Sharing Our Concerns With Michelle

[GinnySmith]

OK. Based on the heart-felt thoughts a great many of us are sharing regarding Michelle appearing to be exhausted, does anybody else want to join me in somehow sharing our observations with Michelle? Is there someway we can consolidate the concerns we have expressed and snail-mail or e-mail them to her? I'm sure her family and Frank are also on top of this, but it couldn't hurt for us fans to share our thoughts. What do you think? Am I being too much of a "worrisome Mom"? Tell you what: If you want to share your concerns, how about copying your posts to this thread or creating new posts here to express your thoughts? I'll wait a day or two and if there are a substantial number, I'll print them off and send them to the "official" addresses listed for Michelle. Does anybody else have any other suggestions on how to do this? Thanks in advance!

[Artec262]

I see Michelle face yesterday on T.V, she look so tire and stress. I think she don't have enough sleep. And that stupid format make her more tire, because she hadto skate 3 times in less than 24 hours.

[MichelleFANnumber1]

Michelle has looked VERY tired lately, and skinny!! Did you see her arms? they're like toothpicks!!! I really pray that she is ok. She is skating well, but doesnt have that attack that she usually does...

[Icare]

I wrote it in another thread, but I also think it beongs here. So please don't mind me repeating myself. (When I get more time, I may want to expand on these thoughts). I think people's drive predominantly comes from their hunger for something. For MK, her burning desire was going to college, at least when skating was going fine. But the hunger thing can change. It may be doing that 3/3 now. But whatever that is, only MK knows, and she needs to rethink her priority as often as she wishes. I hope MK knows that it is OK to have a moving target, it is normal to have up and downs, whatever other says may not be as important as what she thinks. I think she has pushed as hard as a human can by covering so many grounds. I just wish whatever she chooses to do, she keeps that inner joy and drive, and that winning attitude that carried her so far.

[barang]

you are right. the first thing i noticed was her face. she did not look fresh and her upper body is not the same when she was competing at skate america. i know she will not make any excuses for being tired but frank said the gpf was grueling. between training and school, i know she does not have the luxury to relax. i anticipated this situation that one will suffer either her skating or school. she's the only one who know which of the two should give. whatever her decision is, i'll be happy for her.

[GinnySmith]

The following is an "editted" version of one of my posts to another thread. I am including relavent comments for consolidating concerns. I apologize in advance for the repetition: Great perspectives, everybody. I just finished watching the GPF and actually thought Michelle skated very well. I agree that she didn't have the spark at the beginning of the program, but she seemed to be more energized toward the end. And, during the skate, Mr. Button made a lot of extremely nice observations... ...I agree that Michelle's face has looked tired in the last two competitions. During "Hands", I noticed her breathing heavier than usual during in the program. In Ariane, we've talked about "the spark" and at the end of the program when she came off the ice, her body just looked exhausted. And, yes, she does seem thin to me. I know we are all a little worried about her. I want her to take care of herself and be happy...

[EmilyJ]

She did look tired at GPF. i just hope that she can have tome to relax, but it must be hard with skating AND school. i just pray and hope that she can get some rest and relaxation, especially before these upcoming competitions. Ihope that she doesn't stress herself too much.

[Mousee17]

I'm worried about MK. Like everyone else, I've noticed she seems much thinner than usual. How in the world does she handle all of the stress? Being a full-time student in college is difficult, and being a Senior skater is extremely difficult. Please MK, I am pleading you, chose something. You're going to run yourself ragged. Take fewer classes. I don't want MK to let up on her skating career, and look back in 10 years and regret her decision. But I have to applaud her for being so brave. She never ceases to amaze me.

[skatingfan]

Please put our heads together creatively and do a nice project for her before nationals and worlds, but writing her to share our concerns? Hmmmm...... MK takes things very very seriously, I don't want her to think she is burdening us b/c we are worried about her. I think she can just take 2 courses instead of 3, and more importantly accept that B's or even C's are OK, that will free up more time. It is hard to do though, when a young person is so motivated to learn and does her best in everything. Remember right before SA, she was worried sick of a test, and it turned out she got a B for that test. Danny Kwan told her it was OK, but she said she wanted to try for an A. I think if she carefully chooses courses that are less demanding on time, that would help too. I was surprised to hear in fluff pieces that she pulls all nighters. She is just a freshman. I actually think if she enroll in some math courses, it will be very good for her. Math always help sharpens one's mind, there will be no term paper to write, and unlike most science or computer science courses, no labs. I just finished watching Ariane, and the little bit of TRV, and ADITL from GPF, she looks very thin. TRV costume fit looser in GPF compared to SA, and SC. ADITL costume fit looser compare to the Keri lotion or masters earlier in the season. The fluff piece where she was sitting on the beach, she had such a glow on her face. I want to cry right now, feel so bad for her.

