Euphoria

School is coming to a close for the year and I'm having a really hard time staying motivated lately. I have such high standards for myself and my grades that I feel like such a horrible person when I can't get motivated. (I know that sounds silly, because I think that's called being human? Ha!) Up until the last month I didn't get to ski that much because of school work. Once the weather started getting nice all I wanted to do was ski, and now it's hard to get back on track. When you have something that you're so passionate about it's hard to balance it with the rest of your life; I see now how people can become workaholics.

On that note, this is a well overdue entry about the way I live. I was talking to my friend Rachel whose high school best friend attends a highly regarded college. Over the last two years they have become estranged because of her friend's demeaning opinion on our way of life, which is massively misunderstood. I think college is very important, I just think it's important to get out and experience the world as well. I'd honestly like to have a good chat with the idiot who decided it was a good idea for humans to spend their entire day inside a building. The sun rises everyday so you can see things... you know, outside. Some people may call us "ski bums", but it's so much more than that.

Me and my brother, who is studying medicine, talk quite a bit. I ask him about my injuries from skiing and he often wonders why I'm so in love with it even though it can be risky. Contrary to popular belief, I actually have a nerd side to me. I read this article in Time Magazine once about how the chemicals of love, happiness, and joy in a mothers brain after childbirth make the pain of pregnancy and delivery obsolete. That's exactly how skiing is for me, it's like a euphoria. The first thing I do when I wake up is think about skiing. I eat a good breakfast so I have energy for skiing. I don't drink, or smoke, or party so I can get a good night sleep and be well rested for skiing. I go out of my way to learn about nutrition so I'm that much healthier for skiing. I'm 20 years old... Really, you're going to look down on this?

I'm at one with nature and the mountains, and there's something so powerful about that because as humans we're so small. What's so captivating about skiing is how such a simple piece of fiberglass, wood, and metal can turn me into a superhero. I can move at highway speeds in complete control, jump heights with ease that would normally kill people, and cover thousands of feet through snow deep enough to halt transportation- all without the power of an engine or even the wind. Skiing has made me realize that I'm far more capable of feats that were ever deemed possible for humans. Yet there's something so natural about having skis attached to my feet, so much that it requires little to no thought while gracefully carving down a groomed path or trekking through the back country. My mind is clear from the worries of reality. I hear the snow under my feet, the wind through the trees, and the occasional hardy bird who stuck around for winter. There is nothing but tranquility in that.

I will never make a massive impact on this planet, but as a mountain girl, maybe the purpose of my life is just to enjoy it and make no lasting impact at all. I may never be rich with luxuries, but I know I'm always going to be rich with faith, appreciation, and humility. I may get hurt once in a while, but that's the price I'm willing to pay for the joy and happiness that skiing gives me. I can honestly say that I would rather die tomorrow skiing than to have never skied at all. I hope everyone finds something they love as much as I love skiing, otherwise I don't think life is worth living.

So before you judge someone based on their education, income, or way of life, remember that we are all out on the pursuit of happiness.  And thank the Lord we don't all find happiness in the same thing... Otherwise you would all be stealing my fresh snow on powder days!

32 in 3 Days

It has snow 32" in the last three days. Here are some pictures from my powder day yesterday at Copper. Sorry they're not the greatest quality... I took them on my iPhone.

Fire & Snow

It's been snowing non stop here in the mountains for quite a few days now and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight! Breckenridge has hit 428" this season and that number is quickly rising, which is INSANE seeing how the season average is 300" and we still have another month left!

We're in winter wonderland here in the mountains, but unfortunately not all of Colorado is so lucky. High winds and extremely dry conditions started a number of wildfires in the front range. I wish I could be more exact as to where they were, but honestly I lost track. I know one was near Golden because a girl I grew up with is now going to school in Golden and posted the below picture to Facebook. I can only hope these fires aren't signs of things to come! If they are, it's going to be a rough summer...

 

Bye Bye Winter!

Today is the last day of winter!!! I can't believe it... this season went by so much faster than last season! My mom is going to be coming out in a few weeks to learn how to ski and I'm very excited. Two days ago I got to ski with a friend that I knew all through school. She has been a skier since she was 2 and her and her dad came out to Colorado for a ski trip like they do every year. It was so fun catching up!!!

I've been thinking about what I'm going to do with myself this summer for a while now. Since I wasted last summer because of surgeries I want this one to be EPIC! I gave myself two choices:

1. I could stay in Breckenridge, get a full time job, make a lot of money (well, a lot more than choice 2) and find summer hobbies.
2. I could go to Windells in Oregon (A summer camp for skiing and snowboarding) and work with all my friends all summer and get to ski all summer. But that's IF I get the job.

I'm leaning more towards number one because I've fallen in love with another expensive extreme sport (this is where my parents cringe). A few months ago I saw this short edit filmed in Utah with skiers paragliding on skis. There are many names for the sport that combines the two; speedgliding, speedflying, skigliding, etc. Ever since I've seen this I can't stop thinking about it! I don't think I would ever jump out of a plane to go skydiving, but this is a very happy medium between leaving the ground and being thousands of feet up. It's very expensive initially, but once you have the gear and you're certified it's free!

Anyway, I really want to take an introductory course this summer just to cure my curiosity. There's one that will teach you the basics and getting you flying 5 times for around $300. I looked it up and of COURSE there's classes in Boulder and Golden!! (I sure do love this state!) This video just makes me get butterflies of excitement! I get the biggest smile when I watch it.

