May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

The title says it all. Only the greatest line from Hunger Games, and basically describes our experience at the World Premiere of Catching Fire. May the odds be ever in your favor, you lovely people trying with all your might to get a front row spot on that red carpet.

The Catching Fire World Premiere was by far my favorite day in London. Okay, every day in London is my favorite day in London. But this really was quite the day. We begun our adventure on Sunday evening. We made our way to Leicester Square around 8:00 pm and joined the line of other crazed fans. Even though we were 24 hours early for the event, there was already a line forming in the square. We added our name to the guest list and secured our places in line. It seemed that we were prepared for the actual Hunger Games, equipped with 45 layers of clothing, about 20 blankets, snacks, cardboard, umbrellas, and game faces. We were ready to brave the cold weather and pouring rain. However, to our pleasant surprise, the cool Odeon workers came to tell us if we wanted to go home for some warmth and a bed for the night, we could come back at 6:00 am where they would reassemble us into the same numbered order. So, 7 happy girls made our way back home, ready to return the following morning. Got a couple hours of sleep and headed back to Leicester at 4:00 am. Got back into line, then pleasantly surprised again when we were told we could have a few hours for breakfast, then reassemble again. So, to Pret we go for some hot cocoa, croissants, and wifi. Back to line, then go time. Within a couple hours we assembled ourselves in the best location on the red carpet, front row. We had the entire area to ourselves the whole day and the whole premiere, which was quite wonderful. We made some new best friends, the security guards of the red carpet. Literally talked to them ALLLL day as we waited and laughed at our completely homeless appearance. Turns out taking naps on cardboard pieces and standing in the rain for hours can really do wonders for one's hair and makeup. Anyways, it was such a fun day with some fun new friends!

Now the premiere. I cannot even describe the excitement of a red carpet world premiere. The paparazzi, the glamour, the celebrities, the music, the whole vibe is just… cool. Every single star walked to us. J Law, Liam, Josh, Stanley, Elizabeth, Willow, Sam, Jena, and the rest of the cast of my most favorite movie. Everything was crazy and fun and oh, so glamourous. You know, minus our homely appearances. The stars are so nice and so happy to be there, and of course, just classy as ever. My one goal of the entire 24 hours of camping out was to get a picture with Liam. One. Goal. For my friends and family who know me well, they will all know how much I adore that Aussie. Anddd, goal accomplished. Liam came right over to our group of screaming girls, smiled and chatted as much as he could, and took my iPhone in his hands, gathered my girls together, and snapped a pic of all of us. I think I died of happiness and giddiness. Seriously, worth every second of waiting on that red carpet. The odds were ever in my favor.

London is cool, world premieres are cool, and Liam is well… cool. The whole experience is something we will never forget. We will probably never have that opportunity again. So many laughs and memories and homelessness and glamour, all at the same time. I will never forget sleeping on the streets of London, curled up with my cardboard piece and blanket, singing and laughing with my best friends. We get to see the movie tomorrow, holla at London for being the BOMBB and showing it a day before the United States. Hemsworth brothers, it's been nice to see ya. Have a lovely week, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

A Trip North

 It's been awhile, and much goodness has happened.. This week we took a trip up North to Preston, Liverpool, the Lake District, Edinburgh, and York. I know I have a bajillion pictures on this post, so instead of writing a bunch of nonsense, I will post a tour of pictures. Here goes.

This is on a bridge at Fountains  Abbey. Manda loves bridges. 

I propsed to Cat at this super romantic spot at Fountains Abbey. She shut. me. down. 

Our little family at some Roman ruins. 

The Lake District. Pictures do not even halfway do this place justice. So beautiful. I was thinking of our lake in Indiana the entire time. 

The fall colors sure make everything pretty amazing. 

One of our last stays at a hostel. We've had a good run, and I can officially say that bed bugs are real and community showers are… interesting. But the late night sleepovers, sketchy breakfasts, not included wifi, and bright green decor provide for so many laughs and memories. And this particular hostel, isn't in a bad location… right on the lake. 

This was taken on a 8 mile walk through Ambleside. My Hunter rain boots are basically my other half. This walk was unforgettable. 

just a quaint little boat on the lake. 

This is a glimpse of what we got to look at during our visit to the Wordsworth Museum. Such a neat experience looking at Wordsworth original manuscripts, the 1st edition of Frankenstein, and gifts from Queen Victoria. One of my favorite school outings and honestly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not many people in the world get the chance to do what we did. And it turns out, the making of paper is actually a really cool thing to learn about. Holla at the museum curator Jeff for his paper dance. 

Can you tell we're now in Scotland. Kilts on kilts on kilts on bagpipes on bagpipes.

Just a cemetery… we weirdly frequented often. 

After some serious searching in the creepy graveyard at night with phone flashlights and like.. 20 people.. we finally found Tom Riddell's grave. Decided maybe we should come back in the daytime too. 

it was windy. really windy. 

Just another day, another castle. Edinburgh is seriously the coolest place ever. 

We couldn't quite figure out the proper way one should pose at a graveyard. so, we ended up in this awkward pose. RIP Tom Riddell. 

Edinburgh, Scotland. 

pubs and pubs and pubs. livin that Scottish life. 

that one night we spent in a graveyard in Scotland. normal. But really, spending Halloween in Scotland was the coolest. Complete with a trip to the castle, dinner at the Elephant House (birthplace of Harry Potter), a fire dancing parade,  a midnight ghost tour, a trip to the cemetery, and candy. Lots of candy. 

I seriously can't get over this place.

Matching Christmas sweaters from Scotland were a must. 

This is the bathroom at the Elephant House, the cafe where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Visitors can sign the walls and "join Dumbledore's army." Not quite sure what that means, but I signed it. I'm learning, slowly learning. 

Fountains Abbey

Welcome to Liverpool, folks. 

Home of the Beatles. So, we obviously toured the Beatles Exhibition. 

'Murica loves the Beatles.

All about that stoned life. Well, we tried. 

We all live in a yellow submarine. But really, there was a yellow submarine. 

This was the happiest moment of the trip for sure. I got to meet my roomie and bestie at the Preston temple. She is serving her mission in a nearby area and she got permission to meet me at the temple. It worked out so perfectly. That morning I had the random thought to shoot her an email to see if she was in a nearby area. It just happened to be her P day and she just happened to be transferred to this area a week prior. She was able to come meet me at the perfect time on the perfect day! God sure is good to me. The most incredible 45 minutes of catching up on life. Even though I wanted hours and hours to spend with Steph, I am so thankful that I got to see her. Such a blessing and I miss her dearly already. 

During our Freshman year we would spend hours googling pictures of this MTC and temple in excitement for her mission. And now, we have stood there together in moments of complete happiness.  

Sheep. 

I'm tellin ya, those Hunters.