S.S.S.

Sunshine. Snow. Sister.
I'm in Golden, a place I didn't know existed 3 months ago! My sister is working in the resort on the mountain, and being the awesome sister that I am, I came to stay with her for a week during the winter break.

Its amazing to take such a sweet break after being so overwhelmed these past few months. I love being busy and working hard, but I'm only human. I'm trying not to worry about the dough I'm spending while up here. It's a resort for heavens sake! Things are pricey and my sister definitely doesn't have money to share, so I'm just going to have suck it up and pamper myself ;) I had to take a cab up to the hill, which was $45! GROSS. Now we have to figure out food. I'm here though, and I had the means to get here so no complaining. Money is meant to be spent and I have the rest of my life to make more. It'll be okay. Really. Seriously. BE YOUNG ANNE - this is your last official Christmas as a teen!

I stayed up late last night with my sister Catherine. She's been pretty lonely up here as she doesn't know anyone, works alone during the night shift and sleeps during the day. It was nice to hear her talk :) You all probably are aware of how much I can talk; it was quite pleasant to have reversed. I love talking, but I seriously do like to listen to! ;)

The trip here took me 12 hours. 12 HOURS! I took as much advantage of that as I could. I brainstormed presents that I could make for my friends, contemplated whether the opposite sex has a brain, and prayed. I really like praying :)

Last week this friendly and young youth pastor went out for coffee with me and we talked about God for a good 45 min. It was neat and sorted out a lot of questions in my mind, though now they're jumbled a bit again.

The last two hours of my bus trip I spent talking to this gay Vietnamese 21 year old who lives in Australia and was in exchange in Canada. We talked about so many things! He definitely sparked my drive to travel across Canada!

As I was packing, I was wondering what I would forget (it's inevitable.) 5-ish hours later I realize that I forgot my bank card, meaning no dinner, but more urgently, no cab ride to the hotel at 3 in the morning. I was impressed that I didn't freak out. Internally, I wasn't exactly a cool cucumber, but I knew things would work out. We stopped in Kamloops and I asked locals for directions to TD Bank, which wasn't too far away. I raced there, got a new card, and then stopped at the grocery store. GO ME! ;)

The cab driver was really nice. Again, we talked about quite a bit. He comes from Ontario, was in the army for 30 years, his wife died of lung cancer, he's remarried and his new wife and him are taking four months to drive across Canada. It was like getting a ride from an uncle! Ironically when we reached my destination I discovered that they only take cash - no debit. HAHAHA. HA. ... HA :'( Luckily Catherine was there to save the day. Her co-worker gave her $45 from the cash register; we have to go find an ATM machine today to pay them back. I hope she doesn't get in trouble!

SO I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HER LODGE WHICH IS SO NICE!
WE WENT UPSTAIRS. HER ROOM IS SO NICE! ITS A FRICKEN HOTEL SUIT. NICE NICE NICE. SWANKY EVEN. And the view is spectacular.

We stayed up till like 5 talking, but I couldn't sleep past 10. The sunshine woke me up and after gawking at the view in the daylight I got dressed and skipped down to the little 'fitness room,' where I ran on the treadmill for 20 min and walked for 10.
Came back.
Showered.
Tried watching Toy Story, but lost interest.
Made breakfast for Catherine.
Did my hair.
Write my blog. ;)

Now I need to clean up the kitchen and do my makeup. Then we're off to town to get groceries and CASH. :)
I can't emphasize enough how happy I am. I wish I could bottle up this feeling in a jar for all those lonely desperate nights.

Those nights make me appreciate this all the more. All the early mornings I drag my flabby ass out of bed to finish the homework I was up till midnight before doing and then go to a 7 am extra class have made me unbelievably grateful. Losing my grandpa after waiting three years to go skiing with him have taught me to take opportunities, like going snowboarding!!, when I get them. Living apart from my immediate family for 2 years has taught me to relish in time with my siblings. This week will be sweet sweet revenge. This week, I'm going to show all the crap that comes with life that it's nothing compared to the blessings at my fingertips.