DTDB, Trophies and a Museum!

I am on Easter Break now and not a minute too late.

Anyways, Friday was the last day of courses. The bars and pubs on campus needed to get rid of all their perishables (read: alcohol) before the break. Hence, Drink the Bar Dry. This time around, it was wedding-themed. Apparently, ten years ago, the happy couple met at DTBD and now they are getting married. Even though I wasn't feeling at my best (I've been battling a nasty cold for the past week), I decided to show up and make a very small contribution.

(Clockwise from left): Jen, Emmett, Ben and Kirsten W.
Not pictured: me and my nonalcoholic blackcurrant squash

Ben was a new addition to our little group. He's from Wimbledon and was leaving to go snowboarding in the French Alps later that day. He likes hanging out with Americans, apparently he doesn't feel like the odd one out for being wealthy (Well, I for one do not have two houses, nor do I jet off to the Alps on a lark. Not sure you're among equals, Ben). He also isn't really sure if he hates or loves our accents. One of my flatmates, Hugh, came over to visit our table. He and Ben had the funniest conversation ever (they hadn't met previously). Hugh ended up calling Ben a "Posh Wanker!"

Fun Fact #19: That makes my top three of "Most British Sentences I've heard".
Fun Fact #20: The others are "It's just a bunch of lads looking for a shag" and "I got crisps all over my jumper".

We decided to regroup later that night when the nightclub opens (yes, there is a nightclub inside the Student Union building). I took the opportunity to make French Toast! My flatmates Adeline and Rachel enjoyed a proper American-style breakfast of french toast with maple syrup and streaky bacon.

Yummy!

Adeline, Rachel and I returned to the Student Union. We met up with Emmett and Kirsten W. as well, and then we kinda lost each-other. There were tons of people there. My flatmates and I decided to call it a night after the umpteenth bland techno tune came on. We got some late dinner at a place called Uni Kitchen then we returned to Talybont. All this before midnight!

This worked out very nicely for me. On Thursday, I saw an announcement on the Welsh Rugby Union's Facebook page about three members of the Six Nations squad paying a visit to the WRU store on Saturday from 11 - 1. Alex Cuthbert, Ryan Jones and Jonathan Davies were slated to appear. I just knew I had to check that out! I had asked Kirsten W. about it earlier, but she wasn't feeling up to it. Not discouraged, I caught a taxi to the shop. I didn't want to waste a lot of time. The taxi driver was a really nice guy. He was actually from Cardiff and we talked about Welsh things like the language, places to visit and more. 

I don't really remember what time I arrived at the WRU shop, but there was already a queue inside. Soon, people started arriving in droves. The queue stretched out the door and down the block a ways! I got to hear Welsh children being adorable and asking questions like why there's a mannequin dressed in  golf clothes if this is a rugby store.

Fun Fact #21: Someone referenced the Autons from Doctor Who in relation to the mannequins. My nerdish heart was pleased.

While I waited for 11 am, I got my photo taken with the real, actual Six Nations trophy.

It's very heavy 

I was acting as time-keeper for this little Welsh kid named Alex. He was very excited to be there. Once it reached 11 though, no-one showed up! Five minutes later, Alex Cuthbert himself strolled through the front door and was ushered into the back room. Good to know that I'm not the only person who runs late!

The queue 

More queue

My knees started shaking and I lost my voice. Believe it or not, this normally chatty girl was star-struck! I asked a shop employee to take my picture with the lads.

Alex Cuthbert and me!

Jonathan Davies, me and Ryan Jones. Apologies for the blur.

I wanted to say something to them, I really did. I wanted to tell Cuthbert that his two tries against England were incredible to watch... but I was essentially rendered mute. I tried saying something to Davies, but it was utter rubbish. Besides, he seemed too busy signing things to notice some shy little American. I'm told they're all really great guys though.

I strolled out into downtown Cardiff with an ear-to-ear grin. I can't believe I just did that! No friends to back me up and steel my nerve. I got myself a cup of hot chocolate and casually took a couple pictures.

This street used to have flags from all Six Nations. Not anymore!

Near the National Museum

I also got a picture of the Biosciences Library. The whole Main building is essentially what I pictured an old Uni building to look like.

Lovely

Most of my flatmates had moved out for the Easter Break. I got to meet some of their parents, which was fun. It was sad to say goodbye.

Palm Sunday! I sang in the choir, per usual. However, the congregation started off in a side room. We got the palms blessed and then processed into the church proper while singing Hosanna. It was such a cool experience. One of my fellow choirmembers, Margaret, made my palm into a cross!

After a quick lunch, I met up with Lauren and we went to the National Museum and Galleries of Cardiff. It was a good day-trip. Close-by, free entry. While we waited in the queue for the restrooms, the security staff were investigating the possibility of the basement being haunted. Apparently, someone saw a lady with long dark hair and a long black dress walk through a door. One of the staff thought they were having her on, but one of the serious-looking guards joined the search. The staff-lady said that this guy never jokes, so it must be something...

Well, Lauren and I poked around some of the natural history exhibits.

This clock has been going since October 1993, measuring the drift of the North American and Eurasian plates. The final 3 is one millionth of a millimeter.

A wall of bugs. Some of them creeped me out!

Animals!

Squirrel! I miss the ones at SMC. 

A Whale inside Wales...

We drifted towards the modern art exhibit. We saw this really funny and disorienting representation of the stairs we just climbed, so he decided to take some optical-illusion pictures.

Best one of the lot.

Turns out, the stairs pictures were an art exhibit. The security guard came up to talk to us. He said that pictures aren't allowed, but he thought our pictures were so clever that he let it slide. I couldn't make that up if I tried!

We strolled through some of the other art areas, my camera safely tucked away throughout. Unfortunately, our exploration was cut short. The museum was closing down for the night. We packed up and headed back home.

Coming soon: my adventures in Bath, England.

Cheers!