Hi again everyone!
It’s been an interesting past couple of months. Everyone at Ice Sheffield knows, but you probably don’t know that I came down with glandular fever (called mono in the U.S.) in early September. I was really sick and not allowed to skate the first week. After that I was ordered to come back slowly. I was lucky that I didn’t have one of the worst cases. It was still the middle of October before I could skate both morning and afternoon and do full run-throughs, though.
Mark and I were happy that we were able to skate well at the Scottish Championships and make it through both the OD and free dance in the same day after having limited training. We haven’t been lucky with placements yet, but our audience has been really positive and supportive. We’ve also had a lot of positive feedback from influential people in skating. Our families, friends, and coaches are very supportive as well. What’s also nice is that Mark and I love performing together! We’re always on a high after we perform, regardless of the placement. So we just choose to stay positive and continue to improve.
My bachelor’s program didn’t start until late September, so I was at least healthier than I was in early September. My performing arts program has been really great! The bachelor’s programs in England are specialized, so all my courses are in performing arts. The courses for the first-year performing-arts students are: Performing Arts in the 20th Century, Practitioner Skills, Skills for the Workplace, Study Skills (with performing-arts emphasis), and Performance. We’ve been working on Shakespearean monologues. In January, I will also be playing Janet, one of the main roles in “Five Kinds of Silence.” It really has been enjoyable to study acting. I’m so happy I found this program and that it works well with my skating!
Mark and I are continuing to enjoy our training. Mark and Jimmy have been really understanding and supportive, which has helped so much during my recovery! I have to be extra careful with my health for now, although I’ve always been into a healthy lifestyle. I’m also good at taking naps between classes and skating sessions! Mark and I had improved even when I was sick, so we’re looking forward to just getting better and better!
Cheers!
Chrissy
