And it begins. . . .

Tuesday, January 19
Spring semester starts today and I arrive with some trepidation after a month away. I'm fully aware that my intentions to practice knots, rock climbing set-ups, and be able to dismantle and reassemble the camp stove blindfolded are all unfulfilled. I worked on my Independent Project early in the Break but once the holidays were here, intentions all fell away. Now we're back in the classroom and didn't need to arrive until 12:30 because the crew from the Equador trip arrived back late last night. Ian, a favorite of mine, came over and gave me a big hug. I gave him a can of Ian's Pasta Kit that I found at Deals and Steals and couldn't pass up given the name and the price.

Plans to ski have changed to plans to hike. We drive out to an area in Greenfield and hike through the woods and I put on my Christmas gift Microspikes footwear traction and my footing feels solid. We summit to a wooden platform but can't see anything because the clouds are too thick and low. We circle up on the platform and share a highlight of our holiday and/or Break. The Equador group has no shortage of highlights although Aaron says that his highlight was getting to see his sisters. My turn and I say, "You know how sometimes the thing that is most recent stands out. Well, my most recent is going to Cambridge to see friends and them talking me into trying on black leather pants and jacket in Filene's Basement." They made me do Charlie's Angel poses in the dressing room. It was a lot of fun, something I've never done but fulfilled a secret desire to try on black leather. . . all the better because I had friends to play with doing it. I'd never dare to wear the pants but I loved the jacket and, with help from my sweet friends, bought the Basement Bargain. But Jake had the best news. He went for his WFR Certification and completed it! We were all psyched for him.

Beth and Austin talked about the coming semester and how the fall was about building community in the group as we had our introductions to various course work. The spring will be directed toward technical instructor levels and we'll be going in different directions, 1/2 the group here, 1/2 the group there and we won't necessarily be all together again. They're pushing us to think in terms of leadership and asking us all to pony up with our focus and responsibility to ourselves and the group. On the way back to the cars, we were to consider our leadership goals for the semester and share them with someone. Jake and I talked and I was happy to since we haven't spent much time together but will be on the winter trip together.  He's come such a long way. I was impressed with how he took responsibility for things he didn't accomplish in the fall but intends to accomplish in the spring. Way to go, Jake. My leadership goals are to trust myself, speak up more even when it's uncomfortable. Easier said than done but it's one of my growth places and one of the reasons I'm in this program. As Austin and Beth say, we need to make sure we get out of this program what we came here for and some of the return is only possible through our effort.

Tomorrow, Nordic ski lesson in prep for the winter trip.