
Another great skating day! It began with ensemble practice. Because I missed last Friday practice because of a migraine, I was behind the 8-ball to catch up with the rest of the group. This wasn't too difficult. I'm doing fine, even though I cringe at the right three-turn at what seems like break-neck speed. We had a 1 hour on-ice and 45 minute off-ice session. We appear to be steadily improving. One of our members brought our dresses which are very nice. Lots of nude sheer illusion (the entire back and part of the side). "Underpinnings" for these dresses will be a challenge.
At 3:30, I worked with Jill S on my dramatic program. We chatted for a bit then got down to it. I told her what Coach had said yesterday about my 'Passion' program. Was I setting her up? Probably, but not in a devious way. I wanted her to know that I had incorporated what we talked about and had improved.
There were a number of strong, young skaters on the ice, so skating around them was difficult. I skated the program and even before I got up from my ending pose, Jill was clapping. Was she just being nice, I wondered? Another coach whom I know was standing next to Jill. I skated up to Jill who said, "I don't know how I can help you. That was great." The other coach went on at length (yes, I was embarrassed by this) about how I was the 'miracle' skater (so 'NOT,' IMO) and asked if Jill knew about what had happened to me. Thank goodness Jill jumped in and said that she did, but the other coach continued. When she left, Jill said that she did notice that the beatific look was there, but not constant throughout the program. Need to work on this. In my defense, I really had to concentrate on avoiding the others on the ice, so this may explain some lapses in looking appropriately emotional.
I then told Jill about some 'problem' areas for me and she gave me some great solutions, like really pulling the rib cage upward to get up from the lunge to go into the arabesque. This worked perfectly the first time I tried it. Made the exit from the lunge so much easier. We also worked on making the toe loop higher. Again, her tip worked the first time. I was really jazzed at this point. Finally, after it felt like we were out of things to work on in the program (was this possible?), I told her about the troubles I was having with the right three-turn in the ensemble program. Drilled a new entrance into the turn for me and I am feeling more confident now. Will have to keep working hard on this. She confirmed that I was doing well as a member of the group. Sigh of relief!
I finally feel that I have reached the point where I can skate my dramatic program at 'performance' quality (for my level, as my best skating buddy would note). I still have 5 weeks until Worlds, so I can continue to improve and now turn my focus to my technical program, which I know needs more finishing. I can skate the program well, but not consistently at the level I want.
Dear Husband is getting antsy for the home decorating project to be over, so I have to better monitor the pace of our painter and keep him moving. He is in his 'artist' phase now, but did put up the textured ceiling wallpaper in the bath next to my quilting room. It looks fantastic, like Tuscan ceiling tiles. Dear Husband is on vacation next week and wants everything ship-shape; he is tired of the chaos, poor guy. I can't say that I blame him either.
Onward . . . with a small measure of happiness.
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