It’s been several days since we started training again after being home for New Years.  Looking around the gym, it seems as though everyone took advantage of their break because they look fresh and motivated during practices.  Since these guys don’t have to compete for several more months, they’re able to work on skills rather than routines.  Believe it or not, these guys aren’t doing anything special or out of the ordinary (this update is for you Rick!).  I don’t mean this in a bad way.  They do the same skills that all other athletes do in other countries, but they do it well.  Their motto is to do “beautiful gymnastics,” which I personally think is really important given that the emphasis of this new code of points has been to add more and more difficult skills.  I mean, look at Hiroyuki Tomita and Kohei Uchimura for example.  Anyway, while the new code was supposed to emphasize originality, it’s sad to see that most of the top level gymnasts are doing the same skills because there aren’t that many variations of high valued skills.  Either way, it’s great to see that the Japanese guys are really focused on their style and how they look while they perform.

As far as life outside of the gym, things are busy given that it’s almost time for final exams.  I personally have two finals that I need to study for.  It’s exciting to know that as soon as I finish my exams and get these units transfered over to the States, I’ll finally be done with my two degrees from Stanford!  It’s an exciting time but also a little sad.  In less than a week and a half, I’ll have to leave this place that I have gotten so attached to.  I’ve also become good friends with not only the gymnasts here but with a lot of other people as well.  It’s sad but I knew from the beginning that my time in Japan was only for a short period.  It’s a good thing that I have family in Japan though as I come here every now and then to visit.  And who knows, I may just come back here to work when I’m done with my gymnastics career!