week :)

Friday, July 15th, 2011

We are going to Splashdown today and this weekend some students are leaving to go back to their hometowns. It has been difficult to get ggood pictures because my camera has been having issues and I am not sure why. I am hoping that it isn't because it got sand in it at the beach on Monday. My fifth week in Europe is officially almost completed and I have five more weeks before I head back to the United States. It is weird to think about going home when there has been so much which has happened here already. Today will be a long bus ride and I am not sure that everyone would like to go to the water park but I think that the students who do show up will be quite happy.

Splashdown was a pretty good experience for the students as they all enjoyed the water and they got to say good-bye (at least the ones that are leaving) to us Group Leaders. A part of me is a bit sad that some of the students are leaving as I will miss them dearly. Another part of me knows that time is short, and I hope that they enjoyed their stay here. Tomorrow I have to wake up early in the morning to get the students together for Oxford. The group seems to be pretty well behaved in general so I am not anticipating any problems. There will only be twelve students that I will be in charge of for a few hours after the Oxford tour. I am rather excited so I hope that I can take pictures of the students and everything if my camera is working.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

This morning I woke up early to catch the bus to ETC so that I could take some students with another group leader to Oxford. It was a lot of fun going to Oxford and even though we lost one girl in our group who was 18, she eventually found her way back (much to my amazement.) It was a long bus ride (two hours one way back to Bournemouth) but the students were all on time to the meeting point and they were very well-behaved as well. On the bus I finally had the chance to journal about life and think about my family and friends who have helped me to be here now. It is to them that I am truly grateful along with all of the hard work that I have put into this to be here now.

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

We did a tour of Bournemouth today and it was my fourth tour here with the students. It is funny to be one of the Group Leaders helping to guide the tour now as if I were an expert. All of us Group Leaders also helped to take care of some students that were at the house this weekend. There wre three girls who we spent some time with as they needed help with getting to their host families. Inge and I went shopping for some food at the small place near by ecause ASDA was closed after 5 pm on Sunday. I cleaned up the kitchen area and washed dishes and put salad in a bowl while Inge diced the vegetables, boiled pasta, and put meat in the pan to fry. It was a pretty good dinner and afterwards all of us Group Leaders went to a pub and had the chance to bond over drinks and interestng converstaions.

Monday, July 18th, 2011

If only my camera would start working again. It has been a week and no luck with the camera situation. Oh well.

The era of Harry Potter which started over 10 years ago when I was about 9-years-old has ended. I remember I was in the 4th grade (maybe 5th) when the first book came out and we were still living in California. Mom wouldn't let me read it, and I was so mad at her because the book was extremely popular. Even this usmmer though when one of my friends gave me the first (and easiest/shorest) book to read I still couldn't get into it all that much. Maybe it is a matter of preference, but Harry Potter just isn't my taste. At the same time I am excited to go with the students and the other Group Leaders to the movie today because it really is neat to go see this epic movie...

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

We went and had the kids do name game activities and also play the game telephone to get them all to talk with each other and to know each other. It helped us Group Leaders to get to know their names as well by having all of us go around in a circle. After that we did mini golf with the kids and later in the evening we went to play bowling with them. Surprisingly in the second round of bowling I ended up winning the game out of all of us Group Leaders. It is weird to think that this is already the sixth week of my internship. 

(Inge, Allegra, Me, and Lorens at mini golf)

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Today we did laser games with the students. It was a blast as all of them enjoyed the game :) Time is flying by here quicker than I thought that it would when I first began this internship. Going to two different countries for this internship along with working on different projects for the company has taught me a lot about learning a foreign language. Each day I am reminded the trials and tribulations of high school when I see the students struggle with some of the same things I did at their age.

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

We went ice skating with the students today and it has been seven years since I have been ice skating. The rink was rather small but all of the students seemed to enjoy it. Even though it was raining on our short walk over from the Tourist Information Center, the afternoon was quite enjoyable. All of the students helped each other on the ice and we got some great picture memories on various cameras. For our evening activity we had the kids go to Lava Ignite. After Lava Ignite we went to a place called Yates for drinks and then back to Lava Ignite after the 18 and under kids had left. For some reason the security guys at the door kept asking for my ID and no one elses'. It is funny because here the drinking age is 18 so they must have thought that I was 17 or something. My coworkers and I have had a wonderful week so far and it has been filled with many great memories so far.

