What a crazy weekend! Saturday we went to the Tower of London and got to see the Crown Jewels....INSANE. So many diamonds....too many diamonds! Sunday we were supposed to go to Bath and Stonehenge but public transportation failed us. We left the lodge at 6:30am and found out all trains were cancelled so we had to catch a bus. Then we get to Wimbledon and the trains there were cancelled too. So we get on another bus and get to Putney Bridge and then finally we catch the District Line but we go to the wrong place. So we go back and then get on the wrong train again. BASICALLY we get to the Victoria station 15 minutes past the time we were supposed to be there and missed the bus to leave.

The weird thing was that I had so much peace the entire time. I knew that it was going to work because there was no other explanation besides the fact that Jesus was gonna work it out. It was quite a stressful situation but I wasn't stressed at all. In fact we did a music video on the train hehe. AND guess what, the tour people let us reschedule the day so that we can still go!!! Thanks Jesus :)

Last night we painted nails and watched Love Actually. We watched Love Actually IN ENGLAND!! I think it's awesome. This whole month has been like a sleepover, I love it! Did I already mention that Lisa and I share a bed? I will hold the record for sleeping in the same bed as her except for Joe MUAHAHA. Weird and awesome.  Here is a picture of how I did Hannah's hair the other night, isn't it hot?!?!?

Olga

I'm listening to Fleet Foxes right now which explains the title of the post. I love them. Especially in England. The weather is SO Fleet Foxes weather...cold, windy and cloudy. YUM! I will say that they aren't the same without Benjamin. I love music, it's the best! Soon I'll move to Christmas music hehe.

Today we are going to the British Museum and Harrods yippee! Ps- Harrods is like a department store on steroids. So so massive. Also- right now I'm doing some major people watching...I have a problem.  Another thing- I miss my little hispanic class. Oh how I love them! The kids here are really cute but I like MY babies.

I'm going to get an iced chai despite the fact that it's 45 degrees. Mom and Dad would be proud of me that I've only had Starbucks 3 times since being here :)

Big Ben

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from England! I love Turkey Day. Wish I was going to be home to eat the best meal ever with my family but my little London family will have to do :)

Things I'm thankful for: I am thankful for my parents and brothers. I am thankful for America. I am thankful for Ben. I am thankful for my best friends. I am thankful for my home. I am thankful for good food. I am thankful for Baylor community.

Being gone makes you realize what you miss about people. I miss Lauren's hugs and talks. I miss my mom's daily phone calls. I miss Ben's interesting facts. I miss mexican food. I miss discipleship. I miss Tri-Delt. Also, I really miss my phone (haha). BUT YAY FOR ENGLAND!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for me! I don't think we are going to be teaching very much....I think it'll be more observing and recess duty than anything. Not complaining. I'm tired! Feeling really sick today :( Booooo congestion and aches!! I'll get better, I got my Mucinex and my cough drops and my water. I'm gonna flush it out....IN THE NAME OF JESUS LEAVE NOW SICKNESS YOU HAVE NO PLACE HERE!!!!

You would not believe how different they do school here. It's like half the day they are playing!! I was so surprised. Also, for PE they just strip down in front of everyone and change. In the classroom. Boys AND girls!!! Shocking really. The kids' names are so cute...Owen, Lewis, Alfie, Isabella, Madelena...I just wanted to squeeze their little British cheeks! My teacher is SO nice and cute. I love her already. There are 4 teachers in my class including me so I really did absolutely nothing. It was a nice change ;) My class is Year 3 which is 2nd grade in the US. Babies!! I'm used to my 4th graders and I miss them SO!!! I really love how I was able to be at my school in Waco on the first day of school. It feels weird coming here in the middle of November. I'll be ready to go back to my class in January :)

Yesterday we walked 9 miles at least. I felt like an old lady because I was so tired! My back was killer. I can't be THAT out of shape. Lisa continues to make us go to museums. It's probably a good thing because I wouldn't go in them if I had my own choice ;) Thanks Lis for keeping me cultured.

Today I think we are going to Les Miserables!!! So. Excited.

London calling

Hello from London!!!!

It's already the third day. Holy moly. Currently in the busiest Starbucks EVER. No joke. Constant line (or queue in England). Rachel is munching on Galaxy chocolate....I'm getting a stockpile of this for every month muahaha. Lauren has fallen asleep AGAIN. We're keeping a tally...it's up to 4 right now. Hello we are Americans tourists! Lisa is reading Rick Steve's....she is OBSESSED of course. My little planner roomie! Mary Katherine and Hannah are obsessed with Viber. Hannah calls me tongue-girl because I can touch my tongue to my nose....hopefully it changes to Lizard-girl because tongue-girl just sounds bizarre. Rachel-"I think we're just going to pub it up tonight." Thanks for the update Rachel.

Room deets: Lisa and I share a room....and a bed. So we snuggle. Literally. Weird? Don't care because I'M IN ENGLAND!!! What what!? Also our shower/tub is SO LONG.

Funny and awkward:

1. Getting lost on the bus for 2 hours and getting hit on. Good thing Lis can flash her ring and ward creepers away....thanks Joe ;) 
2. Having to use a converter in Starbucks and them not knowing what an Iced Chai was...um HELLO.
3. Men here are not Gentlemen. I like US men...or really Texas men....or really just Ben. Hi Ben!
4. Lisa and me literally crying the night we got here. Thank goodness for each other :)
5. Us-"Hi do you know where Harrods is?" Random man- "Yea it's that massive building right in front of you with lights all over it." Oops.
6. Now Mary Katherine is asleep. 2 down, 4 to go.
7. Lisa has made a schedule for us. I love organized people. 

Wahoo yay England! More updates to come. Love you all!!

That time I was a teacher.

After almost 3 months of teaching, I've got a few things to say.
1. I love my kids.
2. I was made for this.

I love my kids. From their greased hair right down to their light up tennis shoes (you know, those ones that light up when you walk). They are the joys and the heartbreaks in my day. No matter what is going on outside of school, as soon as I walk in the door it doesn't matter. I forget about the outside world and I become Miss Caldwell. It's like I tell my kids, "Today is a new day. And you are in the sunshine room where nothing can bring you down!" My classroom is the sunshine room. Those kids come in to be built up, to learn, to be loved. And I try the best I can to give 'em all I got. That's fulfilling right there. Most days, I feel spent after school. It's like all my energy is gone and it doesn't come back till they walk in for breakfast the next day. I love it!!!! It's exhausting. It's so full of joy. It's crazy how much my kids affect me. Whether it's their lives at home or them just not getting a concept, I HAVE to help them! This is my calling. Jesus has been so good to me. So many stories, not enough words!

I was made to be there for little girls crying about their brother being in jail and not being able to talk to him. I was made to hug the kids with no friends. I was made to encourage the kids who don't get anything positive from home. I was made to be a constant in my kids lives for this time. I just love hugging and praising and reinforcing their socks off! I wish everyone could see all 21 faces. I just pray that even though I can't tell them about the unending and consuming love of Jesus, that they see some through me. I hope that someday they experience Christ's love in a way SO REAL! Rock my world Jesus. Teaching kids is the bomb.