After a day's work

 I quickly dug right into the steaming bowl of rice set before me and dumped about half of it on my plate, fighting the pain of the hot glass stinging my skin. I've been waiting for this all day; I picked up the small round metallic bowl by its gold-colored handles and scooped the warm chunks of curried lamb and vegetables onto the rice. I began by lifting a small piece of green capsicum with my fork up to my mouth and tasted the pure, unadulterated taste of the curry, gauging its spiciness, and being pleasantly satisfied. The physical temperature of the food was almost as pleasing to me as the spices and I slowly began to scoop rice and chunks of lamb into my mouth, savoring each bite and relishing in its warmth.

An absolutely perfect way to end my first day at work. My meal consisted of a perfect combination of filling and nourishing mint-flavored lamb, savory onion and capsicum, crunchy flakes of sliced almond, a slightly creamy brown curry sauce with just enough spice to satisfy my need for something pungent and comfortingly hot steaming basmati rice. All for only $9.99!

The first of many $10 curry nights

I ate my meal alone and in peace, but after an 8 hour work day, my first day of work in exactly two months, and my first 8 hour work day in... I can't remember how long... I was happy to be alone with my thoughts, gazing out the window at the cars and people making their ways up and down Shotover Street. I could finally relax a bit, knowing I had finally earned money, and even was so bold as to pay for my dinner in cash, no longer having to rely on credit. I know that from this point on, finding work will not be as much of a chore as in the last few weeks.

After my meal I met up with Sophie who was meeting up with another friend, Liz, staying at a brand new hostel next to Patagonia on the Wharf called Absoloot. We walked over to Monty's, and after they purchased their drinks at the bar I noticed Dottie and Viviana sitting at the cozy booth table next to ours and waved and said hello. I got into quite a lengthy discussion with Dottie about work, both my new job and Coronet, followed by our decision to go to the Top Blokes show the following night and make a girls' night out of it.

I think I am going to be the only person who will be friends with the entire ski school at Coronet without actually working there. I met Herve, who left soon after I arrived, Jan from the Czech Republic who was sporting an exceptionally large purple one-piece, Will from NYC who works at Aspen, Gavin from the UK, who I had met the previous week when we were at Monty's with Ant, Patricio from Argentina, saw Natalia as well, and also met Grant from Scotland, who I think may be her boyfriend. I didn't get a chance to meet Gavin's girlfriend, Heather, but Dottie suggested I make a connection with her since she works at the creche at Coronet and could hook me up with some babysitting jobs. Though I wasn't drinking I felt very relaxed and at home with this group, and chatted away with Dottie animatedly for quite some time. I wasn't my normal worn-out at the end of the day self. I must have been revitalized by the curry, and working in the office I found to be quite pleasant and cheerful instead of a draining day on the hill.

View from Nigel and Cat's house

After a while longer I met up with Sophie again to give her a ride home and came home early to relax. I am quite looking forward to my slumber being facilitated by the electric blanket I found in the closet last night after almost sniffling and shivering myself to death. Who knew an electric blanket would be the answer to my problems? Instead of using the heater in Park City and waking up not being able to breathe I should use an electric blanket. I haven't used one since about when I was in high school, when my mom didn't turn the heat up very high and I was freezing every morning when I had to get out of bed for school. The easiest way for me to get out of bed on a cold morning is to make sure it's warmer outside my bed than inside! Only four more nights until I will get to sleep in my own bed!