In Austria (2007)
Okay, today’s questions are just random ones I couldn’t otherwise categorize, so enjoy!
Shannon asked:
It seems like you traveled and moved a few times. Where are all the places you have you been and lived? Do you speak different languages?
I’ve traveled a lot. True story. I’ve traveled a lot in the states so I don’t think I’ll even bother telling you where I’ve been because the list would be ridiculous and only exclude a few states. (But I have been to Puerto Rico, hehe.) Internationally I’ve traveled throughout Austria, Italy and Honduras, and to Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, France, England, Belgium, and Mexico. I’m hoping next year to get to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Woohoo! Because of these travels I speak a little bit of Spanish and even less German.
As far as places I’ve lived, most of my life has been spent in various places in Tennesee: Franklin, Tn; Grantham, NH; Millington, TN; Memphis, TN; Jackson, TN; Salzburg, Austria; Cordova, TN and Ludlow, VT.
What is the coolest thing you have learned from blogging?
What is the coolest freebie you ever got from blogging?
Coolest thing I’ve learned from blogging is that there are people out there who are going through the same thing I am. It’s strange, but when you don’t have anyone near you going through similar things you feel very lonely and odd. You feel like you are the only one in the world with certain problems and you feel bad about yourself because you have those problems. Thanks to blogging and just the general power of the internet I’ve realized that isn’t true and there is a whole lot of people out there who have similar issues and and doing similar things. It’s nice to have the support.
Coolest freebie? I don’t know. I’ve gotten a lot of cool things from blogging but nothing really free pops to mind. I mean, I did get a freaking awesome gig at Green Mountain and a boyfriend via my blog, so I can’t even compare freebies to that. Although I’ve gotten some cool food products to try out before – yum, yum, yum.
And a cool question from Jen(@bwjen):
You seem to be such a southern girl….where and how did you get into snowboarding? I am kinda klutzy so I have never even gone skiing! The closest I get to the slopes are on the tubes! lol! Give me the snowboard experience!
I am a Southern girl, despite my barely noticeable accent. And while we do have mountains on the other side of my state I have never been on them. My first year in college my college church group went on a ski trip to North Carolina and I decided to snowboard. It was a terrible experience. I didn’t learn how to stop myself until the third day so I spent a lot of time falling, trying to pick myself up, and feeling miserable. Finally I got a lesson from an awesome dude who was teaching another girl on her first day and once I learned how to stop and lean back into the mountain it all fell into place. The last half day of my first trip was pretty cool even though I was tired.
My Snowboard Buddy Josh and I in Colorado
I went on a couple more trips with my church group, twice to Colorado where I’ve boarded at Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail. When I went to Austria it only snowed twice and the second time we went to some resort in the Austrian Alps. I’ve mastered carving but I’m not good at jumps because they make me nervous. However, I’ve done a few and I’ve also done a few rails with one ending badly with me and a painful tailbone. Generally I just stick to carving down the mountain enjoying the experience. I try to go at least once a year for a couple days… this year hopefully I will be snowboarding at the mountain I’ve been staring at for the last two months.
Snowboarding is one of my favorite things in the world. I really, really enjoy it.
And finally, JackSh*t asked me:
How many miniature Three Muskateer bars could you fit in your mouth at one time?
12.
Hope you have a terrific Tuesday! And to satisfy my own curiousity:
It’s been well over 10 years since I last went skiing. Was never that great, but I had fun.
I don’t snow ski or snowboard. About 50 pounds ago I was a pretty good water skiier. The last time I tried that, probably 10 years ago now, I couldn’t ever get up and was pretty disgusted with myself. Maybe that will be a new goal!
Great questions and great answers! I’ve been snowboarding once. It was two or three years ago and it was a disaster. The whole ‘I used to play hockey’ mindset really didn’t gel with the reality of weighing 271lbs (@ 5’2″) and trying to snowboard. I made it up the hill with ease (woo, lifts!), buuuuuut after I biffed it pretty hard, I refused to go any further. And walked all the way down the hill. TWICE.
