Gymnastics IS life!

Great is They THANKFULNESS!

2011-11-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hey fellas! Enjoying your break from gymnastics and school? Well, let's set aside some time to be thankful. I found this ABC thing about what you're thankful for, so here's mine!

A- My homemade secret recipe for apple pie filling

B- Books... I've been dying to read "The Lying Game"

C- Computers and Church's Chicken and Cellos and Cheerleading

D- Deas Vail and my Daddy that instilled in me the love of music--- and ooh, DOCTOR WHO"!!!!!

E- England, I guess? The Disney/Walden Narnia actors are from there and I love British accents. Plus, where else can you find Abbey Road?

F- Friends and Fireflight

G- GYMNASTICS!!!!!! Duh! And Guitars

H- Hope (*winkwink*)

I- I'd say Ice Cream, but that's bad on the vocal chords so rarely do I eat it

J- JUSTIN BIEBER!

K- Relient K! And Karaoke.

L- My dog Lexi. And... Long fingernails come handy. Just ask Brian E. where the scars on his hands came from...

M- Mommy and her supportiveness of my writing career and just music in general

N- "New Perspective" by Fireflight

O- "On and On" by Chasen

P- Pepperoni Pizza and Phoenix, Arizona---- National Fine Arts couldn't have been held anywhere better

Q- "Quiet Like Sirens" by Deas Vail

R- Reviewing books

S- Silence... I'm a "Doctor Who" geek... oh and my Sisters... and Sign Language--- I love signing! And singing--- I love to use my voice!

T- Tina Turner... LoL and Tears For Fears because I want to rule the world and Tenth Avenue North

U- United States

V- Vibrant colors and Volleyball

W- "Who I Am Hates Wo I've Been" and "Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?" both by Relient K. I love them... "I think you know what I'm getting at"<3

X- Xylophones, I guess???

Y- Yael Naim taught me to "come home" and then "Go to the River" if things don't work out

Z- Hans Zimmer lets me just forget the world and fall out of "Time" for a minute.

Weight On Your Mind?

2011-10-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

Anorexia. Bulimia. You know what they are, you know the stereotypes--- skinny little girls, either puking or starving. But, not only do they not have to be skinny, but have you ever looked in the mirror and saw their actions becoming more and more like yours?

Here's the steps to a healthier life away from eating disorders.

Identify the problem.
Identify the cause of the problem.
Notice patterns.
Seek help.
Become unbreakable.

Stop living in denial!!!
"The first sign is denial," they say. That's what they said when I had a case of Bieber Fever back in the winter time. That's what they say when I claim I don't have a crush on a guy while I'm as red as a tomato. And they were always right. This works with crushes perfectly. Many times, if I start to show the symptoms that I have a crush on a guy, I live in denial until it becomes more than obvious that I like him. Then, when I realize that I do like him, it's like, "Well, now that I am being honest with myself, now what?" It's like that with addictions and disorders. You need to identify the problem and start planning on how you will defeat it. Remember, life is a highway, and YOU'RE driving!

In everything, there's cause and effect.
You don't have this specific problem for no reason. First, you need to discover your cause. The beginning. The reason you got this way. You need to identify the cause of the problem. To do so, think about your goals. Is it that scissor leap you just can't get yourself in the air long enough for? The desire to be the top girl on the Varsity squad and no longer being the base? The giant on bars? Or is it plain just trying to fit into that dress or land that crush? Your intentions may be good, but you need to see if your dieting went out of bounds.

I see a pattern coming on.
Have bad eating habits overcome you? Have you noticed patterns? Is it getting more and more out of hand every day? Possibly, but you probably don't notice. Back in 2009, I had a very demanding schedule revolving around gymnastics. Mondays I had Level 5 practice for 90 minutes, Tuesdays I had flexibility class for 30 minutes, Wednesdays I had Level 4 practice for 60 minutes, Thursdays I had conditioning for 30 minutes, Fridays I had Level 4 practice for 60 minutes. Only 4 hours and 30 minutes each week, but the smaller amount of time there is to practice, the more work my coach put on us. So it was pure torture.

Gymnastics was becoming my entire life, and that might ring a bell for you as to why I named this blog what it is. I was now obsessed with perfecting my skills, and reaching my main goal: the back handspring. I was happy about my size and everything, but my not-so-positive goal was just the opposite of what you may think. I wanted to gain weight. Yes, I said gain. But instead I was doing the opposite of my intention, not eating breakfast, not hungry enough for lunch, only wanting to go to the gym and pig out afterwards. No puking after eating or counting the amount of peas I ate. Just plain bad eating habits.

I wanted to put some pounds on because I was already at least 5'4" by now and still under 100 pounds. I dreaded meets because I had to wear a leotard, and my skinny torso didn't quite match my thunder thighs. Another reason to gain weight is because heavier girls perform well on the balance beam and well, that was my favorite event. I was more serious about this sport than any other gymnast in my level. And you know that song, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"? That's the intense world of gymnastics.

I wanted to win the competitions very badly. I even wanted to go to the Olympics, but I knew that was impossible. But my eating habits made me lose pound after pound after pound.

In Level 5 practice one day, I was making relentless attempts for the back walkover that, um, I still can't do. I kept kicking and kicking and kicking, even though I was sweating like a pig by now and was red like crazy. My legs wouldn't carry me over, I knew it. I had become so weak that I couldn't make it over, and like that, PLOP! My bridge collapsed. I didn't have enough energy in my system because I wasn't eating enough. If my body could do that to a non-anorexic, imagine what your body can do to you if you're an intentional anorexic!

"Help! I need somebody!"

If you have noticed that your eating habits have gone crazy, seek help immediately. Get an adult. If you're not comfortable talking to your parents, find a school counselor, gym/dance/cheer coach, or if your school has one, find a school psychologist (or just the school nurse). Someone wants to help you, they just need you to ask.

You are unbreakable.

Now, you need to know you're beautiful. And, know someone cares. I believe that you should know that there is someone out there who loves you, but you need to find them, or let them find you. He's Jesus. If you're not a Christian, I'm sorry. But I say that it gets better. You just need to believe. You don't have let people break you, because you are unbreakable.

Back Into the Swing of Things

2011-08-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

I love gymnastics. I didn't even have to say that--- I bet you already knew! Well, I've been out of gymnastics for a little over a year now, and I decided that I need to get back in athletics. So, I chose a less familiar form of gymnastics. (None of these photographs belong to me. None. None whatsoever. Nada.)

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world of acrobatics.

Hey, I bet I can do ^^^THAT^^^!

These are some crazy, death-defying stunts.

Can't even add a caption for this one. Ha! Just did!

That's more like it.

UGH! That image is a little, um, unsettling.

So what do you think? Pretty cool sport, eh?

Keeping Up With Kendall Jenner

2011-07-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

You may and may not know who Kendall Jenner is, the second-to-youngest Kardashian sister. Famous by the show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" has been a hit since the beginning, catching the attention of young adults, teens, and tweens like me. I even know some other people that watch the show that you wouldn't even guess, but I'm gonna keep their names private.

Kendall is by far my favorite celebrity. She's a model for Forever21, she's a cheerleader, she was born in November (same here!), and it's obvious fame hasn't turned her into a slut. Did I mention she's a cheerleader? An athlete?

Despite her famous sister, Kim, who is in her early thirties, Kendall is only fifteen years old.

I bet she can't wait until she turns sixteen!

(Sorry, I just love those two songs. Is it just me, or does it sound like sixteen is a way funner age than fifteen?)

This young teenager is one of the youngest stars in reality TV, along with her little sister, Kylie, who is only thirteen going on fourteen. Being around cameras for six years now, you'd expect her---both of them---to be the biggest meanies on earth. But you can't judge a girl by her cover.

A fun fact about Kendall is that she's 5'9". That's only one inch taller than me, and I'm TWELVE! So, her height makes her amazing material as a back spotter on her cheer squad. Plus, with a modeling career on the rise, that makes her great for that, too!

Kendall---surprisingly---is a pretty shy person. "I've always been the shy one in the family," she said. "[Cheer] helped me get out of my shell." Odd that she'd say that, because, we've all seen her beyond-outgoing sisters on television at least once. I don't care if you're a seventeen-year-old guy. It's okay to confess that you've stayed updated with the Kardashian/Jenners in some way. Kendall said that she started cheering to show the spirit she's always had, and she wanted to meet new friends. Great idea, Kendall!

Growing up in the spotlight, you'd expect her life to be almost miserable--- blogs spilling insults, 'Tweets' against her, maybe even Facebook pages. What does Kendall have to say back? "They don't know the truth. They don't know what's really going on in your life. So, I don't even bother looking at it or listening to it."

This Sierra Canyon HS cheerleader sure does have something to cheer about... who wouldn't?

Citation
American Cheerleader magazine, June 2011, "Welcome to the Dollhouse".

Keeping Up With Bruce Jenner

2011-06-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

You know who he is. He's from the famous show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians", and is the stepfather of Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim Kardashian--- PLUS he's the biological father of Kendall (who's fifteen years old) and Kylie (who's thirteen, going on fourteen) Jenner. And there's another one named Casey... Did ya know that???

So what's so special about this guy? Why am I keeping up with him? Well, I happen to be a huge fan of Kendall, (she's started cheerleading now and she models--- I know about the best of both worlds because I was a cheerleader for three basketball seasons and I am active in sewing and modeling) and Bruce just happens to be an Olympian!

Yep. We're keeping up with a former track-and-field athlete. This is someone that is so cool to talk about, and I'll post more later. He started out in high school football, and then a knee injury sidelined him. Being sidelined, the injury had something in store for him: he met his first wife. His first wife said that when she was talking to him, she couldn't believe how passionate he was about his sport--- he even cried. That's real love for what you do.

He soon found out that it was not the end of sports for him, and he did track. Soon enough, he soared high above his expectations--- he made it onto the US Olympic team! He placed tenth at 1972 Munich, and won a shocking gold medal at 1976 Montreal!

Real talk, real love. Love can make a grown man cry, (literally!) no matter what it's for.

From winning the gold to getting a divorce to taking the role as Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe's stepfather, Bruce has seen and lived it all.

And something beautiful? Love never fails you.

"I've Seen Love Die Way Too Many Times..."

2011-05-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Gymnastics... that one sport that everyone quits. Why? Don't look at me! It just seems that every time I talk about gymnastics, at least three people say, "I was a gymnast, but I quit..." I even know people who made it up to level 5 at a really young age but quit, even though they had pure talent.

There is not one gymnast that I know that hasn't considered quitting before. I know a few level 10 and 9 gymnasts that have come so far, with seemingly no doubt in their mind--- or really? Then, there's the cheerleaders. There are a lot of cheerleaders that are disliked by gymnasts, because many times it seems like they just used gymnastics to make the squad, or perhaps they always loved gymnastics and as soon as they made the cheer team, they abandoned the sport that made them who they are. I was a cheerleader before I was a gymnast and as soon as I discovered tumbling, I nearly left cheer behind.

They say quitters never win, and winners never quit. (Or I've heard one of the crazy guys at church {I think it was Mark, don't remember} say "Quitters never quit and winners never win..." something weird like that.) But we've all come to that boiling point when we just don't wanna go to practice. Don't want to go to conditioning and flexibility class. (Summer of '09 was loaded with gymnastics, conditioning, tumbling, flexibility, and an additional tumbling class) We all go through the motions.

There are many amazing gymnasts that quit after years and years of dedication. They were committed to making the US Olympic team and everything, and threw it away because of fear, injuries, boyfriends, college... the like.

I've seen it happen way too many times. And not just with gymnastics--- excellent singers, amazing actors... but they just let it go. The love doesn't always last. I know that sometimes for me there are days (especially after a horrible recital or meet) when I just feel like giving up on everything.

Giving up on writing and blogging.
Giving up on singing.
Giving up on everything that I know I'm called to be.

Our church youth group did a human video for Fine Arts this year that is really hard to explain, (I went to all the practices even though I wasn't in it, and saw the drama rise up from nothing) and it featured:

A normal person who is struggling, I think, and then Satan (Autumn played the person and Olivia was the devil) is kinda like, I don't know, rubbing it in their face or something. Making the situation worse, making them fall further into the blackest hole.

Well, that's how doubts are. You're trying to reach that goal, but something keeps holding you back, shoving cruel thoughts of yourself into your mind, and many times it goes beyond just gymnastics.

"You're ugly, and you know it."
"You're fat... why don't you just go starve yourself?" (Not recommended.)
"You can't sing... why do you even try? You sound like Rebecca Black with Laryngitis!"
"Your writing is horrible, so you might as well stop writing that story and shut down that blog because you'll never make it into bookstores."
"You call that acting? It'd be a miracle to see you walking on Broadway!"
"You won't go to the Olympics. And you really want the world to see you in a leotard? Honey, it's best you stick with sweatpants."
"You can't do anything right."

Doubts lead to beating up yourself with things that don't even really matter a whole bunch. And many times, it causes that love to slowly fade and then POOF! it's gone, and it dies.

Are you truly committed to something? Not just gymnastics... anything. You can't do anything alone, but with family, friends, teammates, and God, everything is possible. But first, you have to believe that it is possible and then I promise you, it will be.

"So Father, give me the strength to be everything I'm called to be. Oh Father, show me the way to lead them... won't You lead me?"

-Sanctus Real, 'Lead Me'

Brian Williams Takes On Gymnastics

2011-05-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

Do you watch the news? Ever? Or are you thinking "Who watches the news--- EVER?"

Well, I watch the news. NBC World News to be exact, whenever I'm not watching local news.

I have enough courage, memory, and observance to be a stalker. It's true. I have short-term memory loss, so I can't get far with stalking and am no one to be afraid of. I'm a Christian girl, promise me, I won't stalk you! But, I do notice things. And, I do remember important things. There's people's addresses that I memorize just by looking at an envelope, (but only if I set my mind to it) and there are tiny things I notice--- a slight breath from the background vocals in a band, the picture frame far in the distance in a movie, and everything in between.

Well, here's something I noticed on the news last night. Somebody retired from the NBC office that had something to do with the Olympics and was a sports anchor or something. Well, Mr. Williams was talking about what the dude would talk about and such. Wanna know one?

"...Whether the Romanian gymnast would stick her landing on the parallel bars..."

What's wrong here? If you're a gymnast, you already know. The words that stick out to the experienced gymnast are: "Her" and "Parallel bars".

So what was wrong? Girls don't use the parallel bars--- only guys do! Girls use asymmetric bars---the uneven bars---and guys use parallel bars.

