"I think London hates my birthday"

The following are the DOs and DON'Ts for celebrating your 21st birthday on a Saturday night in London. Enjoy...

DO plan where you are going before you go somewhere. Research pays off. (This is definitely important when three of the major Tube lines are shut down for the weekend...)

DON'T decide to leave your hotel to get off at a random Tube stop and then find some random place to eat. (You will end up in the world's smallest pub with tiny little stools and tables.)

DO bring guys with you. They will pay for your birthday meal (a chicken sandwich) and your drinks.

DON'T wear high heels. I thankfully wore flats, but two of the girls will be suffering the rest of the week for their decision on Saturday night. Remember, London's cobblestone/brick streets are very unforgiving to your feet.

DO make a special phone call home to your mum and dad. It will (in some small way) make it feel like you are closer to them. (Oh, how I miss the days when Ruth would wake me up in the morning to say "Happy Birthday," and later the parentals would take me on a special shopping trip.)

DON'T take pictures on the Underground platform while waiting for a train. This is what you will hear over the speakers: "Attention passengers on Platform 1, there is no flash photography in the Underground. If this happens again, you will be asked to leave the station immediately." (Ooops!)

DO make a Skype date with your boyfriend so you can have a special chat with him on your special day.

DO wake up early the next morning (even though you got very little sleep) and go to the Hillsong Church in the Dominion Theater. The worship is absolutely amazing, (Hillsong United has put out many hit worship songs) and it is a refreshing reminder of what you are doing in London. (London is very secular, so it was great to go to a place where the people really do want to be there - Very authentic.)

DO give thanks for the wonderful people in your life - whether they are sharing your birthday with you in London or are thinking about you in the U.S. (I am so very blessed.)