Super Angie...DUDE

Ann and I met up at Movement for our Wednesday climbing date. She asked about my Vegas comp, and since I'm so lazy, I hadn't taken the bronze medal (which I didn't win) or the fake hockey trophy out of my purse, so after showing them to her, and laughing so hard, we decided to have a bit of fun....
Love this girl!
I love how my rock shoes look like ballet Pointe shoes. I'm cool like that


free solo baby
Um, Ann...what are you doing to my trophy?
And this is how my fake hockey trohpy got his name, Dude. My warm up was this 5.10a DUDE...it just stuck after that.
I got Dude. I got my medal. I got my climb on! Oh yeah!
We quickly learned, you climb better if you wear the medal..I'm sure everyone in the gym was jealous.

Dude in my pouch.Dude down my shirt
Not my lover
Cookies? Did someone say Cookies?
Love these phone holds
"Cute Boy" at the front desk--he loved the medal.
Me and Lettuce
Ann and bOOm bOOm
The growth.... with my trophy and medal.

With the help of my bronze medal, Ann sent Up and Down
DUDE...gettin a belay from us
Just making sure....
I simply love the name of this route
'Cause this is Thriller, Thriller night.... I am not a fan of the start of this route.
Um...yeah...
Another first and she CRUSHED IT!
free solo in my ugg boots and skating tights. Its all good..I'm wearing the medal!
And of course, Dude with the yummy soap in the bathroom.

We had such a fun time climbing with Dude and my bronze medal. I don't remember the last time I have laughed this hard. Thanks Ann...I love climbing with a fellow Candy@ss! YOU ARE DA BOMB! bOOm bOOm!

Super Angie...Thankful day 5

Today I'm thankful for travel.

Saw this quote and it fits me perfectly...

Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel

My traveling days didn't really start until '94. Sure I went on vacations around the US. And seeing that Canada was only a few hours away, I went to Vancouver and Victoria a lot--even sometimes on dates with high school boyfriends. But my real sense of adventure and love for the world started when I was an exchange student the summer after I graduated from H.S.

I simply loved living in Germany. Knut's family were amazing and taking a holiday in Holland, and visiting his grandparents in northern Germany just made things even better. What a fabulous summer of exploring, growing up and learning. My German skills improved and my love for Europe expanded.

Then I was simply lucky when in 95, my dad took a job in Germany for BOEING. He had been with BOEING since college, and it was finally time for him to move overseas, and of course, Germany was the perfect place to send him. So I quit college and moved with my parents to Munich. (sadly I dont' have any digital pics) Actually living in Munich was a dream come true and has shaped the person I am now. I loved living in a small apartment (although by German standards, our place was HUGE!!!!). I loved riding my bike, walking, or taking the subway. And of course, the food. I enrolled at Ludwig Maximillon Universitat in Munich and began my studies.

One fun thing was that my mom and dad got their German drivers license and they got adventurous. So almost every weekend we would take off for some grand adventure around Europe. I also bought the weekend Deutsche Bahn card which allowed me cheap weekend train fares. Prague, France, Holland, Italy, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland...the list goes on and on.

Once I got married, I was fortunate enough to marry someone who loved Germany as much as me, so we traveled a ton as well. Our yearly trips to Munich became tradition. And when my parents got transfered to Australia, we made that trip too. Same when they moved to Russia.

We took our kids with as well...even when they were babies. I remember going to Moscow with just Dallin. He was 5 yrs old and I was pregnant with Tanith. What a great traveler my little kindergartener was.

After getting remarried to Rick, traveling didn't stop--it just changed continents for a while. We visited Tokyo and were instantly hooked on Asia. Then through some good luck and smart deals, I started going to Beijing yearly. I love China. I took Dallin with for his 8th birthday and had such a blast--even though it was FREEZING and we had to wear 3 coats!!! The following year I was blessed when my dad came to China with me.

Our family is blessed to have my ex-husband living in Singapore. The boys get to travel to see him and his wife Fenny (and now they have a baby!).

