It seems as though much of the city is closed on the weekend except for bars and night clubs. My teammate thought it was probably a good thing that things close so that you are forced to hang out with your family. I am not sure if "forced" is a good word for it but that's the reality. I forget that outside of the United States, there aren't many countries that believe in 24 hour/7 day a week convenience.
Today's tasks include trying to find a gym to work out at. That is no easy task considering that everything is always closed. I'm just glad that I know enough yoga to do a practice/workout in the mornings at the apartment I am staying at.
My roommate arrived yesterday afternoon and it's great having someone around. Although I do have to admit that I am not the greatest at being quiet and tip toeing around when they are still asleep. I think one of my sister's old roommate's used to call me T-Rex when I went to visit her. Meaning that I have the tendency to stomp around the house and wake everyone up.
There isn't much else going on this morning. The one thing that I do have to accomplish today is figuring out the washer/dryer combination. I can't seem to get the thing to dry my clothes. Yesterday my clothes were spining on the "dry mode" for about 160 minutes and they still came out hot and wet. Not a good combination. Oh well.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
I'm heeerrreeee!!!
I have arrived in Budapest. I just landed about three hours ago and I finished unpacking about thirty minutes ago. It took me about three days to pack and about a half an hour to unpack all my things. The woman at the Delta desk that checked me in at the Rochester airport was very interested in the fact that I could pack so much that one of my bags weighed 75 pounds just by itself. Maybe it's the jar of peanut butter or maybe all the power bars I brought? The good thing is that most of the stuff in my bags I won't be taking back since it's almost all food and snacks for the competitions.
Anyways, I am definitely jet lagged. My plan for today is as follows: grocery store, meditation and some stretching, and then a much needed nap. I know napping isn't so great for jet lag but I think I've earned it. I'm meeting the rest of the team across the Danube tonight for dinner.
I'm truly excited to be here in Budapest. The weather is great and outside of my window I can see the National Museum of Hungary. :) Sometimes this fencing gig really pays off.
Anyways, I am definitely jet lagged. My plan for today is as follows: grocery store, meditation and some stretching, and then a much needed nap. I know napping isn't so great for jet lag but I think I've earned it. I'm meeting the rest of the team across the Danube tonight for dinner.
I'm truly excited to be here in Budapest. The weather is great and outside of my window I can see the National Museum of Hungary. :) Sometimes this fencing gig really pays off.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Euro Trip
I haven't blogged in a while so I feel like I should make up with two blogs this evening. Actually, the truth is I have big news. I'm moving to Budapest, Hungary tomorrow until March 17th.
Myself and four other girls will be using Budapest as a central location in Europe in order to travel to our tournaments. These world cups that we will be attending count towards Olympic qualification. So, the short answer folks, after these tournaments we will know who is going to Beijing in August.
The team will be determined on April 1st and will be officially announced at the national competition in Portland, Oregon on April 27th.
The world cup schedule:
Feb 9-10 Belgrade, Serbia
Feb 16-17 Salzburg Austria
Feb 23-24 Leipzig, Germany
Feb 29-March 1 Gdansk, Poland
Mar 5-7 St. Petersburg Russia
Mar 15-16 Budapest, Hungary
(move back home between Budapest and Marseille)
Mar 29-30 World Cup Marseille, France
I hope everyone is as excited as I am! The flight leaves from Rochester at 2pm tomorrow afternoon and I should be landing in Budapest at 8:05am which is 1am on the east coast.
My hope is to blog while I am overseas-I love the fact that the apartment has wireless internet! Let's hear it for modern technology and the ability to stay in touch even if you are in Budapest.
Myself and four other girls will be using Budapest as a central location in Europe in order to travel to our tournaments. These world cups that we will be attending count towards Olympic qualification. So, the short answer folks, after these tournaments we will know who is going to Beijing in August.
The team will be determined on April 1st and will be officially announced at the national competition in Portland, Oregon on April 27th.
The world cup schedule:
Feb 9-10 Belgrade, Serbia
Feb 16-17 Salzburg Austria
Feb 23-24 Leipzig, Germany
Feb 29-March 1 Gdansk, Poland
Mar 5-7 St. Petersburg Russia
Mar 15-16 Budapest, Hungary
(move back home between Budapest and Marseille)
Mar 29-30 World Cup Marseille, France
I hope everyone is as excited as I am! The flight leaves from Rochester at 2pm tomorrow afternoon and I should be landing in Budapest at 8:05am which is 1am on the east coast.
My hope is to blog while I am overseas-I love the fact that the apartment has wireless internet! Let's hear it for modern technology and the ability to stay in touch even if you are in Budapest.
Recap on Atlanta/Speak into my good ear
Just to remind everyone-I fenced in a National tournament almost two weeks ago in Atlanta, Georgia.
It's the first tournament since I have been back that I really felt ready for-physically, mentally, etc. However, my ear did not feel the same way about the situation. "Huh?" You might say, let me explain.
It all started just a week before I was supposed to leave....
I woke up one morning with swelling on the cartilidge of my right ear. It sort of looked like a cross between a bug bite gone wrong and something a wrestler would get. Apparently I'm wrestling in my sleep?
Anyways, I spent the week at practice with very little discomfort even though the mask was right up against my ear. The thought to go to the doctor did cross my mind, but I wanted to wait a little bit and maybe the swelling would go down on it's own.
No.
About a week later and a day before I leave for Atlanta, I saw a ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. The ENT looked at me and said, you have swelling in your ear and you can't fence for about a week or two after I lance it and take care of it. What? No. Way. I did not have the time to just wait around for this thing to heal and what about it is such a big deal?
The doctor warned me that it could get worse and if left untreated my ear would be somewhat deformed for life (think of caulliflower ear...ew..). Scary thought, but I had to fence the competition. To which he replied, "Well, we all make choices in our life, don't we." Yeah, we do, and I chose at that moment to walk away from the office and set up an appointment to get my ear drained as soon as I get back from Atlanta.
That's when the real drama began. After I warmed up and fenced my first bout, my ear just swelled up more and more. The thing had swollen up to a size of a small egg in the cartilidge of my ear. The pain at that point was unbelievable it was at that point the trainer told me that I might have to pull out of the competition. To which I responded with tears and probably a few choice words.
I thought about it and I decided that I would rather cut my ear off than stop fencing in the tournament. Was it the adrenaline talking? There was no way that I would be held back by something as crazy as an "ear injury". I was very angry and subsequently beat people in my first round pool rather badly. I was not a happy camper but anger can be very helpful during competition.
The saga continued. Throughout the day the ear got worse and I couldn't put my mask on without A LOT of pain. So, the trainers and my physical therapist rigged a bolster to be put around my ear and wrapped around my head like some head injury victim. It was truly amazing-I thought I looked like a vet from those old WWII movies. I had to have someone help me put my mask on and I looked absolutely ridiculous. I didn't care about the look but fencing with extra padding in my mask was none too comfortable.
I ended up sixth overall and I lost to the girl that eventually won the competition. Amazing that I did that well considering my ear was exploding! After I lost my match in the top-eight I left for the nearest emergency room to drain my ear. There was no way that I would get on a plane with a very swollen and painful right ear. I just couldn't believe my luck that day.
