Sept. 24, 2006

Hey!!! I hope everyone is doing great and enjoying this school year, I know I am. As a freshmen, I am finally feeling comfortable with finding my classes, getting organized and feeling settled in. It is amazing to be a freshmen. Coming in I was very nervous, excited, and sad all in one. Nervous about pretty much everything, I did not really know what to expect and was kind of nervous to be completely on my own. I was definitely excited...it is such an exciting time in your life and I have heard it is the best time in your life. I was also sad to leave home...leaving my little sister home, watching my older sister go back to school...leaving my aunt and uncle and the rest of my family and friends. Now that I am here and settled in, I absolutely love it and couldn't be happier. The team is amazing and really know how to make us freshmen feel welcome. They have been SO helpful in getting us settled in and helping get us acclimated to college life. The coaches here are also very helpful and supportive. They all help brighten your day. It is SO exciting to be part of such an awesome team!

The team this year is going to do great things. With six freshmen, it is going to be a big change, but hopefully a good one. We have been training hard and are all getting back into the swing of things. With "boot camp" almost two weeks underway, we are all getting back into our tip-top shape. As hard as it sometimes, and as sore as we all may be, we all use each others strengths and really work as a team to push ourselves and each other to be the very best that we can be. In order to get where we want to go, we all know we have to put forth 100% every single day as a team. It is a great time to let your true character shine through. When thinking about "boot camp" I can't help but think of the quote, "It is not about the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog." I think that quote says it all about boot camp.

We start official practice last Friday, and it is going to be great to finally have team assignments and really get this pre-season started. I am so excited to finally be part of the Terp family, and be here with such an amazing group of people. I never thought the day would come when I would finally reach my goal of being a collegiate gymnast. It is finally here and I love every minute of it. Follow your dreams, dreams do come true.

Well, thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope you all have a wonderful week and continue to live each day to live each day to the absolute fullest. Everyday's outcome is determined by the attitude that you chose to have that day, so enjoy the ride. I also hope everyone is getting excited to come support your Terp Gymnasts this season. It is going to be an exciting year and we have a great opportunity for this team to go places we have never gone before!

Take Care and Best Wishes,

Brandi