Thursday, December 4, 2008

I love the Gondola.





The view from the Gondola heading into town. I love this place so much. I went home for Thanksgiving and got to spend lots of time with family and friends. It was so much fun! Tim and I worked out together but were too sore to continue the rest of the week. Pathetic, I know. My baby cousins are getting so big it is crazy!
Dana, Tim and I attempted to get tattoos together on an impulse. The people that worked at the tattoo shop were really rude and charged WAY too much so it was a no go.
I flew back to Telluride on Saturday and had to land in Cortez because it was too dangerous to land in Telluride. So my day of travel was complete after 16 hours. I was exhausted but went out to see people anyway. The mountain is opened so we have been skiing as much as possible! There are only 2 runs open because we need a few good snow storms and the resort is trying to save money. It has been snowing quite a bit since Thanksgiving so that is a good thing! I cannot wait for more runs to open.
I got a job with an awesome daycare center based on child development. I absolutely love it! The babies are adorable. It is only infants and toddlers up to the age of 3. My boss is great and the staff is as well. I have snow college for ski instructing this weekend and an interview for a waitressing position in town on Friday. Then I will have to decide where I will make the most money and let go of one of my jobs. My goal is to make as much money as possible while being a ski bum. We will see how well that turns out...at least my apartment building is right on the mountain and rent is dirt cheap!
Last night was Noel night in town. Every shop had sales and the bars and restaurants had specials. There were tons of people hanging out around town. It was a lot of fun! The Christmas tree lighting was cute and all the shops put up their holiday lights. I am in love with this town! Amanda got a job at Slope Styles, a snowboarding shop. She seems to really like it, I am so happy she found something fun! She also interviewed at the restaurant in town to be a waitress. We are both hoping to work there, the cash would be splendid! Plus it is mexican food -- can't go wrong there!
Well, that is all for now. Hasta Luego!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Ski Boots for $15?

Here are some pictures of fun evenings with friends at Big Billies, my new residence.





Yes, that is correct - ski boots for $15. I love living in this little town. The leftovers from the ski swap were even more marked down and I had no idea. Not only are the boots I bought awesome, they just happen to match my new skis. What are the odds?!
I am currently in the Denver Airport waiting for my connecting flight home for Turkey Day! Not going to lie, I am really excited to see everyone. Things in Telluride have been great. I nailed my interview at a great daycare center in Mountain Village and will be starting work on Tuesday. Snow College for ski instructors starts on December 5th and I also applied as a waitress in town. Things are slowly falling into place.
Kate's costume birthday party was hilarious. We all had so much fun! I dressed as a saucy school teacher with the school bus skirt I found from the free box in town. The Gondola is running now and it makes going to town so much cooler! The view is unbelievable.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The truth is...you can't escape it.

My first week in Telluride has gone by rather quickly. I set up my apartment to the best of my ability, became a member of the local library and received my new skis in the mail yesterday. Big Billies apartment building is like college...but better? Only because there are no exams to worry about.
There are so many people to meet everyday and so much to see that I barely sleep in! That is a shocker, I know. We have played lots of games, watched movies and went to see a live Bluegrass show in town the other night. There was a corn hole competition the other day. Amanda and I signed up but I was feeling under the weather so I asked a nice fellow to take my place. And I watched football all day instead. The Packers gave the Bears a pretty good beating. That would normally excite me but the Bears are like the equivalent of a high school team.
There is a free box in town where people drop off stuff they no longer want. It is pretty amazing. I found an awesome skirt with school buses all over it. I might wear it tonight if I am feeling saucy. I met some boys from Maryland who happen to know people I went to high school with...that was weird. And I have a great group of....wait for it...wait for it... girl friends here! Yeah, that's right, I said it, girls as friends. haha. We have been having lots of fun hanging out and exploring the town. A bunch of our new fabulous friends are starting orientation tomorrow as ski lift operators, I think life may be a bit boring without all of them around during the day!
Tomorrow night Jen (my fabulous friend from Denver) and I threw together a Super Sweet 23rd Costume Party for our friend Kate from Michigan. I am very excited. It will be great. Tonight we are going to bake her a delicious cake.
Last night I made a big dinner for a bunch of people in our land lords apartment. He has a great place and a real stove. I was so excited that he let me use his kitchen!
We are building a fort in my room tonight. I am also very excited about that.
Hasta Luego for now.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Telluride!