To make the long story a little shorter. The nurse at the ER drained about two teaspoons of blood from my ear (um, without waiting for the novicaine to kick in before she cut into it with a scalpel). The next day I got off the plane in Rochester and headed right over to the ENT who cut it open again and placed a tight bolster on it so that it could heal. I didn't fence for all of last week because I couldn't put a mask on.
After the ENT took the stiches and bloster out I had to come up with a way to put my mask on without irritating the ear. This actually proved to be more of a challenge than I thought. I went to a guy that makes prosthesis for a living and he couldn't think of anything except to put some sort of ski headgear on to protect the ear. He also thought about some wrestlers head gear-there was no way any of that was going to fit underneath my mask along with my large melon head. I also thought of a hundred different things and rejected them all including my Dad's suggestion to put a jar lid on my ear. Who knows what he was thinking? What has worked so far is wearing a bandana that ties my ear back so I can slip the mask on and off without doing much damage.
The things we go through.
At least the bandana makes me look somewhat scary or maybe just looks like I'm about to do some house work/serious dusting. Either way-it covers up my poor little/swollen right ear.
It's the first tournament since I have been back that I really felt ready for-physically, mentally, etc. However, my ear did not feel the same way about the situation. "Huh?" You might say, let me explain.
It all started just a week before I was supposed to leave....
I woke up one morning with swelling on the cartilidge of my right ear. It sort of looked like a cross between a bug bite gone wrong and something a wrestler would get. Apparently I'm wrestling in my sleep?
Anyways, I spent the week at practice with very little discomfort even though the mask was right up against my ear. The thought to go to the doctor did cross my mind, but I wanted to wait a little bit and maybe the swelling would go down on it's own.
No.
About a week later and a day before I leave for Atlanta, I saw a ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. The ENT looked at me and said, you have swelling in your ear and you can't fence for about a week or two after I lance it and take care of it. What? No. Way. I did not have the time to just wait around for this thing to heal and what about it is such a big deal?
The doctor warned me that it could get worse and if left untreated my ear would be somewhat deformed for life (think of caulliflower ear...ew..). Scary thought, but I had to fence the competition. To which he replied, "Well, we all make choices in our life, don't we." Yeah, we do, and I chose at that moment to walk away from the office and set up an appointment to get my ear drained as soon as I get back from Atlanta.
That's when the real drama began. After I warmed up and fenced my first bout, my ear just swelled up more and more. The thing had swollen up to a size of a small egg in the cartilidge of my ear. The pain at that point was unbelievable it was at that point the trainer told me that I might have to pull out of the competition. To which I responded with tears and probably a few choice words.
I thought about it and I decided that I would rather cut my ear off than stop fencing in the tournament. Was it the adrenaline talking? There was no way that I would be held back by something as crazy as an "ear injury". I was very angry and subsequently beat people in my first round pool rather badly. I was not a happy camper but anger can be very helpful during competition.
The saga continued. Throughout the day the ear got worse and I couldn't put my mask on without A LOT of pain. So, the trainers and my physical therapist rigged a bolster to be put around my ear and wrapped around my head like some head injury victim. It was truly amazing-I thought I looked like a vet from those old WWII movies. I had to have someone help me put my mask on and I looked absolutely ridiculous. I didn't care about the look but fencing with extra padding in my mask was none too comfortable.
I ended up sixth overall and I lost to the girl that eventually won the competition. Amazing that I did that well considering my ear was exploding! After I lost my match in the top-eight I left for the nearest emergency room to drain my ear. There was no way that I would get on a plane with a very swollen and painful right ear. I just couldn't believe my luck that day.
To make the long story a little shorter. The nurse at the ER drained about two teaspoons of blood from my ear (um, without waiting for the novicaine to kick in before she cut into it with a scalpel). The next day I got off the plane in Rochester and headed right over to the ENT who cut it open again and placed a tight bolster on it so that it could heal. I didn't fence for all of last week because I couldn't put a mask on.
After the ENT took the stiches and bloster out I had to come up with a way to put my mask on without irritating the ear. This actually proved to be more of a challenge than I thought. I went to a guy that makes prosthesis for a living and he couldn't think of anything except to put some sort of ski headgear on to protect the ear. He also thought about some wrestlers head gear-there was no way any of that was going to fit underneath my mask along with my large melon head. I also thought of a hundred different things and rejected them all including my Dad's suggestion to put a jar lid on my ear. Who knows what he was thinking? What has worked so far is wearing a bandana that ties my ear back so I can slip the mask on and off without doing much damage.
The things we go through.
At least the bandana makes me look somewhat scary or maybe just looks like I'm about to do some house work/serious dusting. Either way-it covers up my poor little/swollen right ear.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A hard day's work
I got home today from practice and didn't say a word to my parents. It was almost as if I was in some sort of dream state after two practices and a workout with my trainer. Towards the end of the lesson at 6:30 today I wasn't in a mood to say anything but I think my coach got the point when I felt like I couldn't take another step. Sometimes I think athletes truly get to know their bodies well through pain. I think each of the four muscles of the quadraceps have been asking me to take a break. I wish I could convince them to move so I can get a cup of tea from downstairs.
I will definitely start tapering soon as I have a competiton coming up on Monday. I'm leaving for Atlanta on Saturday and fencing on Monday-fingers crossed everyone. I like to leave a few days early to get some lessons from my coach at the fencing venue. I'm a fan of Atlanta and that southern sweet tea (just don't tell my trainer if I have some). Maybe the extra sugar will add a boost to my lunges? We'll just go with that train of thought.
Speaking of athletes and bodies-how can I go another day without mentioning the sad goings on of Marion Jones? First of all, some of the headlines call her the ex-Olympian. This woman, no matter what she did, is still an Olympian. She is an extraordinary athlete and she made that team and if you are an Olympian, you are always an Olympian. How can you be an ex Olympian? Are you an ex-Oscar winner? I think the person who wrote that was probably not an athlete.
I know that a lot of you out there feel as though she got what was coming to her. I agree that she has made some seriously bad choices but I honestly feel badly for this woman. I think that it's easy for an athlete to get caught up in so many things. We expect so much from these athletes and when they don't deliver it's almost worst than having to give back those medals a few years later. Maybe it isn't worse than six months in jail, but it is still pretty bad to feel like you are a major dissapointment.
As for Marion, I am not sure what she was doing in the check fraud scam. Again, I think it was hard for her to handle her own affairs as she spent all her life as an athlete with a singular focus. The truth is, how many athletes out there are really that smart? Just because you are good at something, famous, or have money-it doesn't mean that the hamster is on it's wheel, if you know what I mean.
Speaking of hamsters of the wheel, this brings me to Roger Clemens. This guy and his B-12 gluteous maximus injections. Can't he just take a pill like the rest of us? I think they sell B-12 in pill form at most vitamin shops and grocery stores..I think Target even sells their own version of B-12. Instead he has to get injected after a workout. Hmmm....eat a banana or something.