Brian, you are my favorite anchor, but you have yet to learn about gymnastics, LoL!
~~~
You know you're a gymnast when you get humor out of things like this.

*~~~OlympicDreams~~~*
Hope!

I Am Unbreakable

2011-05-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

"Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements?" Well...

A little bit ago was the Ohio Fine Arts Festival for the Assembly Of God churches in Ohio. I sang, wrote, and backed the vocals in our group's Christian Band.

The Christian Band made Nationals which will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. The other events did not make Nationals. My writing got a painful score---27---and my singing got a better score--- 31. "It takes two baby..." JK, it takes 36 points to advance to Nationals.

It's no big deal. It's my first year in Fine Arts (seventh grade is when you're allowed) and to even make Nationals in one event is a miracle--- VERY impressive.

I didn't take it that way.

Pretty Pretty please...
I know what you're thinking, "Don't you ever ever feel, like you're less than, less than perfect..." Well, I am a huge perfectionist. When it comes to competitions...

For an optimist, I'm pretty pessimistic.

I'm very optimistic actually, but it's kinda like watching my own performances on YouTube, I'm too critical. For an optimist, I can be very pessimistic.

When they announced who made Nationals in the Book Chapter (the first chapter of a book) category, I was confident I made Nationals. But I didn't. A little upset, there.

They announced who made Nationals for the middle school-aged Female Vocal Solo. I didn't make it, tried not to care, but eventually did.

It's alright there, right? It was the best weekend of my life until that point.

Then, we got to see our scoresheets. Fun, eh? If you made Nationals then it is. But if you didn't, it sorta scares you, because you wonder, where did I go wrong? ("I lost a friend"... love that song!)

I saw my scoresheet. I knew that in my writing that whatever didn't let me make Nationals had to be huge, because I thought my grammar was great and capitalization and everything. Nope. I ended up breaking a rule.

Just like in gymnastics, there are deductions. ESPECIALLY if you break a rule or go over the time limit in singing or acting or instrumentals or whatever you have to perform.

I broke a rule that I didn't even know I broke. My word count was too low, and the word count has to be 1,500 or higher. Turns out, the essential summary doesn't count, and I got three points deducted. Then, throw in forgetting to capitalize "Republican" and misplacing a few semi-colons and more.

I put that sheet on down as quick as I could. I grabbed the one for my vocal solo, which wasn't as bad at all. My problems were stage presence (I have none!) and articulation and breathing, although I hit every note.

I had my sheets laid out perfectly (and upside down) on a chair next to Josh. He was looking at his score sheets for his photography (he's also a guitar player in our band) when he saw that mine were on the chair. I was just about to pick them up to put in the envelope when he noticed them and started to pick them up. I snatched them away from his hands as fast as possible.

HOPE: Don't touch those
JOSH: Why can't I see them?
HOPE: (nearly in tears) Because I don't want you to (my voice cracked.)
CHRIS: (bass player in our band and he did photography) Is it that bad?
HOPE: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, no. But I don't want anyone to see it.

100% Defeated.
On the ride home, (from Columbus to Dayton... about two hours) I dared myself to read the scores again. "Ugh... I did horrible," I said something like that on the ride home. Kayla asked if she could see my score sheets and Maria asked shortly afterwards. Kayla glanced at them one more time.

She tried to convince me that it wasn't all that bad, but nothing could convince me then. I was nearly in tears. Sounds like I have huge PMS problems, but it wasn't that. Well, maybe you could say so, because that probably was part of the problem. But I expected so much more from myself.

There were many times I came close to tears and my voice cracked. I used that quiet, baby tone I always get when I'm mad mixed with depressed, or am about to bawl. (Okay, it wasn't that bad.)

This is why I called myself a pessimist... or a PMSimist, I should say.

I was so confident before, and destroyed after. I believed I could do it, I believed that Nationals was this close to me... it was all good.

"I've got a tight grip on reality but I can't let go of what's in front of me here..."

-'The Only Exception', Paramore

I had a tight grip on reality, but I couldn't stop getting stuck in daydreams of winning Nationals and the glory of everyone knowing about it. I forgot that I did make Nationals, and was beating myself up for really a tiny reason.

I got told many compliments saying I have a beautiful voice. (Just saying, not bragging. "No, it was never my intention to brag...")
I got told many compliments saying I'm a talented writer through blogging.

Why was I letting myself get put down... Why was I putting myself down? Sometimes, I can be my own worst enemy.

All of us can relate to this, especially in gymnastics and cheerleading. We expect so much from our bodies and ourselves, but then we miss a move that makes the difference between first and fourth place and we never forgive ourselves for it. Christ forgave our sins, isn't it time we forgive ourselves?

And then there's fear, which we can all relate to. One thing I'm afraid of right now, the main thing is what people think of me. I work so hard to please people and make everybody happy, when it doesn't do me much good. Then, with gymnasts and cheerleaders, we try to do gymnastics and cheer with everything we have, but then there's an injury that happens and a certain process of gaining your trust, courage, and confidence back.

We all fall, we all break...

But it will make you stronger...

And you'll rise again...

Unbreakable.

Couldn't Resist

2011-04-16T12:11:00.001-07:00

Trampoline or Floor?

2011-04-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered.... which could injure you more... a trampoline or the mat? Let's see...

TRAMPOLINE

Shoots you up high, so you'll land farther down, and if you're a heavy kid, you just might feel the ground.
People are more confident in the trampoline's protection, so they try stunts that they'd never do on the floor, without a spotter on the floor, or their coach wouldn't approve at the gym.
Unless you are at a gym, you have a high chance of falling off the trampoline, which is even worse than the above. If you are going to tumble, use an in-ground trampoline or tumble track.
When on a trampoline, you have a paranormal sense of strength and flexibility, so back handsprings and tucks are effortless. But when the gymnast/cheerleader makes it to the floor, they usually gain bad habits like double bouncing (common problem with back handsprings) and absense of rebounding. Plus, they think they will jump higher, so they land on their head ON THE HARD MAT.
Overall, more gymnasts and cheerleaders are injured on the trampoline than any other mat.

MAT or SPRING FLOOR

Does not shoot you very high, so if you miss a skill, it's very obvious and sudden.
People are not very confident in the mat's protection, mainly because unlike a trampoline, it will not catch you when you fall, and you need a spotter or belt to help you.
You cannot fall off of it, but people fear it anyway, and you can hit your head very hard on it.
You are stuck with your normal body features, so if you don't have enough strength or flexibility, down you go. (Or up, if you can't do the splits.)
Overall, less gymnasts are hurt on the floor, but there are more strains and sprains here than anywhere else.

So... which is worse?
My conclusion is I'd rather get hurt on the floor than on the trampoline. The chances of paralysis and death are much higher there. I don't know about you, but in my eyes, trampolines should only be used in mini version, and they should only be used to help with jumps and leaps, not flips.

So that's me.... what about you???

101st Post!

2011-03-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

Just saying! This is probably the worst 101st post ceremony ever, but just a simple thx for following me!

Our Community!

2011-03-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yes! I received 4 new followers! Thank you, Ally, Coco, Monsmons, and Anna!

Now, this really IS a community of gymnasts, cheerleaders, dancers, and Olympic lovers!

To our new followers, meet me, a gymnast who loves to talk about gymnastics so much that they started a blog about gymnastics and the Olympics! I'm so happy to have you follow me! I hope to get to know you better and follow your blog if you have one.

To my older followers, I am very sorry that I have not posted lately. Don't worry, I will post more as soon as I can.

I know that there is a lot more to catch up on. I've got 4 more people to "meet", and more music to upload!

I found some great YouTube music that you will love! If you liked "Apologize" and "The 14th" songs, then that's great!

I will upload:

Once Upon A December
Apologize (OneRepublic)

I love finding great songs and then finding instrumentals! For those of you in levels 7 and up, the music feature of this blog is just for you!

I haven't watched "YouTube Gymnastics" lately, but I hope that The Gymnastic Minute has some good training videos for you that have helped you train!

I have not checked my comments lately, but if there are any new ones, feel free to chat with each other! Remember, we all have something in common. Most of us are gymnasts, have been gymnasts before, cheerleaders, maybe you know me, maybe you've heard about me, or maybe you just found my blog trying to Google something or find something.

Don't think you followed this blog by mistake. I always thought it'd be so fun if we could talk to each other like friends! And when you talk to someone online, it makes you want to meet them more and more.

So go on and join our community! Don't be shy! I know many of these followers, and they are very fun, interesting people! The 5 followers I had before are not stalkers, I know for sure, because I'm actually friends with 4 of them, and the fifth one has talked to me through comments and we follow each other's blogs.

So sit back for once, relax, forget about tumbling for a minute, and talk and learn about some fellow tumblers!

And one more thing. Most of my followers are not gymnasts, so if you aren't a gymnast, still follow me, because I have other blogs that you will like!

*~~~OlympicDreams~~~*

Hope
Your Blogs Administrator

"A dreamer never stops dreaming."
-Hope Angelica Ezell, blogger, aspiring news reporter and author.

Rip-Off and Win

2011-02-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Isn't this twisted?

An Olympic gold medal is almost 99% silver.

The first-place medal is actually 550 grams of silver covered with a thin layer of gold (6 grams)! A silver medal is far more authentic - 509 grams of silver and 41 grams of copper. The bronze medal is composed of mostly copper, with some zinc and tin mixed in. And approximately how much are all these precious medals worth, you ask? The gold - $494, the silver - $260, and the bronze...$3!

Web citation...
LOVE Gives Me Hope.com
OMG Facts
Luxist .com

The Dark Before The Morning

2010-12-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

At my second meet before the one where I placed last, there was some serious glory. I was living in the glory days.

I learned from my first mistake. My next floor routine was by The Temptations, so it was fun---really fun---to add an oldies kick to gymnastics. At this meet, I became friends with a girl in my level named Judy. I'm very comfortable talking to her about church because she goes to church. I believe she's Catholic, but she believes in God and Jesus... The basics. She knows what it is like to sing in front of the congregation. (I sang "Forgiven" by Sanctus Real earlier this year) She had problems with the skills I had problems with.

Yes, she's younger, more talented, and had her splits before I did, but still. Just a nice person to be around.

I had to tackle a skill in order to succeed at this meet. I couldn't do a front limber until just a few practices prior. During warm-up time for the competition, a girl told me it's best to practice my routine, but I needed the skill most. So I practiced the limber and failed a few times. I knew that I'd have to settle for third place.

I ended up having so much fun. My friend Kayla came and brought her family, along with another friend, Leah. I was more confident and danced my way up. When the skill came around, I didn't care anymore. I did it the way the little girls did, and boy, did it feel effortless. (One of the moms caught it on tape--- I had some serious fun out there!) when I came up, I was so happy! Everyone clapped, because they saw the long days in the small, sweaty room that were full of falling and tripping. But this time, the mission was accomplished.

Next was beam. I memorized the routine like a book. My only problem was my tumbling skills. I hadn't practiced enough straight-line tumbling at home, so I missed the two required skills. But I didn't fall completely, so the deductions weren't very bad. The rest of the routine went smoothly.

Remember when I told you I expected third place on floor? I cane crazily close to first! I placed second, (and I had a really cute Leo) and was like, "Yeah!!!" on beam I placed third. No one did that great on their tumbling, so I was doing good. It was a very fun meet overall. I told myself that if I didn't like the scores, I needed to suck it up. But I didn't have that problem. Actually, there were no problems.

This, almost, was the perfect competition. And you know it's perfect when you can look back and say, "I really enjoyed it out there".

Mistakes Happen Part 2: Learning to Accept It

2010-12-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

You already heard the story of the greatest discouragement of my life. The lesson? Someone will always be second-best. Fallen a little bit short. Couldn't keep up with the game. Sometimes, it's you.

The next challenge is accepting that you aren't perfect. Here's another story of imperfection. My story of feeling discouraged when I had no need. When I just wanted to be perfect, and my standards were impossibly high, too high for me to live up to.
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It was a cold winter's night at my first show meet ever. (Basically a recital, but with placings.) I was expecting nothing less than first place. I was setting standards that I couldn't live up to. Records that I couldn't break. I was only doing one thing, setting myself up for failure.

Floor was expected to be my best event tonight. So I went for it. Great routine. Front limber? Aced. Back roll? Great. Ending pose? PERFECT.

In this case, I wasn't the problem. Here's where the problem started:

At show meets for level 3 and all the others, my coach would choose parents to judge. BIG mistake. I know that this meet was just a recital, but COME ON!! At least choose an experienced person!

The lady was completely biased. She already knew who she wanted to win before anyone performed. Of course, she chose a cute little angel, and a third grader.

Okay.... YES, Mackenzie is a really adorable (at the time) four-year-old with the chubbiest cheeks, but SHE FELL in her floor routine! SHE. FELL!!!!!!!!

Now, I, on the other hand, did a perfect routine. I DESERVED A PERFECT TEN!!!! TEN POINT O, LADY! 10.0!!!!!

So tell me... HOW DID MACKENZIE PLACE FIRST??????

Then, on the beam, I only fell once. Heather, (I think that was her name, I vaguely remember, that was nearly two years ago) on the other hand if I must compare, didn't do the best routine either. How did I get fourth place, AND HEATHER PLACED FIRST???!!!! All due respect to Heather, but she didn't exactly qualify to win.

This was back in the days when there were no bars, vault, or all-around. So that was it. Third and fourth place.

I was so upset. It's one thing to lose. Another thing to lose when you know that you won. I wanted to cry, but what was the use? "I know that I won," I thought to myself. "Whether everyone else knows I'm a winner or not, I did win."

That didn't make me smile too long. After sleeping it off, that helped a little, but then I remembered that just because I don't win, doesn't mean that I lost. There many girls behind me. I didn't lose. I just didn't win.

The next meet, I remembered that, and instead of aiming for first place, I aimed for fun! And my comeback was stronger than ever!
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Next, you will hear my glory story--- how learning from that mistake helped me to aim for a good memory and how I scored higher than normal!

PLUS: Tips on how to make your meets more fun, and score even higher!

Mistakes Happen, Brick By Boring Brick

2010-12-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Gymnastics is like building a house, furniture and everything. The skills you learn are bricks. The simple skills can be boring bricks that are easily built, others are more exciting, but risky and difficult. Sometimes, tears will come. Sometimes, you'll have off days. Sometimes, you'll score far below a medal.

It's happened to all of us. Me too. That one tiny mistake that turns into two, then three, then four. The time that we've all been last in line.

It was so important. The first meet of 2010. I had scored so great on vault and knew I had qualified for third. Not the best, but cool, right?

It falls from there. My floor routine that I'd worked on for months and conditioned and everything for had been ruined as I knew it. My hip was still healing, so I didn't make my splits. I lost my balance on the arabesque. I didn't make my tic toc. My split leap was horrible. And, to conclude it, my legs split in the back handspring. "So NOW I do the back walkover, huh? Thanks, Hope." I got fifth.

Beam was my last event of the day. Take note, it was my first level 4 meet ever. And it was my WORST meet ever. With shaky arms, I saluted, and with shaky legs, I mounted. Every five seconds, I fell. I held my scale for a very long time, but ended it with a fall. I was so embarrassed. "8.10", read the scoreboard. "Oooh..." everyone said in disbelief of it. Beam was my favorite event. I was ALWAYS good at it. I never failed. But this time I did. And it disappointed everyone, but no one was more upset than me. "I am great at beam. I can't believe anyone saw that. I looked so dumb out there." I knew I had to push on, and although I held seventh and last place, I could lose with dignity.

It ends with me getting my medal, fifth place ribbon, and last place ribbon. Marquie Peyton was in front of me, also kind of embarrassed. After, in the all-around, with a 26.2, I beat Marquie by .1 points. "It's okY," she said sadly. "Someone will always be last." I agreed feeling slightly disappointed too. "I just wish it wasn't me," I thought. I liked how we both knew how we were both feeling. She was last in all-around, I was last in beam. We both knew how embarrassing it was to stand in last place in front of about 70 people. And all we could do was say that we were at the bottom, but we tried.

The girls that placed first were so... Just... Hard to explain. They never really tried. The girl who got first on floor had the body type and her dance was perfect. At practices, we both had the best and longest going routines when my coach would turn off the music for every mistake. The girl who got first on vault was careless. Her front handsprings were effortless. She was as tall as me, but better than me. Arrogant and talk backy too. The girls that really tried hard, like me, Marquie and Judy, deserved to go to level 5 more than those two girls.

But the homes we'd built weren't strong enough yet, and we needed to learn that someone will always be last, and sometimes, it's you.

Special Homecoming!

2010-11-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

Not your average high-school-formal homecoming. It's the I'm-coming-home-after-being-away-from-you-for-so-long homecoming.

Louie Vito, who competed in the 2010 Olympic Games up north in BC, Canada; is back in Ohio for the first time since March. Since March!

He has missed his home for a long time, I'm sure. While at the Olympics, he even treated himself to some bling.

But that wasn't enough for Vito! "I didn't get an Olympic medal... it's killing me," says Vito. He hopes to try again.

Vito also says that even though he lives in my former hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah; he is quick to add that he is a Buckeyes fan. "Everyone here is a fan of the Uts," (Uts? Huh? Have I been in Ohio for so long that I don't know what football team they are???) says Louie, "It's SO annoying..." He is also quick to add that he wishes the Buckeyes would go against them and defeat them, because HE KNOWS that the Buckeyes rock. He sticks to his roots.

I love this kid. I plan on seeing him in Russia in 2014! Oh yeah, you can't veto MY Vito!

I Can't Give Up.

2010-10-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ever feel like you gotta give up?

Two days ago, that was me. I watched gymnastics videos on YouTube of girls in MY level, and saw how quickly they slipped from level 4 to 6 and then higher and higher!

Then I thought of myself. Eleven---nearly twelve--- and still in the fourth level. There's no way I'm gonna succeed in this sport, right?

But, right where I knew I wanted to quit, I realized that I really love gymnastics and I can't live without it. Whether it's sink or swim for me, I'll never know unless I try.

I've been giving it two years and going on three of working hard to be the best. I've always been the best listener, better on poise, and the one who wants every routine to be perfect, but usually the meets don't rock as much. And don't get me wrong--- I've always been the one to miss weeks of class due to injuries.

Now, I'm skipping a competition to hopefully settle down all the nervousness and self-conciousness. It was all too tense at the moment.

Now, with my nerves calmed down and my body at ease and injury-free, in January, I'm ready to step back into gymnastics.

All because age is just a number.

Wait, Wait... Golf's in the Olympics Now? The Recession's Over Now?

2010-10-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's crazy... Yet it's true!

Rio Grande is officially hosting the next Olympics... after 2012 London, that is. I though Germany was hosting 2012 before, but it's official... London won the position.

