I Don’t Really Wanna Be the Queen

October 25, 2008 at 9:20 pm (College, My Lovely Life, Random, Skating)
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We’re 3 hours, 31 minutes away from Forks, in case you were wondering!

Did I say I was going to enjoy Skate America?  Well, I am enjoying SA actually, because I get to see all my skating girls who live in different parts of the country.  But maybe I forgot how intense competition gets!

I love it, on top of how stressed I am.  I really do love it.  I think I strive on being stressed.  That means I’m Type A, I think, and I’m prone to heart attacks and strokes and like everything that can go wrong in one’s later life.  (Not like I’m not at risk for anything right now, haha, that was supposed to be sarcastic.)  Anyway, I got the title from my favorite song, “Meet Virginia” by Train.  The girl in that song is so badass and I feel like I just want to be her, even though she obviously sucks at life.  The song is basically saying that all you need to be in life is badass, and if you totally fail, there are still about 50,000 things that are awesome about you.  She always contradicts herself and the guy things that’s cool.  And you don’t even have to want to be on top – you can be totally happy with your life just because you like it.  And maybe she’s being forced into being “the queen” by her parents or social pressure and she has to realize that’s not for her.  (Politics aren’t for everyone, haha.)  So there are some good messages in there, lol.

In other news, I pretty much finished my profile for OWT, so it should be on their website soon.  When it’s up there, I’ll post a link in my “Who Am I?” section.  (By the way, on the Train cd that has “Meet Virginia” on it, there’s a song called “I Am” and I just randomly thought of it, lol.)

Also relating to “Meet Virginia”, it kind-of goes in with how my parents thought I’d be a pro Irish Dancer instead of a figure skater.  I fell in love with skating and they couldn’t pull me away.  It’s a gooooood thing!  We did our short programs today and GUESS WHO’S IN FIRST PLACE?!?!?!?!?!?!

ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I about fell over.  I was sitting, but I totally almost fell off the couch and Coach OH! had to catch me.  It was INSANE.  I guess I am skilled.  That sounds conceited, I know, but I have been out of skating for 6 months, so it surprised me, if you couldn’t tell.

So why did I title this entry “I Don’t Really Wanna Be the Queen”, if I’m totally elated about my win?  (Although that’s a technical win so I had it going for me because technique comes back to me before style, as witnessed in regionals, but STILL.  And I can’t be too hopeful of course, we still have LPs tomorrow!)  Because I’m stressed and I was flipping out about Vancouver.  Could I handle all the stress of the Olympics?  Even though I LOVE being stressed?  Because I also have to get my things ready for college, and pack and stuff and I found out I’m going to get there a week late because of nationals (in CLEVELAND, I think I mentioned that earlier… v. bitter).  I don’t know if I can commit.  Well, I mean I have to because skating is my life and my deferred admission would be totally wasted, not to mention I would hate myself, but I’m still kind-of doubting myself.  I mean, I’m missing a week right off the bat and I’m not even sick.  That’s a first for me, LOL!  (I was homeschooled so taking a week off for nationals or whatever before was NEVER a big deal.)

But I talked to Coach OH! about how stressed I was, and I felt much better.  I guess I just had to talk about it.

Then she thinks about her scene, pulls her hair back as she screams

 

I JUST REALLY WANNA BE THE QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Basically My Entire Week

October 14, 2008 at 11:42 am (College, My Lovely Life, Skating)
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Let’s start off with lovely Dr. K. on Thursday.  I went in today for a checkup after my lovely nosebleed disaster, and she was like, oh, let’s do some more tests.  I said no, I feel fine, I don’t think you need to.  She insisted on doing the standard blood tests and everything, so I was really mad because I was supposed to be practicing for Skate America and Coach OH! was going to kill me.  We had to wait for the blood labs and then go back and by that time Dr. K. was supposed to be with another patient so we ended up waiting for an extra hour.

Dr. K. was like, I don’t think it’s a great idea to be skating right now.  I said that was stupid, this is a key qualifying season for me because Nationals and Worlds are going to determine the Olympic team and you have got to be kidding me.  So I’m skating but she’s not happy.

I am so pumped for Skate America though!  It’s next Thursday and Coach OH! and I are going crazy over it.  I kind-of flopped at regionals (for me, but not for not skating) and she really wants me to place in Skate America if I want to move up and get on the team for Vancouver.  Um, yeah!  Also, we would love for me to get 1st (and MAYBE 2nd) so I can go on to the Grand Prix in SOUTH KOREA!!!  How cool would that be?!  Plus it would be great for my records.  I love how they were complaining about me not being enthusiastic.  The minute things get competitive, the minute I start loving it.  Maybe I was just worn out from the venturing trip and all the drama that went on with it.  And I missed skating but was totally thrown back into it which was miserable.  But I love it now!

On 11/11 I am looking forward to Sectionals and I NEED a 1st place in that competition.

