Number 6 on the 25 Before 25 List was to learn how to ski. E grew up skiing with his family, and I knew how important it was to him that I learn. And, you guys, I am walking the fine line of overdramatizing how terrified I was of skiing. I have a few idiosyncrasies, but falling down slopes is actually one of my biggest fears. I know it sounds weird, but I hate falling in general, and it’s just much easier to do when you’re going downhill. So, I don’t know if you know anything about skiing, but it’s basically putting yourself in the position to fall downhill ALL. THE. TIME. So, yeah, leading up to the trip, I was in between psyching myself up for the trip, and realizing how terrified I was over and over again that I worked myself up into tears. It was not pleasant.

Before my first lesson

Thankfully, I was encouraged to take two full days of lessons. And you know, I was so horrible the first day that the teacher sent the other lady to the more advanced class and worked with me until she thought falling was out my system. But I went back the next day, and after driving the Swiss expert ski instructor crazy in 30 minutes, he dumped me on the nicest instructor ever. And I actually started to not stink at skiing. I went super slowly, and I only fell once… per run.

After two days of lessons, I got to ski with E and his parents, which was what the whole point of the trip was. And so, in short, the days progressed like this: I started off pretty well. I progressed to intermediate runs. I would do ok on those with E sweetly encouraging me. We would lose his parents because I was so slow. And then I would end the day with some fall that I couldn’t get up from. And then we’d drink wine and watch Homeland (awesome show, BTW). And I’d still suit up the next morning (Repetitio mater memoria est*). 

Woolly and me

Once I got better and more comfortable, I started to enjoy it. It helped that there were no crowds and the weather was beautiful. It helped that everyone I was with was encouraging and didn’t push me beyond what I was comfortable doing. And it helped that nobody got really bored doing the same runs over and over again. I really have to thank my in-laws for taking us on a great trip. And I have to thank E for his patience.

And will I do it again? Yes. Am I less scared of falling down slopes? Eh. Not really.

* Latin phrase “Repetition is the mother of memory.”

Merry Christmas!

We will be spending time with our families, eating lots of goodies and singing Christmas carols. This year, we’ll get to open some presents, but we’ll also get to give a few. I’m excited to see the joy of Christmas through my nieces’ and nephews’ eyes.

From E and me, we wish you a food-filled, joy-filled, and love-filled holiday.

Describe the path to a favorite place of yours to walk in 2012. What’s meaningful about the place or the journey?

I admit that I don’t walk many places. I don’t work in the safest area to walk around and contemplate life, and it’s not really pretty either. We lived for two months walking distance to the grocery stores and restaurants, and I really enjoyed that time, but it was fleeting and held more utility for me than meaningfulness. But if I had to choose someplace that I love to walk, it would have to be the Claremont Village. It’s a few blocks of mostly independently run restaurants, coffee shops and stores that exemplifies the heart of a modern smaller town.

image source

When we lived in Claremont, I probably went to the Village once or twice a week. I would park and walk up and down Yale, cross over Indian Hill to the Laemmle where I would watch a movie with one of my best friends, and we would go to Yogurtland and the clothing store, Nectar, on First after that. I associate that place with a lot of happiness and it reminds me lots of my friend, Rachel, who still attends school there. We have a routine when we go to the Village together. She was my friend when we were both new to town and I really depended on her when I felt lonely during my time of unemployment. I hope that I can make it back for more meaningful walks, talks, and moving films with Rachel in 2013. It’s been awhile, and I don’t really want to wait much longer.

Are you richer or poorer this year, compared to last year?

I am not necessarily richer this year, but this past month, I have put together a plan and goals for the money I am earning. I’m pretty lucky to have gotten out of private school with a less-than-debilitating amount of student loans. So, my main focus is to cut down on those. Of course, I’m not some sort of financial guru. I still really like to go shopping, but I have worked on really being conscious about what I am buying. I set myself budgets with Mint and think very hard about whether I will use what I am eyeing in the store. Because this month is about giving, I made this month my month of not buying shoes, clothes or books for myself. At first, I thought December would be a difficult month to do this in, but it’s actually really easy to just focus on my friends and family for the holidays. So, even though I don’t necessarily have more money this year, I feel like I have a better handle on where it’s going. I think this is another question that will have a much better answer next year.

Did you have to say goodbye to a person, or even a cherished object, this year? Take a moment to celebrate the memory.

I am going to defer on this post. I have been so lucky to not lose anyone this year, which is different from years past. Blessedly, my family has grown with getting married. So today is a count my blessings and love day. And I am thankful that I still have everyone to hold on to. I’m sorry if you lost someone this year. I remember that pain and hope that you have found peace.