Trying to Take It All In One Last Time

Snowboarding Day 29 End of 2011 season

I woke up at 5:11 and snoozed 3 times.  I made myself get up and hit the snooze button three times.  I have this snooze habit I would like to change. 

My eyes were red from not getting enough rest.  I can rest tonight and tomorrow after I get home.  I had a headache that started to flare up.  I felt dehydrated, over heated, inflamed. 

I was at the parking lot by 8:35am.  The sky was dark and grey and it was snowing.  Hardly any traffic on the slopes this morning.  The silence and the stillness would have felt a bit scary if not for the knowledge of the presence of amazing Heavenly resort staff. 

There was powder everywhere.  I spent my time circling around trees going between threes, going underneath branches ducking, riding on buttery powder. 

The Sky lift was closed so it was all canyon express.  The lanes for the lift was super icy, people fell, I fell each time too.  It was very dangerous.  People commented how ice skates would have been better. 

I kept looking at the trees knowing without this snowboard, I would not be in these steep mountains.  I tried to memorize the visuals, the feeling, the smell, the sound, it will all look different next season.  I will rely on these recalls for the next half year because I will miss all of this while I am away from these woods.  I wrote thanks on the snow in gratitude to the mountain, nature, all we went through in the past 6 months together.  

Black diamond, I couldn’t even imagine it, and here I am graduated from bunny slopes to blue diamond slopes.  It all happened because I trained and clocked in hours on the slopes with dedication and encouragement, support of this staff and nature.

2:20pm, it was time to go home, it was time to part.  I ate bread with sundried tomato artichoke spread and drank hot chocolate.  I didn’t roll off until 3pm.  I wasn’t exhausted, I felt good.  The first 75 miles drive home was difficult.  It felt like a super long journey.           

Peace and Quiet

Snowboarding Day 28 Season 2011

I made it out to the lift at 9:30am. It was all powder 5 to 7 inches of powder everywhere. It was just a winter wonderland. It’s like Christmas, all the trees were covered in powder. I snowboarded until 3:50pm. I spent all my time in the woods, circling trees, crossing the woods in powder. I was so tired my legs burned, my knee swelled. I fell on powder in the woods. I loved sitting on powder. I had so much fun circling trees, going between tress, underneath branches, time just flew by. Six hours did not feel like six hours. I didn’t want to waste time. I spent it all on the powder riding, it was thick and buttery powder, just fun. My body was so tired and I had so much fun that at the end of the last ride I found myself laughing giddy. It was a combination of fatigue, relaxation, joy and all day of happy chemicals kicking in. When I left on my last ride I found myself in need of making vocal sounds so I can be heard for safety precaution due to the lack of visibility.

I really wanted a photo of me in the woods. I located the self timer button and had it all set up for me to click then push off and ride on my board. I dropped the camera lens down on the powder. I tried to dry it off. I ended up having to get down to the restroom to use the hand blower to dry the lens off. I hope it helped. I hope that did it to save it.

The powder today unlike the other day, it was icy and in strings. The other day it was powdery round. I laid on the snow and made a heart shaped snowball. I had fun tossing powder in the air, it was fun.

I realized I better enjoy the trees because there are no mosquitoes. It is rare to be able to just sit quietly still for awhile and enjoy the trees and the scenery. Usually the mosquitoes become an encouragement to not be still. These woods, I would not have access to without the snow, it really is not good for hiking, way too steep.


Broke my brace, ridding on one brace, super dangerous but I don't want to stop ridding.

I was so hungry, I finished all my Indian pouches. It’s cold today. It was only 10 degrees in the mountain. Most people were cold and wet. The NOAA site said 50’s but at ten thousand feet with snow and wind, it’s a different weather system than down at the lake.


Contemplation tonight, “It’s all okay, most of all, I don’t want turbulence. I am clear and honest with myself, I am not cut out for all this. I just want peace, quiet, joy, warmth.”

Benefitting Indiscriminately

Snowboarding Day 27 Season 2011

I woke up thirsty with my tongue inflamed.  I did not want to get out of bed.  I realized, I am at peace.  I woke up peaceful.  I didn’t wake up fearing what other people’s mood is in or how I’ll get harassed. 

I made blood orange honey juice for breakfast to cool down the inflammation.  I noticed I felt sick, sick in my 5^th chakra, sick in my immune system.  It’s a definite toxic attack.

The day started heavy, while reciting, the strange raging anger flared up.  

Morning contemplation
What is the root that fed the growth and creation of the leaves of these anger and rage?  I must dig into this in my meditation.  I can do it. 

If what is on the outside isn’t true and nothing is left for me to do.  Then I should pull back, don’t get lost and follow.  I should look inside and see the movements of the mind, protect and clean up the mind within. 

I finally headed out and was at the Aerial Tram at 10am.  I handed two $50 vouchers to a group of guys so they saved $84.  I then step up to the wait line and turned around to look at the ticket office and there was a flash flood of people getting tickets.  I saw a young 10 year old boy looking at me with his father buying tickets.  I saw him looking at me wondering what happened to the coupon deal.  Yes I had wanted to give to the father of this child but I didn’t see them then.  So I went ahead and gave away my four buddy passes of benefitting indiscriminately.  My only criteria was that they be there at the window when I am there. 

Sky lift was opened, I found yesterday’s powder to be today’s snow.  Still I searched for the powder deep in the woods.  It was cold today and I could have used a thick mask for single digit temperature.  Then it snowed some more when the thick grey clouds moved in and it was a total white out as snow dumped out of the sky.  It was cold.  Within an hour an inch to two covered the slopes.  And just like that the entire mountain was a different place a different experience.   There was powder everywhere.  The mountain looked like it was covered in white chocolate fondant.  I started to hoot and hauler and sing, “ love, love, love this…”  All the way down the mountain through the trees.  I had fun zig zaging through the woods.  Most of all I loved looking at trees, talking to them and watching the powder fall.  I had to keep the powder from getting into my loose pants, neck, into my goggles.  I didn’t want the day to end.  At 3:30pm it was so whiteout I seriously found it dangerous to be on the mountain.  I could not see at all.  Good thing I was already on my way to the tram.           

"Standing In Her Light"

Snowboarding Day 26 Season 2011
I stayed up last night until 12:35am watching NBA game, Lakers finally won. It’s not even hard but somehow they were sluggish the first game and lost to the weakest team.

My back heart chakra was in pain, swollen and my tongue where the heart is had a sore. I prayed for a help in healing. As for my complexion I looked the best today. It was 10am when I decided I needed to drink blood orange juice with honey as medicine. I ate a few pieces of chips for breakfast.

