Skiing

I have always had this motto floating around in the back of my head: You can do anything you put your mind to. I'm not sure if I grew up hearing this from my parents or Grandma or if I have just always truly believed this for myself. I kept this in mind when I invited myself to tag along with Shanna on Thursday to go Skiing. She is a snowboarder. Last year I tried boarding and it was a horrific experience. Not only did I only make it down the slopes once but I also got a migraine and barfed on the side of the canyon as well as on my freeway exit just minutes from home. I told myself I would never EVER go boarding again.

Skiing is different for me though. I went a couple of times growing up, mostly just with the ward for stake night. The last time I went I fell and got my head stuck under those bright orange fences and my beautiful instructor had to grab me by my hips and extract me from the earth. It was an embarrassing moment in my young adult life. I figured that I could handle myself now that I was older and a wee bit wiser.

This was a wrong thought. Let me begin by saying that by time I finally got my skis and boots figured out I was kind of panicked. I remembered the feelings from boarding that were rushing in. We approached the lift and the seat was approaching fast. I basically pushed Shanna out of the way and sat down, she is an adult, she can handle herself. This was a bad idea, not only did we have to shut down the lift for a minute but she was forced to sit in another seat. Before I continue, let me tell you that this was my one and only chance to sit with Shanna on that lift. I did not approach the lift ever again.

I got off the lift perfectly which was a huge surprise to me. I was pumped! I can do this! I "flew" down the mountain. My speed probably stayed at 1 mph the entire time. If it went up to 3 or 4 I would panic and crash. My legs began to burn due to having to slow myself constantly. I finally make it to the very last stretch of the mountain. I crash, HARD. I was so tired, and done. I laid on the mountain as about 8 little 5 year olds passed me. They looked so confident and carefree. It was a sad moment. My one ski was laying on the right side of me. I sat there for about 30 minutes, I slid on my butt a little ways but knew that it would be humiliating to go the entire way down on my bum.

All of a sudden an old man approached me. He convinced me that I was to stand up and get my ski back on. It took about 3 minutes to get this accomplished. Not only were my legs so shaky but I was just physically dead. I almost fell over numerous times and he had to hold me. It was humiliating. By time I actually got up and both skis up I highly doubted that I was going to get down by myself. He left and I slowly skied down. Right in time for Shanna to take some pictures of me. I looked at her, mumbled something about finding a bench. I found the lodge and decided that I was done for the day.

I handed my skis back in. The men tormented me and thought I was a wimp after just being out for about 2 hrs....Yes it took about an hour to go down once. I ate a couple of bites of chili and then took a nap in Shannas car while she tore up the mountain for the next 4 hours haha. Luckily I brought my zune so I was entertained with the movie Horton Hears A Who.

In conclusion, I feel as if I can do anything I put my mind to..............except for skiing or boarding. I am done, I will not do this again. It's okay, I tried, and that is all I can say about this. Enjoy the only pictures we have from this event. I am happy that Shanna was able to go, she needed a day away from the office. I also was glad I got to hang in the car because the last thing I wanted was for her to "babysit" me all day.

Notice the position of my legs. I did this for about an hour and my legs are STILL feeling the burn
I look as if I amazed that I am still standing
Thank you old man, wherever you may be!
Me and Shanna in the lodge. She looks like shes really been hitting the slopes, I look as if I haven't even started.

This picture is hilarious to me. Not only does it show how hard core she is but can you see the fierceness in her eyes? I am down in the car sleeping, and here she taking on the world.