Mont-Comi is NOT Brookvale

I feel like I'm out of the honeymoon phase of my Rimouski experience. I still love Rimouski, my job, the people, and everything! But I've noticed myself really settling into a nice little rut - not what I want. So I was very glad today when I rolled out of bed, half considered not going on our little day trip and was nudged by Emily to come.

We went to Mont-Comi! And let me tell you, it is definitely NOT Brookvale. My legs are currently still aching from the whole thing. I'm still amazed that I didn't die. I went down a lot of the "facile" runs the whole time which is not like the "easy" runs at Brookvale. Seriously, if PEI grew mountains then today could have been much less terrifying.

Now, if you know me, you know that I'm generally not the kind of person to give up. After that first run though, I was very very close to just calling it quits and reading in the chalet instead. We went up on the lift and went down our first run. I quickly realized that I am lacking in skiing skills.

Give me skates and an ice rink any day!

I've only skied three times I believe in my whole life and was going this time with friends who snowboarded, or were fairly good skiers. So once we started today I told them to go on ahead and I'd make it to the bottom eventually. I really got scared at one point, suddenly I realized how far the bottom was from where I was. I realized how big this mountain was. I realized that it was very easy to lose control. But I talked myself through it the whole way down... Yes, I probably sounded like a crazy Anglophone ("Keep going. Okay. Okay. Slow down. Uncross your skis. Almost there. Don't. Lose. Control.") It is what I had to do in order to make it to the bottom in one piece, and it worked thankfully!

Speaking of being a crazy Anglophone. I was riding the lift with a man at one point and suddenly he started chatting away to me in French. I smiled, nodded, and laughed. I wasn't overly keen on having a French conversation while there were acrobatics performing cartwheels in my stomach! After a long awkward pause where I think I was supposed to reply to a statement instead of smile and nod, he finally said "You don't speak French, do you?" I had to laugh then because I realized that I had no idea what I was nodding and smiling to when he was talking. "Seulement un peu." Needless to say, it ended up being a much less awkward trip to the top when he switched to English for my sake. 

--Him: "So, which hill are you going to do?" 

   Me: hahaha *smile* *nod* ---

Anyway, not only was the day a lot of fun, but I was also quite proud of myself by the end of it. I think I did six or seven runs in total. And the last few times I only stopped for a break halfway down instead of falling over frequently to "give my legs a break". Yay for fall-free-runs!!

The only damage done is the pain my thighs, shins, and calves are in right now (and a bruise on my hip). But, know what the important thing is?

I did it and I'm alive!!

350 days

This is that time of year where people just don't know what to think because the holidays are over. There are 350 days until Christmas 2012, but this is also the beginning of a New Year!

Last year I told myself I would try do a few things in 2011 such as take more risks, write more, read more for pleasure, and to grow as a person. The first two I did successfully I like to think. The third was difficult as I was in school doing an English degree and had to read 19 books in one semester. The third thing is pretty pathetic though when I think about it; not that growing as a person is not a good thing - it is - but because that was a wimpy resolution. There is no chance to be disappointed with this challenge. I knew that I'd grow as a person, I knew that I would discover different things about myself, and I knew that I would change in some way. It's inevitable.

2012 will be different though. I have four goals that I think, hope, and pray are possible!

1. I want to read at least two books a month which, at this rate, should not be difficult.

2. I want to start cooking and baking more, rather than making the classic Becca meals: pasta, toast, sandwiches, and smoothies. Tonight I started this challenge and bought for specific recipes in the upcoming week's meals. Tonight I made Ginger Lemon Chicken Stir Fry. It was delicious, if I do say so myself.

3. I want to "do mornings right". I want to change my morning routine. I want it to consist of three things: Jesus-time, a good breakfast (not peanut butter on toast every single morning), and no messy buns (except maybe on Saturdays). This all means I need to Get. Up. Earlier. Which in turn means DISCIPLINE.

And the most important:

4. I want to think and do things more prayerfully. This is a biggie for me. As someone who loves God with every part of me, I want to make sure that he is a part of every part of my day. Not just before bed when I do my devotions. Not just when I think to pray. I want my days to be full of HIM!

What are your goals for the upcoming year? Are they doable? Are they meaningful? I hope they are both of these and best of luck to you on them.