Traveling is something in me. I love hoping on a plane and just taking off. Long flights don't even bother me. I love adventure. I love meeting new people. I love cultures and languages and foods and sightseeing. I also love just seeing how other people live.

One thing that struck me last time I was in Japan was how we, as humans are all the same. We all take pictures of the same flower. We all laugh at the same child being silly. We all bend down to pet the dog. We are the same.

--Super Angie

Super Angie...sometimes I cry

Sometimes I cry thinking about my big bear (Brennan). He is already 7 and time is just flying by. I found this old picture of him and his aunt Julie at Disneyland, when he was just barely 2 yrs old. And now, he is my playful, silly 7 yr old. He loves Spanish class. He loves music. He loves to read. He is growing up. But he still loves to get hugs and kisses and greets me every morning with a big hug and kiss and "I love you Mama!".

Sometimes I cry thinking how fast he is growing up....

Super Angie...fancy feet

I've been told lies and been made fun of in the past for my footwork, and lack of coordination. I've been told on stage that I can't dance. I've been told in dance class, that I can't dance. I've been told that its a good thing I'm so expressive because I really can't tap dance, and my personality saves my butt on stage. I've been made fun of because I don't pick things up as fast as others. I've been made to feel like crap on the ice because I don't pick things up as fast as other skaters. In auditions, I'm always the one who runs out of the theater, finds a quiet place and practices the steps until they are mastered--while everyone else it seems just masters the steps during the first run through. I've come to accept this "disability" and just took their word that really, I suck. I'm not pretty. I don't have good lines. I'm just horrible.

Well, breakthrough this weekend...those were lies. I do have it in me. Sure it might take a few extra "can you show that to me again please", and it will most certainly take lots of practice and thinking it over and over, but I CAN do it and I can look good doing it too. My special talent--I will work my butt off to get it!

Monday, Vassili taught me some footwork. Tuesday we worked on it some more. And now Thursday, I'm actively placing this new footwork in my program and making it work. Its not perfect of course, but I can do it! ME! I CAN DO THE FREAKING FOOTWORK!

So, my advice to anyone who cares...don't put down your students--no matter their age. Don't make fun of their ability to catch on. I'm lucky my coach believes me and told me I can do it. Because now...I believe it too.
--Super Angie

Super Angie... the medal ceremony

My kids had some fun this morning playing with my medal and fake trophy. I knew they would want these. Its fun to have something like this for them to enjoy.

Today out of the blue, Dallin said, "Mama, you're a really good skater".

Here's Tanith and Brennan having some fun.

Super Angie..Thankful day 4

I'm a Colorado Girl!

Today I'm thankful to live somewhere I truly love. Moving to Colorado has blessed our lives in so many ways.

Things I love about CO...
The people! No one is in your face or in your business--thats how I felt in Utah.
The vibe here is laid back and cool.
Keystone and the surrounding towns are simply gorgeous...sunny days, the lake, the mountains, the snow.
The summer temps here are PERFECT!
The sunrises as I drive to Denver...so incredible!
The sunsets over the Flatirons--if I'm lucky enough to be sitting in a field down there to watch.
The sunsets over lake Dillon.
Breck main street--fun cute town.
Hiking
Rock climbing
Skating
My friends here--such real and amazing heartfelt people with no hidden agendas. They have huge hearts and are so welcoming to new comers--again, something that isn't found in Utah.
The ice climbing
The skiing (beats Utah and Washington anyday--although I am still a fan of Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole).
The winter hiking
The 14,000 ft peaks.
The schools!
My kids having a forest to play in.
The lifestyle here.

My HEALTH!

I love being a Colorado Girl!
--Super Angie

Super Angie...Thankful day 3

Today I'm thankful for my children. Even though sometimes they drive me nuts, I still love them a lot and am thankful to be a mommy.

Somethings I love: hiking with them, singing in the car together, watching AFV together, giggling, cuddling, going to church together, skating, going out for breakfast or dinner together, baking together, having sleep overs, traveling together, learning about other countries together.

