Hi Everyone-
Thanks for visiting. A lot has happened to me recently, from withdrawing from my Grand Prix events, the holidays, and of course, the nearing National Championships. Before I go into all of that, I would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and Luck in the New Year.
I'll start with Cup of Russia. I arrived in Moscow on a Monday evening. I was so excited just to be in the skating mecca of the World. As I walked to the baggage claim area, I noticed only one of my two huge suitcases, the one with my skates in it, was not there. So I filled out the paperwork, and my suitcase and my skates arrived that night at midnight. The following day I had my first practice, and it went really well. It was a fun practice because it was only the US teams, so it was Sasha, Matt, and I. The rink was really amazing. It was like one of those huge stadiums that you see on documentaries of olden times, it was so exciting. That day I got to do some site seeing with Sasha, her mother, and my mother. We went to Red Square and a large department store called GUM. It was a fun day filled with matryoshka dolls and blinis (Russian pancakes). The following day was another practice and the draws. Again my practice went very well, so I was pleased. The draw was that night and I drew first. It was rather unfortunate, but I was still so psyched to skate in front of a Russian audience. The next morning I woke up and couldn't get out of bed. My stomach was so cramped up, I could barely stand up straight to get ready for practice, but I was determined to go on and compete. After my practice, however, it was apparent to me that it would be in my best interest to withdraw, so I did. I think if I were more experienced or something, I may have been able to push myself through it, but this is only my seventh season competing. I just couldn't handle being in a place I revere as the best in the world, and not skating well due to illness. So I hung around the hotel for the remainder of the trip, basically because the team staff thought it would be best not to be seen. Apparently the Russian federation was upset I didn't compete and wanted Russian doctors to check on me, so I stayed hidden. Despite withdrawing from COR, I still wanted to give it my all at NHK Trophy the following week. The night of the men's long program, I sat in my room, and very late that night I was called into the room of the team leader, with her, a judge, my coach, and mother. They advised me (besides my mother) not to go to NHK in case I would get sick again. I was so angry because I really wanted to go, but in the end they won, and I didn't go. I was on my way home without accomplishing anything, except checking off Russia as a place I'd like to visit. Russia really was extraordinary by the way. Moscow is my third favorite city! I could have looked at the negative from this trip, and gotten depressed or whatever, but now I want nothing more than to prove myself at Nationals, and let everyone know how good I am.
This holiday season has been so hectic, lots of shopping and decorating and training. I have done two shows this December. One in Laurel, Maryland and the other in Newark, Delaware. The one in Laurel was my debut in front of people since May. I skated my short program, and it was not my best, but a good effort I though. The following week I performed at The Pond, my secondary skating facility. I did my short program again, and I think it was amazing. The audience clapped so loud for me, and I was so happy to have done my first clean short in front of people! I have one more show coming up before Nationals, the National Send-Off on January 4th at the University of Delaware. It will be the only chance I have to do my long before Nationals, so hopefully it will be a good one.
As for Nationals, I'm very open minded with what can happen. I know that I can skate cleanly and that I have improved a lot since last season, but I know a lot of the guys beneath me are skating very well, which only pushes me more and more to work hard at home and knock the socks off everyone in Dallas. I really can't wait. I'm ready, I'm confident, and I know it will be good. So, I hope you all can tune in and watch me. I hope you can see the improvements too!
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you all are having a fun and safe holiday season.
-J We