So it's official... golf is invited back to the Olypics. Is Tiger Woods gonna be there? Will the US go? Ask yourself...

So they say that the reccesion's been over for almost a YEAR now... SERIOUSLY, OBAMA???? If the recession was over FOR REAL, I'd be training for 2016 Rio! If the recession was over FOR REAL, I'd be at the biggest gym in America, maybe WOGA... or a closer gym that's SERIOUSLY elite about two hours away. (Cincinnati Gymnastics) So, Obama, if you think the recession's over, fix the VA. Give our veterans the money they deserve. Re-open closed businesses. Lower gas prices. Not so easy now, huh? If you think the recession's over... check again.

Sports Legacy Girls

2010-09-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

"Some California Gurls can't even spell 'girls'" says me. "But other California girls are the next generation of excellence."

I'm not a California Girl. But I'm a proud girl of the USA. And sports, well, make up most of my life.

Aside from church, LifeGroups, and Youth, I'm active in gymnastics, volleyball, and 4-H.

I'm a second-generation sports girl... are you???

Samantha Peszek
This is a second-generation sports girl! Sam is well known for the 2008 Olympics. Her mother, Luan Peszek, is an author and works for USA Gymnastics. Luan wrote one of my FAVORITE books--- "The Gymnastic Almanac". It taught me almost all I know. Now, with Luan being a former gymnast herself, it's Samantha's turn in the spotlight!

Anastasia Liukin
Liukin has been talked about for as long ago as 2006! This 2008 girl who's getting ready for 2012 is a second-generation gymnast with her father, Valeri, being an artistic gymnast and her mother, Anna, being a rythmic gymnast. Now look, this girl has decided to make clothes inspired by herself for young girls!

Dominique Moceanu
This girl is not only a second-generation gymnastics girl, but is likely to be raising one! 28-year-old Domi with 2+ kids is the daughter of two former national Romanian gymnasts. Dimitry, her father, recently died, but they are a Christian family on the bright side. Domi was born in Hollywood when her parents moved into the U.S. for her. The Olympic U.S. gold medalist now coaches and even now calls Ohio her home! How exciting! "Cleveland, you may have lost LeBron James, but you still have Dominique Moceanu."

Me
My dad was not a gymnast, but he was quite athletic. (does gymnastics for his gym class count???) Now, I am a second-generation sports girl and, someday, I will be a second-generation Special Olympic coach. My dad coached track, I'll coach gymnastics. My dad joined the military, I'm gonna open a Special Olympic Gymnastics Academy. (SOGA instead of WOGA) I really enjoy gymnastics, so I hope that teaching a Special Olympic kid can help them become an Olympic kid.

What do you say? Dreams do come true, right?

Preseasonnnnn!!!!:::::)))))))

2010-09-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

AHHH! It's the preseason! Are you excited? Are you working on some CRAZY new stuff? So are some of your FAVORITE gymnasts!

Shawn Johnson just recently said on Twitter that she got her double or triple pike, and Sam Peszek is just as excited as you are for the PRESEASON!!!!

This pre-season for me is gonna be a fun one. I'm exchanging vaults for bumps, handsprings for spikes, and meets for games.

It's time I spill it... gym girl is now volleyball girl!!!!!

Before you freak out and start saying, "And just when I thought that girl couldn't get enough of gymnastics" take note that this is not an official quit. I am preparing my arms for whenever I begin gymnastics again.

I plan on starting back at the gym by... March. See, my arms are VERY out of shape and not as flexible [or as strong!] as they used to be. I felt like in order to tackle those huge problems of mine, I needed to start from head to toe. This will take awhile before I feel I'm ready to tumble again.

-I need to strengthen my arms in volleyball
-I need to use my focus in volleyball
-I need to use my LEGS in volleyball
-Hopefully, I'll make more FRIENDS in volleyball.

Volleyball is the perfect sport for the gymnast!!! I recommend gymnastics to people of every age and sport, and volleyball for every gymnast and cheerleader. For myself, I need to take a DANCE lesson.

Maybe THAT'S the next stop...

Lil' Supergirl

2010-07-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

Isn't it super??? What's super??? Well, Olympic and World champion Anastasia (known as Nastia) Liukin has a line of leos and clothing for gymnasts!

I've seen videos, so I KNOW it's worth it! Nastia looks MEAN when she performs, but is just like you, (in odd ways) and loves to show it! I like how Nastia shows her happiness and that she's not just some girl tumbling on the Olympic floor for the fun of it. Instead, she communicates with the journalists and her very own family is Olympic, not just because of her... (we'll talk about that...) She loves children, and if she doesn't like kids, she's a good fake.

It's all in her Seoul... her father is Valeri Liukin, and the Google search is all on you. He began gymnastics at the age of seven, and competed at the 1987 World Championships, winning in the team competition and winning individual silver and bronze. He was pretty good. He married Anna Kotchneva and Anastasia was born on October 30, 1989. She will turn 21 soon.

What Nastia calls "Daddy" is not what I---or you---would call Daddy. Unless you're the daughter of a 1988 Seoul Olympic gymnast who competed for the former Soviet Union and was the first man to do a triple back flip, that is. Her mom is no average mommy either.

Her mom specializes in a slightly different kind of sport than Nastia herself, Anna being a rhythmic gymnast. Nastia was born in Moscow and later, but early in her life, she moved to the U.S. Her family owns the World Olympic Gymnastic Academy, her dad being the head coach. She started gymnastics after staying in the gym while her parents coached. Boring, huh? That explains why she began gymnastics! Did she know she would tie Shannon Miller's record???

Nastia Liukin followed her dreams. If you're ready to follow yours, what's holding you back???

You Are Now Entering The 8zone

2010-07-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Apolo Anton Ohno is now advertising 8-Zone, a fitness program to help you with every athletic thing you need! Will it work? DOES it work? The world doesn't quite know yet.

Well, I figured it works, because HELLO, this is being indorsed by an Olympic medalist, it has to be good! That's what everyone thinks. It could be the worst thing on Earth, but we don't know yet.

Today's tips for your back handspring:

1. Jump! This is the first most important part of your back handspring. If you have a cheer/gym mat at home, this is your at-home gymnastic conditioning! Make sure you have the basic steps: Like, hands in front, bend your knees slightly and don't bring down your chest with you, and then jump! For that, jump as far off the mat (the mat should be stacked up) and as high as you can.

2. Faster, more graceful back handsprings! With the mat still stacked up, kick into a handstand with your hands on the mat and bounce off your hands to land off the mat. Keep trying, faster and faster, while keeping your legs straight and pointing your toes.

3. Two is better than one! Once you have your back handspring standing up, one won't be enough. You will need to do round-off back handsprings, double back handsprings, even back handsprings out off back walkovers! To do so, practice snapping your legs down from the handstand and immediately doing a back bend.

Olympic Medals Returned

2010-07-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, July 16th, Olympic medals were returned and taken away from a country for drug abuse during the 2000 Sydney Games. The track medals were given to another team, nearly ten years later.

Don't Bring Down Others to Uplift Yourself!

2010-07-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

If you read "Encourage Others As Well As Yourself" (AWAY) This is it's sequel.

In the other post, we talked about keeping your self-esteem and self-confidence up. But this is talking about using that energy on uplifting others!

Life is better with friends, right??? On your squad, team, or at your dance studio or club, even if you're super shy, you should have at least one friend or two. Why? You can uplift each other, and it'll help you with accountability! If you have a friend saying, "You can do it! Make that back walkover!" And you tell them, "You go girl! Now ace that front limber!" Well then of course you'll both do great, because you're uplifting the spirits of each other! How much less could a friendship do???

Life isn't so good without friends. Sometimes, we all---and I mean ALL---have enemies. At least I know I do. I remember competitions drawing near and half the girls in class were my enemies because, well, evidently they were all better than me, not all had their splits, but all had their back walkovers and were REALLY close on back handsprings. One girl had beautiful technique, whom eventually got first place. (of course.) That's not the only reason I didn't like her. I didn't like her attitude either, and I couldn't stand being in the same level as her. Stuck-up enough as it is.

But: if you can't uplift even the most annoying people on Earth, will they succeed like Keisha* (fake name) did? Probably not. Will you succeed? Probably not. Why? I said it before and I'll say it again--- Life rocks with friends!

Encourage Others As Well As Yourself!

2010-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

In gymnastics, dance, and cheer, it can be oh so difficult to be confident, as well as encouraging others.

I know this is off subject, but I saw "Marmaduke" today and really liked it!

Back to the subject. You must admit, there's at least one time in your day that you wish: "I wish I was as smart as him. I wish I was good at athletics like her."

When participating in an activity, it's hard to stay confident. But encouraging others can be difficult if you can't encourage yourself!

First of all, just imagine. Your imagination is as big as three NATIONS, and getting bigger, so use it! That's why it's called an imagiNATION! Just imagine all the wonderful things you can be someday. It'll help you lots.

Second, think. If you don't make your scissor leap at the national jazz competition, will it kill you, the team, or the audience? NO ONE! If you have a bad attitude, it will discourage you, the team, and the audience will notice, including those strict judges.

Third, be positive. I remember splitting my legs in the middle of a back handspring when I wasn't supposed to at a gym meet which made the difference between level 4 or 5, and I felt quite upset. But remember, in your life, you'll do things greater than winning first place on the balance beam. I didn't know it at that meet. Now, I can see beyond the big, blue mat. My dreams are even higher than the high bar. Here they are:

1. To be a criminal profiler for the FBI
2. To coach the gymnasts at the Special Olympics
3. To live in British Columbia (someday soon!)
4. To meet Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid) and Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) from "Criminal Minds"
5. To go to Nationals for Fine Arts (next year.)

Fourth, don't think because you're not good at something you can't do it. You REALLY think I'm good at gymnastics? Not really. But I can do things some of you will never do in your life. I always am in a human video. Here's my drama timeline:

2007: "Stories" by Superchick with Faith in Fun Arts 2007 Mansfield
2008: "East to West" by Casting Crowns with JAM in Fun Arts 2008 Dayton
2009: "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North with Missions Extreme Human video #1
2010: "Wherever We Go" by Newsboys with Maria in Fun Arts 2010 Dayton and "Why" by Nicole Nordeman with Missions Extreme Human video #3 and "Wake Up" by Leeland with Friends in BGM Talent show

Trust me, those human videos were lots and lots of hard work. Okay, it's only six human videos, but I've tried other human videos in the process! I remember doing "Stories" and not knowing if I would do good, since it was my very first human video, and it was more of a dance, so I was worried about my choreography and my dance technique. The most important one though was "Why".

This song is about Jesus' crucifixion. I liked my role, but not how I was doing it. I was in the "crowd of people shouting". The crowd had a huge role because in Jesus' part, it says:

"Father why are they screaming! Why are the faces of some of them beaming? Why are they casting their lots for my clothes? This crown of thorns hurts me MORE than it shows! Father please, can't you do something? I know that you must hear my cry. I thought I could handle a cross of this size. FATHER REMIND ME WHY. Why does everyone want me to die?! Oh, when will I understand WHY????"

This human video was especially important, especially because I was performing it for the Convoy Of Hope. I thought I wasn't good at being a narrator (saying the little girl's view) OR being in the crowd, but I did, and everyone loved the drama.

If you encourage yourself, you'll find it easier to "Encourage Others A.W.A.Y."!

Gymnastics, Tumbling, and Dance

2010-07-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

I realized something that was quite important yesterday. I took the month of April off for gymnastics, came back in May, took June off, and now I'm taking July off. But I realized something:

The next meet is supposedly in November. We start practicing in August, or September, but either way August is the most important month in the year for me. Why??? This month is the VERY last month to move up in levels. I would wish not to repeat level 4 and move on to advance 4, but if I don't show up even in August, I can't compete in the level I wanna compete in. That's why I'm quite nervous because coming back in August is cutting it REAL close, ESPECIALLY since I haven't been practicing my walkovers. I've been practicing my pirouettes, but that isn't neccesary for advance level.

My forward walkover is only not completed because my left leg isn't strong enough to lift myself up from the bridge position. My backward walkover is bad because I don't raise my leg high enough and my hands are not strong enough. I have some conditioning to do...

I'm practicing a worship dance for next year's Fine Arts competition, and it's called "Times". You know, that one Tenth Avenue North song? It's beautiful so far! I'm already looking forward to next year's nationals, even if I don't make it, I believe I will!

Please pray that I make the advance 4 class and perform well next year.

You Can Do It!

2010-06-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

"You can do it!" You hear your mom say. "But... can I???" You mumble to yourself. Indeed, you can. Many people don't look like they're "meant" for certain things, but they are. What is the hobby for you??? Let's see...

Just because you aren't short or skinny or flexible doesn't mean you can't be a gymnast. Take June for instance. (a friend of mine, her name was changed.) She's short and slim, but not the best at tumbling, although she is a cheerleader. I'm tall, and not meant for gymnastics, but can do many skills others can't do.

Just because you don't have long piano fingers doesn't mean you can't play piano!!!! I am tall and slim, and also have crazy big hands for my age. You would think, "Hey! She has piano fingers, maybe she can play piano!" Well I can't. I am not even in level 1. I'm in the primer level, whatever that is! I know my chords and all, (Every Bad Dog Growls Before Eating, or Every Good Boy Does Great.) but I CANNOT play piano!!!! I know people with the stubbiest fingers on Earth who are some of the best pianists I know.

Just because aren't tall doesn't mean you can't be the next Kobe Bryant. (I'm telling you now, I hate the Lakers; they defeated MY Celtics!) I'm not as tall as the average eleven-year-old and not as old as the average seventh grader. I'm 5'8" and really tall to be that young. Can I play basketball??? NO WAY!!! Anyone can play better than me if they try!!

I hope this proved to you that you can do it, even if you know you really can't. Just because you're a level 4 gymnast doesn't mean you can't get a perfect 10!!!

Mental Issues Can Be Bigger Than THE Issue

2010-06-10T14:46:00.001-07:00

Many times in gymnastics, girls and guys fail to acheive at least one goal. Be it a Rudi or the straddles, mental issues can be bigger than the REAL issues.

"Fear IS The Factor" covered this subject pretty well. Many times gymnasts fear those extreme skills, but for some gymnasts, they just plain fear going backwards alone.

When I first began gymnastics two Junes ago in June 2008, and I was tumbling at Premier Athletics, (the cheer team they have there is called "Storm" so now it is called "Storm".) I was afraid to even do a back bend without a spot. But after I started at the Huber Y, I made a back bend within my first month and one without any fear within the second month. Soon, I learned a one-legged back bed, and once did a back handspring. (my coach didn't see it.)

I would hate to say mental problems, but fear is a mental problem we all have. But in gymnastics, remember that your fear and failure are steps leading to fearless and accomplishment.

Fear IS The Factor

2010-05-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Sports Acrobatics

Fear the worst?! I say not!

Fear is the factor in gymnastics. Gymnastics is all about moving on to more difficult skills as you learn to overcome your fears. That's what makes it 'fun'. Gymnastics is about building your self-esteem and forgetting most of your fears. But if you are forced to get a skill regardless of your fear, will you overcome it? I think not!

Gymnastics is also about learning incredible skills on your own timing. A lot of coaches forget that. This is well known in school and gym cheerleading coaches.

Most cheerleaders are beginners just cheering for the fun of it. Sometimes the parents force 'em, they feel like it'll make them popular, whatever the reason they join the sport. But most choose cheerleading for their own dreams and own accomplishments. However, coaches can really cross the line sometimes.

"If you can't do your full-in, you WILL NOT make the senior high cheer team." Sound familiar? I thought so. REWIND! <<<<<<<

Back up, BACK UP. <<<<< This is CHEERleading we're talking about, not TUMBleading! Where does it say you MUST be an excellent gymnast to be an excellent cheerleader? NOWHERE! Where in the CODE OF POINTS does it say you must have every gymnastic skill in this book if you dream to be a cheerleader someday? NO.WHERE! So why do coaches make it seem that way?

At first, when Johnny Campbell (the first cheerleader) started the very first cheerleading squad, what do you think they did? There had been NO tumbling, (maybe a few cartwheels) instead, the first thing cheerleaders ever did was: CHEER. Here's a sample of of what the first cheer sounded was:

"Go Varsity! Rah Rah!"

Now, it would have been different if Johnny had said "Go Vars---" (round-off) "It---" (back handspring) "Y!" (second back handspring) "Rah---" (back tuck) "Rah!" (Full twist)

See how confusing it is? And that's just a tiny little simple cheer gone confusing. Johnny Campbell did do quite a few sports acrobatics in cheerleading, (acrobatics is not the same as tumbling, it's like pyramids and stuff like that.) But they were not overwhelming. However, cheerleaders in his day did more complex skills than people in our day.

Obviously, America has lost sight of what cheerleading really is--- it's uplifting spirits of people to do their best. When Johnny Campbell pulled off that first cheer, his team was doing HORRIBLE, losing all season, but that cheer changed EVERYTHING, and his team won. THAT'S what the true meaning of cheerleading REALLY is. I'll tell you what it is NOT:

-Not maniacs tumbling on their heads
-Not maniacs doing illegal sports acrobatic skills
(some skills are too complex and CAN be considered illegal for children under the expert and college age. You CAN be fined.)
-Not maniacs doing it for 'popularity reasons'.

Instead, cheerleading is just like gymnastics in ONE particular way. If you're having fun, fear is just another boundary to break!

The Ticker

2010-05-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

Kerri Strug

It's been fourteen years... That is, fourteen years since Kerri Strug's awesome vault! Soon, we shall celebrate the fourteen year anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games. But two days ago, Kerri Strug---make that Fischer--- celebrated her one month anniversry of being married to Robert Fischer! Congrats, Kerri!

Show Off!

2010-05-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

Wanna improve your performance? Do talent shows and extra competitions! Here's some ideas on the road to more competitions and more awards, OTHER than your gymnastic trophies and medals!

IF YOU ARE IN THIRD THROUGH SIXTH GRADE...
Fun Arts is the talent show/competition for you! This is an EXTREMELY fun program that is now seven years old that I competed in for three years straight. Today was my last day ever competing in this fun event but if next year you will be in third, fourth, fifth, or sixth grade, Fun Arts is for you! This is like your ordinary competitions and meets, only less, much less pressure. Instead of focusing on first place, you're doing it for God. That takes a little bit off your shoulders, doesn't it? Well, what if I told you it's a competiton, but at the same time, you AREN'T competing? Other churches WILL be there, competing AGAINST you, but everyone is treated equal.

Your main goal is to be able to perform in front of everybody, competitionwise. If you do really good, you have a 30% chance of performing in front of everyone, doing whatever you please, from sermons to dances from human videos to singing, from instruments to puppetry.

IF YOU ARE IN SEVENTH TO TWELFTH GRADE...
Join the club! I'm going to be in that age range soon, also! Fine Arts is just like Fun Arts, but with more intense rules and competiton. With this, it's more intense. You perform on a Friday, performing the same as Fun Arts, but really competing. On Saturday, if the judges, (yes, I said judges!) really, and I mean REALLY like you, they will tell your group leader that you have been able to perform at callbacks, and your leader will text or call to let you know, so you can be prepared. Then, if you do well at callbacks, they get to decide if you're good enough for nationals. Oh yeah, I said nationals!

