Lots has happened in London since the start of the new year!
- I joined a gym
- I bought a Rough Guide to Britain (a huge book about everything there is to do in the country)
- I got a library card
- The Mayor of London flew the American flag over City Hall to celebrate Obama's inauguration on 20th January
- Oklahoma made the news in The London Paper. Every day they have a feature called, "Funny Old World" (and incidentally it usually has a blurb about the USA), and on 29th January they had a story about a man who bought a second-hand MP3 player at a thrift shop that contained US military files. The guy discovered that it had 60 files on personnel who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he soon handed it over to the authorities. Honest Okie!
- American Idol is a new bright spot in my life. I've always loved the show- especially the auditions- but I love it even more now because I am missing American TV so much!!!
Two weekends ago we were given beautiful weather, so I took advantage of the rare January sunshine and went to Portobello Market. The world-famous Market is in Notting Hill, so it's convenient for me. 
Here's Portobello Road, where the colorful flats line the streets, something it is known for. The Market was especially packed since the weather was so nice and also because Saturdays are the best days to go.
Here's Portobello Road, where the colorful flats line the streets, something it is known for. The Market was especially packed since the weather was so nice and also because Saturdays are the best days to go. 
This is Hummingbird Bakery, which always has a line out the door for its cupcakes. I usually don't like all the icing on most cupcakes, but theirs is heavenly.
A look inside the bakery
A vendor selling seafood paella 
The Market Bar and vendors selling clothes outside
The famous Travel Bookshop and the blue door from the movie, OF COURSE, Notting Hill
On Sunday, I met a fellow American in the Shad Thames neighborhood, which is an historic riverside area near Tower Bridge along the River Thames. It was my first time to go to this part of London.
These old warehouses were converted into flats, shops, and restaurants 
Tower Bridge- another gorgeous day!
I found this Christies auction house in South Kensington last week when I was going to my first Pastorate (small group bible study).
A look inside Christies
I read about this art exhibition several weeks ago, and finally got a chance to go check it out at Charing Cross Tube Station. It's called Mystery Train, and it's made up of photos of people who work in the London Underground (subway), students from the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), and ICA staff. It's part of The Art on the Underground, and while it was small, it was great. I am really enjoying reading the newspapers everyday and finding out ways to explore the City. Last weekend I took my second day trip, and I actually ventured out on my own. I found a great FunFare ticket to Cambridge and, thankfully, had sunny weather (even though it was still really cold). I found an article in the newspaper a few days before I left about Cambridge. This year is the university's 800th birthday, and on their website I found a walking tour podcast and map, which I used to learn about all of the most significant places in the town.
This is the Market Place in the middle of the historic city centre.
St. John's College
The Round Church
The Cambridge Roman Catholic Church
King's College Chapel and The Backs
The American Military Cemetery. The site is the only permanent WWII American Cemetery in the British Isles.
It was great to see the American flag flying in Britain!
The site was dedicated in July 1956, and the land was donated by the University of Cambridge.
The River Cam
A look down an alley where students and faculty were spotted. And notice all the bicycles- there are about 35, ooo in Cambridge.
King's Parade
Outside King's College
King's College entrance and the Chapel on the right
Inside the courtyard of Corpus Christi College- the oldest surviving enclosed court in Cambridge
The new Corpus Christi clock- has no hands or numbers
Inside the courtyard of King's College
Inside the courtyard of King's College
St. Mary's Church
It was winter graduation (looking inside the gates of the Senate House).
The Gate of Honour, built in 1575, where students still pass on their way to graduation through to the Senate House.
Looking through from the Gate of Honour to the Senate House.
Outside Trinity College, which was founded and richly endowed by Henry VIII (that's a figure of him above the gates)
Inside the courtyard of Trinity College
Old Cavendish Laboratory, founded in 1870, is the site of where the atom was split for the first time
Fitzwilliam Museum
On the bridge on The Backs near King's College on my way to Evensong in King's College
It was great to see the American flag flying in Britain!
The site was dedicated in July 1956, and the land was donated by the University of Cambridge.
The River Cam
A look down an alley where students and faculty were spotted. And notice all the bicycles- there are about 35, ooo in Cambridge.
King's Parade
Outside King's College
King's College entrance and the Chapel on the right
Inside the courtyard of Corpus Christi College- the oldest surviving enclosed court in Cambridge
The new Corpus Christi clock- has no hands or numbers
Inside the courtyard of King's College
Inside the courtyard of King's College
St. Mary's Church
It was winter graduation (looking inside the gates of the Senate House).
The Gate of Honour, built in 1575, where students still pass on their way to graduation through to the Senate House.
Looking through from the Gate of Honour to the Senate House.
Outside Trinity College, which was founded and richly endowed by Henry VIII (that's a figure of him above the gates)
Inside the courtyard of Trinity College
Old Cavendish Laboratory, founded in 1870, is the site of where the atom was split for the first time
Fitzwilliam Museum
On the bridge on The Backs near King's College on my way to Evensong in King's College 