I have not felt this good, this clear, this stable, this aligned with body, heart, emotion,and spirit.  I had hoped to get into it this summer with the travels but here I am, I am already here.  Check!  Done!Off of my to do list.

Morning Contemplation
All I had to do was stand by what I see as truth and breath through the lies that I had accepted as truth as is, all out of trauma, shock, and fear. I didn’t stand my ground. I didn’t stand by me. I didn’t honor me.

Both Sky and Canyon lifts were on hold due to high wind, 65mph. I finally left for the slopes at 12:35pm. The blue sky was out and I felt a great peace and fullness within. I felt in sync and healthy. Something I had hoped to achieve this summer with my summer break. I didn’t know it can happen now.  Check!  Done!  Off of my to do list.

When I made it to Canyon lift, the Sky lift was moving on a test run but it wasn’t ready. So I enjoyed the powder off Canyon Slopes and there was powder everywhere. I was so happy, joyful, having so much fun. I felt high on powder. I felt my cells tickled silly in delight. I was smiling the whole time going “Woot Hoo!” down the slopes.

I went into the woods and enjoyed riding in between the trees and underneath branches. It was an amazing day. I felt so grateful for the powder Gods making this possible. I felt so blessed to experience this. I didn’t want the day to end. I can’t believe this gift was happening. I am so glad I stayed this week, I am so glad I am here.

Today a man smelled of weed pulled up on the lift line and I decided to let him ride and wait for the next row of seats. I didn’t want to inhale his weed on the very long Sky lift. I am glad I did so. I am glad I did not choose to be miserable by going in proper order of the lift line.  Having to sit next to him meant getting toxically sick and having to detox the rest of the day from it. What a lost of time in my life it would have been.  I am glad I did not subject myself to such misery. I am glad I protected myself and took care of myself.

I caught Oprah Best Friends show where Gayle said, “I have never felt like I stood in Oprah’s shadow, I have always felt I stood in her light. I think it is because I am a happy person leading a happy life.”

Wind On My Back

Snowboarding Day 25 Season 2011
Fell asleep again with lights fully on last night. I woke up at 5:45am and finally rolled out of bed at 6:45am. I didn’t know I set the fridge at freezing, all my strawberries froze and so did my oranges.

My face this morning finally looked rested and healthy. It has taken three full days to detox from my life. My vacation officially starts today.

Morning Contemplation
Life is like school class curriculum. What you don’t do, don’t learn, the class curriculum continues to move forward. You either master it or fall behind on your own life curriculum.

I learned the Aerial Tram Starts the day at 1:30am and shuts down at 5pm lifting cargo etc..

I made it out the door at 10:35am and so that was how it was. The wind was strong, I took the tram. The World Cup lift and Gun Barrel slopes were all closed due to slush. Sky was closed on wind hold. I spent my time on Canyon lift, the slope was icy and slushy. The wood was icy too, so glad I was in it when it was powder earlier this week.

When I got onto Patsy slope, I found myself say, “I love snowboarding!” I found my joy after 3 days of adjustment or detox from my life. I found my rhythm on the board. I sat on the ice to view the beautiful trees and the lake, I love just watching the clouds move and people watch too.

I sat on Snow Beach for a good 45 minute doing people watch and sun bathed. My right knee was hurting and I didn’t want to leave the mountain yet.

I felt wind on my back and wondered if I had ripped my pants. I then noticed the elastic bands broke. It created 3 inches of pocket for cold wind, snow, ice to get through. I see why I was eyeing for a new pair of pants yesterday. I did pack a sowing kit and if need be I can sow or duct tape to get through the rest of the week.

I watched Oprah on “I Am” the movie, “If you are not living your heart’s calling, passion, then the heart dies a little each day.”

I finished the Oregon retreat menu. I will have to tweak it here and there to adjust quantity and whatever other changes that comes up.

Is Mercury in Retrograde?

Snowboarding Day 24

I slept from 12:35am to 7:17am. I woke up with clear complexion, red eyes. Red eyes most likely from eating so late last night. I woke up sneezing and with a bloody nose too. It was very strange this morning, I couldn’t seem to locate the contact lens I picked up from the case that was on my finger nail. I didn’t notice it until I opened another one. I found it when I touched my hair and it was glued to my hair in front of my eyes to see. Now I had two pairs of right eye contacts open, what a waste!

My planned rolled of time was 9am and I was upper late, behind schedule, I was just tired and tired from eating so late last night. I did not roll off until 11:35am. I walked in the parking lot looking for people to give away my $50 buddy passes to. I told myself that I didn’t want to discriminate, my criteria was for parent family relationship and that they were all suited and ready to go at the ticket office.

I came across two moms and three kids from San Diego staying at the Harrahs. The kids wanted to know if I was staying at a house. House is important to the kids. I guess it was part of their family vacation dream of sorts, but it’s really expense. I guess they don’t like their mom’s choice of casinos. I went to the ticket office and the guy at the window had a hard time trying to figure out the payment aspect of things and it took him four trys to make it work.

I headed for the season pass office to renew my pass for next year and took a detour. I stopped at the ski sale shop and found sale stuff. I got so overwhelmed and lost just with two racks. As I walked out I could not locate the gloves on me and I panic and thought someone took mine while I was shopping, super dizzying.

I walked out to the Gun Barrel lift and realized I didn’t go to the season pass office. So I went back this time without anymore detours. I paid $359 for next year’s season pass and four $60 buddy pass came along with this. I picked up two more $50. buddy passes to give for this season.

Back on Gun Barrel, take two. I feel like I am stuck in Mercury retrograde or something. I finally made it up the mountain slopes. There wasn’t a lot of traffic so I had the slopes to myself. Plenty of powder to ride on from yesterday and the trees were covered in white, super beautiful. People are super chilled this time of the year and I had lots of fun. People are more upbeat and funny.

A guy from Sacramento who sat next to me on the lift chair was super stoned, high and drinking beer. I didn’t know how out of it I was until I compared myself to him. I decided to sit in the woods and take time out and reflect on this and meditated a bit. It all changed from there, here in black diamond woods. I can’t believe I was on black diamond woods!

I love seeing the lake, it’s beautiful and I love sitting in the midst of trees and look at the lake. My thighs burned and burned. They are going to become so strong. I drank a lot of water and almost ran out. I will need a full bag for a full dry day tomorrow. Wearing a mask is a must on these mountains, it just is windy cold up in the ridges.

I saw two Asian kids tiny tots, they looked totally nurtured by their Western adopted parents. The older girl although a totally different race, looked dad and the younger one looked liked mom, a very beautiful sight. It made my day, like having chocolate in the evenings.


I watched another amazing NBA game of Celtics vs. Nicks, game came down to one point.

