Sporty Saturday Spotlight

This week the Sporty Spotlight shines bright on seventeen-year-old Massachusetts’ skateboarder, Rachel Reid. Check out her interview below where Rachel shares how she combats intimidation before competitions, her favorite memory, and much, much more. And don’t miss her amazing pic.

Name: Rachel Reid

Age: 17

Sport(s): Skateboarding, snowboarding

Hometown: Stoughton Mass

High School/Middle School/College: High School

What’s your fave sport?

skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

Well I got my first board around 8 years old. So about 9 years.

What is your fave sporty moment or memory?

My favorite memory would have to be when my dad convinced me to do my first contest. I was so terrified, but I stuck with it and did my thing. I realized how much fun they are and I have been entering as many come my way!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

My biggest lesson I have learned through skateboarding is that I can skateboard just as good as the guys. Also not to be intimidated by the guys.

What have you learned about work ethic from playing sports?

You have to work hard in order to succeed in life.

How do you balance school and sports?

It’s hard because all I want to do is skate every second I have!

I usually take care of my schoolwork and then go skate with my friends. Most of the contests I enter are in the summer time so I don’t have to miss school.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

I have so many fave athletes. Mike Vallely would have to be my fave male athlete. He’s so inspirational and I like how he has his own style of skating. My fave female skater would have to be Elissa Steamer. She is such a sick street skater.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

The girliest thing I like to do is prob get new skate clothes and shoes.

Thanks, Rachel! I’m inspired by your extreme dedication and I look forward to following your exciting skateboarding career. Good luck!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Bookaholic

There’s nothing quite like the smell, feel, and look of a new book.

Last Friday, I visited the local bookstore with a two-book list. After I spent an amazing hour and a half roaming, I tossed the list and left with six. And these three goodies are on the top of my TBR pile and highly recommended by my writing buds…

What books are you reading and/or purchasing lately?

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight

This week the Pretty Tough Saturday Spotlight is shining bright on New Jersey MVP, Bailey Ferrara. Check out Bailey’s interview below where she shares her thoughts on teamwork, softball, drop stepping, and dancing. J

Name: Bailey Ferrara

Age: 13

Sport: softball

Hometown: Kingwood, NJ

High School/Middle School/College: Middle School

Number: 26

Position: mostly center field or right field

What’s your fave sport? Softball!!! <3

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

I am going on my 5^th year.

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

My team was in a championship game and we were only winning by a couple of runs. This girl comes up and has a huge hit to right field (where I was playing). I ran over and sort of dove for the ball and caught it! Drop stepping really game in handy!

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

That there definitely is no “I” in team, everyone has to work as one. If one person is playing selfishly than they could lose the game for you.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

That in whatever sport you play, you have a responsibility on the team. You have to show up for practice because if you don’t, you will not play in the game. The team needs everyone to make a perfect one.

What have you learned about teamwork?

Everyone has to work together and to the highest potential to make everyone play their best game!

How do you balance school and sports?

My mom says that if I do not finish my homework I cannot go to practice until it is done. I try to finish all of my homework in o.p. (opportunity period) on days that I have practice.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

I have won championship medals, M.V.P. medals, a world language certificate for Spanish, High Honor Roll, and Honor Roll.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

My favorite female athletes are…Jennie Finch, Caitlin Lowe, and Meghan Gibson. My favorite male athlete is Thurmon Munson.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question) J

I love to go shopping, do hair and make-up, and I love going to dances and dancing!

Thanks, Bailey! Great fave athlete choices and congrats on all the championships and medals. Sounds like there are plenty more to come.

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send me an email at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Mental Toughness: Jeter Style

As many of you know, I’m a HUGE Derek Jeter fan…. And yes, I’m obsessed with his breath taking good looks and the way he fits into a Yankees uniform, but what really intrigues me about this amazing athletic specimen is his ability to do his job well day in and day out.

Like for instance…

Jeter consistently gives 100%.

Jeter never complains and his positive aura is infectious.

Jeter works hard all-year long no matter how many records he breaks or awards he wins.

I find athletes very intriguing (obviously) because to be the best, break records, and compete at the highest level, professional athletes must have an insane mental toughness, focus, and drive. Often, I find myself wanting to dive into their brains to find out how they do it.

Do you think authors need to be mentally tough? And whom do you admire?

A humungous congratulations goes out to Carrie Harris for her book deal!!!!! Check out all the deets here. Yay, Carrie!!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight

This week, the sporty spotlight is shining bright on fourteen-year-old superstar skateboarder,Emily Noble. Check out her interview below where she shares her thoughts on skateboarding, lessons she's learned, and her favorite athlete. Plus, don't miss Emily's very impressive sponsor list and exciting pics!

Name: Emily Noble



Age: 14

Sport: skateboarding

Hometown: Maryland



What’s your fave sport? Skateboarding



How many years have you been involved in skateboarding? 2



What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

Every time I learn a new trick.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

I learned that your gonna get hurt but the best thing to do is get back up and try it again.



What have you learned about

teamwork?

I learned that teamwork gets a job done faster.