(Inge, me, and Allegra at ice skating)

Friday, July 22nd. 2011

We are doing a photo scavenger hunt today with the students and they are going to be given prizes afterwards for what pictures they take. We will probably give the winning team candy or ice-cream and the rest of the students simply candy or something. We are saving money this week by not having the students take the bus and keeping them close to town. If the weather faired better we would be able to take the kids to the beach, mais C'est la vie! :D Maybe we can do that when I return a week or so later!

So the activitiy was really fun as the kids actually tried pretty hard to take good photos according to the clues on the Langues Vivantes sheets. We gave them extra points for creativity when grading the photos and we also gave them extra points for bonus questions. The prizes were non-alcoholic drinks and two bags of candy each for the winning team. We gave two bags of candy each to the second place team, and one bag of candy each to everyone. Some kids are leaving soon which is always a bit sad but it seems that they all had a good time here :)

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

The first four weeks in Bournemouth have come to a close. We have all had a wonderful time here and now I must go back to Brussels for one week of office work. There are only four more weeks left before I return home. It is amazing that this much time has passed. This past week we had the chance to do bowling, ice skating, laser games, name games, mini golf, and a photo scavenger hunt. There was also an excursion to London but two ther group leaders went this time around.

(Me at 60 Million Postcards I think :) Sometime earlier this week or last week)

Bournemouth/First Two Weeks

(Students from Belgium and France on bus/ferry headed over to Bournemouth. First arrivals.)

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

Today was a very long journey from Brussels, Belgium to Bournemouth, England. Even though we took the bus to get to our destinations, we also had to take a long ferry ride and a few taxis to transport the students. Wietske is here with me for the first week, and this week is a small group of students, (six for the daily activities) but we had to transport 25 children from different areas today and keep up constant communication with everyone through the different schools and through the company Easy Languages to get them there.

The youngest child was about 11 or 12 and the oldest was about 18 I think. Getting through customs in the UK was a bit annoying but not too drastic. In some ways (sadly) the brashness of England reminds me a little of America, even though they drive completely bonkers here on the left side of the road which scares me to death. If I lived in England I wouldn't ever drive I would probably walk or ride the bus or my bike (risking my life here though). There is an English tea called Tetley's and it is pretty good here. I would consider it a bit of a stronger tea as it consists of more caffeine than most teas in America.

When Wietske and I finally arrived to the residence at Arts University, we were so tired we could barely focus on the activities and budget for the next day, yet it was a day of triumph as all the children made it to their host families and correct destinations on time. We met a woman named Claudia who introduced us into the residence and we also met Dom and Danny. Claudia, Dom, and Danny do similar activities with the students as Easy Languages but they work through the Capital school department. They were all really nice and made Wietske, the girls we transported here for Captial and I dinner. They will be making us dinner for the week, then next week I go over to the main house with the other Group Leaders to get started on next week.

It is comfortable and quiet here in Bournemouth and the area reminds me a bit of the west coast. The cliffsides look similar to Ireland but are less distinct, as they are smaller but still magestic. There is a beach side around this area called Jurassic Beach, but it is too expensive to go there by bus. There are many adventures waiting here for us I think as a new week begins.

(We would have taken a picture by the water if it weren't so foggy in Calais!!)

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Today was a whirlwind of events with it being my first day with the students in Bournemouth. Wietske has helped to keep me organized as it is her third summer with Easy Languages, but I keep asking so many questions I hope she isn't annoyed with me. It seems that through this company and through this experience I am learning a lot about communication and persistance, especially with my leadership skills. Each day has been pretty packed with organizing activities, actively communicating with each school about activities, checking the students off, helping them with touring Bournemouth, checking the bus schedules, and computing the weekly budget for the activities. The problem as well is that if students are ages 16 or older they can choose whether or not to join in on the activities. The activities are really fun, but perhaps it is because of their age level or something, most of the students don't want to go to museums or parks or those kinds of things. They for the most part (which is understandable to a degree as well) want to have their independence. The students are all at different levels with their language capabilities which makes it nice for generativity.