Trees Are Easier To Spot Than People in Whiteout

Snowboarding Day 23 Season 2011

I slept for 12 hours, I was so very tired. I just fell asleep with lights on. I saw myself in the mirror and I was all in colors of purple and grey. It was windy cold outside and the Sky lift was on wind hold. I felt no rush to get to the slopes. I decided it’s my vacation and I can do it however I feel like. I want to chill, eat my food slowly. I had pumpkin soup and then I ate the rest of the Cheese Board bread with fig preserve, a lovely gift from uncle Ben, it all went well with high mountain tea. I am a blessed person, I am showered with kindness. My heart is warmed by this.

As I drank tea I thought about this, “I wish to bring you to those places, to show you the world, your tea and tea pot will have to represent instead.”

The story on this bread, I was at Cheese Board Pizza with John and Toure, I had the loaves of bread in underneath my arm pit to free my hands to handle money and pick up plates of pizza slices. In the midst of the rush, I forgot to pay for the bread that was jammed between my armpit or it was more like I forgot to tell him I needed to pay for the bread between my armpits. When I had the pizzas in my hands and the financial transaction was done, I told the cashier I need to also pay for the loaves of bread and that I forgot to mention it. He said to forget it and I got the bread for free. John and Toure commented on that and I said, “I guess I am being rewarded for telling the truth.”

I did not begin my morning recitation until 1pm and made it out to the slopes at 1:30pm. Most people were leaving the parking lot and the place was looking very empty. It was sprinkling and the sky was looking very grey with little visibility. I was looking forward to little traffic and powder to ride on.

The First Ride lift was closed due to lack of snow left. All lessons are on Patsy and Mombo via Powder Bowl Express lift. I went down Patsy and was amazed that I couldn’t imagine I could graduate from Patsy this season. That it took me 45 minutes just to get down this very short run.

Today, I had my mask on and 3 layers of tops on. It was a good call, it was windy cold. The powder melted upon contact. I see what NOAA means when it reports snow showers and little or no accumulation of snow means.  It means this. I needed goggle wipes. Visibility was an issue but the lack of people on the slopes made it easy. I really enjoy weekday slopes, have the place mostly to myself, not good for business but great for my enjoyment. I was able to zip down Canyon slope in 15 minutes.

Due to whiteout I decided to go into the woods because they are clear and easier to spot than people. Since there was like no one else around, I didn’t have to worry about fast riders who would clip my head off or yell at me for slow speed on black diamond.

In the woods I managed to have lots of fun. It’s a new challenge, a skill I was going to tackle next season. In the woods I actually found powder to ride on. I’d say this was the best part, there was a good seven inches of powder and I caught an edge and fell forward. I landed on my chest and my board kept on tumbling forward. It’s good thing I used to be flexible. If I had known I’d keep going, I would have pushed off my hands and completed the forward flip in style. I will find out tomorrow how I faired form all of this. On icy parts, I slid on my bum for awhile to avoid major injury. I hope this pair of pants holds up well, I do have two colors of duct tape in the trunk to patch holes. In just two hours in the woods I had so much fun and an awesome workout in the woods, my legs burned. I was hungry one and half hours into my ride, I couldn’t believe it because I like just ate for 5 hours this morning.

Today's Contemplation
“How do I go about locating this kind of ways of living daily at home?”

At 3:30pm I was nervous, it was getting dark and I could barely see. I got out of the woods, the snow was looking flat in terms of lighting and it was difficult to make out this patch of snow from that bump or curve. I got onto the wide slopes and I couldn’t see much there either. I had to follow the orange closed border ropes to find my way out and down the mountain. I was nervous and I could see how people get injured and lost in the slopes on difficult condition days. It is so easy to mess up. I began to think how I should always carry emergency blanket and how I need bright clothes not black and white because I just blend into the background. How I need light and emergency flares. I tried to see without goggles and it was same poor visibility. The slopes should be nice tomorrow with all this powder. I am so glad I am here and there are more days of this ahead. This is so much fun!

I ate hummus, seaweed salad, half cup hot coco, and 12 strawberries for first dinner.  Like a Hobbit, I had second dinner, Indian food.

Strawberry Ed

Snowboarding Day 22 Season 2011

I woke up at 5:11am and stayed in be until 5:48am. I felt emotionally unhappy from all the drama of yesterday. I decided I would skip breakfast and hair to save time, yet somehow I didn’t roll off until 6:48am. I ended up toasting tortilla and smearing it with guacamole for breakfast food.

The drive was like this, “Maybe I’ll just do one day. Maybe I’ll just turn around and come back, etc..” I was still totally sabotaging myself.

I think I saw 5 sets of cops on I280 to I50 all clocking speed. I am glad I am on a regular mode of driving controlled by the age and conditions of this car.


I needed gas and to shop at Safeway and used the restroom. I pulled over at El Dorodo Hills and checked out oranges. Ed the produce stocker pointed out the strawberries are at buy one get two free and it comes out to $1.33 per box. It was only by chatting with Ed that I noticed how dazed and lost I was and I have been driving two and half hours this way. Ed insisted I try the strawberries and I did, they were super sweet. The texture was rough not tender but the flavor was there. I tried to pick out strawberries but I felt so lost somehow. Ed kept on trying to offer help and I finally gave in and acknowledge I needed help with something so trivial as picking out strawberries. That was how it was and it was okay. Ed picked out three boxes of strawberries for me and I felt relieved that he was there to help me on such simple task that I couldn’t seem to manage for myself somehow. Ed was kind, not sticky or judgmental or dumping toxic poison onto me. I also needed help to pick out oranges for juicing. I realized from watching Ed pick each item of fruit out for me that this ordeal was more about having me watch Ed and the work he performs. I saw myself in him, the joy of simplicity. It was comforting to be with Ed. It was comforting to reconnect with this, with me. I have been so fatigued, I felt my body inflamed and on fire in pain. I so need this vacation.


The last 60 miles of mountain drive was bare, there was no snow decorating the mountains and trees. I was a bit worried about the snow condition. I decided regardless of my worries I will make the best of it. I made it to Heavenly parking lot at noon. There was plenty of parking. I could see the slush on the slope. The snow slush was brown. I could see some of the bare mountain. It was hot in the parking lot and so I left my mask in the car which turned out to be a big mistake with 60mph wind that picked up at 1pm. I was cold. I wore the lavender zip liner, I also left the blue long insulated layer in the car thinking I wouldn't need it.  I don’t mind slush, I prefer it to ice.


On the slopes, there was very little traffic, it was fast and easy to get down. I was on the lift chair over and over again. At 1:30pm I decided I wanted to work on tricks, I wanted to work on jumps and hops. I tumbled and tumbled and fell. My bum really hurts and my back too. I am so glad I didn’t abandon my helmet. I would say the helmet is like the life jacket on water, never abandon it even if you know how to swim.

