All about the Children!

Children are some of the coolest people ever! Winning the bronze has created some pretty unique opportunities, some of which have included getting to work and speak with children. These probably have been the most fun of all my adventures, as children tend to ask some pretty interesting questions. I have visited with the Atlanta Vipers 10&U softball team courtesy of my former hitting student, Bella, chatted with the softball team at Lithia Springs High School, I have spoken to many schools (in no particular order): Sweetwater Elementary, Dorsett Shoals Elementary, Beluah Elementary, Bill Arp Elementary, Chapel Hill High School, Alexander High School, Mason Creek Middle School, Chestnut Log Middle School, Mundy's Mill Middle School, Austin Middle School, and the Douglas County Performance Learning Center. I have spoken to several after school programs, including those hosted by the Atlanta Youth Project in the Walton apartment complexes, and I have had the opportunity to meet many children at events such as Olympic Day at KidsGym and the GA Kite Festival. I was a guest on the news broadcast of Chapel Hill Elementary and was interviewed by two aspiring young journalists, whose nervousness was cute. I was welcomed by my alma mater, Arbor Station Elementary, where I received a very warm welcome cause as they say "Once a bear, always a bear." I was inspired playing with the children at Egelston's Children Hospital, and was truly touched by these children. I was honored to speak at the opening ceremonies at Cogburn Woods Elementary School's Olympics and spent three days with the students of Eastside Elementary for their field day and also spoke at their 5th grade reception. All of these encounters have been so much fun and these children have truly made winning the bronze medal more special and I am honored to have been able to share my experiences with them.

I've been asked many questions, "Are you married?" "How much do you get paid?" "What else can you do?" "Do you ever get spiked?" "How many trips have you taken?" "How much do you bench press?" "Is there a Santa Claus?" "Do you ever get scared?" "What was it like to be at the Olympics?" "Is that medal heavy?" "What was it like when they put the medal around your neck?" and so on...some questions more amusing than others but all very welcomed! I have had the greatest time being asked all these questions and hopefully I provide pretty good responses!

At any rate, I have been blessed to have been able to share my medal with so many of the youth, hopefully I'll be able to work more with children and who knows, maybe I've even inspired a few to go on a reach their goals. Although working with all these children has made me want children even more now, children of my own will have to wait at least another 4 years. it's more crazy moments with children I get to return to their parents! lol

Oh btw- if you have pictures, please post or email to me- I don't have pictures from any of these events, but it'd like to add them to my personal collection! Thanks!

Pretty Cool Moment in my Life

So when I won the medal, one of the things I was looking forward to most was coming home and connecting with the Egleston's Children's Hospital in Atlanta to arrange an event where I could meet some of the children and show them my medal. Well the day finally came and I had a blast playing with Wii with some of the children, even though I don't think bobsled was their most fun game. Anyway, while I was there I had the pleasure of meeting a young boy and his Dad who were actually from Douglasville! The boy (I don't have permission to use names so I'm not going to- to protect the family's privacy) and his sister attend Arbor Station Elementary (my Alma Mater), although because of his illness he has not been able to attend for some time. When I met his father at Egleston, he told me that although he had to take his son out of school, the next goal was for him to be healthy enough so he could come hear me speak at Arbor Station a month later.

So yesterday, I entered the gym in Arbor Station to the applause of many children and parents, and all I could see was a sea of faces. But then, I looked over to my left and I saw him- there he was just sitting in the chair listening to me speaking- he made it! I couldn't help but keep smiling at that point- I was so excited! I was so happy that he had made it to come see me speak- I couldn't help but keep looking over at him and smiling. He came up afterward and we took pictures and smiled his gorgeous smile, but I'm pretty sure I was the one who was most excited. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera for the picture (so if you're reading this and you have a picture of us or me with any children, please send it to me), but it's truly a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life.

Now I've met many people throughout my travels, many celebrities and stars, heck- I even met the president- but none have touched me quite like this little boy and his family have. He truly is blessed with a loving family and he is a strong fighter and I only hope that someday I can have children as wonderful as this little boy.

