Gremlins in Schralptown

Finals are done, and I have to say I must have spent more time last week trying not to study or write papers than I did actually doing work.  Things I did to pass the time include:

• crocheting a hat
• going to a Hanukah party
• reading other people's blogs (see sidebar)
• doing laundry 
• cooking 
• going to the gym and doing a lot of cross training
• running an NMR - technically, this is work, it's like an MRI for a chemical compound

It got to be a bit ridiculous, and by Friday night I was more than ready to get home.  Since I've been back, I've been coaching with the race club I skied for when I was younger.  

The skiing has been epic; powder day after powder day has made running gates a challenge, but the snow's amazing so it's hard to really complain.  It's rewarding to see the kids improve over the course of days and amazing to see them grow up over the course of years.  This early in the season they're still getting their ski legs back and almost everyone's made huge strides this week.  Today we couldn't run gates because with the soft snow the athlete's safety becomes an issue. Instead, we ripped around the mountain with the gremlins, and to top everything off, we got first legal tracks on one of the best runs at Powderhorn.  

Besides that, I've been doing some hiking and running, and looking at my new hardtail that I haven't gotten a chance to ride yet.  The parts from the XC bike I broke are now on a new Rocky Mountain Hammer frame, but the same snow that's made for sweet week at Powderhorn has kept me from getting out on the bike.  Can't complain though, and it's good to be home