You have hillbillies?! Do they really eat people???

Some of our flatmates have been watching too much telly, and take it a little too literally haha. So, it's been way too long since my last post, my apologies! It only means I have all the more to tell you about! Lets go wayyyyy back before valentine's day... There is a really cute castle called Castell Coch not too far from Cardiff, and it literally looks like it's out of a fairytale. So cute.

{i didn't take this one... just to give you an idea of the location}

Fairytale :) love it. So we ended up taking a bus and then walked up the hill [just as an aside, I love walking around anywhere here, everything is so pretty...] At the top of the hill you're greeted with a drawbridge entryway.
Now, this is a lot smaller than Cardiff Castle, so it was more of an explore yourself kind of deal, which was really fun. Jessica's friend Arlene was visiting this weekend so the four of us spent a few good hours exploring, and this is what we saw:

{this is the drawing room, painted on the walls are various images of Aesop's fables such as the tortoise and the hare}

Basically, it was a really fun adventure! The next day we went to the Big Pit, which is an old coal mine, and we were given a tour of the mine by a real miner. He took us about 400 ft. below ground and took us through the many tunnels while giving us loads of history as we went. Unfortunately, we couldn't take our cameras down because they have dry cell batteries which would cause an explosion down there, but here are a few pics from right before we headed down!
{Our miner tour guide!}

We then headed down into the pit and he showed us how they measured for carbon monoxide, and where the stables where the horses lived, in complete darkness all year except for 2 weeks. They also would take a canary down with them because they breathe 7 times faster than we do, so if the bird started freakin out they would know they needed to get out of there. I think the thing that hit me the most was that there would be 5 year old boys and girls working in the mine, and their job was to open and shut the doors to let the ponies go through, but the doors needed to be shut again for ventilation purposes. Now, the mine owners did not provide candles, so if you couldn't afford to buy one for yourself or your son/daughter, they would be working in 12 hours of darkness 6 days a week.

And then we had time to explore a bit :)
Right after this, we headed over to Blaenavon Ironworks. It is the is the best preserved blast furnace complex of its period and type in the world. Thousands of men, who were iron experts, moved to work here and it was very common for people to be injured or fall into the furnaces... The ironworks grew over the years and became one of the most significant iron manufacturer in Wales.

{at the top of water balance tower}

And then we could go into some of the houses on site where the workers would live.
Now, for Valentine's day, we basically just stayed in a watched a couple of movies and i made homemade truffles, mmmm! Here is the coming line up of adventures: we will be going to London on Sunday, and on Wednesday we leave for Scotland for 5 days! woooo!

prayers:
- I have been sneezing a lot today... so that it doesnt turn into a cold!!
- safe travels and good times :)

love you all!
cheers!
love, emily

another week...

So, it's been another week, and I don't really have too much to tell you about. For the most part we have just been doing normal day to day things this week :) The VO2 max test went well, it was pretty intense, but I got through it. It was a good experience, seeing as I am a kines major and am studying exercise and all. This week, we are doing some sprints and more data collection and fun stuff. I got a lovely parcel from my ADX sisters!! They are so sweet :) They sent me love notes for valentines day, a rush shirt for me to have, and a packet of ranch dressing mix!!! I feel so loved and so blessed! Miss you girls!
We've cleared up a lot more with our module leaders, so we know a bit more of what will be expected of us and what we will be graded on! YAY! I really like knowing what's going on...
ALSO, 6 nations rugby started this past weekend! It's a huge deal because it was Wales vs. England, and they are rivals! So it was an intense game! We headed into town and watched the game at a local pub called the Prince of Wales which was really fun, and a really great experience. Wales lost, unfortunately, but it was a really cool game and I definitely understand more about rugby, even though it is still very little....
Church this week was nice, we had communion and I met a lovely old lady named Margaret. When I told her I was from California, she proceeded to apologize for the weather and ask why on earth I left... haha. I should really just get used to that question. This weekend we are going to the Big Pit, which is a coal mine here in Wales. Coal mining is a huge part of Welsh history, so I'm excited to be getting a tour from a real coal miner and learn more about this place :) So, more pictures to come this weekend, but none for now... also this month, we will be going to London, and we are going to Edinburgh, Scotland for about 4 days! SO excited :) and so blessed!

prayers! [since i haven't done this in a while...]
- That everything continues to go well and we keep meeting more people :)
- That i continue to stay healthy! {so far so good!}
- That i soak up every lovely minute of being here :)

love, emily

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
Psalm 8:1-4