Welcome back friends!

"Summer lovin'... had me a blast!" And boy, it really is happening so fast, haha. Ben and I have been keeping ourselves busy these past few months, post-official retirement, getting our new lives in order and setting up our schedule/plans for the rest of the year. Although the term "retirement" is generally associated with relaxation, we have found that the next 9 months (as far ahead as we've been able to plan so far!) are looking busier than any year we've ever had together to date, despite the fact that we're no longer competing. I've listed a few of our newer confirmed appearances on the schedule page, but we'll also have Stars on Ice rehearsals in Lake Placid this November to factor in as well as Stars on Ice Japan which falls just before Nationals this upcoming January, 2011. This will of course be followed by the U.S. Stars on Ice tour which will run from February to early spring. Busy, busy, busy...and I couldn't be happier or more excited!

We've filled the last few months moving from Philadelphia to our new respective homes (mine: Michigan. Ben's: Washington) and getting together when we can to begin choreography of new numbers we'll use on tour next year as well as performing in Yu-Na Kim's "All That Skate" in Korea last month & most recently, the annual Sun Valley lodge ice show. I've also signed up to begin University this fall, albeit through on-line classes for starters while I'm still traveling as much as I do. Nevertheless, it's an important step towards a new & hopefully successful future career and I'm happy to finally be getting my education back on track. I plan on studying for a degree in communications.

Still waiting for permission to confirm details regarding an exciting new opportunity I've been offered for this fall/winter, but let's just say I hope you're not all sick of hearing my voice just yet :) I'll post something here, hopefully in the next few days, as soon as I'm given the O.K. Stay tuned!

No plans from either Ben nor I to start coaching just yet, but we plan to be at the U.S. Championships in different ambassador roles, speaking to the younger skaters and getting our feet wet with some mentoring so hopefully we can stay involved with U.S. Figure Skating in the future and continue to give back to our sport.

I'm sure we'll have more to catch you all up on as changes and developments occur over the next few months, but I'll do my best to pop in once and a while to update you all on our plans!

In the meantime, I hope you're all enjoying your summer as much as I am and I wish you all the very best.

xo, Tanith