Hi everyone,

I'm finally getting the time to sit down and write because I'm on Spring Break! (wahoo) Unlike most of my friends, I won't be going away, I'll be spending extra time at the rink which is needed right now. A couple of weeks ago I pulled my hamstring. I was lucky enough that this happened when we got hit with the blizzard. So even though I had to be off for a week, I couldn't go anywhere that Monday and Tuesday anyway. Then, my skates were so broken down that I had to duct tape the ankles so I had some support. I finally got a chance to send them to Klingbiel to be rebuilt, but I had to miss 4 days from that. They're better, but could be even stronger. I can't wait until I get my new ones.

My first competition this spring will be Darien which is at the end of April. I'll only being my short, but I'm looking forward to it because the last time I did Darien it was '97. As I said earlier I would be skating to Vanessa Mae. Anyone who is familiar with me knows I don't always stick with my first choice of music, which like every other year it true. My short this year will be "Batman." I love it! It really shows my strengths and I can practice it over and over and not be like "ugh I hate this music." The long is remaining undecided. I've been doing run thrus of my old long, "Samson and Delilah" to get my stamina back and I'm enjoying it. To keep most of my time dedicated to training, I'll be doing my old long at New Jersey Councils in June to see how it goes. If I'm comfortable with it and feel I can keep making it grow, I'll more than likely keep it.

Next week I get to do my short at a local exhibition. I've only had it for a week, but it'll be fun because my Mom will be there and she hasn't seen my skate in a while and my boyfriend, Tom, will be there and it'll be his first time seeing me skate outside of just practicing.

Since I have some extra time this week, I'll be sending in some pictures, so be sure to check the visualization [section of Unseen Skaters] soon. Have a great spring!

Love,
Stephanie