It seems that if I write a lot of lists and take my tasks day by day they become less overwhelming and a bit easier for me. England in general is a bit like America in my opinion, but they are more proper and drive on the other side of the road with steering wheels on the right hand side. It is truly bizarre and yet frightening to see them drive because not only are the streets narrow here (like everywhere in Europe) but drivers in England are even more abrupt than they are in Belgium. It was kind of strange going through two countries as I have been using two different converters. In the UK I was asked more questions at customs when I entered Belgium two weeks before. Because I am an American instead of European I had to not only show my passport, but I also was asked a lot more questions when entering the UK than anyone else in the group that had to pass through customs.

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

It has been such an eventful day that I don't know where to begin. Wietske showed me where to get off the bus at one of the schools and I went there and put up posters, asked Russ about the London Tour on Saturday, printed out copies of papers we need for departure students this weekend, got a receipt for the disco tickets, asked the school about my SIM card, got a receipt for the SIM card, asked the students during their break if they had any questions for me, then rode the bus back to meet up with Wietske at Westbourne Academy. Today we had two activities to help with, Christchurch tour and the disco activity at Club V for the students.

We have had a small group so far and I am beginning to understand the bus schedule since the roads are so different here. I took a lot of pictures of the students and informed them today about their scrapbooks. The tour and everything went well as the kids were pretty well behaved and they also asked questions. Wietske and I were impressed that the students were engaged in the activity because they are all ages 15-16 and most of the time they want to go shopping or party. It was an eventful day, and they kids seemed to be happy about having a summer scrapbook with their pictures in it.

(Here are the students at Christchurch).

(Here is Wietske and I at Christchurch)

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

So, right now I don't really know what to say. Wietske and I took the students to the Oceanarium (which we were worried they would be bored with) but the students proved us wrong again. Not only did they love it, they also were more than happy to participate in photos and everything. It was a pleasant surprise they were so cooperative. There is still a lot of planning and things to figure out when we book activites and talk to the schools and everything. Yet, the group has been great as they are cooperative, nice, and ask questions. I can tell that though it is a bit of struggle that they all want to learn English. For at least two kids out of our seven kids they are going to Bournemouth for the second or third time. For the other half or more of this small group, it is their first time here.

(Here they are at the Oceanarium)

(All of them are smiling here).

(Here I am surfing it up)

(Here is Wietske, colleague from Netherlands).



Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Today was also quite eventful as we had two activities, Poole by bus, then a boat ride in Poole and also bowling in the evening with the kids at Bowlplex. The kids really enjoyed the activities and once again it was great to take them to each activity due to their enthusiasm even with the educational activities. They continually tried to take pictures and they even asked Wietske and I questions about ourselves which showed a maturity beyond their years. They are definitely teenagers though one moment acting almost grown up and then the next as if they are almost toddlers.

We feel almost like parents or older siblings to these kids as Group Leaders. The students picked out their English group name for this week, it is The Umbrella Kings or the UKs. It was quite a clever idea I think :) and even though Marguerite was the one who came up with UK part idea the whole group worked together on their group name. Wietske and I came back really tired again today and it is late but I am still working on my duties. Yet I love immersing myself here and getting to know everyone. It has been really rewarding to not only see the children grow as a group these past few days but have fun on all of these adventures.

(Here are the students looking at the sky, Poole, England)

(Me and Wietske, Poole Boat)

(The students on Poole Boat)

(Boys Bowling Team)

(Girls bowling team)

The boy's team which Wietske was on, won the bowling game at Bowlplex today. It was still a really good time though! I was on the girl's team and we started out ahead and then caught up a little near the end. Today Wietske and I also got to try a traditional English Breakfast at Mary Shelly's today in Bournemouth. We had it with PG Tips and some milk. It was really good, and I even took a picture!

(This consists of a fried egg, baked beans, one sausage, two pieces of bacon, half a tomato, and one portabello mushroom. It was only 2.99 pounds,  and tea was separate for 1.09 pounds. Essentially you can get this kind of breakfast for under 5 pounds at Mary Shelly's in Bournemouth any time from 7am-12pm. Pretty awesome I think!)

Friday, July 1st, 2011

So tomorrow I am nervous because I am going to supervise the students going to London with ETC school. Today was kind of quiet as Wietske and I completed tasks at both of the schools, added time to my phone, answered student questions, looked for Skype headphones, and took the kids to Splashdown. They had a good time there on the waterslides for about two hours before meeting Wietske and I at the cafe near by.

