December 19, 2009

Last Chance 2009 Ramblings

Hey y'all! 
Greetings from under the snowy shadow of the Grand Tetons!
The weather has been all over the place in the past few weeks; ranging from -20° all the way up to the “almost-balmy” mid 30°s.  Currently, it's 16° and the mountains are slowly accumulating the season's collection of that beautiful, fluffy white stuff.  (BTW, being the American that I am, all temps are listed in Fahrenheit).
Speaking of weather, I hope all my friends on the East side of the States are fairing well through the storms tonight. 

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I've been contemplating learning how to ice-skate this year.  I've also been advised to armor myself in padded pants and elbow protectors, should I decide to embark on this wondrous winter activity.  The man who provided such sage advice is a hockey referee.  He has been zoomin' around on skates for the past 40 years and, amusingly enough, underlined such counsel by sharing a photo of him uniformed-up with blood running down his face because of his brow bone having a close encounter with a hard, thick sheet of frozen water during a game.

Anyone want to place bets on my ice-skating success?
Anyone want to underwrite me for insurance purposes?

Anyone want to sign-up to zip around the ice with me?  A fun time would be had by all, I’m quite sure!

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Y'all may remember my becoming a certified tour director this time  last year.  Employment-wise, the timing proved to be a bit of a challenge.  Many of my classmates have experienced the same thing; signs of the economic times and all that.  
To date, I have sent my résumé to over 90 different tour-related companies.  I still have not yet worked as a tour director.  But!  Being the eternal optimist, I always have hope!  New years bring renewed determinations; and I will continue my efforts into 2010.

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In the meantime, I’ve been having a great time participating in Toastmasters International.
I joined its local affiliate back in February of this year, and have enjoyed it immensely.  The information I have learned, coupled with the experience I have gained, has been quite invaluable.  If YOU want to hone your public-speaking skills, I highly encourage you to join your local chapter of Toastmasters.  Even if you do not “do” public-speaking, there are myriad ways in which you could benefit from your membership in Toastmasters.  Visit the link I’ve provided above and check them out!
To everyone at Teton Toastmasters, here’s a shout-out to y’all!  Thank you so much for being such an incredibly awesome group in so many ways.  The pleasure has definitely been all mine.

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The Elk Refuge recently opened for the Winter Season and is now busy providing sleigh rides.  It is simultaneously a most inspiring and humbling privilege to be able to ride through the herds and see these most majestic animals so completely up-close and personal.
As always, Jackson offers a plethora of winter activities.  Whatever the season and whether indoors or out, it’s impossible to become bored while living or visiting here.   Winter includes various snow activities, art that encompasses many genres, getting together with friends in front of roaring fireplaces . . . the list is practically endless. 
One of my favorite sources in keeping up-to-date with what, when & where is JH’s Chamber of Commerce.
Whether you’re a local, a local wannabe or a future visitor, sign up for “The Lowdown,” the Chamber’s weekly Calender-of-Events email!

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My thanks to Bobbie for forwarding to me this YouTube MOOSE video!
I played it twice through the first time I viewed it.  The frolicking of those baby twin moose, along with the care and watchfulness of their mother, brought many smiles to my face.  What a wonderful way to relax at the end of a busy day!
Incidentally, click here to visit Bobbie’s website - Carrousel Graphics.  Enjoy!

A couple days later after the moose video, I, then, found these photos of white-haired moose while weaving through the wonderful world known as the web. (Visit Snopes.com as to why I do not specifically refer to them as albino moose).
. . . Speaking of Snopes, I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly  encourage y’all to use them when ascertaining if what you want to forward onto 500 of your closest friends is truth or fiction.  :)

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Christmas is just around the corner.  I hope each of y’all have an absolutely JOY-filled Christmas.
May Jesus, whose birth I celebrate, bless each of you most abundantly.
Pax,
Sharon-Marie
Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

4 comments:

Amy H said...

Hey, it's always good to hear from you! I'd begun to wonder if you'd given up on this!

~*SharonMarie*~ said...

Thanks, Amy!

Unknown said...

Hey Sharon-Marie,

Thanks for the newest Rambles. I love hearing from you.

Merry Christmas!

~*SharonMarie*~ said...

Thanks, Christine!