About the Author Ting-Mei Liu is currently a fourth year students from English Department at Wenzao
Ursuline
College
of
Languages. Figure skating has become a part of her life, which was inspired by her favorite skater, Yu-Na Kim. Figure skating is not a common sport in Taiwan, for we do not possess enough ice arenas in this sub-tropic island. This is the premier book Ting-Mei had
ever
written.
Thanks
to
the
compulsory course of English Writing, instructing by Ken Smith, she was able to make her dream happen in words. Having the same difficulties as the protagonist in the story, she can readily put herself into the character’s shoe. Furthermore, the author wishes to promote this graceful art by her actual experience she included in this book.
Content
Chapter 1
Figure Skating
Chapter 2
Chasing the Dream
Chapter 3
The Reality
Chapter 4
Lonely Journey
“For all these years, I have been chasing something impossible…”
This novel is written for myself, all figure skating lovers and people who pursue dreams.
Chapter 1
Figure Skating The very first time for me to know figure skating was five years ago. I was flipping channels aimlessly like usual. Suddenly, something moving fast and white drew my attention and made me flipped back to see what was
going on. I was like addicted to the TV until I finished the whole program. I wondered if there were any other sports like figure skating that could create such impact on mankind. I suppose it was the most elegant sport on earth that the God had ever made. Figure skating is a combination of arts that contains dramatic stories and plenty of emotions. Sometimes I try to analyze what brings me excitement toward figure skating; however, I
ended up convincing myself that it was just the right feeling, that’s all. I begin to ‘train’ myself regularly at home since then. Of course, it was just an unrealistic dream that offered me happiness by imagine it. I would wear socks to reduce friction of floor to make it feel more like ice, which still have great differences than real ice. Besides, it was my daily routine to stretch my legs and waist before bed to
improve
flexibility
whereas
imagining that was nothing big deal for me, like what real skaters do before getting on ice; nonetheless, every move to make me more flexible attempted me cutting off my stiff tendons.
Until one day, a post changes my life. There was a job offer at the downtown ice
arena.
called number
I the
below
and immediately applied for that job. Therefore, a journey to realize the impossible dream had begun.
Chapter 2
Chasing the Dream
I dare not to have the thought of
having today, being tin this room zipping up this custom-made garment with my hair done. Beside me is the first pair of pre-owned skates. They are lying
peacefully
against
the
wardrobe as if they finally went back home after years of wandering. The other pair is on my feet with
shoelaces
undone.
Blades are sharpened and covered with blade guards. They are ready. I still remember clearly the day
she gave it to me.
There were not much light in her room. The sun was sinking slowly behind the windows. I walked in with a cup of hot water for her. She looked so small on that day. The blanket was much bigger. She opened her weary eyes and asked me to come near her bed. “How did it go?� She said it in her caring voice.
“It’s fine. Here, have a cup of hot water, and you’ll feel better.” “Have you overcome your triple?” “It’s better
than yesterday’. You
should take more rest and worry no more about me so long as you have faith in me.” It was the second time she fell ill this year. The doctor said to me that if her immune system shut down one more time, I probably have to be prepared for the outcome. For all these years, I focus my daily life in the
rink, day and night. There is nothing left in me except figure skating; besides, she had already put enough effort as well as money on me. I decided to draw my whole attention on the upcoming Grand Prix, for this is the only approach to worth her effort. “You see that box over there?” She pointed to the corner. “Bring it here and open it.” I almost forgot that day was my 18th birthday. I opened the
heavy found
box a
pair
and of
brand new ice skates inside.
I
used
to
practice on the low quality pre-owned for more than 3 years which did not give enough support for my ankle. Despite the high risk of damaging myself, the only way is to be more careful. “Mom, how did you…?” “Don’t ask too much.” She interrupted
me, “I am sure those are your size. Safety always comes first on ice, and I do wish you to focus on your upcoming challenge, alright?” “But we can’t afford these, they cost too much!” “I’ll
worry
about
that.
Your
responsibility is to make the best use of them. ” She said firmly. Since then, whenever I attempt to find clues about these skates on her, she either avoided the topic or kept in
silence. One thing sure-enough is that they are hard-won.
Chapter 3
The Reality I tighten up the laces and get ready for the last practice session. Inside the dressing room, skaters come from everywhere, Japan, Korea, Russia, France, China‌I guess I am the only one from Taiwan. Most of them know
each other very well as they were participants
in
all
competition.
Several
kinds
of
well-known
skaters are accompanied by a team. Their jobs are to offer necessary professional supports for the skater, including coach, physical therapist, choreographer and adviser. Every pair of eyes is glowing with victory, and everyone came for one goal—chasing the Gold. I leave the room 10 minutes before the
practice session to get used to the temperature at the rink. A couple of skaters were already waiting. The spacious interior awes me at first sight. In my hometown, the only rink, which mainly built for public use, was often crowded instead
with
beginners.
Hence,
of renting the expensive
private period, skating in the limited area was my sole method. I estimate, more than five thousand seats are available in this high-ceiling stadium.
Above
my
well-prepared
head, to
spotlights make
are every
competitor glow on ice. Zamboni is resurfacing the ice where the previous session left many jump holes. With great surprise, I see a familiar person waving at me on the other side. It is Regina, my coach and best friend. Our eyes meet. She signs me to meet him
after get on the ice. I stand on the rug before the entrance, shaking legs and arms to warm up my limbs, so do other skaters. No one is talking. A few seconds later I will be gliding freely like the first time I skated.
Chapter 4
Lonely Journey At first, I went to the ice arena three times a week without notifying my parents. I told my mom that I was preparing for the exam at school, but exam will end someday. Therefore, I have to tell her the truth.
We had countless fights on having this job with my mom while receiving harsh blaming from my father of wasting my life and money on useless stuff.
I cried for anger. Before figure skating appeared in my life, I was like a normal students working on school works whereas my parents had an expectation on me since they had spent great amount of
money on me just to make me more competitive in the future.
Life was
suppressed that I had not enough courage to have my dream. I believe there always exist something we destined to do, it is the matter of knowing it or not.
I cried for difficulties. The toughest part to realize a dream is to start it. In the beginning, it took me a lot by finding a pair of skates to
enter the rink. Without any support from my family, I could only fight on my own. Furthermore, no one around me knew how to skate, again, I was alone. At last, my music is playing. It is my turn now. Finally, I will be crying for happiness.
Number of Words : 1,252 Words in Oxford 3000 : 92%
References back cover: http://www.insightlopedia.com/wp-content/plugi ns/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=/w p-content/thumbnails/637.jpg&w=730&h=470&z c=1&ft=jpg
The story is about a Taiwanese girl chasing her dream of figure skating. Being in the country where figure skating is rarely learned, is she able to make it to the end?