Olenju

One week later!

Part 1 (Ski Camp)
I am back from my ski trip and I have so much to share and write about... I still haven't gotten over the excitement yet and it was really such a fun and fruitful experience. I enjoyed myself so much so much so much and i think this post will be a super long one! :)

Ok, left for Nagoya and Nagano on Sunday and met up with Pamela. It's been almost 2 years since I last saw her and she's grown prettier! N more genki and radiant! Attended her church service and got to know a few people.

Before I went to this ski camp, I had no idea what kind of trip it would be or what to expect. All I really wanted to do was to meet up with Pamela and catch up, as well as try skiing. And so, when Pamela asked me if I would like to join her for skiing, it was a 'YES' without hesitation and this camp has turned out to be such a great blessing to me.

Pamela and I

This ski camp is organised by Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) and there were many university students, missionaries as well as stinters from different countries with CCC. For me, it's the first time I interacted with the Koreans and made friends with them. I became close to 3 of the Korean girls... and they are staying in Osaka now.

Ahha.. thoughts running all over the place again...

Ok, so let me start with the skiing part.

First time I saw so much snow.... First time I tried skiing... First time I felt so afraid and so limited... First time I fell so many times (much more than learning roller-blading)... First time I felt I really couldn't do it and wanted to give up as fear gripped me.

What happened on the first day was that in the morning, as we learnt how to ski, I was able to get the hang of it quite fast and could go down the slopes. The only problem was that I couldn't stop... simply couldn't!!!! N then I would fall or crash into people because of the speed. So after lunch, during our 自由練習時間　(self-practice time), I went up on the beginner slope with my beginner class and then.... well, I got stuck there on the top... Everyone in my group went down the slopes but I just got stumped and din dare to try to go down myself without the instructors even though in the morning, i did succeed in getting down that particular slope.

Up on top at the slope watching everyone ski or snowboard down with ease was difficult for me. I really just stood there... I stood there for about an hour, many times taking small steps forward, but stopping and staring at the 'what-seemed-impossible' downslope. It's funny because people who knew me would know that I am quite adept at picking up new sports, and would go for the challenge. I know that that's me too, but i really couldn't do it then... Faith and fear... fear and faith... both went through my mind. Faith to do it, yet fear stopped me in my tracks. Faith told me to go ahead, then fear gripped me again... I was really so afraid of falling and injuring my knee again, and flashbacks of falling last year at ECP just kept me from moving forward... It was a feeling that I had never experienced before.

So as I was up there contemplating on what I should do, and many people passed me by. There was no way to get down except down the slope, so in the end, I took off my skis... and slowly trudged down the slope. I felt so defeated, so feeble, so lousy and so discouraged that I decided I wouldn't try again on the second day...

But I did. I actually went to tell the person-in-charge not to buy my lift ticket cos I din want to continue with my lessons, but she told me she had already bought it, and then I decided. I MADE UP MY MIND AND DECIDED THAT I MUST NOT GIVE UP. With faith, I will be able to say to the mountain of fear in me to be removed and cast into the sea and it will move.

And my instructor, Jody, knew what my problem and he really really really was patient with me, and even brought along chocolates to encourage us as we went on with the lesson. I fell once more... n then found myself learning how to stop properly... and then went down that particular slope again... n then confidence arose... n then learnt how to do the turns... n then I realised it really wasn't as scary and as intimidating anymore.

This is such an important lesson for me. It really is and I am very very happy because I really felt I have grown in faith through this. What seemed like a giant really was not. It was all in the mind. The Korean girls encouraged me so much in this because as I looked at them, they too were afraid and yet, they were bolder and more courageous than me! Ahha, I am so glad I stuck it out... so glad that I din give up. To be able to ski down the slopes was so exciting and liberating!

A pict of the 3 Korean girls (Yung Gyung, Hyung Jung, Okkyung) and I who went skiing together the second day. They are my first Korean friends and they are so funny! Hahah... They are only in their very early-2os!
今度のcampは三人と仲良くなったことは　めっちゃうれしいです。いろんな励まして　ありがとうね。また神戸ね！

My instructor - Jody! Thank you so much! It wouldn't have been possible without you, and I will remember not to step on the rope.

Ahha, anyway, what you see behind us is the rock climbing wall. That was our activity on the 2nd night. Skiing was only just part of the camp. We rock-climbed, and some others went for a night hike too.

Rock climbing was also difficult! It requires tenacity and perseverance and in the beginning, it seemed easy but halfway, when my hands lost all strength, man... it was tough to heave myself up to the next level. We had to touch the ceiling before we could come down. It was really tough but great fun!

More pictures of the ski trip

The Beginners Class for Skiing

A picture of the snowy landscape

Me in Beth's ski gear

Snow is soft and comfy... n not as cold as I thought it would be!

Playing with snow. I tried to make a 鼠 (nezumi = mouse) and it turned out looking like an 猪 (inoshishi=pig), so I decided to use this 兔 (usagi=rabbit) to pose a picture with. This usagi is made by a Japanese friend!