Through this process, I really found my enthusiasm for life and living. I like to have fun and learn the same time. This felt right and I felt great.

I sat a little just to clear my head. The clouds moved in for tonight’s rain and I asked the rain to wash my troubles away.

In the evening I watched the Celtics play against the Nicks, it was a great game that came down to 2 points. I had bread and tea for dinner.

Unplanned 360 Aerial

Day 22 Snowboarding
I got up at 4:11am, ate Taiwanese red somen noodle soup, drank tea and drove to meet up with Steve and Amy. It was dark and early. I forgot how to get to their place and did a bit of circling. I decided to just pull over and park to wait for our meeting time to arrive and then call them for the address and directions just in case they weren’t awake yet. I drank lemon honey juice and did my hair while I waited. I finally called them and they drove right up to pick me up. I had so much energy from all the excitement and caffeine and vitamin c, I was super wired at 5am.

We drove to Berkeley to pick up Laura Tan and I was just there last night, a few hours ago, felt like a blink of an eye. At Berkeley Steve took the back seat and Amy switched to drive. I rolled into shotgun to keep her awake while she drives. It was lovely to chat with Amy, the Amy I know, the sister I am familiar with, the fun relaxed generous Amy, all and all a very lovely experience.

Conversations in the car was about Asian parents and what they are into, forwarding emails on urban legends they take as truth. We joked about how we should create faux email forwards to parents as communication because they prefer to believe that than their children.

We recited on the drive and did morning ceremony. There was a light heartedness in the reciting, a youthful playfulness. It was all a very lovely experience.

We pulled into Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort at 9:10am and there was traffic to park. The driveway was on thick ice, snow tires and 4 wheel drive on their borrow vehicle really helped. It’s a comfortable car. Laura signed up for another lesson at $35 including the lesson, lift ticket, and rental, a total deal. We parted at the entrance as we all went on different directions. I got on the highest lift after looking at the clouds and wind thinking that the earlier I get up high the better it is, things might change at this weather and the access might be closed. The lines for these lifts were long and took what seems like forever, an hour to be exact, super busy today. At the line for the lift a few hard core riders from Santa Rosa invited me to join them in the woods, I felt honored, I had to tell them I wasn’t that good of a rider and would not be able to keep up. They look like they do jumps and I don’t know think I will work my way to that. They told me about Shell station deals. These guys told me about the layout of this ski resort and the runs in detail, super amazing, gave me a blue print tree by tree, bump by bump. I followed it the rest of the day, saved me from crashing here and getting stuck there. The Back Side run was fun, full of fresh powder as flurries dropped from the sky. I really loved the powder and contemplated going into the woods to carve. I didn’t pursue it, I caught an edge and fell, the snow was thick and high, I got stuck in 5 feet of powder and had to walk it and I am five feet tall.

A helicopter flew over and search and rescue team on foot worked hard looking for a man who went into the woods yesterday and has been missing over night. They finally found him at 11am and he was dead.

In the midst of joy and breath taking experience in these beautiful woods, I sank into sadness and pain. I asked the wind, blowing hard today to blow away all of this sadness and hurt. Someone else’s dream is my nightmare. I continued to ride chanting, “It ends here. It ends at me.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling better, but the boundless bubbling joy of fun and playfulness never returned. I continue to ride and be entertained, to discover and explore. I stopped for chocolate underneath nice trees.

It was windy, the wind picked up and visibility deteriorated. Lifts began to close, I continue to ride and worked my way to green diamond. I don’t like the green diamonds here, lots of flat spots, not good for snowboard, great for ski.

At Sugar and Spice run I hit a pot hole and did a 360 aerial flip, I managed to land on the top tip edge of the board and crashed. The flip felt good and easy. If I had know I would have gone for a push off and pull in to complete the 360 to land on my feet. This showed me I can do 360 and more if I train. The crash was not great for the body though.

Reception on the mountain was poor in this windy condition. I did not pick up Steve’s message until 3:47pm. The meeting time was for 3:30pm and I missed it. Probably did pick up the message via ESP because I went to the bunny slope at 3pm looking for Laura Tan but I didn’t find her because I didn’t know what she was wearing. I caught up with the others as soon as I picked up the message and met up with everyone at 4pm. Laura ran for another run and I chased after her, I was the last one, the line closed after me. Going down Easy Ride run brought back memories from the last time I was here. It was my first time and I took the lesson, this bunny run, although short was monumental at that time, it took me 45 minutes to get down with lots of rests.

The ride home seemed long because we were tired and we squeezed in a dinner break and stop by Berkeley to drop Laura off. These one day trips are long days.

Silence Feels Great

Day 21 Snowboarding
It feels good to not talk. Not because I have been silenced, slapped with fear or muted with death threats. Well, because I just want to continue forward in my life, in my growth, in my transformation. There is no right or wrong, better or not even questions. It’s just about what darkness needs to light up within me and what hooks to untangle myself from, what can I let go of now and keep up the work involved and just work, work, and more work. It’s pure satisfaction like drinking pure sweet natural water from a pure spring or a good quality cup of tea will do too. I am able to do this because I have stopped worrying and fearing of others. I see each person’s strength and their affinities and dedication to service and I have full faith in each person’s sincere practice that will ride them through all storms into safety of Nirvana shores.

I efficiently packed and loaded the car. It’s like a routine now. The car was iced and I could only open two doors. Fortunately I could open the driver door. The trunk was iced over but I managed to pry it open and crack the ice off. I cleared the snow off the car for safe driving for me and others. I made it up to the lot at 9:30am.

It was snowing and a total whiteout today. The snow flurried from the sky beautifully. The buttery snow was just wonderful. I am limited to certain slopes because of my broken brace, so I goofy foot on. I fell a lot and did okay on some turns on today’s fresh powder. A 3 year old kid snowboarded and jumped by me. Every time he fell on the Blue Diamond runs, he flipped because of his speed and his size. He was super cute like a cartoon character.

On the Mombo slope I felt a ball of weight like the size of tennis ball sitting on my immune system. I looked at it and it was green, goblin green, bile green yellow. It was a ball of jealous energy looking for a chance to thieve. So I talked to it and encouraged action and movement into manifesting their dreams instead of putting their energy on me. Their inability lies within their lack of proper course of action to manifest their dreams and not within me.

