While I am waiting for Khy, I take the Gemini lift to trails I am familiar with to experience what it is like to ski after a snowstorm. It is not bad, but it certainly requires more experience to find the joy in skiing through all the bumps.
There is no way this is a green trail. What am I supposed to do? Khy and I took the gondola so I could experience a new trail, but somehow, we ended up on a trail that is beyond my comfort level. I know I do not have a choice but to embrace the challenge, but my shaky knees and pounding heart are breaking my confidence to shreds. I seriously think about taking off my skis and walking down, but I know deep down I would only be cheating myself out of improving my skills.
I do not like this feeling in my body right now. As a result of all the commotion, I fall and tumble a few feet down. Luckily, all I lose is one ski. Khy helps me get back on my skis. I am upright again, but I am still staring at a steep downhill.
Only when I get to a familiar trail does my body find some relief, and my confidence bounces back. But that is it for today—I have all season to improve. My muscles are in agony, and I still need to clean my car.
After 19 inches of snow, my car is hiding behind a massive white fluff. Honestly, I don't even know where to start digging with so much snow. I stand there with a blank stare, knowing that is not going to get me anywhere.
There are moments in my journey when I feel my mom wrapping me in a hug and sending me an angel to help. Chris, the maintenance guy, appears out of nowhere with a snowblower. I ask for his help, and he kindly agrees.
Staying in a hotel right now should feel like a luxury, but at this moment, it feels like a mini nightmare. I still do not know if I will be allowed back to my room or if I need to move somewhere else. The back and forth between the hotel room and my housing building is starting to be exhausting.
The silver lining is Ron is coming to visit me this weekend. Instead of squeezing him into my room, we have the hotel room, which is definitely a blessing!
I was in the first wave of employees that settled into our rooms. For the first few days, I felt like I was the only one living in the building. Every time I entered the kitchen, I had it all to myself.
I know the kitchen will be where I have a chance to meet my fellow workers. For a while, it was lonely in that big kitchen. Not anymore. :)
Today, I share my evening cooking with Sam, Zack, John, Max, Mel, Ari, Kevin, Sophie, and Gavin. New people are coming every day, but not everyone is using the kitchen.
For Thanksgiving, some of us took the bus to get a free Thanksgiving dinner from a local church (thank you!) and brought it back to our kitchen to get to know each other better and play some card games. It is for sure a Thanksgiving to remember.
There are mornings when my face freezes on my walk to work, but the view of the majestic mountains always warms me up and I feel so alive.
Unfortunately, I do need to move out of my room. The good news is I am staying in the same building and on the same floor. Moving would not be so bad, especially since Ron is here to help me out. He still makes fun of me and teases me for living in a dorm room. I know his teasing is full of pride and love. Knowing I am a good role model for my boys is a source of pride for me.
This newfound version of myself has brought me closer to my boys over the last few years. It is a simple wish that has come true for me. I have always had a close and open relationship with Ron and Adi, but now, it feels deeper and more natural, like we truly understand and support each other in new ways.
While I am working, Ron is snowboarding. We spend my lunch break together, and in the evenings, we cook together, and Ron gets to know my new friends.
Ron suggested we hit a local bar with a bluegrass band playing. Mel and I both voted yes! From the moment we entered the bar, I danced and let the music rock my world. It feels like I am living the youth I missed out on.
I think I found the secret to youth.
Next month, I will turn 57—oh wow! I am not sure what that age is supposed to feel like, but I am far from feeling even close to that number. Especially now, surrounded by people in their 20s and 30s.
Work can be a bit boring at times, especially during the week, but I find ways to keep myself busy. My happiest moments at work are when someone comes to see if we found their lost item. That smile on their face when we hand it to them makes up for all the dull moments.
I love this story: A nice guy brought us a phone he found on the ground. Luckily, it had an emergency contact, so we quickly reunited it with its owner, who had no idea it was missing. The next day, the same guy came back—this time, he had lost his own phone, which was waiting for him as someone else found it and brought it to us. What a beautiful karma story.
Tip: Set up an emergency contact on your phone. Even when locked, it allows someone to notify your contact that your phone is found. As a solo traveler, this is one of the many steps I take to ensure my safety in case I am in an emergency situation.
Still, I cannot ignore the stress I feel. My apartment has not sold yet, and I was not expecting to be in this situation. It feels like another squeeze—another chance to practice letting go and trust that it is all part of my dance with the universe.
What keeps my happiness alive is knowing that everything is temporary. Honestly, I am learning that most things in life are, except for death and grief of a loved one.
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