Ketchup

WARNING: this is really long. sorry. there are pictures at the bottom if you aren't keen on reading.

So i've fallen a bit behind these past few days, mostly because I haven't taken many pictures. But I'll tell you what has been happening. So after we got back from Brighton on Wed, a friend of ours from America was having a trial night as a bartender at a club in town, so Cate and Megan and I were going to be supportive and stop by and see her. Ok let me just take this moment to say that I have never been to a club, other than when there is a good band playing, and honestly I never have any desire to go. Not my scene. However, we were going to be good friends and go and check it out. So Cate and I got dressed up, ate dinner at home, then headed out to this club. we were not the least bit excited. quite the opposite actually. So on the way, Megan texted us saying she was going to the popular club across the street which has a two hour que and a £10 cover. We were not up for that, but we were already on the bus, and so there wasn't much to be done. We got down town, and the line was 2 blocks long, so we walked around for a bit, then decided, so as to not "waste the night" to head to the pub that had the international party the first night and get a drink. Last time we went, it was insanely, and not fun, so I wasn't expecting much, but it was actually quit chill, and really great. The bartender was really nice, and no one hit on us really, and I had a dark rum and coke, and we had wonderful conversation. it ended up being awesome.

So then thursday I slept until 12, then had some left over pasta for lunch. Then Cate and I tried unsuccessfully to get some text books at borders. complete fail. Then we came back and made some sandwiches and headed to this amazing park near our house. Richmond Park is one of the most beautiful outdoor places i've ever been. it has the huge fields and ponds and trees. you forget you in greater london. Cate and I ate and watched glee, then found a tree to climb, which was quite and adventure to even begin. I'll try and post some of her pictures later, I didn't bring my camera.

FRIDAY

Today, Kim and Iwent to Buckingham Palace and paid a freaking arm and a leg to get in, however, it was totally worth it. You couldn't take pictures inside, but we went to the queens gallery and the staterooms in the palace, which are closing this weekend, so I'm very glad I got to see them.

above is the back of the palace. below is the royal gardens
below: as close as I could get to taking pictures inside.
outside the Queens Galleries

Above: in front of the palace, where the light was really awesome. this is where the changing of the gaurd happens, but not today. i think that may only happen when the queen is home, and today she wasn't.

Then Kim and I were really hungry, so we walked around for a while looking for something to eat.

We walked through this park, and took pictures in the chairs that are everywhere for anyone to sit in, and also of Parliament, which is beautiful from this view

. We eventually ended up eating at this really touristy Asian food place under the Julbillee bridge. It was really good though, so whatever, I'll be a tourist.

Above: Dinner. My soda Below: Big Ben in a great light.

Then we met audria, my other housemate at the train station and went to a hillsong event. It was for the youth group, but we went anyway because there aren't many young adult things yet, so we thought it would be good to go together to this, and it totally was. It was funny to watch the high schoolers hang out, and the worship, or course was amazing. I am praying that I can get comfortable here, and not feel like a loser in the way that I dress. I'm so tired of being pigeonholed as the american, and judged for it. I feel like a loser because of who I am. I just need to remember that God made me who I am for a reason, and I need to be joyful in his creation.

Sorry that was so long....i will try to keep up next time, so this won't happen again.