Finding Balance

Chapter 13: The Interview

I walked over towards the interviewer with my coach by my side.

"This is just like the local news. No worries !" she said with a smile.

"Okay," I hesitantly replied.

She put her hands on my shoulders and shook them.

"Don't worry !! I will translate everything for you," she said.

"And I will reply with English ?" I replied.

"Yes, unless you know how to speak Russian," she smiles.

"Yeah...I need to work on that..."

"Just remember to smile," she whispered a few seconds before I shook the interviewer's hand.

The interviewer said spoke for sometime, and I just blankly smiled. She then stopped, and I immediately looked at my coach.

"She asked you about how you are adjusting and dealing with the language barrier," my coach said.

"The language barrier is one of the biggest challenges that I have had to overcome, but a lot of people here speak some English which is very helpful. But I will always keep my phone and English to Russian dictionary in my bag. Overall my adjustment here has been very smooth and I am very excited to be able to compete for team Russia," I replied towards the camerawoman.

By the look on her face I could tell that she did not understand a word I had just said.

She then asked a question, which not surprisingly I did not understand, and I looked over at my coach who seemed enraged.

She then said something in Russian, and she directed me to follow her as we left.

"Is something wrong ? " I asked her as we hurried away from the interviewer.

She quickly ignored my question, and she went on with coaching me.

For the next few weeks, I did not do anymore interviews. Things have been improving. My shaky uneven bar routine was finally becoming solid.

*Beep*

*Beep*

*Beep*

I rolled onto my side, and heard the obnoxious alarm of my alarm clock.

It was 5:00 am and there was not a single bone in my body that wanted to move.

"Em shut your stupid alarm clock off. Unlike you, some of us like to sleep," Maurie moaned and groaned.

I slammed my fist on the clock, and slowly got up. My arms and legs still felt like noodles from yesterday's rigorous practice.

I took a quick shower, and changed into a plain simple Leo.

"Have fun," Maurie mockingly joked.

Since I spoke barely any Russian at all they put me in an online school which I really surprisingly love.

I just listen to the pre recorded lectures, and then take the online multiple choice tests. The only downside to the online school is that it is based out of the USA, therefore, there is a 12 hour difference which causes me to have to practice at different times.

Surprisingly, there was a lot of hustle and bustle at this time in the morning. I sweetly smiled and waved at people as I walked by the outdoor workout room. Which is amazing to use during the cool summer days, but when it is very hot the metal equipment feels like the sun.

I heard my stomach grumble, so I quickly pulled out a slice of toast for my breakfast. I usually try to eat after practice but my stomach could not wait. It feels like ages since I have had a 'real' breakfast, Donuts, French Toast, Pancakes, Waffles, and Bacon !

I opened the large metal door, and walked over towards a bench to put my stuff down.

It was dead silent in the gym, and the lights were just beginning to turn on.

Usually my catch is here by now, but for some reason she is not here today.

After a few minutes of waiting, I had decided to stretch.

"Emily !" I turned to see my coach with an enthusiastic smile.

"What ?" I quickly questioned.

"You are in !" she replied.

"Into what ?"

"Chornocosio !" the moment I heard that word I could not help but smile.

Chornocosio was a meet held for Russia's elite gymnasts, and I had finally qualified for it. We were both worried at first that I would not be able to qualify because of my situation.

I sat down at a near by bench, and shook my head in disbelief. The offical plan was to compete next year, and Olympic year, but I am 100% okay with this new plan.

"We will have to work on your uneven bar routine," se said while I could not help but smirk.

Every single coach who has ever trained me has told me this at one time or another.

"We will also need to update your floor routine," she added.

"New music ?" I asked.

"Possibly. Your vaulting is good, but we might downgrade your vault. Your beam routine could use some more fluidity, and some skill upgrades. Besides that you should be good. " she replied.

"Why are we down grading my vault ?"

I quickly asked. I vault. That's what I do, plain and simple.

"I want to sneak you into Russian gymnastics," she replied.

"Why ?" I asked.