Hey Everyone!
I hope everyone is having a really fun summer so far. It’s been pretty busy, but I’ve certainly enjoyed it so far.
I’m getting settled into my new surroundings and into the groove of the summer training. I wanted to give you guys an update and what’s going on! I thought my choreography would be a good place to start.
Working with Pasquale was so incredible. I wanted to give him creative freedom, so I let him choose whatever music he thought would be best. My free skate music is Air by Bach and Toccata & Fugue by Bach. Although I have already skated to both of these pieces separately, I was more intrigued by the story of the program. The story is of “Adam” from the Garden of Eden. It seems pretty fitting so far, doesn’t it?! It starts out in the Garden of Eden where everything is very peaceful and then gets much darker when God gets is angry that Eve ate the apple. The whole program is based on that story and also the painting of God and Adam in “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo. So you might see some references to that as well. 😉
After working with Pasquale, I headed back to Toronto to pack up my apartment and to do my short. While I was back in Toronto, my friend, Kiira Korpi, stayed with me while we both were doing our choreography with Shae-Lynn. I’d like to apologize to Kiira publicly about the state I had my apartment in. It wasn’t THAT bad, but there were times where she would come back to the apartment and I would have just dismantled a bookshelf and have things everywhere. In typical Kiira fashion, she was beautiful and understanding about it all. Kiitos, Kiira!
Shae might be one of my favorite skaters of all time. I was dying to work with her for a few years already and I was so excited that it was actually happening this year. We had a little sit down and talked about music we had both found and we realized we both choose Korobushko by Bond. We decided to play it on the ice and it worked right away. This program is very fun, light-hearted, and very fitting to my personality. I’m just a gypsy showing what I can do! No big deal!
My experiences with both choreographers were fantastic. I can’t wait to share what we’ve done. When my short program was all done and my stuff all packed, it was time to make “the move.”
That weekend, my mom drove up to Toronto and we began our multiple trips back and forth between Toronto and Detroit. A nine hour round-trip. We ended up driving back and forth two times in one weekend. My mom was a hero yet again because on top of all the driving to Detroit, she also drove back home to Pennsylvania. I made my final trip with Shae making it three long travel days in a row. I was lucky because Shae was on her way to Detroit anyway to work with Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje. A lucky coincidence? Fate? Regardless, it was perfect timing.
Now to the present! Until my apartment is ready in August, I am staying with
Alissa Czisny. I literally cannot think of enough superlatives to describe how wonderful she’s been to me. She’s an inspiration, role model, and an amazing friend.
I’ve been skating here in Detroit for about three weeks now. I’ve enjoyed every second of working with Jason and Yuka. I have been working a lot with Jason on changing a few things within my technique. It can sometimes be a frustrating process but what is so great about working with him is that everything that happens all seems to be part of a plan. I don’t feel as if things are falling apart, I feel like they are coming together. It’s a wonderful change. Luckily, I am somewhat of a quick learner so it hasn’t been too frustrating. It’s actually been quite rewarding so far. 🙂
My last thing to do to be completely set up in Detroit is to get my driver’s license and a car. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know! I’m 21 and don’t have a license. It wasn’t until I moved to Detroit that I finally understood why everyone gave me shocked-face when I said I didn’t have it. In Toronto, it’s really no big deal if you don’t have one with the subway and buses. Here, I can’t get anywhere! I am going home the beginning of August to take my driver’s test. Please wish me luck!!
Before I end this post, I would just like to say I am very excited for my summer shows this year. The Ice Tour in Japan and An Evening On Ice in Burbank, California. I hope to see a lot of you there! I also agreed to blog for Universal Sports from Japan, so look for that when it comes out!
Also, I’m very much looking forward to competing at Skate Canada and in Paris at Trophee Eric Bompard this year!
I’ll be keeping you all updated along the way 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
All my love,
Adam Rippon