Ski Weekend

Last weekend, we enjoyed a visit from our Bostonian friends, Charlie and Sarah. On tap was some downhill skiing, after a fresh snowstorm covered the icy, old snow. The weather was great - sunny and near freezing. The only thing lacking was skill and experience, as none of us had skied more that a few times. That did not decrease our enthusiasm as we took on the bunny hill. I was first to make a run, and everyone was able to get into the flow pretty quickly. We found the most difficult part of the day was getting around on flat land and walking in the ski boots (I still have bruised shins). We enjoyed a festive atmosphere at the Dartmouth Skiway, with a ski race on one slope and chicken barbecuing near the bunny hill. We graduated from the small beginner's hill to a "green" run from the top of one of the main lifts. I liked the long lift ride, but Brian was worried about his somewhat checkered history of rough dismounts from the ski lifts during his only other ski experience in Utah 12 years ago. Luckily, he managed to always exit without pain, though still some embarassment. Our first runs were fast and fun (or terrifying, as Brian would put it), with everyone having a fall and loss of control. We gained skill and control as the runs became icy and more difficult. We came home to a nice evening of playing Risk, which took us back to the time when world domination sounded like fun.

While Brian has been hard at work reading applications and creating a newsletter (and avoiding the job cuts at Dartmouth), I have had several job issues. I have had some varying schedules at my current jobs, while exploring a surge of new possibilities in nursing. I have been offered a good RN job in a family clinic. I have been meeting more pediatricians in the area, and finally getting to follow up on some PNP possibilities. I will likely return to nursing work in the near future, but am looking forward to time in MN next week with friends and family.

Winter

It has been awhile since the last post, and we are pleased to be past the halfway point (we hope) of winter. Brian had the pin tip removed from his toe in early January and we now have it in a jar to show off to visitors.

I have been busy with three jobs. I have been teaching gymnastics to kids ages 18 months to 6 years. I pass them off to other instructors as they surpass my old skills! It can be quite challenging, but some weeks have special things happen, like a child getting over a fear of heights. I nanny an 18 month old boy three afternoons a week. He has severe non-acidic reflux and frequent aspirations, so he has a nasal feeding tube and thickened diet. The other two afternoons, I nanny for two children, ages 6 and 12. They are deaf with cochlear implants (they choose to only wear one). I get my fill of war video games and drawing ponies.

We have met more friends for meals, cross-country skiing, and a hockey game at Dartmouth. We have been to a handful Dartmouth men's and women's basketball games, where the average number in the stands is just a bit less than we were used to at Vanderbilt. Brian has been busy working from home on reading applications, but he did attend a quick conference in NYC and sat on an admission panel in West Palm Beach last month.
We have been on an exercise kick for a few months, and I have never felt stronger.

A highlight earlier this month was seeing the Dartmouth Glee Club present the Pirates of Penzance. It was a hoot! We enjoyed some warmer weather last week, which unfotunately melted the snow sculpture for Dartmouth's Winter Carnival (though we still have PLENTY of snow). The carnival concluded with the "Occom Pond Party" today (pictured above), and Brian got to try outdoor ice skating for the first time. Things went well until he sat to fix his skates and I tried to help him up. Instead, my jaw colided with his head! It is hard to eat and I have a giant bump on my chin, but Brian's hard head is fine.
We are looking forward to visits from our friends Charlie and Sarah from Boston this weekend, and Brian's dad next week. We would be happy to host anyone!