Some favorite memories: having singing contests in the car, going to China with Dallin, Going to Germany when Tanith was a new born, Going to Russian with Dallin while I was pregnant with Tanith. Going to Australia when Brennan was a baby and watching him pull the hair on a koala, going to the zoo in Denver and Seattle, going to water parks, Maggie Moos!!, going to hockey games together, volunteering in their classrooms, watching them on Christmas morning and on their birthdays, giving them Erste Schultag Tuttes, hiking the flatirons together, swimming all summer, having a meaningful conversations in the car on the way to school each day, watching iCarly together.... the list just goes on and on.
I love you Dallin!
I love you Brennan!
I love you Tanith!

Super Angie...phew!

Whoa! What an amazing weekend of skating I had. I'm sitting at the Vegas airport, totally wiped out, but thrilled to death.

First total props to my previous coaches. I love you all and had fun skating with each of you and I thank you for teaching me and encouraging me. Especially Sheila... you are so beautiful and its from you that I learned my hydroblades and as you know, they are my favorites. You were not only my coach, but my closet friend in Seattle. Miss you and love you!

Those who know me, know that I love skating...its in my heart. I just love it. But I have always liked it MY way. In Katia Gordeeva's book, she says something along these lines--in Russia there is a saying, Don't Reinvent the Bicycle. She then goes on to say thats why US pairs have so many problems--they try to reinvent pair moves. Fast forward to my new coach...Well, with Vassili, you don't do things your way, you do things THE CORRECT WAY. I've never had a coach who was fierce enough to demand that I do things the correct way. Vassili does this, and HOLY FREAKING CRAP--the changes are amazing. For example...when I arrived on Friday, my camel spins were hit and miss...I mean they were "fine" but not anything to write home about. I did one on Sat in the comp, and it was "okay". Today (Tuesday), I was consistent enough on my camels that I was able to do camel, sit, upright scratch. Um...I've NEVER done a real scratch before yesterday, and today, I was doing them and doing them mostly okay. I've never been able to cross my foot on a scratch. Vassili must be magic because he just told me a few different pointers yesterday and BOOM...suddenly crossed feet. Its really unbelievable how different it feels to spin now. I LOVE SPINNING. I mean I go out on the ice and now I'm like--what do I do? Hydroblade? Jump? Spin? Which one? I love them all! Its never been that way. its always been jump, hydroblade, jump some more.

Speaking of jumps...HOLY FREAKING SNOT! Again with the magic. He works me hard. He doesn't put up with crap or being scared (don't read this and assume it means he is rude or mean on the ice. He is not. Sure he cracks jokes, but he is full of love for his students and it shows in how he pushes them). I am working on throwing away my security blanket so I can do a real lutz on the correct edge with the correct take off. I've never had a coach demand that of me before and best of all, he was very proud of me for attempting it. Goal: be able to actually DO IT next time I see him. Right now I'm sort of getting around, or landing on two feet. I kept thinking of that famous winnie the pooh quote, "Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver then you believe, and stronger then you seem, and smarter then you think."--Christopher Robin to Pooh”...so as I was gliding backwards into my lutz corner, scared like you wouldn't believe, I kept telling myself this. And then I would jump. I have a long ways to go, but I'm starting to believe. JUMP!

The best thing that happened today was when he asked me to a flip jump. I went and did it. "Good girl. go do it again please" So I went and did it again and then came up to him. "I'm satisfied with that" "do you want me to do it again?" "Nope, I'm satisfied." WHOA! I did the jump twice and he was happy with it. This feels incredible. I'm beyond proud of myself.

Other highlights: working on axels. Right now, I'm just doing the beginning exercises. Things my body and mind remember from '98..the last time I did this jump. Its a mental game, I remember that. So there I was, standing on the line and I jumped up to do the practice jump thingy (forget what its really called) and after a bunch of tries and tweaking arms and pulling things together at the same time, I did my final one and suddenly I felt this familiar feeling...dating back to 98. Um...I almost did a real axel today and it felt incredible. And it felt so familiar. Makes me really excited to feel that again.

Another highlight: footwork and being told I'm doing good and not to feel stupid about it. I can do it--my coach believes I can.

