The Ice Princess
By DianneN
@DianneN (246643)
United States
September 15, 2020 4:27pm CST
Our ice princess took a giant step last week. She was one of a few selected to join the coaches of the Israeli figure skating team in their new location In Montclair, New Jersey at the rink of their local university.
She must arrive before 8:00AM and remains there all day until 5:00PM.
She will continue being coached by a few of her coaches. In between she will do her online schooling and skate more.
There are heavy protocols in use. Each skater gets a temperature check upon arrival. Masks are to be worn by all except when skating on a portion of the ice or when alone on the ice. Parents may not enter the building. Each skater has a designated area with a computer, papers, and a box of their own filled with pens, pencils, etc. It is sterilized daily as are the restrooms.
Our granddaughter doesn’t like change and was apprehensive until she got there. All the skaters are much older, but took her under their wings and love her. She knew a few girls and a couple of the older boys, so she is now a happy girl! She also loves her online schooling and especially learning American Sign Language.
This grammy is so relieved about everything!
53 people like this
51 responses
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
Thanks! She is always surprising us with something. This is the group of coaches that send kids to Nationals and the Olympics. Of course, school comes first. Now she's doing what most serious skater do. Online schooling and lots of practice time. Who would have ever thought?
3 people like this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
16 Sep 20
That's awesome I took ASL in Highschool she's going to love it! Congratulations I know you are proud and rightly so...
3 people like this
@Michellekidwell (29260)
• Sonora, California
16 Sep 20
@DianneN When I was younger, I had a friend who was hard of hearing, taught her some asl...
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Sep 20
I found this under new user discussions, but recognized your princess and figured you to be the author. I can tell she's a little older now.
How long will she be there?
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Sep 20
@DianneN sounds like she's doing well with the competitions.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
28 Sep 20
@MarshaMusselman Thanks. She's never not won a medal.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
28 Sep 20
New user discussions? How crazy! lol
So glad you recognized her and hope the world recognizes her someday. 
All I know is that she will definitely be there all year. She had a wonderful competition in Boston last Thursday. She moved up another level in the U.S. Women's Figure Skating Association.
All I know is that she will definitely be there all year. She had a wonderful competition in Boston last Thursday. She moved up another level in the U.S. Women's Figure Skating Association.1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Sep 20
What a remarkable young lady, taking this giant step forward in figure-skating. In a very short while, she will love it!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
15 Sep 20
@kobesbuddy Yes, it was a great honor. There are so many great skaters where she used to practice and get coached. Many have made it to Nationals and the Olympics.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Sep 20
@DianneN This was a great honor, her being selected for this wonderful experience:)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@nawala123 She began at 3 years old and is now 12 and moving up level by level. She told me that skating is her lifeee. lol
She enjoys it, because she wants to do it. Many other skaters are forced to do it by their parents.
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (20852)
• Indonesia
16 Sep 20
@DianneN it takes time, but i hope she enjoys the steps
1 person likes this
@much2say (53960)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Sep 20
Oh wow - the Ice Princess is really making the moves on the ice! Congratulations to her!! Good if they are being super strict about the protocols - it is very necessary (I wish more places were like that period!). Everything is working out so well for her, even during these crazy times - so thrilled for her!!! 
1 person likes this
@much2say (53960)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Sep 20
@DianneN So neat that I get to hear about her skating progress 
! She does seem quite happy and that she really, really wants to be there. May she continue with her skating endeavors . . . maybe we'll see her at Nationals and the Olympics one day !
