march for march.

march for march is this new thing that we are doing in dorm 3.

basically, we walk up all of the stairs at all of the underground stations. and, if there is an escalator, we walk up it too.

you are probably thinking that this is not a big deal, but it is. i mean, it is so easy to be lazy and just casually stand on the escalator and get to the top. where is the fun in that though? also, the amount of stairs that we actually confront is out of control.

this goal for the month of march is much harder than i ever would have anticipated. yesterday we encountered a 320 step staircase. once i got to about step 60 i realized how far 320 steps really is. i endured though, and was the first one to reach the top. my legs are sore today.

last week we went to wales, and it was unbelievably beautiful. we had the best trip. here are some of the things that i absolutely loved about our trip:

•tintern abbey:

we had an english assignment to take 10 minutes and reflect on our surroundings and write them down in the style of william wordsworth. after a few minutes thinking only about the nature and the remarkably kept 13th century abbey, i started to really enjoy the experience.

•the big pit:

when i heard that we were going to be almost 100 m underground for an hour for a tour of a coal mine, i began to feel claustrophobic and stressed. the mine was really cool though, and i am glad i went. also, as a plus, we had to wear these awesome head lamps and helmets:

•museum of welsh life/cymru:

this was basically a welsh version of nauvoo. there were friendly and informative authentically dressed people available to share knowledge and information at all of the little huts and workshops. i learned so much about wales. also, at this same stop of cymru, there was this huge manor house that we saw that had the prettiest gardens. i am beginning to love all of the parks and gardens here so much.

•the hotel:

this seems trivial. but, was definitely at the top of my wales highlights list. having a huge room with giant beds(NO BUNKS!!), a spacious shower and only one roommate was a very welcome change for the night. i went to bed early and had my best sleep of the year.

caerphilly castle.

church history tour:

i loved this. it was so amazing to see all of the places where many prophets and apostles converted so many people and started the church in england. hearing their stories and singing the spirit of god in the first church building in england was one of the best experiences of the trip. climbing to the top of hereforshire beacon was great too, but so so windy.

at herefordshire beacon.

oldest chapel in england. amazing experience.

other exciting things that have happened in the last week include a trip to stratford upon avon. we saw a great performance of king lear and saw many shakespeare sites. it was a great day trip. also, it is almost spring here! it has been pretty sunny all week!! i love it. also, i got to skype with jess and hannah a couple of days ago! also, i went to the tate modern museum. i am trying to decide if i like modern art, i really don't understand it. also, my family and i went to lunch at tortilla today, and we loved it and will definitely be returning soon.

things that i am looking forward to:

jane austen day trip on wednesday and the trip to paris in one week!