Well, I guess by now everyone knows that I did not compete at the 2002 Liberty Competition at the Pond [Arena] last week. Uschi came to the decision that I was not yet ready to go out and compete just yet. I went into new boots last Tuesday, (July 17) and am now in the process for the first time in my life of breaking in new boots correctly. I am learning many new things with Uschi and Liz, but the most important one is patience. The second most important one is listening to one's self, and not to any one or anything else.

My programs are coming along great. I've started putting jumps in them, along with everything else. We have so much fun on the ice, sometimes I forget that we are actually working so hard. I'm very excited about this year.

Congratulations to my little sister Jenna (age 11) for winning her group in Intermediate Ladies Freestyle and for winning Intermediate Ladies Freestyle Final Round at Liberty. Way to go Jenna!

Photograph by Tisa Delavolpe, courtesy of Shayna Syken.  Skate photograph copyright © Dave Amorde.  Unless otherwise noted, all content Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.