Tahoe 2009

First of all, CA's sister and husband came on Valentine's Day weekend. We actually had a fabulous time, including ribs from Twin Anchor (which I feel like I've linked to before) and chicken fingers at Stella's. We also spent time simply relaxing in the place, which is still a strange and new feeling. I feel as though I've gotten used to apartments much quicker than I've gotten used to this place (since I am still not completely used to it). I don't know if it's the realization that I'm going to be there until WE choose to move, not when a lease is up, or I want to be closer to work or something... it's more a choice than it's ever been, much more permanent as well. We used our spankin' new tv to watch Wall-E which I greatly enjoyed, but did not like as much as Ratituille (spelling is terrible... my apologies.) Either way, we then spent some time on Sunday with my relatives to celebrate the twins' first birthday. We had a fabulous time; it's strange how quickly (and how not quickly) children grow.

On Monday morning, we left for Lake Tahoe. We went in 08, but this year, we skiied more, skiied better and had a more incredible time (except for the hotel--we stayed at Mont Bleu last year which was pretty much the nicest hotel I'd ever stayed in and this year we stayed at Harrah's which is billed as a nicer place [but it's not true]). Our first night there, we didn't ski but simply enjoyed the Lake, the gambling and the food.

We skiied at Sierra the first two days; I especially enjoyed Sierra because it had long winding green trails that I could do easily and enjoyably. The food was also inexpensive and I thought the atmosphere was relatively chill. It also snowed the first two days so the "powder" was absolutely amazing. I had so much control over my skiis and I was able to stop relatively quickly. However, I should have taken a lesson; I was getting easily frustrated and although CA's tutelage was effortful, if you're not a teacher of something, you just sort of "do" it. He had a difficult time explaining some things to me and by the end of the second day, my feet were tingling as if they were asleep. I figured that I had to be doing something wrong (as well as was panicking about having a lot of work to do over break) so I decided to not ski the third day so he could have some fun on some of the harder hills, the double blacks if you will. (:

The next day, CA skiied at Kirkwood, which he called the best skiing he'd ever done. As soon as I got there, I was incredibly frustrated that I hadn't skiied because it looked amazing. It was also even more laid back than Sierra, with a "local" type bar for apres-skiing and really inexpensive/totally delicious food. I did get all the history tests graded and even more done so it was good that I did not ski, but CA said that he had the time of his life that day. The slopes were apparently just difficult enough to be an enjoyable challenge without being simply a relief that you got down them.

On the last day, we went to Squaw Valley where the 1960 Olympics were held. Although I got some tips from an instructor on the lift that day and, literally in ten minutes, became a better skiier (apparently, it's all about keeping your weight forward to have tighter turns), Squaw was neither of our favorite places. It was decidedly the showiest and MOST crowded of anywhere that we went and it cost us 45 bucks for two cheeseburgers, two fries and a couple of drinks (I wish I was joking, but sadly, I am not.) However, between the two of us, we had a great time because I became a better skiier. I wasn't obsessed with simply getting down, I was pumped to get down and was excited about the way down. We ended up having the best time simply because I wasn't cold, my feet didn't hurt and I was excited about the process.

After skiing, we quickly changed clothes, discovered that CA had sincere and severe goggle face, and got on a paddleboat cruise around the Lake. We weren't sure what to expect, but CA is fairly obsessed with the fact that Tahoe has a lake (which is relatively a rare view for skiiers apparently) and I had never really gotten to get a full mountain view, so we thought we'd check it out. We had done a full-day package that included breakfast, lift tickets, the cruise and the shuttle to and from Squaw, so we had already been informed about the various areas of Tahoe earlier in the day. The highlight had been being able to get to see the place where Fredo got shot in the Godfather II.

The cruise itself was gorgeous, since it was absolutely lovely weather below (and on) the mountains. On the deck, it was around 50 degrees until the sun went down. We hung out on the deck during the sunset, drank a drink called an Avalanche which is decidedly delicious but completely horrible for you and met another couple as we kept trading cameras for pictures. The scenery was beautiful and although CA's face hurt for most of the night, I spent a ton of time going outside to chronicle the sunset. It was amazing to watch the mountains change from the beginning to the absolutely last tiny bits of sunshine. It's also fantastic that the days are getting longer bit by tiny bit. We felt like even though Squaw hadn't been our favorite on the skiing side, we were excited about how much better I got and how much fun the paddle boats had been.