How do you balance school and sports?

I keep up my grades and do all my work so once I'm done it all I can go skate.



List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

Ipath, Smx Optics, F1 bearings, and Tool have all sponsored me for my skating. 



Who’s your fave athlete?

Nyjah Huston

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I like to shop for clothes and have the newest style in skate clothes.

Thanks, Emily! I love your getting hurt advice - pick yourself up and try again. Great stuff. Good luck with your career!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send me an email at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday! :)

Dreaming Bunches

I think there is something wrong with me.

Seriously.

I dream A LOT.

Like this week...

I've already dreamed about this..

And this..

And this..

And it's only Wednesday.

I dream about this at least twice a month..

And this..

Sometimes I dream about a sentence, phrase, or scene that eventually makes its way into one of my books or a loved one who has passed away. These are my favorite dreams.

How about you? Do you dream? And if so what do you dream about?

Happy Wednesday! :)

Saturday Sporty Spotlight

This week marks our very first Sporty Saturday Spotlight. Jersey Girl softballer, Lauren Lesser, shares with us her thoughts on teammates, injuries, softball, and balancing it all. Check out Lauren's insightful interview below and at Pretty Tough. And be sure to stop by Pretty Tough every Saturday to check out interviews with sporty girls like you from across the country. Enjoy! :)

Name: Lauren Lesser

Age: 15

Sport(s): Softball and Field Hockey

Hometown: Mt. Laurel, New Jersey

High School/Middle School/College: Holy Cross High School

Number: 40

Position: I’m a pitcher and short stop for my softball team, and I protect the net as a back for my field hockey team.

What’s your fave sport? Softball! :)

How many years have you been playing your fave sport?

I started playing softball on a team 10 years ago, but I first picked up a ball and bat much earlier than that!

What was your fave sporty moment?

My favorite sporty moment definitely wasn’t my fave when it happened, and it actually didn’t even happen while I was playing! I injured my ankle and had to have several surgeries along with months of casts, crutches, and doctor appointments. After my first surgery I went to watch a softball tournament and every single one of my teammates either came up to me before or after the game telling me about games I missed or informing me that my nickname was about to change to something that related to being injured. Even though I couldn’t be on the field, it was great to feel the sense of being part of a team and knowing I had a group of friends to put a smile on my face.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

The importance of teamwork and support of one another! The way you treat your teammates and how well you work together really affects the way you play and your relationship with one another. No matter how big of an error someone may make or how many times someone strikes out, you have to keep motivating your teammates and refrain from getting frustrated or annoyed. By caring for only yourself and not working well with the others on your team you’re only hurting yourself in the long run and meanwhile you are also hurting your team.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic?

By playing sports I have learned how important it is to give 100% in everything I do along with responsibility. It’s not fair to your team if you decide not to give it your all because you stayed up late and you’re tired or something along those lines. You have to learn to be responsible enough to do what is best for yourself while keeping your team’s best interest in mind.

What have you learned about teamwork?

Teamwork is key! If you and your teammates don’t act as a team, you’re not going to play as a team. You should be a personal cheerleader to every single one of your teammates whether you’re best friends with them or not. Rather than being angry and aggravated when someone makes a mistake, you should brush it off and try to keep the other person from getting frustrated. It doesn’t matter how well you play yourself if your team doesn’t play well together.

How do you balance school and sports?

School has always been very high on my priority list, especially after my injury this year. I’m in honors classes at my high school which require a lot of hard work and very little time for sports and fun, and there have been quite a few times where I have stayed up extremely late to finish up a project or homework that should have been done well in advance. I try to make deadlines for myself to force myself to get my work done so I’m not scrambling at the last minute. I also try to get ahead of school work on days I don’t have practice or games. The time management skills that I’ve learned over the years from sports helped me a lot this year when I had to make up the work I missed when I had my surgery.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Jennie Finch and Jamie Moyer! :)

What’s the girliest thing you like to do?

I love painting my nails and reading teen Chick Lit!

Thanks, Lauren!! I'm definitely with you on the value of teamwork, giving 100%, and loving Chick Lit. :)

Let us know if you want to be spotlighted. Send an email to Keri at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

September Book Review Club

Happy September! I hope you enjoyed a fantastic summer. :) Although, I'm always heart broken to see summer fun come to an end, the weather is already crisp, cool, and gorgeous here at the Jersey shore. :)

The first Wednesday of the month means another edition of The Book Review Club hosted by Barrie Summy, author of the I So Don't Do Mysteries series. Today, I'm featuring the fabulous, Nancy Viau's middle grade novel, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head.

Ten-year-old science and list lover Samantha Hansen can't seem to keep her blazing temper in check. But, in order to snag a trip to her dream vacation spot, the Grand Canyon, she has to find a way to control herself even towards her annoying older sister. Will Samantha get to go or will her temper get the best of her? With keen insight on parental death and grieving, Nancy weaves a sweet story, sprinkling interesting scientific facts throughout the book. Don't miss this touching tale for all ages.

And don't miss the rest of the Book Review Club reviews here.

Happy Wednesday! :)