So...it's winter up here in Montana. The past two days have brought several inches of snow and a bunch of ice. My whimpy California car is rear-wheel drive. Therefore, I do a lot of fish-tailing on the roads up here. I'm told that I need to invest in some sandbags to put in the back of my car to give it some extra weight.
For those who know me, you won't find my reaction to this problem surprising. When my car is fish-tailing, I smile and kind of do this nervous laugh. I probably should be scared or freaked out, but I just find it kind of fun.
Other than that, life is pretty much back to the normal grind. Christmas break was great, but it was not exactly relaxing. I spent all of my time running from place to place, visiting precious friends and family. It was so wonderful to spend time with the people that I've missed so much. That being said, these past three days being back at work have been exhausting! I didn't get any planning or grading done over the break, so I felt behind from the moment we started back up. Add to that that my two favorite students are starting to act up and misbehave! What's up with that?! It makes me feel so discouraged! I'm sure it'll pass. I tend to always feel this way when coming back from the long Christmas break.
Anyways, everything is going well up here. I am loving the snow and learning how to be a good winter driver. I need to get Montana license plates so that people don't make assumptions about California drivers based on my inabilities :). That's all for now. If anyone still reads this, drop me a comment and let me know.
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I'm reading it Jess ( I hope that's ok), kinda living vicariously through you, feeling a little out of place here in the Land of Gracious Living. As a Michigan boy, with a birthday in October, I learned to drive on the snow and the ice with a rear-wheel drive car (yes, we had cars back then.
ReplyDelete1. Don't get in a hurry, anticipate your next move way before you need to
2. Turn into a spin (it's counter intuitive, but if your back end is sliding to the left, turn your front wheels to the right
3. Use your transmission to slow you down. Pull it into a lower gear instead of relying on your breaks alone.
4. Don't stand on your brakes, just pump them.
I'm sure your seasoned Montana friends have given you good advice. Go for the sandbags they not only provide the weight you need to cut back on the fishtailing, but a little sand also provides you some much needed traction if you should get stuck somewhere.
I know that I probably sound like your Mom, but be sure that you keep a shovel in the trunk along with a good blanket an extra hat and an extra pail of gloves.
Enjoy the snow - Royce parker
BTW - A "pail" of gloves is overkill. An extra "pair" will do just fine.
ReplyDeleteMr. Parker,
ReplyDeleteOf course it's ok that you're reading my blog! I'm just glad that someone is :). My Montana friends have told me what to do, but that doesn't mean that constant reminders aren't helpful. You'd be proud--I have a snow shovel, two warm blankets, and two pairs of gloves that I always keep in the car.
Thanks for the advice (I hadn't heard the whole thing about turning into a spin). I need all the help I can get! And trust me, I'm an expert at living vicariously through other people. So...go right on ahead :). Thanks again for following my journey. I hope you and your family are doing well!! Tell your beautiful wife that I said hello, please.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI'm reading too! Enjoying the fact that you are living your Montana dream!
As a born and raised Californian, I can't give you any snow advice. I have enough trouble with California rain (driving well is not my gift as my dear husband could attest).
As for your students acting up, take a deep breath and hang on. Understanding teenagers is kind of like nailing jello to a wall...not likely. They are probably experiencing post-Christmas let down, or hormones or tired of snow and ready for spring (Montana is not such an adventure if you've always lived there.)
love you darlin!
Jeanann