But, here again I don't place full blame on Clemens. I think in part we are all to blame. There is significant amount of pressure that is placed on athlete performance. Not that there shouldn't be since there getting paid, but there is so much pressure. Would you like people coming to where you work and heckling you from beside your desk? And if you don't close that deal that day or you were goofing of and googling your co-workers, you will be scrutinized in the newspaper the next day, or even worse, just fired right off the bat. All I ask is for just a moment we take the athlete into consideration. What would cause an athlete to be so desparate that they would inject steroids into their system that could potential compromise their quality of life?
Alright, I'm off the soapbox and I'm off to bed. I know it's only ten but it's been a long day. I haven't had any B-12 injections so I need to do the normal person thing and sleep enough hours to recover.
I will definitely start tapering soon as I have a competiton coming up on Monday. I'm leaving for Atlanta on Saturday and fencing on Monday-fingers crossed everyone. I like to leave a few days early to get some lessons from my coach at the fencing venue. I'm a fan of Atlanta and that southern sweet tea (just don't tell my trainer if I have some). Maybe the extra sugar will add a boost to my lunges? We'll just go with that train of thought.
Speaking of athletes and bodies-how can I go another day without mentioning the sad goings on of Marion Jones? First of all, some of the headlines call her the ex-Olympian. This woman, no matter what she did, is still an Olympian. She is an extraordinary athlete and she made that team and if you are an Olympian, you are always an Olympian. How can you be an ex Olympian? Are you an ex-Oscar winner? I think the person who wrote that was probably not an athlete.
I know that a lot of you out there feel as though she got what was coming to her. I agree that she has made some seriously bad choices but I honestly feel badly for this woman. I think that it's easy for an athlete to get caught up in so many things. We expect so much from these athletes and when they don't deliver it's almost worst than having to give back those medals a few years later. Maybe it isn't worse than six months in jail, but it is still pretty bad to feel like you are a major dissapointment.
As for Marion, I am not sure what she was doing in the check fraud scam. Again, I think it was hard for her to handle her own affairs as she spent all her life as an athlete with a singular focus. The truth is, how many athletes out there are really that smart? Just because you are good at something, famous, or have money-it doesn't mean that the hamster is on it's wheel, if you know what I mean.
Speaking of hamsters of the wheel, this brings me to Roger Clemens. This guy and his B-12 gluteous maximus injections. Can't he just take a pill like the rest of us? I think they sell B-12 in pill form at most vitamin shops and grocery stores..I think Target even sells their own version of B-12. Instead he has to get injected after a workout. Hmmm....eat a banana or something.
But, here again I don't place full blame on Clemens. I think in part we are all to blame. There is significant amount of pressure that is placed on athlete performance. Not that there shouldn't be since there getting paid, but there is so much pressure. Would you like people coming to where you work and heckling you from beside your desk? And if you don't close that deal that day or you were goofing of and googling your co-workers, you will be scrutinized in the newspaper the next day, or even worse, just fired right off the bat. All I ask is for just a moment we take the athlete into consideration. What would cause an athlete to be so desparate that they would inject steroids into their system that could potential compromise their quality of life?
Alright, I'm off the soapbox and I'm off to bed. I know it's only ten but it's been a long day. I haven't had any B-12 injections so I need to do the normal person thing and sleep enough hours to recover.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Get the ball rolling
The countdown begins until the women's foil team moves to Budapest for the Olympic qualification process. Five women are going to use Budapest as our central training location and we will be traveling each weekend, for seven weekends in a row, to different cities for world cups. Each world cup will count towards the selection process for the US Olympic team.
I can't believe how things are coming down to the wire. Our flight to Budapest is on the 31st of this month! It really is 2008 and the Olympics are really this year.
This train of thought got me onto another train of thought a bit separate from this. I know a year from now that my life will be so different. For one thing I think (and I hope) I won't be living with my parents. My life of being a high school teenager again will be over. Se la vie-we must move out at some point and I probably overstayed my visit. I know I shouldn't be thinking so far ahead but I can't imagine life without fencing-that's something I am going to have to decide as well. Will this be the last run?
Anyways, I shouldn't be on that train of thought too long. It's this time and this moment that are the most important and the most exciting. It really is almost time to get this process going.
Before I end this short entry and head to sleep for my required 8 hours a night, I just like to say again how excited I am that things are coming together. Also, isn't it funny how the Olympic race is sort of running paralell to the presidential race? And after the speech I gave last week at the golf club, my father is convinced that I will run for president. No, thank you.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Remember, it's almost the weekend.
I can't believe how things are coming down to the wire. Our flight to Budapest is on the 31st of this month! It really is 2008 and the Olympics are really this year.
This train of thought got me onto another train of thought a bit separate from this. I know a year from now that my life will be so different. For one thing I think (and I hope) I won't be living with my parents. My life of being a high school teenager again will be over. Se la vie-we must move out at some point and I probably overstayed my visit. I know I shouldn't be thinking so far ahead but I can't imagine life without fencing-that's something I am going to have to decide as well. Will this be the last run?
Anyways, I shouldn't be on that train of thought too long. It's this time and this moment that are the most important and the most exciting. It really is almost time to get this process going.
Before I end this short entry and head to sleep for my required 8 hours a night, I just like to say again how excited I am that things are coming together. Also, isn't it funny how the Olympic race is sort of running paralell to the presidential race? And after the speech I gave last week at the golf club, my father is convinced that I will run for president. No, thank you.
Hope everyone is having a great week! Remember, it's almost the weekend.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
On this day
On this day 27 years ago Iris Zimmermann was born at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, NY. Yes folks, it was my birthday today and what a birthday it was.
This morning I woke up early to do my usual Sunday morning meditation with a local Zen Buddhist group. What a great way to start another year of life than getting your mind in the right place?
After our meditation sessions usually the group sits down to a small brunch of bagels and other assorted carbs-of course nothing is on my list of "to eat while training" but I figure eh-it's my birthday. I dug into a plain bagel with scallion cream cheese-one of my favorite combinations. I hope that the three clementine oranges I ate in addition to the bagel helped to nuetralize the calorie intake. Perhaps not.
It was so great to sit with this large group, eleven in total, and just talk to them about life and what they were up to. Of course the topic of the Olympics came up but it was more in passing than anything else. I enjoyed hearing stories from the other members about what they are currently reading, writing, and what they thought of my generation. Of course my generation is too distracted by technology and doesn't honor wisdom and age. I hope that isn't true since I am working my way up the age ladder myself.
Then it was on to the Shanghai restaurant for some dim sum with my parents. Celebrations at the Zimmermann household always include food. It was nice to sit down and have a sort of formal meal with my parents. In true family fashion we finished pretty quickly but we did have some time to talk. I asked my mom about zen Buddhism-which she is a part of and what she thought about meditation. It was nice to get her opinion on something other than her distaste for my nose ring and her negative comments about Barack Obama (we differ on who we are voting for in the primary).
During our dim sum outing our family had a chance to reconnect with some family friends. They were visiting from China and it was nice to talk to them about Beijing. The group was so excited and it was cool to see how proud my mother was at the prospect of my going to China. That moment was great-no matter what happens-I will remember that smile on her face. Everyone in the chinese community that is close to us is excited about the possibility of my going to China to compete. They all have something to say like-"Chinese have a very long history of sword fighting. Are you familiar of the Shao Lin methods (cheesy kung-fu films are now entering my mind at this point)?" It's nice that everyone wants to help.
