日曜日, 1月 29, 2006
2006.01.28 Karuizawa Snowboarding
Temperature was 0-1 degree as shown in the thermometer but the sun was shining and the courses were basically thick ice covered with sprinkles of snow flakes that's why you can imagine how painful it is for crashes and falls.
I was practicing the back brake and the 'S' move instead of the basic zigzags and thus I suffered from numerous front falls with my knees taking the most blow. The ice was not so friendly and at the end of the morning, I almost couldn't stand up after every fall. So, after lunch I headed for the sports shop to buy myself knee caps, otherwise, today's snowboarding would be over for me.
For every fall I would ask myself the reason why I'm doing this? Eventually, I let go and decided to just have fun and not push it. Snowboarding is supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be a de-stresser.
Jeff & I were getting brave and we both agreed to go to the summit and from there descend. I found out that the summit was really freezing cold and the wind was just too strong. But I stunned myself by reaching the 1,155 meters length taking on both the beginner and yes! the intermediate routes. We've covered around 90% of all of Karuizawa's routes. I'm really getting good at this, huh?!
This weekend I learned how to relax my knees more and started trusting my balance. I've slowly learned to do the 'S' curve, a little bit of back braking and I learned that when I get off the lift I should take time, establish my bearing first and then let go. But the greatest learning should be 'NO PAIN, NO GAIN'.
I think I'll spend the next weekend back in Naeba where I can go cross-mountain. There are 4 mountains to counquer there and the snow surface is definitely friendlier.
Tidbits
Jeff said Chary is here for a month. But she's not going online and we don't know her phone number. I hope to see her before I fly to San Francisco in February.
Kozue would be resigning in April to pursue her master's. Sad to say goodbye to dear friends.
My PMP certificate and pin finally arrived and I'll be celebrating this achievement this week with people I'm thankful for in the office. Tera's idea is a barbecue party. I don't have time to fix my house and too tired to cook, so we'll just go somewhere to pig out and get drank.
Still no time for housekeeping. My laundry job doesn't seem to end. It's a mystery why.
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Thanks for visiting!