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Today was a pretty packed excursion because we went with ETC to  London on a two hour tour. Even though I was only responsible for five students and for the most part I didn't have to handle them for longer than three hours by myself, I felt like I had accomplished a lot by the end of the excursion. Not only do I know how to return home from the station alone I am much more capable than I was before handling these kinds of situations. I am going to miss the students as I feel they have taught me a lot and I am so proud of them for practicing their English. They have adjusted quite well to this Bournemouth environment and worked so well together. Today I let the girls look at my Cosmopolitan magazines on the one and a half hour bus ride, since they are 16 and it was a fashion magazine in English :) a bit of bonding in a way for them I think. Marguerite and Cyprien are headed back home tomorrow and I may get to see some of the other kids from the activities as well, the Legendres (brother and sister) and Mathilde. On Monday we are getting a lot more students from all over and I hope that the group mentality will be just as good as this one was for this week!!

In London I was really frightened that the kids would get run over by cars and that they wouldn't be able to find their way back home when we returned. I called all of their host families to let them know that their kids would be arriving late. Everything turned out alright at the end and the kids complmented me and Wietske (though Wietske wasn't with the kids and I in London today) about how they thought we were good group leaders. Upon hearing this I smiled and felt so good knowing that I could help make their experience a nice one here. If this kind of opportunity had granted itself to me when I was their age what a wonderful thing it would have been. I am glad to be a part of this, despite the difficulties and despite all of the different modes of transportation because not only has it made me stronger it is also helping the future generations of kids to learn English. To me they are like brothers and sisters and someday in a few years they will make an impact on the world as adults.

(The students in London that I led today ! :)

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Today was a day without a lot of pictures as it was a bit of a quiet day. Allegra, Rebecca, and Anne Catherine got in last night and we all did a tour with the kids together today. This morning I helped a girl named Nicky to get to Southhampton and took the train and taxi to her residence with her before heading home. I went for my first jog here today and I have been feeling a bit restless. Even though I have enjoyed my time so far in Bournemouth a part of me wonders what it will be like when I eventually do return home. This weekend will be a three day weekend with the 4th of July for my family and everyone. I haven't heard from some of my friends but I know that they are all probably busy like me. There is a part of me that doesn't want to ever return to the US and another part which yearns for it. Maybe it is because my family celebrates the 4th of July all together. It is difficult to say exactly why but I thoroughly enjoy being in Bournemouth as a part of me feels like I am on vacation even though it is also constant work.

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Today was different as I am still getting used to the new dynamics here in Bournemouth with a larger group size and with more group leaders. The activities don't seem as complicated as they did before, and the routine is getting a bit simpler. It is a lot more difficult to remember all of the kids names and we played a name game today to get to know everyone. Now that we have Allegra, Rebecca, Anne Catherine, and I working together it is a bit easier to stay organized. It is still difficult for me getting used to understanding the kids and understanding how to talk with them. I try to ask them questions and keep up a good attitude though and I think that is shows that I am trying.

We went to Swanage today by boat and we had a good time I think. It is a different dynamic because I am living in a different residence for a week before going over to the bigger house. It is a national holiday in the United States today and I kind of miss my family. Of course I haven't told anyone I miss my family though and I don't plan on telling anyone because it would be rude. Also I made a promise to myself to not complain about anything here or in the future as a New Year's Resolution. It is difficult to not complain about things sometimes, but since it is one of my goals I am working on it. The weather has been beautiful today and I really hope that it doesn't rain tomorrow. If it does rain tomorrow then I will be a little bit sad that we cannot do beach games. Yet at the same time even if we don't do beach games it would be alright with me because there is the cinema.

(Allegra, Me, Anne Catherine, and Rebecca)

Our group for the most part is in this photo as well:

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Today we were planning on having beach games with the kids but since it rained we decided to go to the cinema. We all saw that movie Bad Teacher together and the students seemed to enjoy it. After the movie we asked them if they understood the English in it for the most part and they said yes. Tonight we went to V Club and the students seemed to enjoy that as well. There is this guy at the front door who gives out all of the V Club flyers and he is generally quite enthusiastic. He has a colorful cap and speaks about 10 different languages it seems as he constantly speaks to different children. It is his enthusiasm that is contagious as the kids walk into the old church that has been transformed into a club. It is funny how something so traditional can be turned modern, but that is Europe for you right?