Speaking of parents being proud. I brought my father with me on Friday to the speech I made to the local Volleyball club. There were about 90 people there, not as many as I thought but I am glad for that. Anyways, I had a great time speaking there and I think I did a pretty good job. In my father's opinion I was "tremendous and there wasn't a sound because everyone was listening to me speak." It's nice to get that kind of feedback from my dad but I think he was a bit biased. The coolest thing about it is that he told me he would never forget watching me up there and he can't wait to support me as the next woman president. To which my mother responded, "Hillary will be the first woman president." My family is nuts but I love them.
More about the birthday. After the dim sum I came home, napped (one of my favorite activities), and then headed to the gym. It's amazing how warm it is in Rochester right now-it's about 50 degrees out and supposed to reach 60 by Wednesday. Unbelievable considering 27 years ago on this day it was only 2 degrees. My Mom says it was so cold you could hear the ice crackle under the car tires on the way to the hospital.
I'm ending this day with a blog (another of my favorite activities) and some thoughts about how amazing it is to get older. I know a lot of people fear it but I am grateful for this past year and all the things I have learned. 2008 will be a great year to continue to grow and learn.
There is a short poem from a Buddhist monk about getting older. It's short and too the point but he encapsulates what I feel about it.
Apparition
by Thich Nhat Hanh, 1966
Being young
is like sweet sunshine
flooding the Summer sky.
Quiet noon-
Years and months
are just the expressions of Earth.
Why take note
of the never-ending seasons?
Poems are always up to interpretation but to me this summarizes youth and growing up. It's just something that happens like the turn of one season to another.
I hope everyone is well and there is always more blogging to be done. Have a great week!
This morning I woke up early to do my usual Sunday morning meditation with a local Zen Buddhist group. What a great way to start another year of life than getting your mind in the right place?
After our meditation sessions usually the group sits down to a small brunch of bagels and other assorted carbs-of course nothing is on my list of "to eat while training" but I figure eh-it's my birthday. I dug into a plain bagel with scallion cream cheese-one of my favorite combinations. I hope that the three clementine oranges I ate in addition to the bagel helped to nuetralize the calorie intake. Perhaps not.
It was so great to sit with this large group, eleven in total, and just talk to them about life and what they were up to. Of course the topic of the Olympics came up but it was more in passing than anything else. I enjoyed hearing stories from the other members about what they are currently reading, writing, and what they thought of my generation. Of course my generation is too distracted by technology and doesn't honor wisdom and age. I hope that isn't true since I am working my way up the age ladder myself.
Then it was on to the Shanghai restaurant for some dim sum with my parents. Celebrations at the Zimmermann household always include food. It was nice to sit down and have a sort of formal meal with my parents. In true family fashion we finished pretty quickly but we did have some time to talk. I asked my mom about zen Buddhism-which she is a part of and what she thought about meditation. It was nice to get her opinion on something other than her distaste for my nose ring and her negative comments about Barack Obama (we differ on who we are voting for in the primary).
During our dim sum outing our family had a chance to reconnect with some family friends. They were visiting from China and it was nice to talk to them about Beijing. The group was so excited and it was cool to see how proud my mother was at the prospect of my going to China. That moment was great-no matter what happens-I will remember that smile on her face. Everyone in the chinese community that is close to us is excited about the possibility of my going to China to compete. They all have something to say like-"Chinese have a very long history of sword fighting. Are you familiar of the Shao Lin methods (cheesy kung-fu films are now entering my mind at this point)?" It's nice that everyone wants to help.
Speaking of parents being proud. I brought my father with me on Friday to the speech I made to the local Volleyball club. There were about 90 people there, not as many as I thought but I am glad for that. Anyways, I had a great time speaking there and I think I did a pretty good job. In my father's opinion I was "tremendous and there wasn't a sound because everyone was listening to me speak." It's nice to get that kind of feedback from my dad but I think he was a bit biased. The coolest thing about it is that he told me he would never forget watching me up there and he can't wait to support me as the next woman president. To which my mother responded, "Hillary will be the first woman president." My family is nuts but I love them.
More about the birthday. After the dim sum I came home, napped (one of my favorite activities), and then headed to the gym. It's amazing how warm it is in Rochester right now-it's about 50 degrees out and supposed to reach 60 by Wednesday. Unbelievable considering 27 years ago on this day it was only 2 degrees. My Mom says it was so cold you could hear the ice crackle under the car tires on the way to the hospital.
I'm ending this day with a blog (another of my favorite activities) and some thoughts about how amazing it is to get older. I know a lot of people fear it but I am grateful for this past year and all the things I have learned. 2008 will be a great year to continue to grow and learn.
There is a short poem from a Buddhist monk about getting older. It's short and too the point but he encapsulates what I feel about it.
Apparition
by Thich Nhat Hanh, 1966
Being young
is like sweet sunshine
flooding the Summer sky.
Quiet noon-
Years and months
are just the expressions of Earth.
Why take note
of the never-ending seasons?
Poems are always up to interpretation but to me this summarizes youth and growing up. It's just something that happens like the turn of one season to another.
I hope everyone is well and there is always more blogging to be done. Have a great week!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
A bit of inspiration
The first day of the year is always a good day to watch movies as almost everything, even in NYC, is closed. I think it's some sort of unsaid national holiday-everyone needs the day to recover from the festivities.
Last night I took the time to watch the new Denzel Washington movie, The Great Debaters. It was a so-so movie but the movie inspired me to check out some poetry by Langston Hughes. There is a scene in the movie where Denzel stands up on the chair in front of the class he is teaching and recites one of Hughes' more famous poems, I too, am America. It's a short but very important American poem.
Poetry has always been a side passion of mine and through the power of the internet and the wonderful power of google, I not only checked out Langston Hughes but tried to remember some poems I memorized during my grammar school years. Of course when we were pre-teens all meaning was lost on our inability to process emotion. There aren't enough years to experience the meaning behind the poems.
I digress as usual. During my google search I came across some of Robert Frost's work and became reacquainted with a poem that resignates with me more now than it did before.
Check this poem out.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
It does make all the difference.
Last night I took the time to watch the new Denzel Washington movie, The Great Debaters. It was a so-so movie but the movie inspired me to check out some poetry by Langston Hughes. There is a scene in the movie where Denzel stands up on the chair in front of the class he is teaching and recites one of Hughes' more famous poems, I too, am America. It's a short but very important American poem.
Poetry has always been a side passion of mine and through the power of the internet and the wonderful power of google, I not only checked out Langston Hughes but tried to remember some poems I memorized during my grammar school years. Of course when we were pre-teens all meaning was lost on our inability to process emotion. There aren't enough years to experience the meaning behind the poems.
I digress as usual. During my google search I came across some of Robert Frost's work and became reacquainted with a poem that resignates with me more now than it did before.
