journal

Monday, July 8, 2002
Hi Everyone! Thanks for visiting my site. I have been undergoing a lot of life changes lately, so forgive me for taking so long to write.

Firstly, I am currently off the ice for four to six weeks (until roughly August 5th). After multiple x-rays, bone scans, and bone density tests it was falsely understood that the stress fracture in my shin had healed. The readings were false. In fact, my stress fracture is still just healing, so one of my doctors, Dr. Kruse, said that either I take off four to six weeks or have a metal rod placed in my right shin. I'm deathly afraid of surgery and metal detectors going off on me, so I'm taking the time off. I've been off for two weeks so far, and as you can imagine, I'm tearing my hair out. I've been keeping somewhat busy with physical therapy, pilates, and personal training, and of course, eating everything in sight. Although this is a very trying time for me, I have been able to see some positive. Before I was taken off the ice, skating wasn't fun, I was sore, and I had no drive. This break has made me realize what my life would be like without skating, and how much I miss it. So in a way this time off has been a blessing.

Because of my injury, the USFSA pushed my internationals back to the last two in the Grand Prix Series. I will be competing in Saint Petersburg, Russia and Kyoto, Japan this November. I am thrilled that I am getting the chance to go to two competitions again, despite my poor season last year. I am very ready to begin training for them, and to put out my quad sal. My competitive goals for this season are to place top five at both of my internationals, top three at nationals, and make the four continents and world teams.

Before my break, I had begun choreography on my new long program. It will be an awesome program which I hope will help me win some medals and improve in all areas of my skating. I am going to be playing a character this year which is very new for me. I think it will take me out of my comfort zone, so I can really be passionate and interesting while I'm skating.

Hmmm...what else is new? Oh, next week I will be having my wisdom teeth extracted, so I'm very, very nervous about that. I've never had surgery, so it will be an eye opener I'm sure.

My birthday was on July 2. It was a fun day. I got to see a lot of my friends, and Dirke arranged for she and I and a group of close friends to go to Cin Cin in Philadelphia for dinner. Overall, it was a good day for me, and now I'm eighteen. Officially an adult.

In closing, I hope everyone is having a great summer, and I can't wait for you all to see my new material!

Bisous,

-J