And the good thing is, you can actually use your gymnastic background as an advantage. A good cheerleader? Try a human video ensemble or a large human video group. A good dancer? Worship dance is within reach. You get to choose your own favorite Christian song and make up your own dance routine, be it jazz or hip hop. etc.

A good gymnast? HELLO! A human video group, a worship dance, and you've got nationals under your thumb!

A good actor/actress? You can do drama solos and groups, as if in your own play or skit.

Just simply love performing? Why NOT sing a song, do a human video, a worship dance, a sermon, an instrument. The more you do, the higher your chances are to go to nationals!

Future journalist? You can write poetry, freestyle or rhymed, you can write a chaptrer story, etc.

Photographer? Photography is a category for that reason!

Come on, you can shine!

Butterfly Flyaway

2010-05-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Good, very good news! My coach is buying some new equipment, including a high bar. We don't have a low bar yet, but still. Counts as a bar routine. I'm gonna start on back hip circles and casting, stuff like that. It'll be fun.=D So if you were wondering why I named this "Butterfly Flyaway" that's the reason.

As you just might know, Kim P. just joined my gym, giving me so much more motivation. As I move into Summer, I start having to train intensely.

A whole bunch of level 3 girls JUST moved up into my level. I DON'T like it. Level 4 has become the new level 3. There's only three other girls whom I know that are still in my level. The others went to level 5. This makes me work that much harder because I really do not want to be the oldest girl in my level.

With the new group of girls, I cannot concentrate. They are constantly talking. This tells me that if I want to create progress, I'm gonna have to do so at home. I have all my beam skills, and I have my vault skills, but what I really need is my back walkover to move up to level 5. to go to level 6, I must get my back handspring, which by any means I am not worried or shaken by.

I also do NOT want Kimmy to end up in my level. She's one of my favorite six-year-olds, but to have a first grader in the same level as a junior high student can seem pathetic. Right now, she's level 2. I hope that by the time she's reached level 4, that I am in level 6 or 7. Because the expections of a level 2 student is much lower, she's gonna move up so much faster.

Wish me luck!

Congrats, Miranda Schoone, no one had to fill out an application, but she is gymnast of the month of June when it comes! Miranda is a Special Olympian, state level.

Kaitlyn, congrats, you are cheerleader of the month. She cheers for her middle school football team.

Mariah, you are dancer of the month. She is a clogger.

Performance

2010-05-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

The feel, the rush, the adrenaline of performance. You may have performed the same routine a thousand times at practice, but when you hit the competition floor, it's all different. There's fifty other girls looking for the same thing--- first place. But only one can get it.

As the competition draws near, on our floor routines, as soon as anyone forgets to point their toes, forgets a part of the routine, messes up a skill, falls, or stops to adjust a bandage, (happened to me when my foot was injured.) My coach stops the music then and there. On beam, as soon as someone falls, wobbles, forgets to point a toe, or has low amplitude, my coach makes us get off the beam and it's the next person's turn.

I probably do my best on those days. However, performance doesn't only mean competitions and meets.

My worst performances ever? That would be evaluation day. Every skill I can do goes out of my mind. I guess my problem is that when I MUST do something, it pressures me and I can't do it, but when it's a day when I can just do my sets and get it overwith, I can accomplish a perfect score. Okay, maybe not perfect, but at least a 9.95.

So now you know why I'm only in level 4. However, if I work harder towards strengthening my arms and making my back more flexible, I will move up. And if I continue to move up in levels every year, I will be in level 10 by the time I am sixteen years old.

Be creative! Make up your own signature vault! Add a signature dance move to your floor set! Try a new dismount from the beam! You CAN be the next Natalia Yurchenko! (Inventor of the 'Yurchenko' vault, USSR, a.k.a. Belarus, Belorussia, or Soviet Union.)

A HEALTHY Life As A Gymnast

2010-05-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

Gymnasts can be outcasted by the stereotype that: We DON'T enjoy our sport/career. Part of the reason I waited until I was eight years old to begin gymnastics is because of the stereotype that coaches are mean and the girls have to train hours and hours a day and have no life, hate their parents, and have no friends. I was wrong!

I have only devoted 204 hours to gymnastics so far, being a gymnast for 22 months. That seems like many hours, but it isn't. That's just a class four times a month, a workout once a week, stretching once a week, and open gym class to perfect routines. Gymnasts are not pushed too hard.

Our coaches are nice. Sure, they get mad.... but they're nice. They wouldn't hurt us.

I love my parents. There are moments... but I'm not FORCED to tumble.

I have hundreds of friends. You can't say I have no time! However, the higher in levels I go, the longer I train, the harder it gets.

A Tip For Your Diet:
Eat breakfast when you wake up, have a granola bar on the way to school, eat lunch, have an apple when you get home, eat dinner, have pudding for dessert. This way you aren't striving for food when you eat six meals a day. Don't cut out a meal, and forget the scale; if you're doing the right things, you're okay.

Baseball, The Fight For An Olympic Position

2010-05-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

I was on my Wii and found that baseball wants a spot back at the Olympics! Will it make it? They say, "We want to prove that baseball is not just an 'American' sport." I understand, but here it is:

They have national baseball leagues. There's no need for an Olympic team! I say: "You have enough, you can live without a spot back at the Olympics!!!"

There Are No Boundaries...

2010-04-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

...And you know it! here's an inspirational video for gymnasts, saying that no matter what, even the best mess up sometimes. Even the best have bad days. They even fall off the beam seven times like you do. Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXYdjsHmBxM

Just try, don't listen to what they say.

Gymnastics: Causing Pressure Among Teammates?

2010-04-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

Svetlana Boginskaya

Gymnastics is a fun sport, but not for everyone. Especially when bullying is happening. Evidentially, and confessed, Svetlana Boginskaya, gymnast from the '80s admits to biting and kicking other gymnasts whom she thought were better than her in her early gymnastic life. She had been bribed by the parents with candy to be nice to the other girls. She took the offer, but still hurled nasty insults at them.

But in 1994, Svetlana had returned to gymnastics after a very long break, and showed a remarkable change. "Everything about her was nasty," Said Bela Karolyi, "The way she never smiled... the way she scared the other gymnasts." But this time, she'd changed.

She was the happiest person that he'd ever known "She had gotten her teeth fixed, and was always smiling," Said Bela, surprised by her magnificent change. She was a new girl.

A bully never makes gymnastics fun, but no doubt about it, bullies don't stay bullies for long.

BeamQueen: Stay On Top Of Them All

2010-04-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

I used to be 'THE' beam queen before my devastating gymnastic meet in March. I placed dead last, and it's not like I attempted a standing full on the beam--- it was just simple dance moves, a couple turns and leaps, a tuck jump, a handstand and a cartwheel and an arabesque. I fell off on--- all of that. I'm surely not Nadia Comaneci, who earned a perfect ten five times at the Olympics, even on beam. Instead, I was nearly two points lower than that, at 8.10. Bad, bad, bad. I'm back at square one. but I know how to be the best in class again. Even though I fell on my handspring dismount, the hardest skill in my routine, I can be on top again, and so can you! starting with...

1. low center of gravity. Keep your center of gravity as low as possible. It is known that heavier girls have lower centers of gravity, making beam easier for them. So just because Dominique Dawes was 110 but Dominique Moceanu was 76, that doesn't mean the little girl can outdo the big girl! Like Shawn Johnson. She was heavy, but not fat and won gold on beam. A girl in my class was about the same weight as me (111) and got gold on beam, vault, all-around, and bronze on floor. Wow. But the little girls fell a lot, especially because they're younger.

2. Keep your body square! Your body should not be leaning towards the window or the bars. It should have good posture, standing perfectly straight.

3. Never look down! A confident gymnast is everything! You will look good if you execute a full split leap, but you will look DRAMATIC if your head is bent backwards, taking the risk of falling off the beam, but showing bravery. Keep your head up, eyes on the end of the beam, and put a smile on your face while you're at it!

4. wrap your toes around the beam, apread apart with two feet separating your front and back leg, as if landing a cartwheel. This will help you balance better.

5. Suck your stomach in with posture and grace, showing emotion in your hands, even if your routine doesn't look amazing.

6. try not to bend your front leg too much when you land a skill, because if you bend too much, your body is too low to push itself up. Make sure to land with feet wrapped around.

7. Have a good time! A playful routine makes you look and feel young again.

8. PLEASE point your toes!

9. Keep your legs straight.

10. Don't be afraid! There's nothing to fear! Why? Because in the Bible, quote on quote, it says, "he will not let your foot slip."-Unknown verse. Remember, god's angels are protecting you, your foot will not slip! (unless the skill is being attempted for the first time.)

11. Trust your coach! They won't let you fall!

12. Be the best beam-er you can be. Don't pressure yourself, only one person can be the very best.

Interviewing... Micheala McCamey!

2010-04-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

We interviewed cheerleader and future childrens' pastor Kayla Vice, but now, we're interviewing level 10 gymnast, Micheala McCamey from TOPS gym. This gymnast, who resembles beam gold medallist Shawn Johnson VERY well, lets us in on her gymnastic life.
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Gymnastics/Life: Greetings, Micheala. How old were you when you began gymnastics?

Micheala: 6 1/2 years old.

Gymnastics/Life: How does gymnastics fit into your schedule?

Micheala: "Gymnastics is life"... So true! Gymnastics takes up a lot of my time. with how much time I spend in the gym, I don't have a whole lot of time for just hanging out with friends.

Gymnastics/Life: What do you want to do for college? Be a collegiate gymnast, maybe? Or will you quit or retire gymnastics?

Micheala: I would love to do college gymnastics! It has been my goal almost as long as I've been a gymnast.

(page flipping. Then the page flips off my lap and I reach to pick it up.)

Gymnastics/Life: Do you like to compete? If so, why? Does it boost your confidence? Is it just a plain massive headache? Does it give you something to work for?

Micheala: I love competing! it gives me a chance to show off all the skills I've worked so hard on! it definitely gives me something to work for. As for boosting my confidence, that depends on how I perform in the meet.

Gymnastics/Life: if you had to choose, who is the closest teammate to you as in friendship? (If you ask me, it's my friend Judy.)

Micheala: I would say my closest teammate is Mariah. We have been buddies since level 5. (7 years ago...) We just get along well.

Gymnastics/Life: What skill took you longest to learn? (I think all my readers know it's my back handspring, which BTW I still cannot do it without rebounding off my head.)

Micheala: Hmm... I would have to say either my giants (on bars) or my back handspring, layout stepout on beam. I struggled with fear on both of them and had a few crashes on the road to getting them.

(We flip the pages one more time.)

Gymnastics/Life: This blog is about WAY more than gymnastics, therefore, what activities do you like to do at home?

Micheala: I like to read (Amen, sista!) and I love to go running! (Amen again, sista!) I also like to learn about random topics on the internet. For example, the effect of your diet on hair growth. (That's very interesting... BTW that is NOT sarcastic)

Gymnastics/Life: What college will you go to? A university? A community college?

Micheala: I plan on going to either Boise State University or University of Wisconsin. (Cheeeeeesssssssseeeee...)

Gymnastics/Life: I bet with your tumbling skills you could make ANY cheerleading team. Would you try it? (just to let readers know, cheer isn't as fun as gymnastics, take it from a former cheerleader.)

Micheala: I've thought about it. I've considered doing college cheer before... I hear some gymnasts get great college scholarships for cheer.

Gymnastics/Life: The Olympics have been on my mind since I was four years old. Have you ever considered the senior elite squad?

Micheala: i've dreamed about it, but it has never been my goal.

Gymnastics/Life: after college, what would you like to focus on?

micheala: I plan on majoring in nursing. After graduating, I would like to either become a missionary in another country, or enlist in the armed forces. (Wow... AWESOME!!!)
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Thank you, Micheala. You should read Gymnastics IS Life because it is [supposedly] a community of gymnasts, cheerleaders, and dancers who get to hear about different girls' and boys' experiences in gymnastics and cheer and dance, get tips from coaches like Mary Lee Tracy, coach of the Magnificent Seven team of 1996 and coach of Ohio's own, Cinncinnati Gymnastics, whom trained both Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps and even coached along side Bela karolyi at the 1996 games! Get in-gym videos helping you become a better gymnast in "The Gymnastic Minute". (Youtube Gymnastics sidebar) See gymnastics bloopers; they're really funny; tips for staying on the beam, info on my gymnastic journey, and read stories, such as my latest, LOSER. But you have to read the blog...

p.s. I'm on Twitter, Gymnastics1710!

The Ticker

2010-04-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

This is the new ticker about celeb gymnasts!

This is Dominique Moceanu in her wedding dress. Yes, she's married. But anywho... Dominique, a magnificent gymnast, is now a magnificent mentor! (didn't know that, huh?) That's right, the sweet fourteen-year-old that stole America's heart before I was even born is now 28 years old and a fabulous mentor for teen moms and unmarried women. Talkin' 'bout makin' a difference!

This is Nastia Liukin from Beijing 2008,(above Domi) 5-time gold medalist, with her boyfriend figure skater, Evan, after he won gold in Vancouver. Another beautiful couple in America...

How sweet... <3love<3!!! Gold medallist Jonathan Horton (above Nastia) gets married! Congrats! I'm not the happiest gymnast in the U.S., but I'll live! (I still have Apolo Ohno...)

Look! This girl copied my sig.!!! (above Jonathan) So mad! I didn't copy her, she simply copied me! Anywho, will we see her at 2012? The answer is yes! She's training right now! This little "dancing with the stars" champion and beam gold medallist will be seen in 2012! Now, the real question is, will we see Nastia????

Apply For Gymnast and Cheerleader of the Week, Month, and Year!

2010-04-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

Gymnasts, cheerleaders, and dancers; get ready to receive an application that will blow your mind away! Here's what will be on your application:

GYMNASTS:
-Your level
-Competitions you've competed at
-Places you've got
-Your gym
-Your name, duh!
-A favorite quote
-Favorite skill
-Have you won gold?
-Favorite U.S.A. gymnast, or whatever country you're from
-Olympic dreams?
-List your dreams for the future, even if they aren't related to tumbling.

CHEERLEADERS:
-Your team's level
-Competition or sideline?
-If sideline, are you football, soccer, or basketball?
-Gym or school team/squad
-School/gym colors
-Favorite cheer/chant
-Signature stunt
-Best tumbling pass
-Favorite routine
-Favorite quote
-Encouragement for young cheerleaders and aspiring cheerleaders
-Favorite famous cheerleader (mine's Paula Abdul!)

DANCERS:
-What type dance you do (pointe, ballet, jazz, etc.)
-Are you competition?
-Dance studio
-Team name
-If a pointer, does pointe hurt?
-If a clogger, does clogging hurt?
-Who's your closest dance friend?
-Your dreams
-Would you like to be a dance coach?
-Do you help out at the studio?
-How could you make a difference someday?
-And of course, name your favorite leotard!

Just to let you know, it doesn't matter how good you are. You can be a level 1 gymnast and yet be gymnast of the year. You can be a cheerleader who's never been a flyer or a base and can't even do a cartwheel and still be cheerleader of the month. You can be a suckish dancer like me and be dancer of the week. It's your life, you don't know what's coming around the corner...

GYMNASTICS IS LIFE: PASSING OUT APPLICATIONS ALL THROUGHOUT APRIL!!!!

Funness of Gymnastics

2010-04-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

"funness Of Gymnastics" is a series on Gymnastics IS Life. Let's talk about vault.

Vault is so fun. This is why you want to join gymnastics second most. This is the most difficult elementary vault. This was my vault this year. it looks difficult, I know. But it really isn't. Okay, it is. But still.

It took me about... two months maybe to learn this? But once you can do it, you've got an easy gold medal. However, I got bronze on this out of seven girls with a 9.25 in my level, 4. The level 5 vault is the same. Here's a list of what you'll learn:

Level 1: Jump off the spring board, no horse.

level 2: Straddle vault

Level 3: Handstand land on back with safety mats

Levels 4&5: Front handspring

Levels 6&7: Half-ons

Level 8: Round-off Back Handspring back Tuck

Levels 9, 10, and elite: Yurchenko

The handspring vault is not the MOST difficult vault, but because it is the first vault you use in competition, it is an introductory level vault. It is the first "hard" vault you'll learn. Don't be discouraged! Here's my story:

I had been on vault for two months now and knew I'd place dead last at the meet. I could not make my handstand. I kept falling back onto the springboard. My first vault that day looked like that. I went back and tried again. Miraculously, I ran my fastest, jumped my highest, my handstand felt as if I were floating, and I made it! It was SO weird. I swear I was doing horrible! I remember the girls saying after my first vault, "She's gonna break her neck, ESPECIALLY because she's SO tall!" I guess in a way that made me try harder, because a millisecond after they said that, I was already running, and by the time what they said sank in, "I landed on my feet."-Kerri Strug. And they didn't hurt my feelings, because they were scared too, so I showed that there's nothing to be afraid of.

And if you know me at all, you know I'm constantly hurting myself. I mean, seriously. I've had two sprained ankles,(front tucks) a broken toe,(cartwheels and hit the couch) hit the same foot on the beam three times and cut it, (handstands and cartwheels on beam) I've snapped my humerous, (pirouettes) popped my neck, (handstands at home) and made my hip sore. (splits)

And I forgot! I've also injured my rght knee doing pirouettes taking me off gymnastics for the rest of December, and hurt the other shortly afterwards. Yeah, and I can't do pirouettes anymore.

But my point is, you're definitely gonna kill yourself. But keep trying, because it won't be long before gymnastics is a piece of cake to you!

Join Gymnastics Today!

2010-04-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

People say that they wanna join gymnastics, but don't know how. No more of that excuse!

1. Grab a phonebook or Yellow Pages and look up "Gymnastic Instruction".

2. Find a gym closest to you and compare prices.

3. Take a look at the cheapest gym and ask:

"What is the weight capacity of the equipment?"

"Are the coaches reliable?"

"What are the gym's hours?"

4. Once you've found a gym, find a leo that fits PERFECTLY.

5. Practice simple things at home like headstands, handstands, cartwheels, back bends, bridges, one-arm cartwheels, forward rolls, handstand-forward rolls, splits and straddles, straddle rolls, split leaps, split jumps, back rolls, and round-offs.

6. Once you've mastered these agilities, practice them in a straight line until you've mastered that.

7. Swing on the monkey bars.

8. Try jumping over soft boxes.

9. Make up a floor exercise and put it to music!

10. You're ready to start training! Some gyms require evaluation tests, so don't be surprised if you skip a level or two like I did, but don't be discouraged if you land in level 1.

Only One Runner Wins The Race

2010-04-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one wins the race? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it for a crown that lasts forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This is sayng that no matter how much you want to win, but you know Taylor will win, only one person will win; you or Taylor. Unless you try harder, she might win. Try to exercise in such a way as to get the gold.

Everyone in class will be training three hours a day, running a mile around the block at 3a.m., and doing push-ups consecutively. They do it to win a temporary prize, a gold medal, that they won't have in Heaven. And maybe you ARE 'they', striving for something that will be laying on the bed when you go to Heaven. But it's hard to know that here on Earth.

Of course, in gymnastics, you must know what you're doing, not just flipping around at stake of hurting yourself; you must not run several laps around the block and quit cheer team a week later, instead, you ask so much of your body and train daily so that you may qualify for the prize.

