Colorado

As the holiday wraps up, that means I am headed to Copper and I have already departed my family. I write this 45 minutes in the air outside of Denver airport, I am very excited for the upcoming week ahead. I am eager to get back on snow with NYSEF. By the judgement of what the plane window display's it is certainly beautiful in the rockies. After we land, we will be heading to the hotel, checking in, and starting our 8 day journey in Copper. More updates to come, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
-M

Home For The Holidays

As the temperatures drop and the christmas tree shopping begins it is now time for the holidays. A well needed Thanksgiving break was followed by one busy week at school. I am now home for turkey day which is approaching very quickly! A few days ago the NSA family was together, and now we have all somewhat parted ways to be with our family and friends for a week. Plans for the McCarthy's include spending a few days in my hometown at my family's house. Later next week I'll be traveling up to upper state NY to have a Thanksgiving meal with some other family. After this week fly's by I will be heading to the airport in the early morning to catch a flight to CO. Im very excited to have this opportunity to ski out west! I plan on having a memorable and fun experience while staying focused on  pre-season skiing and keeping up with school work. This means I will be off campus for a total 18 days, and returning when everyone has already been back for a week. Im happy to be home for the holidays and to start my season full time, but also can't wait to get back to NSA!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading!
-Maddie

Back On Snow

Hello All!
Yesterday, November 15th I got back on skis! Whiteface Mountain opened early than they have ever opened. So myself and a few others headed up to the mountain for opening day! We had a lot of fun and ripped it up, the snow was surprisingly substantial and the sun was out! It was a warm day. We got about 6 runs in and enjoyed every second of it. It was great to get back on snow earlier than expected. Here at school thanksgiving break is approaching, everyone is excited to get home to spend time with their family and friends. This upcoming week Girls Hockey is playing a home game Wednesday and then are heading out to Syracuse on Friday. We all go home for thanksgiving break on friday. It will be my first thanksgiving home in Barrington since I was very little. We always spent that holiday up at our ski condo. After, I spend a little time at home Im going up to my Aunt's house with my family. On the 29th Im flying out to CO for some early season training. I return from Copper on the 8th of December. Im very excited for the upcoming weeks ahead! Thanks for reading!
-Maddie

First Visit Home

           Last weekend the NSA Girls Hockey Team had a tournament in Albany, NY. I decided since Albany is only thee hours from my hometown I would go down and make a surprise visit to see my family and friends! Friday morning at about 8am I left with the Girls for Albany, and then I was picked up by my family at the rink they were playing at. I arrived home at about 2pm and headed over to my old school! I got to say hello to all my old friends in Barrington! That weekend I enjoyed of home cooked meals by my mom, and a warm welcome by my friends. Friday night I went to my old high school's football game. I never actually went or planned on attending school here, but a lot of people from town come out and support the Eagles! I have to admit, it was definitely weird seeing my friends all together for the first time in 5 months. I didn't see much of them over the summer, and I have been at NSA for three months now. I loved sharing my experiences that I have had here so far. I encouraged many of them to try a new experience by attending or even visiting boarding schools. Overall, It was great to sleep in my own bed, spend time with my family, and see the old crew!
Have a great week!
-Maddie

Good Afternoon!
Things here at school have been good. I have been training a lot and have been pushing up the intensity on my morning workouts as we approach ski season 2014. I can't believe I am  only 38 days away from my first day back on snow. I have made the decision to start training early and get back on snow in CO. At the end of November, I will be traveling with NYSEF (New York Ski Educational Foundation) to go shred Copper, A-basin, and Loveland. I am super excited to have this opportunity. I have never been out west to ski, although I have been over seas. I am interested to see how different the skiing is out there. Anyways, enough ski talk. So here at school things have been going great. Unfortunately, I have been feeling a little bit under the weather. I have had a few headaches lately. Hopefully it will pass, but for now I will be taking a break from training and school today. I am trying to stay focused on school and my pre-season. It is very important for me to stay on track for the upcoming season. 

