When the training wheels come off and the hand holding (literally) ends...

Dear Family & Friends,

Flashback Heart Attack, Downstairs, Nov. 12 2010

It has been almost a month since my last (first!) post… I have now been a resident of Park City for two months! I must apologize for the infrequency of these updates, but I have been extremely busy in the best possible way. Anyhow, as I began to type this entry, I did a double take at the date on the calendar icon at the bottom of my screen. I have known all day that today’s date is November 25^th – the fourth Thursday of the month, Thanksgiving day (more importantly), one day before Casey and Catherine come to visit, and six days before I touch down in Los Angeles… I just wasn’t aware of the date itself. It is strange to consider that I am already two full months into this year(ish)-long adventure.

But when I reconsider all that has happened since I last wrote, I suppose I really cannot be surprised that a month has passed. It would be an understatement to say that things have undergone some change recently -- I went from being an Admin Assistant in Training to The Admin Assistant; from being a girl in a relationship to the girl just out of one; and, to mention a force bigger than any of my own transitions, Fall is steadily chugging on to Winter.

I am, however, still adapting well. I miss my family dearly, but as I mentioned before I have been given permission to take a few days to regroup at home before the resort opens and ski season commences (read: Armageddon). All jokes aside, I am really very lucky to have the opportunity to go home for a mini-vacation (seemingly a rarity in the hospitality industry. Ironic, eh?). I can’t wait to be in awe of my nephew’s every move, to laze (yes, a fantastic verb) with my siblings, and to drive familiar highways in my old car. This is not to say I don’t enjoy work, though. I love work. I LOOOOVE work. That sounds weird to say, but when my alarm goes off in the morning I am far from unhappy about having to show up at the ol' office (aside from getting out of the warm covers into subzero temperatures). I look forward to following up on pending tasks, catching up with my coworkers, and learning all manner of things about property management and client interaction. I am getting more confident in the answers I give and even a little more comfortable exercising my role in the office.

Just another day at the office...shoveling decks, Nov. 23. 2010

If only things in my personal life were headed in the same settling direction… I am hesitant to say too much about my recent breakup, but I will say for no one to worry (hard as that may be since you all know how hypersensitive I am). I am OK. While I would have wished for a different outcome, I also accept the shortcomings that came with the decision to move hundreds of miles away. More than anything, I am thankful for where we’ve been, and optimistic about maintaining a friendship in the future. And of course, it never hurts to recite the mantra “Everything happens for a reason” a few dozen times a day...

Even though the temperatures in the last 72 hours have been the coldest I have ever experienced in my life, I LOVE the snow. I have several moments a day when I just smile to myself in awe of how beautiful this winter wonderland is. Sure, building fires with frozen fingers is difficult, driving on ice is terrifying, and the wind chill on bare skin is painful. But it is damn beautiful here, and I feel like a child in the snow with the way I play (and awkwardly slide around) in it. Polly and I often find ourselves in fits of laughter simply at the previously unimaginable situation we happen to be in at the time. And neighborly kindness could not come as any more of a relief than that felt from the assistance one gets with those vexing winter tasks. It’s enough to warm any cold heart. Seriously.

Nov. 20, 2010

Nov. 20, 2010

All in all, life is good. After all, these challenges are what drew me to Utah, right?

With love,

Jan

Quitters Never Prosper

Dear Family & Friends,

Today marks one month and four days that I have been in Park City. After taking note of the date and getting a lot of grief from others to actually post on the blog I set up my first week here, it was evident that I am long past due to stop making excuses and fill you in on my life as I have long intended.

Before I do that though, I have to thank and give credit to an old friend who unknowingly inspired this project when he offered the following words in correspondence about the elusive nature of growing up: “You have a great way with words, so if that is a path you are not considering, you may want to. If you love it of course. That is what is important. At least in my book – what’s money compared to desire right?” I have always loved to write, and short of having the balls (or, evidently, the poetic license) to readily pursue a career in writing, I figured this could fuel my interest for the time being. (In the few months since graduation, I have really grown to miss writing term papers. Sick, I know.)

Main Street, Oct. 16, 2010

The last month here has been much of a whirlwind. It has, after all, been four years since my first big move and I had forgotten just how much the boat is rocked when you switch environments. When you’re in foreign surroundings every task is a little more daunting, every roadblock a little more tragic. On the other hand, it also makes you much more cognizant of the positive things. I am so grateful to be meeting wonderful people and to be genuinely enjoying my time at work and in the new home Polly and I have pieced together. Any instance that I find myself knowing what direction I’m headed or an answer to a question at work, the relief is almost euphoric (comforting, in the least). Sometimes the things people say in everyday conversation sound outright alien – You're telling me I should pour salt on my snowy walkway? Purchase car lock de-icer, scrapers, and studded snow tires? … DRIVE TO WYOMING TO BUY A KEG??? (Not that I have ever had reason to purchase my own keg... but damned if I did.)

In short, the intensity of anything and everything is exponential when you’re “new” (take a fun moment to think back to your first days of college or work and breathe a sigh of relief you've moved beyond that uneasy point). Anyhow, I do have this heightened sense of alertness to thank for waking me out of my post-graduate lull. Back in August, I found myself in my first full-throttle thunderstorm while driving through Nebraska with Polly. Although I had been in a car for close to 10 hours, I felt this incredible alertness and energy-all from the novelty of experiencing something completely unfamiliar. I knew then that I had to feel the same simple exhiliration again sooner rather than later.

Guardsman's Pass, Oct. 16, 2010

I am enjoying learning about this town and seeing how I can somehow fit into the picture. At times I am homesick and ready to pack my bags for sunny Southern California, but at the end of the day I am happy to lay my head down in my mountain bedroom. It is a challenge I am taking well to for now.

It is going to be a stressful, joyful, confusing, eventful … remarkable growing year. Thank you in advance for being along for the ride. I could never have made this move without the knowledge that all of you are behind me.

I will keep you guys posted. Here are a couple "firsts" I've encountered so far:

My first hike in Utah (picture is a link to the album slideshow)

I titled this post "Quitters Never Prosper" because there were more than a few times I tried to get my friends to leave me behind on the trail. I just could not handle the ascent coupled with the high altitude... after a night of drinking. But I'm really glad they didn't-my pictures cannot do the 360 views of endless mountain tops justice.

My first time paintballing-Empire Pass team building activity

As was the case with my first hike, I soon learned that paintball is much more fun if you don't hang back and just move forward with no regard to pain.

All my love,

Jan 

Greetings!

Dear Family & Friends,

I hope this message finds everyone well. This began as a short letter to drop a line and let you all know how I am doing in Park City… then I remembered my tendency to ramble. Rather than bombard your inboxes with updates, I thought it might be better to follow suit with many of my friends who have started their own blog. This way you can check in as you please and you (maybe) won’t have to suffer through repeat stories. I promise to be better with my communication than I have been in the past (really), but I hope this can serve as a supplement until I progress to making phone calls and such a regular habit. 

 

Missing you all,

Jan