School, Snowboarding, and Sigurd Olson

You know, birding in the middle of winter can be a trial. A trial for your body, a trial for your patience, and a trial for your perserverence of them all. Some days are super duper cold and windy and it makes you wonder how the hell our ancestors managed without such things as heat inside a house or a stove to quick make some hot cocoa, or for that matter hot cocoa! I went up to the Sax-Zim bog area which is a super sweet birding area in Minnesota and is one of the most reliable places that you can see some cool birds like Great Grey Owls, Hawk Owls, and Snow Buntings. I didn't get to see the owls, but I did get to see the snow buntings and that was neat. I know, I'm a bird nerd, but I love it!
I actually just had a test this morning in ornithology (study of bird biology for those that don't know) and it was the first one that we've had all semester. It was hard! I mean, I studied really well and there were things on there that I had no clue what to put for an answer. Thank goodness it was essay and short answer. Perhaps I'll do ok then. If it had been multiple choice, I would've been screwed.
My classes are going well though. I am super busy this week though with midterms, homework, projects, and my snowboard level 2 exam this weekend. I have been studying for that since December off and on, but I am still nervous for it. I guess it would be bad if I wasn't nervous for it. It's just I have a lot riding on passing so much so that failing is not an option. Not to mention that I would be extremely disappointed in myself if I didn't pass.
I even have some tests next week so I can't really celebrate my birthday either next week. Or at least not like all out celebrate. I am thinking something really laid back like bowling or board games for the evening. So for those of you looking to get me a gift for my birthday, oh, you know about 20" of fresh snow would be well recieved. :-)
I still haven't heard anything more about Isle Royale this week. I'm kinda getting antsy about it because I want to get the application and such done soon so that I can for sure get a position there. It would be sweet to be a paid staff, but if that doesn't work out, then an SCA position would be ok too. I still think it's kind of surreal that they have to have groceries brought by boat for staff. I think that will take some time getting used to. But, have to do some more cleaning and studying for my level 2. So, if you could, think wonderful, positive, encouraging thoughts in my direction on Saturday and Sunday. I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Laura

Helmets Save Lives...

So, back in Duluth and teaching during the "holiday madness" which it is aptly named. As far as teaching goes for me, it was kind of a hit or miss day. I should preface this by saying yesterday was fine teaching, but I broke a toe ladder of my binding before lessons even started and then proceeded to lock my keys in my car later that day after I had gone to get the toe ladder replaced. Yesterday was not good for me personally. But today, I was hoping for a much better day. I had a three hour private with a 10 yr old boy from Texas who got to side slipping at the end of it all, doing it by himself and in control. Not bad, but I definately felt like a horrible teacher at the end of that one since I typically have my students almost linking turns at the end of an hour and a half lesson. The family was great and even gave me a $15 tip which I greatly appreciated.

I then had like 20 minutes for a lunch break before I had another private lesson. It was with a woman slightly older than me who was having some confidence issues about her turning. I had debated whether to go helmet or hat, and chose helmet because I really enjoy my new one. Thanks Mom and Dad! So, we were doing traverses across the green hill to start off. I was behind her and on my heel edge doing a traverse when I get taken out from behind! When me and this other person finally stop rolling, this 12 yr old boy and I untangle ourselves and I gave him the largest reprimand ever! His buddies were all around him and I too and all of their eyes were wide as saucers. I was so angry that this kid didn't even have the decency to at least FALL before he ran right into me and from behind no less! It was a battlefield out on the hill today to say the least. So, I am glad that I opted for the helmet option because it saved my head from some serious hurting tonight.

So yeah for helmets! I did get to go out and ride with a friend of mine that is working too. He called me randomly while I was in Utah this summer, and we've stayed in contact. So we rode after work and after attempting-and failing with some pain and snow- to do a battleship box and three jumps in the park, I decided that my body couldn't take too much more abuse tonight. So we came back to ski school and shared a pitcher of moosedrool. Yum! Then I went over to my boss's house for a marvelous dinner of grilled salmon, ranch mashed potatoes, and garlic bread. It was a good end to a fairly good day. Only, I know that I will be sore tomorrow because falling off that box knocked the wind out of me pretty good tonight and my body is sore now. Here's hoping some early morning yoga will work out the kinks.

