The End.

After 3 incredible years in London, it's time to say goodbye. This experience has been the hardest, most challenging thing I've ever done, but also THE most rewarding. I could never have imagined everything I would experience, how much I would learn, the places I would travel, and the people I would meet.

I am not going to even try to describe everything I will miss because I could never capture it all. There are obviously big things, like the ability to travel (of the 22 countries I visited, my 3 favorite trips were Istanbul, Norway, and Tuscany). And experiencing iconic historic events in person (royal wedding, Queen's jubilee, Olympics, Margaret Thatcher's funeral, royal baby)! 

There are also millions of little everyday things. Like, coming out of the tube each morning and seeing Big Ben perfectly framed in the center of the London Eye (thanks Blackfriars). Lazy Saturday morning walks through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, down to the Eye and Big Ben. Lunching on the steps of St Paul's with Liz (every.single.sunny.day). Pub nights with the work crew. Noor Jahan (best Indian restaurant in the world). Working for the 2 people I respect most at the firm. Constantly being surrounded by people whose cultures and backgrounds are drastically different than mine. Surprising myself almost daily at the random British-isms that come out of my mouth!

But what will I miss the most? By far and hands down, these faces!

Deciding whether to move back to the States or stay in London permanently was one of the hardest decisions I have made, but for a lot of reasons (which I won't bore you with here), I've decided to move to Chicago. While it is so hard to say goodbye to my life in London and the lifelong friends I made there, God has given me so much peace about this decision and I couldn't be more excited to see what He has in store in this next chapter!

That brings me to the end of my very last post! I have no clue who out there has followed this blog (other than my family), but I hope you have enjoyed sharing in this experience and seeing all the pictures from the best three years of my life!

THE END!

London summer 2013: the beginning of the end

I couldn't have asked to end with a better summer in London. Here are the phone pics from my last few months as a Londoner.

The little man! He's getting so much more interactive and is just a doll. Love face-timing with him now as he'll smile and laugh at me when I talk to him. (Yes I know I always look "special"in these FT pics! Just focus on him.)

Jeff and Katie invited me and Jay to go to this uber fancy schmancy charity gala at the Dorchester. It even ended with a concert by Bryan Adams!! It was THE nicest event I've ever been to. I think half the women there were wearing twice my annual salary in jewels alone. It was so fun to play like we belonged.

The work girls took me out to dinner to celebrate my 30th birthday! Liz and Jess were not so sure about their mussels here.

An Aussie, Brit, American, and Scot. Love them!

Saturday morning walk. Ended up at the Thames looking at this.

I have spent SO much time in Hyde Park this summer - it's been so warm and amazing! Picnic time with Marc and Lise!

Scrabble and girl time.

Marc and I soaking it all in.

Yep, Downton Abbey.

It's beautiful in person!! I spent all afternoon under that tree reading and relaxing!

Another evening spent in Hyde Park enjoying the warm summer night and watching the ducks do their thing.

Ditched work to spend the afternoon London rooftop hopping - for charity no less!

Keeping it real. Yes, I have to take a lint brush to my sheets after washing them as there is no lint catcher in the dryer. I WILL NOT MISS THE LAUNDRY SITUATION HERE!

A few weekends ago, the girls came over for bubbledogs at my place. Liz, the domestic goddess, took over my kitchen while I just watched.

The spread! AMAZING!

Yummmm

High tea with Lise and Katie.

The standard scones and clotted cream pic that gets sent to my dad every time I have tea and scones!

I was on my couch in my pj's when the news broke that the royal baby was born. Thanks to a guilt trip from Allison, I threw some clothes on, grabbed a taxi, picked up Katie and was off to Buckingham Palace in no time! It was MAYHEM! So many people out there to celebrate the royal baby and see the easel the announcement was made on!

We were squished in line for 20 minutes with sweaty armpits ALL over us.... this is me as we made it closer to the front (you can see easel behind the gate!)

We only had 2 nano-seconds to snap this shot!

SO happy we came! It was an electric atmosphere! Soooooo fun!

High tea with the work girls... Jess and Suz's leaving gift for me and Liz. So very British.

AK and Carson were in town for one night... my, how this little kid has grown. Last time I had seen him he was 3 months old!

Liz's last week (2 weeks before mine), we had a joint going away dinner with our nearest and dearest from the office (just missing Stuart)!

Liz and I sporting our going away gifts - Kate Spade bracelets which say "London Calling"- LOVE.

My last afternoon with Suz - on a rooftop overlooking St Pauls - perfection.

Last weekend, I headed out to the English countryside with Marc and Lise. The picturesque port on our first day exploring the Lake District!

On the boat!

Beautiful.

Hiking up to the waterfalls

Meandering around in the wilderness :)

These stone walls were everywhere!

Afternoon tea and scones to warm up after a chilly afternoon on the water.

Loved these wooden canoes!

More picturesque-ness!

Yes that's me. Making a fool of myself in the middle of the field singing "the hills are alive" with the sheep!

Back in London... this week, my last week of work, Jess and I did one final Burger & Lobster lunch.

Walking back to the office from lunch... I will miss seeing this (my favorite) London landmark on a daily basis.

Here's the view from Friday on my last ever London commute! Typical.

The girls that night at Liz's and my leaving drinks with our whole department from work. Already welling up looking at this pic. I'm so tired of goodbyes.

I spent this weekend with Hannah at her parents' house in Windsor! Lunching yesterday at the quintessential Windsor pub!

We took a LONG walk, down the Long Walk (yes, that's what this road is called!). Relaxing at the end and overlooking the beautiful-ness.

Last night watching TV and relaxing... there is no other friend that gets relaxation like me the way Hannah does!

This morning, whipping up some amazing french toast for breakfast!

So, we may have watched the entirety of "Winning London" by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen on YouTube. Hahahaha.

Such a great summer... I'm in denial there are only 7 more days until I fly out for good!! Agghhhhhhhh!