Kaitlin Hawayek and Michael Bramante 3/31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojPkv2qeec8
This is a video of the two ice dancers who came and performed and worked with us!
Both so kind, I didn't ask either for an interview, but Kaitlin and I just talked in the locker room and she is so kind.

3/31 Showcase

Today I had my showcase!! It was so fun and I had so much support I couldn't be happier. I didn't mess up too much, but a perfect routine seems impossible with the amount of butterflies I had!
There were 2 team USA Members who also came, they were so nice and down to earth it was kind of surprising and they were both so talented!
I was going to ask them for interviews, but I didn't get the chance and I also knew that this would be the first relaxing weekend for them in a while and I didn't want to ruin it for them.

3/30

Tuesday I had practice for two hours
Thursday practice two hours
Tonight I have practice for two hours

Goal of tonight: perfect my routine

In Class Entry 3/26

2/6 In Class Entry

3/27 Honored

Last night after attending an awards ceremony at the high school, I was honored with recieving Student Athlete of the Quarter for this past quarter because of my dedication to hockey and my good grades. Anywho, I went to The Rink after and practiced the group number.. it still needs a lot of work and not much time..I had a nightmare about totally forgetting and messing it all up!! I also finished my solo routine and got a dress for it. I hope all goes well (knock on wood!!)

The group number is hard because we have to choreograph it ourselves and me and another girl just started skating, while the other four are really good and have been skating for a long time.

My Third time on the ice

I was getting off the ice after 2 hours of practice..crossovers looking good, HAHA Just kidding, but they're better now  (3/27) I promise

When I think about my hockey crossovers versus when I figure skate, it's really weird. In hockey we didn't focus so much on the technique, but more on going as fast as possible. In figure skating Anna has me do them over and over so that they look good and are useful. It gets super tiring, mostly my arms just start to ache though because I'm not used to having to keep my arms out to the sides forever. 

Mentor meeting3/1

I'm in my third mentor meeting with ms. Affronti and she and I are discussing the progress I've made on my project. She's supportive, but also thinks I'm insane for doing this!

The waltz jump 3/26

Waltz jump I an edge jump. I start with my left foot forward and push off with my right foot. It's a half rotation in the air.when you push off you swing both arms back with my right leg, as I swing my arms and leg forward you step forward. The toe pick is the last part to leave the ice and at the peak I bring my arms into a bent across my chest position and land toe pick first into the ice and put my arms out and you must land on the outside edge

My problem: I over extend my right leg when doing the jump, I swing it around instead of going straight which is making it harder to jump and I'm turning too soon

Note to self 3/25

Talk to joe AGAIN about helping me it my music

3/24

I just got home from practice and I'm bushed, absolutely exhausted. I think Anna had me do fifteen Waltz jumps
in a row. I don't understand why, but my body doesn't seem to want to let me jump, something is holding me back and it's not even like I'm afrai to fall.. I mean once you see my knees it's like 'wow, she must be pretty use to eating ice'
When I reflect on my issues with jumping I cannot for the life of me figure out why I'm having so much trouble, I visualize and practice and I don't feel like anything is specifically holding me back, but there must be something there..I hope I can figure it out!
I have been practicing the jump on land too, but I'm really trying to perfect it for the showcase!!
I'm starting to get nervous, but I know as long as I do my best, that's all that matters right?
I also learned a 'falling leaf' jump or step, it's like a bunny hop, but from a backwards crossover.
I goof around on the ice a lot and my coach LOVES it so in my routine I get to dance and it really shows my personality.
I am loving skating, bruised knees in all

3/22 journal Entry

I went for a run today, I am still trying to work on my endurance considering that I'll be doing two routines in the showcase, which can get pretty tiring, even for a rookie like myself. I was going to come home and work on some core strengthening too, but I wasn't feeling too hot after my run, so I just took a shower and curled into bed.

I also had my mentor meeting today with Ms. Affronti, it was pretty short because she wasn't feeling well either, something must be going around.
My knees are probably the most hideous things most people have seen in a long time, but it's worth the pain. Without pain we wouldn't know joy.
I realize that in order to do this sport, I will have to deal with injuries, but what I know is most important, is that I don't push myself too hard, like I usually do, so as not to make my injuries permanent.

Too pumped 3/20

So today I had my practice and we worked on my routine, I decided on Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cindy Lauper. It's a super cute routine and is coming along well, plus it really shows off my personality
I'm planning to look totally retro-80s for it, hot pink dress, leg warmers, high pony, the hole she-bang!
Also I'm in a group number for Don't Worry, Be Happy..The peple I'm skating with are much better skaters so I'm kind of in the middle being grumpy and just doing my basic skills.
today a woman also suggested I COMPETE next month in Skaneateles and my coach thinks it's a great idea!! I'm so excited I might pee my pants...kidding
Anyway it's been an amazing night between working on my routine and deciding to compete I just cannot wait for Sunday

Entry- 3/16

Today I went for a run for my dog, Cherie, in order to strengthen my legs and gain endurance. We ran a couple miles/ about a half hour. My legs have been aching after practices because I'm not used to holding them so straight or so bent- there's rarely an in between. I am preforming a routine at the end of the month, which isn't very long to learn, perfect and have enough endurance for. My stamina will increase with my skating 4 hours a week and dedicating time to running and conditioning through the week. I also came home and did Pilates because in figure skating you have to work from your core a lot and have good balance. The 30 minute Pilates tape I did should help me become more toned and aware of my body, I am going to continue to do that as well as yoga and other conditioning exercises so I can reach my fitness potential.
I'm so excited for my routin, but right now my legs feel like jello and the ice is the last place I want to visit right now...I think I'll climb into bed :)

Taking Shame

Dear Readers,

I would like you to notice, in this photo of me and fellow hockey teammate, Shaina, our horrible posture. We have our blacks entirely flattened! It's practically a sin! To do a proper spiral, we should have our backs arched up WHILE bringing our legs up trying to maintain balance without leaning on our toes too much.

