Title: "Surprise"
Hi Everyone-
Thank you for coming and checking my Journal. Things have been interesting since my last entry. I've started choreography on my free program, tried to do as well as possible in the shows for Champions On Ice, received my Grand Prix assignments for the season, and overall been just about as crazy as usual.
I had a break from the tour at the beginning of June so I went home to start choreography on my long program with Marina Anissina. The theme has changed a bit from my original idea of persian themed music and costume, to Jerusalem. I'm not giving too much away, but it isn't average by any means. Marina has so much talent and passion. I am learning so much from her. We finished the skeleton of the program in a few days and are now working on specific sections and refinement. I really like the program and I really love working with her. She doesn't let me whine or complain, and I like that. I need people who aren't afraid to yell at me, piss me off, or act pissed off themselves. Marina is, like many Russians, a task master. I still have my style, but she's helping me create a new style and image. The only way to grow in life is to try new things, and I hope this is a step in the right direction. She really is a magnificent choreographer.
In preparation for the season, I've taken out my easy elements in the show program and have replaced them with much harder ones. I am doing triple axel in the number now as well as triple lutz and a triple flip. I think doing my more difficult jumps every night will help me feel more comfortable when I compete. I am also experimenting with some new spins and steps just to try them out on an audience before I put them in front of judges. I haven't debuted 'Desert Rose' yet, but it will happen very soon. I'm just waiting on the costume!
I recently found out that I was selected for Skate Canada and Cup of Russia this season. I am thrilled with Cup of Russia and ready to make a new start for myself in Canada. I am a little weary of Canada because it seems I always place seventh there, but I want to change that, especially before Vancouver in 2010. I guess my main goal is to be prepared, and if I am then nothing can stop me. I know I have stiff competition in both places, but I'm ready to be a champion.
I've been having a lot of fun on tour. My favorite thing is going shopping and haggling for people. I love to bargain! Whether it's Louis Vuitton or a restaurant, I'll ask for a better price. It's fun. On the tour there is a divide between the Russians and the non-Russians. It's definitely not mean, but people are more comfortable with their own 'kind.' Recently though, we have all hung out together as a huge family. When we were in Minneapolis, all of us went out on the Collins' boat and made a day of sunning ourselves and swimming with the fishes. It was great to be out relaxing with everyone and having everyone get along. A different day Shizuka and I went on the boat with a photographer, Kathleen Bangs, for some upcoming magazine photos. We rode the Jetskis and played around on the boat. It was so much fun. I'd really only known Shizuka from training with Tatiana Anatolievna and seeing each other at competitions, so it was nice to actually talk and hang out. Overall, I'm comfortable and I'm happy. I am trying to find the balance between work and fun at times, but I'm really happy. I love the other people on this tour, they're like family. Even if we all compete, and are at each other's throats, nobody screws with my family and gets away with it! :)
In other news, my family has a new addition, a new miniature Jack Russell named Nikita. He is the youngest of our five little dogs. We have Bon Bon, Sam, Vanya, Augustusz and Nikita. I am loving the summer sales right now! Christina Aguilera's album is going to be hot. I am so excited for 'The Devil Wears Prada' film to come out. I turn twenty two soon which makes me feel very old. I have a new found love of swan diving off the side of a boat. I have a new passion for sprinting. Irina sent me the song of Cheburashka as a ringtone, so my phone plays Cheburashka. You're now officially caught up.
That's all for now. If something wonderful or shitty happens I'll let you know. In the meantime, enjoy summer, have a cold glass of sweet tea, and RELAX!
Much love,
-Johnny
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