Snow

Today was supposed to be my day to skiing, and it is snowing. Now there are many people who may ask, 'well isn't that a good thing?' Yes and no. Let me break down the weather conditions that are my favorite to go skiing:

Day Before: Not 40 degrees or above for a long period of time

Temperature: 25-40

Weather: Clear and Sunny

Base Depth: 2-4ft

Snow Conditions: Groomed packed powder or fresh snow

Day of the week: Midweek non holiday

Time: Somewhere between the hours of 9-2pm.

Yes I realize I'm picky. But I can afford that luxury as I live here and have a seasons pass. My job also allows me to ski in the morning before I go to work. Keep in mind that this my perfect day. No day is ever perfect and I do go out when the temperature is 0, or when the snow conditions are icy or when there are more people. Here's why this is my perfect day:

Day Before: On a day that the temperature gets above 40 degrees the snow becomes water logged. This is great spring skiing in the morning as everything is soft, but it also harder skiing and takes considerably more energy than a day where it's bitter cold and fresh snow. The next day is even worse if the temperature doesn't do the same. The water logged snow will become a large block of ice overnight when it dips below freezing from about 5pm until 8am (conservative time for the temperature to get above freezing and the snow to start to soften) When you get to the mountain it is then a block of ice, with maybe some ice shavings on top. And unless your edges are razor sharp you're going to have a rough go of it. Although at around 10/11am if the temperature continues to rise the snow will eventually soften. In this case you need to be very picky about where on the mountain you ski. The lower elevations will soften faster than the higher elevations.

Temperature: For obvious reasons a day that is too cold isn't going to make me very happy. Days were the top of the mountain is -15 and windy are days that are better spent reading by a fire. People might not think that living in a hot climate will 'thin your blood' they may say that it made me whiny instead. But I tend to agree with the thinning of the blood rather than just forgetting how to tough it out. My toes go numb faster than what I remember, skiing for only an hour an half on a cold day because both my fingers and toes are numb is kind of lame. But hey, that's what my body is doing now. Around the time that I can ski for at least some time without having to go in for a hot chocolate break starts at around 25. At around 35 if i layer properly I can ski in my sweatshirt, which are my favorite spring skiing days.

Weather: When the weather is clear and sunny it's easier to see all the ups and downs of the trail. To see one bump as different from another. When the lighting and flat and overcast it's hard to distinguish where one bump ends and another begins. When it's snowing you lose visibility. Only being able to see 20ft in front of you is fine if you're going the speed of turtle down the trail, but I'm a little beyond that and go a lot faster and carve my edges into the slope. More fun, but more work, not fun when you can't see more than 20ft in front of you. Rain is the worst, goggles don't come with wipers, although they should. You're constantly having to wipe them off only to have to do again 5 seconds later when you can't see again because of all the rain on them.

Base Depth: Simple, I don't like skiing over exposed rocks. Skis are for snow, not mining.

Snow Conditions: It's easiest to ski on groomed packed powder, the groomers make a sort of corduroy up and down the trial making the snow uniform. You know what to expect and it allows for easier skiing. Fresh powder is really my favorite. You have to go early in the morning to get the best runs, but it's worth it. The glades are places the groomers can't go are the best after fresh snow. But, after about noon unless it's a really dead day, the entire mountain is full of little moguls where everyone has pushed the snow. Fresh powder is harder to ski in, but more fun.

Day of the week: Midweek non holiday= less people= more space for me

Time: I enjoy getting up and having a cup of coffee. 9am allows me to feel not rushed. In all reality though, unless it's a perfect day, I'm not on the hill until 10/10:30. In the afternoon the mountain gets a little harder to ski if the snow is too soft or if people have skied certain trails too much.

There you have it, my perfect day to ski.

Summer Job

So I keep on forgetting to tell everyone the good news. After applying to multiple companies, filling out long and excessively detailed applications and having to repeatedly contact my references I finally had someone say 'Yes' instead of saying no using some long winded specious response.

The problem that I'm facing is that I'm breaking into a new field. Lets face it, there are no jobs anymore which state on their announcements 'entry level' instead they all say 'experience required' unless you want an internship. Therefore my options were, do something that was in a field that I didn't want to be in, or not make any money doing something that I actually wanted to do. I'm not afraid to try new things and live outside my comfort zone, Peace Corps taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to, even though it appears to be something that's impossible such as learning French in 9 week. In my opinion ambition trumps experience. I chose a third option, which I created myself. I figured that I would just apply to many different organizations and companies which work within the environmental education field and hope for the best. Maybe I didn't have the experience but I was qualified based on the criteria that many had posted, related degree, WFR training, been camping in the past...

So I started to apply. I signed up to a list-serve which sends job announcements directly to my e-mail. Keeping in mind that all these job announcements also get sent to thousands of other email addresses of others who have more experience. But, c'est la vie. I wasn't going to let that fact slow me down. I figured that if I didn't find a job doing wilderness trekking through a summer program I could always apply to be a camp counselor somewhere. There were a few companies which I filled out long applications for, some where they only wanted my resume cover letter and reference contact information. There were others which wanted my drivers record. Most wanted copies of my Wilderness First Responder card and healthcare provider CPR card. Applying to jobs became my hobby.

