akkoblogtranslations

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-12-31: 2015

There’s only a few hours left of 2015.

2015 truly has been a fulfilling year.

When I look back on it, it really was a great year, full of happiness.

I’ve met so many people this year, and I’ve learned so much from them as well.

Honestly, thank you so much to everyone who has supported me, cared for me and cheered me on!!

May 2016 be full of soft and gentle smiles. And one to live fully and flexibly with everything I have.

I hope you have a wonderful year.

I look forward to it with your support!!

Suzuki Akiko

(pic)

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-11-23: Radio

I was on the whole live airing of NHK's "Sports CHUBU" radio broadcast last week! I did it with Ito Midori-san and Teshigawara Ikue-san and radio host, Funaoka.

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We talked about figure skating, short track, alpine, half-pipe and got so into it, it was a really great time!!

There aren't really a lot of opportunities to meet other athletes from the other winter sports so it was really interesting to listen to all their different stories.

And!! I'm so glad I was able to have a proper conversation with Ito Midori-san.

With all the things we talked about it, this was a day that the greatness of Ito Midori-san was reaffirmed fo rme. Thank you for the precious conversation!

The figure skating Grand Prix series is nearing its end with just NHK Trophy left. All the finalists will be determined soon!

This upcoming weekend looks to be an intense one!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-10-19: Appreciation event

Yesterday was the appreciation event for all members of Howa Sports Land!

The skating rink was nearly packed! Thank you to everyone who came.

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Thank you to all the skating club members! Your futures are truly bright. As you all work towards your dreams, I'll do whatever I can, no matter how small, to help you along the way!

Red Bull gave us wings at this event. (pic)

Let's keep making Howa Sports Land great!!

Now off to Go Go Smile.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-10-08: Filming

We filmed for Figure Skating TV today!

It airs on October 11 at 12:00~ Look forward to it!

Figure Skating TV

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We had a lot of things we still wanted to talk about so we continued our conversation at yakiniku... lol

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[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-10-06: The season is here!!

With the conclusion of Japan Open, the season is finally well on its way!! The juniors have also been working hard on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. So promising!

Last weekend, my interview with Nagai Yuka for TV Asahi's TOKYO Ouen Sengen aired!

I hope I was able to capture more of her true personality in the interview.

Also, I was able to report on Shae-Lynn's choreography process. I learned a lot and it was so much fun!!

I saw the flame, the energy brewing in Nagai's movements and it reminded me of when I worked with Shae-Lynn when she choreographed by West Side Story program. Allowing me to see such intimate moments was a valuable experience.

It started with Shae-Lynn, then Pasquale, Kenji-sensei, Massimo... I met so many incredible choreographers who fueled my desire to pursue this path.

I'll do my best.

I had some time last week so I had tea with a classmate. (pic)

Ran into Kintaro-san. (pic)

The end of Go Go Smile yesterday. (pic)

Then I went out on location for filming! Look forward to that show!!

It's gotten colder in the morning and evenings, so please be careful, take care of yourselves!!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-23: Skating Lesson

We held another Team SUZUKI Special Skating Lesson event at Howa Sports Land yesterday!

People as north as Aomori and as south as Kagoshima participated!

The entrance (pic)

A variety of skating levels were present--from those who just started to those with long skating histories, but everyone earnestly gave their best!!

Nagakubo-sensei was sweating, too!

I remember something he used to tell me. “It’s not about whether or not you can do something. It’s about putting forth your whole effort.”

Just try.

I’m so glad to have seen all of your lovely faces!!

The Team SUZUKI coaches! (pic)

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He’s kinda tired. (pic)

Thank you!!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-21: Fan meeting

I had my first fanclub meeting event yesterday!

The cafe where the event was held had a terrace, and I was so glad for the great weather!!

I looked forward to see everyone’s happy faces!

The music playing at the venue was streamed from my iPhone. The playlist included music I skated to, music I listen to during warm-ups, and other music I love listening to when I’m on the go. A complete experience of my tastes! (It was probably too faint and you couldn’t actually hear anything at the venue, though, lol.)

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I had a really great time!

I thoroughly felt everyone’s support.

I would love to plan another event!!

Thank you everyone!

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Finally, tomorrow is my Skating Lesson event at Howa Sports Land. Everyone who is participating, please be careful making your way there. I’ll be waiting for you at Howa♪

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-18: Art of autumn 2

Art of autumn! Music of autumn! Part 2!!

I went to see SUPER GIFT! yesterday. (pic)

During GOLDEN SONGS, I saw Shizuki Asato-san’s “Last Dance,” and it gave me the chills. She was amazing here too.

Also, Tsurumi-san’s dance carriage drew me in immediately!

I also loved everyone’s costumes.

Afterwards, I gave a speech in Fuji City. (pic)

So many people came despite the unfortunate weather! Thank you.

All right! Tomorrow is the start of Silver Week! I just realized it’s 5 consecutive days of holiday, lol.

