No time like Snow Time

This weekend I got a chance to hit the slopes (for the 3rd time this season) and break in my new snow board. Laurel and her good friends rented a cabin at Lake Tahoe, so of course, I weaseled my way into going. Little weekend trips have saved me from the craziness that is my life in Oakland. I love escaping my life as Ms. Quane and just being Kellee for a day or two. Here are some highlights from this weekend:

7 hour drive up
The long drive up was completely my fault. Laurel and Jason waited for me to get out of school to drive up to Tahoe. Although I did end up getting out of school early on Friday (there was a huge fight outside of our school between a couple dozen kids, so we got out an hour early) we didn't hit the road until 5pm aka major TRAFFIC. So while I lesson planned in the back of the car, Jason patiently drove his stick shift through stop and go traffic for 7 hours.

When we finally got to Tahoe around Midnight, we realized that we were in the middle of a snow storm (apparently 20 inches of snow). We crawled through the snowy roads until we hit a steep hill and couldn't go any farther. Laurel and I hopped out of the car to push it, but that only worked until the chains frayed off and we were left with a car with ice skates. Luckily we were only 1/2 a mile away from our cabin, so we called our friends to come help. So with the combination of 8 people, carpet, and a shovel, we finally made it to the top. What a great way to bond at the beginning of the trip. :)

Snowboarding
I was so ready to hit the slopes and challenge Laurel to a race down the mountain to prove that I am just as good as she is. Too bad the snow had powder that was a foot deep and full of speed bumps preventing me from this race. Next time, Laruel..next time. It was an exhausting day (I thought my quads were going to give out numerous times) but in the end, I had a great time. And I realized that I need to work out more.

Livin the Good Life
So we stayed at a "cabin" that was more of a 5 star mansion with every accommodation you could ever want. Not only was it a newly remodeled 7 bedroom cabin (that was beautifully decorated) but it had a hot tub, pool table, big screen TV, and a huge kitchen. Need to wash your clothes? Good thing we have 3 washers and dryers. Need to cook something? Try our 2 convection ovens, inside grilling station, or outside BBQ. Yes, it was over the top, but apparently that is how Laurel's friend's roll.

On the Road Againg
We were planning on getting in another day of snowboarding, but a late start on a beautiful Tahoe day after 20 inches of snow lead to the ski resort being full by the time we got there. Sleeping the whole ride back wasn't so bad :)

Overall, I had a fabulous weekend where I only thought about teaching once (when someone asked me what I did). It is still interesting hearing the responses from engineers, businessmen, and lawyers when they realize that I am but a struggling English teacher battling it out in the heart of East Oakland. Sometimes their looks say it all. I'm glad I got to hang out with Laurel and Jason this weekend as well. Although at times I felt like my second mother was around babysitting me, I enjoyed the sister bonding moments. Laurel, I hope you don't mind I'm stealing your friends :)

Time for bed, and another week. I am already dreaming about my next trip to the snow ZzzZZzzZZZzZZzz

<3 (that is a sideways heart, Mom) Kellee

p.s. Sorry for the bad grammar, I'm too exhausted to edit!