Bitting my tongue

The season has officially started and it has been completely crazy. The schedule is grueling and the workload is heavy but the life is great. The deskrat I have been is no longer as I'm learning to appreciate routine and menial tasks. To my surprise, the transition is not so hard. I find I am getting used to the mindless tasks in front of me and doing them with a positive anticipation. I am also enjoying the increased physical demands of walking, running, pushing, hauling and so on that come with the job. I am happy with the exercise I get through work and with the opportunities to top it off with heli-skiing, cross-country skiing, stationary bike and more. This place has got everything you need to get in shape although the constant provision of protein-rich food makes it hard to improve on your shape...

Shane has also been working hard, particularly on fixing some issues with the hydro project which generates the electricity for the whole building. I don't really understand everything when he tries to explain, but I hear that everything is working well now.

I went heli-skiing with guests yesterday for the first time since our training week. It did not turn out as good as I was hoping at all... I am classed as a 'K2' or intermediate and I was put with a really strong group of guests that have done this for a long time. I only did one run (although from the heli pickup to my return at the lodge, it was about 2 hours) and was drained... and a little embarassed. A nice British gentleman stayed behind with me to help me through the run but it is the toughest I have ever skiied. For one, the snow was powder up to my knee and I'm not used to it, which makes for very difficult skiing especially when recovering from a knee injury, and two, the skis I was on were shorter than before and a little too short for me to float well. All in all, I found it really hard... Anyways, it can only get better from now.

This week is Christmas and it will be Shane and me's first Christmas together. It should be great. There is no environment that would be more idyllic for a white Christmas than the lodge. With all the snow around, the quietness, the remoteness, the family atmosphere (~some guests and staff have their kids here this week) and a big, freshly cut tree in the main living area, it definitely is starting to feel like the Holidays.

Well, I have to go. I have some phone calls to make before getting ready for dinner set-up.

Have a wonderful Christmas. All my love.