Hello!

All is good here! Training has been going pretty smooth....I'm actually starting to get a bit restless without the real competition. I mean there's only so many forehand crosscourt you can do right? It's been chillier than normal in Cali, and of course I happen to get a little virus. Apart from feeling a bit delusional for two days, I'm all good now.

I love this time of year because everyone gets so excited about the holidays, especially here. Starbucks had their Jinglebell music going in mid-November already!! Wow! And there's also nothing like seeing a wrapped present with your name on it. In Russia you don't celebrate Christmas on the 25th, therefore here, it's like a bonus for me. I'm usually never home for New Year's or Russian Christmas, so I have gotten accustomed to celebrating X-mas on the 25th. But actually, thinking about it, what's wrong with opening presents a few days earlier?? Look at it this way.....if you get a nice jacket, you get to wear it for 6 extra days of your life! But if it's ugly, you get rid of it sooner than later.

I went tree shopping the other day and it took about three different places to find a good tree. Apparently getting a tree ten days before x-mas is so old school.

I also must have spent one hour in Papyrus yesterday buying cards and wrapping presents. I actually couldn't help it and bought myself a card that said 'The answer to the age-old holiday question: What do you get the woman who has everything? MORE!' I thought it would be appropriate to spend an extra $3.50 on a great find like that.

Happy Holidays everyone!!! I hope all you kids have been good to Santa......