Here I Go On A Rant

I don’t usually go public about what bothers me. However, I have several pet peeves that may be a little obsessive. For example, I hate when people eat with their mouth open, or talk extremely loud in public. And recently, the issue of recycling has been my “urg” of choice. I was raised in a household where we recycled everything. Even old banana peels and plant clippings had a place in the compost pile. And to this day, my family is still going steady. My father takes the cake for ingraining in us the habit of recycling. We never really discussed why we did it. We simply did it. It was and still is a normal part of our lives. As of the past five to seven years my dad has been an active member on the town recycling committee. He is not by any means a pioneer in recycling, however he has been a great role model for my brother and me.

So here I am in college. I have an apartment with four other girls and we share a kitchen where we each cook several times a day. Now with that being said, we tend to produce a lot of waste. Especially with that fancy packaging that every bit of food has to come in these days. I have continued my recycling habit as usual but I noticed that my roommates don’t. I know not everyone grew up like me but come on. Didn’t they teach you anything in school about the importance of recycling let a lone how to “correctly” recycle. And it is so easy now. You can put glass, paper, and plastic all in the same bin. However, this solution seems like it is not easy enough for them.

I often find myself picking their recyclables out of the trash and washing them out before throwing them in the correct bin. I know its gross but the truth of the matter is grosser. Seriously, these pieces of plastic will sit in the ground for millions of years while leaching harsh chemicals into the earth. If that doesn’t sound gross to you than, well, lets just say that’s sad. So in this past semester I have made an effort to teach them the importance of recycling and how to do it. Like taking an extra minute to rinse out your yogurt cup and recycling it rather than just chucking it in the trash. Also, I have taught them what simply can and cannot be recycled. It really takes hardly any effort at all. Often times they slip up and take the easy way out. However, I realize it takes time to get into such a routine and they have definitely come a long way.

Samuel Clemens

I have recently come to the conclusion that Mark Twain is my favorite author. Oddly enough I have only read one of his books. That is, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I know it is strange to pick a favorite with having read almost none of his works. However, it is not necessarily his novels that struck a cord with me. It is, however, his essence of being a great American. He was an intelligent man who was adventurous and witty.

I have found many of the things he has said to be inspiring. For example, this quote I posted above. What a thing to say when you are down in the dumps. The other night my friend was upset about something someone had said to her. And what do you know I find myself referencing this quote to her. I know, super nerdy, but what can I say, Mark Twain is inspirational. Even Ernest Hemingway felt the same:

“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn… American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since”

And so everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I agree with Mr. Hemingway about Mark Twain being a pretty cool dude. And I’ll top it off with my favorite Twain quote,

“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”

The Gor”ski” Trip

Dad and Mom on the Lift in Deer Valley

Every winter the Gorski family takes our annual adventure to the wild west for some of the best skiing in the world. You could say it is in our DNA to ski since it is in our name. However, we have been doing it for decades now. My dad is an expert with about 55 years experience and my mom is not too shabby with about 25 years. I have an older brother who is almost 24 and he started skiing when he was 5. And myself, I have no recollection of ever not skiing. I was just out of diapers at age 2 and here I am 19 years later at age 21 and loving every moment on the slopes.

We grew up learning how to ski New England which is appropriate being from Rhode Island. However, it all changed in February of 2000 when my parents decided to take a hop, skip, and a jump to the Rocky Mountains. We were ruined since that trip to Copper, CO. We had to go back the next year. So we did, but we wanted to try a new place. Steamboat Springs was next, then Breckenridge the following year. After a few trips to Colorado we went rogue and ventured out to the Canyons in Park City, Utah. This was the year after the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. The following years we switched it up by going to Lake Tahoe, CA and many times back to other mountains in Colorado and Utah. Every mountain was special in its own way and it was always hard to pick a favorite.

For the past three years we have been returning to Park City, Utah where there are three mountain resorts; The Canyons, Park City, and Deer Valley. Needless to say after making the trip back each year we ultimately fell in love. So much so that my parents bought a townhouse. And it is beyond the champagne snow that calls us to it each winter. The whole town gives enough reasons of its own to want to come back. There are unbelievable restaurants with prestigious awards and amazing culinary dishes. The shops offer a fabulous array of fashion, home decor, gifts, and much more. I personally love the art galleries and the beautiful works of the local artists. And there is definitely a night life with several clubs and great bars.

You can never go wrong in Park City. I don’t know how anyone could ever get bored there. It is a great place to spend time with friends or just my family. I look forward to our winter trips out west every year and I have the best memories from them. I cannot thank my parents enough for everything they have given me and our ski trips have brought us closer together as a family.

More Than Just Cooties

Oh the innocence of young love. We have all had a first crush and of course I did as soon as I could start socializing with other children. I don’t know how I could like a boy at such a young age, approximately five, but I did and I was crazy for him. His name was William and I met him in my Pre-K class. Needless to say the morning drop off tears were a thing of the past when I had a reason to go to school. I took every opportunity I could to play with him whether he liked it or not. Quite frankly, I didn’t care. I just wanted to be with him. With frequent play dates at our houses, I was as in love as a five year old girl could get.

I don’t know how soon I realized it but I knew that one day I would marry him. This was something I wasn’t afraid to share with the world. I told this to all of my family and friends that we would be together for ever. One time I got into a fight with my best friend Justinie because she also liked him and had similar feelings. However, I would like to think I won the battle since William continued to play with me anyways. Who knows what he was ever thinking. If he didn’t at least like me as a friend then he wouldn’t have given me the time of day. So if there was any true chemistry I cannot be sure. But I am sure that his friendship gave me a small look into a relationship, even if it was amongst children.

