The First Winter Snow

Well, Fall officially started on September 23, 2019.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho got our first snow on September 28, 2019.

5 days into Fall, and Idaho decides it’s going to be winter now.

Things are moving swiftly.

I am taking an American Sign Language course at North Idaho College, just for fun. On the 28th, I had class in the morning. I normally walk. 

Looking outside my window, I saw the snow. It was beautiful, peaceful.

I thought, “I can enjoy a walk in the snow; it’s not that far.” So I put on my winter coat, a hat, some gloves, and some boots, and walked out the door. 

It definitely started out beautiful and peaceful as I was walking through downtown CDA. 

But as soon as I got out of the protection of the buildings, the wind came, the snow turned sideways, the lake was crashing onto the shore next to me. 

It was a full-blown blizzard!

I got to class soaked to the bone and wiping snow and ice bits off of my eyelashes. 

The class was a blast, but walking home was not much better. Wind still howling and snow still coming down sideways, I finally made it home.

Warm shower, fuzzy socks, and 3 layers later, I was a happy camper. 

The next day (Sunday), I decided to brave the snow again and go for a hike up Canfield Mountain. This mountain is on the edge of CDA and is an entire conglomerate of trails. 

The hike I took was a little over 5 miles, and I got a beautiful view of Lake CDA. 

Now you’re probably thinking, ok Rach, get to the point. 

So here’s my point: change comes quickly and often when you least expect it. 

But the best thing you can do is to embrace it. 

Walk in the snow. 

This change of moving to Northern Idaho has not been easy for me. 

Making friends is challenging, starting an advanced new career is challenging, living alone is challenging, dating is challenging, not having family close by is challenging, the list goes on.

To be honest, it’s been super hard.

Nights of tears from fear, frustration, confusion, and yet something in me keeps telling me to push onward. 

Keep working hard, there’s a learning curve. 

Keep going out and trying to meet new people.

Keep dating.

Keep going outside of your comfort zone, and this will get easier.

I don’t know who or what this voice is. Half of the time I think it’s crazy and that I probably shouldn’t be listening to it. 

It would be so much easier to go back to Colorado, live at home for a bit, find a coffee shop job, and figure out what to do.

But that little voice tells me to hold out. 

Embrace the change.

Face your fears.

All of those cliche sayings that people tell you, but you never think you’ll need to actually remind yourself.

So, the first Winter storm of 2019 came in September.

I was not prepared; I still have sandals in my shoe bucket.

But I went out in the snow. 

I got cold and wet, but it was fun! I still smiled. I now have a great story to tell. 

So I don’t know what is to come of this adventure in Northern Idaho.

I’m not sure if I’ll stay here, or move onward.

But I’m still trying.

I’m trying to make friends, excel at my job, go on dates, live alone, and adventure.

That’s all that really matters, right?

That you give everything you’ve got for everything that you do?

I think if I keep that in the forefront of my mind, something good will have to come of this grand adventure. 

I’ve already learned so much, hopefully I can continue to learn, grow, and see what becomes of the girl who moved to Northern Idaho because she “thought it was pretty.”

Cheers,

Rach