This was before my practice as a figure skater, but now that I am practically a professional.. I am ashamed..

2 journal entries- 3/9. 3/15

Progress City! 3/18

So yesterday I had practice again and I am really improving. I worked on my Waltz Jump more- it was super scary today because I got my skates sharpened and I felt like I was going to fall. I also worked on my spin which is coming along well, and I learned how to properly exit it- as opposed to stepping out of it, which is what I was doing before. I also learned how to "bunny hop" which is basically how you learn to use your toe-pick, I felt incredibly dumb doing it and I'm sure I looked like a moron as well. Anna also taught me a two toe step thing which is pretty easy and a spiral which is an arabesque, but higher. I'm already super flexible so I just need to work at being strong enough to keep my leg held up high. Shooting the duck is another thing I sort of learned, but I can't do it without falling on my butt..ow.
On March 31st I am going to be in a showcase!
I get to have my own routine and pick out music and everything, on top of that I'm going to be in a group number with some of my figure skating friends.. I couldn't be more excited!

March 4th

This video was taken on my phone- Risa tried to teach me a Waltz jump, so this was before I learned to use my toe-pick and before Anna showed me how to properly do it.

TummyAche 3/11

I just got back from another 2 hour practice with a 25 minute lesson.. We worked on my crossovers more, but my skates seemed dull so it was hard for me to get my grip.
We also worked on my Waltz jump more to help me get some more air and control my left leg (it bucks out). I realize I need to work on my butt strength more it seems so that I can keep that darn leg under control!
ANNDDD Today I learned how to spin!! So to start off she had be try spinning left, which was pretty good from what I had fooled around with on my own. Then she had me try to spin on my right leg..it didn't go so well, I ended up more or less going in a mildly curved line.
The spinning was fun and I'm really coming along, but it made my stomach hurt because I'm not used to turning so quickly over and over, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
the other girls I skate with who've been very nice and welcoming said I could even join them in the showcase on March 31st if I wanted, I might just stand in the middle with Jazz Hands, but it's a start! We'll see.

2/6 In Class Entry

Feb 27 in class notes the barn song

Barn song
Double project - two boys
The builder of the barn sees what it will be, not what it is prior to building.
Took him longer than expected- relatable I thought I'd pick up on figure skating quicker.
He talks about disagreementS with his dad which is like how my mom and I had trouble figuring out lessons, we have the same goal but different ideas of how to reach the goal.

I thought his project was amazing!! So ambitious and admirable. It was great seeing all of his support systems from friends and family and I don't know if I could ever build a barn!!! It's really inspirational to see his dedication and hard work as a teenager.

Did he get it done in time?
This really helps me see the relationship between being independent and how you can also use others help.

The Waltz 3/7

Last night I had another lesson for 20 minutes during my two hour ice time. We worked on my crossovers and Anna is super happy with my stroking (skating). I need to do wall sits at home, so I'll add those to my daily core training exercises that way I can get more power in my crossovers.
I told her I had worked some on my Waltz jump so she and I worked on that, she actually taught me how to jump though which I didn't know before. There are specific arm movements- arms swing behind you as you go up, at the peak they are horizontal at your chest and when you land they're out to the side.
Also I had to learn to come down and go up on my toes, which is scary because I've been avoiding those toe picks!!
I'm getting more comfortable with it and I can't wait to keep practicing until it looks perfect.
Also I found out about a showcase in April that The Rink hosts and I'm very tempted to try that out, so I'll ask Anna if she thinks I could be ready in time.

Nutrition research from 2/16

(Printed and Highlighted on 2/16)
This is a blog/ interview I printed out and took notes upon to base my nutrition care on, the interview is with Rachael Flatt- the 2010 Olympic champion

This is Racheal Flatt's basic diet

Figure skating blogger suggestions 

Practice 3/4

So yesterday I had 3 hours of ice time, but there were no coaches on the ice. I practice my cross-overs, front and back, as well as my three turn and my friend Risa helped me with my Waltz which is coming along. On Tuesday I want to work with Anna on it and she can give me some pointers, I think I mostly need to push back any fear I may have and just go for it. I would have not been terribly afraid to fall yesterday, so it could have been better, but I just got surgery on my lip and didn't want to split it open.
Today I am going to continue reading my Complete Book of Figure Skating Book and get information from that..I need to remember to get that renewed..it's late, oopsy.

Work out 3/1

Today I hit up Planet fitness to get some conditioning in; what I did was ride the bike for about 30 minutes in intervals, I would do really high levels of gear and switch to low levels in 2 minute increments. My hockey coach had told me that this was one of the best ways to gain leg strength for skating so I thought it would be good for figure skating leg strength.
I also worked out my abs some to get that core strength.
Also today- I met with Ms. Affronti for out weekly mentor-student meeting. I told her about my hard work and she thinks the bruise on my leg is disgusting and that I'm mildly insane, not that I can blame her! I probably am.
I've decided to buy some knee pads to avoid any more nasty bruises (it hurts to walk!)
 That was my day today!