Too many choices

I would like the assistance of all my wonderful followers to help me choose a new competition dress for the ISI Open in February.

I think I'd prefer long sleeves, so the judges aren't distracted by my blubber, but I really like a lot of the thin strap styles.

I'am skating to an instrumental version of the song Moondance from the August Rush soundtrack.

Option 1:  Mock neck, long sleeve, black lace tango ice dance dress.

Option 2: Long sleeve, off the shoulder, plunging back, Navy, highly beaded.



Option 3: Spaghetti strap, crossed back, Navy, heavily beaded

Option 4: Short sleeved, slight sweetheart neckline, will be in Royal Blue (not purple)

And last Option 5: Sweetheart neckline, off the shoulder, princess style, Turquoise

Now that I've shown them all to you, I have to be honest and say I am drawn to 1 of these dresses more than the rest, but I'd like to know the public opinion before I buy it. So let me know in the comments section which one you think I should wear.

Jam-packed schedule

Mr. Harer and I both have Christmas Eve off work. This is big, I don't think that has happen ever in the 10+ years we've been together. All my Christmas prep is done, so tomorrow is basically free time for me. I have no idea what Mr. Harer has planned, but I plan to go to the ice rink. I know that after the New Year holiday my schedule is going to be HECTIC, so I should enjoy whatever free time I have.

Classes start Jan 3rd, I'll be taking my classes at Loma Linda University so at least it is on campus where I work and I don't have to brave the freeway to get to school. I've got Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology this quarter and next quarter.

Like I mentioned previously I will be skating on Wednesdays and Saturdays now to accommodate my school schedule. Plus I am preparing for the Anaheim Ice ISI open in February. I will be competing in technical program, "artistic" and possibly stroking.

On the D-front, I am hoping to maintain, if not lower my last A1c. I hate so say I think I've got it all under control, because we all know what stress does to BG levels. So we shall see.

Busy Busy Busy that is me. If I don't post as regularly please don't forget about me over here in the hollow.

It's just life in So Cal

A lesson in greek

ISI Learn to Skate                        (Greek Alphabet)

← beta		→ delta
GammaGreek: γάμα

Since I have previous skating experience, I was fortunate enough to skip the wobbly world of Pre-Alpha (two-foot glide, one foot glide, forward/backward swizzle, backward wiggle) and I escaped the boredom of Alpha (forward stroking, forward crossovers, and one foot snowplow stops). For my Tuesday and Saturday group lessons, I went straight into Beta (backward stroking, backward crossovers and t-stops) and in my adult group I began working on freestyle 1 elements (two foot spins, edges, arabesques and waltz jumps). 


That is a big gap in levels, so why the discrepancy? Well, it never hurts to brush up on the basics. Strong foundation skills, like stroking, crossovers and being able to stop, prepare you for more difficult skills. Practice makes perfect and the more time I spend on the basics, the prettier my "fancy" skating will be. 


That all being said, I have passed Beta and after the Christmas break will be moving into Gamma group lessons (Outside edge 3-turns, mohawks, open mohawk combos and hockey stops). I will also be changing skating nights, to Wednesday, which means there will be no Adult group (insert sad face), so I will be taking Intro to Power Skating as my elective. I am excited about it. 


In case your interested, these are the Gamma elements;

I am bigger than a newborn Beluga

It's true, I outweigh a newborn whale.

Photo from Zooborns.com

This is Nunavik. He was born at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago last year on December 15th. He weighed 162 lbs and was 5'4" long.  This year on his first birthday Nunavik is a whopping 450 lbs, thank goodness people don't put on weight that fast. 

Now I try really hard to be content with my weight. I know, if it bothers me that I can exercise and watch what I eat and I will loose weight, however after the wardrobe malfunction (ala carrie) at the Ice Show, I cannot sit back and be content with my weight. So, something (ie: diet and exercise) must be done. 

I need a plan.....because I don't want to be bigger than a whale forever.