Hi Everyone!
Thanks for visiting. A lot has gone on since my last Journal Entry. I've moved to Connecticut, I turned nineteen, I've competed for the first time since Nationals, and all-around have been a very busy boy.
My move to Connecticut was on July 1st, just before my birthday. I originally wanted to leave after my birthday so I could spend the day with all of my friends and family, but it was best to leave on the first. I'm staying with a family friend in Simsbury for the summer and am working with Tatiana Tarasova and her group including Maya Usova, Zhenya Platov, Sasha, Alexei, and Andrei. It's an amazing training atmosphere; everybody wants to accomplish their best on every practice, as opposed to some of the skaters in Delaware. Every day is like a competition. The adrenaline is even the same, which is definitely helpful in getting through the long days. In addition to hard-core training, I'm also coaching a bunch of kids here, and I really enjoy it.
My birthday ended up being a very fun occasion. My friend Marisa organized a surprise party for me, and it was a great success. I got to meet a bunch of new friends, and I had a great birthday.
I was apprehensive about spending a lot of time alone in Connecticut, especially since I spend so much time with friends in Delaware, but Alicia Cavanaugh, whom is also a well recognized skater, has been a great comfort. We're basically attached at the hip, so now I have somebody to turn to.
Liberty Open was in Newark in the third week of July. I was only competing the long program, as my short program is yet to be completed. I arrived in Delaware on Monday night because I had students competing early in the week. It was nice being in the comforts of my home rink and my home town. I competed on Saturday night, and I did pretty well. I wasn't expecting perfection just because it was my first time out, but I ended up doing two triple axels and a triple/triple combination, and I was very pleased. I think I have re-proven myself to the federation; I hope at least.
My short program is set to the music of "Valse Triste" by Jean Sibelius, a Finnish composer. Tatiana says that the music suits me very well. It's a very sad waltz, hence the name, but it's very lyrical and very "me." I'm especially excited about debuting it at Middle Atlantic's in the fall.
In addition to Middle Atlantic's I'll also be performing at Stars, Stripes and Skates, a tribute to September 11th on Long Island, and at An Evening With Champions in Boston, Mass.
Okay, well I think I've babbled quite enough for one afternoon. I'll keep you all updated, and again thank you for your support and for visiting the site. I'll have new pictures up soon.
Love,
-J We
