Thanks for the quote from Rafael, Alba. It really does show how Mao's true home is on the ice.
I believe I have already posted this article, but I am posting it again because I don't want to lose it and because it has so many fantastic quotes from Mao and Nobuo-sensei (Coach Sato) showing how their relationship grew over the years and Mao's feelings in the wake of Sochi and during the World Championships. My favorite quote from him is, "Mysteriously she has become someone who can produce something profound."
One beautiful quote from Mao in the article just after the Olympics shows her close relationship with Nobuo-sensie, “After the World Championships in March, if I retire from competitive skating or take a break, I’ll only have one month of training with Nobuo-sensei left and I do have feelings of loneliness. I want to enjoy this last period, each day by each day with sensei."
http://nanoka12.tumblr.com/post/84038594958/mao-asada-i-wanted-to-put-the-medal-on
Here is a portion of an interview with Mao in December translated by rosewood at fsuniverse.
Mao: Having experienced the life without skating I found again that I love skating. Once I wondered if I'll never skate again in my life. Around October I came to feel like skating.
Telop: She started training again in October.
Mao: The cool wind on my cheek at the rink brought me back the memories (in the days when I used to train). With my jumps getting better I'm coming to think I can do more. I have stronger feelings of half-and-half (than before).
http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...say-figure-skating-is-wonderful.89260/page-18