One question for you, though. Are you going to do it for a prize that will last forever?

Blame My Music

2010-04-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

I recently (as in five seconds ago) realized the disappointment in every little thing, the tension, the nervousness, and the sweat can all be a result of one thing: Bad Music.

I had really powerful music this year, (the wolverine song on the playlist) and it was no playing. I was strict with myself on toe-pointing, eye contact which is difficult, going down in splits, making it over on back walkovers, and a good round-off back handspring. The music can sometimes make you worry more. In fact, if you have music you aren't feeling, you'll be so nervous you won't listen to the music, and you'll rush and rush, just to finish the routine. Before you know it, the song is only half done and you're already at the ending pose.

Last year, I had very fun music. It was fast, fun, lyrical--- I loved it. I felt as if I were on a playground, just playing along and people "wow"ing me, and applauding me. That year was also my best. I won my highest score and first silver medal. Talk about a year of firsts.

My point is, when you have fun music, you really get deep in your routine and start to just... move around like a noodle and play. But if you have powerful music, it adds tension, especially if it has a "funeral ending".

Just Because You Can't Do It Doesn't Mean You SHOULDN'T Do It!

2010-04-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

Gold Gymnast Anastasia Liukin with Evan Lysacek, cute couple!
"You messed up on your full turn because..." your coach says when you ace your beam routine except for one skill you've been failing for nearly two years now. You can't bear it anymore.

You love gymnastics to death, but this one skill is just a headache. You'll never quit, you promise yourself, but this skill--- why can't you skip it? Can't you move on to your back handspring on the beam and your full dismount? Can't you?

You try to remember the harsh times of your favorite gymnasts like Shawn Johnson, Kerri Strug, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, and Dominique Dawes. But it's impossible to remember that right now.

"I felt like an outcast among my fellow gymnasts."
-Shawn Johnson to Teen Vogue

Your other teammates---let's face it---are WAY better than you. They never realize it, but you do. Paris aced her back tuck, and you don't even have a back handspring. It's easy to be discouraged, but don't be.

"I felt like quitting right there, but someone always always has to place last."
-Marquie Peyton

When you place dead last on vault, you know gymnastics isn't worth the price. But it is. But "someone will always be last, and sometimes 'someone' is you," says Hope Ezell who had a dissapointing 8.10 on balance beam, her best event, but fell and wobbled too many times at a competition and received the lowest score of the competition, just to be called up last. It was abnormal, but "It happens all to the best," Says Judeth, a level 4 gymnast at a local YMCA.

"Winning the gold medal at the Olympic games has made all the long days in the gym and the ups and downs worth it."
-1996 Olympic Champion, "magnificent seven" Jaycie Phelps

You may not be the best gym,nast now, but you will be if you just believe it!

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
-Japanese Proverb

Why give up? Gold medals come and go, but one will catch your eye.

Try Again: The Reason Thousands Of Girls and Boys Are Quitting Gymnastics

2010-04-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

"Try again," Your coach says when everything goes wrong on your flyaway dismount. You've been hearing your coach say that 10,000 times at this practice, now making it 10,001. You don't know what you're doing wrong, but at this point, you don't even care anymore.

It starts with an injury. You've been flying through the air not knowing you're hurt--- that is, 'til the morning. You have horrible pain in your leg and have terrible blisters on your hands. You go to the doctor for your leg, and you've got a stress fracture.

That turns into months off of gymnastics. You enjoy the fun with your friends, doing things you couldn't do before. You're going to the movies. You're eating out with your family. You're going to Wednesday Night church. This is way more fun than gymnastics--- why didn't you start this earlier?

You are so happy with your NEW life. You've learned so much more about God since you've been going to church on Wednesday now. You know your friends so much better now, and you've made some new ones. You get to spend more time with your family, and your schedule is freed up, so you can focus on school. This is way better than being enclosed in a big room, a gym, with the same people, working for the same thing everyday--- the next level. You want to be elite. You want to be level 10. You want to go to the Olympics. That was all you saw--- the pressure to be the best. You don't want to be like that anymore.

But when it's time to return to gymnastics, you aren't thrilled. Instead, you tell yourself to try this one more time and maybe you'll enjoy it again. But you don't. Your body is so tight now, you can barely do a back bend. It's gotten so hard for you, that you've been reassured to do otherwise, and the only way to do that is quit.

Your grades get shockingly high and you're on the honor roll. And you don't miss gymnastics at all. Now, you're a cheerleader and are popular. Your life is perfect--- It's almost like gymnastics was never in there.

Is this how your story was?

Competitions and Competition

2010-03-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

Are you a gymnast/dancer/cheerleader who loves competitions? well today, I found out I have competition.

There is a girl in my class, Maia Rabbi who has the same technique and poise as me. We have similar tumbling. We're stuck on the same things. But in the end, she always wins.

Our vault scores were only separated by one person's score. She won almost everything and she won the all-around. She did so good, she's moving up to level 5 next month. We won't be competition anymore then, but if I move up too, I'm gonna laugh. Competition again. No matter who wins, it's always fun and motivational to have competition. It gives girls [and boys] a reason to be in it. AND win it.

Advice from Gymnasts, Dancers, and Cheerleaders, Such As You!

2010-03-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

I know how you feel--- gymnastics is a very hard sport. Keeping up with eight-counts in dance is hard to do. Lifting up 90 pound girls in stunt camp is hard to do.

So how would you feel if another girl/boy of your sport explained their athletic experience with you? Read interviews by REAL dancers, REAL gymnasts, and even REAL cheerleaders. I will ask them questions such as:

What routine did you perform most horribly?

Answer: My level 4 routine because I missed my splits because of my hip and my back walkover on floor. I fell off and wobbled six times on beam. but on vault, I stuck both landings, thus bouncing off my head.

What is your favorite stunt?

Answer: I really like 360s. They're fun!

What type dance do you compete in?

Answer: I'm an acrobat, I do pointe, and I'm a baton twirler.

You saw Kayla's interview, read interviews from other girls!

P.S. Also, there's a slight possibility of my level 4 routine, "Wolverine" being on YouTube. And there's a possibility of my vault being on there. I said no to putting my beam on there because it's SOOOO embarrassing!!!

what Really Matters

2010-03-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

In gymnastics, it's hard to tell what REALLY matters or if it's something you just want. Sometimes, gymnasts go a bit overboard thinking it all has to be a "perfect ten" or a "gold medal-winning" performance. But here is what REALLY matters...

1. Even if your coach yells at you, don't cry, or talk back, or whine. Just try again. Why? Because if something's wrong, it's simply wrong. Listen to your coach, and do what they tell you to do, then they WON'T yell, and you WON'T get upset.

2. It doesn't matter if your routine looks beautiful if you're having fun. If you show the audience that you love your routine and you just smile, then the entire apparatus will be a playground. Just play.

3. Your coach knows what they're talking about. DON'T second-guess what they say or laugh because they show you a demonstration of your routine and you think it looks funny. Just do it, that's how Shawn Johnson is where she is.

4. If your routine totally sucks, just smile and wave. Or just smile. There's always next meet.

5. Try your best! Forget the Olympics--- even if you're at the Trials, if you do your best and come in last place, and you smile, and you let everyone know they did a good job, you might as well won gold.

6. Being nervous doesn't help a bit. Someone who's biting their nails won't do any better than the girl who's fearless. The only thing nervousness does is help you stay focused. It helps you keep the red lights on in your head on what to do, but that same privledge is also a nightmare. If you make a mistake, instead of moving on, you'll be thinking, "Oh Gosh, I just straddled the beam on my back handspring." Instead of "Oh well. Just try more next time." You'll be standing there for five seconds just thinking mean thoughts to yourself when you could be like, DONE with the routine.

7. What you do for your team. Even if you sit down on both vaults, if the other scores have secured your position, you're safe. And if the team gets gold, remember you helped that become possible.

8. It doesn't matter what your leo looks like. We all like to dress up and look cute sometimes, but at a major competition, don't fight with your mom over a leotard.

9. A reliable person. Someone who's at the gym everyday is someone sure to win gold.

10. You can't beat someone who never gives up. If you've got a good attitude on everything and you condition very hard and it's evident you're running five miles every day and all you talk about is the competition, it's gonna be scary going against you. Bring it on...

Cheerleading: Making the Cut and Being Apart Of It

2010-03-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Your Blog Gymnastics: Greetings, Kayla Vice. What is it like being an all-star cheerleader?

Kayla: It's really hard but I love it! It's fun, stressful, and challenging.

Your Blog Gymnastics: What is the skill you compete worst with?

Kayla: I had to do a Back Handspring/Flic-Flac/Flip-Flop/Lion's Leap/Back flip and landed on my head. (Kayla laughs)

Your Blog Gymnastics: What is your best tumbling pass?

Kayla: Um, I just got my standing back handspring. (Doesn't sound so sure...)

Your Blog Gymnastics: Have you ever transferred gyms?

Kayla: I cheered in D.C. (Her dad's retired millitary like mine and she cheered at Bolling AFB.) at a youth center, but now I'm at TWIGS. (TWIGS Gymnastics and Swimming, True Winner In God's Service.)

Your Blog Gymnastics: Which gym do you like being at most?

Kayla: True Winner In God's Service, (She actually said TWIGS to make it short) the teachers are great.

Your Blog Gymnastics: Which do you think would be funner, gymnastics or cheer?

Kayla: Well, I cheer, so cheer. (Kayla laughs, again.)

(moment of silence to take it in a little that she'd rather cheer than do gymnastics.)

Your Gymnastics speaks again: WHY would cheer be better?????? TELL ME WHY!!!

Kayla: If your friends did it, that always makes it cooler. (excuses, excuses...)

Your Blog Gymnastics: If you were to meet any athlete,who would they be?

Kayla: Um, I'm don't really keep up with the latest athletes. But the girl who won gold in gymnastics (she's either talking about Mary Lou Retton, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, or Nastia Liukin; I can't tell) would be cool.

Your Blog Gymnastics: U.S. Gymnasts are curious, because in gymnastics we have ten levels. How many levels are there in cheerleading?

Kayla: I don't really know. I think 6 or 7.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for your time, competition cheerleader Kayla! Check out www.yourblog-gymnastics.blogspot.com often, to see yourself on Blogger! Next to interview? Football cheerleader, Kaitlyn Newman.

Are you not a "blogger"? That's okay--- that is, if you're a "Tweeter'. Why? You can find Gymnastics IS Life on Twitter, just make sure I recognize you before replying or following or becoming "friends". I am Gymnastics1710.

Got mail? Maybe you aren't necessarily a "fan", but you want to send personal mail to me? I can't give you my PERSONAL personal address, but often do I check this one:

contactyourblog@gmail.com

Go on, I LOVE constructive criticism, so bring it on! If you have a suggestion on a new template, cute photographs to blog about, new books, etc. or you want to ask a question on improving your own gymnastic performances, dance recitals, and yes, even YOU cheerleaders; if you need help with simple cheers, stunts, or making the team, ask me!

Also, if you want to learn more than we did about Kayla, go to:

www.kaylaelizabethvice.tumblr.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonus question:
what is your signature stunt?

Kayla: One leg extension liberty. That's fun!!!!

Soreness-Does It Pay Off????

2010-03-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

This may seem like a stupid subject to you, but it matters to me!!!!

I'm sore EVERYwhere. My back is tight. And now it hurts. (Typing is dangerous.) My left thigh is so painful that I didn't go to gymnastics class yesterday. My knee feels really weird. And my hip? Not getting any better.

So I have a question: Does soreness help you in any way? Does it make you tougher? Does it help you gain muscle? Answers, anyone?

Injured? We Fight For You!!!!!

2010-03-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Speaking of which... (LoL) I have hip problems and it bothers me so much I want a false one. (Those elderly people got high quality!!! They got false everything!!!)

Seriously. I could be SO CLOSE to getting my splits and out of the blue, there's a sharp pain in my hip that feels like my bone rubbing against the tissue of my side.

It hurts so bad!!!!!!! Half the reason I didn't place is because of the ding-dong splits!!!!!

Shannon Miller had a cortisone injection in her wrist to go to the Olympics without pain. I have no idea what a ding-dong cortisone injection is, but Shannon got gold, so I wonder... my hip... 0% pain... with Cortisone?

By the way, the title was totally random, and I like law stuff! My husband will be a lawyer OR if not that, a missionary.

What Went Wrong

2010-03-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

I lost because of weak arms mainly. I could've won first if I hadn't bounced off my head on vault, although I placed on that, so I don't mind! I could've won SOMETHING if I hadn't bent my arms on my back handspring.

How to get stronger:
Pull-Ups, we hate 'em, but we gotta do 'em!
Push-Ups, I'm horrible at those!
Weight lifting
Handstands
Leg squats
Crunches for amazing abs

Start Stong, End Weak

2010-03-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey Hey! I'm a bronze medalist! I got bronze today on vault after sticking TWO LANDINGS. Two!

I was doing awesome. But on floor, I got worse. My first mistake? The splits. My hip was in such bad shape that I couldn't go all the way down. The second mistake? The back walkover. I was so confident I could make it when I warmed up, but when my foot hit the floor and I knew I failed, I was SO annoyed. Third mistake? My coach had to spot my back handspring and my legs were separated during it. This put me fifth out of seven girls, who could all do a back walkover, mostly could do the splits, and did not mess up on back handsprings. I only placed higher than TWO GIRLS. My score? It was like, 8. something.

The beam was my worst. I fell off so many times on the easiest things! This is my best event and today it was my worst. Seventh of seven girls.

I have NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER, and repeat, E-V-E-R placed last in my life on ANYTHING. Because of that, my all-around score was not too high.

I was second to last in the all-around. 26.1 score. I beat the last place girl, Marquie, by one TENTH of a point. I don't think either Marquie OR me deserved last at all. And if I got last, I don't wanna know that!!!!!

The Sticky, At-Home Beam

2010-03-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

You have gym equipment at home--- you just don't know it. Do you have a trampoline? That's very valuable gym equipment that can cost thousands of dollars. And you always took your trampoline for granted, huh? But you never guessed you owned a balance beam, or a spring board, did you? Well, you actually do.

IF YOU HAVE A MINI TRAMPOLINE...
You have a spring board. Give yourself some space and make a running entry onto the trampoline. Jump onto the trampoline and bounce your highest to get off. This should last three seconds, including run. This helps you get higher on leaps and jumps. Some girls say the higher they are, the more they can separate their legs. High is the key!!!

IF YOU HAVE DUCKT OR MASKING TAPE...
You have the perfect tranining center for your balance beam routine. Practice your routines, handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, and arabesques/scales on this. You want a four inch wide peice of tape, or just do one little strip to make your routines and skills more prescise.

Oh Gosh!

2010-03-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

For LOSER! I'm missing chapter 11! LoL!

Loser! Chapter 22: National Time

2010-03-13T15:16:00.000-08:00

"And the qualifiers for the 2010 Level 10 Junior Olympic meet are," Said the announcer, "For Day 1, Balance Beam,"

Everyone was nervous. "There are six qualifiers. First, Christy Yambin, from the Woodlands Academy!" He said. Christy went over to the podeum and received her gold medal and flowers. "Second qualifier, Ariel Boscovitz, from Dallas South Academy of Gymnastics and Dance!" Ariel went over to the podeum and received her flowers and her silver medal. "The third qualifier, Caitlyn Cornberry, from Woodlands Academy!" Caitlyn went up for the bronze medal and flowers. Three more girls were awarded.

"For Day 1, Floor Excersise," He said, "There are nine qualifiers. Their names are..." Everybody sat still, worried, unless their names were already called and they had assurance of the Junior Olympics. "Caitlyn Cornberry, first qualifier, Woodlands Academy!" Caitlyn had a gold medal. She smiled. She knew she'd make it after getting called up for the bronze medal, but how could she expect gold? But this gold medal was nothing compared to the many gold medals the girls at the Olympics have. Just one perfect ten. Just one gold medal. Not even at nationals yet.

"The second qualifier on the floor is Amanda Lutz from Dallas South Academy of Gymnastics and Dance!" Amanda was so happy; this was her first year ever qualifying for nationals. Not even in level 4 and up did she qualify. (A level 1, 2, or 3 gymnast is not eligible to compete.) But today, was the day history would begin for the USA.

The Olympics Are a Leap of Faith

2010-03-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

THE Perfect Song.

2010-03-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

Are you a dancer? What type? What song is mandatory for you?

Hip Hop Dancer
National Treasure Suite, Pirates Amber

Jazz Dancer
Pink Panther

Ballerina
National Treasure Ben, August's Rhapsody

Someone who likes anything acoustic
August rush-Bari Improv

Loser! Chapter 21: Oh Dear. (Every gymnast's story)

2010-03-08T17:49:00.001-08:00

Anastasia
I was back in Texas, sitting on my couch, eating potato chips, and watching some old episodes of 90210 when I received a text from Ariel.

OMG, Hailey fell on her head on the beam and is currently unconscious. Talk about 911!

It said. Then, later, the next day, Hailey texted me saying:

I hate this day. I'm wearing a catastrophe!;)LoL

That day, I promise you, my cell phone bill went up 76 percent with texts from worried teammates and Hailey chatting about her "catastrophe".

Hailey
"This catastrophe they put on my body is itchy," I told my mom. "I'm gonna talk to whoever's in charge of fashion at this hospital."
"You shouldn't care about fashion, Maple Sugar. Others don't."
"Those people never competed in beauty pageants, have they?"
"And neither have you, Hailey."
"But I know what fashion is. Because I'm smart."
"And your dad is smart too, yet he wears neon speedos to the beach."
"That's not unfabulous, Mom. That's just plain gross."
"It doesn't matter though, sweetie. Just wear it."
"Wear it? WEAR it?!"
"Yes, honey. Wear it."
"But, but... WHY?!"
"The others have to wear it. They'll understand."
"But Mom---" I attempted to say, but she was already halfway out of the hospital room. "Hailey, I'm getting a soda from the vending machine, but I'll be back. Okay?" I nodded.

Amanda
I was trying so hard. I had a perfect ten, and Highland Park, Dallas, and Cockrell Hill's team was the only team that every gymnast had a perfect ten on. Mine was on the bars. Ariel's was on the vault. Caitlyn's was on the floor. Christy's was on the beam. It was a good day. "Good job, Ariel." I said. "Ariel? You okay?" Ariel was not blinking. "Ariel? Ariel?" Finally Ariel blinked. "Oh sorry, what?" She said. "Gosh, Ariel. You scared me. Anywho, Good job."
"Sorry. I was just thinking." She said. My wrist was killing me like heck right now. I hate you cheerleading and heavy cheerleaders, I thought. Those girls are not the lightest.

The nationals. Tomorrow was result day.

Loser! Chapter 20: Oh Dear. (Hailey's Story)

2010-02-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

This is so weird. I wake up, and i'm wearing this hidious outfit, that is so ugly, I could puke on it and it would still look the same. After all, I did have nausea and a massive headache. I sat up. There happened to be a mirror in the room near me, and I looked in it. My cheeks were red. My head was red. My ribs hurt so badly I could scream.

what happened is the first thought that entered my head. It was pretty clear I was being hospitalized, but what happened to my beauty? A fully red face, bright red. My hair was... indescribable. That bad. And I couldn't move my back.

Something's wrong with me was the second thought in my mind. My back was usually flexible. I had beautful back walkovers. My face usually had a normal hue. And my hair was always pulled back in a cute little puff with pig tails. Now, my hair just looked nasty.