Fires are Lovely

Merry Christmas! I have to say that it was a wonderful time for me and a nice break as well. However, on the drive home, it was not so nice. I knew that there was a storm of a mix of snow, ice and everything inbetween was heading for the midwest. So, on the 22nd, I asked my wonderful boss if I could miss the next day of work in order to miss the storm coming in and thus get trapped in Duluth over christmas. She gracefully consented to allow me to leave Saturday night. All seemed well until I hit Osseo, Wisconsin when the snow started to come down in full force. From that point on, I did not travel over 40 mph on I-94 until I got home to Sauk City. So, what normally takes a maximum of 5 hours to drive home, took me 7 1/2 hours! My family had waited up for me to get home bless their hearts. And I did arrive home safely and without incident thank goodness.

The next day, Sarah had to go to work at the local ski hill. I slept in and what a glorious sleep it was. I needed it for I somehow have caught a cold and a nasty one at that. But I tried to not allow it to dampen my Christmas spirit. When Sarah got home, we trimmed the tree as a family, ate an impromptu meal of bbq ribs, sliced cheese, hummus, veggies, and Christmas in a Cup (for those of you unfamiliar with this wonderful delight, it is godiva hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps). After dinner, we proceeded to the tree and unwrapped some gifts from each other. I always love that part because I love watching people unwrap things and the energy you feel when they open up their surprise.

There were many lovely gifts of needed items, hand-made items, and eatable items given all around and all of which were greeted with gasps of pleasure. I for one am glad of the collapsable shovel for my car, snowboard helmet, socks, and bath salts. Thanks you guys!

Then we all drove up to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Appleton to have our tradditional Christmas Eve festivities. I was less than chipper even though I had taken a nap earlier. I was still suffering from the cold which I suspect was giving me a fever. So, there was no alcohol consumption for me and I generally kept to myself which again, is unusual. I had a good time, though I was glad to get back to Aunt Suzie and Uncle Dave's to go to sleep. I slept almost the whole night through which was great. I definately needed it.

So Christmas day was met with an amazing omlete at Suzie and Dave's and then Sarah and I drove back over to Grandma and Grandpa's for some additional gift unwrapping and of course Christmas Dinner. Now I digress in saying that typically this time of year is my favorite because of all the wonderful food and catching up with family. Not until Christmas Day did I actually desire to eat anything or actually feel hungry that's how sick I was. I always know I'm sick when I don't want to eat anything. So dinner was amazing as usual. Grandma always outdoes herself every year.

I was supposed to head back to Duluth today, however the weather was again going to be bad all along the route that I drive. I was not about to repeat the whole 40 mph situation again, so I again had to ask my amazing boss for an additional day off so that I could travel safely back. She consented. Just for the record, my boss in Duluth is fantastic and one of the most flexible and understanding bosses I have ever had in my life. Thank you so much Heidi Jo. So now I am safely sitting by the fireplace at my parent's house and writing a blog instead of driving white knuckled back to Duluth. Tomorrow I will be traveling and it looks to be a great day for it all across Wisconsin and Minnesota. I am not sure if I will write another entry before the new year, but in case I don't, have a fabulous New Year!

Holy Snow Batman!

Holy Snow is right! In the last few days we've had a ton of snow here in Duluth and everyone is just glowing with the novelty of it. Not only is it the first big snow we've had this season, but everyone still remembers waiting so long for such a big snow that I don't think that there is a single person complaining that it is here. They even closed down campus and the bus system at 5 pm this evening. THAT'S how much snow we've got! Pictures of the fabulous white stuff soon to come.
I also taught my first snowboard lesson of the year this past weekend and almost didn't get home because the roads were so bad. I have learned that the little grocerie getter is getting old and is not so hot on driving around in the snow. Since I will always have to live where there is snow and lots of it, I think it is perhaps time to give the old girl up in search of something with all weel drive and sacrifice my decent gas milage in there too. :-(
It really does amaze me though as to how many people do not shovel their sidewalks. I know that it is a city ordinance saying that you have to, but still people don't do it. I walked home from class today in the midst of this huge snowstorm and there are still areas where people haven't shoveled the sidewalks from the last one. I ended up walking on the road most of the way home which is a sketchy business on days like this let me tell you! If you think skidding cars and trucks are scary while you're in one, try having it happen while you're a pedestrian! Yikes! So, for those of you who don't shovel, help a walker out and do it!
The semester is almost over and I seriously can't believe that I am that much closer to graduating from college. About time right? I don't think so. I've learned a lot in all my undergraduate years and I wouldn't trade any of them to have been out working by now because they all had good lessons to be learned in each of them as well as good people to be met. On that note, I'm going to sleep because I am still recovering from a cold and I have a lot on my plate this week.

