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Katie Kivisito Talks About Moving Across the Country.
12/2/2004 12:00 AM | Gymnastics
Dec. 2, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY -
Each week, a Utah gymnast submits an entry for the Utah Gymnastics Journal. This week's edition is provided by freshman Katie Kivisto.
Hey Utes,
We're back from Thanksgiving break and busy getting ready for our intra-squad meet at the Huntsman Center this Friday. Since I'm the last freshman to do a journal entry, I'll introduce myself and tell you a little bit about what it's been like coming to Utah. I must say it's a big change from my hometown of Boca Raton, Florida. I came from sea level to 5,000 feet above sea level. I came from the flatlands, swamps and the ocean to huge towering mountains. The biggest change for me, however, has definitely been the weather. I think it finally hit me when I got off the plane coming back from Thanksgiving (80's in Florida) and had to scrape snow off my car. That is a new experience for me. Greg tells me its part of my education. Don't get me wrong, it's all beautiful and the change of climate has kind of been fun. But I'm not wearing my tube tops and sandals much right now. ACTUALLY that's OK too...I got to buy a whole new winter wardrobe. And that has been fun, fun, fun! These "wild west mountain men" actually have great shopping malls...er trading posts.
Although there are a lot of differences, some things--in particular, Aki, our bars coach--are familiar. Aki and I have known each other since I was four years old because he coached at American Twisters in Florida before he came to Utah. I trained there from the age of two. He always likes to tell the story of how he "saved my life" when I was four years old. I was hanging on a barbell full of weights and Aki jumped in just in the nick of time to save me from falling into the pit with all the weights crashing onto my head. I was a little spacey as a child. It doesn't seem that long ago that Aki was teaching me how to jump on the trampoline and now he's my college coach. Funny how things can change so much but kind of stay the same. It's so great to be back with the man who saved my life. Aki - my hero!
Well, since last week was Thanksgiving break, there's not a lot to report from the gym. A lot of us went home or to other destinations. Dom went to Colorado Springs to see Theresa Kulikowski, and Ashley also went to Colorado Springs to visit her boyfriend. AB, Steph, and I all went to our homes in Nevada, Texas and Florida. Did I mention it was in the 80s in Boca? Of course the skiing sucked though. Gritt was probably the luckiest and got to spend extra time cruising around Jamaica! We were all jealous. The rest of the girls stayed here and enjoyed Thanksgiving together with a little break from classes and gym. But we're all back now and frantically trying to get ready for our "2005 Sneak Peek" on Friday. You won't want to miss this. It should be a lot of fun and very interesting. Are we ready? Ready or not, let the fun begin! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and we'll start the show at 7:00. Admission and parking are free. Hope to see you all there!
GO UTES Katie
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