Introduction

Heading West 4 Winter.

           Many people have asked why I am going to Colorado. In all reality it started out as simply looking for a job after camp was over. Searching through job sites and applying to different places can be quite tedious and I wasn't really sure the chances of applying online if any would come through. To my surprise I got a hit from Copper Mountain Resort with my application as a ski instructor. This was one of many resorts that was hiring employees for their ski season, but I honestly didn't want to be a lift operator or a cashier at the gift shop. Copper Mountain was one of the few resorts that hired entry-level ski instructors without a PSIA certification. So I set up a phone interview with a woman named Lizzie, in which I got to talk about mostly Strong Rock Camp. Which made for a very comfortable interview.

About a week later I received an e-mail with a job offer attached to it. I took about 24 hours to decide if this was something I seriously wanted to do. On what almost felt like a spontaneous notion I decided that I would take the job. I didn't weigh the cons at the time but thought more of the opportunity and experience that would lie ahead of me.

As the month of October came and went. The countless hours I browsed looking for skis and cold gear, the reality of this adventure was starting to set in. A mixture of emotions was also beginning to set in as well. These feelings becoming so strong I couldn't sleep. Fear of the unknown, makes you wonder how the early explorers felt...although most of them probably didn't travel completely alone.

So bringing myself to this point, December 1st 2010. Saying goodbye to some of the people I care most about. I have to continue to remind myself that it's not forever. I need to look ahead to tomorrow. Embrace this next step, a new experience.

I hope that I learn much from this trip. I have understood this year has been a very difficult one for me and many others around me. This year has also been a year in which I have learned and understood myself more than ever.  I do think understanding one's self is absolutely vital to moving forward in life. It's funny how we think we really understand who we are and then you learn something different, which makes me believe that wisdom is the realization of the less you know about anything. My hope for this trip is to better understand my  God and the ways in which I can truly depend on Him for all my needs. I also hope to continue to grow myself in understanding my strengths and weaknesses.

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Video Clip : John Denver - Rocky Mountain High

So my plane leaves tomorrow at 2:00. It's a 3 1/2 hour flight followed by a two hour cab ride to the resort. When it's all said and done hopefully I will arrive at the resort around 8:00 MST. Where I will hopefully have my skis and other gear waiting for me. I have a 3 1/2 hour playlist that features songs I personally love and that I find quite appropriate for the trip ahead. Originally I thought about listing the whole set but it's 58 songs long. To name a few that are needed to be mentioned are Rocky Mountain High by John Denver, Far From Home by The Classic Crime, and Coming Home Soon by Ronnie Day. I'm also in the process of downloading a digital copy of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World to hopefully enjoy on my Zune.

Video Clip : Thoughts of John Denver by Harry and Lloyd

Friday I will pick up my employee pass to hopefully enjoy a weekend of skiing and familiarize myself with the mountain a little, then be ready for orientation and training come Monday morning.

Video Clip : Frost

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Hopefully I will manage to blog at least once a week, possibly more. One friend suggested a video blog, and I may occasionally try one of those. Oh and in case you were wondering, I will have pictures up as soon as possible. Most likely of the mountains more so than anything else.

 - Thomas