Another Day in the Land of Milk and Honey

Hello All!  Pete will be blogging now too.  We apologize for not updating this every day. We are still having a few internet issues that make it difficult to write new posts.  Pete and Karin left Houghton on Friday morning and made it all the way to Rapid City, SD.  They left early Saturday and made it to Heber City at about 6:00PM.  It was great to see them again!

Sarah’s ski lessons continue to go well.  Her supervisors are confident in her ability; she gives private lessons now too!
 
Pete unpacked his belongings and is enjoying Heber City and the mountains.

Karin is also enjoying Heber City and has made good use of the kitchen.  She has been kind enough to bake us Christmas cookies.  Yum!

Today Sarah had work as usual.  Pete got his haircut while Karin baked said Christmas cookies.  Pete and Karin went to Park City for the afternoon.  They got lunch at the Wasatch Brew Pub and enjoyed some full strength brews.  Exploring Park City and looking at all the shops was fun.  Maybe the best part was all the people watching.  During this time of year a lot of interesting folks visit.  To wrap the day in Park City, Pete and Karin went to Deer Valley and met up with Sarah for appetizers.


Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Wrapping up December

Hello All!

Merry Christmas. Let me take a moment to tell you all about my Christmas eve. I had a great day at work, came home ate, showered, and got ready for church. Since the closest Lutheran church is about 35 mins away I had the choice of LDS or Catholic church for Christmas eve. I chose to go to the catholic church down the street from where my room is. I got there a little early, so I sat down an waited for the church to fill up. To make a long story short...the mass was 75% in Spanish. I know ZERO Spanish.. so that was really fun.

I got home and went to bed after that night. I woke up and opened presents that my family got me and "Santa".....I then had a pretty crazy day at work.. and just wanted to get home and relax. I had some friends over to celebrate the holidays and that was awesome. They stayed for about 4 hours...that was nice! After that I was ready for bed...it was a long day. I woke up this morning and then went to work.. It is getting busier every day this week we will cap out at 425 kids in the age group that I am in alone..so many people on the hill (8,000!!!). 

On another note.... my mom and Pete are leaving tomorrow morning to head out here! It has been a long three +weeks out west without anyone.. but it has been a real adventure.I would not change it for the world.... but it will be great to have them here!

Off to bed, early morning ahead of me... mehh.

Night all! :)

What day is it?

Hello All!

I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! Mine has been good, but has flown by!  This weekend I taught my first two lessons! On Saturday I taught three kids ages 7-12 and today I taught six kids that were ages 7-12.

At first it was really overwhelming...trying to keep all the kids in line and to organize them. After the first hour or so everyone got to know each other so it happened to be a little less "stressful". Something that I have noticed the past couple of days is how fast the time goes! You meet and greet your students, then you go do a couple of runs, you then go eat lunch have time for a run or two after lunch and then you head to hot cocoa break, and before you know it you are meeting the parents on the bottom of the hill. It has really been a learning experience...but it is a rewarding job watching the kids have fun and getting a little better at skiing each day!

I find myself, multiple times a day, wondering what day it is... I thought today was Friday then I thought it was Monday.. but no it is Sunday. I work Monday, Tuesday, have Wednesday off, and then work the rest of the week. My schedule looks like I am going to work 13/14 days! AHHH, it is super busy here... but it is good!

All for now, I may not write again until Christmas day... BUT i hope you all have a wonderful Monday and enjoy this holiday season! :)

Pictures

Below are some pictures of the drive from Heber to Orem/Provo area. As you can see it starts out pretty sunny then gets cloudy/snowy as I drove more into the mountains! 

Tomorrow I teach my first lesson... We will see how it goes! I have faith that it'll go well though! :) have a wonderful weekend! 

Terrific Tuesday

Greetings!

A recap of the last couple days: I had some time off and got to do some free skiing! Boy, was that great! Yesterday I hung out with my friend Nicole and we went to Kimball Junction, we looked at a couple stores and did a little window shopping, then ate lunch at this great place called , The Backdoor Deli....at least I think that is the name. It is a cute little sandwich shop in Park City. After we ate we headed to DV to do some skiing.