Check this poem out.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
It does make all the difference.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The New Year
I know, I know. I've been a bad blogger lately but I assure you that I'm only partially to blame. The holidays are the real culprit in this matter. You can either spend the extra hour with your sister that's in town or you could spend some time blogging. You can spend time getting more presents and filling out one last Christmas card to an old friend, or you can spend your time blogging. Obviously I have been choosing the former over the latter. Sisters, Christmas cards, and old friends tend to take the priority.
I'm headed to NYC tomorrow to meet up with my teammate Hanna for a New Year's celebration. We felt that it was necessary to really bring this particular year in with a bang. It is 2008 afterall-the year of the Beijing Games! After a day of rest after our festivities it is back to work of course.
I am getting back to Rochester on the morning of the 4th because of an engagement I have with some volleyball players. Interesting. Apparently there is a fundraiser for the high school volleyball players in Rochester and I'm the guest speaker. I have to come up with ten minutes of awe inspiring material for a room full of high school female athletes. Any suggestions? There are a lot of things that I could probably talk about but I have no idea what would really be of use to these girls. It's been a while since I've been in high school.
Incidentally-I'm going to be turning 27 on the 6th of January. Just thought I'd put that out there! :)
Well, it's off to NYC for me and also time to plan for that speech. Ten minutes is a long time in front of a big crowd.
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope this year brings everyone great joy and success.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope that you are having a nice and relaxing time with friends and family.
I know I've been busy hanging out with my family. I didn't receive many presents but I had a great time giving presents. :)
I know I've been busy hanging out with my family. I didn't receive many presents but I had a great time giving presents. :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
El Grande Apple
Here I am, back in New York City for the usual of training and physical therapy. I'm only here until Monday and then I go back to the usual routine in Rochester.
Apparently I bring the snow with me everywhere I go since there will be a huge snow storm in the city tomorrow. I wonder what counts as "huge" in NYC because in Rochester huge snow storm means something ridiculous like a few feet of snow in a short amount of time. But even then I think that Rochester would keep going and people would keep driving through it. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow in the city? It's kind of nice to see the city covered in white dusty snow for a few hours before it turns a brown or dark gray.
Oh yes, I had a comment about the last tournament. I fenced well and lost by one touch in over time to make it to the top-4 round, so I ended up fifth. In the long run of things the international tournament results will be more important than the national competition results.
One of the days in Richmond, I had a chance to speak to a retired fencer that I always admired but never really had the chance to talk to. (To give some people a hint, I believe he holds a record for how many national championships he's won.) We spoke about what it's like to be an "older" athlete in the sport and how to keep up motivation when you are no longer this young gun coming through the ranks. He mentioned that staying positive really helped him-he never got down on himself and felt that with more positive energy his results and successes were even greater. It just boils down to believing in yourself no matter what. In sport and perhaps in life, you have to be your own biggest fan sometimes.
Good thing I have Mama Zimmermann to keep me in check.
Good luck to all the New Yorkers in tomorrow's snow storm.
Apparently I bring the snow with me everywhere I go since there will be a huge snow storm in the city tomorrow. I wonder what counts as "huge" in NYC because in Rochester huge snow storm means something ridiculous like a few feet of snow in a short amount of time. But even then I think that Rochester would keep going and people would keep driving through it. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow in the city? It's kind of nice to see the city covered in white dusty snow for a few hours before it turns a brown or dark gray.
Oh yes, I had a comment about the last tournament. I fenced well and lost by one touch in over time to make it to the top-4 round, so I ended up fifth. In the long run of things the international tournament results will be more important than the national competition results.
One of the days in Richmond, I had a chance to speak to a retired fencer that I always admired but never really had the chance to talk to. (To give some people a hint, I believe he holds a record for how many national championships he's won.) We spoke about what it's like to be an "older" athlete in the sport and how to keep up motivation when you are no longer this young gun coming through the ranks. He mentioned that staying positive really helped him-he never got down on himself and felt that with more positive energy his results and successes were even greater. It just boils down to believing in yourself no matter what. In sport and perhaps in life, you have to be your own biggest fan sometimes.
Good thing I have Mama Zimmermann to keep me in check.
Good luck to all the New Yorkers in tomorrow's snow storm.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Up and coming
Haven't posted much on the blog since the apology. I've been a bit busy for the past week getting ready for the next tournament, which is the National Circuit this weekend in Richmond, VA.
The weather in Rochester has changed my travel plans a bit as I am going to try and leave at the wonderful hour of 6am on Friday instead of later in the afternoon that day. I'm not sure if it's going to help since it seems that there is no end to the snow flurries either day or night.
On the training side-things have been going well although, the past two days my trainer has put me through the ropes but of course I wouldn't tell him that (I'm also glad he doesn't read the blog). I also wouldn't tell him that my left thigh and gluteous maximus (sp?) is sore...even though it is...very much so. I'll have to start tapering down the workouts soon since I fence on Sunday.
This blog is as exciting as I feel right at this moment. Is it lame to go to bed at 8:55pm?
The weather in Rochester has changed my travel plans a bit as I am going to try and leave at the wonderful hour of 6am on Friday instead of later in the afternoon that day. I'm not sure if it's going to help since it seems that there is no end to the snow flurries either day or night.
On the training side-things have been going well although, the past two days my trainer has put me through the ropes but of course I wouldn't tell him that (I'm also glad he doesn't read the blog). I also wouldn't tell him that my left thigh and gluteous maximus (sp?) is sore...even though it is...very much so. I'll have to start tapering down the workouts soon since I fence on Sunday.
This blog is as exciting as I feel right at this moment. Is it lame to go to bed at 8:55pm?
Thursday, November 29, 2007
An Apology
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my teammates for anything I said in my last blog about the insurance issue that might have hurt them. It was never my intent to hurt anyone and my words were created from anger which you were in no way responsible for. Nothing means more to me than this team and my teammates and I therefore offer my humblest apologies.
The reality is, as one of my closest teammates puts it, is that we (the fencers) all struggle. We are all together in this as a team of fencers-sacrificing a lot in order to achieve a life's goal or dream. I apologize again for making light of anyone's situation or making it seem my situation was much more dire than another's. In a way, it makes me feel less alone to know that we are all in the same boat together. The truth is that all of us aren't paid athletes and we must raise our own funds and rely on whatever scraps the USOC or the USFA throws our way.
My words in the last post (which I have taken down since) were passionate-written in a moment of absolute disgust at the USOC/USFA. I spent a lot of time this evening trying to go over the reasons why I would feel so angry over receiving a letter from the USOC about denying my "eligibility" for insurance and I came up with the following answers:
1. The form letter made me feel as though I was a non-entity. "Athlete X-you did not meet the criteria, therefore you are no longer worth our time."
2. I was very dissapointed at the USFA's unemotional answer to my situation. It seems that if you are not performing-you aren't worth a damn to the organization. I remember being treated differently when the women's foil team was actually churning out medals-apparently, you are only worth anything when you win.
3. This past year was hard for me and I acknowledge that I didn't perform up to "standards" or "expectations" but I felt that there were things that were almost beyond my control that prevented me from performing at my best. Although I do understand that when money is tight that "right now" is more important than the possiblity of potential but compassion is an asset that cannot be ignored.
