The Canyons

{the MONLA team}

Bluebird and groomers at The Canyons. A gorgeous day in the mountains. My heart longs to return tomorrow for the SBX event featuring Seth Wescott, Lindsey Jacobellis and all the pro snowboarders I look up to. I only wish...

winter is here

{photo taken in winter 2009}

There's something about winter I really love. Snow, snowfall, snow in the valley and mountains and snowboarding. An eminent sparkling winter wonderland appears again with the winter air. I'm bundled up in layers, looking like a marshmallow, while marshmallows melt in my hot chocolate. At home, I'm in my thermals and fleece pajamas. Going out to conquer a blizzard, I snowshoe wearing my boots, sometimes worn with neon tights and warm leggings. Sitting by a fire or at least pretending to with the heat blasted up, I listen to winter songs. And then I'm off again, frolicking in the snow.

Olympic Dreams: I met Seth Wescott!

It's surreal when your dreams become a reality. I've had an actual dream where I've snowboard down a boarder cross course for the first time. Then my dreams came true and I met an Olympian, Seth Wescott (two time gold medalist in boarder cross [SBX])! I still can't believe I've met an Olympian.

Through Twitter, I found out that Seth Wescott was having SBX clinics at Brighton for his Ride With Me SBX Tour. When I found out, I was jumping up and down. I sacrificed everything just to meet him and it was well worth it. There was no stopping me. This was a once in a life time opportunity and I was going to meet it. I was going to live my dreams.

Seth shared his views on snowboarding and his passion of surfing. He really likes surfing. I was surprised to hear that boarder cross wasn't his first choice of snowboarding. His hero is Kelly Slater.

I noticed he was wearing the legendary blue jean Burton snow pants that Team USA wore in Vancouver. As a lover of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I couldn't help but think that the pants I saw were magical. I want those pants. Not his pants specifically (in case you thought I was taking this in the wrong direction), but those Burton snowboard pants to snowboard in.

The boarder cross course was a lot smaller than I had imagined. It was nothing like the course at Cypress Mountain, but it was still lots of fun going down it and pretending I was an Olympian.

After the SBX clinic, Seth was doing autographs and photos. He was incredibly nice and chill. I was surprised at how many questions he asked about me. He asked me my name and if I was from the area. Then he asked me how my lessons went with Bob and Lindsay. I said how they went well and how I had wished I had been able to watch him snowboard, but I couldn't keep up. He looked up at me, told me and gave me a reassuring look that it was ok. He asked how long I had been snowboarding for. I told him for a few years, but I never got into it until recently. Then I told him how I couldn't believe how I saw him on TV and now I was seeing him there. He just kind of laughed. Then I asked him if he was going to Russia. He said yes and how four years seems like a long time from now, but it will be sooner than he knows it, like the Vancouver Olympics. I took a picture with him and he had his arm around me. I'll never forget that feeling. I couldn't believe that in one day, I had met an Olympian and he had his arm around me.

I had one of the most incredible days at Brighton and I had so much fun that I didn't want to leave. Driving down the canyon, I thought to myself how that day was a fairytale. The mountains are my home and where I've met some of the most amazing people. All of us share our love for snow, the mountains and a sport.

Seth told us all that the most important thing is to have fun on the mountains. He's reminded me that snowboarding is a lifestyle and to love what you're doing. My dream is to be an Olympian or at least compete in snowboarding competitions. Even if my dream never comes true, I'll never stop snowboarding because of my love for snowboarding.

It's March and it's snowing.

Last night, it snowed. This afternoon, the sun came out and melted most of it all away. I can't wait for spring, but the snowboard season is almost over and I'm going to miss the snow real soon.

Images via sticker on my snowboard and hilarious brochure from Sapporo, Japan.

Mountains + Snow. This is where I call home.

photo(s) enthusiastically captured on 1.25.10

my little letters

dear snow and mountains,

I really can't wait to go snowboarding, make snow angels, snow men and melt myself into you.

dear Ingrid Michaelson,

I can't get enough of your music. I want to play all of your songs. Your winter songs have made me enthusiastic about winter.

dear Thanksgiving weekend,

You've been great and I don't want this long weekend to end.

dear J,

I've tried my best to not like you, like you. But I really do like you and you will probably never know this. We are nothing alike, but I've learned in bio that we tend to choose mates who are completely different than us. I guess nature or science explains it all.

dear hot bio ta(s),

You are beautiful. If only...

dear books,

I've said this before and I'll say it again. I like to get lost in you. All day, any day.

dear tender mercies,

I love how you keep showing up in my life.

dear love,

Where have you been all my life? I would sure love to find you, hopefully soon.

xoxo,

Sum

Let It Snow (pt. II: a book review)

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle is a highly addicting, holiday must read. And believe me, I spent all day reading this delightfully warm book and absolutely loved it.

The three acclaimed young adult authors write three intertwined holiday stories. One snow storm changes everything. Many young lives face harsh blizzard conditions, sacrificing and risking their lives in the name of love. Friends and strangers alike share the most unexpected, adventurous and miraculous-filled Christmas together. Put on your snow boots and get ready for the sleigh ride of your life. Let It Snow is the perfectly packaged present tied up in bows and ribbons, waiting to be opened under a Christmas tree. A true cherry jubilee dessert to be devoured or a hot chocolate savored on a snowy winter day.

The stories are told from many angles and perspectives of the characters, with many surprising surges of twists. I almost cried, but mostly laughed. At the end of each story, I felt like cheering and applauding like at the end of a movie when the credits are rolling. Love is in the air. I can feel it. I want to feel it. I am in love with love.

Let it snow.

I want a snowfall kind of love
The kind of love that quiets the world
'Cause I'm a snowfall kind of girl

That lights up the sky from below
That brings people to their window

Won't you bury me in your quiet love?
Oh bury me in your quiet love
And we will blow away

The kind of love that keeps you in bed all day
Oh I want to look through with you
And watch it all melt away

-Ingrid Michaelson