Rain, rain, and the future unknown

So it has been rather wet and damp in Duluth the last few weeks. I sometimes wonder if there will be any moisture left for the winter because we will be needing snow very badly after last winter's lack thereof. I have been talking a lot with many of the wonderful researchers who work at Hawk Ridge, and speculating a lot as to why some of the owl populations are low this year. My theory is because of the lack of snow that this area has had the last few winters. I mean, if their food source has no where to go for warmth and protection, their populations will naturally be low.
Anyway, there has been a lot of learning happening this semester, and not just at school. The weather has started getting that cold, crispness to it which I absolutely love. I am looking forward to snow and to snowboarding. On some level, I know that it will be busy, but I am going to try and keep things on the low key so that I can successfully pass my level 2 exam.
Everything else is coming along, although I am so torn about internships that I want to do this coming summer. I feel as if there is a little more riding on it. My goal was to do interpretation this past summer and to do more education and rehabilitation this coming summer. I am still torn and the whole process of applying and getting resumes ready isn't helping make my decision any easier. Oh well, life can't be easy every day and if it were easy to get where you wanted to be, would it still be worth getting there?
My good friend Brad is back in town for a short time and I am really excited to see him. I feel with all the people that have graduated this past year that I miss seeing them around school. I am of course sincerely happy that they are off doing what they do best, but I do miss them all. But Brad is back and I will get to drink some brews with him tomorrow and then hang out for a bit on Friday before he heads on his way home to family and friends there.
No other news here other than I am super busy and have, as always, a ton of work to do. Hope you all are well and pray that my test goes well on Thursday.

Back in Duluth

So, I'm back in Duluth and back in school. Working two jobs and being in school full time is a great reminder to oneself about how much flexibility is not really an option in times like these. There have been other times in my life when I have totally been this busy, but I do believe it has been a while. I have to say although backpacking in western North Dakota gave me a new appreciation for the plains and grasslands in this country, I still don't like driving through them. They are dull and completely unimpressive to this midwestern, northwoods girl. The end.
Hawk Ridge has been just wonderful and the staff this year are quite fantastic if I do say so myself. Here's a cudos heading your way Debbie Waters! I am also liking most of my classes. Now that things are getting started, I am starting to get into the "grove" again and starting to at least feel educated in some of the subjects. So far biology is my fave, but that's just because I get a kick out of learning about how things work and why they are the way they are. I always liked biology.
Other than that, I'm still not moved back in to my room and the first thought I had when I actually looked at what was in my room was, "What the hell do I have all this shit for!?" I don't think there is an answer to that question, but here's hoping that by the end of the month, that "shit" will be long gone. Here's hoping at least.
My good friend Aaron Mertes was up from N. Carolina this week and the old roomie gang had dinner at our place and went out for some brews. It was a great time and I am really thankful that I had the opportunity to spend the time tonight with him. Thanks Mertes!
Well, bio lecture waits for no one and it will not wait for me tomorrow so to bed go I. Dream sweetly my friends!

Homeward bound

Apparently, I didn't write much for August, but it was a whirlwind of activity. I was really pensive for most of the month because of the idea of things changing and thinking about what those changes held for me and where they would take me. There was a lot of journaling that happened at those times. Needless to say, I did a lot of bouldering after the Outdoor Retailer's show at the beginning of the month. I purchased a crash pad so that when I do fall off the rock, I won't hurt myself too badly. I took that new and comfortable piece of equipment out many times to Parowan Gap, Parowan Canyon, and also over by Panguich Lake. There was some great bouldering to be had and I enjoyed the physical challenges very much.
Then came the time when people started to head their separate ways. Shelly and Alex left first and a week before I did. It was wierd to have them leave so soon and also for me to still be there while they were not. The last week of August my parents, aunt Sharon, and her friend Dan came out to camp and play for a week. I had a couple days off to spend with them. We went hiking in Zion and it was surprisingly cool that day. We hiked up to the Emerald Pools and then took the shuttle up the rest of the canyon area. The Narrows were closed due to flash flooding and the Virgin River looked almost black. I heard a ranger say that it was probably due to the fires this summer washing off into the river. We'd had a lot of rain before that, so I don't think that's the sole reason why the river looked black.
I had to then go back to work for my last three days, clean the apartment, pack up my stuff and be ready to head home on the 31st. Emily is still there in Utah sporting her green and grey uniform and the crazy hat. I hope she is well. I haven't been able to contact her since I left. Cell phone service is hazy at best up there.
I drove back to Duluth then with a small stop in Bozeman to see my dear, yet gimpy, friend Ginger. It was a great time, but too short as always. We talked alot about many things which is something that I always enjoy about spending time with her is just talking about and through stuff in our lives.
After driving through Montana and North Dakota in 2 days-I couldn't do the whole thing myself in one shot-I finally made it back to Duluth. And here I am writing from that very place.