A byootaful Life

It’s inevitable that, after I tell people I moved to Vancouver, they ask if I’ve been snowboarding yet. The answer is no, for a few reasons. Firstly, I haven’t had time. Secondly, I haven’t had the money and thirdly (and perhaps most importantly) I am absolutely and utterly terrified of snowboarding. Or skiing. Or anything that involves hurtling down a snow-covered mountain at top speed on a board or pair of skis that don’t have brakes.

Pathetic, I know, but it’s true. The mere thought of going “up the mountain” gives me anxiety. Ever since our trip to Japan where I stacked it on the first day while snowboarding and ended up with a couple of broken ribs, I have been too scared to get back on the board and try again. I think it’s partly due to the “risk factor” – the possibility of more injuries and pain – but mostly due to the “humiliation factor”. I hate failing at things so sometimes it’s easier to just say no, rather than to say yes and fail miserably as a result, especially when it’s something like sports.

It’s not a healthy attitude to have, I know, so I’m changing. I have decided to suck it up and try again. All I needed was the perfect opportunity and it has come along. Next weekend, I am going snowboarding. I am having a lesson and I am not going to freak out about it. I am going to fall over, I am going to stack it, I am going to humiliate myself, but I am going to do all of this so I can learn how to snowboard. Eventually, I will be able to go down the mountain without  crying or stacking it every few minutes and that will be a very momentus day.

I’ve been feeling pretty low because of Puddy’s disappearance, so it’s been good to have something else to think about. It’s been two weeks now and she’s still missing. I hear about cats that go missing for months and then come home, so I am keeping positive. Thank you for your support and kindness – it’s been comforting reading your comments. I really hope that I can get on here soon and announce she’s come home – until then, I hope she is uninjured and safe.