Well, the hike up Mt. Wantastiquet was WAY more challenging than I thought it was going to be. I thought that my summer in Putney prepared me for this challenge, but after a month home, I realize now how out of shape I really am.

The problem started out in the beginning. I started walking too fast and proceeded to start multiple conversations at the same time. What I should have done was to start off slowly and then gradually set a reasonable pace for me.

The trail wasn't flat and straight. Instead, there were several inclines I had to climb. There were several moments where I felt like I was going to throw up and/or pass out (maybe because of altitude change), but luckily, I had the common sense to stop every now and then. I actually prayed several times for strength and courage to make it to the summit.

Once I got at the summit, the views were breathtaking! You could see Brattleboro everywhere and I could almost see SIT in the distance. It was well worth the struggle to get up to the top. Coming down was easier, but at one point, a man stopped me and commented to me about my shirt. I was wearing a "I Heart NY" t-shirt and this man was telling me about the time he saw a bumper sticker with the phrase "I Heart ME" and whether it meant the person loved Maine or him/herself. (Interesting conversations Vermonters have here!)

This hike reminded me of a Chinese fortune cookie I ate in Bennington, on the way to Brattleboro. The fortune proclaimed "Your path will be long and arduous, but infintely rewarding in the end." This analogy could be used to describe yesterday's hike and my year at SIT. The coursework sounds challenging, but I think my experience here will be so rewarding to me.

I hope...