January 2004

January 30, 2004

Smuckers Stars on Ice:  On Tuesday night my mom and I went to the Smuckers Stars on Ice show at the new Qwest Center.  It was absolutely great!  We had awesome seats.  And, I just can't get over how much better they are in person compared to watching them on TV.  Scott Hamilton is still doing back flips and is like the best!  He is the crowd pleaser, that's for sure.  Alexei Yagudin is alot stronger than I imagined.  I was surprised to see him skating because I thought he just had hip surgery.  The pairs groups had amazing triple throws.  The girls had muscles bulging out of their backs, arms and legs.  They were just all fast and strong.....more so than I thought and I had gone to the show last year.  I think this show was definitely better than last year's.  If you get the chance to go, you should.

I had a really good week training this week.  I landed my double salchow double loop and I'm actually getting the double toe down.  Our condtioning classes have left me very sore.  I'm kind of glad it is Friday because I need a day off. 

We have had a very cold week, too....this is the first time I have ever experienced zero degree weather.  It kind of makes me mad because we have so much snow and it's too cold to play in it.  I love the snow but the cold is kind of tough to take.  I heard it is suppose to warm up to the twenties....yea, a regular heat wave!  At least I will be able to go sledding or something.

Better go....it's late at night and I'm really tired.  Hope everyone is having a great winter so far.

Love,

Sarah Elizabeth Kidd

January 29, 2004

Winterfest Competition: 

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful"  Prov. 15:13

This verse is exactly how I felt all through the competition.  Even though I was sick and was having trouble in practices, I still felt so happy.  I love competing and it's so fun being around friends.

Just before the Winterfest competition I got sick with the flu.  It started with a cold on the Sunday before the competition and on Tuesday and Wednesday I had the stomach flu.  Then after the flu I still had the cold.  I tried to practice but was weak and couldn't land my jumps.  My coach gave me a Russian formula for the head congestion that has a combination of beet juice, honey and canola oil.  I had to put a couple drops up each side of the nose.  Believe me, it works.  I will put up a page with some of his home remedies in a few days.  Anyway, at my official practice I was falling on everything.  But by the time I did my compulsories, I felt ok but not 100%.  But, I wasn't really worried about it.  I couldn't help it I got sick so I just said to myself I'll just do the best I can.

The competition was alot of fun.  I love the excitement of competing.  I became good friends with a girl named Nary Sy, who I always seem to compete against.  She lives in Lincoln. 

As far as how I did....I placed 3rd in compulsories and 5th in freestyle.  In the compulsories I didn't really feel aggressive and was a little slow.  This was probably because I was still sick.  I felt pretty good by freestyle even though my jumps were still off in practice.  On Freestyle day I got my hair done by the braided hair lady.  She is really good.  My mom did my nails.  My grandpa, Uncle Tom, Aunt Livia, and their cute little boys came to watch me.  Also our friend Tim, his mom (grandma Olsen), his daughter Keri, and one of Tim's grandkids, Lexi, came.  I think that is the most people I have ever had come to just watch me.  It was great!  I really didn't know what was going to happen in freestyle but I definitely was ready and couldn't wait to compete.  I was so excited.  I fell on my first double salchow but landed the next double salchow in combination.  I landed my double flips (one was kind of shaky).  My double loop was a little scary but I landed it.  My camel spins were good and I felt stronger as I went along.  My last jump, the double lutz, was perfect.  That was the first time I landed a double lutz in competition and I was so happy.  I felt pretty good about the program.   Alexei was so happy and proud, especially after the week I had.  I also had some teddy bears thrown on the ice for me, which is the first time for that, too.  I got 5th place with 2 judges giving me 2nd place.  I got a medal for the 3rd place win and a huge purple ribbon for the 5th place.  I have never had one of those.  Overall, it was a good start to the season.

The last day of the competition was basic skills.  My mom and I helped the Local Motion Productions photographer.  My mom announced the winners and I got to present them with their ribbons.  I got Nary to help me and also Ashlie and Michelle.  I think that was the best part of the whole competition.  It was so fun giving the little ones their awards and seeing them happy.

I have to add one more thing about the competition.  I know there were alot of you praying for me and I truly believe your prayers are what made this competition so great.  Thank you so much!

Love,

Sarah Elizabeth Kidd

January 21, 2004

The last couple of days have not been too fun.  I have been sick with the stomach flu and a cold.  The stomach flu part is over but I still have a cold.  And, what's bad is, the Winterfest competition is this weekend.  It starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday.  I went to lesson today and my jumps were off and I wasn't too strong.  I might not have a good competition but I will do my best.  Today I rested all day, watching movies on TV.  Tomorrow I have lesson in the morning and then I am going to watch some of Premier's skaters do their artistic programs.  I don't have an artistic program.  I'm doing a freestyle and a compulsory.  On Friday morning I have a 6 am practice ice and then I compete at 8 am.  I will probably practice in the afternoon some time and then go back to watch some of my friends skate.  Saturday I have a 7 am practice ice and then I skate my freestyle at 3:20 pm.  Sunday is basic skills day.  I know it will still be alot of fun even if I don't do that great.  I love going to competitions.  I will keep you all updated on what happens. 

Love,

Sarah Elizabeth Kidd

P.S.  Please pray for me that I get completely well....thanks!

January 13, 2004

I can't believe I am in Omaha right now and it's January with no snow.  It's warm out!  I thought this place was suppose to be cold?  Most people complain and say they wish they were in Arizona.   

Next week is the Winterfest competition and I can hardly wait!  It has been awhile since I last competed.  I'm excited.  I have two programs.  One is a compulsory and the other is my Russian Folk freestyle program.  I will tell ya all about it as soon as I get through it.  Right now we are doing run throughs.  I'm having to get used to doing 6 doubles and an axel combination.  I love my program though.  Last week Evgeny came from Houston to help us with the finishing touches in our choreography.  I love the changes he made.  Anyway, wish me luck!

Oh, I have to tell you that practice today was really tough because my legs were so sore!  Marissa opened her mouth last night in conditioning class and blurted out to that she ate at McDonald's.  Well, guess what?  The entire class suffered.  Yes, we suddenly had a "candy man" class.  You may be asking yourself what the "candy man" class is.   I don't think you really want to know.  But, let me put it to you this way....one exercise we did was this thing where you kick your leg up high and then lunge deep down and come back up.  We did 75 on each leg!  Everyone is ready to give Marissa a "blanket party" (thanks, Chris, for the idea  )  It was really tough doing run throughs with legs that can't move.  I came home and took a hot bath and then later today I had ballet.  It's actually a little better right now.

I guess I should go for now.  I am going to give Spunky a bath and brush her teeth and then we are all going to get ready for bed.  I'll probably read a little too.

God bless,

Sarah Elizabeth Kidd