All reasons set aside there is still no excuse for a poor reaction on my part. I hope that my teammates accept my apologies for acting so rash. My mind is always on this team and I feel lucky to be considered a part of such an amazing group of women (and men). It is a priviledge to be considered in the same group as the rest of the team. The most important lesson perhaps is that words on a blog are important and one must be careful about what they type. Words can cut deeper than the sword (sorry for the bad pun) but it's the truth in this situation.
I always try to be someone of integrity and truth-in this case, regarding my teammates, I came across in a very different light. I do appreciate my teammates telling me upfront how they felt about the blog and they were candid enough to tell me the truth about their personal situations. I truly appreciate the candor and the fact that you all came to me directly.
As for the USOC-I am still angry but I have come up with my own solutions. Besides finding insurance, I have resolved to take a breath before pressing the "publish post" button. Rational thinking is the way to go, or at least I've heard.
Thank you again to my teammates for their honesty and apologies for anything in my last blog that may have upset you.
The reality is, as one of my closest teammates puts it, is that we (the fencers) all struggle. We are all together in this as a team of fencers-sacrificing a lot in order to achieve a life's goal or dream. I apologize again for making light of anyone's situation or making it seem my situation was much more dire than another's. In a way, it makes me feel less alone to know that we are all in the same boat together. The truth is that all of us aren't paid athletes and we must raise our own funds and rely on whatever scraps the USOC or the USFA throws our way.
My words in the last post (which I have taken down since) were passionate-written in a moment of absolute disgust at the USOC/USFA. I spent a lot of time this evening trying to go over the reasons why I would feel so angry over receiving a letter from the USOC about denying my "eligibility" for insurance and I came up with the following answers:
1. The form letter made me feel as though I was a non-entity. "Athlete X-you did not meet the criteria, therefore you are no longer worth our time."
2. I was very dissapointed at the USFA's unemotional answer to my situation. It seems that if you are not performing-you aren't worth a damn to the organization. I remember being treated differently when the women's foil team was actually churning out medals-apparently, you are only worth anything when you win.
3. This past year was hard for me and I acknowledge that I didn't perform up to "standards" or "expectations" but I felt that there were things that were almost beyond my control that prevented me from performing at my best. Although I do understand that when money is tight that "right now" is more important than the possiblity of potential but compassion is an asset that cannot be ignored.
All reasons set aside there is still no excuse for a poor reaction on my part. I hope that my teammates accept my apologies for acting so rash. My mind is always on this team and I feel lucky to be considered a part of such an amazing group of women (and men). It is a priviledge to be considered in the same group as the rest of the team. The most important lesson perhaps is that words on a blog are important and one must be careful about what they type. Words can cut deeper than the sword (sorry for the bad pun) but it's the truth in this situation.
I always try to be someone of integrity and truth-in this case, regarding my teammates, I came across in a very different light. I do appreciate my teammates telling me upfront how they felt about the blog and they were candid enough to tell me the truth about their personal situations. I truly appreciate the candor and the fact that you all came to me directly.
As for the USOC-I am still angry but I have come up with my own solutions. Besides finding insurance, I have resolved to take a breath before pressing the "publish post" button. Rational thinking is the way to go, or at least I've heard.
Thank you again to my teammates for their honesty and apologies for anything in my last blog that may have upset you.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
In loving memory
IN LOVING MEMORY OF BEN GUTENBERG
This afternoon a young man, a teammate, and a friend died. Ben Gutenberg was only eighteen and just started William and Mary college this past September. A week or so ago Ben was in a car accident that took his fencing coach's life and took his a week later. We will miss you, Ben.
Since my words in this situation are probably either too trite or cliche in some way, I think it's best I leave this emotion of loss to the poets.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Mary Frye (1932)
Shanti, shanti, shanti
This afternoon a young man, a teammate, and a friend died. Ben Gutenberg was only eighteen and just started William and Mary college this past September. A week or so ago Ben was in a car accident that took his fencing coach's life and took his a week later. We will miss you, Ben.
Since my words in this situation are probably either too trite or cliche in some way, I think it's best I leave this emotion of loss to the poets.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Mary Frye (1932)
Shanti, shanti, shanti
Monday, November 26, 2007
Case of the Monday's
I hope everyone gets my reference of the movie Office Space in today's post title. If not, please go out and rent the movie because it's a classic. I especially like the scene when the employees finally destroy the copy machine that never seems to work.
As for today there isn't much to report except for the fact that I am a little sore and ready for bed at 9pm. I still have some stretching left to do but it's early to bed for me tonight. It's amazing how much time the athlete needs to sleep in order to recover. I feel if I don't get at least eight hours of sleep my body doesn't have a chance to fully recovered from the previous day's practices.
Anyways, I have decided to write the book anyways or at least start it. I think it would be an interesting way to pass the time and I am not truly looking for it to be published so much as it could be part of my process. The question is when I would have time to write between practice, sleeping eight hours, blogging, and traveling?
As for today there isn't much to report except for the fact that I am a little sore and ready for bed at 9pm. I still have some stretching left to do but it's early to bed for me tonight. It's amazing how much time the athlete needs to sleep in order to recover. I feel if I don't get at least eight hours of sleep my body doesn't have a chance to fully recovered from the previous day's practices.
Anyways, I have decided to write the book anyways or at least start it. I think it would be an interesting way to pass the time and I am not truly looking for it to be published so much as it could be part of my process. The question is when I would have time to write between practice, sleeping eight hours, blogging, and traveling?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
home after the holidays
It only took us eight and a half hours to drive back to Rochester from Princeton, NJ (where my relatives live). Usually, it only takes about six to seven hours to make that drive but there was a lot of holiday traffic today that caused all sorts of back ups on the road. Why must we rubber neck when we know it only causes the traffic to move slower?
I'm really glad to be home after ten or so days away. The training in NYC was great but it's nice to be back on my own schedule and routine. Also, my teammate and I have a lot of work to do with our coach, as always.
As for NYC:
While I was in the Big Apple, I met someone from a club in Buffalo that reads my blog from time to time. It was great to meet someone that has become such a fencing enthusiast in a short amount of time. His daughter has also been bitten by the ever contagious fencing bug. The both of them take fencing to such great lengths that they manage to schlep about an hour to take lessons once a week at the Rochester Fencing Club.
Why is this significant? I realized something after my conversation with this fencer. There are some people who read this blog and know some of my hidden comments about my old coach. I forget that there are people out there that know who I am talking about when I say "my old coach" especially since fencing is such a small community.
Another wierd thing also got me thinking about the subject of blogging about my coach. I fenced at his new club in NYC and he and I exchanged awkward hi's and goodbye's with little else in between. After all these years and everything we have been through he doesn't even talk to me-let alone look at me. However, I still haven't given up the old habit of looking at him while I am fencing (to get his approval). I wonder if he knows or if anyone has told him what I have gone through in the past few months. It seems like I have been talking about him to everyone except for him.
The bottom line is that although I want to tell the story of my past and my renewed outlook on the future, I don't want to ruin my old coach's career. He has a reputation and he has new students. I do warn some of the new and older students to watch their steps but I don't want to be a cause of him losing students. I realize I the risk losing his friendship and perhaps damaging his reputation by blogging but I still feel as though I have the right to share my story.