(view from the shuttle)

The next morning, we took the shuttle back to Reno and went home. Overall, the trip was fantasitc; we both so desperately needed a break and athough things are going to be a whirlwind lately from not only the report cards and the conferences but the rush to the end of the year, it was good that we went. Despite myself, I really am beginning to enjoy nature; now if I could only enjoy report card writing!

Suicides.

The young ones are killing themselves these days
it seems, like it is a new drink to order
at a hipster bar on a Friday night as we slouch

decked in tight jeans and flannel. Is it a statement

these droves of suddenly snuffed youth? Or a wash,
white noise we don't even notice
because the drip drip drip of another
just doesn't echo quite so loudly?

The young ones are killing themselves these days
it seems, and I'm not sure if it's quitting
or winning that their act signifies. We can be angry

at their selfishness, their sacrifice. We can question
why they didn't extend arms
or act less brashly. From plummeting off buildings
to pulling triggers. It is momentary.

The young ones are killing themselves these days.
Two in two months, I know on tangent
and brief interaction. One, without focus
or fight, one with designs and drive
and too many eyes for too little years.

I can still begin my days quite the same
from shutting alarms to shuffling quietly
to leaky faucets. My tangets are still
safely far and securely distant.

Soon I will not be the young ones and my eyes
will need more in order to see. The young ones
are disintegrating these days, from age
or lack of it.

First From February

So, last night S and myself and DP went to see Ludo, a band that she turned me onto while I was in Boston. Their rock opera, Broken Bride, was something I listened to over and over while I was studying in Beantown. This summer, their album "You're Awful, I Love You" came out and had such gems as "Lake Ponchatrain," "Love Me Dead" and "Japan It." The concert was full of seventeen year olds and us, which was alright by me. We had awesome stands (I can't really say seats) at The Metro and really enjoyed ourselves. The best part was that I wasn't home any later than I usually would be.

This has been an extraordinarly long week at work, and it's not even over yet. I have to make a phone call tomorrow and because I can't check my work voicemail, I'm dreading what it's about. I also have had several parent meetings and several student breakdowns. Most importantly, we had two cool-neat things this week, though. First up, an author/biographer, Candace Fleming, came to talk to the kiddos. She was awesome, mainly because she really talked to them about the importance of revising and drafting; right now, so many students are at a stage where they don't think their work needs any improvement. So, her showing them how many times her editor suggested that she revise, I think, was excellent for them.

We're also doing major curriculum mapping at the school, which is to some people's chagrin but to my excitement. It's wonderful to watch my plans get laid out and really helps me develop a better plan. I'm on the leadership team for writing, which is really important and exciting to me. Overall, KB and I did some important beginning work today, which was fascinating. I think it's exhillerating to think about how to teach writing; I guess that means I am in the correct profession.

Overall, though, I cannot wait for the week to be over...one more week and then C and I are heading to Tahoe. His sister comes on Wednesday but after that, we're free to (finally) relax together! It's been freezing here, but hopefully it'll warm up (it's supposed to be 50 on Saturday which is pretty much unhead of!) Mainly, I just want to be able to see C; this business at work has really torn me down. I just miss...well, that's for another time. Either way, my job's been busy but his has been hell. It'll all be over soon, though!

Scattered.

1. I want to run away to paris. This is not a good choice, but I have vaguely reached the point where I don't think he or I care that it's not a good choice. It's not going to happen, but I wish it was.

2. I am also reaching the point where I just want to throw away everything that is still in bags because it means that we're not using it and it just exists. So, I just want to pitch it. Poor idea.

3. Thank god for S + P. It looks like Salt and Pepper but that's not what I mean at all.

4. At least he hasn't had to go into the office this weekend, which has meant that he actually was able to do a few things around here (never mind set up which still hasn't happened...) but, at least we're getting closer. As soon as the boxes go away, we'll be in MUCH better shape...