I'm excited to get back to CO and work hard. I have a competition in Denver on Saturday November 13th. I'll be skating my freestyle program, my Gaga program and then Apologize. I'm really excited to skate these with the new changes. I just hope I can remember everything I learned this weekend. Vassili pushed me like I've never been pushed. It was incredible.

-- Супер Энджи
PS...special thanks to Rick for making all this possible. Thanks honey.

Super Angie...day 2 of being Thankful

Continuining what I started yesterday, here is DAY TWO:

Today I'm thankful for supportive friends.
I have been so blessed to have an incredible network of friends around the world who text, call, email and FB with me. Oh yeah, and go for drinks, hikes, skating, shopping and climbing. Friends who are experts at giving me a NOT five while we pull some plastic and send 5.11! Friends who are always full of great advice on every imaginable subject. Friends who listen. Friends who talk. Friends with amazing families and who set the example for me to follow. Friends who have welcomed me into Colorado and introduced me to others. Friends in Vegas. Friends in Seattle. Friends in Utah. Friends in Canada and around the world. New and Old...I'm so thankful for them all! MUWAH!

PS...stupid Blogger formatting won't let me make this post look cute, so forgive the placement of pics

Super Angie...Happy haunting

Don't mess with my little lady bug, or the two starwars guys are sure to mess with you!

While I watched the freaks in Vegas doing their thing on Halloween, Rick took the kids to Frisco and went trick or treating on main street. The kids love this and have gotten to know some of the store owners. Rick adores taking the kids out--its been the tradition for the past 5 yrs!

--Super Angie

Super Angie...I survived and so did my coach!

Whoa! What a time I had today on the ice.

First, I must give snaps to my coach for actually not killing me on the ice. Boy, was I a witch for a bit. (yes people, Super Angie is not always super)

I totally let what a few different people in the past had told me about my abilities and talents get into my head, and today, Vassili was trying to teach me and show me that I CAN do these things, but all I could think was how bad of a skater I am and must be. Anyway... it was messy and I was rude and standoffish. Not one of my finer moments and one I will not repeat.

A few hours later, and a change in attitude, I got back on the ice with him and had a fabulous lesson. New foot work, reworked spins and jumps. Wow. What magic he is working on my skating. What magic I'm creating.

After wards we went to the bar for drinks--because that's where you go after you skate of course--kind of like at Momentum, how you go to the coffee shop after you climb. Anyway, after drinks and a heart to heart about my insecurities (yes people, Super Angie is insecure--except it!) then I went out for dinner with Jessica. What a total sweetheart. Shes 18 and we talked about shopping, skating (shes a beautiful skater), fashion, high school dances, and of course boys. Ah, took me back to '94 (GO KANGS!).

And finally a great call with Rick...until my phone died--dang battery. Luv u sweetie.

I'm ready for bed and ready to work hard tomorrow and then head home to be a mom.

Oh, and I am now officially NOT a CANDY@SS anymore but now I'm a Candyless @SS. I've graduated and moved up in life. Thanks for your love!

xoxo
Super Angie

Super Angie...Thankful day 1

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude."
~Thomas S. Monson

Each day in November, I will post something I'm thankful for...

DAY ONE: Today I'm thankful for a husband who supports me. He recognized a health problem and a fix to the problem. Yes, living apart for the time being sucks. And yes, its hard living in two different states, but I was so sick constantly in Utah. For the past 7 yrs, in and out of doctor offices. On such horrible heavy medications. Constantly drugged up. It zapped my energy. It zapped my mood. I was not happy and I was not healthy. Rick saw this change happen this past summer while I lived in Keystone and he visited every weekend. Living at 9300 ft has made a difference. He noticed a better Super Angie, so it was HIS idea for me to move. Yes, its hard. But we aren't the only ones living apart--think of army couples. Think of people in the airline industry. There are many many people who have beautiful marriages and yet don't live under the same roof much of the time. And there are MANY people who have horrible marriages and yet see each other daily. I'm thankful for Rick for loving me enough to make this sacrifice.