Telluride is a great town. The mountains are gorgeous and the people are sweet. It is really relaxed and everyone living in our apartment building is a ski bum. We are right on the mountaint and there are free shuttles and a Gondola into town. Pretty convenient, if I do say so myself!
I have been on the hunt for a second, maybe even a third job. haha. We will see what happens. Just trying not to spend all my money until snow college starts. I will try to take more pictures when I feel like it. So there.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Camping in 20 degree weather?















































The week went by rather quickly. We spent time running errands for Papa George in Pueblo. I have been limping a lot and hope that my knee gets better soon. We are heading out to Telluride tomorrow and I am really excited. It looks like snow is on the way today. The sky reminds me of the heaviest snow days at home when I was a little girl.
George and Jane had some friends from San Antonio here this weekend. Steve came down from Boulder after an interview in Dallas. We went out in downtown Colorado Springs on Friday night. Saturday we packed up and headed to Mueller State Park on the other side of Pike's Peak. It was a great time! We went hiking and then made Thai food and sat around an awesome camp fire. It was freezing once the sun went down, and sleeping was pretty rough! We had an awesome breakfast on Sunday. I ate like a pig and we had a lazy day at home. All in all a huge success in my book.
My baby brother is 21 today! Woohoo. I am bummed that I can't be there to buy him his first legal beer. Happy Birthday Timbo!!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

You're not official until you crash into a rock.

Boulder, CO. Our view from the top of the mountain - totally worth the work to get there!
Meghan, Amanda, Steve...half way to the top.

Beautiful State.


Me and Amanda at Big Texas, where I learned how to two step. haha.



Proof (I was dragged onto the dance floor and hesitant at first). And, just for the record, it is ridiculously hard to learn how to dance in flip flops!




Amanda and I spent the weekend with Meghan and Steve Sloan. They took us to Ft. Collins on Saturday for a brewery tour and a house warming party. Odell's brewery was a lot of fun, the guy giving the tour was a returned peace corps volunteer. He randomly mentioned it during the start of the tour so we all talked afterward. Sunday we went hiking in Boulder, then toured CU's campus and got to see where Meghan and Steve got married. Boulder is really pretty - I totally understand the appeal now. We got nachos and played games. Later we got sushi and played more games. My knee was killing me and I later found out I pulled a muscle while hiking. Monday we went mountain biking. I had the best wipe out EVER. Over a tree root into a rock. The front tire left an awesome battle wound up my left shin and my right knee smashed into a rock. It is still bleeding, two days later. haha. It was the best work out I have ever had! It is so beautiful out here. We got burritos and hung out for the rest of the day.
We are moving out to Telluride on Tuesday. I am SO excited. I ordered new skis last night - they are gorgeous and SO CHEAP. Holler at a player when you see her in the streets, that's all I have to say. I have been limping around and periodically cleaning out my knee. It is so gross! haha. I can't wait to go mountain biking again.
hmmm, I guess that is it for now. I made some awesome cinnamon muffins last night. We have been cooking A LOT. Oh and I heard from Peace Corps...I leave for Panama in April to do Tourism and English Development. I am very, VERY excited about that, to say the least. Things are falling back into place, for now.
Ok, Peace Out.





Wednesday, October 29, 2008

You want me to balance my shins on my triceps?!