I'm sort of stuck in a rough place. In the fencing world everyone knows who he is and he has many students and many new students that are up and coming. Some of his students read this blog and some of them have asked me point blank questions about him and I have answered them truthfully. However, I don't want to turn his world upside down. I doubt I will do that entirely but it is not my intent.
There were many good things that came out of our relationship and I try to reconcile those good times with some of the harder moments we shared. Whenever I hear some Bob Dylan tune he used to play on long van trips or long car rides in Europe, I think of the fun times and his sense of humor. I definitely miss those times when we were just talking about nothing in particular-if anything, he has a charming demeanor and a great sense of humor outside of fencing.
For me the hardest thing is that we are no longer communicating. That is something that I have to come to terms with as well-someone who was once closer to me than my own parents is now just a part of my memory-even though he is still around and I still see him from time to time. We are no longer the same-neither he nor I are that same person we were when we last worked together three years ago. I am often torn between emotions of sadness of losing my relationship with him and being glad that I am no longer under his thumb.
I just hope that the things that are written here are taken with a grain of salt. I can only talk about the future if I connect it with the past but these thoughts are are colored by my own experiences and no one elses. I can't really talk about his current personality since we no longer communicate. I can only pass on the lessons I have learned in my career and the struggles I go through as I make my way to another Olympic team and beyond.
Anyways-that's my two cents about the issue and I am sure it's not the last I am going to say about it. I was thinking about writing a book after this whole ordeal but it would be hard considering it could hurt someone's career as a coach. Let's just say the decision isn't final.
I hope everyone has a great week!
I'm really glad to be home after ten or so days away. The training in NYC was great but it's nice to be back on my own schedule and routine. Also, my teammate and I have a lot of work to do with our coach, as always.
As for NYC:
While I was in the Big Apple, I met someone from a club in Buffalo that reads my blog from time to time. It was great to meet someone that has become such a fencing enthusiast in a short amount of time. His daughter has also been bitten by the ever contagious fencing bug. The both of them take fencing to such great lengths that they manage to schlep about an hour to take lessons once a week at the Rochester Fencing Club.
Why is this significant? I realized something after my conversation with this fencer. There are some people who read this blog and know some of my hidden comments about my old coach. I forget that there are people out there that know who I am talking about when I say "my old coach" especially since fencing is such a small community.
Another wierd thing also got me thinking about the subject of blogging about my coach. I fenced at his new club in NYC and he and I exchanged awkward hi's and goodbye's with little else in between. After all these years and everything we have been through he doesn't even talk to me-let alone look at me. However, I still haven't given up the old habit of looking at him while I am fencing (to get his approval). I wonder if he knows or if anyone has told him what I have gone through in the past few months. It seems like I have been talking about him to everyone except for him.
The bottom line is that although I want to tell the story of my past and my renewed outlook on the future, I don't want to ruin my old coach's career. He has a reputation and he has new students. I do warn some of the new and older students to watch their steps but I don't want to be a cause of him losing students. I realize I the risk losing his friendship and perhaps damaging his reputation by blogging but I still feel as though I have the right to share my story.
I'm sort of stuck in a rough place. In the fencing world everyone knows who he is and he has many students and many new students that are up and coming. Some of his students read this blog and some of them have asked me point blank questions about him and I have answered them truthfully. However, I don't want to turn his world upside down. I doubt I will do that entirely but it is not my intent.
There were many good things that came out of our relationship and I try to reconcile those good times with some of the harder moments we shared. Whenever I hear some Bob Dylan tune he used to play on long van trips or long car rides in Europe, I think of the fun times and his sense of humor. I definitely miss those times when we were just talking about nothing in particular-if anything, he has a charming demeanor and a great sense of humor outside of fencing.
For me the hardest thing is that we are no longer communicating. That is something that I have to come to terms with as well-someone who was once closer to me than my own parents is now just a part of my memory-even though he is still around and I still see him from time to time. We are no longer the same-neither he nor I are that same person we were when we last worked together three years ago. I am often torn between emotions of sadness of losing my relationship with him and being glad that I am no longer under his thumb.
I just hope that the things that are written here are taken with a grain of salt. I can only talk about the future if I connect it with the past but these thoughts are are colored by my own experiences and no one elses. I can't really talk about his current personality since we no longer communicate. I can only pass on the lessons I have learned in my career and the struggles I go through as I make my way to another Olympic team and beyond.
Anyways-that's my two cents about the issue and I am sure it's not the last I am going to say about it. I was thinking about writing a book after this whole ordeal but it would be hard considering it could hurt someone's career as a coach. Let's just say the decision isn't final.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanksgiving is just around the corner
Just finished up a great camp in NYC and it's onto Thanksgiving. I think I may just make an apple pie-a fencer and a baker. Who knew?
It's late so it's off to bed for me at this moment but I have much to write tomorrow when I have the day off to hang out around the city. Nice life, eh?
It's late so it's off to bed for me at this moment but I have much to write tomorrow when I have the day off to hang out around the city. Nice life, eh?
Monday, November 12, 2007
A bit of an update
Today's blog might not be super inspired but at least it gives some info about where I have been and where I am going.
Where I have been.
I spent the last weekend in Penn State fencing with some of the team members there. the unfortunate part is that I hurt my ankle/foot somehow and I am unable to put too much pressure on it. No sweat though-I think with some rest and treatment it will be fine very soon.
Where I am going.
Of course I am not going to stay in Rochester for too long. I'm always moving about-my friend tells me I should become a pilot so I can at least get paid for all of my mileage. I don't know about that.
I am headed to NYC this week for a national camp. After that I am headed to New Jersey to visit some family for Thanksgiving.
So, that's my agenda for the next two weeks. I am sure I will have lots to say after the camp since right now things are just status quo-going to the gym, fencing, etc. It's sort of like watching reruns for right now.
Hope all is well! Have a great week!
Where I have been.
I spent the last weekend in Penn State fencing with some of the team members there. the unfortunate part is that I hurt my ankle/foot somehow and I am unable to put too much pressure on it. No sweat though-I think with some rest and treatment it will be fine very soon.
Where I am going.
Of course I am not going to stay in Rochester for too long. I'm always moving about-my friend tells me I should become a pilot so I can at least get paid for all of my mileage. I don't know about that.
I am headed to NYC this week for a national camp. After that I am headed to New Jersey to visit some family for Thanksgiving.
So, that's my agenda for the next two weeks. I am sure I will have lots to say after the camp since right now things are just status quo-going to the gym, fencing, etc. It's sort of like watching reruns for right now.
Hope all is well! Have a great week!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Advice
I added a new person to my "entourage" today. It's a yoga teacher than has some fame here in Rochester for being a teacher of Iyengar yoga. His name is Francois Raoult and his yoga studio is called Open Sky Yoga which is situated behind the very beautiful Rochester Zen Center.
