Gardens and Brick Houses

God is SO good! 

His blessings are undeserved.

He provides for me and knows exactly what I need. 

Today was such a breath of fresh air. I've had a lot of questions and doubts running through my head recently about why I'm here. But today most of them were blown away.

This morning I got up early to get to my internship on time. It was my first day working for Hatch....and I had planned on being early. But after problems getting a monthly pass and having to wait 15 minutes for my train...my plan failed. 

The view on the train was beautiful. I'm used to underground trains that don't have windows. Plus, it was another sunny day in London! Yay sun!! I was also able to see the suburbs from the train...it was nice to see more open space than huge buildings, people, and the constant hustle and bustle....and more green. :)

I met James, my new manager, at the station and he drove me to the house. (first time riding in a car over here....so weird getting in the passenger side and riding on the opposite side of the road...so weird!) Like most other houses here, the house was brick, quaint, and so cute! I got to meet his two young children...who were playing with imaginary light sabers when I came in the door. lol. :) James decided to start this graphic design company awhile ago and built his own studio in his backyard. So we went through their small backyard garden....trellises, with roses weaving in and around everything, covered the path to the studio. So lovely! I can't wait to see it in bloom in the spring!

He showed me the basics of what Hatch does and what I will be helping with. Then, after a short introductory session, he lent me his camera and sent me off to take pictures!! How awesome is that! The object was to try to find advertisements close to London landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham, etc...and get them in the same frame with interesting angles. Tomorrow he is going to look at my photos, and then we are going to photoshop advertisements by Hatch over the ads in the photos as a practice exercise for me. My goodness!! This is like the "dream internship!"  I'm so excited to see what else I'll be doing and what stuff I will be able to put in my portfolio!!

So I tried to take photos of the Westminster area, then headed off to the London tower and bridge and did most of my photography there.

no idea what this is. lol

sigh....gorgeous

On Tower Bridge

ah London...you're like a massive heart attack

London Tower

Once it got too dark to continue, I hopped on the tube to go to a cheap grocery store off of the Brixton station called Iceland. On the way there, the station I was supposed to change trains on suddenly closed because a "person was under the train."

in other words....someone threw himself in front of a train

selfish form of suicide

...selfish in that it makes everyone riding the trains pay for their death. 

It's so sad...and from what I've heard, it's not an infrequent thing. :( 

And then, after I bought my groceries and was almost to the Vandon House, I saw a man in a shop doorway getting huddled up for the night. I had my groceries in hand, and could have given him something. But I was alone and kept walking. Sigh...my heart breaks when I see things like that. I just want to help.

 Taco casserole:

My first "real cooking challenge." 

had to make a second trip to the store to get a couple missing ingredients...but it turned out very nicely. Didn't taste like mom's...but it was still splendid. Now I just have leftovers to last me a week. lol!

~Merely Mortal