Yoga. That's right, I am actually giving it a shot. Everyday this week we have gone. And this is nothing like Yoga for the People on St. Marks in NYC. Amanda and I have been going to a little studio about 5 minutes away from her grandparents' home. The instructors are awesome and have actually been teaching us a lot. I still prefer weights and a good run as exercise! I will say that is it relaxing. It is a fun, new challenge (if you know me, you are aware that I am not the most flexible person in the world. haha).
We are waiting to see when we can move out to Telluride. Unfortunately, Amanda's grandfather is a bit ill and needs some help recovering. He is a little better each day, I am thankful for that. A truly hilarious man, let me tell you. He reminds me so much of my Poppop. It makes me miss him so much. I keep sneaking into the country club's gym. Eventhough the treadmill is ruining my legs, I feel like yoga is helping. haha.
Okay, exciting things happened today! We went looking for ski stuff since all of our winter things in the Republic of Georgia are being put on a cargo ship...eventually. There was this little store in Old Colorado City we happened to drive by today. Naturally, we stopped in...AND there were awesome snow jackets from last year on sale! We got $200 ski jackets for $30. I am pretty freakin' pumped about that. I am going to wait to get to the mountian for the ski swap. I want a new pair but am not going to splurg on anything this year.
We are going to visit Amanda's Aunt Stacy at her school on Friday and then we are going to Stacy's son, Colton's football game. It is Halloween so I want to bake something for Stacy's class or at least buy then some candy! haha. They aren't mine so I can enable the mass intake of sugar on one of my favorite days of the year! It makes me sad to think that I will be missing Halloween in New York. For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing it - Stop Wasting Precious Time People!!

That's all for now. Ciao.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Colorado Springs- Garden of the gods
















This park is basically Amanda's grandparents' backyard...it is gorgeous. They made her take me the other day. I can completely understand why people love living in this state. The weather here has been gorgeous during the day and pretty cold at night. I love it! We went to Amanda's cousin, Colton's high school football game last night. Talk about bringing you back! It was a lot of fun and very cold, I was excited to wear a hat and gloves. We are getting all of our things in line for Telluride, Grandma Jane has really taken care of us, to say the least!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Snow!

Colorado Springs is gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of Park City, Utah. Lots of SUVs, beautiful mountains and stepford wives. Amanda and I have been trying to get things in line for our move to Telluride. Her grandparents are adorable and their house is pretty great. I have been sneaking into the country club gym at night, poor people need to work out too! hahaha. It is great, my heart rate is already high when I get to the gym - no warm up necessary.
Nothing too exciting, really. We work out, watch CNN too much and I have semi- started to study for the GMAT's. I have also been doing about 3 crossword puzzles a day... do you see how badly I need work again?? We are going to do a week of yoga next week. There is a yoga studio that has an offer for a trial day for $12 or an unlimited trial week for $15, obviously we are going for the week.
Amanda's grandparents have a 4 year old dog, named Goldie. She is a Golden Doodle. Yes, that is what I said, a GOLDEN DOODLE! Haha. Hilarious. She is a great dog and very pretty. She apparently likes me because I allow her to lick my face sometimes. I am excited to move out to Telluride in the beginning of November. I will try to post some pictures eventually.
OH! It snowed this morning. I woke up to a glorious sight. It has been quite a long time since I have seen fresh, white snow on the ground. It is beautiful and not too cold yet. Flip flops and a hoodie. Woohoo.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Woodlands

The Woodlands are north of Houston and remind me a lot of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Everything is hidden by trees, understated and humid. haha. Amanda's dad and step-mom are hilarious. We went out to a great seafood place last night and are going to a block party tonight. I just pulled myself off the couch to check my email - we have been eating queso and watching college football all day. If you are not aware, I am in heaven!
We leave tomorrow for Colorado Springs. I am really excited to get out there. When we go out to Telluride to sign our lease we will be looking for bartending jobs. Telluride is in the South Western part of Colorado and is not close to most of the well known resorts. I am happy to be somewhere different.
So, let's see, what else is new with me? I sent my application back into the Peace Corps. Not sure if I will be able to go because of bills I will have to worry about over the two years. It is really frustrating but I refuse to whine about it. Everything happens for a reason, I will continue to roll with the punches all the while laughing. I am applying for a leadership position with Americorps as well. It is nothing like Peace Corps but it sounds like something else right up my alley. Volunteering, meeting and working with new people and traveling! I have also been going a tad bit crazy with my grad school search. I have a pretty decent list of schools that I can pay for while attending. There are also a lot of options if I can become a full-time employee for a University I am applying to... who knows where I will end up!
Amanda and I have been really fun this week. I think part of it is knowing that we have a new adventure to look forward to and part of it is just being ourselves again. We have had some pretty random situations, a lot of it is because we are both really out spoken. It makes life pretty interesting to say the least. It is nice to have someone who loves meeting people and doing random things as much as I do.
Oh! My hair, is turning orange. I guess trying to be a brunette when you are blonde isn't a great idea after all. I tried. Now I am stuck with hair that keeps getting lighter and looks awful. hahaha. Don't gloat Aunt Daphne, it isn't THAT funny. Kari did a good job and it looked good before I went outside!
Hasta Luego!!!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda girl.