[XPEG]

As just an observation, Michelle hasn't been in class since the week of Dec 13. She was home for vacation for about two weeks. What concerns me is when Michelle does things like fly to Japan the week before she has to fly to France. Switching time zones that much can throw your body off. (I flew from Virginia to LA for Christmas and it took me a week there before I no longer fell asleep at 8:00 at night). Hopefully for Worlds she won't have traveled to New Zealand before then flying to France.

[taf2]

I think it would be an intrusion for any of us who don't really know Michelle to try to get this kind of message to her. There could be a lot of reasons for the weight loss, but she has a lot of supportive people in her life, and if we've noticed, I'm sure they have too. She may be working too hard, not getting enough sleep, or she could have mono (notorious on college campuses). Whatever it is, I think she & her team are too intelligent not to take steps to correct the problem. BTW, I thought she looked beautiful-that longer hair is gorgeous.

[mano]

Just kidding. I worry about Michelle, h*ck, I think I've been writing about how thin she is in every other post of mine this week. The last thing I want to do is worry her more because of what we think...unless she's been reading MKF, well then, too late on that score. All I could think of is sending encouraging notes and letters for Michelle to hang in there 'cause we know that school and skating is tough. That and that we love her no matter what color medal she wears or GPA she gets. I do hope she rests up this whole week. She deserves it.

[GinnySmith]

Thanks for your comments everyone. You have all made very good points and convinced me that I don't need to send anything. What I am hearing is we agree that Michelle looked tired from the GPF and the GPA, and there could be many different reasons why. I am also being reminded that she is in very good hands with her family and Frank, and that she has enough on her plate without a worry wart fan (that would be me) bothering her! Perhaps I was panicking a bit and I certainly don't want to intrude in her life. If she chooses to browse MKF and happens to see the thoughts we have expressed, then so be it. Visiting the internet is a choice and I don't believe any of these posts have been out of line. They have all come from a place of caring and concern for Michelle, who has endeared herself to us over the air waves with her hard work and character. "Work hard, be yourself, and have fun." I would also like to add, "Get plenty of rest!" Take care Michelle!

[eilaram]

I agree with Taf2 and Mano. If we send her anything it should be encouragement not concerns. I know reading some of these concerns makes me sad and a little teary eyed. Just think what it would do to her..she seems stressed as it is.

[barang]

this is normal for people to show their concern espicially to the one they love. don't we love michelle? isn't that the reason why we care so much about her well being? we love and care for you, michelle. i always mention you in my prayer. if you happened to visit this forum, i just want you to know that i love you as a person first, then greatest skater second. it doesn't matter to me what placement you get. take care and god bless.

[fdevine]

I agree that it would be an intrusion to do any such thing. As much as we love Michelle, we are fans, not family. We need to keep our place and just cheer her on, encourage her, and those of us who pray should pray for her. IMO. Frances

[Karin]

I am a little worried about MK's health...she looks like she lost some weight...her limbs look skinnier...although I don't know if she really did...and at SC...she looked quite tired!!! (I don't really enjoy midterms either!!! :O) I hope she can get a little more rest!!! I also hope MK doesn't put too much pressure on herself for whatever... About the technical stuff...I'm guessing Team Kwan knows what they'll have to do!!! I just wanna say too that the music choice for the Olys may be one of the most important thing in my opinion!!!...I guess some kinda music like Salome...or Taj is... for a lay person like me...more easier to relate to and to get excited about...the music has more fire!!! I personally like the more dramatic programs...although Lyra is also my favourite!!!...I would really like to see the reverse camel back for the Olys...not necessarily next season... Most of all...I just hope MK is and will be happy and bring us her smile forever!!! :-))) and good luck!!! Go MK!!! ...do you actually think MK would mind hearing Ginny's idea???