I made it down to the lot for departure by noon. I ate chips with olives and beets for lunch. By 12:40pm I was ready to roll off. As I rolled off, blue sky was peeking through and the sky was clearing up. The grey whiteout powder conditions moved east. I checked the Cal Tran and the road conditions still called for chains. However the radio said no chains. So when I got down onto Ski Run I pulled over and removed my chains, the whole process took me 10 minutes. I was happy to reach Echo Summit without chains. There was plenty of snow on the banks, the lanes were altered by the walls of snow. People were careful and managed to drive accordingly. The traffic was light and pleasant. The snow shower continued in seven thousand feet mountain area. Without the bright rays of noon time, visibility would have been too difficult, and the light traffic of weekdays is so pleasant. I see why people take a week off to spend at the snow. At 5,000 feet elevation, rain down poured in large drops, pounding hard. It was quite difficult to drive in such condition, but light traffic really eased things up.

Bridal Veil Falls was upper amazing, covered in snow and ice on the ride up, of which I did not stop to take a picture of, today, snow was all melted and the mountain was grey and brown. I was careful about my liquid in take because I did not want to be stuck in the mountain and not have access to restroom.

How do I know I am in the Sacramento vicinity? My arm started to hurt and I was feeling tired and distracted. Sacramento is a difficult city of pain, stagnation, and it is the capitol of California. I turned the radio on and sang along. The rain continued to down pour. I enjoy seeing the mountains at Danville area.

Broke a Brace

Day 20 Snowboarding
I woke up with green phlegm. I drank a lot of tea this morning. Felt really good to recite. I miss Dharma study and regular meditation. It’s time to get back into the groove. At 10:45am I cleared my car of snow and put coolant in the reserve, all three cups. It snowed all day today. I walked to Blue Go Bus stop right in front of the inn. I waited for what seemed like a long time. A lot of snow accumulated on me as I waited. The road at 11am was all ice.



I made it to the lot at 12pm. The snow was amazingly buttery. This is just so much fun! My right toe brace broke early in the day. I decided to keep riding with just left brace fully functional. I was careful and aware of my situation and the possible injury of tearing of my knee from this if I fly off on a fall. I found a way to keep riding, go goofy. I fell a lot. But today was not a bad day to fall on fresh fluffy powder. I will get a new brace when I get home. I did spend half the day asking myself why I had to have a broken brace and limit the use of my board control on such an amazing gifted day of fresh powder. Yup the complainer within was back, so annoying. I took a sandwich break underneath the trees overlooking the amazing lake. I almost missed the last lifts down. Patsy was closed, I rushed to catch the Groove down and connected with the last lift down Gun Barrel at 4:30pm.

I ran for the shuttle and took the Gold route back to the inn. The driver was Hispanic, a happy fellow. It is very nice to see happy people at their job. I came back and cleared more snow off my car in case it rained, it will all become ice clinched to my car.

Off Schedule

Day 19 Snowboarding
I finally rolled out at 5:48am, I am 12 minutes behind schedule. I had pumpkin soup. While walking in the dark outside the steps of the door, my foot stepped on something that cracked and it sounded like a shell of snails. I hope I didn’t. I think I did. I am so sorry. I wondered if I was on time in getting out the door, would I have missed this snail crossing. What if I stepped a little to the right or left, would I have missed it?

The drive without cruise control can be just exhausting. When I saw the rolling hills before getting onto 80, it just makes me happy. When I got onto 80E I saw lots of cars with ski and snowboards on the car and I get really happy and excited. I heard on the radio that chains were required. I stopped at Placerville to pump gas. I so needed to use the restroom too.

I saw a man next to my parked car putting on his chains. His name was Lucas. He has a condo in I89 and has plans for Kirkwood. The condo was booked for Friday and into the weekend. But 89 was closed and so he lost a night, he is from Oakland. I told him chains are like a two person thing and that we can help each other. I ruined my pretty manicure while doing my chains. I am sad about that. But what was worse was I used my injured arm and it made it worse. I was in pain. Lucas helped me to click the inside chains for me. After seeing me put bungees on my chains, Lucas decided to put his bungees on too. Bungees keep the chain from derailing off the wheel and destroying the chain, tired, and axle. I called Caltran and I89 was still closed for him. I hope he was able to get to where he needed.

I proceeded to Heavenly after rice and nori. I wondered as I ate, if I had been 12 whole minutes earlier and was on time, would have I missed Lucas or if I had stopped to pee at Sacramento instead? Lucas needed help with chains and a road status call on the phone and bungees.

Chain control was 12 miles from the gas station. Lucas was right about putting chains on dry cement in a parking lot, way better than by the road on black ice and brown snow. The last 70 miles of the drive took me 3 hours because the safe speed for chains is 25mph. There was ice on the road especially over Echo Summit. My ankle trembled the whole 70 miles all three hours in fear and worry of the road conditions and lack of experience. I decided I would not take the chains off because I need them this entire weekend and possibly getting up into Heavenly parking lot.

I made it to Heavenly at 12pm. I was exhausted. That last 70 miles and extra hours of driving time made me question my sanity for coming this weekend. At the parking lot I knew once I am on the snow I will forget it all, all this doubt, fear, fatigue and the dread of the drive back. I was right. I got on the lift at 1pm. The snow was like butter. It was like butter cream on a cake and there was plenty of it. I was so so happy, it was so much fun. The Sky lift was shut down due to high wind gusts. I spent my time on High Five runs and that was super windy too. I had to stop when I see mini tornados swirling 10 feet by 30 feet, swirling snow. It is very difficult to ride through or in the tornado swirls. It’s about a 7 minute wait and it moves on and breaks up, until the next one somewhere else.

As I sat and waited and watched the tornado, I prayed and asked the wind, “Please blow way my ignorance and desires and all unwholesome attachments, leave me clean with compassion and wisdom.” I sang the repentance verses and wait for visibility to return before continuing down the slope. The slope was lumpy and hard on the joints, lots of jumps and hops taken without skill or intention. It was exhausting and unpleasant at times. I did manage to do the connective” e”, that was nice, very satisfying.

Things I thought about on the snow today, what is unavoidable is the calling to look within and revamp the dysfunctional inside. I don’t actually know how really. I know I need time to focus on it, I can, I am capable, I have all that I need.

While on one of the lifts, I sat next to a man from Austria who told me to do Western Austria where there are lots of lakes good for hiking.

The arm injury is still around and so is the right knee on the left inside corner, both still hanging out. Yup, I will need to heal from all of this when the snow melts, while the snow is still good, I don’t want to go see a doctor who will tell me to lay off using my body and stay off the snow. The injured spot on my arm is dried plum purple grey. I think there is black blood sitting stuck there or maybe I just keep injuring it and making it bleed on the inside over and over. As for the knee, I have been icing it on the snow when I take breaks on the slope to keep the inflammation down.

I went for the free hot coco stand by the bus stop at the end of the day. It was yummy this time. Since lifts of CA to NV closed, lots of people stood in line for shuttle transfer. At noon upon arrival, I took the time to ask the driver about bus shuttle for tomorrow. The bus runs from the transit center at 8am and it takes 20 minutes to get to Ski Run and runs every half an hour on weekend before 2pm.

