Mountains + Clouds

My experience in Colorado has been so different from Canyonlands in many ways. Really, they’re similar only that my jobs both primarily involve/d interacting with and teaching people, and of course, that I’m once again in a spectacularly beautiful and natural setting. But the way I’ve experienced this place is so different. Most of the epic sceneries I’ve witnessed have either been while driving in the car to and from work, or at work itself, rather than on foot as was the case in Utah. Unfortunately, neither of these opportunities allows for very efficient photo taking (and even at moments that do allow such a chance, the sub-freezing temperatures often discourage me from pulling the fingers necessary out of a warm glove to snap the shot), so after a month and a half in this place I have very little physical evidence to show for it. Continue reading “Mountains + Clouds”

How to Grow

In my old life, these first few days of the new year would have been especially frustrating. For one, the transition from the holidays to regular-old-winter-cold is usually a pretty depressing one for me, and I loathe the chores that come with undecorating. It’s a bit of a psychological punch in the gut if you ask me – just a tedious task that serves as a reminder that some of the most magical times of the year are over. Continue reading “How to Grow”

Wellness

Over Christmas dinner the other night, my boyfriend’s parents asked me how I was adjusting to the altitude and weather. I chuckled and told them that I was doing great, and that that was somewhat surprising because at the start of winter for the past 4 years I’ve been taken down by a crippling, rare strain of strep throat. But not this year! I laughed. It must be my new frame of mind, my blossoming athleticism, or the crisp mountain air. Continue reading “Wellness”

Merry Christmas!

Well, I have to say it’s even more gorgeous than usual up here in Summit County, and I’ve just returned from a glorious morning on the slopes. Apologies for my lack of updates as of late, but this is my first day off in more than a week, so time has been short.

I will write a more detailed post in the next few days, but for now I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Being away from family at the holidays is hard, but I’m lucky to have a great support system up here in the mountains – not to mention an amazing view – to help me through it. I am so thankful for all of my family and friends today. Every morning that I wake up in this beautiful place I feel more and more amazingly blessed, and it’s really in large part thanks to you guys that I am able to be here. It’s thanks to growing up around such incredible people that I’ve had the strength, courage and outlook necessary for this little adventure.

I love you all. I miss you all. I can’t wait to see each and every one of you. And I hope you have the merriest Christmas possible.

So much love,

Mariana

Winter Wonderland

That’s it. I may have just witnessed the most spectacular sunset ever. And that’s saying something after growing up on the gulf coast and spending 6 months at Canyonlands. Check this out:

This photo was absolutely NOT edited in any way. Amazing huh?

And the best part? I watched it from my living room.

I repeat: my life is awesome.

Colors of the Wind

My life is awesome.

I can’t stop thinking it. I’ve been here in Colorado for four days now, and I am so glad I came. Granted, they have been four very long days. But awesome days none the less. Where do I begin?

Continue reading “Colors of the Wind”

On to the next

Well, it’s happened.

My room is an explosion of belongings (most of which I have no idea what to do with), my spider-roommates are quite upset with all the commotion (and coming out in the masses to tell me so), I am procrastinating (hence this lovely blog post), and mostly just relieved that I have yet to unearth a scorpion in this cluttered mess (this is somewhat of an impractical fear, as it is bound to happen eventually).

It’s almost time to move on. Continue reading “On to the next”