I am a quick learner at everything else except when it comes to sport. So, even though this was my third time gone skiing, I stayed on green and easy blue trails, and going pretty slow at that. Here is a picture of me on the slope.


Karl Ninh on Born Free trail in Vail.

And a picture of a few of us out on the town on Saturday night while the rest stay home playing Texas Hold'em or just sleep after a long day skiing.




On the second day, I added a little speed hoping I can easier practice keeping my skis parallel while turning. I pretty much can keep my skis parallel except when turning, my inside ski somehow forms a wedge. Well, toward the end of the first steep slope right off the lift, I decided I was going down the slope a little faster than I like so I tried to turn left and get both of my skis perpendicular to the slope so I can stop before going down another steep slope. I have done it so many times before without any trouble. Well, don't know what happened this time, maybe the speed, maybe the thick new snow, I fell and the ski on my right leg did not release. I twisted my right knee as I went down. Then rolled a couple turns down the slope. I felt a little pain in my right knee. I tried bending and straightening at the knee and things were ok so I got up. Thinking I was fine, so I tried get my skis on to keep going. The toe end of the ski boot went in but when I tried to move the heel end of the ski boot in position to snap in the ski, it didn't move. I felt as though I had no knee. Tried a couple times, knew something was definitely wrong so I told Cynthia to go down and get ski patrol to get me down. Saw Teresa and Steve going down so I waved at them. They came by and sat with me until the ski patrol came. They took my essential information, immobilized my right leg, put me on a stretcher, and one of them skied down, towing the stretcher with me in it behind him, while another skied right behind. They got me down to the base, put me on a transport to the hospital. At the hospital, a couple X-rays of my right knee were taken. The doctor then looked at it, examined my knee, bending it this way and that. Then he told me that I had partially torn my MCL (medial collateral ligament). The good news was that I do not need surgery and I can go on skiing. Thank God! I prayed the whole time and that's was all I wanted to hear. The bad news was no more skiing this season and I need to be wearing the knee brace for a while. The doctor prescribed me anti-inflammatory and pain killer. The physical therapist at the hospital gave me instructions on how to do 6 different exercises when I get home. She had me tried walking and going up and down the stairs with crutches. I decided the crutches were too much trouble so I told her I can do without. She didn't believe me so I had to show her I can walk around with just the knee brace.

Next day, Rhodo, a friend in our group, also gave me Arnica Montana, which really helped with the swelling, stiffness and pain. Healing are progressing really well, thanks Rhodo!