I watched a very good documentary called Meeting David Wilson.  

What an evening...I went over to Chris and Megan Hanson's to watch Amelia and Oliva while they went out to dinner. It had been snowing all day and the driveway and roads in neighborhood weren't plowed. I got stuck in driveway and Chris managed to push me out and said he would bring back shovel he left at work when they came back. The evening went well and I enjoyed playing with the girls and the dog Willa. The parents came back around 8:30pm and I was able to get out of driveway. Chris warned me about the conditions on roads.

When I turned on to Skunk Creek I wasn't able to get any traction and my wheels spun even though I was in 4 wheel drive and had downshifted. I decided to backup and go downhill first considering how steep and long the road is. However, when I backed up my vehicle slid into a snow bank. I couldn't have a chosen a better location if I had tried. It looked liked I had parked on the side of road and with the interesection in front of me and a driveway behind me the tow truck would be able to have access.

I walked back to Chris and Megan's and called AAA. I was so embarrassed! I didn't even make it a block! AAA was busy helping other stranded drivers and wouldn't be able to get to me until the next day. Chris drove me back to my place and I gave him my keys and made plans to meet the next day.

Chris called me at 7:30am and said they couldn't even get out of driveway. The tow truck was supposed to arrive at 8:30am and Chris and megan decided to dig my vehicle out for them. The tow truck hadn't arrived at 10:00 am when Chris called and mentioned that plow driver offered to pull my vehicle out and that he and megan would drvive it back to my house after the roads were plowed. I felt somewhat guilty they everyone worked so hard to get my vehicle unstuck and I didn't even have to lift a finger.

It's good to realize how people look out for each other here. It's what I like most about living here. However, if I were to do it all over again I think I would have just accepted an invitation for dinner at friends house that was offered that evening lol :).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope all of you are doing well and spending the holidays with loved ones. I'm visiting my parents sisters and brother. It's very good to see everyone. I spent most of the the week shopping for christmas gifts and wrapping them. The only advantage to putting it off was able to get everyone what they wanted and get it discounted. However, I wasn't able Dad with putting up the christmas trees or Mom with cooking ;(. The dinner she made included a salad with pears and apples, . We opened presents after dinner and then had desert and played games. I helped with the dishes while drinking a couple of cups of coffee so that I would make it to the evening mass. It was very

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you are doing well. I didn't go anywhere this year even though I was offered a few invitations. I decided to stay at the house and try cooking on my own because I wanted leftovers. I cooked a turkey, stuffing,green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, etc. It was quite good! If anyone asks you can tell them that the I didn't start

We had a dinner for parents of students and teachers this evening. One of students parents hosted it and everyone else brought something that was Thai. I didn't really know many recipes related to this and went by Siam after work and ordered a couple of appetizers. When I went to pick them up I ran into a few of the parents picking up orders as well. We asked each other what we ordered and were relieved that we didn't get the same thing.

The house that it was hosted at is an old three story Victorian in the historic district belonging to Liz and Rich Salem whose daughter Emma is 4 years old. She was adopted from China and requested that she be called Goldilocks on her first day at school :).

The dinner went very well. I think between 25-30 people were there. It was good to see everyone and to get to know the parents better. Everything always seemed so rushed when students are being picked up and dropped off at school.

When we were in class we cut out something from newspaper if students color bank will donate $5.00 to the education fund. When we were doing this I noticed Harry taking his and putting it in his locker. When I reminded him that he was suppose to give it back to the teachers he shook his head and mentioned that he was going to take it to the bank so that he could get the $5.00 dollars for himself. I thought this was quite humerous and told his mother that he was going to grow up to be an investment banker or lawyer.

I accepted a position teaching at Montessori at Mountain School in Telluride, CO. There are two classrooms with 20 students each that are between the ages of three and six. I think there is more information about the program for those of you who are interested here. The position is Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm and is only a 10 minute walk from where I live. I really like the program and working with the kids and they seem to like me as well.

