During a qualifier year it seems as though nothing is sacred.  

In October I missed my father's birthday and a whole family celebration at Disney World because I was at a training camp in New Zealand.  In November I didn't see my nieces (who are growing exponentially) when I was in Toronto because I had a heavy schedule meeting with various trainers.  And now I've gone through a very different Christmas without family and old friends because I have been training here in Colorado.  

I guess you can call them sacrifices, but I look at it more as opportunity costs.  I give up seeing family and friends, moments I can never get back, for an opportunity at one monumental moment. 

With the rest of America still buzzing from Christmas and now New Years, the past two weeks has felt as though I am in one spot as the world spins around me.  I am on a mission to train and refine my talents, with blinders on to what is going on around me.  Away from home, away from family.  

I use my time wisely.  I make sure the majority of my training days are with my coach and I try to get in as much rest and relaxation as possible; although relaxation gets harder as the time ticks away towards the Games.  

In a week and a half we will know if Canada will get three spots for the Olympic Games.  In four more weeks we will know who is on the team.  In six weeks the Games begin and then seven weeks from now half pipe snowboarding will be over.

I do enjoy the calm of now.  I try to live in the moment.  Like this moment where I am peacefully on my computer.  There is quiet around me except for the slight modem noises and clicking as my fingers tap my keyboards. 

I recollect what has been happening for the past weeks, but I mostly see repetition.  Three days of training on and then off snow, checking off tricks and pipe runs on my list, eating and sleeping.  One day off to do "normal" things, laundry, watching movies, catching up on emails.

I reflect on how I missed Christmas at home this year, but for New Years home is coming to me.  I am excited for my parents and best friend to come and visit me in Colorado.  I am very lucky for this; it will be an opportunity cost I will not have to pay.  I think my resolution will be to spend more time with my family and friends in attempt to make up for the past four years.  But this is after two more qualifying events and then the pinnacle of my journey, Vancouver 2010.