Hi everyone,

I'm sure most of you know by now that I was not listed in the competitors list for Liberty.  That would be because I received a letter telling me the event was full and that couldn't accept my application.  The funny thing is that I was told in this letter they were only allowing 24 skaters, but I see that there are 29 listed.  Oh well, I can't worry about that because I have plenty going so well right now.  I got my new skates last Wednesday and they are such a breath of fresh air compared to my old pair (which wouldn't have lasted my through Liberty anyway).  The first day I was in them I was doing all my jumps.

Since the begining of July my skating has been on a complete upward climb.  All my jumps are getting stronger and my programs are getting easier and easier to get through, especially my short.  I think this year people are going to see a growth in my skating because I've put extra focus on my presentation and have been taking ballet at a studio near my house.  My next competition will be the Moran Memorial at Hackensack, NJ on August 22-24.  I have plenty of time and think this will be a chance to put out a very strong performance.  After that, I will have Middle Atlantics in NYC in the middle of September [September 18-21].  My next comeptition will then be North Atlantics which is so far away this year up in Lake Chautauqua, NY [October 20-25].

As of right now, the design for my short program dress has been put on paper and it looks very awesome, I'm so excited about it.  I'm working with a new dress maker this year, Monica Grecco, who's done a lot of my friends dresses and they've been amazing, so I can't wait for mine.  In the mean time I've been putting in as much ice time as I can and teaching, it hasn't left me too much free time so spend in the sun, but ya know what, that's quite alright, because as long as my skating is improving, nothing can bother me right now.  Have a great summer!

Love,
Stephanie