Time to Revive This Blog
March 8, 2011 at 12:15 pm | Posted in grad school, ice skating, synchro | Leave a commentTags: adult skater, ice skating, practice, preliminary freestyle, skating tests
OMG, has it really been almost a year since I have written about my skating adventures? Probably because I have barely been skating since last spring. I took the summer off so I could use “skating money” to finish paying off a car note for a vehicle that was totaled in an accident….as well as some other expenses. I had planned to start back to private lessons last fall, but then I started grad school and was sidetracked by that for a semester. I am taking a break from synchro until further notice, mainly due to grad school. If I can find a way to include both in my life (and afford it along with my private lessons), I will definitely try…but I might not be competing with the team again until I graduate — we will see.
That being said I have returned to taking lessons with my freestyle coach twice a month. We are once again working on the test program (see “First Freestyle Program…” ). My goal is to test this fall. Jumps are great, spins are getting better. There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel as far as the individual skills are concerned. Now as it relates to putting it all together to music…well, let’s just say everything fell apart during the run-through — literally. I found myself sliding across the ice on my jump attempts, tripping and mis-stepping, and generally looking very awkward and un-artistic. My music is beautiful — I want to look beautiful too! 
I have time though. I am determined to stay focused and practice at least once per week in addition to my lesson time. I am also going to return to MIF lessons soon too. I really need to finish these tests.
First Freestyle Program in 8 Years???
April 5, 2010 at 1:36 pm | Posted in ice skating | 1 CommentTags: adult skater, choreography, figure skating, freestyle, ice skating, jumps, preliminary freestyle, spins
Today, I started learning my preliminary freestyle program. I am skating to The Chairman’s Waltz from the soundtrack Memoirs of a Geisha. Very pretty music. 
The required elements are salchow, loop, flip, single jump combined with toe-loop (my choice is flip-toe), back spin, and sit spin. A few creative elements are included such as spiral, attitude, lunge, etc. And of course graceful arm movements.
Performing the jumps in a specific spot on the ice with a shorter set up will take some getting used to. But the program is nice and simple. I just need to work on making the transitions between elements smoother…and actually manage to hold the spins in the proper form for three full revolutions.
I don’t think I have had a program since 2002 or 2003….when I last time performed a solo in Fort Dupont’s annual ice show. I fell down two or three times and felt totally embarrassed. I have had no interest in skating alone since then. lol
But I need to pass these tests….or rather I WANT to pass as many freestyle tests as possible. And a program is required. Since I have been competing synchro, I have become more comfortable with performing. So I feel good about returning to skating solos.
I don’t know when I will test…..not until the spins (and the program) are consistent….the spins are ALMOST there. *sigh*
A Silver Finish To The Season
February 10, 2010 at 2:41 pm | Posted in ice skating, synchro, Uncategorized | 1 CommentTags: adult skater, DC EDGE, DC Edge Synchro Team, Eastern Synchronized Sectional Championships, figure skating, ice skating, open adult synchro, synchronized skating
What a great finish to our season – beating ten teams to win the silver medal in the Open Adult division of the 2010 Eastern Synchronized Skating Championship! It was a tough competition for me because I was sick…struggling to recover from a mild flu I think. I was in bed for two days before flying out to MA for the competition. My bottle of DayQuil medicine and box of tissues became as essential as my skating gear (especially those tissues!).
The hardest part of competing sick was that my energy level would fluctuate, and synchro is not just about the technical skill of steps, turns, and formations, but it also requires high energy to express the music. It’s all part of the presentation. I did my best, and I think we did a good job (obviously, since we medaled). But I’m just disappointed that the experience was not as fun for me.
When I texted my mom to tell her that we won second place, knowing I was sick she responded with “Congratulations! Did you skate?” Of course I did! I would have to be bedridden in order to miss a competition.
The Open Adult Team had a good group of skaters this year, everyone was committed to doing their best and supporting the team. We had good coaches too who really challenged us by choreographing a program that was more difficult than last year, and helped us to improve in the sport of synchro and as individual skaters. Thanks Jenny and Christine!