At the parking lot, I checked my chains, one is only at 3 knots and it’s too loose, which will ruin the tires and the chain. But both Lucas and I were not strong enough to click it closer. I felt male strength but I only saw a female, still I went with my intuition and I walked towards that car and asked, a boy in junior high turns around, her son, her son who kindly said yes and we tried without any success. His brothers showed up and he called for Andrews. Andrews was in high school and looked more like a grown man. Andrews along with his buddies were all at least 6 feet tall of the same physique, as if they all came out of the same factory molding. He too tried without success and went to his car to get a tool, a pair of pliers and was able to get in the 4th knot. I was so happy. I reached for the salt and vinegar chips and handed to the boys as thanks for helping me. Andrews passed the chips to share with his buddies. It all worked out, it was their favorite flavor of chips. I was glad. The mom stayed silent and looking disturbed, concerned, protective this entire time. I understood her and she understood me. She wasn’t all that comfortable but she dealt with it and was politely silent about it. Thanks Mom! Thanks for your patient nurturing love.

I decided I would go to Safeway and restock on the chips to stash for the trunk to give. Nothing is free in life and I am sorry about the first and second time the guys helped me and I had nothing prepared to offer and how I also forgot to do so when I did. The Safeway run after a day of snow is like a party scene. The place is packed full of visitors.

I was so tired by 7pm, I was also in a lot of physical pain, I had to lay on the bed and watch TV sideways.

"This is what you do right?"

I watched Winter X Games hosted by France on Men’s snowboarding half pipe finals. My mom saw a scene in passing and asked, “This is what you do right?” I insisted, “I’m no where this good.” Nowhere near it is the reality and won’t be this lifetime. She saw the snowboard and just assumed that is what I do. Nope, there is not going to be jumping or hopping for me on the board, it’s a lot on the joints.

The Worst of This Run Was Over, The Rest Gets Easier

Day 18 Snowboarding 2011 Season

Time change, we sprang forward. I was not aware of this and so I found myself an hour lost and behind. This meant an hour less on the mountain. Oh well, it’s the quality and not quantity on the slopes. Powder on the slopes today. It was nice and quiet. I enjoyed sitting on the snow and watching the powder fall and listening to myself and the wind. I am more accustomed to the cold and after that cold storm in February of -25 degrees wind chill, it doesn’t seem so bad. As I sat to rest and enjoy the snow on Ellie’s a staff ski by me and asked if I was okay and injured. I told him I was just tired. He assured me the worst of this run was over and the rest is easier and encouraged me that the end of the slope was near. Another reason to love this mountain, awesome staff! I was able to do consecutive circles today, that was so much fun and very satisfying.

On Sky Express today I sat next to a woman who wants to do the walk from France to Spain, the Camio de Santiago. So I chatted with her about Guri’s trip. She also told me the way from Swiss into Italy. There is also one from Austria to Swiss into Italy. I told her I won’t be doing it this year but maybe later.

Today I reflected on the last ten years, how it was the brightest and the darkest of times. I was so sick every day. I don’t know how I would have been able to get out of bed if not from the help of all the projects at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and all the spiritual aid. I am very grateful. I wished for the health and welfare of all beings.

The drive home was rainy. I sped up and down the mountain in focus and quick time as if I’ve been driving this mountain for years. In Sacramento I started to feel sleepy and tired. The focus on the road took effort and there was a lot of traffic, on top of it all the rain was on down pour. I refused to stop to pee.

I feel between Sacramento and Dixon area there is a gateway, it’s is a border of something. There is significant shift and always a slowdown in traffic. Whit all this rain, the 680 drive was just beautiful with rolling green luscious hills. I thought how it would be nice to hike these hills.

Let It Go, Swo Pwo He

Day 17 Snowboarding 2011 Season
I woke up at 3am. I was so wired and ready to go. I rolled off at 4:35am after a bowl of instant noodles. I made it to Heavenly parking lot at 9am and did not leave the slopes until 4:20pm. California side of runs were ice and slush where as Nevada side had powder to ride on. During one of the earlier runs on the California side I had to sit in the middle of the slope because I was tired. I avoided the sides because riders tend to do jumps off the sides. I figured center is visible and people can avoid me. A guy yelled at me to move to the side instead.

At Nevada side, I felt so good riding off a slope all alone, quiet no traffic. I picked the right side edge of the run to ride on. Suddenly a guy on his ski came right behind fast and was parallel to me. He looses control and falls, I was glad to have dodged him and his fall. I slowed down and turned around to ask if he was okay. He held his arms out signaling I caused his crash fall and I kept riding on. I felt scared form that violent anger and confused too. There was no one else, just us on this wide open beautifully groom slope.

I decided to sit by the side to process this and recover from the incident. The guy passes by later and yells at me again. He claims I cut him off. I yell back in my defense, “You came up from behind, you are suppose to watch out for people ahead of you!” He goes on yelling, “Go back to bunny slope!” His friend rides by gesturing with his hands to ignore his raging lunatic friend.

I finished my run bummed and thinking, “I can’t seem to escape drama!” I then wondered if I should just quit snowboarding and Heavenly all together. I think too much sometimes. My sunshine day turned so gloomy, I sure was bummed. I then found myself freaking out and looking backwards as I head down the slopes, totally dangerous, got to look forward and watch where I am going.

I stopped and asked myself, “What is this person teaching me? Am I just like him going around looking for trouble just to blame someone else for what misery I have created for myself?”

I then felt sorry for the ski guy. He must have failed in his relationships with this kind of logic, habit, and spirit. I felt even more sorry for him for being on this beautiful mountain and not having a good time. How is that even possible?

Then I thought about violence is contagious and I better not catch it. My riding mantra became, “Let it go, swo pwo he”. I recited Guan Yin Bodhisattva’s name to calm down and enjoyed a piece of chocolate.


On my way back to the California side, I came across 3 teenagers who only spoke Spanish. They did not have snow gear on. One of them was wearing jeans, other a rain pants, all were on cotton hoodie. They asked if I could show them how to not fall so much and turn. I had so much fun watching them try and enjoy each fall every other second and laughing through it all.  Just like that the sunshine within returned.

When I made it back to California side, I took Maggie’s and came across a flat spot, not good for snowboarders. A young man slung me forward to propel me. I in turn try to slung him without much progress due to lack of arm muscle strength. So when I got to a section where I was so stuck I had to unbuckle my brace, I pushed him to propel him forward. It was so much fun, I felt like I was in third grade all over again.  Just like that the sunshine within brightened even more.

