I'm Officially a Gym Dawg !!!

     What a great way to start my official visit weekend. Thank you everyone for the way you made my day special. I'll write more after I get back from my trip.

Grace :)

     This past weekend was sooooo much fun! Our gym held the annual Judges Cup. The meet is held to raise funds for the judges to attend judging clinics. It was a non-stress meet, and all the gymnast had a great opportunity to get some practice competing before the season starts getting hairy.

     All the Aiken girls did great!!! The compulsory level girls were so clean and solid, and the optional level girls hit almost all their new tricks. It felt nice to get a 37 in competition again. The people here in South Carolina are great!!! I had so much fun talking to judges and coaches from my past. They were all excited that I'll be competing level ten this year. They were also really excited that I will be going to UGA. Coincidentally, so am I.

     I sign in less than one week! I can't wait! Although, it's a little sad that Radek won't be here for it. I'll be at the gym at 3:30 on Wednesday the ninth. You're all invited. I'll also be taking my official visit the weekend right after I sign. Hopefully I'll have all sorts of pictures and a great update for y'all soon after that. This is contingent on my parents buying me a new digital camera before I leave. Both of our other cameras are on medical right now.

     On an academic side note, I have six more college credits than I had the last time I talked to y'all, thanks to the SAT subject test. Yippee :)

     TTYL,

Grace :)

The optional team here at Aiken: Casie, Courtney, Taylor, Sabina (level 7-8 coach), Ashley, and me. Not pictured: Lexi and Amy.

* A shout out to Nicole… everybody really missed you this weekend!
  

     Well, I want to begin this update with a big apology for my silence after the Classics. Lots of things happened immediately after the meet, and I was busy dealing with them. The reasons for my not attending Nationals are many and complex. I was hoping that maybe people wouldn't notice my absence and if they did, their interest wouldn't last long. But alas, people are still asking. What I can definitely say is that it WAS NOT because: there weren't enough signs (see the pic I took of a sign from PGTC.), or that there was a lack of fan support (I absolutely loved the video by Mr. JM). The people at the meet were GREAT!!! The Guts and Courage signs were priceless. And when someone mentioned they read on a "message board" that a fan had actually called the gym checking up on me, well a little part of my heart that was dark started to glow again.

     If there is anything I will remember about Elite gymnastics, it is how wonderful the fans are, and how extremely nice the gymnasts were to me. I can't wait until I see some of them again at college meets. Speaking of college meets; Marcia, Courtney, and I are going to have a blast, minus the college-learning stuff. We haven't even officially visited Georgia yet, but we are working on it. Now that I am AIM compliant, we communicate often (compared to the old days) and are working out the details. Stay tuned for that update. I will try to take some pictures. Until then, I thought I would do a photo shoot today and update you on what's been happening with me.

     First I went to school. This is me outside of the Pickens-Salley House. It is on the USC Aiken campus. Along with my homeschool courses I am taking a course at USC Aiken. (In SC you can take concurrent courses. There are guidelines on how many hours you can take without messing up your scholarship eligibility.) It's been different but good for me. I've never been in a classroom situation before. It's definitely fun. I'll probably take a class next semester too.

     I also included a picture of me and my PT. A year ago we were just friends. But now with the college commute four times a week, and driving to gym six times a week, we've become best buds. The best part is that PeeTee is tone deaf. He never complains about my singing. Currently I am harmonizing to Super Chick. I must admit I do better with their style than when I was going through my opera phase. The Phantom of the Opera was a little out of my range.

     Besides college, I've been enjoying a more relaxed life. I'm still working out and will be competing level 10 this year. Sadly, I'll still be on my own, again (sigh). The other level 10's at our gym have retired or moved away (I really, really, really miss you Nicole L). There are no level 9's and only two level 7's trying to compete level 8 this year (yeah J go Taylor & Courtney). One of the rec coaches moved away too. So on Wednesday's I work out at the college Wellness Center. The good news is… that it's coed. The bad news is… that it's coed. I don't like sweating when I'm trying to look good.