And there wasn’t anything ‘bunny’ about said hill. FIRST TIME FAIL.
When my sister asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday this year, I decided that we’d go snowboarding this winter. Yeah!!!!
I have lived in Massachusetts 95% of my life and I do not know how to ski or snowboard. I am more of a warm drink in the lodge gal but I am not opposed to learning. I have never had the opportunity.
I ski (but prefer water :-) If I was starting now, I would board. The learning curve is faster, and the accident curve is lower!
@Janet
I’ve never been able to water ski. It’s just not something I could do. Maybe one day we will both be able to!
@BodyByPizza
Ah, sucky first time! Yeah I’ve been snowboarding at various weights and it’s definitely easier when you are lighter. I’ve done it both ways, but it gets tiring to push yourself back up when you weigh a lot. Good job choosing to go this year. That sounds AWESOME!!
@Jen
Yeah, it’s not for everyone. Hehe. If you wanted to learn you definitely could. I’ve gone with people of all ages and they’ve all picked it up pretty quickly.
@Dr. J
Two of the reasons why I chose it! Also: its AWESOME.
Love your question & answer posts!!!! So interesting to learn more about you!
No skiing or snowboarding here & I even was born & grew up back east until I was 12 years old.. I did ice skate & all that back when in the dark ages! :-)
Hey if you come to Australia drop by and say hi! :) I happen to live in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, if I do say so myself hehe.
Have never ever snowboarded in my life, but I’d love to have a go one day. Seeing I’ve never been in snow that was more than a an inch deep, it would be an amazing experience!
No, I don’t. last winter I tried for the first time (weird, I know, that I never tried growing up in new england) and did horribly at it. The instructor was very bad, and I was doing a little better at the very end, with my friend teaching me, but seeing as I hate fally things, I don’t imagine that even if I mastered the actual how to of skiing I’d be able to let myself fall down the hill, or ski down I guess I mean lol. I cant even do rollercoasters! I would try cross country skiing though. And a ski cabin is cozy, cute, and fun.
I used to ski all the time all over VT and NH. My favorite mountains are Stowe and Sugarbush. I’m an expert skier and a beginner snowboarder. I usually ski in the a.m. so I can go to the top and hit the black diamonds and then I spend the afternoon on my a$$ on the snowboard. I don’t do as much skiing and boarding as I used to since we started snowmobiling more often. I love snowmobiling and I’m counting the days until the trails open. Enjoy your time in VT.
Yes! Come to Canada! Come soon! If you visit the Toronto area, I will not make you eat poutine (it seems to really freak Americans out).
I’ve skied since I was 4 years old. I tried snowboarding once but it wasn’t my thing.
It’s how I blew out my knee. :c( But I go and have fun, tubing…. cross country. Also I’m the person who cooks and tends to the fire. :c)
I love these Q and A’s! You and your boyfriend got together because of your blog? That’s really cool.
Traveling is fantastic. You know that you just HAVE to stop by Winnipeg when you come to Canada :D
I’ve never been snowboarding (*gasp!*), but I’m a huge huge fan of cross country skiing.
the best free thing i’ve gotten is my sodastream maker. i still can’t believe they gave it to me just b/c i asked!
I made myself laugh by reading it as your best freebie was a free boyfriend.
JUST FYI Im packed and ready to go with you on yer next trip.
I have skiied exactly once – fell down and slid down the big mountain (bunny slope) and then sat in the lodge the rest of the day eating cookies and hot chocolate!
You really stuffed 12 Three Musketeers in your mouth?<–a wee bit jealous there's none in the house to try.
I have a hard time walking, so I'll stay away from both.
Have you got such time during your trip, when you find any difficulty and feel so helpless.
i just had a whole comment that got erased! dohh. but i was saying COME TO THE SLC TO SNOWBOARD! i go all day everyyyy day! well, when i am not at work ;)
I knew you traveled alot! You really have covered some ground for a young chickadee. I am very jealous and admire that you dare to step outside of the box and experience life. I wish so much I would have done the same when I was younger.
You have gotten pretty great deals from blogging ;)