My parents walked in. "Oh Hailey," My mom said, "I was so worried about you!" She cried. "Seriously. She got pulled over by the cops twice. Not once, twice." My dad agreed. "Mom, I'm fine. It's just a brain injury I'm sure. No need to freak out."
"But what if you never woke up?" She asked. "I woke up, so that doesn't matter." I said. "Yeah, sure you are awake now, but the doctor also said you have a broken rib, and that it will take about two months for that to heal." Dad said. That explains my rib pain, I realized.

I was relieved to at least know what happened, but scared too. If I couldn't make it to the nationals, then only Amanda and Ariel could go. This could be bad.

Loser! Chapter 19: Oh Dear. (Ariel's Story)

2010-02-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Hailey had hit her head on the beam so hard, it had knocked her out, literally. I thought, honestly, that she was dead. Oh Hailey, I thought. Please get up, please get up. But she did not wake up. The paramedics immediately got her and put her on those stretchy-things. No words can describe how terrified I was for Hailey. "Is she okay?" I wanted to ask my coach, but she was in shock too. Would Hailey compete at the J. Olympics? This was no permanent injury, I was sure of it, but an injury that would surely not let her qualify for nationals. Luckily she is only thirteen years old, and for her, she always has next year. But our Junior Olympic team was getting smaller for Dallas, but that wasn't a problem since we are competing as Texas, not Dallas South. But two gymnasts who could qualify--- gone? Two can mean the entire team. What if only one Texan made the Junior Olympic team?

My thoughts were controlling me, but not just me. Amanda was freaking out. Now only two girls were there. Anastasia could not compete because of level; she's elite, we're level 10.

Only two gymnasts to qualify for Dallas, and we were representing Dallas' team, so we knew that when Hailey fell, we really had to step up a bit to make it through to the J.O. games.
~
Amanda and I sit in Hailey's room that night instead of checking in to our hotel. Hailey is still sound asleep, yet still alive. We were so afraid. "Do you think Hailey will compete next year?" Amanda asked. "Yes," I answered. "Do you think she'll go to the Olympics when she's old enough?" I nodded. "Think she'll wake up?" I paused. "Yeah."

We eventually fell asleep at five a.m. when I felt a tap on my back. I had been leaning over Hailey's bed in the hospital early that morning. I sit up and she's awake. "Hi, don't you have a competition?" She asked. We both nodded."Well then get going! Guys, you don't know how mad you can make me at times! Now get going! I love you guys, but someone has to go to nationals for Texas! And I surely don't want Texas to be the only state not there. Go."

We were chased out of there, and next thing we knew, it was time for the next day of gymnastics.

Loser! Chapter 18: My Ticket To The Nationals

2010-02-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is not nessicarily, (totally spelled that wrong) about my book LOSER! but I just had to say: OH NO! he's back! And who am I talking about? Ohno, duh! Ohno is so my cutie pie! I just love his little bandana! Please cheer for him! I'll like, seriously pay you! (about a penny)
~
The girls had warmed up, and by now, the team was ready to compete. Some guy was saying a really long announcement, which made Ariel feel so tired. "Our Athletes, are the best athletes in our region. Half of these women, girls, men, and boys we just might find at the Olympics someday..." And the speaker went on and on. Come on, these people are REALLY good, and I just want to get this overwith. Besides, WAY less than half of us you'll see at the Olympics. Like Hailey and Maya. They don't want to go elite, they just want to go to college. Hailey wants to finish high school. Maya wants her PhD. They are all busy girls who want nothing to do with China. And I don't either, but I'll do it. The Olympics are something I was born to compete in. But why do they really think that most of us will go? If I'm on a team with Caitlyn, which I am, I can just pack my bags. She thought. Caitlyn was just so... boring. Annoying. Frustrating. Who could stand being at the same gym as her?

Ariel and her friends had competed almost perfectly on the balance beam, floor, and vault. They were totally getting the team gold medal. But then... here's Ariel's view of the story...

I had completed my beam routine successfully. It had now been Hailey's turn. She was second bestin class, next to me, and I was like, "Go Hailey!" So she had mounted. I was so excited for her. But just as she had done her triple back handspring, on her third, her foot slipped, and her head hit. I stood up, unaware of what had happened. "Oh gosh," I had whispered to myself. Hailey was okay, or so I thought... Great. Another gymnast, gone.

Hey!

2010-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

After a while of not doing gymnastics I'm going back today!

News

2010-02-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today's news is that after Loser! After a small break off of books, I'm writing another newly planned book, The Noise In The Locker Room. It is about a girl named Marquie Bennet who moves to Fairborn, Ohio from her old town in Northern California to move on base to where her stepdad works as a millitary soldier.

While in Fairborn, she finds a gymnastic academy called B&B. She's always had a strong desire for gymnastics, and soon realizes she's more gifted than she thinks. She is immediately put in level 4. But when she is practicing, she hears strange noises, coming from the locker room. It keeps whispering, seemingly to her and her teammates.

She soon makes friends with Addie, short for Addison-Caroline. She hears stories from Addison and two othergirls of a story of long ago about a girl on the level 4 team who was murdered there. But the stories are contradicting, and Marquie doesn't know who to believe.

As a thirteen-year-old in her early teenage years, she soon meets another teenager, who happens to be Addison's sister. But she doesn't stay long enough to become Marquie's friend, and is kidnapped.

The kidnapper and murderer is said to still walk the halls...

And there's something awkward about that coach that the girls call "Jillian". She is so tough and mean and so suspicious. Why would anyone want to harm B&B's level 4 team and how many people have they harmed and how can anyone stop them?

Loser! Chapter 17: Judge Me Right

2010-02-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

"Judge me correctly, please judge me correctly..." Hailey whispered under her breath. The day was horrible for Dallas, Cockrell Hill, and Highland Park's regional team. Well, at least in Dallas' part of the team. Every year, two Dallas teams are selected to compete at the state. To qualify for Regionals, each girl must place at least once. And if they don't, the team leaves them behind. Then, there should be enough girls to make a regional team, the combination of three gyms from three towns competing as a team. The Woodlands academy was on their team too. Then, whoever placed at regionals would make the state team competing with girls all over the state as a team for the Junior Olympics. And if those girls do good, they all go to the Olympic Trials. And every girl who placed at the [junior] Olympics in the entire nation went as a team. And whoever passed for the Olympics, became a team.

Dallas South Academy of Gymnastics and Dance was representing Dallas' part of the team, and Woodlands represented Highland Park. Cockrell Hill representatives were gymnasts from Cockrell Hills School of Gymnastics and Technology.

Hailey and Amanda had lost their bags. Amanda's wrist was swollen. Ariel only had one eyebrow. Things were looking ugly. Luckily, the teens' train was delayed by an hour, so they were right on time to catch the train. Hailey was freaking out. "Please judge me correctly..." she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

Hailey had been haunted by her past. At a past meet, everything was pretty much perfect except for the fact her mom wasn't there. It was her first meet ever. She had performed four extravagant routines, sure she'd win all-around, or something. She was in level 4, and just nailed her back handspring without landing on her knees for the first time. Just six years old, and 100% confident.

When her name was called up for seventh place on the floor, something was wrong, and everyone knew it. Surprisingly, (NOT!) it was the time keeper's first time time keeping, and thought the limit was one minute, not one minute and a half, so she got points deducted for no apparent reason. Hailey didn't want to compete at all after that day, but at the second meet that year, Hailey had nailed a perfect floor routine, ten points, and tied for first place with Caitlyn Cornberry. First place could've been only hers, thanks to that brat Caitlyn, but she still loved it. It was still her spotlight.

But today she was so nervous. This was her first year in level 10; she was only thirteen. This would also be her first chance to go to the Junior Olympics. No matter what, even if she passed the Olympic Trials, she still was not eligible for the Olympics. Too young. But this meet really mattered so she could have every chance to go.
~
After a long train ride, the girls made it to the Alberquerque train station.

Warm Up Time!

2010-02-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but at gymnastics practice, the girls at my gym do cartwheels, back walkovers, rolls, and handstands to warm up. The thing I hate most is cold hands. Then afterwards we run for five to ten minutes continuously, supposedly. Then the problem is cold feet. Then we stretch. That should warm me up a little. Then, right afterwards, we practice our floor, beam, and vault routines. That's when cold ankles is a problem.

So I have a solution. I am a huge blogger and Tweeter, you can find me on Twitter only about a couple times per month, but once i'm on, there's no way to get off. Cold fingers means stiff fingers. Stiff fingers means no telling about my life.

The solution takes two ingredients for two sets of fun and warmness all over.

Socks with holes or grown out of
Gloves you've grown out of

Oh no! You can't fit your favorite gloves because your fingers have gotten longer over the years, and the fingers of your gloves have gotten smaller. And then when things can't get worse, you get a hole in your socks.

Don't be quick to throw them away! You can make dozens of sets of fingerless gloves and toeless socks!

Fingerless Gloves
What you need is an old pair of fabulous gloves and scissors that work very well. Just simply cut the fingers evenly. And don't throw away the scraps ever. It's the fashion designer's secret.

Toeless Socks
Simply grap your holey socks and cut off the heel and ball, leaving only the part where your arch goes left. You're going to love these socks! They surely will not slip on the dance floor or on the mats, and will comfort you at home.

Loser! Chapter 16: The Real Deal

2010-02-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

Ariel had been having a bad week. Her grades were very low.

Geometry: C
Language Arts: B-
American History: F-
Science: F+
Biology: D-
Drama: A+

Her average grade was a D. Pretty bad. But at least she got an A+ in Drama! She had tons of homework to do this week, the week of the regionals. She also had her mom wax her eyebrows, who was a salon-professional, who also accidentally shaved off her entire left eyebrow. So she had one perfect eyebrow, and the other one was in non-existence.
~
Same for Amanda. Her grades were... okay, but she sprained her wrist at cheerleading practice trying to lift one of the popular girls, Annie, in a prep. (Really high pyramid) Now she had to excersise her wrist in order to make it to regionals.

Everyone was training hard, and finally, the day came. The Regional Meet of 2010.

"Oh my gosh, where's my bags?" Asked Hailey in a rush to make the train to Alberquerque. "Oh my gosh, where's mine?" Asked Ariel. Their train was taking off for New Mexico in ten minutes and Ariel and Hailey had lost their bags. Amanda's wrist was still sprained, and this meet wasn't looking good...

Loser! Chapter 15: Against Her Region

2010-02-05T11:02:00.001-08:00

If Ariel competed successfully this year, she could make the U.S. gymnastics team. Ariel had dreamed of becoming elite since she even knew what it was. Ever since the third grade, she promised herself she would become an honorable gymnast someday by wishing on a star. She knew that astrology meant the stars direct our lives and it wasn't true, but this northern star on a lightened night seemed to make her feel that even even now, she could make it. Long after the days of shooting stars, Ariel still believed this one was special.

Ariel had trained all of the month of April. Landings to stick, toes to point, Ariel always occupied herself. This meet would move her up to the Junior Olympic team, where both elite and level 10 would compete against each other. The best gymnasts in the nation.

It was just days before the Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas regional meet. The girls' coach was lecturing them. "Okay, girls." She said. "The regional meet is just a week from now. I know all of you have been training hard for the regionals and I know you could do it. I want you to try your hardest, but if you don't make it to the Junior Olympics, there's always next year. And the year after that. And the year after that."
"But what about us fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen-year-olds? We don't have next year. June is the Olympic trials." Said Maya. "Well you guys still have a chance for after you graduate." The coach said. "But what if we're married and have children by then? What if we don't have time for gymnastics anymore?"
"Well then you just wouldn't go. Now, we're getting off the subject. So I'm saying that even if you don't make it, you can still have fun doing gymnastics. This really isn't supposed to be a dramatic sport. So when you're at the regionals of 2010, don't freak out; because I will be honest, half of those girls will be so much better than you if you freak out. If you don't believe you can beat Arianna or Caitlyn, you will place dead last. And I mean so low, they won't even say your name. But if you show your talent and believe you can beat a tiny twelve-year-old, you will. I've seen girls who didn't place at all during the season, then go to the National Junior Olympic meet and come home with a 24k gold medal."
~
Ariel took her shower that night and curled her hair. She took a few pictures, put them on her Twitter, took more photos, put them on her Myspace, took more photos, put them on her blog, took a few more photos and lastly, updated her Facebook. It was about 1 a.m. when the process ended, which was also when Ariel received a text from a guy at her gym.

Hi my lovely Ariel!
David, I told you, I have limited text.
I love you, Ariel.
Well I don't love you!
I have a question.
Just spill it, David.
Will you marry me, Ariel Rachelle Boscovitz?
Uh, no. How do you know my middle name?
I know everything about you.
Ur funny. Then tell me everything you know.

Okay. You are sixteen, going on seventeen March 2nd, 2011. You were born at 3:00 a.m. at St. James Memorial Hospital in Austin, same hospital Morgan was treated at. You moved to New York City at just three years old, in the year 1997. Later you moved to Fairborn, Ohio when you were eight, in 2002, the year you moved up to level 6. Later, when you were thirteen, you moved again to Moscow, Russia in 2007, but only stayed there for three months. Then, for your eighth grade year of middle school at Southern Hills, you moved here in 2008, you were fourteen, the same year of the Beijing Olympics.

Whatever. Hey, I have limited text, remember? Bye.
~
Ariel went to bed. Six days.

Loser! Chapter 14: School

2010-02-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ariel entered the school's hallways the next day. The school smelled like roses mixed with dirty socks. But she was used to that odor, fragrance, or whatever it was.

" Class, in American history, we are covering ten more lessons until spring break, so I need everyone to focus. Today our lesson is on the 44 U.S. presidents. Most of us know about the U.S. presidents, but today..." Mrs. Clark gabbed. Then she decided to RECITE the 44 presidents. And make the teens do it WITH her. Ugh. Ariel thought. Why school, why TODAY?!

So after her horrible social studies class, Ariel knew what was next. After two long periods, first lunch. At least a small break from her boring classes that each took away 45 minutes of her life.

Morgan had first lunch, too. Ariel was so excited to see her again. Morgan, Amanda, Maya, and Ariel herself would sit at the back table everyday, where everyone failed to sit, and where the popular girls not dare sit.

Ariel looked to find Morgan, but couldn't find her. Today school seemed crowded. Ariel traveled along to the back and that's here she found Morgan and Maya alone. "Where's Amy?" Asked Ariel when she got there. "Look." Morgan said. Amanda was with all the popular girls laughing. "Cheerleading tryouts were this morning for the football team. And guess what? Amy made it! She's one of the preppy popular cheerleaders now." Ariel looked over there again and Amanda noticed and waved. "Guys, she's always wanted to be a cheerleader, and now she finally is. Be happy for her. And she's good at cheer too. Have you seen those tumbling passes? Have you looked at her toe-touches or whatever those cheerleaders call them? She deserves this. I'm sure there's a better explanation." She sat down.

She noticed Morgan's brace. She had a cast on her neck with a brace going from her shoulders down to her lower back. She was sitting in a wheelchair. "So, when are you getting your cast off?" Ariel asked. "Um, probably in about six weeks, but I have to wear this brace for like, two years. And I hope I can use crutches instead of a wheelchair. I'll at least be able to excersise my legs a little. Kind of walk. But maybe," She said, perking up, "I'll be able to walk again in about five to ten years."
"Good." Ariel said. The girls talked until the bell rang and went to class.
~
At practice that night, the girls talked about scores. Morgan had come to watch everyone practice. "Hi Morgan!" Anastasia said. "We missed you a lot! And guess what??? They sent your silver medal to the gym and the gym received it! They're gonna give it to you today!" Morgan smiled. "That's great!" She said. "So, if you ever regain your ability to walk, will you do gymnastics again?" Asked Hailey. Morgan laughed. "Probably won't. But I'll still watch you guys practice and go to your meets and all, but I think I should do swimming while i'm parylyzed. They say that people who cannot walk on their own can walk on their own in a swimming pool. I'll just do the swim program here." She said.

When Ariel went to bed that night, she couldn't help thinking, I won this gold medal, but the one who deserved it most, lost everything and is still happy with a silver medal and I never was. Why can't I be grateful?
~
Anastasia lay in bed thinking the same thing. She won everything. Morgan LOST everything.
~
Hailey had dreamless and restless sleep that night.
~
Maya dreamed of winning everything, and at the Olympics four years later, losing everything.
~
Morgan fell asleep peacefully, unlike everyone else.

Loser! Chapter 13: The Call

2010-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

The girls were at the borderline of Texas. It took them about an hour to get there. They were on the beach tanning and somewhat swimming in the ocean. Okay, so they weren't actually in Austin anymore, but they were on the Gulf. No kidding, there were a lot of Mexican and Spanish beach people, and all but Maya was an outcast. Amanda? Russian. Anastasia? Russian. Ariel? Irish. Hailey? Italian. Every girl was a different culture except for Amanda "Amy" or Anastasia.

People looked at the Aliens. Of course you do not need a passport to go to Mexico, but you will get stared at. "I'm thirsty. Hey, i'm gonna get a drink." Maya said. She went over to the nearest ice cream bar. "Hello," she said. "No hablas ingles," said the Mexican lady. "Okay..." Maya said. But instead of leaving, she said some kind of foreign saying. "Si." Said the lady. Maya waited for the lady to give her the fruit punch. When the lady came back with the fruity smelling drink, Maya gave her the money. "No take Ingles money." She managed to say in English. Maya paused. She did not have any spanish money. She said something like, "No tengo dinero." Which obviously meant, I have no money. I heard the lady speak, which must've meant, "I cannot give this to you." "!Gracias Amigas!" Maya said, and I knew for sure what she meant. "No punch this time. No money." She said. "Well, we don't have any either, so we can't buy even a bottle of water here in this Mexican town. They might as well have been in Mexico, because Mexico was walking distance, and you could literally see the country. This town was full of Mexicans, who lived in Mexico, speaking only Spanish, and charging only Spanish money. They had to leave very fast.
~
While an hour into it, they had found themselves back in Austin on the interstate. The girls had headed straight for the gas station and while Ariel had been pumping gas, her phone rang. "I love Justin. I love Justin. I love Justin. He's hot. He's hot. He's hot. Pick up the phone. Ariel, pick up the phone. ARIEL!!!!!!" Yeah, that was her ring tone. And it repeated five times.

"Come on, Ariel." Morgan said from the hospital. "Why isn't that girl picking up?" Morgan knew good and well that Ariel was not competing today. "Is she avoiding me?" She wondered out loud. Finally she heard what seemingly was Ariel's voice, but wasn't her. "Hey hey hey! It's Ariel! I'm a little busy right now but you can always call me back or leave a message after the:"BEEP! The phone sounded. "If you want to hang up, press 1. if you want to leave a message, press 2. If you want me to shut up, press 3." "Hey Ariel, it's Morgan. i'm feeling pretty good today and I'm coming out of the hospital soon and going to school Wednesday, which is tomorrow. My parents are here too and I just wanted to talk to you and say hi, so call me back as soon as you hear this message. By the way, tell me how good you did at state. Did I place? Please tell me everything when you get home. Have a safe trip! Bye." Morgan concluded as her message.
~
