This week at the Boys and Girls Club, the girls and I talked about goals. I was able to share with them my goals and how I came about fulfilling them. Each girl was to create a project about their goals and what they wanted to be when they grow up. My favorite drawing was a little girl who wants to be a ‘polsewoman’ (policewoman) when she grows up. This really touched my heart because someday when I ‘grow up’ this may be an avenue that I want to pursue. Her drawing was incredible and I really wish I would have had my camera that day, so I could share it will all of you. My hope is that each one of the girls will post their projects on their walls to remind themselves daily of the direction they want their lives to go.

Stars, stripes... and Fashion Shows?

I have worked at the Boys and Girls Club over a handful of times and have easily falling into Sarah’s old role as art teacher. It is really exciting to go the club each day and have my group of girls who know when I arrive it is art time. Last week our project was to make masks out of paper plates. After we finished our masks the girls were so creative they used fabric in the art room to make matching outfits. We proceeded to have the very first Boys and Girls fashion show. It was a lot of fun to see how excited the girls were to show off what they created to the rest of the club.


Friday, we learned about the Fourth of July and made wind socks for the girls to hang outside on the fourth of July. I enjoyed watching them create their projects and I limited to only using the colors red, white and blue. I tried to express how much pride come with these colors and was able to share part of my experience at the Olympics with them. Many of them were so excited that they included the Olympic rings on their projects.

As far as training goes, I am happy to report that I did not lose much strength by ‘living the dream’ the last few months and I am working towards getting my conditioning back. I am in my fourth week of training and happy that the first month is behind me. I can now focus on making gains rather than trying to limit my soreness so that I can function. It is still hard to stay motivated as it feels like big goals are so far away, but I lucky to have an amazing strength coach and teammates to push me through each day.

ITA Summer Project

I am excited to finally start my summer project in Colorado Springs working with the Boys and Girls Club. Former ITA athlete, Sarah Groff, worked at this same location, so I know I have very big shoes to fill. I am looking forward it. Not only am I going to be working at the Boys and Girls club, but a friend and Women’s Wrestling World Team Member will be working with me. When I told her about my project she immediately jumped on board and wanted to do all she could to help out the youth in the Colorado Springs community as well. It was really amazing to me that just by talking about ITA and my project, I inspired someone else to volunteer. It will be fun to not only be working with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club, but also sharing the experience with a fellow athlete and friend.

Back To The Office...

After 3 months of being back home in Chico relaxing and sharing my Olympic story with local schools it is time to get down to business. I am now at my second home in Colorado Springs to begin training for the upcoming season. I have had a lot of fun the last few months allowing myself ‘rock star’ status. My definition of rock star status may be different than others, but to me it meant I was able to do the things I have not being able to in the past few years. This consisted of consuming whatever calories I wanted and eating as many burritos and cheese sticks as I could stand. I stayed up late, watched all my favorite T.V. shows and slept in as late as I wanted.

I have spent the last years so focused on one goal that I have not allowed myself to stray from my regimented plan. I have missed many events because the travel would affect my training. I have been sure to get as much rest as I could so my body could perform at the highest level possible. I ate foods that I enjoyed, but mostly used it as fuel. My days have been completely consumed by when I am going to train, what I am going to eat and how I am going to recover. I have done all of this because I love it and the chance to compete for Team USA is amazing, but there are times the sacrifice can be difficult. That is why I have been playing ‘catch up’ the last few months, but I am now finally ready to get back to work. I anticipate having a hard time walking after training in the next few days and weeks, but I sure enjoyed having no limitations the last few months.

2010 Olympics!

This week Durham Intermediate School and Golden Hills School both had a school wide Olympics and I was invited to both of their Opening Ceremonies. I even received the same honor the great Wayne Gretzky received at the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver. I lit the Golden Hills Olympic torch! I felt like a little kid and kept thinking about the many times I have watched the Olympics on television and have seen the legendary Olympic torch light up. Thank you to both schools for allowing me to be apart of your Olympic experience.

The White House

I don’t care who you are or what you believe in, anytime there is an invitation to go to our nations Capital and meet our President it is a huge honor. Team USA 2010 received this honor a few weeks ago when we were given the opportunity to shake the hand of the man leading our country. My teammates and I felt like rock stars as we were bused onto The White House grounds with ease. We were able to wander freely around a portion of The White House and we were treated to homemade cookies and refreshments (I like to think the First Lady made these cookies for us earlier that morning). Because of the rain we were unable to assemble in the courtyard and listen to a speech President Obama had prepared for us, but each team was able to shake hands with the President, hug the First Lady and get our pictures taken. It was another amazing experience that I will be adding into my memory bank.
              
             2010 Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton Team with the Obamas

After our visit we were carted off to the Supreme Court where we were all treated to dinner, drinks and a short presentation honoring all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes. At the reception we met the Congressman of Nebraska, Adrian Smith who graciously volunteered to give a few of us a private tour of the US Capitol Building. I have been to the Capitol Building before, but it was very special to have our own after hour tour. The whole day was a lot of fun and huge honor. It was a great way to celebrate all of the hard work and dedication it took for each and every one of us to be in Vancouver.

SPORTS DAY!

On April 9th I was invited to Durham Elementary to help celebrate their ‘Sports Day.’ I spoke to over 450 students and shared what I have learned throughout my Olympic journey. I also encouraged the students to create goals and be proactive in finding the avenues to pursue them. I have visited many Northern California schools while I have been in my hometown of Chico, but this was my very first assembly for the entire student body. I was a bit nervous, but was pleasantly greeted with signs and decorations, which helped to calm my nerves.

I really enjoy talking to these students, but sometimes I wonder if they are getting my message or if they are just anxiously waiting for me to sign an arm or a shirt or a shoe! A lot of the students had many interesting goals and things they want to be when they grow up including a bobsledder! I can only hope that they continue to fight for their dreams and understand anything is possible. After the assembly was complete I had a HUGE line of kids anxiously waiting for an autograph. I had one kid proudly tell me he waited in line for 45 minutes to get my autograph. I had another tell me that he was going to sell my autograph on ebay. I don’t think these kids realize that my signature is not worth anything, but it makes me feel special to know that my community backs me up and is excited about what I am doing.