Snowboarding

     There's an intense rush that comes with boarding down a mountain covered in fresh snow. The bare trees are on either side of me as I whiz past, struggling to maintain a slower pace. I make short, easy turns to stay on the same general side of the trail. There is a deep sense of accomplishment when I make it to the bottom.
     Since I'm new, I fall a lot; this is all part of the initial learning process. When you fall, you can usually look back and know what messed you up. Then you know what it is you need to work on to get better.
     With every ride up the chair lift, nerves gather in the pit of my stomach. Getting off the lift isn't necessarily hard, but there is always the pressure to stand up at the right time, stay balanced and upright, and smoothly ride out of the way all with only one foot bound on the board.
     I don't own my own board or boots, so I have to borrow or rent. The lift pass is also really expensive, so it's a rarity for me to be able to enjoy a day, or even an afternoon, on the mountain. I'll be starting my work study soon, though, and I'll save up the money I earn for next winter. I heard that a season's pass at it's cheapest is around $600, which is way out of my price range. However, students are usually presented with the opportunity to purchase a pass before the season starts, around October, at a very discounted price.
     The only thing I used to be able to say when asked "So what are your hobbies?" was "...Well, I like to read, write, and hang out with friends." How lame and boring does that sound? But now I can happily answer, "I snowboard, (etc.)" This new pastime shines a bright uniquity on my life.