January Goal: Learn How to Ski

My name is Megan Allen. I'm 20 years old and I'm a sophomore at BYU. I lived with my three older siblings and my parents in South Jordan, Utah until I was 12 years old. Then my parents, my sister and I moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for my Dad's job. It was intended to be a three year stint, so far my parents have stayed put and my sister, since she married a Canuck. I spent junior high and high school there, and therefore I survived six Calgary winters. I now get to visit at the best times of the year- Christmas and the summertime- so I get the best of both worlds.  This is my fourth semester at BYU, and I'm currently taking the Public Relations prerequisites. My only claim to fame is that I spent Fall 2013 in London on study abroad. It turned out to be a very good thing since my only friends now are the ones I made on the trip since the mission age change captured all of my other friends.

Lucky for me, I've known Nora my whole life! I'm number 70 out of 250ish people in the Allen clan, which means I have concourses of amazing older cousins. Throughout elementary school I would help Miss Nora at her preschool whenever I had school breaks. I took my responsibility as Miss Megan very seriously and still know the Days of the Week song by heart. I'm so glad I had many opportunities to get to know Nora better since I'm at the end of the cousins, and I'm so grateful to have her influence in my life. My sister Melissa is also contributing to the blog, along with many of my favorite cousins!

I worked a skiing class into my schedule this semester. Side note: I was registering for classes while on our class trip through the Lake District. I was sitting at a table in our hostel in Ambleside with my friend John and he worked skiing into his schedule too. Little did I know he was level 6 while I was in the never-been-on-skis group. We were able to drive up together each week and have a good time. I recommend a buddy if you plan on embarking on learning a skill like this, because you need a bit of commiseration!

It was an eight week course, and class was on Wednesday afternoons. I ended up in a really great group with an instructor named Steve who was helpful and really fun. I missed two of the classes due to anxiety/laziness. I'd say my biggest accomplishment was conquering my fears. Somehow I was able to really paranoid about everything.

I can say with the end of the class today that I am no longer petrified about:

• Getting off the lift
• I can get off without falling, as long as I'm the far left or right side of the chair and can use the side to launch off and balance. I'm sure now I could get off while sitting in the middle but why switch things up too much?
• The back mountain
• Our class took place at Sundance, and up until today we rode the green and easy blue runs on the front side. Today we explored the back and I had an amazing day. I've really been able to enjoy the midweek break and be in nature. I am now confident to explore many different trails that only a few weeks ago I would have said no way. 
• Falling
• I've just perfected it. Well, the getting up part. Falling down is still about as graceful as it can be.
• Everything etc.

I've come a long way from the first class. I can make it down blue runs fairly comfortably, and I'm starting to really enjoy it. My other main purpose in learning to ski was being able to go with my family and other friends. Plus, having a good ski resort 20 minutes away can't be beat. 

Extra bonus, I saw Robert Redford twice (and three wild turkeys) on the sidewalk.

(February's Goal: Survive the month and establish better daily goals and habits)