He was very knowledgable and had some great things to say but they were a lot of the same things that the other parts of my "entourage" were saying about me and fencing. The sport of fencing makes the body very asymmetrical and causes imbalances which can lead to injuries, such as the various knee injuries I have had. There is no surprise there. He also talked about how tight my hips are-there is definitely no surprise there. I have been spending an hour each day (per my physical therapists instructions) to stretch. I also have to stretch after practice which is even harder because all I want to do after practice is go home, eat, and sleep.
So, what is my point here? Well, I had a bit of a revelation while I was sitting there listening to Francois. It wasn't that his information was bad or not useful, but I thought-at some point I have to make the decision of what is best for me. I have so many people telling me to do this and that to make my fencing better but at what point do I chime in with my own voice?
Considering my past-it was quite novel for me to ask that question. What do I feel is necessary for me?
I've also never really and truly been a mature athlete. It's one thing to be young and under someone's wing but it is another thing to be doing something long enough that you have to finally go-"you know what? I would rather do this instead of that". You also have to be wise enough to take the information you need and integrate it into what you already have. This task isn't that easy.
Here is where I think sport mirrors life. Isn't this all just a part of growing up? In a "normal"/general situation the parent makes the decision for the kids. Then the kids start to grow up and form opinions of their own and it's about this time the parents start to get major gray hairs. Then the kid goes off to college and starts to establish themselves and I wouldn't say that the kid really comes into their own until after college is over. At that time the adult has to decide what to take from their past, what to make new, and what their real identity is and where it lies.
Anyways, enough philosophy for now. It's time for me to sleep since I've already done the other two of return home and eat. Much needs to be done tomorrow including lots and lots of stretching.
One more thing. I am headed to Penn State on Thursday with my teammate Hanna to spend the weekend fencing with the students and alum there.
He was very knowledgable and had some great things to say but they were a lot of the same things that the other parts of my "entourage" were saying about me and fencing. The sport of fencing makes the body very asymmetrical and causes imbalances which can lead to injuries, such as the various knee injuries I have had. There is no surprise there. He also talked about how tight my hips are-there is definitely no surprise there. I have been spending an hour each day (per my physical therapists instructions) to stretch. I also have to stretch after practice which is even harder because all I want to do after practice is go home, eat, and sleep.
So, what is my point here? Well, I had a bit of a revelation while I was sitting there listening to Francois. It wasn't that his information was bad or not useful, but I thought-at some point I have to make the decision of what is best for me. I have so many people telling me to do this and that to make my fencing better but at what point do I chime in with my own voice?
Considering my past-it was quite novel for me to ask that question. What do I feel is necessary for me?
I've also never really and truly been a mature athlete. It's one thing to be young and under someone's wing but it is another thing to be doing something long enough that you have to finally go-"you know what? I would rather do this instead of that". You also have to be wise enough to take the information you need and integrate it into what you already have. This task isn't that easy.
Here is where I think sport mirrors life. Isn't this all just a part of growing up? In a "normal"/general situation the parent makes the decision for the kids. Then the kids start to grow up and form opinions of their own and it's about this time the parents start to get major gray hairs. Then the kid goes off to college and starts to establish themselves and I wouldn't say that the kid really comes into their own until after college is over. At that time the adult has to decide what to take from their past, what to make new, and what their real identity is and where it lies.
Anyways, enough philosophy for now. It's time for me to sleep since I've already done the other two of return home and eat. Much needs to be done tomorrow including lots and lots of stretching.
One more thing. I am headed to Penn State on Thursday with my teammate Hanna to spend the weekend fencing with the students and alum there.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Any Given Sunday
Definitely interesting day.
Let's start off with the gym this morning. I made a point to introduce myself to Ursula Burns, the president of Xerox and can be scene on the cover of this month's Fortune magazine. I told her how inspiring it is to meet a woman with that type of a position at a company. She's definitely a tough woman-I've seen her work out at the gym. She and I spoke about the Olympics and she mentioned that Xerox sends the execs there to watch the games. She also told me to keep in touch with her-I'm looking forward to it since I also mentioned I was interested in going to business school after all is said and done with the Games.
Then I met with Hanna, my teammate, to have lunch and go over our last few weeks apart. It's nice to have her back because it will really step up the training at the club.
The most interesting part about lunch was that not only did the waitress recognize me, "Aren't you Iris Zimmermann?" but there was another couple as we walked out that also recognized me. They said they were so happy to meet me and Hanna because they love the Olympics. In fact, their first date was watching the 2004 Olympic Games. Even I haven't had a date like that. But to honor their relationship I gave them two Olympics pins that I conveniently had in my car. I wonder if they think all Olympians carry around extra pins for just those occasions?
Then an old friend of mine, I have known him for about ten years, bumped into me after lunch. He and I had a long conversation about our separate meditation and yoga practices and at the end of the conversation I asked if the cafe he worked at still had job openings. I could work a few nights a week, get to know some people in town, make a little money, and have a bit of a break from training. I think that over thinking and over analyzing can contribute to over training and lack of desire and passion. My schedule from now until February is a little crazy but does allow some time to work. Besides, I think it would be a good break to go to a coffee shop on the weekends after my gym routines. This time I would be making money instead of draining money into lattes.
So, that is my day. Meeting the President of Xerox, finding a couple who loves the Olympics, and filling out an application to work at a cafe near the fencing club. The cafe has free wireless-perhaps more blogs are on the way?
I hope all of you enjoyed the weekend as much as I did. Have a great Monday!
Let's start off with the gym this morning. I made a point to introduce myself to Ursula Burns, the president of Xerox and can be scene on the cover of this month's Fortune magazine. I told her how inspiring it is to meet a woman with that type of a position at a company. She's definitely a tough woman-I've seen her work out at the gym. She and I spoke about the Olympics and she mentioned that Xerox sends the execs there to watch the games. She also told me to keep in touch with her-I'm looking forward to it since I also mentioned I was interested in going to business school after all is said and done with the Games.
Then I met with Hanna, my teammate, to have lunch and go over our last few weeks apart. It's nice to have her back because it will really step up the training at the club.
The most interesting part about lunch was that not only did the waitress recognize me, "Aren't you Iris Zimmermann?" but there was another couple as we walked out that also recognized me. They said they were so happy to meet me and Hanna because they love the Olympics. In fact, their first date was watching the 2004 Olympic Games. Even I haven't had a date like that. But to honor their relationship I gave them two Olympics pins that I conveniently had in my car. I wonder if they think all Olympians carry around extra pins for just those occasions?
Then an old friend of mine, I have known him for about ten years, bumped into me after lunch. He and I had a long conversation about our separate meditation and yoga practices and at the end of the conversation I asked if the cafe he worked at still had job openings. I could work a few nights a week, get to know some people in town, make a little money, and have a bit of a break from training. I think that over thinking and over analyzing can contribute to over training and lack of desire and passion. My schedule from now until February is a little crazy but does allow some time to work. Besides, I think it would be a good break to go to a coffee shop on the weekends after my gym routines. This time I would be making money instead of draining money into lattes.
So, that is my day. Meeting the President of Xerox, finding a couple who loves the Olympics, and filling out an application to work at a cafe near the fencing club. The cafe has free wireless-perhaps more blogs are on the way?
I hope all of you enjoyed the weekend as much as I did. Have a great Monday!
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