A Ray of Sunshine
By DianneN
@DianneN (254926)
United States
September 11, 2016 9:45am CST
Thanks to my son's mother-in-law, I received a wonderful video of my 8 year old ice princess's morning skate in the Mid Atlantic Regionals. That little pip took home a silver medal after competing with 9 other girls.
She has a new coach who has sent most of his figure skaters to Nationals. My granddaughter outgrew her New York City coaches, so tried skating in Westchester, NY and in New Jersey. Although she liked her coach in Westchester, she loves her coach in New Jersey.
She still does her morning practices three days a week before school in Manhattan at her old rink, and three days a week, her mother drives her across the George Washington Bridge for a variety of lessons with her new coach. There, the parking is free, and not the outrageous $22.00 an hour as at her other rink.
By the way, she was the best skater at her old rink. At her new rink, she is at the bottom of the barrel. But, she is competitive and loves to win. Don't we all?
25 people like this
25 responses
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
11 Sep 16
We shall see. She outgrew what her other coaches could provide. These new ones, of which there are many, work on different aspects. One is working on her arm placement right now. The head coach is amazing. I hope she can climb that barrel quickly.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
12 Sep 16
She looks so happy and fulfilled. Its a challenge she has taken upon herself and challenges when met is something only challengers will know what that feeling is.
4 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
She is a beautiful and talented little girl. Her competitive spirit will take her far in her sport. Congratulations to her on her silver medal win. You all must be so proud.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
12 Sep 16
@DianneN She may be an Olympian someday. :)
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230349)
• Chile
11 Sep 16
You have a very talented granddaughter. Congratulations!
3 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Sep 16
Oh wow - well congratulations to the Ice Princess! Sounds like it's working out quite well with her new coach (nothing like new motivation - how exciting for her!). That does sound crazy for parking - sheesh! Well, bottom of the barrel will make her be even more motivated . . . something to work for and we all know she will do it - that's what it takes to be a winner! She is too cute!!2 people like this
I know what it's like to have a jerk of a coach - I'll have to write that some day (I thought I did, but not sure if I did that on B or here many years ago). Holy cow $72 for parking - that is beyond outrageous!!! 
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
13 Sep 16
She loves her new coach and is particular about men. The other male was good, but proved to be strange. He didn't want her skating in the international competition in FL and refused to go, so they had to hire a coach to get her on the ice. Jerk. Thanks! And yes, parking is ridiculous in NYC. Once I had an appointment for a beauty treatment and the garage wanted $72.00!!!! We found a spot on the street a few blocks away.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56322)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
Good for her, that IS a ray of sunshine proving her dedication and hard work and something good for you when your world has been to focussed on your hubby's rehab from his surgery.
She did well placing silver with all of the changes that she's gone thru.
3 people like this
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
11 Sep 16
Congratulations.. She's a beautiful young lady
3 people like this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
11 Sep 16
She looks so pretty, and I can imagine she can be prettier and so smart when on skates.
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
12 Sep 16
Wishing her the very best...she should climb up that ladder.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
17 Sep 16
That is pretty much what my grandson Josh had when he changed rinks, when they outgrow their coach and rink it is time to be the low man again , for a minute or two at least lol. Congratulations, I m sure e will see her at nationals in just a few years.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
20 Sep 16
@DianneN He skates but in hockey, he is quite good, fast and strong. Right now he is doing hockey and soccer. His mother and father are running just about every day of the week.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
20 Sep 16
@BelleStarr My grandson has been skating since he was two and begged the hockey coach to let him play on the team. The kids were 8 and he was 3 then. Way too rough, so he stopped. Perhaps he'll return when he's older. He'll have to toughen up like your grandson! I remember those running around days. My boys were into everything and went to different high schools!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
17 Sep 16
Outrageous is true, and with a skating discount. They will only have to pay $22 three times a week now during early morning ice practices. NJ is a pleasure for them. She has a medal board in her room. I'll have to take a picture of it if we ever get to NY again!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
19 Sep 16
@just4him Well, she is only eight years old and hopeful of making the Nationals and the 2026 Olympics. If not, she plans on becoming a Broadway Star. Lol! We shall see what happens. My kids want her to lead a normal high school life and go to college. Perhaps she can do it all!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep 16
That is very expensive parking. My brother-in-law recently spent $300 over a week for parking at the hospital where his wife is a patient. I think he could have got a ticket for less but was too stressed at the time to cope with it.
2 people like this