Secret To Longevity: Skiing

This is the cutest news story I've seen in a long time!

"At 100 years old Lou Batori is still skiing -- and still ski racing -- and he has no plans to stop. Bill Geist caught up with Lou on the slopes of the annual gathering of Midwest chapter of the 70+ ski club in Nubs Nob, Michigan and watched as he hit the racecourse."

Click here to see the video if it doesn't show up right below!!

Spring Break?

I can't believe March is already here. This season went by really fast... a lot faster than last season. This week was our spring break, which I appreciate since next week is spring break for everyone else. I did a lot of skiing this week at Copper. The lift lines were nonexistent and the weather was beautiful, so it was probably one of the best weeks of skiing for me.

Next week is the busiest week here in Summit County I have already given up on doing much skiing at all. Here's a picture from Spring Break at Breckenridge last year. YIKES!

I'll probably walk around Breck and take some pictures of all the action. If I'm in a really good mood I might try to take a few laps.

And on a side note, here are some breath taking pictures of the tragedy in Japan. I happen to have a friend who is studying abroad in Japan. He was on the local news in Wisconsin via Skype (live interactive video program). Glad to hear he's okay!

The Post Office

Today I had to ship my old computer to my cousin who is anxiously awaiting it's arrival. I carefully planned my day around a one hour time block that wasn't at lunch time or before dinner- the busiest times at the Post Office. As like most other cities in the U.S, the Post Office is a dreaded place here in Breckenridge, but I actually find it quite amusing.

Before you go, be prepared to have a lot of things to think about. You're more than likely going to be standing there for a minimum of 45 minutes. If it's around the Holidays, say goodbye to half your day. Don't walk too quickly through the entrance; I can only faintly remember a time or two where I actually got into the Post Office before I hit the back of the line. If you run into the last person, you're bound to create a mass domino affect of tumbling packages and angry part-time residents.

There are always people who will swiftly and passively walk past the line up to the envelope drop boxes. You'll notice a sea of judgmental eyes turn to them as they walk by as if they're being accused of attempting to sneak in line. They'll start to reach for the drop box a good 5 feet before they get to it and quickly walk away without ever making eye contact with anyone.

As you stand in the silent line there will surely be that guy in his mid 30's to 40's whose ring tone is obnoxious in every way possible. The call is always from a relative and always goes the same way. He promptly answers, ducks his head, and plugs his other ear as if he's in a loud room (that always gets me). He'll try to talk quietly, not realizing his ring tone already grabbed the attention of 20+ bored bystanders who are itching to get in on the conversation.

Then there's always that one older lady that's absolutely appalled by the long line, as if she's surprised. She'll express her frustration with grunts and gestures of disapproval while looking around to see if she can recruit anyone. Sometimes there are a few other crabby females her age who will join in with shaking their heads and rolling their eyes at each other. Usually one will finally be brave enough to say something super clever like,
"They should have somebody else helping people!"
The comment creates their own little peanut gallery with the quick classic one-liners:
"Now this is just ridiculous, just look at this line!"
"Yeah, you'd think they'd have someone helping that clerk!"
"Now look at him, what's he doing? Why isn't he taking people?"

Perhaps the most stimulation occurs when two friends or acquaintances awkwardly run into each other at the back of the line near the entrance. Oblivious to the silent line of 20 people to their direct left, they start a 5 minute dry conversation in normal volume about how they're re-tiling the floor in their kitchen or selling their vacation home in Austin. Pay close attention now as 3/4ths of the line shifts their stance so they can not only glace at, but half-watch the two talking as if they were an uninteresting TV show. The majority of those who turn to watch are in the front of the line; they've been bored the longest and have the least chance of being caught staring by the unsuspecting chit-chatters.

Lastly there's the mom who gives up holding her toddler 10 minutes in, and instead lets him wander up and down the line. The response from the rest of the crowd is 50/50. Some are delighted and entertained by him, while others give an over-the-shoulder glare at the "bad mother" who isn't watching her child. Either way, the entire line will be on a first name and nickname basis with the baby by the time they leave because of the number of times he was called by his mother.

If you're one of those people who gets really worked up by nothing, you can turn to the door and blow off some steam by hating the people who are walking in and out to grab the mail from their boxes. You can always see the "I'm laughing at you people in my head" look on their face. Sometimes if you're lucky you get to laugh back when they discover a parcel slip in their box and have to shamefully walk around the corner and into the line they just made fun of.

And oh yeah, I forgot to mention the sucker with the heavy package who's been standing in line for 15 minutes only to realize he forgot his wallet. Everyone knows he forgot his wallet but he's too embarrassed to admit it, so he boldly walks out like something much more important in his life just came up. The only person who feels bad for him is the person who was directly behind him. They never know whether to move up and fill his spot or wait in case he returns. Their sympathy always gets the best of them though and they end up leaving the gap in the line for the duration.

You're finally next in line, but with your luck all but one of the clerk's get occupied by other things. One goes on a lunch break (it doesn't matter what time it is, this is going to happen), one is on the phone with someone who doesn't speak English, and because it's the Postal Service one of them is off wandering, probably doing nothing. The only available clerk is helping the stamp collector in front of you who happens to be buying a plethora of them. By this time you're emotionally drained and end up staring in space for an extra 10 minutes while life at the Post Office just happened.

Anyway, the next time you're stuck waiting somewhere you have two options; You can chose to be pissed off and think you're wasting an hour of your life, or you can be like me and spend an hour watching a live version of Seinfeld.