Yuku free message boards

So, Sun Valley is a lovely resort in the mountains. The air is crisp and there were no clouds that I could see. Very sunny and warm during the day and cool early morning and after sunset. No mosquitos (I mention that because I find it wonderful that one can be outside in the summer evening and not get bit up). Right in front of the resort front door is a pond with swans--a very good omen. We arrived on Friday, dined at the resort and kept a lookout for a "Johnny-siting". One of us (not me) was bold enough to inquire at the desk if Johnny had arrived and we were told he'd be arriving late. We checked out the practice times and hoped to see him the next day, around noon, at the rink.

The next day, after breakfast, still no Johnny, Kaori, Sue and Kristina decided to go skating at the public session on the outside rink. It's covered with some kind of fabric to keep it from melting in the sun. I thought about it...but I'm not really a skater and I wanted to go for a little hike in the "little mountains" or foothills, whatever. I said hi to the girls at the rink, took a pic, and headed off. Fastest way was through the resort front doors. As I approached the doors I saw, through the glass, THAT FACE, but couldn't be sure till I swung open the door and there he was! I held the door for him and said "Johnny!!" He looked up, a bit startled, but immediately connected with me and said "Hi"...he was with someone, a woman with dark hair, so there was no time for discussion and they headed off to the elevator. I was so excited to have finally spotted him that I ran back immediately to tell the others...who wanted to know, what was he wearing, how was his hair, who was he with? Well, he looked really cute in shorts and some kind of light colored top and his hair was brushed back (no bangs) and the lady he was with? Not a relative or coach, but I took a wild guess (I only saw the back of her head cuz I couldn't take my eyes off Johnny) and said she reminded me of Kathleen Bangs. Turned out, that's who it was and Johnny had just done a photo session.

My hike up the hillside (it was lovely, but hot and dusty) was propelled by thoughts of Johnny but I was concerned about the time (practice at 12) so I headed down about 11:30 and was almost to the resort when Kaori called and said "where are you...Johnny's here!" So I scooted through the lobby and to the rink and there he was sitting with the Angels, chatting. I joined them and Johnny remembered me from our brief encounted at the doorway, but honestly, I was dismayed to meet him again in my current condition, hot, parched, dirty from my hike and discovered, at that moment that I had spilled coffee on my white T-shirt. Great. No matter, of course, because Johnny was there and I couldn't be happier to be sitting with him and the Angels, he was talking away about his trip to the Caymans, receiving gifts, worrying about getting in trouble (he had come down to the rink a little early for practice because he wasn't sure when he was going to be needed). He was all in black but with very cute shoes and had his Russia jacket with him (I think). Very tan and looked fit and muscular, but still very slim. He seemed happy and not exactly carefree, but relaxed. As usual he was unfailingly polite and considerate. He's got a great sense of humor (we all know that!) and he seemed to be enjoying himself.

After that Kaori and I left for the condo....so we missed this bit, but he came back because Kristina had asked about photos and he thought he was needed for practice, but wasn't at that point. Perhaps Sue can fill in the part where he had an "Angel" photo session. It sounded great and he, of course, you can tell from the new photos, looked wonderful.

Practice was fun to watch but I'm always confused--never exactly sure what I'm watching. I must say I was impressed with the Sun Valley skaters. They were good in practice so I was looking forward to the show. Johnny was awesome and it really is hard to take yours eyes off him. After the practice we waited around for quite a bit for Johnny to come out. He finally did and signed lots of autographs and posed for pics. When it was my turn I had a calendar (for my daughter) for him to sign, but she has a heck of a name so I spelled it for him S I O B H A N and he got half-way through and asked again. I laughed and said it was an Irish name---for my name, actually, so when he was done he said "what's the Irish for my name?" Well, honestly, I'd never thought about that and my brain scrambled to think of what it could be (and Sue, my phonics training helped me here) and her name SIO..is pronounced "SHA" so I thought since Johnny's name is actually the male version of my name I blurted out "SEAN"! He said "Oh, I like that". Honestly, so simple, but I just never thought about it before. I almost said to him, "well, then I'll have to call you Seanny" ...thank God I didn't.

Afterwards, Kristina and I went swimming and Kaori and Sue went shopping. We enjoyed the swimming but it turns out the shopping may have been the better choice!! I will let one of them fill in that part.

I will post again for the show and post-show. More to tell!