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

We took the kids to laser tag and it was a blast with all of them. They thoroughly enjoyed trying to get each other in the game and even two of us Group Leaders, Rebecca and I had the chance to play. It was difficult today as well to get pictures, but we were able to take a few with the students all together. Thus far, we have had a pretty good group of kids and all of them seem to get along quite well together. Today I bought my 20th postcard to send home to my family and I also bought groceries for the first time since I have been here. What was weird about the grocery store is that they don't have eggs in the refrigerated section of the store. I kept looking for the eggs, and even though everything is in English I still get confused here by these cultural differences. :)

(These aren't all of the students but the majority of one group I played laser tag with)

Yesterday night after the students went to V Club, us Group Leaders were able to go out for the night. We went into V Club after the under 18 party had ended and then we all had a chance to dance and socialize. V Club is a popular club here with two bars and a fantastic dance floor. What is unique about V Club is that it is a church which has been transformed into a night club. Here is a picture of the inside of the place.

Pretty cool, isn't it?

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

We are going to the pub The Moon in the Square today to do a pub quiz with the students. All together we came up with 50 questions for the students and there will be five prizes given out to the winners today! After this activity, the students will being going to bowling and we have seven lanes reserved as this is a popular activity. The students seem to enjoy this activity a lot and they have invited some of their new friends. Time has been flying by here a bit faster than I expected and even though my Skype has been having some issues for the most part everything is going alright. Allegra and I will be going to London this weekend with 39 students with Westbourne this Saturday. I am scared that there will be at least a student or two that will end up lost or something. It is my goal to make sure no one gets lost or hit by a car and that we take a lot of pictures. I think we can accomplish this though without any fatal injuries and I am looking forward to finding out what the students think about the city.

So there wasn't enough room in the pub even though we booked it in advance so we took the students to the park. They all enjoyed the quiz and got pretty competitive with it by asking questions even when they weren't supposed to :) Everyone ended up being given ice-cream and the winning team was given milk shakes. The team names were rather clever, we had these team names: Barbie (Ken and His Girlfriends), Arch, The Duchesses, The Happy Smurfs, The Cookies, TEMAC, The Indestructables, KIKOU LOL, and The Spanish Team. All of them did such a wonderful job I am really proud actually.

Here is the winning team (all of which head home in a few days)

Before going over there I took this picture:

There are lions like this one all over the park. I am not sure why either as it seems maybe it is for endangered species or something.

So after this activity we had a bowling activity at Bowlplex. It was quite fun and even though we only played one game it was neat to see  the kids getting along with each other. We all made it through the day pretty well and no one got hurt, lost, or felt left out from what I can tell.

(Allegra, Anne-Catherine, Rebecca, and Me)

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Today was super busy as I hardly had time to do anything. Even though Splashdown was a real hit with the kids I always must have my cell phone out to make sure that if anyone calls me I have it on and I am always worried about losing one of the students. Tomorrow Allegra and I go to London with 39 students and I am just hoping that all of them stick together, hold on to their maps, answer their phones, and don't get lost or hit by cars. That would be the ideal trip to London though :) we shall see what happens tomorrow. So far though the kids have been a real joy this week, as they have been a great group that has worked together and listened well to instructions. For the most part once again their English is probably better than my French, but we are all learning from each other here. The weather has been cold and rainy almost all week, but since the water slides were indoors the kids had a lot of fun still as us four group leaders held down the fort. :)

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

Today Allegra, a tour guide, 37 students, and I went to London together. It was a long excursion and by the end of the day we all could not wait to return home. It was good that all of the students were responsible as I am very proud of them almost like a mother would be with her children. They all showed up on time to the bus both in Bournemouth to leave to London and in London to return to Bournemouth. We let the students explore and go shopping in London for a few hours while Allegra and I went with three women from Colombia and the tour guide all around London taking pictures and seeing the sights. All in all the group was well behaved and this has been a wonderful and also exhausting week.

Here is me with a guard in London! It is a female guard as well which is different but it was fun to pose with the guard because they are so serious :)