I applied to probably about 15 places. I heard back from about 6 or 7. I interviewed with 3. I have as of now received one job offer, with one pending. One job that I applied for back in December just got back to me to say that there weren't any positions available, no shit. Almost wanted to email them back and let them know that I already figured that out anyway. The job that is pending I interviewed for and they told me they'd be contacting my references but they haven't done that yet, which doesn't leave me much hope. But I'm not worried as I was offered a job from the company that I really wanted to work at anyway.

A friend of mine encouraged me to apply to the company that I've accepted the job offer from. She said that with my Peace Corps experience they would love to have me. So I applied. The company looked very similar to another company that I had applied to, interviewed for, and was unfortunately turned down from. I heard back from them which was a positive sign. They wanted to interview me. A representative from their company would be in Hanover, NH in the next month. So I drove over. Thinking in the back of my head ways to sell myself better than how I had before. I decided that being myself and open and spinning my Peace Corps experience as an educator in Benin rather than a development worker.

I ended up early to to my interview, about 10 minutes I figured that was a good sign. As I interviewed for the position I connected with the interviewer on having both a love of all things African. She was planning a trip to Kenya, and I lived in West Africa. I realize that Benin and Kenya are on complete opposite sides of of a large continent, but it was something that we both found in common. I also felt that the interview was a whole lot less stressed and the interview was more of a conversation rather than me basically saying how awesome I am. There's a fine line between selling yourself and sounding like a egotistical know it all.

I still continued to apply to a few places. I was told that I'd hear back from the company by a certain date. I did actually hear back from then the date that they set, which I was pleasantly surprised by that heard from them. They said that they'd be getting back to me just before I went on my cruise. When I got home I had a message waiting for me telling me to call them back. Either yes or no, there was no other way that conversation could have gone. I took a deep breath before calling, being told no, no matter how tough you say you are, sucks and it helps to mentally prepare and not get your hopes up too high.

I spoke to my interviewer she was happy to hear from me. I told that I was out of the country for a few days that's why I didn't call her back. She then asked what I was doing and we had a nice 10 minute conversation about the cruise I had just been on and she talked about her time in the area I was in, what she did, and I talked about what I did. At the end of that I was thinking 'really I just told you about my families vacation which we have now dragged out for 10 minutes, are you really not going to offer me a job now? because that would really stink if I just sat here and chit chatted with you, oh by the way no job offer' Thankfully I did get offered a job!

I'd let you all know the company but I don't want to have that information on my blog, I don't have their permission to do so. But basically I'm going to be a counselor for an adventure camp which operates throughout the west doing backpacking, biking, white water rafting, sea kayaking and rock climbing. What exact program or where I'll be is still up in the air I'll let you all know when I get that information. Very excited about this great opportunity to break into the field of my choice.

Phone

Many of you know that I do not have a cell phone. I realize that I might be the only 20-something year old in the states without one. I had one in Benin, but when I returned didn't want to pay $70 a month for a phone I would only use when going to and from work. My message would probably be "hey it's melissa, call me at home. or leave a message and i might get back to you in three days during hours that really aren't convenient for you" really useful. But since I'm not going to be living in Belmont for very much longer I figured it might be time.

So I looked online. I decided verizon was a good plan to go with. I picked out a plan included text messaging bundle and also a free phone off their webpage. Funny how I decided on the least expensive option out of all the plans and phone combinations I could have picked. I then decided before I went ahead and got this plan online that I should probably go to the store and see what they have there, maybe they have some great deal that I don't already know about.

And so I went into the verizon store in Rutland before work. They had this little kiosk where you 'sign into' the store. Then people help you as your name comes up. A glorified version of the number system at the deli counter. I was the only one waiting and a guy comes up peaks his head around a display and goes 'melissa?' looks at me continues to look around. I knew right then, this was going to be fun.

I then wave and go up to the counter. He definitely had a work face on. Anyone who has worked in customer service knows that face, the face the person just painted on. Sometimes the fake nice face is an easy thing to keep up, other times you just don't have the energy. I begin by saying that I went online and I wanted this plan with this text messaging bundle and this phone. I was wondering if there was a better deal in the store or maybe he could suggest another type of plan I might be interested in based on what he had just heard. He suggested that I get the plan I had asked for, and then he suggested a phone for me. I asked if they had any free phones at the store, they did not. I knew that the phone that I wanted was online for free with free shipping. I asked what the phone was in the store that was the cheapest they had, it was a $20 phone. I then asked if they were going to waive the activation fee for me, which was another promotion online. His painted nice face was quickly melting away to the 'you're wasting my time' face. I would have bought the $20 phone if they had waived the activation fee for me just so that I knew I had a working phone in my hand when I left. I then point blank asked him "So if I can get the same plan online, free phone with free one day shipping, a waived activation fee, which if I went with your plan in the store I'd be paying approximately $75 more than online, what's the incentive for coming in the store other than to look at your phones that you've put on display?" Note there were only about 4 phones on display. His nice face was gone, replaced with the angry 'not only are you wasting my time but I might now have lost any commission I might have made on anyone who's in ear shot.' he gave me some lame excuse about competing and how they compete with other verizon stores and blah blah blah about the only thing I caught was "you're going to get a much better deal online" The guy literally gave me no reason why coming to the store was better than not. Even speaking to a person was unhelpful. All the information was online!

