Snowboarding....or trying

Andy and I headed down to snowy Alyeska in Girdwood today. It was the first time I have ever snowboarded...so I saw this as a good reason to have some 'professional' instructions from some guides there. It was a great class - but snowboarding isn't something that comes easily (to me at least).  There were generally 5 people per instructor - so it was somewhat personal. We started with the basics... walking or sliding with one foot strapped in. It took about 20 minutes to get used to having this 7-10 pound board strapped to my right foot at all times (I ride with a goofy stance). Then we practiced going down really easy slopes to practice turning and stopping. As the afternoon progressed...as did the learning and techniques. It was fun... but the more I thought about everything and attempted to put all of the training into action...the more I managed to fail. I ended up saying enough was enough when I went to stop... just a bit too fast and at an odd angle.. and fell in an odd way - really hurting my left knee and right hip (this is after about 40 falls throughout the day). Now I can sleep on it and try again next time....hopefully with more success!!

 

Just starting out 

  

Watching a kid completely bite it

  

At lunch... attempting to dry out my foggy goggles

  

Andy making it look easy.

 

End of the day. Enjoying the sights, sounds, outdoor fireplace and Alaskan Amber.

The Little Things

I guess I've been bad about blogging lately...but not too much has been going on. The biggest news is that I am have potentially worked the last set of midnight shifts up in Alaska (rejoice!!). I only have day shifts until the move...which is still in progress. I have to clean up the town home this weekend for a 'showing' by the rental agency on Monday. I know. What better thing is there to do on a holiday weekend than clean?? 

I've been doing a lot of thinking this last week... thinking about all of the things I will miss from Alaska (including the things I WONT miss....*cough* *cough*). There are a lot of people here I am going to miss...including the Browns. They are basically an extension of family up here - and I can't begin to express how much it sucks to be leaving them!! All of the places in Alaska... the fishing... the mountains... the weather...all of those little things seem to be adding up. There was a sunset a few nights ago that made me reflect on what all has happened in life these last few years.

Changes

 

I've been playing a waiting game for quite some time now...and I am happy to find out that I have been selected for a general forecaster position at the National Weather Service office in Chicago!! From what I've been able to tell...it was a really tough decision for the Chicago managers to make...and I know that I barely beat out countless talented meteorologists. So, here is to March - and Chicago - I'm comin' home!!