When Ariel got home that very night, she brought the rest of the team home with her to spend the night since almost every girl on the team except not Anastasia who was homeschooled and Hailey who was in middle school, who's school was across the street went to Southern Hills, they could just go over to school the next day together. The girls were undoing hair today to plan their hair in the morning. "Curls? Waves? Straight? Keep it the way it is?" Asked Hailey. "We spent a lot of money on those curls and accesories. I'd keep it same." Said Ariel. Just then her phone rang. "I love Justin. I love Justin. I love---"
"Ariel! Pick up the phone!" Anastasia yelled. "Whatev. Hey, Ariel speaking." She said when she picked up the phone, minus the "whatev".

"Hi! Guess who this is?" Asked Morgan. "Well I didn't check caller ID so i'm guessing... Britney?"
"Nope."
"Hannah?"
"Nope."
"Kristy?"
"No! It's Morgan!"
"Hi Morgan!" Said Ariel. "It's Morgan?" Morgan heard Anastasia say in the background. Ariel pressed a button. "You're on speaker!" She said. "And the whole team is listening."
"Hi!" Morgan said. "HI!" The girls said in unision. "I missed you guys!" Morgan said. "So, what's up?" She asked. "Well, nothing much." Said Maya. "I didn't make it to regionals."
"Oh i'm so sorry Maya! Good luck in the future! You still have one more year to make it to the World Championships and Olympics!"
"Yeah." Maya said sadly. "But guess what the good news is?!" She said, suddenly perking up. "What is it? What is it!!!!" Morgan asked, getting excited. "You did!!!!" Hailey cried. "Oh my, I can't believe it. That's cool." Morgan said, not sounding very happy. "What's wrong? Aren't you excited? They're sending your silver medal in the mail! And if you heal, you'll go to regionals in late April!" There was a pause. A tear silently rolled down Morgan's cheek in the back seat of the car. "Morgan? Morgan? You there?" Asked Amanda. "I'm here," She said, "But I don't think I'll go to regionals. Yeah, that's eight weeks away so I might be okay by then because I get my cast off in six weeks, but..." Her voice trailed off. "What is it? Please tell us." Said Ariel. "I'm, i'm paralyzed from my lower back down."

Loser! Chapter 12: Award or Loss?

2010-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

It was the day everyone had been waiting for. The Womens' Gymnastic Texas State Meet Awards. All the girls were nervous. What if they weren't good enough? The state meet? Nothing. The regional meet? Nada. Making it to the regional meet? The problem. You're going against girls half the height of you, but still are better than you. That's where it gets embarrassing. Especially if that girl is Arianna. Arianna Guerra was only twelve years old, but had massive vault skills. Her yurchenkos were like, you see her salute one second and blink and then she's not even standing there anymore. That fast. So fast, she got a perfect score every time. The judges couldn't find her flaws. But Ariel could. Ariel thought that it wasn't fair that Arianna was the remaining Texas champion when Ariel tried harder to get that silver medal that could've been gold. Arianna effortlessly flipped in the air. Once, she even skipped six levels.

"For day 1," Said the announcer, "On the vault, third place goes to... Caitlyn Cornberry!" Caitlyn got up to get her flowers and bronze medal. "Now, for second place, winning the silver medal, Ariel Boscovitz!" Ariel smiled so wide, she thought she might break her jaw when she received her pink rose and silver medal. "Thank you!" She said to the person who gave it to her. "And finally, for first place, Arianna Guerra!" He cried. Arianna rushed to the awards' platform. "Oh my, is this really happening?" Ariel heard Arianna whisper. Yes, it's happening, you little kid. Now get up here! Arianna was a nice kid, and didn't seem to know she was hogging the spotlight. But like Ariel cared. All she wanted was first place for once. Her room was full of silver medals and trophies. All she wanted was that gold medal to stand out.

"Now, congradulations girls. You may now sit down. Now for the beam, day 1, I award third place to Kristy Yambin."

"Go Kristy!" Ariel yelled. Kristy and Ariel were very good friends since their very first meet against each other, way back when they were thirteen after Kristy moved to Texas from Russia. "And tying for second place, Anastasia Liukin and Morgan Dunst, but unfortunately, Morgan is not here today." The audience looked bummed. Morgan deserved to see herself win a silver medal. And it was not real silver, but at the Junior Olympics, it was. "Now, for first place, and the GOLD medal, I recognize Ariel Boscovitz!"
"Oh my goodness, I really won!" Ariel said. "Go on! Ariel, it's your turn!" Her teammates said. Ariel grabbed her flowers and gold medal and each girl saluted with one arm before getting off the platform.
~
Ariel went to bed that night feeling like she finally made it. Finally made it on the elite team. Tomorrow she was going home to Dallas. Being in Austin for 3 days was so fun. Tomorrow would be the fourth. Ariel was all packed up to leave in the morning, and so was Hailey, Maya, and Amanda. Anastasia was going home with her parents who came to support her, but then when she realized Ariel had room in her car, Ariel offered to take her home, and she accepted.

The five remaining girls had a big day planned still. For their last day in Austin, and as a celebration for making the regional team representing the district of Dallas, Cockrell Hill, and Highland Park's district team. And because Ariel, Nastia, and Morgan placed, they could go. Sadly, Maya didn't place high enough, but Amanda could go too, because she placed on bars. Sadly, Morgan couldn't go because of healing time. But Ariel had faith she'd get better.

Loser! Chapter 10: Two More

2010-01-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

The girls arrived at the gym five minutes early. Ariel practiced her uneven parallel bar routine while Amanda attempted to practice her floor routine without the music. After Ariel dismounted, she spotted Caitlyn stnding in front. "Caitlyn, sorry if you didn't know, but when someone is tumbling, you don't stand in front or behind them." Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "Gosh, I just wanted to talk to you." Ariel looked at her watch. "Okay, what?"
"So I heard the Dallas South team lost a teammate."
"We didn't lose her, she'll be back."
"You're so funny. She won't be back for a long time. She's no girl for the Olympics."
"She WILL go to the Olympics."
"Listen, Ariel, I know what i'm talking about. Sorry if you didn't know, but when a girl breaks her neck, to the point where it sends pain down her spine, she's probably parylyzed. Not to mention she tore a few ligaments in her ankle. She won't be back."
"Say what you want. I can't wait to see your face when she has that gold medal at the Olympics someday."

It was sad to see that the team's most dedicated gymnast lost the entire journey of her life to gymnastics. Ariel couldn't admit it, but Caitlyn was probably right. Morgan is probably parylyzed. Morgan wasn't coming back. And what was even more sad, was that Morgan wanted this more than everyone else on the team, but still lost.
~
"First up is Ariel in place of Morgan." Said the coach. It was Ariel's turn on the floor. Ariel stood in position. Her music soon filled the room with "August's Rhapsody". She performed every skill in the routine she could. She focused so hard, she forgot to most importantly, smile.

When she went to sit down, her score looked almost perfect. "9.500. Yes!" She cried. "Good job, Ariel!" Her teammates congradulated individually.
~
Her bar routine was almost the same. "Oh my gosh, Ariel, you might win this!" Said Anastasia. Anastasia never even had a perfect score before. It was nearly impossible. But one thing Anastasia didn't know was that when she said that, it was the biggest compliment in the world. She liked your routine, yet at the Olympics she saw some way better? Huge compliment. But Ariel couldn't stop thinking, Who deserves this more, me or Morgan?

Loser! Chapter 9: Visiting St. James Hospital

2010-01-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

The girls had woke up on time this morning: 4 a.m. Today was especially important because they were competing on bars and floor. And if they aced their routines today, then maybe they, even Ariel, might have a chance at regionals. Sadly, however, Morgan's chances were over for almost everything. The only chances she had left, was the sport itself. She couldn't go to 2008 two years ago because she was too young. She couldn't go to World Championships 2009 because she didn't feel ready. But now she was seventeen years old. She was legally eligible to compete at the Olympic games. But she couldn't because of her injury and would probably have to wait until 2016.
~
After they all were ready, at 4:30, the girls went to work out. Weight lifting, the treadmill, the stairstepper, bike, all you could name they used. "What are you doing?" Maya asked when she noticed Amanda holding a ball with her feet. "I'm balancing this ball with my feet to help me maintain balance on the beam." She responded. "Uh, beam was yesterday." said Maya.
"Yeah, I know." Maya rolled her eyes. "Stupid perfectionist..." She mumbled under her breath as she walked away. "I heard that!" Yelled Amanda.
~
Afterwards, at 5:00, the girls went to the hotel's spa to get their hair done while in the hot tub. The girls got their hair done in luscious, silky, bouncy curls with a silver ponytail holder to compliment their put-up hair. And some girls with a little extra money left got silver hair clips put in their hair. Ariel's hair was curly enough, so she asked for her hair to be straightened, some extensions, and silver hair glitter. Now her red curly hair was transformed into red, straight, long, glittery hair. She was able to put it up!
~
On the way to the gym, Hailey spotted St. James Memorial Hospital. "Hey! Isn't that where Morgan's being treated?" She asked. "Yeah, I think so." Said Amanda. Anastasia gasped. "Are you thinking what i'm thinking?" She asked. "No, i'm thinking something different." Maya said. "Well guess what i'm thinking?" Asked Anastasia. "You wanna visit her, don't you?" Asked Amanda. "You got that right! See! She was thinking what I was thinking!"
"Do we have to go?" asked Maya. "Maya, why do have a bad attitude about everything?" Asked Hailey. "I vote let's go!"
"yeah! I'm with Hailey!" Said Anastasia. "And I agree with Hailey and Nastia!" said Amanda. "I guess i'll go, and i'm driving, so you really don't have a choice!" Ariel said. Maya looked annoyed.
~
"Hi Me Me!" Hailey said when the girls found Morgan's room. Morgan didn't dare say a word. She looked so painful, and looked worse than anyone had seen her before. She was awake, but not happy. Her ankle was beeing elevated, and her full upper body was in a brace. Hospital clothing was her least favorite thing in the world, and you could tell by the miserable look on her face. "Ignore the outfit." She managed to say. "So, aren't you guys supposed to be at the gym?" She asked. Everyone wondered who would speak up. "Well, yeah, but we don't have to be there until seven, and it's only six thirty, plus, the gym is like, five minutes away. We have time." Said Anastasia. Morgan looked around for awhile. "Well, if I was competing today, I wouldn't stop for anything in the world." All was silent. "So, if you were standing on the outside, and you saw yourself get hurt, and you could compete still, but the person in the hospital couldn't, you wouldn't visit them?"
"Why would I visit myself?" She asked. There was a pause. "Well... maybe you'd feel bad for yourself?" Said Amanda. Morgan laughed. "What sore loser feels sorry for themself when there's people who need more help like the Haitians?" Amanda was left with nothing else to say. "Well then, what if it were one of us?" Asked Ariel. "Well of course I would visit you guys! We're like sisters. Always will be."

Loser! Chapter 8: Morgan's Nightfall

2010-01-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

It was the end of day 2. All the girls were back at the hotel but one. "Do you think Me Me will be okay?" Ariel asked. All the girls were removing nail polish to avoid a second deduction. All was silent since the accident. "I think she'll be okay." Hailey said. "And you know what? Maybe we can visit her tomorrow." Everyone thought for a moment. Suddenly every girl began to smile. "Yeah!" They said in unision. "And guys, I talked to her on the phone today. She told me she broke her neck and tore a ligament in her ankle, and would really like the whole team to show up. Coach already did." Said Maya.
~
That very same night, Morgan lay awake in her hospital bed thinking of all the ways her gymnastic ability could end. And maybe this is it. What if when i'm healed, I suddenly can't walk? She thought. Her neck was so painful, she couldn't move a bit. Morgan couldn't even open her mouth without a shock of pain running down her back. Her ankle began to hurt sharply. "Ow!" She said, "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow..." She continued when her neck and back began to hurt, becoming a full body ache.

"Is everything okay, miss?" Asked the kind nurse. Morgan was unable to speak, nod, or walk. "A little pain?" Morgan raised a finger. "Okay. Do you need any medicine, ma'am?" Morgan nodded, suddenly forgetting it hurt to do that. She blinked hardly afterwards, holding onto her neck. "Okay, since you just had Tylenol three hours ago, i'll give you some in two hours. Are you okay with that?" Morgan quickly nodded. The nurse left the room. She grabbed the closest notepad and wrote:

I should be at the hotel excited to tumble tomorrow, but on the vault, during my Yurchenko, my foot got stuck and I fell on my neck and well, here I am in the hospital bed unable to move. I am not going to the Olympics or Worlds sadly. But now I really don't care. I still have college that I can exchange years of training for. But I never imagined gymnastics would end this way. I wanted to lose interest, or leave for college, not get hurt. Oh well. Right now I can't ignore the pain. My head throbs, my neck burns, my spine feels like it cuts my back, my stomach feels nauseus, and my left ankle feels like I broke it. I can't walk, can't talk, and it hurts to breathe. I don't know how this might end. At the Olympics, or in Dallas?

Loser! Chapter 7: Morgan's Fall

2010-01-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

When the team approached the vault, the Woodlands Academy was still performing. "Hey! Yeah you! Your routine sucks!" Yelled Anastasia. "Nastia!" All the girls said in unision. "Be nice. Sure, maybe they could use a little pointed toes and straightened legs, but they are way better than us. Especially with that kid on the team. I hope she hurts herself again, but this time misses regionals instead of nationals. Everyone knows she'll win again." Said Amanda. "Yeah, if Arianna parylyzed herself, maybe she'd be gone for good!" Said Morgan. "Now, now. Girls, remember the drill: If you don't like being talked about ON the equipment, why talk about a fellow gymnast OFF the equipment?" Said the coach. "That brat on the vault right now is surely not a fellow gymnast. She's the enemy. That girl just talks, texts, backstabs, and talks." Said Maya. The girl on the vault, Caitlyn, really WAS annoying. "My boyfriend is Donny on the guys' team," she'd say, "He is surely going to 2012. He is the state, regional, and national champion. How honored am I to be his wonderful girlfriend! Well, I do understand that there are only so many beautiful girls like me these days who are gymnasts. I mean, a lot of Texas gymnasts are sweaty Hispanics, no offense Claire."

All Caitlyn needed was a strike across the face, and she'd be taken care of. Everyone wanted to, but wouldn't admit it. Donny even looked a little embarrassed just BEING with her.

"First on the vault is Me Me." Said the coach. Morgan's nickname was Me Me because she sometimes acted like 'it's all about me me me.' Otherwise, she was a fun person to be with.

Morgan smiled to her teammates and saluted. She ran her fastest. Then, with her round-off entry, jumped onto the springboard, did a back handspring onto the horse, and during her full, Me Me's foot got caught underneath, making her instantly go down on her neck, AND twist her ankle. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" She cried out in pain to keep herself from crying. Luckily, there were some doctors at the competition. Will I be okay? Morgan couldn't stop wondering.

Loser! Chapter 6: Ariel's Mistake

2010-01-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Ariel was so nervous, she almost forgot to salute. But then that little voice in her mind that she usually fails to listen to told her, "Hey, aren't you gonna salute the judge?" Ariel smiled and saluted.

All focus was based on keeping her body square to the beam and toes wrapped around as she mounted with a press-to-handstand. As she came down with a split, she turned her hands and moved to an arabesque. She ran and did two split leaps. Then three back handsprings. Then just as she thought she landed it, wobbled so hard she thought she'd fall. She tried hard to fight to stay on that beam, but while trying that, she wasn't prepared to fall. "Ahhh!" She screamed as she fell hard on her head. Although her heart and head throbbing, after about fifteen seconds, she continued the routine, realizing the time limit.

She approached the beam and with her hands, pushed herself up. She was chubby, yet strong. She tried to remember what to do after her back handsprings. Oh my gosh, I don't know, and there's a time limit. Just do something. She told herself. Counting the seconds she had left, not many, she ran and did a round-off back full dismount. "And... salute!" She said, feeling proud.

"That... Ariel... you KNOW that last skill wasn't planned." Said her friend, Kristy from another team. Her team had just finished vault, and doing beam after The Dallas South Academy of Gymnastics and Dance, Ariel's team. "I know. But you just don't see... I was counting the time I had left. I just panicked. I cannot stand there thinking of my routine when I have literally five seconds left. So I just fixed it with a quick dismount." Kristy put her head in her palms. "Ariel, you do know that if the judges caught that last movement, you might not place at all, right?" Ariel paused. "And do you know that you might not make it to regionals if they caught that?" Ariel just stared. "I, I knew that I might not make it. But in life, you have to take risks. And if I don't make it to the regionals, I mean, it's 2012 we're trying to make it to. We still have 2011."
"And the Olympic Trials. Ariel, you know that you may never go to the Olympics."
"Well, yeah, but I had to..."
"Ariel, if you fail to make it, will you remember what you did WRONG?"
"Yeah."
"You're gonna regret it, won't you?"
"Well, I guess I will look back and say, 'why did I do that' and maybe laugh a little."
"And---"

"Ariel! It's time to move on to the vault!" Ariel's coach said. She got up and walked away.

My Tumbling

2010-01-22T16:28:00.001-08:00

Hey today at gymnastics we practiced vault for the first time in our level, because in level 4, you just use a giant mat. It was actually kinda fun! In the next meet in Feb., we might compete for it! I like it, but then again, i'm not used to the height of the vault, and even worse, I could touch the ceiling if I jumped high enough!

Loser! Chapter 5: The Sixth Hour

2010-01-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ariel had just had the most fun night of her life. The teammates went shopping, swam in the hotel's waterpark, where they also met some pretty cute lifeguards who were off duty. They also went to the hotel's workout gym, after all, they had a meet in the morning. And afterwards, got pedicures on their toes, just to find out nail polish wasn't allowed.

Ariel almost had no space to write in her diary.

Today was the day I went to Austin for the State 2010 meet this year. OMG, tomorrow we are competing. I just can't help thinking that! I mean, sure, we're all glammed up and pretty, and sure of a deduction for nail polish, but... I can't guarantee we are the best team. The Woodlands Academy has that twelve-year-old girl Arianna who can kick butt. She is so good on the vault especially, always knocks me out of a gold medal.

Ariel had written in her diary up until midnight about her worries about her upcoming competition.
~
Ariel and her friends were supposed to wake up at four so they could get their hair done and work out, but all were asleep. Ariel was awakened by her watch beeping. "Oh my gosh," She whispered, "Guys, get up now!" Soon she began screaming. "Oh my gosh, it's seven o' clock! We're supposed to already be there!" But all was silent. The only girl awakened was Anastasia. "Wha, wha, what???" She asked half awake. Ariel showed her the clock. "Oh, darn!" She cried and ran into the bathroom. Within a minute, she was fully dressed in a team leo, Beijing Olympic jacket, and sweats. "Let's go!" She yelled, waking everyone up. "Oh, my! We gotta get out of here!" Said Morgan. Hailey was soon alert too.
~
When the girls finally arrived, every OTHER team was already there. "Finally, The Dallas team showed up." Exclaimed a snobby girl from The Woodlands Academy. "Shut up you little..."
"Okay, let's go!" Hailey said before Ariel started a fight.

Anastasia was showing off her Olympic gold medal to show how good she was. But she would never only wear one, every one she earned. Some looked at her with wide eyes. Some looked even more intimidated. A girl who made it to the Olympics was even more than elite, but one worth being afraid of. They could knock you out of a spot in the regionals in New Mexico.

"Stick it, Ariel!" Yelled Amanda. Ariel's team was competing on the beam first, Ariel's best event.

Bored With New Routines That Seem Old?

2010-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

I am. I started my floor routine in November. The routine is fairly new, but it doesn't feel like it. I mean, have I NOT performed my skills a hundred times? And trust me, i'm not lying about that.

I like my routines and all, but after awhile of not learning any new skills, you get bored as if you want to quit. But I know good and well that if I quit as a level 4, I can't be a college cheerleader ever. I have to wait to quit at LEAST until level 6, and that's only to become a junior high cheerleader. Level 7 if I want to make the high school squad, level 9 to be a high school cheerleader, and all the way up to 10 to be both an elite gymnast and professional cheerleader.