I have been settling in here quite well just as we approach week 9. It has now been the longest that I have been away from home. When I was 9 years old I spent 8 weeks at sleep away camp. My room is now somewhat squared away with decorations, and has that "home" feel. I love hanging out with the girls. Like I mentioned in some of my earlier posts I live with the whole girls hockey team, because I am the only girl skier here at NSA. I try to be with them as much as they can but it is definitely hard because they are in there season when I haven't even started mine yet. When they go to practice, I head to workout. We meet up for lunch at school and continue through classes, and spend the evening together till bedtime. Sometimes all together, and sometimes in small groups or even alone on busy nights. As an update from my last post, I did decide to go to Boston with the girls. I had the time of my life. It was a very busy weekend for them because it was there first league weekend. I learned so much about the hockey world and tried to help them as much as I could. Without a doubt a weekend I will remember for the rest of my life. They are traveling to Detroit this weekend, and unfortunately I will not be joining them because my parents are coming up just for one day to drop off my ski stuff. As much as I want to travel again with them I need to take care of business for my sport. They are traveling to Troy, NY the weekend after this one where I might come along for that JWHL weekend. I wish them luck this weekend. But for now at school it is just going to be the boys and I! I will probably end up catching up on homework from my absence today, and any other days I might miss this week (crossing my fingers I get better for tomorrow). 

Well until next time, take care! I will keep you posted!

-M

Happy Sunday!

Today has definitely been one typical Sunday at NSA. This is the last weekend before the girls start their league and really getting in to there season. I started off the morning by having breakfast with a few girls. After I got ready I hung out for a little while and then went to the dock with everyone on the floor except for a few girls. I was pushed in twice! In my clothes! Oh well, I will get them back.

They are heading to next weekend Boston to play 4 games. I might be traveling with them, but I haven't made the decision yet. Depending on how much homework and stuff I have to do at school. Plus, they are gonna be very busy at there first league weekend. As for the boys they are traveling as well next weekend, and should be returning from Canada today very shortly. They won there game yesterday, and one of the players even managed a hat trick! I have yet to hear about the result of the game this morning. I will keep you all posted about the upcoming week! All is well here.

Love,

Maddie

Originally I created this blog for the next 9 months as I pursue my journey at National Sports Academy! Im very excited to finally be posting about my experience at school. So lets just jump in to it!

Well Im here! Week 4 and I love this school! Just before I reach my one month mark at NSA I feel like I've done it all. Already I have become such great friends and so close with the girls on my floor. I live with the Girls Hockey Team. Therefore, I am the only girl skier here until November (when Winter Term starts). Although I do wish there were more skiers here I am very excited to learn about the world of hockey and just enjoy this experience with them. The boys team here is very nice. The faculty is amazing, they are willing to work with you on a serious note, and know when it is right to joke around. Last week, the Philadelphia Flyers were at the famous rink at the Olympic Training Center (which I can walk to and see from campus). All the hockey players were pretty pumped, I even got a chance to see them practice for 30 minutes. Another thing was at school I am the youngest! Its pretty sweet, besides everyone being overprotective and the little kid/ 8th grader jokes. Haha, love these kids.

Can't wait to post more. Talk to you all later!

Love,

Maddie McCarthy

In life, we all have things that we just want to live once. Even if its just one second, or even 3 hours.We all idol at least one person in the celebrity world, for my friend its Taylor Swift. If you all could click the link below at least once, or even once every 24hrs you would be a huge help in making this dream happen. THANKS SO MUCH JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW WE ALL LOVE YOU AND ARE SO APPRECIATIVE!!!!!

http://www.kiss108.com/t/?1c2

Welcome to my life. I am an alpine ski racer, that dreams to be in the 2018 olympics. I play a little lax. And live to love my friends and family.

                         

                          WELCOME TO THE JOURNEY.