On the OWT front.  Saturday, I got a call from “Miss B.” who was like, “I heard you were skeptical at being accepted, congratulations, you are!  We can’t wait to meet you in person!”  So I guess I’m in!  Guess who is really flying on a private plane to Paris over Christmas!  Little old me!  Well, not old, haha.  I got my confirmation packet too.  I’m really excited about this but I hope the girls are nice… otherwise it wouldn’t really be worth it, although I guess it’s not really costing me anything.  I’m kind-of nervous!  Imagine, me nervous!

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And I go dancing…

October 1, 2008 at 4:18 pm (Friends, Skating)
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I’m sorry for not posting… but I was so dangerously tired.  Well, maybe not dangerously.  But seriously, I have been totally exhausted the past few days.

Let’s start with Coach OH!’s reaction to me being allowed to skate.  I told her the minute I got to the rink.  And instead of congratulating me for being able to continue, she flipped out in typical Coach OH! fashion.  “Cate, what does that mean that your platelet counts are low?  Because if that’s dangerous, you need to take care of yourself before you collapse on the ice.”  I sighed.  She always gets her medical stuff wrong, but it’s cute how she does.  I love medicine, so I don’t mind explaining.

“Coach OH!, it’s red blood cells that would make me faint.  If I was anemic or had a low red count.  Low platelets just meant I was not having a good clotting day.  Dr. K. said it was probably just a fluke – lots of people have extremely bloody nosebleeds.  It’s not anything to worry about.”

Coach didn’t seem convinced, but I didn’t really want to talk about it so I just went and twirled around and then she yelled at me for being unprofessional, because I wasn’t practicing my actual routine.  Well, no, I was just celebrating my ability to skate.  Apparently that didn’t fly because I missed the morning anyway.  She worked me SO hard!  And then she threw a curveball at me.  She wants me to start taking ballet, because it would help improve my flexibility.  Mom thought this was an amazing idea when I told her after I got home.  I really don’t.  I mean, ballet is pretty, but I really don’t have time.  They both thought it would also help me break up my routine and get a little more enthusiastic about skating practice.

Enthusiastic?  I about killed both of them.  I’m the one who was pushing to KEEP skating, and now Coach OH! and Mom both thought on their own accord that I need to be more enthusiastic about skating.  Like they weren’t telling me five minutes ago that I should stop skating.  And like I don’t want to go to the Olympics.  I am totally dedicated.  I really don’t get it.  But I guess I’m doing ballet anyway.  So guess when I have ballet?  8:30 – 10 pm, every Tuesday/Thursday, and from 9-12 on Saturday.  That means Tuesday and Thursday I’m going to be rushing straight from work to ballet.  And then on Saturday, when I’m supposed to be recovering from being totally sore all week, I’m doing ballet, which will make me even more sore and tired.

I guess I am a little excited though, mostly about the beauty of it.  I think learning ballet will add a lot to my choreography.  I can be a lot more lyrical and poised.  But I don’t think I need to get more flexible.  Who knows.  I’d fight it, but if it’ll help me get to Vancouver… than I really can’t complain.

The rental counter Monday was fun.  I had that mom come up who wanted the new-but-broken-in-skates, and she thanked me for the info on buying skates.  That was really cool.  Then Chrissy, the girl who runs the counter, invited us all to go rollerblading!  I’ve actually never been rollerblading.  It’ll be really fun.  I wonder if I’m any good?  The counter was fun at first on Tuesday – we were all talking and laughing at this one boy who was trying to learn how to skate backwards.  I know, I know, we shouldn’t be laughing… but seriously, it was hilarious.  Then the conversation changed and I got totally annoyed.  We were talking about what music we like to listen to, and Abby said her favorite band was Rascal Flatts, and she loved “Skin”.

I flipped out.  I hate that song, because it reminds me of all the bad stuff that comes with being an oncologist.  And I can’t take my patients to the prom or something, I can only try to help them get better.  I hope I encourage my patients.  But who knows.  And Abby knows totally nothing about leukemia or anything.  She was just like, it’s cute at the end.

Oh and, by the way, if my life wasn’t exhausting enough, I’m leaving in two hours for Massachusettes to go to regionals!  I’m doing my “Jupiter” routine for the long program.  (We developed it last spring because we knew I’d be out for awhile.)  Should be fun.

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The Only Thing to Fear is Fear Itself

September 27, 2008 at 4:31 pm (My Lovely Life)
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Did I say I had the weekends off?  Right.

Well, my body’s idea of “a day off from skating” is to induce a massive nosebleed that landed me in the ER with a low platelet count.  And I thought I was doing better with those!  I’m SO annoyed.  I got yet another transfusion and, okay, they did get the IV in on the first try, but seriously.  Now I have to go in for another check-up on Monday, which means I will miss some practice (um, not too upset about that one)… but I could possibly be told I’m not allowed to skate anymore, because it would be too dangerous if I fell!

I am so mad!

My mom called Coach OH! and she’s really worried.  Apparently she told my mom I’m more behind than she thought I would be (hello?  was I able to practice on a freaking ship?  NO), and she’s worried that if I’m out for more than a week it’ll cause permanent damage to my ability to get past prelims.