What else did I learn on the snowy slopes today? The rhythm I enjoy is peace, happy, fun, joy, learning, discovery, play. I learned that on my path, I will come across people sometimes and it is about setting them straight if they asked for it like the skier. Sometimes it is helping and teaching others like the 3 teenagers this afternoon on the snowboarding turns. Sometimes it's to receive help from others and return it like the guy who slung me forward. I can’t live life looking back, behind, past. As for service, there is opportunities everywhere.

My face looked purple, grey, with black spots, I think it was due to getting blasted from that one skier. My whole face is on fire. I felt so exhausted. I drove to Safeway and somehow spent $18. on dinner, I might as well have gone out to eat somewhere with a nice view and not even have to do dishes.

He Soaked Himself in Alcohol All Day

Day 16 snowboarding

My body was so sore this morning.  How can one week of inactivity do this much damage of weakening of muscles?  Sore or not, it was another day of snowboarding. 

What does it mean on the weather report when it said Snow/Rain.  It means snow in the air and rain when it hits the ground therefore there is no snow accumulation. 

I had many dreams but I cannot remember them.  Staying in bed I felt a bit depressed.  The depression was growing so I quickly got up and ate 2 slices of bread with tapenade, drank tea and did my morning ceremony.  While I recited I saw I had fears.

I loaded the car at 7:45am and lifted the hood to check my coolant in the radiator.  Yup 10 minutes of running the engine last night mixed the coolant concentrate with water on its own.  My transmission is going to be okay.  I was so relieved.

I made it to Heavenly parking lot a little after 8am.  The lifts were all running by then too.  The lot was pretty empty and snow was in the air.  I was happy to see and looked forward to the powder.  It was wonderful to get onto Sky Express and do the runs.  I so enjoyed the powder.  It’s all ice underneath.  So I am glad for the powder as buffer.  Up on the Ridge run it was complete whiteout and down on High Five it was gentler.  

I stopped and sat among the trees, I laid on my back to watch the snow float in the air.    It’s just all very beautiful and wonderful to feel.  On the Mombo run I worked on my cursive ‘e’ consecutive carvings on the powder.  It was so much fun.  As much fun as it looked when others did them.  I dreamed of being able to do this first time I saw it.  I have more stamina now.  So I am able to almost do an entire blue diamond run without a rest.  I had so much fun this morning.  The quietness of the runs were great, not too much people traffic.  It really helps to start early.    

It was 10:30am and I had only two hours of riding but it was time to head down and do the long drive home. The sun peaked out for a bit.  I was reluctant to leave but I am well aware of the storm reaching at 4pm in full force for 8 inches snow accumulation and that is no joke for driving conditions.   

I headed for California Lodge to look at my photos from yesterday on the slopes.  Heavenly has cameras and photographers stationed on the slopes taking pictures and you can view them and buy them after.  I ate food in the car, I’ve been having a really big appetite lately.  I drove off at 11:30am. 

I checked at 8am and there were chains required then and at 11am no chains were required.  Timing is very important for my trek over the summit pass.  I began my incline up Echo summit and my car came to a complete stop.  All cars were the same.  I turned my engine off to wait.  In a few minutes I saw a cop, snow shovel truck go by.  A few cars came around the opposite traffic direction.  It turned out there was an avalanche and the cars decided to not wait for the clearing and made a u-turn to head back down the lake.  I needed to be at home and so waiting in the mountain or down at the lake is of no difference to me.  

I started to drink tea and eat strawberry chocolate.  Other cars broke out their cooler and made a spread on the highway and pulled out their folding chairs.  It took 40 minutes to clear away the snow, not that big of a deal.  I was on the road driving again.  I really needed to pee, that 40 minute delay really threw my schedule off but I was determined to not make any stops until I was done with the mountains.  People drive so fast in the mountains, pretty insane in my opinion.

At the Taco Bell in Sacramento, I pulled into for a restroom break, I saw a man putting water into his radiator.  I so needed to pee, yet when I saw him my concern was to offer him coolant and forget about the urgency to pee.  I was hoping it would not take up all the concentrated coolant I had but he used it all.  He was still in need of more.  The guy lost his radiator cap long ago and never bothered to replace it, or maybe he was short on cash. 

I went in to pee and came out and was ready to roll out when the same man came back to ask me if I have jumper cable to jump his late 70’s car.  I did and I jumped his car.  What did I know about jumping cars? What did I know about putting snow chains on?  I saw it done once.  I recalled both engines had to be off and cables snapped on red first then the other.  Run the dead car first then the mine.  When it is jumped remove the black cables first then the red. 

This guy is an alcoholic, he smelled like he soaked himself in alcohol day in and day out.  He does seem like a decent person who had a gangster past.  The woman he had in the car was gentle and grateful.  The man had no words of gratitude and took things as if the world owed him and it was his right. 

Reading the Speed of the Clouds

Day 15 snowboarding

I didn’t roll out at until 4:30am.  First 2 hours before sunset was super difficult driving.  I was tired.  I pulled over to get gas at the station in Placerville.  I had breakfast at the gas station.  As I climbed the last 60 miles, I noticed my temperature meter going beyond ½ and by the time I parked my car, ready to shut off the engine, my meter raced to the red zone.  I turned the engine off before the meter pushed to the red.  I popped the hood and checked my coolant and the reservoir had no coolant in it.  

I made it to Heavenly parking lot at 9am.  Another hour later would have put me parking on Ski Run and taking the shuttle up.  I needed to dress for the slopes and not worry about the car.  After a few runs off Sky Express, I sat at Sky Deck and ate bread.  I was super hungry by 11am, much of a surprise to me. .  Today the blue diamond run of High Five felt like a green diamond bunny run.

Then I took Sky Express and turned to Nevada side and spent the rest of the day on Nevada.  The Skyline trail was beautiful.  I find the Nevada side to be plain.  All and all it was a lovely afternoon and my legs were seriously tired.  My tail bone hurts somehow.  I went up Sky express twice and Canyon Express a few times today.  On the dipper lift I sat next to a man who knew about clouds and said those clouds were moving at 400 mph all by the kind of formation they are. 

Today I went up the slope with determination, goal to ride blue diamonds.  I went on Patsy green diamond for the past one and half month.  Now I am on blue diamond.  I am beyond my schedule and goal,  I graduated out of green diamond.  It is so amazing.  What else can I accomplish that I think I can’t, that it will just never happen.  When I started I humbly hoped I can and if not next season to progress to Blue Diamond.  Now that I have, I want to look at what else in my life I have yet to set time and practice for, wished but didn’t think in reality I can and didn’t bother really to even start trying.  What else did I not give myself a chance to give it a try and a good run at least?  