So I say however old your routine may get, remember why you're doing this. And you'll never know... are YOU the next Shawn Johnson?

CUTIE!

2010-01-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

Every girl wants a cute leotard almost more than she wants to learn new skills. Almost more than food.

But where is the best place? This is the ONLY place I get my leotards from. And I love that when I order my leotard, shoes, or accessory, I get a free catalog! Not like the great deals aren't enough. So... where will you buy? Well, I only trust:

www.dancewearsolutions.com/gymnast

Be Careful!

2010-01-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure you've heard the words, "Be careful!" more than a thousand times more than you may need.

While in gymnastics, "Be careful!" sometimes does apply. Some of it is just common sense. Like, skoot back when someone is tumbling. These rules may seem plain, but then again, here are things that really happen...

"One person on the equipment, ONLY!"
Once two girls were hanging on the low uneven parrallel bar. They casted into a handstand and down came the bars.

"Don't walk behind a tumbling gymnast!"
Once at my gym a girl was doing a cartwheel. She's very tall like me. My coach's son walked behind her and with a powerful kick, his tooth came out. I've kicked someone before like this, and it's not fun!

"Don't tumble in the house!"
Once (this story is about me!) I was doing a front tuck in my family room. I have mats, and there's this stringy handle at the end. I jumped to do it when all of a sudden my foot got stuck and I did a back instead, landing on my neck. MY back hurt really bad for like, five days!

Wow. People actually are not crazy when they say things like that!

Gymnastic Profile

2010-01-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

Every gymnast has her mission. Mine? Make it to level 10 before I graduate and become a college cheerleader or elite gymnast.

My number one concentration: My flexibility

What I want before I retire: A full, back and front tuck, back and front handspring, side aerial, straddles

My view of the future: Going to Sinclair, a top-ranked gymnastic university, Worlds and possibly 2020, U of A cheerleader, professional cheerleader, a job at the local salon.

My view of the future academically: Graduate high school, COLLEGE!, get my masters' in cosmetology, become a gym teacher MAYBE.

My view of my life after college: Marriage, television star for all tall and late gymnasts to see!

Loser! Chapter 4: A Ride of Nervousness

2010-01-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

"All the single ladies, now put your hands up..." The girls sang. It was a peaceful ride. Well, almost anyway. Sure, the car was shaking, and the music was blastng, but sure, it was peaceful.

And the music burned the nervousness inside. The girls had completely forgotten how nervous and scared they were up until the song ended. As soon as the music stopped, Hailey said, "Oh my gosh, the GPS says we will make it at 10:45. It's 9:50!" All of a sudden the girls remembered their fears. "My back handspring on the beam." Maya said. "My dismount on the bars." Amanda remembered. Twice had she left the gym almost paralyzed on the same dismount in just two years time. "My round-off back handspring full! Oh my goodness!" Morgan panicked. Morgan's fulls were not the prettiest. Toes not pointed, knees bent. She nearly broke her leg doing these once.

Everyone was frightened, thanks to Hailey. "Okay guys, who cares about these routines, anyway? It's the meet that counts. And look at the time: 9:51? We have a handful of time. Worry at the hotel, but not in my car. We are going to relax. I know one of us will win, but you have to believe you'll do it." Ariel lectured.
~
"We're here, finally here!" Anastasia shouted as everyone exited the car. The coach was already at the gym. The girls were all sharing a suite. 13 floors to the ambassador's suite, which meant the top floor for VIPs.

This level was amazing. A lounge with leather seats, HD television, and a private breakfast station.

The room was better. A sofa, coffe table, television, two beds, hot tub, and a view of downtown Austin. Tomorrow we're competing. Ariel couldn't help thinking.

Loser! Chapter 3: Saturday's Beginning

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

"I'd like to make myself believe, that planet earth turns slowly..." Ariel's alarm clock sounded with the song "Fireflies". She had gone to bed at eight last night, because practice ended early for the next day's competition that could be what takes them to the Olympics. It was also the only night Ariel didn't complete her homework, so she was going to do it on the way to Austin.

It took three hours to get to Austin from Dallas. Ariel was so excited! Ariel was one of the absolute BEST gymnasts on the team, so being on the regional team would be awesome. Where was regionals? Alberqerque, New Mexico. And the meet after that, Nationals 2010, was in Chicago, way up north.

It was six a.m. right now, and dreaming about two months from now was unecessary compared to the little time she had to prepare to leave for the gym.

6:30, and it was time to go. "Bye, Mom! Bye Dad!" She cried. "Good luck! Bring home the gold, Cupcake!" Her mom yelled. Ariel backed out of the driveway. This meet could be everything.
~
The girls warmed up and practiced their routines at the gym until 7:30, when all the girls had to leave and get on the road. Ariel packed up her belongings into the car, including the stuff in her locker at the gym. Her bathing suit because there was a pool at the gym from when Ariel took swimming lessons, her competition leo, her sports tape, and her dance bag.

Ariel allowed four other girls to ride with her: Maya, Amanda, Morgan, and Hailey. It was going to be a crazy ride...

Improving Your Scores All Around

2010-01-14T14:17:00.000-08:00

I'm on the cheerleading squad this year and today I get to find out what squad i'm on! So excited! I'm exstatic because I have a BFFL Andrea, and met two new girls who are also gymnasts that I want on my team!

I want our squad to be the most acrobatic. I am working really hard on my back handspring and hopefully some girls have their tucks already. I want us to be an entertaining team and great friends of course! Finally, there will be someone who understands my terms for gymnastics. You know, words like 'full', 'tuck', 'arabesque', 'handspring'.

So if you want to be on a team too for school or for your city, you better shape up in tumbling and take a class! You can't teach yourself. You will never do it right teaching yourself.

Improving Beam: Have your toes wrapped around the beam at a certain angle to prevent falling off and keep your body square.

Improving Vault: Make sure you run the absolutely perfect distance. Make your jump powerful and it won't be a headache completing the skill in the air.

Improving Floor: According to your music, make your hands show perfect emotion. When pointing toes, make sure to point them in dance parts all the time especially if you forget to point your toes during tumbling. And don't forget to point on your passes.

Improving Bars: I don't compete on bars, but just make the flow continuous.

Loser! Chapter 2: Ariel's Training

2010-01-13T18:21:00.001-08:00

"It's almost four, Ariel!" Yelled Ariel's father. "K, Dad, just gotta adjust my leotard!" She yelled back quickly. She grabbed her membership card and left for the gym.

Ariel's gym was, lets just say, a top gym in the country. Living in Dallas, Texas, Ariel had met five girls from the Olympics in her very own level. Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, you name it. In fact, Ariel had known Anastasia, or as teammates called her Nastia, since kindergarten. Yet she or friends never, ever asked for an autograph. They saw her everyday.

Although some girls always got on her nerves. And it took A LOT to get on Ariel's nerves. She was not ticked off easily. But if you were too snooty, that's where Ariel started hurling insults. Like Annaya. Never paying attention, all up in her face, acting like she knew it all. Even the coach got mad sometimes.

"Hey, Ariel!" Anastasia said when Ariel arrived. Ariel smiled and waved. Her and Nastia were as close as aqqaintances could come to friends. Ariel warmed up immediately and did walkovers, limbers, and back baends to strech her back and splits and leaps to stretch her legs.
~
By the time practice had ended, Ariel was drained. She had to go to bed by then because homework was done already and it was 9 p.m. State meet? Saturday morning in Austin.

Tumbling Queen

2010-01-13T18:14:00.000-08:00

Hey hey hey, my arm is awesome after compressing! My hand is fine, too! Eleven days 'til the minimeet. And only one girl with a back handspring. Scary, because that one girl is definetly NOT me. SCARY!

Well today we only did floor routines, and what my coach did was that with every flaw, she turned off the music and the next gymnast took the stage, or mat I should say. I made it farther than every girl in my routine! My coach also said I have pretty hand technique. Two problems other than the handspring and walkover? My split leap and this really hard to describe part. But I will try, even though I can't!

Ouches and ooses for gymnasts

2010-01-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

I am looking at my hands right now and my left---the one I write with---is fatter than my right. Because it is swollen. I think you know where this happened, but here is WHAT happened.

I was doing back walkovers at tumbling. No floor or beam routines, just tumbling. It was my first walkover. As soon as I bent back I bent my arm a very awkward direction and THOUGHT I broke it, but sprained it. Compressing is what caused the hand fatness, so I only compress it at school and cheerleading until it heals. When tumbling, I don't use it.

IZZY! You wanted me to write a new chapter of LOSER! So I will! Promise!

How Can A Gymnast Be Healthy?

2010-01-07T12:55:00.001-08:00

I think you all know about my healthy eating plan. I called it a diet, but people soon started saying, "You're not fat!" when that wasn't the reason of my diet. So it's a plan.

But my problem is I don't eat very healthy. People daon't even believe me anymore! So after spending months not doing anything about my unhealthy diet, I am writing a post about what might maintain it.

At lunch at school every Tuesday, I am going to pack a salad (There's a refrigerator because class is in the FLC at church) and an apple, orange, and some animal crackers.

I am eating six meals a day. (You'll be suprised--- six meals is healthier than the average three meal plan)

I will replace chocolate ice cream with Luigi's Italian Ice.

And instead of soda and kool-aid, I will drink just water. (And chocoalte milk!)

Sorry this post is long:(

Well guess what I did on the beam yesterday? Hurt my foot doing the SAME thing--- cartwheels, handstands, round-offs, leaps and turns. I have to put ice on it but NO MATTER WHAT I am going to class tomorrow whether I feel like it or not. It's worth the pain, and i'm not missing out on class again.

What School Do You Go To?

2010-01-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well... I'm... homeschooled. People always ask me the same question and I have the same answer. I might start going to Wayne in ninth grade I usually add so I sound a little bit more... I don't know.

I hate it when people say, "You don't go to REAL school." Actually, they are 100% wrong. No matter what type of schooling you do, you still go to school, but it's just at home. And homeschoolers have advantages in both gymnastics and academics.

In academics, you don't get homework, because your school literally IS homework! And you don't have to worry about teachers you don't like, because soon enough, you will be able to school yourself! You also don't have to worry about bullies and stupid boyfriend/girlfriend drama with 9-year-olds.

In gymnastics or any Olympic sport, if you are homeschooled, you can go to a gym at any time of day, knowing you don't have to be at public school at a certain time.

Yes, I don't like homeschool, but there's a reason for it!

Premieres and Info

2010-01-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

Okay... today at "school" (homeschool school in a classroom setting) my friend asked me who Kerri Strug was. If you don't know, don't ask someone who is under the age of eighteen. Why? They were a baby. How long ago am I talking about? 1996. I wasn't even BORN yet, so I suggest you do the following:

Start a conversation with an adult or parent/guardian
Ask if they watched the 1996 games
If so, ask if they watched gymnastics
If they did, ask if they remember Kerri Strug, not faintly, but very well.
If they remember her REALLY well, ask what happened and why I might be her "biggest fan"

That's the Kerri Strug method!

Now, did you watch the season premiere of Make It or Break It last night? Well I recorded it and didn't watch it yet, so please don't tell me about it!

I Don't Understand!

2010-01-03T12:03:00.001-08:00

I am in level 4 and STILL don't have my back walkover! What's sadER? I know a girl in level 3 who goes to a different gym and can already do a back handspring! I really need it because I have a tick-tock in my floor routine and a round-off back handspring at the end.

I just don't see why i'm the only level 4 girl (other than Marcuie!) who doesn't have a back walkover the CORRECT way! See, here's my problem:

I lift my leg
Bend back
Kick
Fall back down.

If you are someone who has this by themself, PLEASE post a comment if you know what's wrong!

Here's my back handspring:

I have my hands in front
Chair position
Jump (but I have a problem jumping)
Go back on my hands and don't really look at my hands (that's the main problem!)
Land on my head
By a miracle, make it over.

PLEASE! I know someone has the answer! Help me! Please! I really want to make it to level 10 by the time i'm sixteen, and if i'm held back in 4, all the older girls will be in 5 already, and i'll be stuck with the excess five-year-olds. 2020 is getting farther away...

Look Down at the Floor

2010-01-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

We artistic gymnasts and ex-gymnasts all have a different dance style. Mine is a combination of showy, fun, dark, and powerful.

But yours is different. You can be graceful. You might not be the best dancer. Creative. What does this have to do with tumbling? Let me show you.

All forms of gymnastics have SOME dance. Rythymic, artistic, trampoline, tumbling, mens' artistic, and I can't cover them all...

But it all requires acrobatics, dance, and flexibility. The more flexible, the easier time you'll have in gymnastics.

So how can you dance? Take a dance class. But it all starts with your music.

This is where you start. Look into into all the dances, and yes, that includes ballet, hip hop, even Irish and clogging.

Once you've done enough research and have had personal time dancing alone in your room to all types, have someone video tape you. Not only will you try to look your best with someone in the room, but you can see which you look best in.

Now that you've tried that, it's time to evaluate your dance even more and practice your best dance to your own personal made-up routine.

Look into some fun music. Don't be too fun. If you have hip hop, you could try Disturbia, but if you did ballet, you would have to use classical. And look at your routine again. Make sure that if you are dramatic, you use dreadful music and end it dreadful and dramatic. Make sure that if you're not, you use something brighter.

Do you know what floor song I like most that ISN'T on my playlist?

National Treasure-Ben http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyTuM40Bk0Y

I love this song because it's a mixture of all dance types. Anyone can use it. Are you graceful? This is your song. Do you excel in split leaps? This is your song. Are you powerful? This is your song. Are you dramatic? This is your song. Do you rock the tumbling passes? This is your song. Or do you love a song with some excitement that just makes you want to jump in your seat? You might as well get this on iTunes and cut it.

This song is perfect for everybody. Look on YouTube and even if you are not a gymnast, you might just find floor music that you like so much, you'll want to start tumbling again. And who cares if you are the only nine-year-old in level 1 when the other girls are level 6 at your age? That's only six levels to make up for. And if you already have your back handspring or tuck, your levels just might advance.

A Gymnast's Diet

2009-12-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

My diet is very abnormal. I'm trying to control my diet, but I don't think a Big Mac is helping! I need help with my diet, BADLY. Good luck for your diet though, here is some tips so that you don't have to stop eating your mom's spaghetti!

I love eating junk food. One bite of a salad and I must reach for the dressing. Well luckily, I can still eat my favorite pork chops or fried chicken!

But how can I eat junk AND eat healthy? Looking for the answer? I have it! OLIVE OIL. Putting olive oil on your food can help your food go down faster and stops the build-up of fat that is reversed after not eating fat for awhile.

Another tip: Water. Water with your olive oiled food will help it go down even faster and flush impurities on your skin.

Eating good at lunch can be hard at school or special occasion, especially when they have pizza or the best ice cream on earth. And chocolate... a craving almost every girl has. (except for Maya Gronquist, she hates chocolate!) Well good news for you then. Why crave unhealthy stuff when you can have your favorite apple sauce? And don't be afraid to add some cinnamon and sugar. Make a peach pie. Eat a pear. You need all the fruit you can get for energy.

Now what about your vegetables and meat? Confess: you don't like every vegetable. I hate spinach. Broccoli unless it's in soup. Asparagus. That's why there's V8. You should drink it because not only does it have a full serving of veggies but you get a full serving of fruit too if you buy V8 Fusion. I like the regular V8.

And meat. Even if you are vegetarian, you still need meat. Turkey is the healthiest. I love poultry. You need a lot of that. (With olive oil!) You need fish too. I know, no one likes the poor fish. But I enjoy it with sushi. I'm telling you, it's not gross! Every once in awhile, don't be afraid to have a nice, meaty burger. You need protein as much as you don't want fat! But this burger comes with fat, and that's okay! You need fat as much as you don't need it!

THE Leotard

2009-12-30T13:11:00.000-08:00

You wear a leotard if you dance. If you tumble. But what is the right leaotard for you?

Tall
You should go for a hot pink shade with rhinestones. Long sleeve for competition is what type it should be.

Medium
A navy or blood red leotard with flowers is the best pick for you. Go for long sleeve.

Short
A cute tank leotard is your best pick, but you need more detail than most. Don't wear plain black this time. (I see it everyday, and it's boring.) Wear something with some flair. Any flair that suits you. You are lucky, everything looks good on you. And style your hair in curls or waves for that girly Olympic look.

Great Inspiring Gymnasts of All Time

2009-12-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

SHAWN JOHNSON
I like Shawn because she is so flamboyant in her dance. I have been inspired on dance moves for higher levels to come. I even planned my music, and plan to do her music in level 9. (August Rush)

ANASTASIA (NASTIA) LIUKIN
Nastia is far by my favorite '08 gymnast. She is so graceful in everything she does. No wonder she won the all-around at the Olympics, the most popular elite level competition. You just don't know how many gold medals she has. I can't even count it. And I can tell she focuses hard on the gold. That's the concentration we gymnasts all need.

CARLY PATTERSON
Carly is like a '04 legend. Like Nastia of 2008, she won the all-around at the same elite competition. She also shows that you---even YOU---can do anything at no limits. Not EVEN the sky. Not only is she a talented tumbler, she has moved on to something even cooler--- a singing career. Who would've guessed she can SING?! And i've heard her sing, and don't get me wrong; she sings beautiful.

KERRI STRUG
You always save the best for last! These are all great gymnasts, but Kerri has a amazing, indescribable story. Domineaque Moceanou (totally spelled her name wrong!) was the second to last gymnast for America vaulting. She had missed both vaults. ALL the weight of the US team was on Kerri's shoulders, almost literally. All of the United States was depending on Kerri. She was the very last gymnast. Kerri took her time too--- she had to be very scared. Finally she saluted and went for it. Performed a Yurchenko. And she shoots, she scores, she... misses it. She limps to the end of the runway to try again. She went for it and... STUCK! On one foot. Perfect landing. She falls to the ground and has to be carried to the award's thing by her coach, Bela Carolyi, who now is a person who speaks about his opinion at the games, you know, like score people. And she was wearing a cami boot. Because of Kerri's vault, the US is what they are today, because that girl, vaulted on a foot that had two torn ligaments in it.

US TIMELINE!

1976
Cathy Rigby helps US
1984
Mary Lou Retton wins gold all-around medal
1996
Magnificent Seven team makes history
1996
Kerri Strug's heroic vault
1996
Shannon Miller
2004
Carly Patterson wins all-around
2008
Nastia Liukin wins all-around
2008
Shawn Johnson gets one gold medal on beam
2012
Wait and see!

Back Handsprings: Gymnasts getting close

2009-12-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

The big meet is coming up soon! And that means those girls without back handsprings, NEED their back handsprings. NOW. For me, gymnastics is like Christmas.

All I really wanted was a back handspring when I came back from vacation. I believe "Santa" can make that come true. (When I say Santa I really mean God) Not only will this make my skill level higher, but then, i'll be in the next level, back and front tucks, full splits and straddles, back handsprings and walkovers on the beam, handsprings on the vault, the dream of being high [in levels.]

I'd be more than halfway to level... level... level 10! The dream of being a step away from the next Shawn Johnson. Nastia Liukin. Carly Patterson. Kerri Strug.

What I especially like about each gymnasts is above his post!