Training: Monday-Thursday

Sorry, I've been training for my job here and have chosen to dip into the hot springs pool most evenings instead of updating my blog! I love the hot springs pool. I've been in almost every night that I've been here. I'll get a picture of it soon, assuming the cloud cover ever blows away. It has been very cold here. Today I'm wearing a turtleneck sweater over a t-shirt with a fleece vest over that and a puffy, down jacket over that. I took the jacket off for a brief hour while I was driving in the car (see pictures above). It gets down in the 30s at night. It snow flurried again yesterday- yes in June!

The training is going well. We are learning to check guests in and out. Of course I have more fun portraying the unsavory guest when we role play, than actually practicing my job! There are a lot of systems to learn, but it isn't brain surgery. This really is a gorgeous and lovely place to vacation, if you or anyone you know can afford it and would like to get away from it all, I highly recommend it. And that's not just because they pay me to say that.

I had thought that while being out here with hikes abounding in all directions, that I would indeed "Kate-Moss away" (fritter away weight), but alas the food is so good, I'm beginning to sense that won't happen. Hot french toast, pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon & sausage are ALL available EVERY morning. I've tried to stick to the eggs...but that french toast is really good. Then the baker arrived this week....biscuits, muffins, not to mention desserts! Lunch is usually easier- a nice hot soup (thank goodness for the hot part) and sandwiches. Dinner varies from chicken, to pasta, to pizza and ever since that baker arrived...there is chocolate!!!! Tonight there was chocolate covered bars- I don't know what was in them, but it sort of tasted like a homemade Butterfinger (my second favorite!)

Two of the cooks live in my house. Last night they were sitting in the living room talking about making all sorts of different favorites...barbecues, perfect steak rubs, biscuits and gravy. I was in my room trying to go to sleep, but it was like food pornography being whispered outside my door! oregano...honey..whisked...lightly

We also sat around last night as a "household" and listened to a couple episodes of my favorite Public Radio show, This American Life, that Rosie & Issac had on CDs. How lovely to laugh with my housemates! Our newest housemate, Darwin, is a bit more on the conservative side than all the others seem to be, so some interesting "discussions" have already ensued. Last night's was focused on food- whether or not our society is all based on corn and American greed for money and convenience. It was interesting to listen to. Darwin made good points about the financial need for farmers to use corn at the end of the feeding process. Rosie and Natalie were saying we should all eat smaller amounts of better food.

I have now watched the movie, Juno, 2 1/2 times this week. Mostly, of course, because it is the only movie I have on my Ipod, but it really is so good, the soundtrack alone makes me cry. And each time I watch it, I feel like my heart has been stripped of all the bacon grease of life and the remaining peeled grape is excited to be alive and believes in love. Aaaah, mushy, but good!