Galway
Aran Islands
Aran Islands
Outside Blarney Castle
Bowling in Cork
Guinness Factory in Dublin
Belfast
Dunfanaghy- County Donegal
Dunfanaghy - County Donegal
Dunfanaghy- County Donegal
Chris Mathew after he got a call from a man in an Armenian prison.
Erik.Rocks.
The chair lift in Armenia...one of the most exciting days we had there.
Amanda has Starbucks radar. We were in London for 20 minutes and she found one. Ridiculous.
Dublin.
Jen, Kirsten, Amanda and Katie - My Ladies
One of 4 supra tables at out farewell dinner in Armenia
Some Georgian Gangsters - Asmat and Teo

The Georgian Staff.

Amanda, Jim and Barb - Amanda's adopted parents and my in-laws!
Our Peace Corps Georgia country director and his gangster wife!
Jaymi, Steve and Meghan - my adopted family in Georgia! They rock my world.

Armenian Market

I decided to start a new blog since I am starting a new journey! I hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone, but if it does - get over it! haha. I was in Armenia for too long. My next stop was Ireland. It was an awesome trip with awesome people. I can back to America in the middle of September. Amanda, Chris and I stayed with my Mom. Josh skipped out of the Ireland trip a bit earlier. Steve and Meghan Sloan came to stay with us as well. It was a mini Peace Corps reunion! We had a lot of fun (as much fun as possible in New Jersey...). I stayed home an extra week to see my Timmmayy and Daner Lynn.
I decided to do something fun for work since I had to readjust my life plans. Working 9-5, five days a week at McDonalds was not very appealing. If Chipotle opened near me maybe I would have stuck around... However, the reality of the situation is that Chipotle is no where to be found near Trenton, NJ. Shame on them. I guess it worked out for the best, I am moving out west. Pretty exciting, huh? I got a job in Telluride, CO with Amanda. We are going to be ski instructors for the ski season this year. It met all my requirements: full-time, fun, different, seasonal. Telluride is my next stop on the adventure train! haha. The only minor inconvenience for me and Amanda is the fact that all of our winter clothing and accessories are still in the Republic of Georgia. hahaha. Never a dull moment.
I am currently in Pearland, Texas visiting Amanda's home. It is right outside of Houston and HUMID. I don't know how people live in this kind of weather year round. I have had tex mex, barbeque and cajun food. I know, I know, I inevitably talk about food more than anything else. There is a donut place- Shipley's...A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Jack in the Box is also fabulous, especially after a night out. This is a shout out to Tim and Dana- They have Little Ceasars EVERYWHERE down here. I finally had some! And everything has a drive-thru window. Little Ceasars has a drive-thru window people! How brilliant. Needless to say, I have had 2 pizzas from there in one week. haha. Last night we went to Big Texas, it was everything I ever pictured of a Texas bar. A cute boy taught me how to two step! That's right, I got out on the dance floor in front of everyone. I had so much fun. We danced until the place closed. It is a good thing I am leaving soon, I would definitely have an accent if I lived down here.
We are going to Amanda's dad's house tonight, I am excited to meet him! Ok, enough rambling I am ending this post now. I will post more pictures when I have time.
Wait! One more brilliant thing I have been introduced to in Texas - The Red Box! They are outside of most places down here like Walgreens and CVS. It is a movie rental machine. They are $1 and you can return the DVD to any Red Box you see! Well, I thought it was a great idea.