This week when I was helping one of the four year olds who needs additional help I asked him if he could write the alphabet on the chalk board. He not only was able to do that but does it better than any of the other students and can read as well. He seemed so excited to be able to do something better than the other students and kept wanting me to come over and observe him. It's a very good example of how effective being positive and finding out what a student does well and commenting on it rather than just focusing on what they are doing wrong. I think it was beneficial to mention that to his parents as well. I think they are accustomed to hearing negative comments as well.

The only problem I see occurring with this position is that because I'm assisting the teacher in the classroom my paycheck is based on how many hours I work. Even though it's considered a full time position I noticed when I was looking over the handbook that we are taking a week off for Thanksgiving and two weeks off for Christmas and Easter. I think they are taking a few days off for Presidents day weekend as well.

The other assistant approached me and asked if we get paid during vacations and I replied that we weren't because I had already asked. I was relieved that she was concerned as well. I think we might go speak with someone next week about our concerns.

If I'm not able to stay at Montessori a family has asked me to nanny for them and has offered to pay me the same and offer me 30 hours a week. I really like the family and wouldn't mind working for them. However, they have been waiting for weeks for me to make a decison and have really worked to accomodate me. I feel guilty for being so indecisive and know I need to make a decision and stick to it.

I went to work and had a good day but as I was getting ready to leave for lunch Dr. Homer who runs the practice approached me and asked to talk. He mentioned that even though I had told them that I had just finished EMT course he hadn't realized how much training it would involve. He went on to say he had never hired someone who was just done with course and didn't think they were large enough of a clinic to train me and that it would take months and they couldn't do it after all. I was shocked because these were things I had mentioned in interview and I offered to take less pay and spend my weekend at hospital taking IV and blood draw courses at my own cost to get trained quicker. He said that he had made a mistake and that he would give me a months severance pay. I mentioned that I would expect them to keep me on until I found another position and he agreed which is a relief. He mentioned that it was his mistake and wasn't anything that I had done.

I'm frustrated and angry and mentioned that my position that I had working with the town had been filled and that I had health insurance including vision and dental, vacation, PTO, 401 K, retirement, etc. there. The benefits were much better there but I took a risk and came to work for him. It's only a mistake to him and one that he can fix by hiring someone who is more experienced but it not that simple for me.

I know everything will turn out okay and that maybe it's for the best even though I can't see it now. There's a Manager/Assistant Manager position and ski, mountaineering, etc. shop that is year round and includes health insurance and a free ski pass. I have done that type work when I was in college and think I would like it there. Keep your fingers crossed :). I might ask at the bookstore and library as well and see if they have any part time or full time work as well.

It made me realize what a supportive and loving family and friends I have as well. Within 15 mins of leaving a message with someone and talking to my sister Katie I received 5-6 phone calls :).

I hope all of you are having a better day than I am. I'm not that sad or anything just shocked, angry, frustrated, etc. I'm back on feet and coming up with back up plans. Right now embarrassed more than anything.

The bookstore here called Between The Covers is one of the places I like to hang out. It's not very large but has hardwood floors and tall ladders so staff can reach books on upper shelves. There is a bakery and cafe in back with overstuffed charirs and couch where visitors can read and drink coffee.

I read in newspaper that they would be selling the next Harry Potter book and would be open this evening at midnight. When I went back to the house I cooked dinner and then slept for a couple of hours. I was tired but managed to throw on a down jacket with my jeans and drove to bookstore at 11:30pm. The temperature was less than 45 degress and raining but even so there was about 50 people in line. There were teenagers hanging out in groups with round glasses and lighting bolt scars on forehead. A few had scarves from Gryfindor and one boy had a black robe on and was holding a broom. There were quite a few younger children there as well with parents who liked they had just woken up.

When the line started to move I noticed that the staff at bookstore were dressed in costumes as well and they were passing out food from bakery in the shape of stars and moons. It even looked like the bookstore the students at Hogwarts go to for books in Diagon Alley. They had it decorated with ballons and had music playing as well.

I bought a book they had reserved for me and stayed and taked with a few people I knew and of course ate some of the food. I didn't want to leave but couldn't wait to find out what happens and drove back to house and stayed up reading until 5:00am and then

I haven't written what I think might happen anywhere so I thought I would here. I don't know if Harry Potter will live or die but of course I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I haven't really thought about what other characters might be killed because it's too depressing. However, I do think Snape is good but I think he will most likely be killed. I think we might also see more of the house elves considering they can do magic without a wand. Of course Voldemort will be killed. I think we might see more of Dumbleore or Sirius in the next book even though they are dead. It might be through the pensive, mirror , etc.

