Off to Spain

     I can't believe the off season has gone by so fast. This day once seemed so distant, and it's here already. I have had an awesome winter at home. It was great to be home for a while and be productive. All my friends back home are awesome and I had some amazing times with them this year. As I packed my life into my gear bag today I was in a bit of a somber mood because of what I have to leave behind. However, I can't be more stoked for the months to come. I know my preparation has been spot on, and I cant wait to put it to the test. With a lot of time before the real races, I will be able to continue my program in a more ideal location.  In the weeks to come I will be doing some riding and training in southern spain as well as a few small races there to get back into it. I'm excited to see all my friends and teammates who I haven't seen since last season. This year has the potential to create a lot of opportunities for me, and I am very fortunate to be in the position I am right now. My attitude as of now is composed and confident. Thanks to everyone along the way who got me here and thank you for believing in me. 2011 is now underway.

NM

18th birthday

I just had an amazing weekend full of good times to celebrate my 18th birthday. It all started off on saturday the 19th which was my birthday. I had my league swimming championship all morning, which was my last meet of the season. I was really excited to try and do my best times of the year. I ended up going new PR's both the 200 and 100 free. I was really pleased with my time in the 100. I swam it in 53.85, nearly 2 seconds faster than I had ever swam it before. I ended up 10th in the league for that. We won the championship as a team, which was also pretty cool. It was nice to end on a high note. That night all my friends came over for my birthday. We rented a limo for the night and went to a few cool places. First we went out to eat, the we picked up some more friends and went to the arcade near Philly. We had an awesome time at both places and just being in the limo was great too. We all went back to my place afterwards and continued to celebrate my birthday for the rest of the night. Then on sunday I had dinner with my family and a few friends. It was a lot of fun. With the holiday weekend I had monday off from school, so I did something I have been waiting 18 years to do, buy a gun! I bought a sweet gun down at the hunting shop and already went through a few rounds. I have done so many sweet things this weekend, I will remember it forever. I am coming down to the wire here until I go to spain. I have one more week in america, then I'm gone until May. I'm really looking forward to everything getting started.

NM