I HAVE to go to Vancouver.  I am totally going to show Coach OH! up on Monday, and I’m going in tomorrow to practice on my own (I don’t care what my mom says).  And if my doctor tells me I can’t skate, I’m going to skate anyway.  I love my doctor, but I have to draw the line somewhere.  You can’t just live being afraid of things.

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A Mad Cate’s Christmas [Routine]?

September 25, 2008 at 4:51 pm (My Lovely Life, Skating)
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I’ve had those stupid new skates for about a week now and I think I’m FINALLY starting to break them in.  The only problem is I haven’t improved!  Well, okay, I only fell once during practice today, which was an accomplishment seeing as I was there from 6-3, but still… I’m not feeling “the vibe” yet.  I got a job working at the rental counter because my mom is killing me about paying for costumes.  Maybe she should’ve brought this up awhile ago… like in high school?  Then again, I did have school – and I was working way ahead because I know it’s cheesy but I enjoyed school.  And I did have the greatest teacher ever… my mom ;)   Anyway, I’m now working at the rental counter and it’s pretty fun.  I work from 5-8 every day which is when they have group lessons.  Half the kids can’t see over the railing, it’s so cute!  Plus, I realized I’ve never been “backstage” at the rink.  Weird, right, considering I’m Coach OH!’s little advisee for the Big O, aka the Olympics.  Haha.  So it’s cool to talk to the manager and see how things work.  I don’t think I’d go into business (more on my career later) but it’s definitely interesting.  If I’m not busy, I’m allowed to demonstrate for the classes, which means I get a bonus!  The girls I’m working with are great so far.  I love this job; I don’t know why I ever thought of working here myself.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m going to be a doctor, probably an oncologist.  But that’s if I can get through Vancouver and fit college in with training.  I know I can’t skate my whole life :( so I definitely need a career.  And I’m really interested in medicine… we’ll just leave it at that.

Right now we (Coach OH! and I) are trying to figure out what song I’m going to use for the Long Program.  I’m really leaning towards Sarajevo 12/24 (Carol of the Bells) or just a medley of Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs.  I LOVE them; saw their show a few years back and it was AWESOME.  They are pretty much the coolest classical musicians… if you can even call them “classical”.  I’m not sure if S12/24 is long enough, but we’ll see.  I’m kind-of upset I can’t use “An Angel Came Down” or “This Christmas Day”, but I’m totally adapted to the no-lyrics rule.  In fact, I think I’ve unconsciously saved TSO for my qualifier routine.  Well, not really.  I’m not THAT cool!  We were just throwing some ideas out there.  Honestly, if I had to pick another classical song, I think I’d go with Pachebel’s Canon.  I know, so cliche, but I love it.  Not sure how much of a routine you’d get out of it compared to TSO though.  I’ve done instrumentals in the past too.  We shall see.

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I’m back…!

September 25, 2008 at 4:50 am (My Lovely Life, Random, Skating)
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I’m sure everyone enjoyed our six months abroad.  I totally did.  Harboring in Greece for a week was definitely the highlight.  Unlike Lena, I most definitely did NOT fall off a donkey!  I am actually a pretty pro donkey rider, you can add that to my skating skills!  It was definitely a lot of work.  I know Rita and I basically killed each other by the end with all our arguments about who pulled up the riggings, threw the anchor… yeah, I’m one lousy, lazy Venturer.  But you have to admit I provide entertainment!  And I do pitch in when required.  Actually, I’m always trying to give my share and more, but we all know we got super-stressed by the end and I totally needed to relax.  Sharing a cabin really gets to you!  It’s smaller than a dorm room!

And boy did I need that relaxation!  The day I got home Coach O’Halleran met me at the dock.  Seriously, no joke.  I thought I missed skating and I totally relished our stop in Russia where I got to glide around on a lake, even if it was only for a few hours and I didn’t get any major practicing accomplished… and even if I got scolded for “abandoning the group”.  I’m sure everyone understood by the end that skating is my major passion (I totally didn’t tell on you, Tabs, when you snuck off a couple nights for those midnight swims!).  Or at least I thought it was.  You see, now I am at the rink probably 8-10 hours each day.  We are working on a routine for qualifiers, or trying to.  I’m REALLY rusty after spending 6 months with practically no skates, and to top it off, the ones I brought on board got WATERLOGGED during that huge storm three days before we landed in good ol’ Kennebunk!  Three days!  I had to buy totally new skates, and I’ve had those for forever.  They were basically my lucky skates.  I am having the WORST time breaking in my new ones.  I wish I had an older pair to practice in, but my mom cleaned out my room while I was gone and we think she dumped my crappy skates!  So it’s all blisters for me.

The only hope I have is that new skates=new beginning.  Maybe the reason I’m doing so horribly is because I am so uncomfortable in these skates!  Once I break them in, maybe I’ll stop doing the waxel.  I’m totally serious… fell on my butt five times yesterday.  Coach OH! is working me so hard, but I know I can show her up.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I created this blog to chronicle my journey to VANCOUVER (hopefully)!  And of course, to stay in touch with my amazing skating and venturing and homeschool-club friends while I am stuck in the rink or off in Omaha.  Toodles!

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