Good Bye China, Hello Winter Park

IMG_4681, originally uploaded by shuebox.

Suddenly, I appeared in Colorado.

Actually, I moved.  Six weeks ago, I had no idea that I would be in the US today, but a job opportunity working as an apprentice in Custom Ski Boots arose, and I took it.  The access to snow sports, particularly snowboarding, sealed the deal and I packed my bags.

Life moved by so quickly.  I have been in Colorado for exactly seven days, almost to the hour.  Before that I was in Los Angeles for 42 hours, repacking my bags for cold weather.  Last Monday, I was in Kunming.

Today was my first day to get my head around my situation.  It was my first day off from work.

Work is making my head swirl.  I work at Le Feet Lab, owned by a world famous Ski racer coach, Jacques Thomas.  There is so much to learn.  It is a bit unwieldy, but a good challenge.  Custom boots is not just a recreational skiing sport, but rather a fine-tuned, high-end performance package.  Starting with custom foot beds, build into custom Zip Fit cork liners that conform to any foot, then placed into an appropriate Dalbello ski shell.  This simplified process, along with minor adjustments for clients wanting to make the perfect fit, forms the foundation to the custom ski boot business, according to Jacques.

I still have plenty to learn, but so far I have learned the process and I am an excellent gopher.  I also touch more feet in a day than most people touch in a year.  I have already seen some very interesting shapes, sizes and ailments.

So, I arrived on Wednesday night and was working Thursday morning.  I didn't have much time to unpack or even buy groceries, let alone get over my jet lag.  As of today, I feel like I am finally on Mountain Standard Time. If I am lucky, I may wake up tomorrow past 5:30am.

Yesterday, I went up to the ski resort on my lunch break to ride for an hour, then we (Michelle, my colleague, and I) rushed back to work.  I have never had a job so close to outdoor sports, but that might be because I have never lived in small ski town. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I hope to get another half day of riding in before carving open the turkey.  I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Michelle and her boyfriend's family.  I am looking forward to a Thanksgiving with all the trimmings.

As for the small town, well, I still am trying to get my head around my job and trying to fit snowboarding in, but I will have plenty to say about this place as the honeymoon period wears off.  So for now, I am just trying to stay warm, Monday it was 10 degrees F.

I took some photos of my studio apartment and the views from the North, South East and West of my building.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Hey Shannon. Nice recent posts. I hope your head stops spinning soon. Miss you here. Hope you have a tastey Thanksgiving!

[flora]

Hi, Shannon'
Congratulations for you find a new job in the U.S. .Working on the mountains and snow must be a happy thing.
Have a good time on Thanksgiving!

Flora

[katy]

Shannon,we miss you so much .Our oral english teacher had told us that you will come to American.you moved so quickly that we did not meet before you left.But congratulations ! you fund a good job there.I like this artical very much .Good luck!

[Kimbi]

Hey! So, your now in the states ehh. Heh, I guess I now have more of a reason to visit Colorado. ^_^