The hill was okay, but we need snow... BAD. Hey snow Yeti, move some of the Hanke Lunta snow over to the west! We do have snow here, but we just need some fresh powder, so the hill is not always so icy! We did about three hours of free skiing and then headed to our friends (Sarah) house. We just kind of hung out with Sarah, Eric (her bf) and her two dogs. Once if got to about six, we headed to DV ugly sweater party at a local bar in downtown PC. When we got there it was mostly the head guys, so it was a little bit overwelming...but after awhile more and more people came. I did not stay very long since I had a pretty long day and was pretty tired...so I only stayed about two hours, which was fine.

This morning I headed into PC to go to a ski clinic DV. It was a basic overview of what I learned the past week, but it was good to make sure I knew what the drill was...it was helpful! After the clinic was over I came home to Heber and ate some lunch and then headed out to look around int the Provo area...it sure is a beautiful drive there...I would of taken pictures, but that may of resulted my car in the side of a mountain. So, you will just have to take the drive for yourself....

Once I did some driving around I went to the mall to see if there was any deals, of course there was... but I got to the checkout...and ahhhh realized I forgot my wallet at home. COOL.  For a bit I thought I got robbed while I was trying clothes on, but that was just my imagination... anyways, i drove the 20 miles home and found it in a different bag that I was using today.. Im glad I found it though... I also happened to be drying a dish and dropped it on the floor...so Terrific Tuesday was about laughing these misfortunes off and realizing, if these are my biggest problems, that is total okay. 

Tomorrow I have a morning lesson and then another clinic in the afternoon. All for now- it is bed time!

Sweet dreams blogger world!

Pictures

Recap of the week

Sorry for all of the short blogs ....well lack of blogs as well! I have completed my first week on DV training! Woooohooo!

For a recap, I spent Monday-Thursday training. We learned how to teach kids the sport, how to deal with them, and also just learning the fundementals of skiing all over. I may know how to ski, but getting all the instruction that I got from all of the WONDERFUL instructors....I mean, it was just amazing. It was like getting four days of private lessons (a $2500 deal....for $0!). All of the instructors are so awesome...they have awesome personalities and are so willing to help you in any way they can. I really am at an awesome place.

Thursday night I hung out with some friends and that was really nice to do. Then yesterday (Friday) was a really big eye opener for all of us new instructors. In the morning we went on the snow and did some last minute fine tuning to our skills and teaching ways, THEN in the afternoon we got to teach our first lessons! I got a 10 year old who had never skied before...it was difficult at times, but the overall experience was great! It really reiterates why I am doing this...and I can say.. "I love my job"..it is a wonderful feeling! Last night I went out with some friends in PC. That was really awesome as well!

Today I am going to clean, do laundry, and just rest a little bit. I am going skiing with some friends on Sunday and then have Monday off as well..it then looks like i will be working straight through until after the New Years! AHHHH.

On a side note, Peter graduated from MTU today!!!!! WOOOHOOOO! I am so happy for him and so excited for him and my mom to get out here! It is going to be awesome! :)

I will post pictures of some free skiing I did yesterday after my lesson, so look out for those.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Busy days

Sorry I have not been posting the past couple of days...work has been pretty busy. There has been a lot of on hill and off hill training. I'm really starting to enjoy it and I feel like my degree is helpful because of some of the terms and drills that we have been doing!

I have to run, but more later! 

Sunday Funday

Second day on the hill was great! Roads to DV were much clearer...not to much snow on the road but when I got to DV it was snowing (the pics below will give you a better picture). The hill was still in great condition! 

There was also a celebrity skifest at DV and I road the chair up with someone who was on someone's celebrity team...I have no idea what his name is but I know he races Pro-Am...he was really nice and he knows my boss, so that was cool. The next lift I got on I meet two dads from Philly and they didn't understand where in Michigan I was from...I guess I should get use to that..this goes to show you never know who you are going to meet and where! (Note: I took more than two runs, don't let me only talking about two lift rides stray you)

Anyways the runs were great, both the wind got the best of me...so I headed in after some time. I went and got some new gloves at Columbia at an outlet mall and then did some craft shopping for Christmas decorations... I should prolly start working and making money, so I don't keep spending money.

After I got home and did some crafts, I man came to the door, so I answered it. It was a man who lives across the street inviting me to a Christmas party...a Christmas party for the "ward". At first I thought to myself...do I live in a bad neighborhood? No, he was just inviting me to his Mormon Christmas party I later figured out....

What a day! Tomorrow is my first day of work, so I am pretty excited for that! Hopefully all goes well and I'll have an exciting post tomorrow!

Driving into DV

Snow clouds

Pretty houses 

Who wants to buy that for me?

First day on the hill!

Today was the first day on the hill! Conditions of the hill were great, however the weather had other plans...

The hill opened at 9am, but I was no rush to get there. I left my house around 10 and as soon as I pulled out of the driveway I thought I might as well just turn around. The roads were snow covered and snow was falling and blowing all around...and I was still 20mins from hitting the hill! 

I made my way slow and steady but finally made it to DV around 10:45. I got my skis from the binding check, put on my boots and happened to meet another new ski instructor in the locker room named Sarah, and she is from WI! What a small world! 

We skied two hours together but, by that time it was hard to see snow infront of you so we decided to head in. I took off my skis and took them to my "ski" locker..but someone (someone I share the locker with) put on a different lock ...so I am in the process of figuring out what my locker combo is for that...so hard life-I have to hall my skis back to the car. (I could care less...it's not that big of a deal....but I would like the combo eventually..ha)

After I left the hill the roads back to Heber were even worse than before! I made it into town, went and finally bought a shovel (just so I had one) and came home and did my fair share and shoveled.

I had some grub and watched some Netflix and just relaxed and cleaned a bit. Tomorrow I plan to hit the hill (hoping for better conditions) and then picking up some new ski gloves/mittens, since my bright pink ones don't match my DV attire. 

I did not get any pics, due to the sub par weather...but hopefully I'll snag a bunch tomorrow! 

Sweet dreams! 

Pretty pictures!

Well last night was a pretty sleepless night, Pete started the drive home from Chicago to Houghton at around 8 o'clock Houghton time I think it was… Needless to say I was not a happy camper having him on the roads at night. Luckily the roads from Chicago to Marquette were clear. Once they got into north of the Pines the snow started to fly and roads were a little slick, but after 48+ hours of travel/waiting/everything under the sun (it felt like that anyways) he made it home!

As for me, I did not do too much today. I drove around and looked around the sites of Heber city. I took some really awesome (well maybe not awesome) pictures of the areas in the mountains that you will see below. I also explored some more of the area and I was in the process/still am in getting to know the feels of what stores are where and what buildings are where. I sent some emails and check my finances to make sure I'm alright with that... Not that it matters to you guys...

Anyways... I just kind of bumed around at home and around town....I did a little more Christmas decorating and made some dinner. Nothing to exciting.

HOWEVER, tomorrow I will be heading into PC  to go ski at opening day at DV! I am really excited to get on the snow for the first time this year, and make sure i am not to rusty for my first day of work on Monday. 

Below are some pics from today...tomorrow should be a much more exciting blog post!

One of about 10 LDS churchs in Heber ALONE.

I saw that tree and had to stop on the side of the road to take a pic! Don't know how that happened....

Settling in...

This morning I got to wake up to -15° weather. It slowly warmed up throughout the morning to around 3° when I was heading to Park city at around 10:00 AM. Once I got to Park City I went straight to DV to the main lodge. When I got there I had no idea where I was going, because it is such a big lodge. I asked many people how to get to the HR office and they were very helpful- I was just confused.

When I got to HR they were surprised that I had all of my paperwork done online. I was some what confused because we got many emails stating to make sure we had our paperwork done before we came into HR.

Once I verified that I was a United States citizen they gave me my ID and other passes for restaurants and skiing. I then made my way down the hall to the equipment room where I got my jacket, vest, pants..ect.

It was one stop shopping at the equipment room, I also got assigned my lockers in the same room. Yes I did say lockerS. I have a locker for my boots, I have another locker for my clothes, and I have one last locker for my skis. Do you know how many numbers that is to memorize?!