I don't know but I think part of the book will take place at Hogwarts even though Harry, Hermione and Ron won't be going back to school. Harry will with the help of Hermione and Ron will try to find the Horcruxes. I think if I remember right the ones they have already found are Tom Riddle's diary and Marlvo's ring. Harry and Dumbleodre found a locket in the cave which turned out to be a fake with a message from RAB who stole the real locket. I think like many others RAB is Regulas Black who is Sirius's brother. The other horcruxes might include Hufflepuff's cup, something of Gryfindor or Ravenclaw, Voldemort's snake. I have heard rumors that Harry's scar from when Voldemort curse backfired might have left a horcrux.

I'm looking forward to finding out more about Lilly and James Potter and Godrics Hallow. I'm interested in knowing why Lilly disliked James so much and how she changed her mind. It will be interesting to hear about how Petunia knew about Hogwarts and Dementors at Azkaban and why Dumbledore had been writing letters to her. Who was the person that she referred to as "awful" that Lilly hung out with in school? Was it Snape? Why was Lilly hanging out with Snape?

I think J.K. rowling mentioned that one of the students will later become a teacher and like most I think Neville will become a Herbology teacher. I can't help but question if the prophecy might have been regarding Neville rather than Harry, However, like Dumbledore said Voldemort made the prophecy by picking one over the other. I think Neville's parents might recover and have important information.

I think the author also mentioned that someone who has never done magic will do magic. I think she said that Pentunia and her husband and son would never do magic. Do you think it might be or Filch?

When I went to a meeting for EMS someone I know approached me and asked me if I would be interested in applying for a front desk position at Dr. Homer's family practice. I don't think I would have called them but she suggested they call me and set up an interview so I went. They just called and offered me a position and mentioned they hired someone else to do front desk and decided to bring me on as an EMT. I don't think it occurred to them to hire an additional EMT until interview. However, I have heard they are very busy. I'm looking forward to starting!

It looks like I will be working Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm with the office closing for two hours for lunch. I think we are expected to go skiing during lunch ;).

I think when I get my IV certification the pay will be $18/hr and might include courses for becoming certified to do blood draws, x rays, etc.

I need two years work experience and quite a few hours working with patients for application to PA program to even be considered. I have even considered moving because I didn't think I would be able to meet requirements here. I have heard it's very competitive but even so I feel one step closer to achieving what I want :).

I hope that I meet or exceed the expectations they have of me.

I hope all of you doing well! I look forward to catching up. Take care.

The 34th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival is Thursday through Sunday 11:00am to 12:00am :). They field where it takes place is surrounded by 10,000-14,000 ft mountains and a 300 ft waterfall. The population here is approximately 3,000 people but with all the tourists here it is now 15,000 people.

The groups that will be here include Allison Krauss and Union Station, Emmylou Harris with John and Carolina Star, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, etc. I heard that Counting Crows and Los Lobos will be here as well.

I have a free four day pass from volunteering selling Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat, 1554, and Skinny Dip :). Click here for more information about the brewery that makes these beers.

I will tell you more about it later and include some pictures.

When I was driving home from work this evening I stopped to get something for dinner . I picked up some french cheese rolled in garlic and herbs, pears and bread to eat while I was preparing dinner. It was very good. I managed to eat more than an 1/8 lb of cheese! It made me think of French Kiss with Meg Ryan where she eats all the cheese when she's on a train to a vineyard. It didn't make me sick though. I had the salad and salmon I cooked for dinner as well.

I saw a documentary about Dalai Lama meeting at his home with a group physicists, chemists, economicists, teachers, activists, social workers, etc. from all over the world with many different backgrounds. They were meeting about changing the world and resolving many of the world's problems. The documentary was very well done and narrated by Harrison Ford. It really makes you think about what they are discussing. However, it seemed like most of the problems they were dealing with were related to how they interacted with each other. It was humerous and it seemed like when they left the didn't resolve any of the world's problems but learned how to interact with each other and realized how they can make a difference as individuals using what they learned at retreat. One of the quotes is that "everybody thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing themselves". There is more information and trailers at www.dalailamafilm.com.