     Speaking of trying to look good. I have decided to open up a line of book bags. I was really depressed when I went shopping for a bag to tote my books around. The only decent one I found was a UGA bag. It was pretty classy. But unfortunately, it didn't match all of my outfits. So, I have started designing and sewing bags. I have even incorporated the left over material to make some belts. Brilliant idea? I know.

     Now that I am almost caught up with everybody, I feel a little bit better. I really am sorry it took me so long to write this update. After what happened this summer I was feeling a little down. But time heals, and I can honestly say I am 100 % optimistic about the future. I'll leave you with these happy thoughts. I'm really looking forward to winning JO Nationals. LOL! What I can "seriously" say, is that I am working hard and hoping to show a little more consistency this year. I still have my same routines from Classics, minus the double back on beam. Sticking is most important in college and level 10.

     Well, my AIM buddy list is flashing. So that means I have to go. I owe Marcia a note, Lisa and Nicole are online now, and hopefully, I'll hear from Courtney, Blair, Rachel, Sara, Morgan … etc soon.

Grace :)
  

     Tonight we (the Junior Class at my Church) said farewell to the Senior Class at a banquet. (Not only is the guy in the picture old enough to be my Dad, he IS my Dad.) I am already excited about being the Big Kid, (figuratively) on the block. I thought about graduating early. But, I wanted to experience all the joys of being a Senior.

     Gym is at a standstill right now. My knee started to have a nagging little pain in it. The Drs. (two opinions) said it's a common condition called plica.

"Plica (pronounced PLI-KAH) syndrome occurs when plicae (bands of remnant synovial tissue) are irritated by overuse or injury. Synovial plicae are remnants of tissue pouches found in the early stages of fetal development. As the fetus develops, these pouches normally combine to form one large synovial cavity. If this process is incomplete, plicae remain as four folds or bands of synovial tissue within the knee. Injury, chronic overuse, or inflammatory conditions are associated with development of this syndrome."

     According to the Dr.'s I could have a 12-minute orthoscopic surgery and the problem would be gone. However, the rehab would limit my chances to qualify at the Classic. So, I am opting for the fix it through therapy option. I have started a 3-week knee rest. Then it is a gradual build up. Believe it, or not…. my therapist has found some weak muscles in my leg. She also found some that needed stretching. So before I go to gym to condition and stretch, I go to therapy to condition and stretch. I have nightmares at night about exercise balls attacking me.

     Special thanks to Elisabeth and Megan. I really loved the montages and blends. I had forgotten about the fall on the beam. It was such an easy skill. But, you do have my Yurchenko full on it, so all is forgiven. Just kidding. I loved them, falls and all.

     Finally, I want to mention my excitement in hearing that Marcia* Newby is committing to Georgia also. Marcia is an incredible gymnast and a wonderful person. Adding her to the already talented team motivates me to work harder. I've waited a long time to be on a team. But, I think this year will go by fast. I look forward to the opportunity to share a room/suite with her.

     *Marcia and her family know about this update and have said it is ok to post it.

     And Kool Beans to Nicole. Great Job at Nationals!!!!!

     That's all for now. The balls are calling for me to come play.

Congratulations UGA, 2005 NCAA Team Champions!!!

     I was SO nervous during the first rotation. Starting on beam is not an easy thing to do. By the time the vault rotation was over my voice was gone. Georgia really rocked the house! What a great example of TOGETHERNESS. I am so excited to be a part of this team.

     Go Gym Dawgs!!!!!

- Grace :)
  

race commits to Georgia!

   After researching over a dozen Universities and visiting four of them, I have decided to verbally commit to the University of Georgia. Good Luck to all the "GEORGIA GYM DOGS" at the NCAA Championships! I will be cheering for you. Go Gym Dawgs !!!!!!!