My first concern heading to the parking lot was to stop for hot chocolate that they hand out along with cookies at the end of the day by the shuttle bus area.  Then I opened the hood and added whatever is left to my coolant in the trunk to the radiator.  I had 3-4 cups left.  I could not figure out if it was 50-50 or I need to add water.  I just added water anyways.  I cautiously rolled to CVS and bought another coolant concentrate and did my own mix with water, this give me more coolant and saves more trunk space.  The radiator was empty and so was the coolant reservoir.  I ran my car for 10 minutes like the CVS staff said to do to make sure the coolant ran through fine before I drive off.  Way beyond tired after this. 

Just Walk Away

Day 14 Snowboarding 2011 Season
I got up at 6:30am and was ready to go by 7:30am, I loaded my car and was done by 8am. The men shoveled the driveway. I had lentil soup for breakfast. All cars decided on not putting on chains. Hiroshi helped to roll my car down the hill on first gear without snow chains for that turn onto Heavenly parking lot. He pumped the breaks to roll down the hill. I am grateful he helped to roll my car. My car was parked at Heavenly parking lot at 9am.  The lot was all covered in ice. Kotaro’s family also went to Heavenly with their season pass. The rest went to return the keys to the rental office and checkout of the contract. They planned to stop at Sierra and try that ski resort today.

Admiring my nails done by Miki.

I had a good 3 hour run today. It was fun, smooth, good rhythm and it was a beautiful sunny 40 degree day, talk about warm and fast melting snow. Powder was better yesterday. I have been so spoiled. I enjoyed my snacks of rice cracker and chocolate. It was a beautiful clear day in the mountains.

Toasted corn tortillas on the dash, it didn't really work, it just wasn't hot enough. 

What is clear to me from today is this very important step, I acknowledge I am very sensitive. I find many things traumatic. This is what I must correct. I fill up the trauma with busy-ness, hoping it will resolve itself some miraculous ways and pretending it didn’t happen and it won’t again. None of it is true, I am just building a city of lies I put myself in to live in. I just have to stay away from all of this and respect myself, honor myself, and say, “I count,” and walk away.

When Our Paths Cross

Day 13 Snowboarding 2011 Season

I brought hot water heater and canteens into the room so I can have hot water without waking up anyone at 5 am in the morning. The kettle in the kitchen tasted like iron melted lead. I hydrated myself with 2 cups of water. I plugged the heater in the restroom and drank it in there to keep the noise level down as the girls slept in the room. 

For breakfast I had lentil soup from a can and two slices of bread with marinara sauce. The men shoveled snow this morning at 6am with total determination of rolling out wheels to get to the slopes. The snow plower for the road came last night. It created a mountain of snow on the driveway that we had to dig out of in order to move the car.

The girls got up and marveled at their beautiful nails.  They were the last to wake up.  They had fun as sisters to pick out things to wear and how to wear it.  It’s fun to watch kids making everything fun.  As adults, sometimes we are so hung up on accomplishing a task that we don’t think there is time or room to make it into a fun experience.

We rolled out at 8am on time.  We were at the lift ticket counter by 8:10am.  The Kimuras and O’Learys did not have season pass so they needed their day ticket.  By 8:30am we were all on lift chairs and the parking lot was looking full on this day.  All the lifts were working on this -25 degree wind chill day.  I was cold again.  The powder was abundant and fun to carve.  It was so cold my water in my hydration pack froze in the first hour.  I had to go to the restroom to defreeze my water so I can drink it.  In fact many people took refuge for warmth in the restroom too. 

The kids are super cute to watch on the slopes, all bundled up.  They are so cute, little snow bunnies.  Ellie is pretty good and Lena is good at keep up as a 5 year old.  Lena enjoyed laying on the snow and looking at the sky.  I had plans to ride with the boys but they just run through the slopes in speed.  So I did my own thing on the Mombo run, stopping to do family thing when our paths cross.

I think this is my life and I live it.  I do my own thing and when our paths cross, I pause to join and return when we come to the crossroad of parting.      

We stopped at 11:30am at the California Lodge and made sandwiches for lunch.  Kotaro was quick in getting back on the slopes.  I ate until it was time to go.  I ended up eating 3 times more than usual for lunch on the slopes.  The rice crackers and chocolate almonds I packed for snack to munch overlooking the view of the lake was just an awesome enjoyable experience.  Miki brought both of those snacks and they were good quality food. 

I finally found my ridding rhythm at 1pm.  Yup, I had to do the “Shut Up” mantra.  When I found my rhythm, the sun was out, I warmed up.  By then pretty much everyone was doing their own thing.  

Heavenly is beautiful.  I enjoyed the sun.  The cold was miserable with wind too on the body.  However for the eyes it was beautiful with dusty snowflakes blowing in the air.  With a bit of sun coming through, the snowflakes looked like glittering gems falling from the sky, very magical, very special, very beautiful, I feel so grateful for such moments. 

 At the end of the day, we met up at the California Lodge to snack and chat.  There was live music playing in the bar area and that was nice for end of the day atmosphere.  We ate up all the snacks as we shared our day.  Yoshike said he came down the Round About slope and in the last section at the World Cup slope, he had a rhythm of one-two-three fall.  He was still baffled by why it happened and how.  It was funny.  We all had a good day.  Everyone was tired.  At this point the non-season pass holders all weren’t sure if they were skiing or riding tomorrow.  Heavenly was packed at 4:30pm, rolling out of the parking lot was bumper to bumper crawl.

I finally rolled to our street and it was an incline on ice and snow.  All the vans with chains had trouble getting up back into our rental house.  Wehn we arrived we noticed the chains were off track.  They did not have bungy.  We were not able to pull into our driveway because the street was plowed and we had another new mountain wall of snow blocking our driveway.

The boys shovled so did the men.  Our neighbor Chris with his two dogs came with his push snow removal and helped to plow our driveway flat so we can drive onto it.  Chris also wanted us to know he had property for us to rent if we were interested.  

 

Helen ran dinner tonight, hot pot. The boys jumped into the jacuzzi first, then the girls and then I did. The boys found the power jet button and it’s on high. I had a really good massage for my calf and foot. The water felt cool at 97 degrees. Making ice crystal and dropping snowballs in the pool will cool it down.

The stars came out tonight, sitting in a Jacuzzi surrounded by snow underneath starlit sky, life is good. Mars was red and bright and easy to spot with naked eyes. What a fun time. For dinner I microwaved udon and marinara sauce.  I was offered a cup of water and somehow this cup of water was vodka. It’s a good thing I took a careful sip not a gulp. My face flushed, my eyes burned and swelled up. I handed my cup of special water back. I decided to see it as medicine for my body and not freak out or get upset and make a scene. I called it a night at 8pm.