I saw a documentary this weekend about sharks. It's has been getting very good reviews and has already won quite a few awards and is being compared to March of the Penguins. I was able to meet and speak with Rob Stewart who wrote, directed and produced the film and some of the people who started Greenpeace and they asked us to get the word out. It's about sharks and how people perceive them and how they are being depleted because of the demand for fins. It mentions the use of long lines which are lines covered in hooks that stretch as far as 60 miles which were being used in Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. The governments there are allowing this due to threats from local fishermen. There's is more information and trailers at www.sharkwater.com. The soundtrack from Sharkwater is very good as well. It's coming here in September.

There was a very good lecture that I went to with David Breshears who filmed IMAX Everest in 1996 when they had a storm that killed people including Scott Fischer and Rob Hall. Charlotte Fox who was on expedition and Makulu were there as well. He talked about a new documentary that he has done called Remenants of Everest and then we had a Q and A. I didn't ask any questions but was able to meet with them afterwards. I thought all of them were very personable. The lecture was held at the lobby of hotel 8:00am - 9:30 am and they served us breakfast. They were only a few people there and though most of us had to sit on floor considing we were able to meet with them and get free coffee we didn't complained because it didn't matter.

I have been volunteering for a few days over at the office for Mountain Film. When you volunteer approximately 15-20 hours you get a free four day pass. I think a pass would otherwise cost somewhere between $150 and $300 depending on what type of pass you buy. I'm really looking forward to going. I think it's 5/25-5/28. They're quite a few good speakers this year including someone who has crossed both the Artic and Antartica by skis and has flown across Africa. I will write more later and discuss the films and lectures I went to and include some pictures. If you would like to get more information go to www.mountainfilm.org. It's very well done and I think you will like it.

I don't know what's going on and have been thinking about it off and on and not sure how to handle it. What do you do when someone you know doesn't seem to want to talk anymore and makes excuses not to hang out? I have known the individual for a couple of years and we have been hanging out a couple days a week for months. I don't really need to spend that much time together and more often than not let him decide when he wanted to get together.

I'm making more out of this than I should. I should just call and ask him if he's okay and mention being concerned and if there is anything wrong. I know he will be moving in a few weeks and could be busy packing and getting ready to move. It seemed like he was like this last year about the same time when he was preparing to leave. However, I think he has been spending time with other people he knows here.

I know I'm over analyzing and being insecure :(. I dislike being that way. I have made a couple of efforts to get together and don't want to try anymore. I dislike conflict and try to avoid it even when I know I shouldn't.

I want to find something positive or even humerous about the situation and see it as a learning experience. I think I have learned to be grateful for the people who become part of my life and the valuable lessons I have learned from them. However, these people will come and go and I need to be more accepting of that and be willing to let go and move on. It makes so much sense. I think God takes care of us and knows what we need which is not always what we want.

It seems like I have been very busy and have been spending time with other friends as well as meeting people I don't know. I think right now I'm going to trust him and think of all the things he has done for me in the past but not make any more efforts and leave it up to him to contact me if he wants to. I want to be accountable and responsible for anything I might have done as well. I think for right now I will stay involved with other friends and activities and be patient and trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to and leave it at that.

When washing the dishes in dishwasher and you are out of detergent don't ever try using the soap next to sink. There was water and bubbles all over the kitchen floor. It took me over an hour to get everything cleaned up and back to the way it's supposed to be. However, we do have a very clean kitchen floor now that won't need to be cleaned this weekend :). One less thing that needs to be done.

When I went skiing this weekend the weather was very bad. It was snowing and raining and you could hear thunder and even see the lightening through the fog. When I took the pictures I was on Lift 9 when it stopped moving for 10-15 minutes and when I was able to get off I heard that it was struck by lightening and was running on the back up generator. I think everyone who was on the lift assumed it was a tree that was struck. When we heard what happened we decided to go back to house and cook dinner because we were hungry. It didn't have anything to do with the weather :). When we skiing the next day you can tell from the pictures that the weather didn't improve that much.

