A while back, for my AP Language and Composition class we have to write a journal entry talking about a turning point in our lives. It was for our eyes only, and I took this entry to heart. I wrote about the gymternet, and I thought it would be cool to post my journal entry, as a way to thank you all you have done for me over the last year and a half.
Assignment: Write about the biggest turning point in your life.
The biggest turning point in my life was the moment I discovered my love for gymnastics and joined the gymternet. I had always love to do and watch gymnastics, and after the 2008 Olympics I discovered Twitter and the gymternet and I never looked back. After I joined the gymternet, I was inspired by the amazing bloggers already there, such as Get a Grip Gymblog, Triple Twist, Arabian Punch Front, and so many others, and started mine on my 15th birthday, June 27, 2012. It was the best time to start a blog, with the Olympics a month away, After a while of writing for the blog, I realized how much I loved review and analyze numbers and past results and how it correlates to the current results, and how much I loved writing about sports in general. I realized sports are more than a hobby I do after school, they are my passion, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life writing about sports professionally. I realized all of this because of the gymternet. The gymternet is such an amazing place where I can talk to other people who love gymnastics as much as I do, and not only talk about gymnastics. I can honestly say I've met some of the most amazing people on twitter, and I don't know what I'd do without being able to talk to those people. So, thank you gymternet for giving me an outlet to post my ramblings and findings for the past year and a half.
Thank you to all of those who've helped the past year and a half grow as a blogger, gym fan, and person.
Thank you Bekah, APF, Ashlee and Brittany for the inspiration to start a blog and follow my dreams, and all the help along the way.
Thank you to my first two gymternet friends Kim and Kathleen. We may not talk as much anymore, but you guys are still and always will be my Aly and Mac<3
Thank you to the Mooseherd, DylDawg (LTAGymnastics) and Hannuda (@Hannaversary). You both are amazing and Nat asks about you ALL the time. hanN, you've given me such great advice and helped me through some crazy times. I love you both.
Thank you to my gymternet sister, Amanda (@gymnasticsedits on Instagram). You are one of the sweetest people I know and talked with me through some of the weird times I've had. You are like my best friend and I don't know what I would do without you. I'm saving up my money so we can go to Tokyo together in 2020. I love you Manda!
Thank you to the wonderful people at GymnastIke for giving me the opportunity to go to my dream camp, International Gymnastics Camp. I've wanted to go to IGC for about 4 years and my parents told me, "The only way you could EVER go to IGC if it was cheaper." When I saw an ad for the 2013 Pro Gymnastics Challenge Prediction Contest I decided to enter because I had nothing to lose. Lets just say when I got the email saying that I had won about a month later, I was in complete shock. After my mom called to clarify that this contest was legit, I was finally on my way to IGC. It was an unbelievable week and I can't wait to go back this summer with a friend! (Only 221 days away :p)
Thank you to all of the amazing gymnasts that follow me. Without you all, I wouldn't have anything to write about! You all never fail to make my day when I see I have an awesome new follower. So thank you, Emily Schein, Emily Schild, Taylor Spears, Larisa Iordache, Alina Weinstein, Peter Daggett, Shannon Miller, Jordyn Givens, Ariana Agrapides, Jazmyn Foberg, Laurie Hernandez, Haley Scaman, Alexis Beucler, Roxana Popa, Aimee Boorman, Jay Clark, Kaitlyn Clark, Madison Mooring, Owen Field, Jeff Graba, Brie Olson, Lauren Beers, Natasha Kelley, Rebecca Clark, Jennifer Pinches, Briley Casanova, Annia Hatch, Dylan Marshall, Emily Stone, Haylee Roe, Vasiliki Millousi, Shawn Johnson, Kayla WIlliams, McKenzie Wofford, Brittany Wenzel, Sydney McGlone, Nica Hults, Bayle Pickel, Marissa Beucler, Kaylee Cole, Timmy D, Tasha Schwikert, Lexie Preissman, and Victoria Moors.
Finally, thank you to all of my followers. If you asked me 1 and a half years ago if I would have 1589 followers, among them being 8 Olympians, 4 Olympic Medalists, 2 Olympic Champions, 9 World Championship competitors, 7 World Championship Medallists, 4 World Champions and 2 World All Around Champions, 15 NCAA competitors and so many amazing people, I wouldn't have believed you. Thank you all for everything. You've impacted my life more than you guys will EVER know.