I don’t really know where he is today and I don’t know if I ever will. But I will always remember him as more than my first crush, but the boy who saw me as more than just cooties.

Ode to Vegatables

Colorful Array
Picture perfect on my plate
Fresh in every way

That’s right, I wrote a haiku. It’s been a while since I have ever done one (circa middle school). It is the result of my weekend challenge to go vegetarian. Something I never want to do full time but could manage on a temporary basis.  I love meat however I do find cows and piggies rather cute. Because of this I sometimes think about cutting meat out of my diet. So in an attempt to see how a growing population nourishes their bodies I took it upon myself to dive into this lifestyle for the weekend. And my end results? Well lets just say I surprised myself and didn’t die. I only kid. I have been going meat free on Fridays because of Lent so this was just an extra two day extension. I cooked some great meals. My favorite was a Tuscan quinoa with sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, onions, and tempeh. It was fabulous! I love cooking so this was a great way for me to explore a few other options.

I don’t think I will be doing this full time. I like my chicken and salmon too much to give it up. However, I could definitely do this occasionally or even once a week without any difficulties. If anything it taught me that there are other outlets to explore when it comes to finding nourishing yet delicious food for my body and they don’t have to include meats.

The Living Room

Deep in the congestion of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida my grandparents reside in their spacious plantation style ranch.  They are a kind folk who welcome the family into their home whenever we can make the hike down from chilly Rhode Island. As much as I loved visiting them as a child, especially because they have a pool, I always despised the living room. Of all places this was the worst. Not because it is ugly or run down. It is actually quite nice. On the walls are old 1970’s striped wallpaper with photos of friends and family scattered neatly yet still eclectically splayed. The furniture feels of the same era yet it is in perfect condition from little to no use. A few books sit on the coffee table along with some needlepointed coaster my grandmother made. Windows cover the whole backside of the room however sheer curtains blur the view of the pool. The front side is open to the foyer; taunting a young child to enter yet better judgement tells her not to go in. Not a speck of dust can be seen and everything has a place. It has a perfectly raked creme colored carpet where any footprint was deemed evidence of a non-existant crime scene. And grandma yells, “get out of there,” whenever any grandchild tries to cross the border of the forbidden room.

So yes, I hated the living room, but it is engrained in my mind forever.

Spring is Coming

Yay! That was the first thought I had when I stumbled upon this while aimlessly searching Pinterest. I am so ready for warmer weather. As much as I love the snow and am passionate about skiing, some 50+ temps would be nice. Hello, spring skiing anyone?

But if I want to get all poetic on this topic I can pull it apart like a southern BBQ pork loin. But really it is just a metaphor for optimism in any dark part of your life. There is always a silver lining. When you hit the bottom there is nowhere else to go but up. This is not to say I am in a low point of my life, but it is always good to keep these thoughts in mind even during the good times. And I truly believe that you as an individual have control over your outlook on life. I have a friend who is always stressed for God knows what reasons. Be it school, work, or her social life, she is always in a panic or frazzled. I can never understand how someone could want to feel so out of place all the time. And I say, “could want to feel that way,” because I believe emotions such as stress are a choice. And even in the dead of winter I choose to embrace life and avoid stress like the plague. My roommates frequently ask me if I am stressed about school. I don’t know why anyone would care to ask but I am assuming they are trying to commiserate with me about their stress. However I cannot relieve them of this and I usually respond with a simple, “nope!”

Now, there will be times in my life when I am stressed but it comes and goes like the waves. And to this I say (or another inspirational Pinterest quote says), “some days you just have to create your own sunshine.” So if you are having a bad day, find something that makes you happy and do it. It’s good for the soul!

As I Rest My Head

There are six pillows on my bed.
All lively and fresh.
One long melts frothy cream,
     Luxurious by any sort.
Another pale yellow,
     With an identical twin.
Two pea green,
     Dandelions spiral in placid motion.
And one exotic,
     The sexiest of all.
It begs to be seen with its mustard blossoms,
     Oblong leaves dancing in fluid motion.
There are six pillows on my bed.
They mean nothing when I sleep.

So this poem was kind of random. But a lot of poems are. I was just laying on my bed not thinking about much when I was caught between staring at my pillows and daydreaming. And there I was, inspired by something as basic as a pillow. The point of this poem is that some pillows are glamorous while others not so much. But at the end of the day they are just pillows. And you can probably infer the same about people. We are just people.

Hot Shower

Cold air taps the window
Vexing to come inside
But here am I
Living the dream in my hot shower
As fog rolls up the window glass
Distorting the outside
Trying to shelter me from the truth
But I am no fool
Suddenly I realize
My privileged life

What a mundane life we live. We get up, brush our teeth, take a shower, and so on. Often times we complain about being tired or not wanting to go to work. Never do we stop and think about how privileged we live. There are millions of people who would love to have our problems. So here I am, your regular college girl who enjoys a hot shower on a bitter winter day. And it hits me, I live a privileged life. How fortunate I am to lather in such a royal luxury that very few can even fathom. To feel the hot water on my dry, cracked skin as suds run down my body, I revel in such a thing yet almost think nothing of it. And to who ever reads this, I urge you to take a minute and ponder this, maybe when you do something as common as taking a hot shower.

Ocean Matter

Liquorice ribbons slosh around ankles
Leaving slimy mucus
Repulses the little girls
Who squeal with enthusiasm
And disgust

But I see not
An unrefined thing

Dancing currents conduct the grass
Gentle sways of movement
In harmony with music
Laced with rhythm
And delight

Taking something repelling and seeing its beauty.