The final count down has begun. We only have four actual days left of class meetings because of our free weekend. It seems like the time has gone by so quickly, but I also feel like I’ve been here for a long time. There is such a difference between studying abroad and visiting. Living in someone’s home has brought the everyday life of London into my own reality. Walking to and from the tube and walking through the station like I own it makes me feel like I’ve been here for a semester.

Today was a very important day in the history of London and of Europe in general. August 4, 2014 marks the 100 year anniversary of the day England declared war on Germany, which began WWI. I’m so glad we were here for that. A few days ago at the Tower of London there were thousands of ceramic poppies being placed around the outside walls to commemorate fallen soldiers, but tonight was “Lights Out London”. It was amazing to see the London Eye not lit up and to also see a big spot light shot up into the night sky. Trafalger Square was completely darkened, and is also a memory I will have forever. Reading about the history of a country is a far different thing than seeing where the old and new come together to form such a great city. Take has gone by in the blink of an eye as the old cliche goes!