! She does seem quite happy and that she really, really wants to be there. May she continue with her skating endeavors . . . maybe we'll see her at Nationals and the Olympics one day !1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Sep 20
It is good that she is able to keep up with both school and her skating, these times have made it difficult for athletes. A relieved grammy is a good thing, lol 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@DianneN Well in that way this time has fit nicely into her skating schedule. Online learning is becoming a way of life.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@BelleStarr It worked out well. On the other hand, my grandson's private school in NYC is open. The school made major physical changes to the building including installing special ventilation in each classroom. 7 of the 11 students in my grandson's class returned to school. He chose the online option. We are all happy about that! Besides, he is living in NJ now. lol
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
I am very happy that they have such strict protocols. During the summer, they had strict protocols, too, but I caught her making Tik Tok videos with her friends on the ice without their masks! She told me that her coach put a stop to that immediately.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79678)
• United States
16 Sep 20
Sounds like they're taking all the necessary precautions to make sure your Ice Princess and others are well protected while doing their skating. Sounds like a grueling day for your granddaughter but glad she's happy.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79678)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@DianneN I'm so happy that shes back to living her dream.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
She loves every minute of it. She used to have to practice before school and 5 hours at the rink after school, not counting travel over the GW Bridge every day. She's a bundle of energy and used to it. At least she can have dinner at home now.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Sep 20
Your ice princess has gone a long way, Ms. DianneN! Congratulations to her and to you!
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Sep 20
@DianneN Amazing indeed - and beautiful too! That is why you take much pride in her. Even without that though, I'm very you would have been very proud of her. She excels because of the family supporting her in her endeavor, especially you.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85265)
• Bangalore, India
16 Sep 20
Congratulations!! She always makes you proud. If I was her, even I would be not happy with all the changes. Seems like being in an alien land. But guess it's wise to have them for our safety.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
Thank you! She's bright and athletic, and works so hard at skating. She told me that skating is her lifeeee! 
She's very used to the changes, because she's been skating all summer and working with her coaches. I think it's a new way of life for us all, including the kids. There will only be coaching and practices, but no competitions this year.
She's very used to the changes, because she's been skating all summer and working with her coaches. I think it's a new way of life for us all, including the kids. There will only be coaching and practices, but no competitions this year.1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
25 Sep 20
@arunima25 Thank you! Apparently I was misled on the competitions. As you know, she had her first one yesterday.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85265)
• Bangalore, India
23 Sep 20
@DianneN It's good to know that she is so dedicated to her passion and puts her best efforts. And she very much deserves what she has been getting. She has worked hard for it.
And it is so nice that she has accepted these new norms well. Many kids would waste their time whining and complaining about the new changes. But she stays focused on her game.
And it is so nice that she has accepted these new norms well. Many kids would waste their time whining and complaining about the new changes. But she stays focused on her game.1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
16 Sep 20
that is impressive though that she was invited!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
Yes, it is awesome. These coaches have sent many to Nationals and to the Olympics. We never imagined she'd be doing what the serious skaters do - online schooling and lots of coaching and practices all day long. Thank goodness she loves it all. And thank goodness she can tie her own skates!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@DianneN that is so amazing, how big is grandma's smile?
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (3047)
• Calcutta, India
16 Sep 20
Woow, I love figure skating(I haven't learnt it myself). I love watching videos on youtube. How graceful they look skating on ice with the music...the atmospherics change altogether!!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@Dreamerby I used to do that, but my son and his wife went crazy. Her coaches don't want her routines and music choices or costumes copied and want her privacy protected. Now I have to keep all her videos private.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (3047)
• Calcutta, India
16 Sep 20
@DianneN You can create a Youtube Channel, upload the videos there and post the link here. I was about to ask you to show her videos.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155957)
• United States
16 Sep 20
Sounds really great as long as her schooling doesn't suffer. How far is this drive going to be for her parents? That's quite an honor for her; and learning ASL is a wonderful goal.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
16 Sep 20
She is a brilliant student in a private online school and in the gifted and talented program. She loves school and has always been a top student, so I doubt her schooling will suffer. I think my son mentioned that it would take 20 minutes. He confused us with times for ice hockey for my grandson by comparing last year's minutes for traveling with and without traffic. lol. Could be 40 minutes.
Thanks! We are thrilled she was invited to join. The coaches must see something in her.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155957)
• United States
16 Sep 20
@DianneN I'll bet you're so proud that you could burst!
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@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
16 Sep 20
I am so happy to hear that your granddaughters was selected to be part of such team. She must be really good at skating on ice! It must be a great experience for her!
1 person likes this
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
16 Sep 20
@DianneN I bet she is really happy when she's skating on the ice rink. Keep us posted on how she's doing, it is a pleasure to know about your family!
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