What I've Learned from Michelle...[share your stories]

[SarahGeronimoLeaSalonga]

I had to travel to Indianapolis on thursday, a 3 hour drive. I had to go there for a job interview. It's a job opportunity I've been waiting for. The problem was...I don't have a car. Flying was expensive (it's only 3 hrs away), so my option was renting a car.

To use a debit card in car renting required a $300 deposit. I knew I only had half of that amount in and I wouldn't get a paycheck til friday. So, I called a few people for help. My brother said that he would call in the car rental his credit card. I thought my problem's solved, but then, I was told he had to be present on the day we pick up the car to sign the release papers--he's all the way in NJ!

A friend was my last resort to rent his car; I've never done that from a friend. I phoned him. Since that phone call, I didn't hear back...

I realized there are other opportunities, and I thought, "it's not the end of the world". I told myself this may not even be the right time because the setbacks were signs I may not even get the job. So I'd decided to cancel my interview; and it made me feel relieved.

Late in the afternoon, my friend called to let me know I was able to borrow his car. When I told him that I cancelled the interview, he cried, "Oh, no! You should've not done that." I explained to him that I had 48 hours, that cancelling was the right option. I wanted another applicant closer to Indianapolis to have the interview instead.

I told my friend that I've learned something from Michelle Kwan :) when she said, "It's not the end of the world. There will be another time." And he said, "There you go."

I have a new job interview with a different firm!

Michelle Kwan is my role model. :angel

[JerryStopher]

What I've learned from MK ...

I've learned to really love figure-skating.

Before, I thought it was kinda okay, but mainly because the girls wear such short skirts and they all have such pretty legs.

Then MK came along, and had the prettiest legs of all.

And then I watched more FS, and began to wonder how those li'l ol' gals could jump like that, and turn around so fast, and fly across the ice.

And then came the internet ... I logged onto Prodigy (the DOS version) one day, and typed "Michelle Kwan" in a search box, hoping to find folks who could tell me more about the sport. And I found a List.

And on that List I met some fans, including a certain Heather (Violina) who at some point suggested that I check out some Board she was on, called Michelle Kwan Forum.

And over the years since then, I've learned how to tell a Flutz from a Lutz, but more than that I have learned to really enjoy the sport.

I've learned to enjoy watching it on TV, and to enjoy watching it live at shows like COI and SOI. And when the rink was open here and my health agreed, I learned, in just a few lessons, to really enjoy being on the ice, forcing myself away from the boards, trying not to panic when things got wobbly ... and I even learned to do a trick!

Yup, thanks to my love of MK's gorgeous legs, I now know how to do a Booty-Splat! And I know how cold and hard that ice is.

Thanks, Michelle. You gave me a new love.

[ronniev]

i've learned that it's not always about the destination. but all the people that you touch on the way..

[taf]

Sarah, I'm a little confused by your story. When did observing Michelle ever teach anyone to quit? Michelle didn't quit, she did everything she could to make her dream come true. This was a job opportunity you have been waiting for and then you just blew it off?

Do you still live with your parents? Somehow I doubt that someone who supported herself would have the same attitude.

[MKalltheway]

i've learned that it's not always about the destination. but all the people that you touch on the way..

well said!

[trpls4me]

I just learned as a skater to just put your heart into everything you do and always work as hard as you possibly can to acheive your goals

[StoryGirl9]

I have learned that injuries are a way of life and often inconvenient, but it is how you deal with it that really matters. Sometimes you suck up the pain and do your best and sometimes you have to stop, take a break, and let your body rest. This is all after the past 10 weeks that I have been out of work (at 24 years old and healthy). I think Michelle has handled things much better than I have, with SOOOOO much more at stake. Watching her withdraw reminded me that life is so much bigger than myself and obviously Michelle know that!

[ExoticFlower213]

I've learned that no matter what awards and achievements you have, maintaining your integrity, graciousness, and being humble will make you a better person than all those awards can.

[Krista]

Ive learned that the most important things in life are how you treat one another, because medals are just medals, money is just money, and stuff is just stuff. Its about being a good person, keeping friends and family close, having a good frame of mind, and doing what you know how to do, the best you can. Its not about the end, its about the journey, as someone else said. And too many people pass up the journey in hopes of reaching some pot of gold that ends up leaving them empty after all. I appreciate all the Joy that Michelle has given me and other people. Im truly a better person for having been a fan of hers, and she's a great example for anyone. But frankly I think Michelle's fans are good people, and if someone on the street were to tell me they were a Michelle Kwan fan, I certainly would consider them a good person :)

[iceman]

I've relearned something that I have known for some time---don't invest more of yourself in something or someone than you can afford to lose. Sarah, I am sorry you lost this job opportunity. There seem to me to be other options you could have pursued---couldn't your brother have taken out a cash advance on his credit card--if he did not have cash on hand to do so--and wired the money to you; if you don't have overdraft protection on you bank account, set that up for the next time you face this problem; After your friend told you you could borrow his car, couldn't you have rescheduled the interview; couldn't you have taken a cheaper kind of transportation--bus or train. When you applied for the job u knew u would face this situation, so why didn't you do some advance planning before the offer of the interview came. Also for the future, set up a savings account and put a certain amount in it regularly and don't touch the money in it except for emergency situations like this. I sincerely don't mean to beat u up as I am sure u don' feel your best about losing this opportunity. You have to seize opportunities when they come your way, because they just may not come again. Love and best wishes---one who has been there.

[SarahGeronimoLeaSalonga]

I am sure u don't feel your best about losing this opportunity. You have to seize opportunities when they come your way, because they just may not come again. Love and best wishes---one who has been there.

Thank you, baby. Dont get me wrong, I just took the "easier" route coz I didnt like getting stressed out and run around anymore. "Life is short..." - Madonna (song) Yes, I had 48 hrs to cancel and reschedule. The money I had saved in another account's not enough to add to the debit card. See, I could go and on, but the bottom line's that I didn't felt right going to this interview with many setbacks. I wanted it to go smoothly. It'd sucked if I didn't get it anyway after 3 hrs of just getting there.

Thank you again for thinking but I felt I made the right decision.