My schedule is completely packed.

Tomorrow, 9/19, I’m giving a speech in Shinshiro City.

I’m having my first fanclub meeting on 9/20!

I will be on Go Go Smile on 9/21.

My Skating Lesson event at Howa Sports Land is on 9/22! (pic)

I have NEWS WEB on 9/23.

I’ll be meeting a lot of people during Silver Week!!

I’m looking forward to it♪

(pic)

↑ A picture I took yesterday marking 3 more days until my fanclub meeting.

Finally! I’ll be speaking in Imari City in October.

http://www.upp.or.jp/seminar/detail.php?seq=88

It’ll be my first time in Saga Prefecture!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-15: Summer memories

Photos from Friends on Ice

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Rika and Satoko-chan are too cute in their afros.

It can get pretty hot underneath an afro.

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↑It looks like Kato-sensei, the trainer, is peeping out from Taka-chan’s afro, lol

And of course, this person with the Saturday Night Fever part in the finale.

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It’s Stéphane Travolta! These were the best times♪

My summer memories.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-13: Speaking of autumn

It’s the art of autumn! The music of autumn!! Which means, I went to LE VELVETS’ concert yesterday!

It was beautiful--so quality, subtle, and sublime. 

It’s the first time I’ve been to their concert, but you hear their music a lot in figure skating. Their voices are beautiful and the concert was really enjoyable♪

The lighting was lovely, too.

(pic)

Thank you for allowing me backstage!!

I still plan to appreciate even more art of autumn.

And of course, do my best in both practices and work!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-09-09: O ~2015ver.

At this year’s Friends on Ice, I skated a remade version of my 2012-2013 season freeskate, Cirque du Soleil’s “O.”

The music, the choreography, the dress; I love everything about this program.

I wanted to skate it as an exhibition program one day. I wanted to include a music cut I wanted to use previously so I went to Detroit to have Pasquale-sensei choreograph that bit for me.

At first, I thought it was going to be a small change, but once Pasquale started, bit by bit, he breathed new life into the program.

I felt it all; the wind and the sea, the energies from the earth. When I took to the ice, I tasted freedom.

Things were changing within me, and every practice session was a joy!

Yet, I was still anxious about skating “O” again in front of a crowd.

Goosebumps traced my skin as chirping filled the arena. (Of course it would be goose... another bird… lol) And in that moment, my anxiety turned to strength.

People told me they wanted to see “O” again, and I don’t know if I fulfilled those expectations here.

Nevertheless, I did skate it again in some way, and in the process, I discovered a new part of myself. And most importantly, I enjoyed it all!!

I’ll skate it again somehow somewhere!

Maybe.

(pic)

As I’m writing this, we’re right in the middle of a typhoon!! Please be careful everyone.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-31: FOI 2015

We finished with Friends on Ice 2015 yesterday!!

Thank you everyone!! (pic)

It was the commemorative 10-year anniversary show, and I’m so happy to have been invited to have been a part of it.

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What a great time. (pic)

Thank you for having me Shii-chan!! (pic)

I’ll talk about “O” in my next post...

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-21: DSC

We were all here for the noon session! (pic) Starting from the left, it’s Omori-kun, Ryuichi-kun, Miu-chan, Suzuki, Patrick-san. (We’re in Detroit, lol.)

I’ll be heading home soon.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-19: One week

I’ve been here for one week already. That went by fast.

For lunch, I ordered a grilled chicken salad from the cafe at the rink. (pic)

Here it is. I couldn’t finish it... I’ll take it home with me, lol.

This is what the ice looks like after the kids’ skating lessons. (pic)

(pic) So cute.

Ryuichi, who is training for pairs here, is doing well! He’s gained 10 kilos since starting pairs three years ago!

(pic)

So strong!

Tomorrow is another day!

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-17: #6

Whenever I come here, I have to have

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JIMMY JOHN’S sandwiches.

My favorite is #6, the Vegetarian with cheese.

It’s pretty big, though, but it’s delicious.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-16: Taking it easy

It’s my first weekend since arriving in the US. (Speaking of which, up until yesterday, I was a day off with my dates, lol. Oh jet lag...) (pic)

The rink is so empty on Saturdays, I was the only one there for the final session. Such bliss.

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I went to WHOLE FOODS for groceries. (pic)

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There’s a fan on the Starbucks cups. (pic)

It’s been a while since I had such a mellow weekend. I was able to soak in the vast skies, the lush foliage, and the energies from the sun.

[akkoblogtranslations]

2015-08-11: On break

We’re halfway through a scorching August! What has everyone been up to lately?

I will be abroad for a little bit for training so during that time, I will be on break from NHK NEWS WEB and Go Go Smile.

I will be back on those shows after I return and once the Friends on Ice shows from 8/28-30 finish.

Thank you to all the staff for their understanding. I’ll do my best!!

Reviewing my manuscript prior to leaving. (pic)

S-so... many... sticky tabs...! (◎_◎;)