Monday, January 19, 2015

January 19: Writing Prompt #19-Apply yourself

Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you.
    I would have to say my last attempt to learn something new that did NOT come easily to me was snowboarding in December 2006. The funniest part of the whole thing is that I was by far the oldest one in the group, including the instructor, who was probably barely over 21.  Everyone was so young in the group that  he instructor tried to compare some of his instructions to driving a car and stopped in the middle saying, “oh, well, I guess most of you can’t relate to that yet.” 

     I skied with my dad and brothers for several spring breaks when I was a girl, traveling to Steamboat Springs, CO, no less, and I really enjoyed it. I was not too bad at skiing, especially considering that I’m not the most athletically inclined.  I didn’t think too much about learning to snowboard at 31 years old since I already knew how to ski.  Well, it was much more difficult than I thought.  I took my lesson and tried hard all day long, but upon waking up the next morning, I was more sore than I ever remember being in my whole life. Part of the problem was that I bruised my tailbone sledding on a garbage can lid in the mid 90’s with some college friends, and my repeated falls on my bum while trying to keep my balance snowboarding brought that injury back to the forefront.  The morning after I felt like I had just injured it again.  Luckily, I was only extremely sore, but nonetheless, I have not gone snowboarding again since. It’s one of those things I am most likely getting too old to start now, but I am proud of myself for trying!!  The next new thing I learn may be less physical, but I will definitely NOT give up on learning new things when the opportunity presents itself.  I figure it’s part of what will help keep me young at heart!

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