(More) Kwan Gossip: may go to college in Denver
- Thread starter R.D.
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:thumbsup: :agree: 
Absolutely. I would kill to be able to go to classes for the rest of my life and not have to worry about working to support myself.Mathman said:But "a mind is a terrible thing to waste." I think, like in the Michelle quote above, that she is looking to the future and hoping to find a spark in school that will give her a "new passion."
Learning something new -- what a rush! It's not the destination, it's the journey.
MM
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First everyone thinks she should retire because of her age, now if she goes to college and at 33 what doors will be open? Well 33 isn't really that old to start a second career. She just might want something other than skating in her life and living out of a suitecase.
In eight years, Michelle will be 33, whether she goes to college and/or grad school or not. Maybe she would prefer to be a 33 year old with a better education, as opposed to a lesser one. Also, depending upon the program she gets into, she may be able to do some skating related activities (covering Olys -- either as a sportswriter or a broadcaster; touring during summer; etc.)
mk can do whatever she wants as far as I'm concerned. And so can everybody else.
But I sense that she may be looking for something different in her life. That injury of hers I think is forcing her to look at other options now. Of course it's easy to keep skating as long as you can, but sooner or later you'll have to find something else. I think she's on the right track. I would just advise against making any "knee-jerk" decisions (i.e. if it's true she's moving because of her new "relationship") JMO
But I sense that she may be looking for something different in her life. That injury of hers I think is forcing her to look at other options now. Of course it's easy to keep skating as long as you can, but sooner or later you'll have to find something else. I think she's on the right track. I would just advise against making any "knee-jerk" decisions (i.e. if it's true she's moving because of her new "relationship") JMO
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
We know all this. My thoughts were about her being focused on college work? Maybe. I'm just questioning about the focussing because she had already started college once before, and went back to full time skating.Mathman said:I don't know, Joe. She doesn't need a job.
But "a mind is a terrible thing to waste." I think, like in the Michelle quote above, that she is looking to the future and hoping to find a spark in school that will give her a "new passion."
Learning something new -- what a rush! It's not the destination, it's the journey.
MM
And..... Why Denver???? Why not LA? hmmm.
I understand that hope is eternal for all the Kwan fans but a little bit of reality should be setting in by now. She keeps all her moneymaking committments but does not get into competitions. That's fact! Will that hip heal in two years if she skips competitions this season? Will she continue to skate the COI? If the Cheesefests become exhibitions, will she skate them?
Big Question: Will we ever see Kwan in a skating competition again?
Joe
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Well, for what it's worth, here are my guesses.
I do not believe she will want to continue if she gets to the point that the applause is more for her reputation than for her performance.
Plus, if she should happen to develop a serious interest in political science, the University of Denver has a premier program. Their School of International Affairs has an outstanding "Center for China-U.S. Co-operation." It sponsors study abroad at the University of Peking. The first dean of the graduate politcal science school was the father of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, while the present Secretary of State earned both her undergraduate degree and her PhD there.
To me, it is not entirely out of the question that when she met Condoleeza Rice at the state dinner for president Hu, someone might have put a bug in her ear -- "Hey Michelle, why don't you go to DU and study political science with a specialty in Chinese-U.S. relations. Who knows where it could lead?"
She has been quoted as saying that she just wouldn't know what to do without skating. But nothing is forever. Willy-nilly, she knows that she will have to face this question -- soon, if not now. I think she is hoping that maybe she will find something in her studies that will hold her interest, without yet being exactly sure what that something might be.
I also think she feels a little guilty that she has pushed her education into the background. I think she is quite sincere in believing that she owes it to her parents as well as to the thousands of young people who look up to her, to put her money where her mouth is and show a commitment to the importance of education.
So that's what I think.
(My usual fee is $75 per hour, but seeing as how it's Michelle, I'll give her a cut-rate special for all this anaysis and advice.)
MM
No.
Not sufficiently so for her to compete again at the highest level. Plus, two years of sitting on the sideline will be too much to overcome.
Next year, I think yes. I believe that she has a multiyear extension of her contract so that she can skate in COI for the next several years if she wants to.
I do not believe she will want to continue if she gets to the point that the applause is more for her reputation than for her performance.
I would guess no. If Michelle is not able to put a competitive program on the ice, I would expect that the cheesefests would go a different route -- Kimmie and Katy against Mao and Kim, for instance (It goes without saying that I might be wrong about this, of course.)
To be near her boyfriend.
Plus, if she should happen to develop a serious interest in political science, the University of Denver has a premier program. Their School of International Affairs has an outstanding "Center for China-U.S. Co-operation." It sponsors study abroad at the University of Peking. The first dean of the graduate politcal science school was the father of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, while the present Secretary of State earned both her undergraduate degree and her PhD there.
To me, it is not entirely out of the question that when she met Condoleeza Rice at the state dinner for president Hu, someone might have put a bug in her ear -- "Hey Michelle, why don't you go to DU and study political science with a specialty in Chinese-U.S. relations. Who knows where it could lead?"
That's the $64 question. (Anyone remember "The Sixty-four Dollar Question" on the radio, before it became the $64,000 question on TV, LOL?). I don't think even Michelle knows the answer.
She has been quoted as saying that she just wouldn't know what to do without skating. But nothing is forever. Willy-nilly, she knows that she will have to face this question -- soon, if not now. I think she is hoping that maybe she will find something in her studies that will hold her interest, without yet being exactly sure what that something might be.
I also think she feels a little guilty that she has pushed her education into the background. I think she is quite sincere in believing that she owes it to her parents as well as to the thousands of young people who look up to her, to put her money where her mouth is and show a commitment to the importance of education.