I have been volunteering with EMS on my days off and when I was at Station 1 Fire Department we received a page from the emergency room in Telluride requesting a transport for patient to hospital in Montrose. The transport from Telluride to Montrose took approximately and hour and a half. The patient was stable and the paramedic was knowledgable and and went out of his way to explain what he was doing and answer any questions. I monitored patient's vitals and recorded information on PCR and assisted with IV and moving patient. It was good learning experience. When we left Montrose and were driving back we were told they were two more patients waiting to be transported. We took 5-10 minutes to fill oxygen canister and fuel vehicle and replace what we used and then went to TMC. The patients we picked up were stable and I monitored and recorded the vitals and the EMT B I was with had me write the PCR. When we were driving back I was so tired I stretched out in back of ambulance and went to sleep. We got back to town in the evening and replaced everything we used and fueled and washed vehicle.

I didn't think I was going to be doing anything this evening but Mark called and asked if I wanted to go over to Jim and Sarah's for dinner. The evening went very well with good conversation and white wine and a salad and roasted hen for dinner and salmon as an appetizer. There were a few other people there as well and one of the couples brought there six year old daughter. I have heard that even though she is only six years old she is a very good cribbage player and is 5 and 0 right now. She asked me to play cribbage with her while we were waiting for dinner. She beat me both times we played. I can't believe it! It wasn't even close. I even said "look a bear" to make her turn around and I moved my peg closer to hers. I thought I got away with it. However, Mark asked her if I was cheating and I was like "I would never cheat" and acted like my feelings were hurt and she scowled and commented that I was cheating and then laughed at me and we kept playing. What makes it worse is that everyone knows and have been leaving messages on cell reminding me that I'm 0-2. I keep telling everyone that I let her beat me. Not that they accept that excuse.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope all of you are doing well. I didn't have to work so I went and had breakfast at The San Sophia which is an old Victorian bed and breakfast downtown. It was very good! They had eggs with an artichoke sauce, apple wood smoked bacon and sausage, potato pancakes with a horseradish and chive sauce, oatmeal,granola, fresh fruit and bread, gingerbread, coffee, grapefruit juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice. I went skiing afterwards and met up with some friends. When I got back I had a salad with apples, walnuts and cornish game hen for dinner with some sparking apple cider. I listened to christmas carols on NPR and spoke with my family for about an hour. I watched The Nutcracker and then went to evening mass at St. Patricks. I don't think the day could have been any better!

It was very good visiting with family and friends when I went home. However, it's good to be back. The airport at Denver was very crowded and the flights were overbooked. They were asking for people to give up seats and take a later flight in exchange for a free flight. I considered taking them up on it but decided against it. I was very tired and just wanted to get back. It turns there were no other flights leaving that day and I heard bad weather was moving in. I was good thing that I decided against it. The bad weather I heard about closed the airport for a few days and people were stuck there. It took even longer for them catch flights afterwards. I took a few pictures while I was there and will put them later.

Antartica!!! Click here to read about some people I know who are working the next few months in Antartica. It's very well written has quite a few photographs.

Rainbow Trout by Mark Storm

When Mark was on a fly fishing trip he sent me a picture of a trout he caught and mentioned he might be coming to visit next month :).

It snowed approximately 15-18" Wednesday and Thursday. I don't think it has ever snowed this much so soon or at least not when I have been here. I'm looking forward to skiing. I didn't get to go as much as I would have liked last year because of fracture. However, I knew that would most likely happen considering that I bought new skis, bindings and boots :). I'm looking right now at Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, etc. for some Gore Tex pants. I'm considering getting some down pants called the Chugach by Mountain Hardear and layering them with Gore Tex. I spoke with a friend and he mentioned that he is moving back in a few months which means we might get to do some ice climbing. It was good catching up and hearing what he has been up to. Not too much else is going on. We are having a workshop next month on avalanches and forecasting which I'm considering attending.

