flashback: london 2006

So I know I already mentioned my study abroad to London in my Wimbledon flashback (and I certainly talk about it enough already) but I felt like I should give that experience and the people I shared it with a proper shout out now that it's been four years. So please, indulge me.

To sum it up all I can really say is that I had the time of my life that summer. I know so many of you have had similar experiences that have enriched your lives and what more can we say than that? It's hard to put it into any other words but I'll try: I met some absolutely amazing people - including our professors and their families - some of which I still consider close (lifelong?) friends, learned a lot and saw a whole bunch of stuff. Was that vague enough? It makes sense that so much of my heritage comes from England because it sure feels like home to me there. I could go on about it but in the interest of not boring you, I'll let these pictures speak for themselves (with help from a caption or two).

Note: I did not perm my hair, it just took on a life of its own that humid summer.

Meeting the cast of the 2nd Pirates movie at the London premiere.

With Ben and the bobbies.

Molly and I groovin' on the bus. We also did such things as make up songs and raps that annoyed everyone else.

Hyde Park

Bones.

London LDS Temple.

We also spent a fabulous week in Ireland.

I admit this next picture is cheesy. I like it though because it reminds me of the Chinese tourists who thought it was photo worthy enough to take some of us with their cameras, too.

Studying for finals.

Some of my best pals.

Still in touch at Molly's wedding a couple months ago.

My London adventures will forever be one of the most amazing experiences of my life but I also am very grateful for what it led me to. If I hadn't done that program I wouldn't have thought or wanted to go to BYU for a semester and therefore would have never me Bret. Sometimes we play the always thought provoking "what if" game and the question of "what if I never went to London?" always seems to me the most profound. Not only would I have missed out on a lifetime opportunity but also the love of my life - a thought sometimes too scary to consider.

To all my London friends: Thanks for the memories and I hope life is treating you well! Are we still up for the 2012 reunion in London for the Olympics? Count us in.