So that's what I think.
(My usual fee is $75 per hour, but seeing as how it's Michelle, I'll give her a cut-rate special for all this anaysis and advice.)MM
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- Joined
- Aug 4, 2003
Nymkfan51 I know how you feel. I wish she could skate forever. But lets not forget this is only a college tour. Students visit many colleges before choosing one. Just imagine the whole worlds knowing your college choices. Anyway as a fan I am a little concerned for her like is Anshutz a good guy guy or not? I would hate to see her end up like Dorothy Hamill.
Eeyora said:
Life doesn't give us any guarantees. We just have to trust our own judgement and hope we are right. Maybe that is why she may decide to go to school in Denver. So she can get to know this guy better and be able to make a more informed decision. After a year she may decide this is all wrong for her and get back into the skating world in some capacity.
Ladybug
Great posts, Eeyora and ladybug!
I wish there were a way for us to protect everyone we love from making mistakes that might cause them pain, but Michelle is just like the rest of us ... we've got to do and see things for ourselves and deal with the consequences.
I have total confidence in her. She's a smart girl.
And Joe, I can't speak for other Kwan fans, but I have swallowed a whole lot of reality this past season ... and although I hold out a sliver of hope for maybe one more Nationals, I certainly don't think it's likely.
I just hope we see her involved in skating in some fashion.
I wish there were a way for us to protect everyone we love from making mistakes that might cause them pain, but Michelle is just like the rest of us ... we've got to do and see things for ourselves and deal with the consequences.
I have total confidence in her. She's a smart girl.
And Joe, I can't speak for other Kwan fans, but I have swallowed a whole lot of reality this past season ... and although I hold out a sliver of hope for maybe one more Nationals, I certainly don't think it's likely.
I just hope we see her involved in skating in some fashion.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Me too. That would be nicenymkfan51 said:
Joe
Michelle fans
Like all of you, I was hoping this day would never come. But frankly, after her injuries, I knew it was here. I don't ever see her really competing competitively again. I would love to see her meet someone nice and have another life as well. I also think she needs to get an education. It's time. I don't know a thing about her boyfriend but I had hoped for someone better than a rich real estate developer (for all I know he could be the nicest guy in the world-so take this with a grain of salt). My pick would have been an M.D. who is doing research and discovers the cure for cancer or a dedicated veterinarian who saves animals on a daily basis.
Like all of you, I was hoping this day would never come. But frankly, after her injuries, I knew it was here. I don't ever see her really competing competitively again. I would love to see her meet someone nice and have another life as well. I also think she needs to get an education. It's time. I don't know a thing about her boyfriend but I had hoped for someone better than a rich real estate developer (for all I know he could be the nicest guy in the world-so take this with a grain of salt). My pick would have been an M.D. who is doing research and discovers the cure for cancer or a dedicated veterinarian who saves animals on a daily basis.
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Doors not open at 33? Bah!
Joe, times have changed since you (not sure of your age) and I entered the workforce. Back then, it was expected that most individuals would have one career in their workspan. Now, for students in high school, it is predicted that they will have 7 or 8 due to sweeping technological changes.
If she were to get a doctorate, and I've not heard her express interest in that, and be 33 when she has it, more power to her! Of course doors will still be open! That's young!! Wouldn't you much rather have her pursue other interests, finish school, embark on a new career rather than just stick with skating-related jobs? Goodness, it's not about getting a "job" now, as you put it, it's about getting an education and forging a new career.
But hey, at the age of 50, I started grad school to earn a master's in school counseling and am now a junior high school counselor, so when I hear you asking about doors being shut for Ms. Kwan at the age of 33, I laugh!
Graceness
Joesitz said:
Joe, times have changed since you (not sure of your age) and I entered the workforce. Back then, it was expected that most individuals would have one career in their workspan. Now, for students in high school, it is predicted that they will have 7 or 8 due to sweeping technological changes.
If she were to get a doctorate, and I've not heard her express interest in that, and be 33 when she has it, more power to her! Of course doors will still be open! That's young!! Wouldn't you much rather have her pursue other interests, finish school, embark on a new career rather than just stick with skating-related jobs? Goodness, it's not about getting a "job" now, as you put it, it's about getting an education and forging a new career.
But hey, at the age of 50, I started grad school to earn a master's in school counseling and am now a junior high school counselor, so when I hear you asking about doors being shut for Ms. Kwan at the age of 33, I laugh!
Graceness
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
I agree with everyone who mentioned 33 is not old. That's not what I meant about Will the doors be open? At the time she turns 33 with doctorate, how many government agencies will need yet another political scientist? I believe there happens to be an abundance PSs in the world including the U.S.
Maybe, because of her World Championships, the US Govt., might give her a post to serve on the Human Rights Commission, at the UN. The US has used celebrities in the past: Irene Dunne, Shirley Temple, and UNICEF has always used celebs as 'Ambassadors' to travel to needy areas: Audrey Hepburn; Angelina Jolie, e.g.
As a Psychology Therapist, I don't think patients would want to tell their problems to her - not as a therapist but as a celebrity.
Joe
Maybe, because of her World Championships, the US Govt., might give her a post to serve on the Human Rights Commission, at the UN. The US has used celebrities in the past: Irene Dunne, Shirley Temple, and UNICEF has always used celebs as 'Ambassadors' to travel to needy areas: Audrey Hepburn; Angelina Jolie, e.g.
As a Psychology Therapist, I don't think patients would want to tell their problems to her - not as a therapist but as a celebrity.
Joe
