February 13, 2018 – Lutsen, Minnesota

So, it’s not exactly a new place.

But this time around, there are plenty of new faces (along with many old ones). The amount of redundancy is further curbed by holding a new position in addition to the old, which is located at the top of Moose Mountain. Five days a week, I have the privilege of riding a multi-million dollar gondola to one of the best views I’ve experienced in the Midwest. Whenever I want to feel sorry for myself for spending “extra time” in this particular state while not working for a host family, I remind myself that I am just that.

Privileged.

Perhaps more importantly, this is a lesson that needed to be learned at some point or another. This is not the first time your plans will be thrown off. Deal with it. I initially intended to work at Copper Mountain, Colorado with an old friend over the winter (instead of returning to Washington), but the responsible party took too long to respond. I had remained in contact with my old supervisor from Lutsen since I left two years ago; he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Last fall’s events taught me another lesson: I need to diversify my project. Putting the majority of my effort into one person or family for an entire season may not be the best allocation of my time. I certainly don’t regret the amount of work I did or time I spent, but I learned that not being able to share it with the world is emotionally devastating for me.

And here I thought I knew it all.

But no, I am very much still a student and have much to learn in this life. Learning from my experiences was one of the primary ideas in the formulation of The 50 Year Plan. My privileged existence continues to enlighten; I must capitalize on such opportunities.

The latest lesson?

Snowboarding is so much better in Big Sky.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius