Kelly Phillips

January 14
Well, unfortunately Lester got out this morning and made a cameo appearence in Coach Lois's coffee. It was not a good seen. Coach screamed and woke up Grandma Benni who chased after him with a broom. Finally Jess woke me up because of the comotion and that's when I realized that he was gone. I frantically tore out into the hallway, but it was too late. Lester had already caused trouble. Coach Lois said that this is the last oopsy he can have. I hope Lester behaves or he is getting shipped back to Ohio with my parents and they aren't exactly fond of him either.
More later,
Kel

January 13
Coach Dan was extra hard in my private lesson today, but I can understand why. If I get chosen to compete this weekend, I will really need every point I can get with these new routines. I am really hoping I get to compete. It would mean so much to me right now with my critics hasseling me about getting a little old n stuff! So what if I've grown a couple inches and grown a couple elsewhere too. I'm getting to be a woman and it was bound to happen sooner or later. I really haven't put on any weight, so that's a plus. My muscles seem to be lengthing some with my little growth spurt. It'll give me nicer lines for bars at least. Actually that could be part of the reason why I am doing better on bars. Who knows! Vaulting was my only down point of practice today. It is going to need some serious work! At least maybe I can work on it in my private tomorrow after bars or something. My tutor is doing great. I feel like I'm learning alot and she is very supportive as well.
Gotta go for now,
Kel

January 12
Today I was up at the buttcrack of dawn. Coach Dan has me doing private lessons on beam on Sun., Tues, and Sat. at 5:30am and on bars Mon., Wed., and Fri. It was my decison though. Well both of our decisions. My beam and bars routine are difficult and Coach Dan is worried about the consistency of them in competition. So, with that in mind, I have agreed to work extra hard on them. After 45 minutes of work on beam today, I got a 15 minute break and then went directly to my regular squad workout. It was grueling, but it will be worth it in the long run. After workout, I had lessons with my tutor. She started today. Her name is Celeste and she is super nice. She was a competive figure skater when she was my age so she can relate to the high demands I am under right now. Then I took a nap and snatched a bite to eat with Jess, Eva, and Sammie. Afterwards, we had a mini ping pong marathon before afternoon workout. Eva had to leave early though because she had a private scheduled with Soyon. Afternoon practice seemed to last forever! I just couldn't quite focus. Sometimes I get that way when I'm tired. Coach Dan was not happy with me. I got yelled at numerous times, but I know that it will make me stronger. Now I am capping off my day with my journal, cup of tea, and gossiping with Jess.
Night night!
Luv,
Kel

January 11
I barely drug myself out of bed this morning, but Atler forced me. I just couldn't face Coach Dan today. I could hardly keep my eyes open during breakfast with Sammie. Then Kayla and headed to the gym together cringing in pain with each step. Luckily Coach Dan realized how we weren't used to his type of training and went slightly, but not much, easier on us today. I slept after workout today. Everyone thinks the whole Tiger squad is ill or something. I grant them all one whole day with Coach Dan, lol. Then they would be sleeping too. Well, I'm quite tired, so I shall go for now.
Luv,
kel

January 10
Boy was I wrong. Coach Dan is a wolf in sheeps clothing! The warm up and stretching about killed I think all of us. That wasn't even the worst. We started with tumbling. No tumble track for us today. We didn't even get the rod floor w/ pit either. It was totally floor exercise. We did tumbling pass after pass after pass, etc. If I do one more double layout, I'm going to pass out. My legs were literally collasping by the end of floor with a whole other event to go. We went to vault after that. We vaulted until we couldn't block anymore. Well that was some of us, I couldn't even run down the runway anymore. Then after we are about dead we had conditioning and hit the showers before school. Well, kinda. I hit the shower with the nice massage head that I ever so needed after that workout. Then I laid down on my bed for a quick sec and fell asleep. Grandma Benni came in and woke me up after the school called wanting to know where I was. Luckily Grandma Benni let me stay at the gym and help her with some cleaning instead of going to school. Then afternoon workout came around. We started with ballet class, then progressed to balance beam. We worked with Coach Soyon this time for our beam training. She was nice and laid back, but serious too. She really helped me improve my beam work as well. After beam, we did a couple run throughs on bars and did more conditioning. I am exhausted!
Luv,
Kel

January 9
The results are up! I did great! Third place! This makes me happy. The old Kel is back. I found out that I am on Tiger Squad also and I have some great teammates! We also got the most demanding coach at Topo-Coach Dan. What we did to deserve him, I don't know. LOL, just kidding. Coach Dan is so funny and sweet and can't picture him being mean during training. Coach Lois is probably trying to scare us! Oh well, I can handle it cause I can handle anything! Well, i hope so at least!
Well, gotta go.
Luv,
Kel

January 8
I am biting my fingernails! There goes the french manicure! Only three hours until the intersquad. Oh boy, I'm nervous. Will my routines hold up? Do I still have it, or are my better days behind me? So many questions flying through my head. It's been so long since I've competed and I'm worried as usual. I don't know why I'm so worried, it's not like it's nationals or worlds or something. I normally love competition. I live and breath it. I found a penny heads up today before morning workout, so hopefully that means good luck! I just need to relax and keep in mind that nothing major is riding on this-just squads and coaches. Oh what am I thinking! The whole media will be there wanting to see who the next star will be? The critics are already saying I look tired and the my best days are behind me. I just have to prove them wrong. I have to!
Well, let's do this!
Luv,
Kel

January 7
One more day until the meet. I am training harder and harder everyday. Oh I got a new roommate too. It is.........drumroll...... Jess! I am so happy! I was happy to have Brittany as my roommate too, but it's cool to have someone rooming with me that I know well too. Jess doesn't mind Lester either. Lester has been behaving so far since I've gotten back thank goodness!!! I think he really likes it here at Topo. I will be glad to get the intersquad out of the way. Then I can put these old routines to bed and wake up with something fresh! Also it will be nice to know what squad I will be on and what coach I will have. That way it will be somewhat consistent. Some people like variety, I like consistentcy. I am perfectly happy training with the same girls and the same coach day after day. As long as I'm training super hard and learning new skills, that's all I care about. I played air hockey with Eva this afternoon to releve some tension before tomorrow. She beat me as usual! Eva is the air hockey champion though, lol. I miss our big tournaments we used to have. Well, I should probably get some rest before the big meet tomorrow. Sweet dreams!
Luv,
Kel

January 6
Well, just two more days until the intersquad! I am so excited! Unfortunately I will have to do my old routines until my new ones get consistent. I can't wait to perform my beam routine for the first time in competiton! I worked on another new skill today! Along with my new mount, I also worked on some front 1/2's and an arabian back handspring. I didn't get to work on my new skills for too long though, because Coach Lois needed me to work on my routines for the meet. I worked hard on vault too today. I am starting to learn the approach for a Tsuk vault. Eventually I want to change my Polozkova to a Tsuk entry vault. With the new vault table the Tsuk's are getting more popular because they are easier now. Bars is getting more consistent for me as well. The changes in the code worked well for me on bars. In actuality my bars is now worth a 10.2! Well, I need to go condition!
Luv,
Kel

January 5
Well, another day! I woke up early today and decided to put in some work on the beam. Beam is my fave and my best, but with the new code it's also my lowest start value at this point. It's only a 9.6! The rest of my routines are out of a 10.0. I need a new second vault too, but I'll worry about that later today. I really want to do a unique mount. My punch front is so tired. I upgraded it to a pike last year, but it still doesn't satisfy me. I started playing around on the springboard today, just doing round-offs on. Hmmm. I tried round-off tucks, pikes, and layouts on. The layout was challenging, but it just didn't make me happy. I tried a round-off tuck full. I liked it, but it just wasn't unique enough for me. Then I found it, a round-off arabian salto on. It was challenging and unique. I love it! I showed Coach Lois and I think she likes it. I hope so! Well, more later!
Luv,
Kel

January 4
Wow, four whole days at Topo already and I feel that I am back into the groove! It didn't take long at all! I finally officially have a roommate-Brittany! We are going to have a blast! I hope she doesn't mind my singing or late night journal writing! I really hope she likes Lester too. He is a really good snake and never bothers anyone. I know he caused alot of problems last year, but he has really calmed down and stays in his cage now. He only comes out if I take him out. Lester really calms me down and if I have a bad day at the gym he cheers me up! School starts back on Monday! I normally have a tutor, but she had to quit because of family reasons so now I have to go back to school for now. My mom is looking for a new tutor so hopefully I'll have one by the end of the month. It is so hard to balance school and gymnastics. I praise the girls that do it! The higher the grade you go up, the more difficult it is though because of all of the homework. Workout was great today. I am getting used to my new vault. It is so much fun and true power! I am so used to using the momentum from my round-off-like in the yurchenko. Now I get to use my real raw power! On bars, the condidtioning was murder with the giants -n- stuff! My routine is coming along though. My beam dismounts and mounts are stellar after doing 30 of each. It was some great focused training on that event. I can't wait for the ski trip. I have been dying to test out my new snow board. It will be so cool! Well, i gotta get that school work done!

January 3
Workout today was great! I finally started training Tsukahara's today. I have been dying to try those forever and with the new vault table, they are easier to do and more popular. I'm going to be doing a double, but right now I'm just learning the proper entry and technique. Bars was cool. I worked on my dismount today. I managed to get around several clean double layouts! I can't wait to put my twist back in. Beam was clean, as usual. Floor was consistent as well. I stayed away from the shower this morning. That massage head can get you into trouble. I decided to take my showers after morning workout and a bath in the evening after my homework. And boy do I have loads of it! This is my junior year and there is tons of homework! I enjoy my classes though, and it gives me another focus besides gymnastics. I have started looking into colleges as well. I have never accepted money throughout my gymnastics career, I can officially accept a college scholarship for gymnastics. I already have several offers and I still have over a year and a half before college!!! I thinking of UCLA. They have a wonderful program and it is one of the best schools! Anyway, enough of future dwelling:) Time for the immediate future-my homework, dinner, and bath! Luv, Kelkel

January 2
AAHHH! Those massaging shower heads are going to put me to sleep. No! Wait! It's morning! Shower is to wake up, not sleep! Away with the massage shower head until after practice! I hop out and dry off quickly. Slipping into my fave leo and a pair of workout shorts, I stuff my bag with the essentials-grips, beam shoes, tape, floor music, and sweats. I fly down the hallway to the cafeteria for a quick breakfast with Eva. She was also late due to the massage shower head! We wolfed down some fruit and headed for the gym. To my surprise-there were lots of gals I didn't know. Some had just arrived late last night and early this morning. One girl in particular just looked so familiar, but I couldn't put my finger to it! We met as a group at first and Coach Lois ran through introductions. The familiar one was Sammie Debranski. Debranski! Alana's sister! Sammie explained to us that Alana had gotten a promising role in a ballet-her dream. I was so happy for her! Anyway, off to workout! I did so much better than yesterday. Everything just seemed so unfamiliar yesterday, but just seemed to click today. I really like everyone I am training with. We all laugh and train seriously! It's a happy medium! well, gotta go for nowluv,kelkel

January 1
I am so glad to be back! I can't believe it, I really thought Topo was closed for good! While I was gone, I trained at my local gym where my little sister trains at. It was ok, just not elite training. I did extra conditioning here and there to kinda make up for it and my basic skills have definatley sharpened up a bit. As they say in Russia, basics are the key to sucess- so hopefully it helps! I'm a little worried though. Training really wore me out today! I didn't do very well either. I haven't performed many of my competition skills since Topo closed. Most of other girls are coming from other gyms were they were training elite until Topo reopened. It kinda puts me at a disadvantage, but it also motivates me to get back in to Tip Topo Shape! I don't know who will be my roomate yet, cause we haven't gotten dorm assignments I think. We had a nice party today. I brought my famous Hersheys Festive Fudge. It is soooo good, but very rich. Everything that was brought was delicious! It was so nice to be at Topo with all of my teammates and the new gals too. Well, I better hit the shower before dinner! Kelkel

August 6
Dearest Journal, Sorry I have been away for so long. Today has not been a good day. Actually, the past several days have not been good days. I think I'm falling into a major slump. Well, it all started with me browsing the sight a little bit. I was just bored and playing around. Well, then I came across some comments about myself that were VERY mean. I just don't understand how people can be so mean. I really don't mind the comments about me- ya know! Whatever! What I do mind is the comments made about my sons. I can't believe that people here can trash talk about my sons and then go to sleep at night. Especially saying that they never existed. Hello! If people really need to get a clue-go to www.limanews.com. Go to obituaries. Then go to Dec.2001. Then scrool down to Dec. 29th. And guess what!!! WOW! suprise, suprise! My sons are there. Gee, guess I'm not the big liar that someone obviously thinks I am. Oh well. To each there own. I hate it when people think that they can say whatever they ! want because they are hidden behind a computer screen. Oh well, that's life and that's what people do, right? Anyway, so not to bore you anymore journal! I shall go for now, but return later!

July 22
Well, today is the intrasquad. I have been working alot harder than normal this week. I am so excited to see how I am going to place! My routines have all seemed very solid and consistent. My main lack is vault though. Lois won't let me upgrade yet and my vaults are low starts. Well, not really low-just not a 10.0.
I am crossing my fingers and toes! I hope to well! We'll see!

July 18
Dearest Journal,
Wow! I am really starting to feel the heat. Nationals are right around the corner and I feel so left out right now. I have been training harder then ever with little results in the rankings/meets. Guess I will just have to train harder.
I enjoyed dance class today. I worked hard on my dance skills, since we just do dance twice a week. It was fun.
Well, more later!

July 16
Dearest Journal,
Right now I am not too happy. I wanted to go the camp. I wanted to compete. I have been working as hard as I can. I can't help it if everyone else has soooo much more time than I do. I gotta make a living. I love fantasy gymn, but it is hard to have fun when you don't see any results of the effort you put into it.

July 10
Dear journal
Sorry it has been so long. In real life, I have been soooooo busy. I'm lucky if I even get to workout! Anyway, enough whining:)
I have been working with my tutor a bit this summer on brushing up on some math and french that I got behind on while away at meets n stuff. Not that there can be that much, I never get to compete:( Of course that's my fault for rarely getting to work out! Hopefully, I will have more time soon! Zach and I are still dating. We went and saw Lilo and Stitch last night! It was great! Then we had ice cream,or rather, frozen yogart!
Lester is doing well and staying out of the gym! I think he would like to be out of his cage more often, but it just isn't possible:) Coach Lois would have a heart attack!
Well, more later!

June 30
Dearest Journal,
Sorry I haven't written for so long. I have been incredibly busy. OMG! I am so sick of everyone complaining about the rankings. Who cares!!! I guess everyone is not here for fun. Well, I've accomplished my main goals-Olympics, Worlds. I'm here for the fun of gymnastics and if I accomplish more while doing that-then great! If not, then at least I'm having fun and helping the team out. I am so sick of it, I'm thinking of driving back home for a couple days over the holiday just to get away from all of the drama.
On the other hand....
Moscow was fun, as always! I luv the hard training and the great coaching.
Cam and I are going shopping today so we can avoid the glares. Hopefully that will be fun. We are looking for new things for Lester!

June 5
Dearest Journal,
Today I took my car out to the mall! It was great-open road, sunroof open!!! -Anyway- Guess who I ran into at the mall? Come on, Guess? ZACH! OMG! He is so HOT! Oh, and there's more, guess what else? He talked to me. And guess what he asked me? He asked me out!!!!!!! We are going to the movies tomorrow night! I am so excited! Me and Zach! Zach and me! I am SO on cloud nine! And guess what, there's still more.... He has a friend that is just as cute as he is. He wants me to bring one of my friends and make it a double date! I am totally asking Cam first!!! His friend's name is Noah and he has dirty blond hair and icey blue eyes!!! Cam is going to die! -Ok, back to business- Phew! I need to calm down for a sec. Ok. Calm. I think. ZACH! Ok, just had to get that outta my system. Ok. Calm. Gymnastics. Yes. Gymnastics. I am so excited for the meet this weekend! I have been working so hard and I hope it pays off this weekend! I've got the fever! Competition fever! Hopefully Pop squad can pull through and win this meet! And then we have the Topo meet this weekend against six other squads! We will have to stay on our toes! We can do it! Teamwork!
Lots of luv,
Kel xxoo

June 2
Dearest Journal,
Well, workout was ok today. It wasn't much fun because of my wrist. Oh well, the doc said that it's just a sprain and some old tendonitis. It should be a little better by tomorrow and then in a couple days I should be able to do full sets again. I hope my wrist doesn't act up all year again like last year. Ugh! I hate tendonitis. We are going to have a party Friday in Jess's dorm. Her roomate is hosting it I think. I can't remember...... I hope I can upgrade my vault soon. Neither of my vaults are worth a 10.0 and I would really like at least one of them to be! Well, gotta go. Grandma Benni and I are baking peanut butter chip cookies tonight.
Lots of luv,
Kelly xxoo

June 1 #2
Dearest Journal,
What's up? Not alot here. I'm wondering how I did in today's meet. Workout was ok, so I hope I did well. I lost some workout time this week cause my car broke down,irl. I can't believe what is going on the message board. All I was trying to do was help. I forgot though, never express yourself around a bunch of hormone raging adolescents. They take everything the way they want to take it and dragging as much drama as they can along with it. I'm so glad I'm not that young anymore. Irl, My girls had a tumble-a-thon today. They raised 844.50! I was so excited for them. We will be able to get the equipment we needed thank goodness! I was supposed to march with them in a parade, but of course my car to had bust an axle. As if my life wasn't bad enough already. To top it off, my therapy isn't going well obviously. Fantasy gym is part of my therapy, but it looks like that's going to have to go because everyone has picked a fight with me. I guess they don't have anything better to do. At that age, you don't have much better to do. Oh well, I'm not going to let anyone make my life any worse. Once one of them loses a child, they will know what's up. Right now, they are all too young to understand.
Well, gotta go journal!
Lots of luv,
Kelly xxoo

June 1
ah! No more school! Well, at least at Topo school. My tutor will be here starting next week so I can do my college prep courses. This summer I am doing Anatomy and Physiology and Physcology. I am kinda excited about them though. They sound exciting. My exams went pretty well. I hope I did ok. I won't find out until like the third week of June I think. I can't wait until we get done decorating our dorm room. It is going to look so cool! Well gotta go for now!
Luv,
Kelkel xxoo

May 31
AAAAAAHHHHHHH! The last day of school is finally here! I wore my fave outfit today, maybe it will give me good luck for my finals. I woke Cam up playing with our snake last night. She was not too happy. She threw her pillow at me! So, of course I returned fire. Pretty soon, it was an all out pillow fight! It was so much fun, but now I am so sleepy! Guess I'll learn! Well, gotta go to school and take that dreaded Chem exam!
Later!

May 22
Dearest Journal,
HI journal! What a day today! Workout was exhilerating! We started with tumbling. It was so exhausting! My landings were horrible on my arabian double layout and my full twistin double front tuck. OH weeellll! We all have those days! Hopefully it will be better tomorrow. School was great! Woh, was that me saying school was great, I think it was....hmmm. We had a sub today!!! And I threw lots and lots of spit wads at him! Just kidding! That was some of the news. There is other news journal, just don't tell anyone..... There is this new student that just started today. He is soooooooo cute! His name is Zach. He is gorgeous! He just transferred here from Los Angelas. He has brown hair with blond highlights and these mouthwatering chrystal blue eyes that are just so deep and electric at the same time.....Ok, I'm rambling:) Anyway, I will tell you more about him later....now I must rest before my next workout!!!
Lots of luv xxoo,
Kelkel

May 20
Dearest Journal,
Hi journal! What a day today!! School was a monster. 3 pop quizes! What are those teachers thinking damaging poor little minds like ours?!?!? Who knows! At least there is not much school left. What is really cool is that I'll be a junior next year. It kinda scares me though. I am starting to get older. I luv gymnastics so much and I know that I'm not getting any younger. It scares me to think of life after gymnastics. I plan on doing it as long as my body can handle it, but, I don't know if that will be 18 or 25. Right now, I'm just training hard and trying to live in the moment. Sometimes I wonder about things. Like, who will ask me to prom next year, or homecoming dance? I never get out or anything. Boys don't even know my name. Is it wrong to want to go to prom or another dance or even scarier, date? I guess I'm just reaching that age were dating seems so cool and neccessary. We do have free time every day. Maybe I should try going out on a date. Gosh, I don't know though....Maybe I should talk to Cam or one of the other girls about it. There is always Grandma Benni too.
Hmmm, I think I'm going to give it a shot.
Lots of luv xxoo,
Kelkel

May 19
Dear Journal,
Boy, have I missed you!!! Sorry I wasn't able to write in you until now! I was so busy settling in!Anyway! I am so happy to be back at Topo! I really missed this place! Vega Twisters was a great gym and I had alot of fun training there, but it just wasn't good ole Topo. I worked on my new routines while I was at Vega Twisters and I even added a few new skills. I added a new pass to floor. It is so difficult. It is a front handspring+ 1/1 double front tuck! I get so dizzy doing it, but it's a lot of fun! My next step is to upgrade my vaults, and get used to the new horse of course!!! The gym here is awesome! We needed the renovations! Cam and I are still in the same room. It is newly decorated just to our liking!!! OH , and we got a snake! He is so cool! Grandma Benni just said that we got to take care of him, and we will!School sucks!!! Only a couple weeks left thank goodness! Then it's soley training!I got a new car! Well, it's not new new, but it's new to me! It's a 96 Grand Am. It's cute and it'll get me from Point A to Point B. Plus it's got AC and a sunroof!We got the results in for our intersquad! I didn't do so well. I only got 20th place! Oh well, just gotta work harder I guess!Well, that's all for now! Later!
Lots of luv xxoo

February 22
Dear Journal,
Another day! Just been training hard for the Classic. I am wooped! I have been practicing so hard and my collarbone has been killing me! Not to mention every other muscle in my body!Oh, well, that's what gymnastics is all about, right? Well, sorry journal, but I gotta get some sleeep!zzzzzzzzzzz

February 21
Dear journal,
Only a couple more days left until the big day! OH, I am such a bundle of nerves. On the other hand though, I am Super Excited! I have such a big weekend ahead of me. My birthday is Saturday the 23rd. Then the Classic is on Sunday the 24th. My party would've been this weekend, but I didn't want to be too tired for the meet. So, I changed it to next weekend. I can't wait to start Driver's Ed. If I make the World Team, then I will start Driver's Ed after the World Championships. If I don't make the World Team, then I will start it after Nationals or Trials, depending on how far I qualify. Then I will be driving! FREEDOM! I can't wait! I'm going to look at car's again today to relieve some of that premeet stress! Well, more later!

February 20
Dear Journal,
I don't know what to do Journal! I want to go to World's SO bad! I already missed the Olympics! With how severe my injury was and with how long I was out of the gym, it would be ridiculous to think about going to World's. I can't help it though. My heart is in competing! Well, I guess all I can do is train as hard as I can and hope for the best!

February 18
Dear Journal, gym entry
AAAAAHHHHHHHH! I am so excited! Only a week left and I shall be sweet sixteen! Mom is letting me take driver's ed privately so it won't affect my training! Then, I will get to drive! Clear the roads! Clear the sidewalks too! Kelly Phillips will be driving!!! Mom took me to look at cars today. I wonder if that is what I am getting for my birthday. I wish! That would be a dream come true! Anyway, back to more important stuff! Training was fun today. I worked alot on floor. I have four difficult tumbling passes and my endurance is going to be a BIG factor in wether I can handle them or not. I am going to do some cross country running in between practices just so I can boost my endurance a little bit. Well, that's it for now!
,br> Dear journal, real life entry In real life, my day was ok today. I just got back from a 'weekend getaway' with my husband. We went to Columbus(it's about an hour away) and went 'clubbing' at the big clubs. It was alot of fun. I worked on the choreography in my routines for my gymnasts. Right now I am getting ready to order a scrumtious taco pizza and order a movie on pay per view. My husband is relaxing in the bath tub with my beloved bath pillow. Hehehe! Bye!

February 6
Dear Journal,
today was a slow day. school lasted for an eternity. I had to give an oral presentation on World War 2 in history. I was dreading it all day. I hate to do those things! I think I did pretty good though. I looked down at my notes quite a bit, so I'm sure I will get docked pts. for that. Otherwise, it was ok. Workout was fun. I got to try out the new vault horse. It was bouncy and solid. I enjoyed it.
More later!

February 3
Hi journal! How are you? Things are starting to get a little better here. I'm back in the rankings which is cool. Coach Lois still hasn't talked to me, but I know now that she is very busy. I watched some of the girls train today, so I know what skills I need to work on for the new code. Mom offered to call coach Lois and talk to her, but I'm not sure if it will be neccessary yet. We'll see..... On a brighter note, Krista is back and Eva stopped by today. I was so glad. I never got to say good-bye to them in the first place. Now Krista is back and hopefully Eva will come back too. I'm still worried about Cam. She doesn't talk to nobody. She is really slipping in the rankings too. I hope she is ok..... My birthday is coming up too. I am so excited! My mom is letting me have a REAL party this year!
Well, I gotta get back to work! More later!

January 31
Dearest Journal; What do I owe the honor?
I don't know anymore journal. Things just ain't happenin' right now. Cam won't speak to me. I guess she is not speaking to anyone anymore though. Coach Lois won't speak to me either and that is a problem. A big one. I need help with my routines desperately. I can't progress as a gymnast without routines. Oh. What do I do? What do I do? I'm helpless.....

January 18
AAHH! DEAREST JOURNAL! ALAS! I AM REUNITED WITH YOU ONCE AGAIN!!! I am so happy to be back! As if you couldn't tell! I'm a moron! LOL! Ok, I've released my psychotic tendencies enough for one day, down to business. My injury is looking much better. What a scare that was! I thought I was never going to be able to do gymnastics ever again. Of course, my doctor still doesn't want me to! Little does he know that I will never give that up! None the less, I have pins and rods holding my once shattered collarbone back together. Swinging bars will be interesting....Oh well. At least I can do a few things. I am limited to beam and floor for now unfortuately. I can swing bars or block the vault. I'll be using a lot of the tumble track and pit for sure! My old dorm still looks the same.... I wonder what Cam and everyone else has been up to. I bet Cam got used to having her own room too. That was short lived, I'm back now Ha ha ha! Just kidding! Well, more later!

July 16
Hey journal! It's Monday! Ugh! I hate Mondays. It always takes me so long to get motivated! Not much going on today. They removed the top squad. Now we have four totally equal squads. I thought it was a cool idea. I am on a squad with Cam too! I am so happy with that! I can't wait unitl we get to train together. I haven't got to train with Cam for a little while now, so this will be fun. More later......

July 15
Hey journal, what's up? Not much here. Workout was ok today. I have been working on upgrading, but unfortuately, I am waiting to see if I can use my new tumbling pass. I've been working on it for awhile and I luv it! I'm waiting to see if the IFGA will approve it or not. Probably not, they always want to limit our creativity. Well, if they do, then I will work on some new skills that are already approved. Well, later!!!

July 10
Hey journal, how's it going? Alright here. Just workin' out and stuff as normal. Life is getting better. I went up a couple spots in the rankings! Yippee! Hopefully I can make it into the top 10 by tomorrow. Hopefully that's not setting my expectations too high, but if I don't tomorrow I eventually will. So it's cool. Jess invited me to go to the mall. That was really nice of her. I can't wait to go! I need a new bathing suit after last weekends incident. A new pair of shoes won't hurt either:) I can't wait until the next meet. I am so pumped up and ready to go now. Well, more later!!!

July 9
Hello today journal. Today was just a typical day. Good news though. I finally got put back on a squad. I am on the Pop squad. I am so relieved! Phew! I sure was worried there for a minute! It only took a day to accomplish one of my goals. It feels good though. I got to work out with the squad today for the first time in a month or so. It was so nice to be back with them. It also gave me a chance to get to know some of the newer gymnasts that just recently joined the gym. They are all really nice and very talented! I still feel a little uneasy around everyone though. I guess I feel like I'm walking on eggshells. I don't know why. Cam and my shrink says that it's all in my head. Oh well, hopefully the feeling will go away here in a few weeks or so. Caitlyn's b-day is coming up. I'm going to have to sneak outta the gym and get her something quick! Well, I'm pretty hungry, so I better be getting down to the cafeteria to get something to eat! Later!!!

July 8 #2
Today was interesting. I went to the psychco, I mean psychologist.:)LOL! I was so scared to go, but Cam went with me and that helped a whole bunch. After Cam's dramatic act, they probably think that we are both really crazy and in need of help that no one could possibly give us! LOL! She was twitching and talking to herself. Then she would smack the side of her head and tell 'the voices in her head' to shut up. I was rolling with laughter! U just had to be there! It was hilarious! Cam definately made me feel better though and made me laugh. The shrink didn't ask me anything really. He just wanted me to talk to him. It was a 'getting to know me' session basically. I told him about my life which is mainly gymnastics and my problems with my routines and meets and stuff. He talked to Cam too. Then he talked to us together about how Cam and the other gymnasts needed to always support each other because of the high pressures and sacrifices of elite gymnastics. He did diagnose me w! ith mild to severe depression though. He said that I have to come and talk to him twice a week! He also prescribed me some 'happy drugs' called Zoloft. They are teeny tiny pills that I have to take every day. I guess they are supposed to keep my spirits high. I'm a little nervous about taking them though. I try not to take any pills, not even over the counter. I only like to take 'all natural' stuff. I'll live though and most importantly, I can concentrate on gymnastics with a better mental state and more focus. We had our team meeting tonight. It was kinda long and I had to leave before it was over. We discussed joining another organization. We also discussed squads. Speaking of squads, I hope I get put back on one soon. It's one of my major goals and a step back to recovery. My shrink said that I have to write all of my goals down and do whatever I can to achieve them, or at least try my best to achieve them. So, I decide to write them in my journal, so it'll be easier for me to keep track of them. Goals 1. Eat healthy again. 2. Write down my thoughts everyday. 3. Polish my vaults. 4. Polish my bars. 5. Polish my beam. 6. Polish my floor. 7. Add more difficulty to my routines. 8. Make the Pop squad. 9. Make the Top squad. 10. Recover my relationships with coaches and teamates. Well, that's it for now. Guess I better get to work on these:)

July 8
Well, things haven't gotten much better yet. I think the coaches have been having probs getting my workouts though. I tried something different today, so maybe that will help. I'm going to be working out very hard today and maybe get some respect back for myself and from others. I am still dealing with this major depression thing though. I wrote to my mom to tell her that I wanted to come home. She called me as soon as she got the letter all concerned and upset. We talked for hours. She is taking me to see a sports pschologist today. I'm a little scared. I think Cam might go with me though. I hope we get back in time for the team meeting. Well, more later!

July 4
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY JOURNAL!!!Sorry I haven't written to u in so long. I've been busy. The tour was so much fun!!! I love to travel. Going to different gyms was interesting too. The exhibition was so much fun! Cam and I did a routine to Devil went down to Georgia. The crowd really got into it! I luved it!!! I'm a little down journal. I did awful in the SummerFest competition. It sucked so bad!!! Then I found out that I got removed from my training squad. I must not be training hard enough. Maybe I'm not good enough to be elite anymore. I'm sure not good enough to compete elite anymore. My scores at the past few meets have shown that!!! I just laid down in my bed and cried afterwards. I am miserable. Maybe I should just leave and go back home and be a normal teenager. I think the coaches have already given up on me. Maybe it's time to give up on myself too. Sniff, sniff. Bye Journal....

April 25
Mom said yes to having a tutor! I am so excited! More hours in the gym and no school! I start getting tutored Monday. My tutor is Rhiley Schultz. She seems pretty cool. I met her today before workout.
More later!

April 23
Hello journal, its been forever since you have seen me. I feel sad:( I have like no time for the gym anymore. I have been working three jobs in real life. I am lucky if I have time to sleep or eat. It will only last a couple weeks though, then I can concentrate more on the gym. It sucks because I feel so left out right now. I was reintroduce to Alexis a couple days ago. I'm glad she is back in the gym and training. I'm thinking of getting a private tutor. I am tired of going to and from school and loosing valuable time in the gym. It would be much more convienent with a tutor. Moranda and I are going horseback riding this weekend. She doesn't know how, so I am going to teach her. I signed up to be a junior coach for the Kid Twisters program. I hope I get to. I love children and would love to teach them my fave sport. I am a little upset about the cafeteria discussion. It's not that big of a deal. We should just have our basic three meals a day and a snack. Everyone should just say what they would like and then someone could make up a menu out of what everyone says. Hopefully it will all be decided soon. Later!

April 17
I was sick yesterday:( It sucked! I finally get back so I can workout, and I get sick. Oh well! When it rains it pours! Workout was good today, but my stomach was still a little queasy. I didn't have a lot of power for vaulting and tumbling either. School has been interesting. My school at home was doing totally different stuff from my school here. I'm having to play catch up. The gals did great in the Pan Am games. I am so happy for them!

April 11
AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! It is so great to be back! I just got settled back in last night. Cam and I stayed up forever talking and stuff. I really missed her! She is going to help me catch up in gym and school! I appreciate it so much! It sucked being away from here. Home was so boring and it really didn't feel like home anyway. I couldn't do any gymnastics at all. I could only do stretching and conditioning. I had around the clock therapy appointments. Mom got sick of running me around to all of the specialists and appointments. The only cool thing was the whirlpool therapy. I got to sit in the hot tub for a while. I missed everyone so much and its awesome to be back!

March 22
Workout was solid today. Don't have much time to write. Got to get to the rec room to play air hockey with everyone.
More later!

March 21
Workout was cool today. My double twisting front layout on floor was awesome. That skill is so tough to time and land just right. I just kept nailing it today. I was so proud of my self. Vault was ok today. I had a shoulder angle on the horse. I just kept hitting the springboard wrong today. I was a gymnast with no rhythm on the board! Thats scary. LOL! Bars was decent. I hit my elements strong. I even stuck 1/1 double layout, which isn't in my routine yet. It will be eventually though. Beam was normal. Everything was solid. My dance was really fluid today. Speaking of dance, pointe class was rough today. My toes are killing me! It's bad enough that I have to tape them for gymnastics class, now ballet too. By time I'm 20, I'll have no toes left, only tape! LOL! School was ok today. We had a pop quiz in Biology. I'm sure I did ok though. It was on the anatomy of the frog. I got an A on my disection, so I should do about the same on the quiz. Alexa and I are going shopping in a couple weeks. We are going to this super huge outlet mall. It will be so much fun! I can't wait until Worlds! I got my signs done and ready! More later!

March 20
Workout was good today. I didn't do too bad. It's unusual not getting to train with the top girls in the gym. I guess thats what happens when you don't make the World team. I probably will lose my spot on the Top squad too. Whatever! I don't care. Don't get me wrong, I care, but, no one can expect me to put my workouts above important events in my personal life. I have an unfair disadvantage with not having time because I'm getting married in real life real soon. What can I do about it though. Everyone has there one probs and stuff. Some people have finals and other things. Of course, since the coaches have finals at the same time, they don't redo training squads at that time. Which gives those slacking off due to finals, an advantage. I don't have finals, I have something else. But I can't expect the coaches to make everyone happy. I just have bad timing or luck. One of the two. Well, I guess now that I'm done venting, I better go finish working out, for all its worth.

March 18
Workout was good today. I hit all of my elements well. My timing was a little off on my Polozkova, but it'll be better tomorrow. I am so excited to be going to Worlds. My mom is coming with me. We got great tickets! I'm making up signs to cheer everyone on with. I'm going to be Topopolily biggest cheerleader that night! Or at least, try to be. Alexa and I went horseback riding this weedend. It was so much fun! I loved it! More later!

March 16
AAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I'm only getting married once!LOL! Sorry, had to let out a little scream(in real life) Workout was good today! I had fun. We played some games today. It was a blast! It was a great way to chill after the trials. Well, sorry so short! More later!

March 15
Workout was good today. All of my routines are ready for trials. It would be nice to make the team, but it would be nicer if the girls who didn't make the Olympic team could go. They deserve the chance and so does anyone else who has been working hard. In real life, I have been very busy with my wedding plans so I haven't been able to do anything for extra points in the gym. It kinda sucks, but my real life is more important right now and I'm sure everyone will understand.
MOre later~

March 13
Sorry I haven't written for a few days. I have been so busy in real life. School was so much fun today! We played games in geometry and in science we did some cool labs. Workout was fun. I did fairly well. I was solid in all events, nothing spectacular happened. We played air hockey today. I won three times! It was so much fun! I feel bad for Cam with her injury(in real life). It sucks to get an injury in gymnastics when its competition season. More later!

March 7
AAAAHHHH! I am too scared to look at the rankings. I have been so busy with real life stuff that I haven't been able to do a whole lot in the gym. Workout was decent today. My vaults were a little low today. I had a major shoulder angle coming onto the horse and couldn't get the proper block. At least I landed on my feet most of the time. LOL! My bars set was pretty good today. Unusual. I usually struggle on bars. I've been doing alot of conditioning for bars before practice though. I'm sure thats helped a great deal. Beam was solid. I luv beam! Floor was powerful today. My tumbling was clean and most of my landings were too. School was alright today. I had a few tests today, but I'm sure I did ok. I spent hours studying for them this week. I can't wait until Worlds. I am really exited! I hope I do better than in the Olympics. Well, I better get some sleep. Got a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

March 5
I had so much fun this weekend. My sister's gym invited me to do any exhibition at the mall with them. There was a huge crowd. I signed so many autographs my wrists still hurts! It was great to get to do something 'gymnastics related' with my little sis. I couldn't believe my grandpa though. He took one look at me and said " Looks like you've put on some weight, I hardly recognized you". I was so embarrassed! I know that I've put on a little weight, but I didn't think it was noticable. I guess I'm just going to have to start watching what I eat a little better.
More later!

March 3
I fell asleep in school today. I was so tired! I have been so busy lately. I've had trouble sleeping too. I was so off in workout today. I just think my timing was off due to my lack of sleep. I wonder where Cam is. She hasn't been feeling well lately. She just does her workouts, eats, and sleeps. I hope she is ok. I'm a little worried about her. More later!

March 1
Workout was good today. I fell pretty hard on my dismount on beam, but I didn't get hurt or anything. It was very scary though! I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. I can't wait to do the exhibition with Alexa this weekend. It will be so much fun! School wasn't too bad today. We had some boring special assembly that was worthless. I could've been putting extra hours in the gym instead of listening to a speaker babble on about cigarette smoking. More later!

February 28
Sorry this is short. I am not feeling well today. I think maybe I got the flu.
More tomorrow!
Hopefully I feel better!

February 27
School was better today. I think I'm finally beginning to understand Geometry thanks to Cam. She has been up with me the past couple days helping me study. Workout was fun today. We played a game of Add On at the end of practice. That's a fun game for elite gymnasts to play, until you run out of room! Jess won. She had to do like 15 elements in a row for the win. We played air hockey again in the rec room. This time I wore a hard hat and safety goggles so Eva couldn't injure me with her flying pucks! Ha, ha, ha!:)

February 26
Ugh! School was boring today. It dragged on so bad. Mondays always do. I was so happy to get out and back in the gym for a grueling workout. I would take that over school anyday! Speaking of workout, it went pretty good today. We played alot of games today to get loose before the meet. I hope I did well. We don't know the scores yet, but i'm sure we will find out soon. More later!

February 25
I couldn't sleep last night. I don't know why. Suprisingly I did good in workout today even with the lack of sleep. I bet I'll sleep hard tonight. I bet Cam will have fun waking me up tomorrow morning. I don't want to go back to school tomorrow! I wish the weekends lasted longer. I played air hockey with Eva, Cam, and Jess this afternoon. Eva just missed breaking my nose with the puck! She always sends it flying! It was so much fun! I rollerbladed through the trails today. I was so relaxing and a good workout for my legs. More later!

February 25
Sorry I haven't written for a couple days! Just been busy! My teachers have given me enough homework for a lifetime this week! I don't understand geometry at all this week. I think Cam's going to help me tonight. Workouts been fun this week. I've just been polishing my new routines for world championships. I've been working so hard! I want the World's to turn out better than the Olympics did. My birthday party was fun yesterday. I got alot of really cool stuff. More later!

February 22
School was so boring today! The only cool thing was we got to disect a frog in Bio. I love science! It's one of my fortes! Workout was good today! I did a bunch of bar drills on the tumble track today. Then I tumbled on our new air track. It was so much fun! Tomorrow is my birthday! Mom is picking me up for a special dinner. I can't wait!


February 19
Alexa and I had so much fun this weekend. I was so glad to get to spend time with my little sis. We went horseback riding in the trails. It was great! Then we went to the mall to go shopping. My mom's birthday is this weekend and we had to get her something special. We got her a t-shirt with our picture on it and a computer program that she has wanted forever. We also got decorations for the suprise party we are throwing her this weekend. We didn't have school today because it is President's Day. So I spent my time wisely getting in some extra practice in the gym. I also took a long walk in the woods and relaxed in the hot tub with a book. I love having a day off. Workout was great today. I hit all of my elements pretty well and didn't really struggle with anything. More later!

February 18
AAAHHH! I got to stay on the Top squad! I am so happy. So far they have chosen three of us Cam, Jess, and me. I am so happy for Cam and Jess. They earned their spots on the squad. Workout was good today. My beam set was exceptional. I went back to the basics on bars and did extra conditioning for them. Hopefully that will make my harder moves look better and easier. Vault and floor were alright too. School was so boring! I almost fell asleep several times. I wrote an article for the twist today. I bought some stuff in the gym shop too. I can't my b-day is coming up so quick! It doesn't seem like another year has already gone by. More later!

February 15
School was ok today. I was a little late for first period. My morning workout lasted longer than I expected. Time just flew. I stayed after to do extra conditioning and it was time for class to begin before I knew it. I would've gotten detention for being late, but all elite gymnasts are exempt from that rule! Everyone is coming to our dorm tonight. I think Eva's ordering pizza and Jessica's bringing a monster pasta salad. It is going to be awesome! I love pizza and pasta salad is one of favorite foods! I think I'll go play some air hockey if I get my homework done in time. More later!

February 14
School was ok today. We had a Valentine's dance 2nd period instead of class. It was fun! I got to dance with some really cute guys! Workout was good today, very exhausting! I was happy because I thought that I held onto my spot on the Top squad. But now the coaches are doing a different selection process instead of the meet. It's ok though. I think it's a good idea. I'm pretty sure that I will still be on the Top squad. After all, I've been staying high in the rankings, working incredibly hard, and I had good reason to miss a few days of practice. After I came back, I picked up were I left off and didn't let it affect me. I feel bad for the girls who didn't do as well as they had hoped, but at least this way they have a second chance. More later!


February 13
Finally the results are up. Well, all I can say is I tried. I worked really hard and did my job. I didn't have any major mistakes and was fairly consistent. I wish I knew why I got certain scores and where I need to improve. My scores on my vaults and floor were kinda low considering how well I did on them. I tried so hard in workout to fine tune everything so it would be perfect, but in the judges eyes, it wasn't. I guess I will just have to work harder. I need to quit being so hard on myself. It's just my perfectionist personality, I guess. I did qualify for the World Championships though. I'm pretty excited about that! I hope I get to stay on the Top squad. More later!


February 12
School was nerve racking today. I had a bunch of pop quizzs. I think all of my teachers had the same idea or something. We got the results of the Classic today up to rotation 3. I am in third place! I am so excited! I hope I do ok in rotation four too. Eva and I have kinda been working together. We both had to climb out of low spots, 10th and 12th. I think rooting each other on really helped. I felt bad because of her ankle problem. I told her she could borrow my ankles if she wanted for her dismounts. That made her laugh and I think made her relax a little. Cam has been helping me out too and keeping me going and pumped up. More later!


February 11
I had fun at the meet yesterday. I'm just waiting to see the results so I know how I did. It was exciting and I enjoyed getting to do my new routines. Everyone was supportive and cheered everyone on. It was great and shows that we are all a team. Mom and Alexa came to watch. They loved my new routines especially floor. My mom said that beam scared her because it was so difficult. Cam and I couldn't sleep last night. We are so anxious to see the results!


February 10
It was such a beautiful morning this morning. I took a jog outside to get any little meet jitters out. I feel pretty confident for the meet today and excited! I can't wait to compete and get to debute my new routines. I'm so glad the mom and Alexa get to come and watch today. I wish my dad could come, but he has to run his business. Mom will be videotaping it for him so he can watch it later at home. I hope I do well today! More later


February 9
Workout was grueling today. Everyone was quite in the gym. I think everyone is pretty tensed up for the meet tomorrow. I've just been trying to stay calm and relaxed as possible. I worked really hard today. My routines are looking great. I am very proud of myself and all of the other girls for working so hard this week. It was hard to keep focused on school with everything going on at the gym, but I managed. I had a pop quiz in geometry. That kinda sucked! Oh well, hopefully I did ok on it. We are having a party at the gym this weekend. I think everyone is so excited about it. After working so hard this week, it'll be nice to just let loose and relax


February 8
Today was a pretty good day all around. School was actually fun. I made drama team. It's something that I really wanted to do and it won't affect the gym. I read in Kerri Strug's biography that in order to be successful in gymnastics you need to do other things besides gymnastics. So when they posted the try-outs for Drama team, I went for it. I was really happy about making the team. Workout was great today! The coaches were so suprised at how consistent I was with my new routines today! I even got to try my vaults on the reg vault instead of just doing them in the pit today. I was really worried about having my routines down in time for the Classic and World Trials. It's been a major concern of mine for the past few days. Everything seems to be going well though. I hope I do well. I'm not too nervous about the Classic anymore. I talked to my mom about it on the phone. She told me to just do my best and the rest will be up to the judges. She's right! As long as I do my job, no matter what happens I will feel like a winner. I feel kinda different about this meet now. I'm pumped up and ready to just perform! My routines are getting consistent and I think that if I just stay calm and do what I do in workout, everything will be fine. I trained really hard for this meet and know that I have overcome many odds the past couple weeks. More later


February 7
I got my dreaded test back in geometry. I didn't do too bad-B-. It was a lot better than I expected it to be! I can't thank all of the girls enough for how supportive they have been during this past week. I have really had a bad past week. Cam was my biggest supporter. I am so lucky to have her as a roomate. She can always make me laugh when I am down. I can't believe how fast I am moving up in the rankings! I was as low as 12th and moved up to 5th in a few days. All the hard work is paying off. More later.
Kelly Phillip

February 6
School was fun. I told the guy that asked me to go to prom that I couldn't go because of training and meets. He understood. I'll have time after gymnastics to go out and do stuff like that later. Right now I just want to do gymnastics. I am so nervous for the Classic meet. I am working so hard to get back up to the top. I'm worried about being to stay on the Top squad and worried about making it to World Championships. Both of these are so important to me right now. As long as I stay focused and keep working hard, I should be fine. More later.
Kelly Phillip

February 5
School was alright today. I got a back a test in biology. I did really well on it. Then something I didn't expect happened. I had a senior ask me to the prom! I told him I would think about it. It shocked me! It would be really cool to go, but only if it doesn't interfere with my training. Training is the most important thing in my life right now, besides my family and close friends. Speaking of training, it went pretty well today. I got in all of my new skills. My beam routine was pretty solid, except for the dismount. I am determined to learn that dismount! Well, that's all for now.

February 4
I got up nice, bright and early today. I ate a quick, lite breakfast and headed for the gym. I had a lot of work to do today. I had 3 new routines to learn and 2 new vaults. It went pretty well. I love the challenge of learning new skills, so I had a lot of fun. I got the timing and technique down on my new vaults. I was really happy about that! My bars routine will take a few days to learn, but bars is my worst event, so thats to be expected. Beam was awesome! I love my new routine. It has a LOT of difficulty! It's my best event though, so I can handle it. Floor was..........words can't describe it! My routine is to one of my favorite songs so I guess that pretty much explains it. It kept me pumped up and ready to go! The choreography is great! I got some of my choreography from the new movie Coyote Ugly. It's really unique and its not traditional. I hope the judges like it. The most challenging skill for me today was my beam dismount. It's pretty tricky. It's a totally blind landing too. It's a round off arabian double front. I'm sure I'll get it down pat in no time though. Well, I better get to the cafeteria and eat before my next workout.

January 29
It was hard to get up again this morning after the superbowl party. It was so much fun. I still don't know about Russia. Mom said that she is leaning towards yes, but still hasn't given me an answer.

January 28
I overslept a little bit this morning. I didn't even have time for a morning workout. I had to go straight to school. I can't believe Cam didn't wake me up. She said that she tried but I wouldn't budge. I'm still waiting on my answer from my mom about Russia. I can't wait!


January 27
The sunshine was beautiful this morning. I took a walk after workout just to enjoy it. I went to the mall with Alexa this afternoon. It was great to see my little sis. Afterwards I took Lex into the gym with coaches permission and tried to teach her a few things. She learns so quickly. I hope she can come here when she gets older. I talked to Mom today too. She's actually thinking about sending me to Russia to the gymnastics clinic there for a few weeks in Febuary as a b-day present. I am so excited! I will miss Topopolilly while I am gone, but I'm sure everything will be the same when I get back. Cam will have to get up on her own without my singing for a few weeks, but I'm sure Grandma Benni will help her with that.:)

January 25
Today was a good day. I did great on all of the tests I got back in school today even Geometry. I was suprised! Also today is Friday! No school for 2 days. Thank god! Workout was pretty cool today. My skills are going great. I can't wait to add them to my routines. It's going to be awesome! I hope the coaches hold out on me and realize that I am working hard to get back to where I was. Well, that's about all for today.

January 22
I woke up with a mission today To get out of the slum I am in and get focused on my gymnastics. I think it went pretty well. I starting learning some new skills today. I haven't changed my routines yet, just working up towards it slowly. I feel alot better. The spark is back! I know that it will take some time to get back and get my life on track again. I am working hard and I hope that everything continues to look up.

January 21
Sorry I woke up with a mission today To get out of the slum I am in and get focused on my gymnastics. I think it went pretty well. I starting learning some new skills today. I haven't changed my routines yet, just working up towards it slowly. I feel alot better. The spark is back! I know that it will take some time to get back and get my life on track again. I am working hard and I hope that everything continues to look up. I haven't wrote for a few days. I haven't been myself lately. Everything has just been really screwed up. I'm going through a real slum. My rankings have dropped. I haven't been working out as much. I hardly eat anything at all. I didn't get chosen for the Visa Challenge. Can anybody do anything else to make me more depressed?

January 18
I got up early today to start workout. It was a bad idea. I landed on my right ankle wrong on my yurchenko. Nothing serious, just sore. I soaked it in the whirlpool for a few minutes before school. We are learning something new in geometry. It's pretty hard. I didn't get it at all. Hopefully I will catch on soon. I dropped way down in the rankings. The the last thing I need right now. My luck just isn't so great right now. This week has really sucked. I am so depressed!

January 17
Sorry it has been so long since I wrote. The past few days have been really crazy. A few days ago, my mom and dad showed up here at 4:00am to pick me up. My grandma passed away. It was a shock! I will miss her so much. I just got back today. I have a terrible case of jet lag. Usually it doesn't bother me, but I haven't been sleeping well either. My workouts were terrible today. I got two huge rips on the bars today during workout. Nothing went well at all. I was so shaky. It was like I had never done gymnastics before or something! Ok, it wasn't that bad, but it wasn't all that good either. I was just getting up in the top ranks too. Now I am down to seventh and it will probably take forever for me to climb back up. I will have to work harder than ever. I hate having to come up from behind, but unexpected things happen and you just got to deal with them. I found out that Cam was gone the same time I was. Our room basically sat empty for a few days. I bet that was weird! Well, I better go get some sleep, I am so tired!

January 14
Workout went well today. I have been very busy the past few days. I will write more later.


January 12
I over slept a little today. Not by alot, just about 15 minutes. Since I didn't get up, Cam didn't get up either. So, she was a little late too. We just hurried up with our showers to make up for it. Workout was alright this morning. No major mistakes. School was normal-boring. I caught up on some extra sleep in biology though. That was the highlight of my morning. I played ping pong with Ivy and Morgan in the rec room today. We had a lot of fun. Ivy was unbeatable! I was excited to see that I was ranked #1 in the gym today. I had to look twice. I almost didn't believe it. It's cool. I ate dinner with Cam and Eva today. We went to a restaurant uptown. It was pretty good. We don't get to splurge often, so it was nice. More later!

January 11
I woke up feeling sick today. I ate really light lunch and no breakfast. I hope i am not coming down with something. I only worked out twice today instead of the normal 3 times. I think I'm going to go to bed early and hope that I feel better tomorrow.

January 10
Cam and I got up early today and played air hockey until morning workout. Then we worked out and jumped on the trampoline with Ivy for awhile. Eva sat on the trampoline and we bounced her way up almost to the ceiling! She went way over our heads! It's good to have her back. School was lousy today. I got my test back in geometry. I didn't do as well as I thought I did. Oh well! More later!