After I checked out my lockers I went to the equipment rental room and dropped off my skis and boots for mandatory ski binding check. Once I drop them off I went back to my car and took some pictures of the surrounding area (which you will see below).

I then left DV and went to explore PC and the surrounding areas a little more. You will see pictures below of some cool things that I got to capture on my iPhone camera today. Sorry that they aren't the highest quality pictures.

I went in quite a few stores and could of spent hundreds of dollars but managed not to spend any until I got to the grocery store to buy food for dinner. Once I got back to my place of slumber I started to make dinner. 

I am not sure what I will be doing tonight, however I have a book that I could start reading. My mom and Peter are encouraging me to read "Under the Banner of Heaven". This book is based off of real events that have happened in SLC.

Speaking of Peter, he is still stuck in Chicago. His flight got canceled today. Sounds like they are having horrible horrible horrible weather in the UP. Go figure. He is carpooling with three other people who are trying to make it back to Gods country tonight. Prayers for safe travels are encouraged!

Below are some pictures from today's adventures. Have a wonderful night. 

 

Blasting snow at DV

Lodge, hills, and snowmakin

Backcountry's Kimball Junction office

Do you see what I see?

 Jordanelle Reservoir

Day 2 and 3

Well after a ride that should of taken 10 hours (that really took 13), we arrived at our destination! Heber City is a town about 15miles from Park City. The town is named after some famous Mormon man, but it has it all...Walmart, dry cleaning services, AND TWO 7/11's within a mile of each other. 

Anyone who I have been out west with before will know my brothers love for 7/11 BIG GULP drinks. 

Back to the roads...I didn't think we were EVER going to make it to our destination. Once we got to WY, the roads and weather were horrible! When we entered the town of Laramie there is a large "hill" otherwise know as mountain that you must go down, and in a matter of just a couple minutes you go from 9,000ft to 7,000....let me just say that Sarah didn't handle this downhill and ice very well. Luckily Pete took over driving (my 30mph driving was getting a little much). He took the pedal to the metal going 40mph.

After horrible roads and tensions high, I was SO happy to see the Utah State line sign (see below). The rest of the way (70 miles) was barable, but not great conditions. 

We got lost looking for our house but we eventually found it! The owners are great and they have a cute dog that they rescued about 9 months ago. I couldn't tell you the breed though. 

It was wonderful to go to bed and wake up knowing we wouldn't have to drive anywhere... Oh wait Pete has to fly out today, the airport is 70 miles away...

BUT, the weather was excellent and roads were clear! Pete flew out of SLC no problem, but won't be getting to Houghton tonight since the flight is cancelled due to weather. 

Today, I did some retail shopping at Target and now it is time to clean. Fun

night...Tomorrow I will be going into PC and stopping in at Deer Valley to check everything out! 

Have a good night, stay warm!

Not the highest quality pic...

Somewhere in WY

What a cute guy! And notice the semi passing us. There was many car accidents and the majority of them involved semis... 

Who can tell me where this is?

And these were the "better" roads

That's the WY welcome sign. (Sorry not the best picture)

Day 1

Ahhh, what a day so far!  We've gone through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and we are currently about 20 miles from Nebraska! 

The weather from Houghton till Duluth was great! There were clear roads, overcast skies, and not many other cars. However soon into Minnesota snow greeted us along with other drivers. Roads weren't so bad if you drove slow enough.... However there was quite a few cars in the ditch. Once we got to the twin cities the roads were not bad and we then made our way to the great exciting state of IOWA! 

Iowa greeting us with a small rain storm, nothing too bad though. We passed through many fields, and smelt the refreshing smell of Iowa. As we got closer to Des Moines the cars started to pile up, it wasn't even rush hour! We made our way through the "big city" and stoped in a small town to have some Subs for dinner! We then gassed up and are now approaching the NE border fast! 

Here are some pictures from today's travels: 

Entering cheesehead land

Ya der eh?

Twin cities skyline

Yay farmlands and manure! 

Real mature Iowa....