I live alone - for a little bit

I have my dorm room to myself as my roommate moved out this morning.  I'm not sure how long it will last, but I will enjoy it while I can. (Ideally, I won't get a new roommate :-) )  

Samantha was a great roomie and I will miss her.  She was clean and a good girl, respectful of my things - great as a roommate could be.  She finished her time here as a cook at the Sun Valley Clubhouse, and is headed back home (Seattle area) to be with her family and see where life takes her next.

I have moved stuff around since she had the more desirable sleeping area, by the window, with an outlet, and I cleaned the room as much as is possible to do in those rooms.  

I woke up this morning to 6 inches of snow on the ground - the most we have seen in a while.  The mountain was great, with quite a bit more snow than in town.  It's sunny out now, with a high of 36 predicted for today, but more snow supposed to come tonight.  The temp is supposed to drop, so supposedly we are getting back into winter. :-) I certainly hope so.

Heidi is coming to visit in 2 weeks so any snow we get is fantastic, since I would like to show her a ski town. :-)

Work has been pretty good the last couple weeks, as is typical I here, but now are in the slowing down weeks leading into March. 

My Birthday

I had a fantastic birthday - snowboarded all day with Kaylee and Daniel.  I'm getting better and better everyday, and if I can talk one of them into video-ing me while I ride, then I will prove it to you all! :-)  I tackled a groomed black diamond run the other day, and am getting braver and faster, and falling much less often.  

Afterward, Daniel's sister Wendy invited us over for dinner at her house, which was a wonderful and pleasant time.  She bought me a gift of some good ski socks, cooked dinner and had some of her friends over.  We enjoyed appetizers, a very nice bottle of wine and an excellent dinner.  I felt so blessed to have been welcomed into someone's home when I was away from my family.  

She has 3 dogs - 2 white retrievers and a Burmese mountain puppy, as well as 2 cats.  Her friends brought their 2 huskies, and Daniel had Maverick, so it was quite a party.  (The math....6 dogs, 2 cats).  Fun times. :-)

A Much Overdue, though short update

I apologize - I haven't blogged anything in a while because:

 A) my internet doesn't work at all in/near my dorm room,

B) i am working a lot

C) When I am not working I am snowboarding (up to 6 hours on certain days)

But I have a few things to update.

First...I have quickly picked up on snowboarding and love it with every ounce of me.  I have to be told to stop on any given day, and always want to get 'just one more run in'.  It is a lot of work, but absolutely worth it.  I love being out in the fresh, cold air and getting exercise.  I feel healthier than I have in a long while, and have gained back a healthy appetite.  And riding the mountain is exhilarating beyond words!

Second...the Special Olympics World Winter Games are being held here in Sun Valley beginning Sunday the 8th, and through the week.  It's a pretty big deal, and I'm excited for such an event.  It is bringing in a ton of people, and should be fun.

Third...some very sad news and a request for prayer.  Apparently there was a fight between two roommates in an employee dorm here and one of the guys died last night (friday).  I don't know the details, but the news rattled me.  The guy that passed away worked in the kitchen across the lobby from my lounge, and though I didn't know him personally, I know who he is.  I have been experiencing a range of emotions all night through my shift - compassion and grief, and anger.  Someone killed someone else.  Over roommate disagreements - they didn't get along, and it came to this.  Our world is so broken.  I have tears to cry for someone.  Please keep this situation in your prayers, both the families and the friends.

On one last positive note - I am one year closer to 30 years old on Sunday...only 3 more to go.  I am looking forward to this new year, anticipating all that lies ahead.  And for the record...I am not dreading 30, but looking forward to it. :-)

Kaylee and I after lunch on the mountain last week....