Synchronized skating is a great sport. It is an awesome opportunity to make new friends, travel, learn how to get along with different personalities, wear fun costumes, and get free massages from your teammates!
I don’t know if I’m coming back to skate next season. I’ll be working full-time, in grad school part-time, and I’m not sure if I want the added pressure of competing. It can be a little stressful sometimes.
If I do take the season off, I will definitely be there to cheer them on. Heather has the distinction of being our #1 fan, but I will gladly take the #2 spot!
GO DC EDGE!!!!
Skating Goals for 2010
January 13, 2010 at 9:38 pm | Posted in ice skating | 1 Comment
As sychro season winds down to an end, I am preparing to refocus on my freestyle and moves goals for this year. I have a nine month plan for February to October.
General Goals
Skate 3 hours per week
Stretch 2x a day
Increase stamina
More power in skating
No hesitation when performing MIF patterns
3 Month Goals: Feb – Apr
Consistent sit spin & back spin – min 3 rev
Consistent loop & lutz
Consistent waltz thru lutz combined w/ toe loop
6 Month Goals: Feb – July
Consistent camel spin – min 3 rev
Consistent waltz thru lutz combined with loop jump
Pass pre-juvenile MIF test
9 Month Goals: Feb – Oct
Pass preliminary FS test
Land axel jump (?)
Silver Medal Performance
January 13, 2010 at 6:09 pm | Posted in ice skating, synchro | 2 Comments
It’s been a while since I have posted on this blog about synchro. The season is going well so far. I must admit, I felt very overwhelmed when we first began learning our program. The program is a little more difficult than last year — with more speed and more advanced footwork. Plus only half of last year’s team returned this season. So a lot of new skills and people to get used to.
Our hard work is paying off though. DC EDGE Open Adult just won second place at the 2010 Colonial Classic (competing against six other teams). Very exciting and gratifying. As much as you think you are (or are not) doing well, it’s not until you enter competition against other teams that you are really able to measure your progress.
This is only my second synchro competition ever, but I thought this one was a little more fun than Easterns last year. Most of the team took the same flight in, so we had a drink together before getting on the flight, and were able to sit together on the plane. We also spent more time together as a whole team, with a team lunch and team dinner. Since we were the only DC EDGE team at Colonials, we had the coaches attention all to ourselves.
As much fun as it was…..after three days I was ready to go home! When our returning flight was delayed, you better believe I took a standby ticket on an earlier flight. I didn’t get much sleep that weekend, and I was starting to get cranky.
But overall, it was good times, and I’m looking forward to Easterns coming up at the end of the month. We will have our two sister teams there competing as well. We’re going for gold now (at least I am)!
Another Test Behind Me
December 7, 2009 at 12:25 am | Posted in grad school | 5 CommentsTags: graduate school, GRE, library science, MLS, online program
Well I am ashamed to admit that I barely studied for the GRE, but I still managed to pull of a decent score….which I do not care to share in public. I’m glad that’s over with. I do think that if I applied myself, I could improve on that score if I tested again, but I think I will be content with what I have.
So next, I need to finish my personal statement for the UMD application. I also need to contact one of my letter writers. My third letter of recommendation has not been sent in yet. This application process is dragging on way longer that it needs to. I really need to wrap this up.
A couple of people have suggested I also apply to an online program, since that would provide more flexibility in scheduling work and school together, and supposedly it is cheaper. But I think I need an old-fashioned classroom setting in order to stay focused and not procrastinate too much. Plus it would just seem so lonely completing my program online. I need the human contact, and the chance to meet new people who share my career path.
30-Day Countdown
October 26, 2009 at 2:40 pm | Posted in grad school, ice skating | Leave a commentTags: grad school, ice skating, life, thoughts
I have about a month until my GRE exam…and *gasp* I haven’t really been studying yet. I also need to finish my personal statement for the grad school application.
So, from now until my exam, I am putting myself on a strict schedule. Only work, studying/writing, and skating. No going out on the weekends, or staying up late watching TV. I must force myself to be productive.
I guess I have to go back to the college habits of writing out a weekly schedule. Otherwise, I will just keep on procrastinating.