January 9
I scarfed down breakfast this morning. For some reason, I woke up incredibily hungry today. I must have been dreaming of food all night! Workout was good today. I did some new and extra conditioning today. Fun:( Conditioning sucks! Oh well, it will help me improve so it's worth it! Cam was kinda quite today. I don't know what she was upset about. Krista's birthday was today. We had a party for her. It was alot of fun. I know when I turned 13 it was so special. I hope it was special for her too.

January 8
I woke up an hour early today. I was just wide awake. I had a terrible nightmare and couln't go back to sleep. I tried reading a book, but then I just gave up. I headed for the gym and started working out. It was so quiet. By time I finished my workout, everyone else was showing up. So I left and hit the shower. I don't know what was wrong with me today. I just felt like being alone today. I kept to myself all day. I hope no one was offended. I took a walk in the woods. Then I called Alexa and talked to her for awhile. I miss my little sis! She said that mom might let her come to Topopolily when she gets a little older. I think she should. She would have a lot of fun and make a lot of great friends. Well more later.

January 7 #2


January 7
Workout went well today. I had to go to the doctor today. I sucked. I got stuck there forever. I missed my afternoon workout. By time I got back I had enough time to eat and go to sleep.

January 6
I got up early today. I needed to get in my morning workout before I hit the slopes. Mom and Dad dropped off Alexa and my friends around 1:00 today. We headed off to the slopes and went skiing. It was a blast! I was really careful because I didn't want to get injured. I got back just in time for my afternoon workout. Then I got something to eat at the Cafateria. Then I put in an extra workout this evening. I am totally exhausted! Gotta get some rest!

January 5 #2
Workout was ok today. My bars routine sucked this morning. My timing was so off! Especially on my releases. I got really tired on falling 10 feet to the mat real quick. I worked on it some more this afternoon and my timing was a lot better. My floor routine was exsquisite! I felt like I was the music! Everything was so in tune and clicked! Kassi and I played ping pong in the rec room today. We are tied. We each won 3 games. Then everyone wanted to join. So we had a little tournament. It was fun!

January 5
I slept in a tiny bit today. I was exhausted after having such a busy day yesterday. Hmmm. What should I do this weekend? I think I might go skiing. I know it's a little risky with so many competitions coming up, but I gotta have a little fun. I'll just have to be careful and go on the baby hills. I should see if any of my friends back home want to go. I'm sure my sis will go. I can't wait for school to be over with. Since I don't take many holiday breaks, my tutor said that I should be done by April. That would be nice! I'm a great student, it just gets kinda hard sometimes balancing the gym and school. Well, i better get something to eat!

January 4 #2
We are still waiting the results from the Olympic finals. I can't wait to see how I did. The suspense is killing me! I can't wait to see how Cam did in AAfinals. I played some air hockey with Ivy in the game room this afternoon. Then I went for a walk in the woods to get some time away. I had such a busy day- I need some Me time. I hope whoever gets choosen does well in the American Cup trials. I'll be there rooting them on. I might embarrass them though. I am a pretty loud cheerleader!:)
Well, I better get some sleep!

January 4
I got up early today. I must have woke up on the right side of the bed, because I have been in a great mood all day. I worked out extra hard today. Today was aerobics day. Ugh! By the end of workout, my body felt limp and like jello. I relaxed my muscles in the hot tub for a few minutes after practice. I was aching! It was worth it! My routines felt really strong today. I love it when I have an on day! Everthing just seems to click. I went shopping with my sis for a little bit today. Mom and dad came and picked me up and took us to the mall for a couple of hours. I got this really awesome outfit! I also got some candles and incense for our dorm. I hope Cam likes lilac.
Well, more later!

Jan 3
Workout was good today. I slept in a little bit today. I have been getting up at the butt crack of dawn everyday. So sleeping in was a change. I worked on adding a full twist to my double lo today. It will take a while to learn. I'm just trying to add new skills, so when I can compete them I can add them to my routines. I wonder when the finals results will be in?
Well more later.

Jan 1, 2001
Workout went well today. Mom called me today. She is very proud of me and my perfomance at the Olympics. I am still waiting to see the results of the beam final. I hope I did well. I received a bunch of fan mail today. My mom forwarded all of my fan mail to the gym. It's going to take me awhile to respond to each of them. I will try to get them finished by the end of the week though. Cam got alot too. I am so happy for her! I am so glad that she made all around finals. It is quite an accomplishment! I can't wait to cheer her on.

December 31

I rolled out of bed this morning even before the alarm went off. I have been so motivated on edge I can hardly sleep. Cam couldn't sleep anymore either. So we went to the Caf and had a light breakfast and went to the gym. Cam helped my on bars and vault, my worst two events. Then I helped her with beam. Then we jumped on the trampoline together for awhile. Then went to floor. We had a fun workout.I walked down to the office afterwards and found out that 1. I made it to the Top squad. and 2. I got a perfect 10 on beam in the prelims. I am so excited! All of the hard work is finally paying off. I am so happy to be on the TOP squad. I know I will have to work very hard to stay there though. Everyone here is so good.I can't wait until event finals. I had the beam routine of my life in the prelims and I hope to repeat that in the finals. I would love to bring home a medal. Also teams are getting chosen for the Campbells Soup meet soon. I worked really hard today. I want to make it on that team. I planned a meet yesterday. It's an exhibition. It will be so much fun. Everyone is allowed to have costumes and whatever music they want. Well, better get to the Caf and get something to eat!


December 30

I think the Olympics went pretty well. I won't know what the results are yet. I had a few mistakes, but nothing major. It was so much fun. We had so many fans there. It was unreal! My mom took so many pictures. They kept saying overhead, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. I don't think my mom or anyone elses was listening. I hope she sends me some copies.

December 29

I can't believe that the Olympics are today. I hope I do well. I am so nervous. I know I will be fine once I start my routines. I did alot of visualizing last night in bed. It was so hard to sleep, so I figured I would do something productive. I don't think Cam got much sleep either. This is going to be so exciting.

December 28

I woke up early this morning. So I decided to get in some extra practice in the gym. Luckily I didn't wake Cameron up. I would have felt so bad if I woke her up earlier than normal. To my suprise, Morgan was already up and in the gym working out. She said that she needed to make up for the time she had lost being away. I was very impressed. That shows a lot of dedication. I'm sure any of the other gymnasts would do the same. I guess I just wasn't quite awake yet and wasn't expecting anyone else to be there. We had a good time though, working out together and helping each other. My muscles were so sore after not training for a few days and having such a hard workout yesterday. I can't believe that the Olympics are tomorrow. I am so excited! I probably won't be able to sleep tonight.

December 27

Cameron was bouncing around the room all morning. She woke me up to tell me that we both made the Olympic team. I sat straight up. At first I couldn't believe it. My dream has finally come true? I had to see it for myself. Cameron drug me out of bed and all the way down the hall in our PJ's to show me the list. I was so happy I screamed and I think I woke just about everyone else up. Everyone looked out their doors to see me and Cameron jumping up and down and hugging. I am so excited. We are going to make a great team. I know we will do so well. I feel so bad for the ones that didn't make it. I really don't know what to say to them. We all worked so hard and unfortunately only a handfull of us could go. Everyone was striving for the same goal. There will be other Olympics and I'm sure everyone who stays with it and continues to work hard will get their chance down the road. It was so nice to be back in the gym and work out. I pushed myself so hard today. I want to do well at the Olympics and the other meets coming up as well. Well, in conclusion, it's great to be back.

December 26

I got in very late tonight. I was supposed to be back this morning, but traffic was terrible. We got stuck in so many traffic jams. I was disappointed because I didn't get to workout today. I had a great time with my family, but I was aching to get back to the gym. I had a great christmas and got alot of great gifts. I couldn't believe how much my little sis has grown in the short time I was gone. It was great to see everyone.