April 7, 2008 10:18 PM
April 6
Skiing is such a difficult sport. It’s absolutely fun but difficult. I envy those who can ski flawlessly.
Yesterday (Saturday) morning, one of my co-mentors Ann Imse and her husband Robert took me to Keystone for my very first ski trip. During my ride to Keystone from Ann’s place where I had spent the night, I was taken away by the scenery. The snow-covered mountains were breathtaking. I have never seen such a view in my life.
We arrived a couple of hours later and as soon as I saw the ski resort, I was excited and couldn’t wait to hit the snow. When we got to the tip of the first mountain, I couldn’t believe how cold it was and thank goodness I had warm clothing on.
At first I didn’t have much difficulty putting on my ski equipment but I had a lot of trouble trying to balance myself and stay still. It was so slippery. Well…Ann and Robert, were by ski coaches for the day and they took me down my fist slope. Gosh, I had no control over my skis, they just glided me down real fast and I didn’t know how to stop. I ended up falling on my bottom (it was a really fun fall though).
Over the next couple of hours, Ann and Robert took me through the steps of skiing and guided me slowly one step at a time. I fell a few more times, laughed, got up and tried to ski again. I was really bad; the little kids who were at ski school were doing so much better than me.
But hey…I didn’t stay that bad for too long. I actually improved and I am not kidding. I went down the “slightly bigger” slope a number of times without falling. I finally got the hang of stopping when I needed to, I had more control over my skis and I was developing a flow. I wouldn’t say I was good but I actually really skied!! So that was first my big accomplishment in Colorado. I’m happy…wouldn’t you be?
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of Ann and Robert. They were really great teachers and it was very brave of them to take a girl from Brunei who has never seen snow before to Keystone and have her skiing in just a few hours. They’ve really brought me on an adventure I’ll never forget. Thanks guys!
Meanwhile. While I was out skiing, another group of my mentors and colleagues (Nancy Mitchell, John Ensslin and his wife Denise, John Sopinski, Hector Gutierrez, Armando Arrieta, Carol Hanner, Maria Cote, Gargi Chakrabarty, Luke Clarke, Burt Hubbard
April Washington, Hank Schulz and Sam Adams) gave me some furniture and helped furnished my new apartment. When I got back I was shocked to find my apartment beautifully and comfortably furnished. I am so grateful and blessed to have them. They did a wonderful job. Thank you so much you guys. You’re all amazing!
Now, today was a pretty quiet day. Nothing much happened but I got some work done. I wonder what tomorrow’s going to be like…hmmm….
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