What's in store for 2014? Goals and a new competition dress

My first post of the New Year just want to keep it positive and leave all the negative behind.  New goals and great expectations for the new year.

2014 Short term goals: 

1. PASS my bronze free skate "TEST" in February and/or June

2. Compete for the first time at Florida Open Championships as a Bronze level skater

3. More flexible and focus on the positive

2014 Long term goals:  

1. Stay healthy and injury free 

2. Be more aggressive skater

3. Have all my jumps fully rotated

4. Compete at ISI Adult Nationals in October
5. Land that devil jump "axel"

Toady's Practice: 

First practice for the new year!!  Went very well considering I've been off the ice for 2 weeks....due to work, holidays and now having some issues with my knees don't know why its not injury related. I am thinking it might be arthritis or just need a new pair of insoles for my skates.

Christina (my daughter a skater) drilled me on my sit spins, which are getting better (lower) she also gave me a nice tip for my loop jump...."as I set for the loop and my left arm is extended in front, look and my hand or straight ahead not down" wow!! this really worked...full rotation!!!! I did however, manage to hit the ice a few times which is okay, its the only way to becoming a better skater.

Well like my daughters always tell me "things just happen for reasons" I was planning on competing in February 14th -15th at our rink, but so happens that weekend is my moms birthday and I have a wedding booked for 15^th. Not to mention I will be testing again Feb 9th and I really dont want the added stress.  I am however, considering competing at the Florida Open Championships (USFS Sactioned), it will be my first time competing this event. Keeping the same music (BFS test music) just have to tweak the free skate maneuvers (jumps & spins etc) to bronze level.  I decided to skate up a level and give it a shot, since I am NOT going to Nationals, this will be fun and practice at the same time.

I decided to make a new dress and here it is...my new competition dress :)   Considering buying fabric in a midnight blue (dark navy) with silver accents.  But my coach told me that will mostly look more black than navy.....hmmmm. I really like this color, though!! I can not WAIT to start the sewing this week.

I like the flow of the chiffon, thinking of double layer chiffon for more flow!!....will do the neck line in flesh tone mesh or maybe sleeves cheer mesh in navy blue ??....something to think about.  I cant wait to start.  Will post the finished product when its all completed.  

Happy Skating