Dr. Peter Hackett lectured during class this evening. He is a physician in the emergency room at medical clinic and will most likely be the peron we speak to when responding to calls on ambulance and need direction. I think he is the person we meet with regarding quality improvement as well. The lecture was about problems related to exposure to cold weather. However, it is his research on AMS, HAPE and HACE that he is known for. He had a research and medical site at 14,000 feet on Denali and Everest for numerous years. There are a number of good books that he has written about his experience there. I think right now he's doing research on how some natural herbs might help prevent AMS. It will interesting to see how that turns out.

The EMT course I'm taking met Wednesday evening at the fire department in downtown Telluride. It's close to the Cornerhouse Grill where I went to lunch with a few of the people from class. There are 15 students in the class and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. The class has a couple of fire fighters and ski patrollers. The instructors are all paramedics here and a few of them even brought there dogs to class. They mentioned that after we complete the course and start volunteering they we will get trained in doing IVs as well. They also mentioned that after a year of volunteering on the ambulance they will give us back a check for the cost of the course.

When I get off of work in the evenings I have been going to town to go running in an area known as Bear Creek. It's very beautiful and is surrounded by 14,000 peaks and has trees and meadows and even a few waterfalls. When I'm running I can hear the stream running next to trail. It's seems like quite a few people go there and it's a good place to meet and catch up. I don't know how much much progress I'm making though with so many distractions. The following page has a few pictures that I took when I was there this weekend.

When I got off work this evening around 5:00 pm I went to town to a lecture and slideshow that was interesting. A group of medical students and physicians are riding from San Francisco to Washington DC. They are giving all the proceeds to a organization that provides health care to people living in developing third world areas and making other more aware of how poverty effects them. I thought I knew something about this. However, I didn't realize that aprroximately 50% of the world's population is living on less than a dollar a day. Many of the diseases that kill people there are things that have been wiped out in other areas of the world. It made me realize how much we have to be grateful for and how we need to keep things in perspective and help others. If you would like to get involved or are interested in learning more click here

When I was driving and making my way up the pass to Telluride in the evening around 8:00 pm and saw the mountains that make up the San Juans I realized how good it was to be back home. It’s the first place to me that has felt like that to me that wasn’t the place where I grew up with my parents and sisters and brother. When I saw the different mountains that make up the San Juans that surround the town where I live it was like seeing people you care about and haven’t seen in quite awhile. It was a overwhelming sense of gratefulness and even tenderness. It’s difficult to explain considering I have only been away for a week and a half. It's good to be back.

Logpile

I went to see orthopedic surgeon and he mentioned that he was concerned about something he saw on x ray so later that week he had an me come in for an MRI. It was interesting having it done and afterwards I met with surgeon. It turns out that the lateral side of tibia on condoyle below knee is fractured. The x ray that he was concerned about made it look like part of the bone was not there. However, it turns out that I have a massive bone contusion which caused the x ray to not have a very good reading. I don't need a cast but I will have to stay off of it for another 6-8 weeks :(. It could have been worse. I was able to keep a copy of it on a cd and can veiw on my computer. It has over 150 views of both the bones and muscles and tissues that make up my knee from different angles. I'm relieved that most of it will be covered through my health insurance from work.

When I was skiing I met someone I know from ski patrol and he took me to a more difficult area where I could improve technique. It was late afternoon when I fell and because I was going slow my bindings didn’t release and my skis didn’t come off. I felt a sharp pain below my left knee on the lateral side. I waited for a few minutes and he asked me if I was okay. I managed to get up and it felt okay and I could stand on it. I didn’t really think much of it. The next day when I woke up and got ready for work it was painful and became swollen. It continued to get worse as the day progressed so I went to the emergency room that evening. I wasn’t able to stand on it and was having trouble moving around. The physician that I saw took some notes and moved it in different positions which didn’t really bother me and then had it x rayed. It wasn’t until after I changed and had the x ray that we noticed how swollen it was. It was three or four times it’s normal size. The x ray didn’t show any fractures so they wrapped it and gave me a hinged brace that goes from my ankle to thigh to provide support and keep me from moving it too much. I have to meet with an orthopedic surgeon next week and have it evaluated.

Bushwacker

Galloping Goose