Second Star to the Right: Resting and Learning (+Flashback Pictures)

Not sure how exciting this post will be to you dear readers, seeing as how I spent a majority of my day inside and in bed. Yesterday, just before we came back from Cardiff, I started having a slight headache that I attributed to the sunburn I had acquired on my face. This morning, however, that headache had gruesomely mutated into a migraine. It was even the fun kind that sits right behind your eyes, so whenever you look around it decides to punch you on the inside of your skull. Yeah, it was fun. I opted out of church and doing anything for most of the day, and instead stayed in bed. I managed to sneak in some reading for classes between naps.
In the evening our group got together at the girls' apartment over at Hyde Park where we had a devotional put on by our instructors, George and Brett. I managed to throw on some clothes and walk over there. It was so wonderful stepping outside after being in the same room ALL DAY. George spoke to us and shared a wonderful message about theater and learning. One of the things that really stood out to me is that he said that learning is not simply intellectual, but also comes from the heart. You can learn so many different facts and they won't really matter unless you let them enter not only your brain, but your heart as well. An example he shared is that we see people every day here that are smoking. Some of them may know the names of the chemicals that are in the cigarettes, or the negative effects that can come from that habit, but until that knowledge matters to them, they won't stop smoking. The same goes for us as we pursue our education. We can learn so many things, but until we truly let those things in and care about them, those facts don't matter. I am grateful for the major that I have chosen, and that I get to not only learn about literature, but care about it as well. It's hard, knowing that my major may not lead to the most well-payed jobs out there, but I know that it matters and I care about it!
George also spoke about theater and how it is used to teach us how to understand. It's a form of storytelling, and we can learn through the many stories that are told. Christ taught with parables. President Monson and President Uchtdorf are both pretty well known for their stories. Even the temple uses videos in teaching. It's an opportunity to gain understanding by vicariously living through other people. That is the power that theater has, and why we are so fortunate to be able to take part in the many wonderful performances that this city has to offer. It was a great devotional and I am grateful that though I was not able to attend church today, I was still spiritually enlightened.
Also, George told me to massage that little space of skin between the thumb and index finger. Apparently when he inspected the muscles there, they were too tight. That's one of the reasons I have a migraine. Huh, who knew?
After the devotional I walked across the street to Hyde Park where I worked on homework and enjoyed the beautiful weather that we have been having. During the day it's been a bit too warm for my taste, but the evenings have been wonderful. I sat on a bench and read some great literature and typed some essays. It was a wonderful way to make some not so great things (homework) much more tolerable. The fresh air was also greatly appreciated.

My view while studying (the domed structure is the Royal Albert Hall)

Today I also went searching through blogs and Facebook pages of different members of my study abroad group and stole some pictures that they had taken that feature yours truly. I have posted them below! It's like a tribute to the trip so far! How fun!

Most of the group as we first stopped by Big Ben