Picture Updates 4/30

Anna and I at my practice prior to competition

In the 

locker room

Just before getting on the ice

My Spiral

Spin (note my cute skirt)

Second Place

Competition Reflection 4/30

Yesterday I didn't get to elaborate on my competition, I've been dealing with recovering from a surgery so I've been somewhat out of it for the past week.
At the competition I first got there an hour ahead of time, it was in Skaneateles so we, my Mum, Dad and I, left at 7:30. I got up at 6:45ish to do my hair and make up- half the fun is getting all dolled up!
We then headed for the Rec Center in Skaneateles, I signed in and they gave me a drawstring bag along with some gloves, pencils and candy.
Before getting on the ice I had kept my legs moving and stretched. I also put on my dress then in the locker room, which was super weird for me because I had gotten dressed in my hockey gear in that very locker room a few years back!
Next I waited, I was in the third group of skaters to head out on the ice, at 9:15 the four of us went out to warm up for five minutes. I focused on practicing my jumps a couple times and my spin and spiral, but mostly just getting a feel for the ice.
The thing about ice, which I notice in both hockey and figure skating, is that you get used to a certain hardness which varies from rink to rink and affects your skating.
Then they called my name and I took my spot on the ice and the judge said "you may begin". I started with a stride forward and then a half flip jump followed by backwards cross overs, a waltz jump, cross overs, a spiral into some strokes(strides) and I finished with a spin, three strokes and a T-Stop. After my spin, though, I did sort of fall, not all the way, but my hands were on the ice, I shook it off and continued anyways.
The hardest part was that I was shaking because I was nervous and cold! Plus smiling hurt because I had a lip full of stitches.
I was on the ice doing my routine for all of two minutes then I got off, changed into my sweats and waited for the results.
I watched other skaters perform and noted how they acted before and after getting off the ice, for some of them this competition was such a big deal, I imagine it's much like me before a hockey game. I had a blast being out there and then at 10:30 awards were given to our groups in the lobby.
I stood up on the podium and received my second place medal and My parents got me a rose. I didn't mind being beat out for first place by a girl who looks like she's ten, she's probably been figure skating longer!
My event was a Limited Beginner Compulsory Event
It was a blast and definatly something I look forward to doing again, but next time I'd like to do more events..driving two hours to be on the ice for two minutes is a long way, although I was there for about three hours waiting, watching and participating.

4/29 Competition

I just competed in my first competition!! I took second place in my group. It was super fun and a great experience even if I was only on the ice for like two minutes for a hour drive each way. They gave me a medal which I will cherish forever! :)

4/22 Practice Excitement and a Dress

Just came from figure skating!! So fun we worked On my routine and my competition is just a week away!!!!!!
I bought a super pretty red dress with a bit of gold. The fabric is velvet so it keeps my body warm, but it is short sleeved so I will still get very cold. It has a skirt and the skirt is like a tulip so when I spin it flows around me, I think it'll be very pretty on the ice.
My parents and I have an agreement, they pay for practice and ice time (which I am so grateful for) and I buy the extras, like my dress. I bought it used from the rink, but that doesn't bother me because I think it's perfect.
Can't wait for Sunday!

4/19 Chit Chat Mentor

I'm at my meeting with ms Affronti
We haven't talked much since break, so it'll be nice to catch her up on my project and how it's going. I told her that. I continued to research and practice over break and about the new jump I've learned. We also note that my knees aren't currently black and blue for a change! (knock on wood)
I have practice tonight, so I'll get to practice my routine more for the competition that is just around the corner (a week from Friday!!) I'm so pumped, and as I told the class, I'm going to kick the little three year olds, that I'm up againsts, butts.

3/26 4-I's

4/15

Today I had a practice, 2.5 hours, where I had a fifteen minute lesson with Anna, She and I worked on my routine for my competition coming up! We have been really working on my technical work with my jumps and skating so that it will be perfect to showcase. My half flip jump is coming along very well, My waltz jump I'm still having a lot of trouble with for some reason, I kick out to the side too much. Anna told me that I can probably fix this by being tighter and also focusing on it so it becomes muscle memory to go through, not out.
I'v been conditioning too to gain strength and muscle stamina.
Not excited to head back to school tomorrow..I'd rather skate all day :)

4/5 The Half- Flip

Today I learned. Half flip jump, which, by he way, is far less impressive than it sounds and I'm not so sure how to explain it other than that it starts in one foot, I kick my foot in the ice to push off, do a half turn and then a jump.
I am hoping to learn a full half flip jump, but it's hard to do a half jump, let alone a full spin in the air! I'll keep my hopes up though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxanJQvrZN4

4/4 Training

So Yesterday I went for about a 3 mile run around my neighborhood, and then came home and did about 30 minutes of ab training to make my spirals and jumps better, because it will help my balance. My running will help  my endurance so that I don't get winded suring my program at the end of the month too!
Today I went to "Zumba toning" which worked on strength in my arms, legs and core.

Also today I had my mentor meeting wit Ms. Affronti who was excited to hear about my showcase and also questioned me about my latest ailments..just muscle fatigue, not to worry!
Tomorrow I have 2 1/2 hours of practice so it'll be Wednesday and 41/2 hours of physical work on my project already! Plus 2 1/2 on Sunday.

4/2 Disrupting my comfort zone

Disrupting my comfort zone
Wise
Ic
4/2
Taking on a challenge to keep growing
Like me learning to skate I'm growing as a person and learning of myself about my live of skating
I think his advice is valid, it's just like how I feel I was afraid to learn to figure skate and had no idea whether I'd like it or not but I do love it and I would have never known


In class today I presented, as did Haley, Ryan, Michael and Atzin together, and Isaac.
Isaac is going to costa rica in may do he talked to us about his photography- I'm going to being him information on sloth sanctuaries!
Haley is learning to 'throat sing' and showed us a video of legit throat singers
And Ryan is learning to sign and she performed a song for us which was really cool because she gets really into it, making it exciting to watch
Michael and Atzin talked about school grades and equity within the system

Seeing everyone else in class and hearing about their projects and how they're doing keeps me motivated, we hav a support system in that class and I love that we always get the opportunity to chat about projects.