Wednesday, April 29, 2009

It’s a little chilly today, but the last couple of days a lot of people were down to t-shirts. It’s pretty muddy out there now with everything melting. We had the daycare kids out at the end of the day…sorry parents, but they love the puddles and mud! The snow is still really deep in some spots but super soft. Some kids have gotten pulled out by the fire department this week. They just drop and get stuck too deep over their waist.

Graham and I got to go cross-country skiing on Monday. Janet, another lifeguard, took us into the Inuvik Ski Club and got us fixed up with the skis, boots and poles. It was so warm that day. Graham wore a t-shirt and fleece but the fleece wasn’t on for long. I got a bit of colour on my face too! The ski club is right next to the road, which was funny because there we were in skis and then people would cycle by on the road, in shorts.

Jen suiting up.

Artsy boot shot. You're welcome Rossignol.

Jen waxing skis.

We met Janet there at 6pm and were out until almost 8:15. Still need sunglasses at that point here, which is great. She taught us some things before we hit the trails (that’s hip slang that only we seasoned skiers understand). She got us to walk with the skis on up a small incline, which Graham did well on, but I almost slid back down a couple times. After we went up, of course, we had to come back down. Snowplow in those conditions, when the snow is starting to melt, is tough to do. I made it down the hill okay…and this it where it all went downhill for Graham (huge pun intended). Didn’t think I could love the man more, but this day boosted it even higher!

Jen wobbling into skis.

I want you to think back to Goofy’s sports training cartoons and if you have never seen them, please look them up now. I laughed watching those cartoons, but this nearly killed me. This first practice slope was the start of many ups and downs on the trail.

First, the stance for the hills (cross-country, but some hefty declines on these trails):
a) legs apart about 4 feet
b) knees buckled in and wobbling slightly for balance.
c) left arm pointed in front with pole dragging behind.

d) right arm stuck straight out behind you with pole in air.

e) waist bent at 90 degree angle.
f) all the while, reassuring your fellow skiers: ‘I got it, I got it.’.
g) be sure to have a 2-fall minimum on each hill.

Pure solid gold. (full permission from my love to post these)

I didn't even see this fall until we were home that night. (I love you Graham.)

Second, standing still:
a) stand next to your wife waiting to go through the tunnel.

b) gently, fall across her skis from a completely stationary position.

The smile after the fall.

But we made it through.

Graham and Janet.

Third, being a good sport:
a) laugh at yourself with fellow skiers.
b) let your wife hold the camera at the bottom of each hill to film you.
c) let her laugh herself to tears and say you’ll go again next season.

The trail we took was 2.2km. We almost took another route, but we came up over a crest and looked downward, Graham and I convinced her to take us an easier way. There aren’t supposed to be crests of hills in cross-country skiing! Maybe next year, right Graham?

There's the stance we were looking for!

I tried my first yoga class on Saturday. I’ve been doing it off and on for a few years now but just at home on my own. There were no headstands or feet behind the head, so I made it through. I think his website is www.classic-yoga.com or .ca.

Until then,

Jen