Do you get paid to bobsled?

Nope. The short answer to a question I often get asked. As an amateur sport, we are not professional and therefore do not make a salary like professional athletes. We do have the opportunity to earn stipends from the USOC, however, those stipends can be cut off at any time (like they were after the Olympics), and those stipends are not much- especially considering how much we as athletes eat (I probably spend the majority of my money on food lol). There is also the chance to win some prize money, but again, not enough to support even having house. The additional problem with these types of funds is the fact that 1/2 of it ends up going to taxes- so then you only end up with half of your meager earnings anyway. Income from bobsled is dependent on our ability to find sponsors, which at the moment is very difficult in this struggling economy. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxaury of being a full-time athlete like professional athletes, so I have to work- small jobs usually, a personal trainer, a substitute teacher, and even this summer I'm hoping to get a job in a sandwich shop- Did I mention I'm a bronze medalist? So no, the majority of Olympic athletes are not living the high life- ballin' with diamonds swinging from their necks- but we continue to compete (and even train harder than the professionals who do get paid) because we love our sports. Times are tough even for elite level athletes, so for me- that means many long days in hopes of continuing to compete for my country. GO USA!

Update

WOW! It's been quite a while since I last posted! I have been extremely busy this month, trying to make all the appearances possible and I don't think I've said no yet! I'm extremely exhausted- but I've had a blast. The medal is wearing down, and the appearance requests come less and less frequently these days, which just means it's time to get back to training! I have already started training for the season and for the next four years- which I'm very excited about. Still a few more appearances to make, but I'll be spending a good majority of the summer in Lake Placid, NY, at the Olympic Training Center up there, as it gives me an excellent opportunity to train and save on costs, as well as work like a mad person! I have been working as a substitute teacher here at home- which is fun, but of course as the school year nears an end- so does the work. I often get asked- "if you're an Olympic medalist, why are you substitute teaching?" It's one way to pay the bills at the end of the day- and I suppose that's what we're all trying to do- Olympic medalist or not. I'll post more about my adventures over the past month- cause they've been a lot of them and I have so much to share- but for now- just a quick update to say hi blog world!

Converse ATL

Thanks to one Jennifer Hutcheson (aka Mami2Mommy on Twitter), my boyfriend (yes the one I'm not naming and yes he was in town last week) and I attended several events hosted by Converse. First, we were invited on Friday to Atlanta to pick up a fresh pair of converse (each of us got a pair) to wear to the Converse Tip-Off party that night. Friday night, we attended the Converse Tip-Off Party, met tons of really cool people and even walked the red carpet- twice- once with Jermaine Dupri! Saturday afternoon we attended the Converse Band of Ballers, a 3-on-3 basketball tourney where the players were various vocal artists. Following the tourney, we then attended the after-party at Dallas Austin's place, where we were given another pair of fresh converse shoes! We had a fantastic weekend and Converse really allowed my boyfriend to enjoy the A! Nice showing!

Celeb status and the BF

So my medal has granted me somewhat of a celebrity status. Like I've said to my mom, it's like I'm a mini-celeb though, people who know who I am really know who I am and get very excited- but then other people have no idea who I am and have ABSOLUTELY no idea- so it's really hit or miss- which is fine- I don't have a problem with it, and I've been enjoying the opportunities I've been given because of this status. Hopefully my status has allowed me to reach other people, I've spoken to many schools and children, even some churches, but I can never be sure if I'm really having an impact- but I'm having fun in the least!

Anyway, back to the topic of this blog, so if you haven't seen it on my facebook or caught it on twitter yet, yes I am in a relationship. Posting this on facebook caused quite a stir- which I didn't think it would- just wanted to use it to profess how I feel about my boyfriend. I also got a lot of questions about him specifically, and tons of questions about us. Don't get me wrong- I don't mind the questions at all, but I do want to preserve the privacy of my boyfriend, which is why I haven't put his name or his picture anywhere. No worries- he's a very special guy and he makes me happy. :)