A Purposeful Statement
October 6, 2009 at 4:18 pm | Posted in grad school, writing | Leave a commentTags: grad school, grad school application, masters in library science, MLIS, MLS, writing
I am in the process of applying to grad schools in order to pursue a Masters degree in Library Science. The flurry of activity includes attending school info sessions, requesting recommendations, studying for the GRE, completing the online application, updating my resume, and writing a stunning statement of purpose.
So I’ve been staring at the computer screen off and on for a few hours trying to wrangle my wayward thoughts and put together a statement of purpose. What do I want the the admissions committee to know about me? Why do I want this degree? Why do I want this career? Why do I want to attend this school? What makes me a good candidate for this field of work? And the screen is still blank.
Okay, not really. I do have one paragraph written (about 150 of the total 500 words needed). I want to hook them with the first paragraph, but I have read articles about not being sappy and talking about love of books and first child-hood memories in the library, etc. So I did not do that. Instead I opened up with how information resources were important to me as a homeschooled student. Hopefully that is interesting. Of course, this is just the rough draft, and I will be passing the essay around for friends to read and give feedback.
But I really can’t believe it took me most of the day just to write one paragraph.
Synchro Season Has Finally Started!
September 22, 2009 at 2:25 pm | Posted in ice skating, synchro | Leave a commentSeptember 13 was the first practice for the DC EDGE Open Adult Team. About half the team is returning from last season, and the rest are new. First practice was pretty good, although I thought I would pass out on the 4-minute cross-over warm up drill.
September 20 was Choreography Day, a one-day “boot camp” where we learned most of the program in one day. Three hours of practice in the morning, and another almost 3 hours in the afternoon. Just drilling the steps and formations over and over.
OMG, why did I (and others) want a more challenging program this season??? Our coach Jenny took that request and ran with it. There is so much intricate footwork and changing directions. I suppose compared to Masters and Adult we are not that difficult. But it is a big jump from last season. Fortunately, we all have good attitudes about it. But it is still very overwhelming right now.
I will just breathe and think positive thoughts… and definitely review that count sheet several times before Sunday.
Pittsburgh Penguins & Stanley Cup Visit My Rink
September 22, 2009 at 1:48 pm | Posted in Kids On Ice | Leave a commentTags: barack obama, Fort Dupont Ice Arena, hockey, ice hockey, ice skating, Kids On Ice, national hockey league, nhl, pittsburgh penguins, united we serve
I know it has been a while since I updated my blog. Below is an article that I wrote for my rink’s monthly newsletter.
The kids get up close and personal with “Lord Stanley.”
On September 10th, thirty children in full hockey gear stood ready for one of the most exciting afternoons of their lives. They lined the front hallway, pounding their sticks and cheering as the Stanley Cup was escorted into Fort Dupont Ice Arena, followed by Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, Bill Guerin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury and Brooks Orpik. The players led the kids in an on-ice clinic of stretching exercises and hockey drills, and gave lots of tips to improve their skating technique. The participants in the clinic were chosen from three non-profit hockey programs– Kids On Ice Hockey Club, Fort Dupont Hockey Club, and Hockey In The ‘Hood (Pittsburgh, PA). Afterwards the children took pictures with the Stanley Cup and received autographs from the Penguin players.
Special guests also included Willie O’Ree, the first African-American player in the NHL. He shared with the children about his experience as a professional hockey player. O’Ree’s story of returning to hockey after a serious eye injury really inspired eleven-year-old Kids On Ice skater, Joshua House. Joshua says that “if Willie could play hockey when he was basically blinded, then there should be no excuse for me.”
The day wrapped up with all the children visiting the White House to be present during the press conference in the East Room as President Barack Obama honored the Penguins for winning the 2009 Stanley Cup Championships. Although the children were not able to meet President Obama personally, they were still excited to be in the same room with him. Nine-year old Kids On Ice skater, Ricardo Kornegay, was honored to be that close, and now has a goal to “one day be the President and have fun events with children all the time.”
Special thanks to the National Hockey League and United We Serve for providing this awesome event for our skaters!
For more information on the Kids On Ice program, visit www.fdia.org.
Posing with the Stanley Cup at FDIA
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