I went home and ordered the package, phone, and text message plan that I wanted in under 10 minutes (I did actually time myself). So for anyone asking themselves if the store gives them a better deal than online in the case of cell phones, no it does not. It only gives you the same deal or worse. And you might have to watch the nice melt off someones face.

Cruise

Imagine sitting on a Caribbean beach, drinking rum watching sails break the horizon and listening to the wind play with the palm fronds. Unfortunately, there is not a hilarious pirate with thick black eye liner frolicking around you. Instead there are numerous members of your extended family. I realize not everyones ideal vacation involves a family reunion, mine does.

I went on a cruise with my mom, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Our group was 16 people. As a family we are very close. My family are some of my favorite people on the planet. It is not unusual for us to get together in large groups. Every summer we all make the time to go to our cabin on a lake and spend time together. Water skiing, swimming, boating, games, laughter and fun.

The last time my family all went on a large vacation together was Disney land about 10 years ago. Once again, the group was about 16 people, maybe more maybe less. We all had a blast, and we were due for a new family vacation. My grandmother and mother decided that they wanted to go on a cruise. Then my brother decided that this sounded like a fun vacation too. I was then on board. My grandfather was also coming. From there it mushroomed out into our family, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, basically anyone who wanted to come was invited. We are an inclusive bunch and don't necessarily wait around for an invite for vacation. By the time we all got done we looked and realized that there weren't many people who were staying home.

My mom and I went down to Florida to meet my grandparents and then from there drive down to Miami where we would meet the cruise. The drive down was all well and good, except for my mother being an insane backseat driver, and some minor complications/ disagreements with a GPS. We did end up making it to the cruise.

On the cruise we hung out at the corner of a bar, were served drinks from two bartenders we nic named Guido and Shampoo. I also toured St. Thomas, went snorkeling to a shipwreck, visited a national wildlife park near Samana in the Dominican Republic where there were cave paintings, took a boat ride out to an island where we swam into shore and then drank a stiff drink called painkillers. We went out to eat, and saw shows. One of the better vacations I've ever been on. Not because of the cruise, no offense to the boat while it was impressive, it was the people who made it.

Jobs

Why haven't I written lately? Mostly because I don't really have anything to say. This blog isn't a sounding board for my opinion on world events or a dirge about applying for jobs in a field that I'm new to. It's about my life, events that have happened with people that I come in contact with. I see my life as a series of hilarious stories, and frankly there haven't been many of those stories working at Okemo. I've got some great one-liners don't get me wrong, but they haven't been anything to write to you guys about. But while I have your attention, here are some great Okemo one liners.

Recap: I work at a call center taking reservations for lodging and tickets at a ski resort. I pick up the phone and say 'Okemo lodging, Melissa speaking, how might I help you?' and then I answer questions about Okemo/ help people book lodging.

Customer: "What is in the condo unit I've rented"

me: "A queen size bed in the bedroom, a queen sleeper sofa in the living space, full kitchen and outdoor area"

customer: "What is exactly in the kitchen?"

me "full size oven, refrigerator, microwave, and cookware"

customer "so there's a full size oven?"

me "yes"

customer "are there spices in the unit"

spices? seriously? do you want us to stock the freezer with steak to? how about a 5 course meal already prepared for you and your 2.5 children.

Customer: "What is the nicest place to stay?"

What do you think I can say? Do you honestly think that I'm going to tell people that some properties at this resort that I work at are crap?

Customer: "So I see there's a fire pit where people are making 'smores. Can I do that?"

me: "yes"

customer: "So you're 'smores they're pretty good right, better than other peoples 'smores?"

Better than others 'smores? It's graham cracker, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow how do you mess that up?

Me: "I'm sorry we do not currently have any availability throughout the entire resort"

Customer: "Are you sure?"

Me: "absolutely no availability."

Customer "What about Jackson Gore"

Me: "no"

Customer: "What about the Adams house?"

When we check our lodging we can do a resort wide check, It's like if they continue asking questions something will just magically appear. Another thing about this that gets me is Jackson Gore is a property, and the Adams house is a building within the Jackson Gore property. If we didn't have anything in Jackson Gore, there would definitely be nothing in the Adams house.

Keep in mind that most people are easy enough and understand the things that were being said. Just a few people keep me on my toes and make me laugh when I get off the phone.