So it has been a long time since I have posted anything. I don't like using the excuse busy, but I was occupied mainly with university classes, assignment, papers, and finals. Nearing December it did get stressful, but as the final marks came in, it turned out that I did as well or better than I was hoping for. It was great to go home and get away from school. I was able to spend time with the family, see friends, and work a little bit through the holidays. I made a few bucks, so that always helps through the year.
My sister had a soccer fundraiser, I bought a few tickets, and won 6 bottles of wine! Win!
She can be a pretty sweet sister some times. We re taking a shot to bring in the new year.
It was different going home this year. I'm not sure if it because I am use to doing my own thing, if my family members are growing up. It felt like everyone is in a rush and was unable to really relax and hang out as a family. I would love a game night and that just didn't happen. I guess people change, and you notice it more once you don't seem them for a period of time. Christmas was good though, it was important time spent with both family and friends.
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| Nadine and I |
During the break I went skiing with my mom and the alberta Racing Team. That was a lot of fun. I like Nakiska because it is a close mountain to Calgary and I've skied it alot, so I know the mountain well. Nadine, a good friend of mine is on the team, is taking the term off of schooling and focussing on increasing ability and strength. She hopes to make it to the Paralympics. I told her wherever she goes, I'll be there cheering her on. I'd love to go back to racing, and who knows what the future may bring. Whenever I ski with this girl, we get into the most interesting situations. We did get out of the few that we were in that day. By the end of the day, patrol had our few paths marked off with bamboo.
Right now schools important and that is where my focus lies.
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| View at Nakiska |
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| Mom and I at Nakiska |
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| View from Top of Castle Mountain |
I still go to the mountains as much as I can during the winter. There was a training camp for the volunteers for CADS at Castle Mountain, I was asked to come to teach volunteers how to 4-track. The training portion was an entire weekend. The first day and a half the volunteers got split into groups and the group I was in took skiing lessons to improve our ability. There was one part when the instructor demonstrated a task for us to do- put 50 50 weight on both skis when turning- The entire group proceeded down the hill- once we were done, The instructor said I was the only one to do what he was asking. Everyone chuckled. If you don't know I ski 4track style and have cerebral palsy. It was funny. Maybe you had to be there. I've been skiing every weekend, and am going both days this weekend coming up.
School has started. At first it seemed like alot of work, I'm taking 4 classes and I made my own physical activity class. It still seems like a lot of work, but I feel that all the classes are set up very different, so it should be okay. My highest level class is Psych 4000 children with disabilities. The biggest component is a 50 minute presentation. I feel lucky and very happy to be able to talk about Cerebral Palsy and the effect of Botox and Baclofen on the disability. Both of the drugs I have had personal use with and living with the disability, I can't see a better way to learn more about it. For the additional classes, there is work to and I hope it doesn't get the best of me. I am very organized, so I hope that helps.
I haven't made any sort of New Years Resolution, except maybe to aviod the gyms for a while till they simmer down a little bit. I am doing activities outside of the gym. Sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, and skiing challenge me in multiple ways. I also love the mountains, if there as any type of therapy for well-being, for me that is it. When I came back to school, I started Kim Lyons' 10 day cleanse. This cleanse isn't about starving yourself and only drinking fluid. There is a fluid component, but you can eat most fruits and veggies, some meats, greek yogurt, and other items. I haven't had wheat or cereal in the last 8 days, and I feel fine. Sometimes being forced to eat healthier is a good thing. I have tried different salads, and preparing a complete healthy meal. I am done the cleanse on Friday. Its not friday yet, but I am proud to make it 8 days so far without eating chocolate, or oatmeal, or snacks in general.
