2014: You are so near and so precious to me

Dear baby,

This is the first time daddy hears your heart beats. I've played the audio many times, and I am not yet tired of hearing it over and over again.

You are joy in my life. I can feel that you are so near to me. You are so precious to me.

Mommy went to see doctor last Monday, the doctor said we have to wait 4 more weeks to know if you are a boy or a girl. Your brother Cobcob wishes that you are a boy so that he could teach you hockey. Daddy does not have a preference, but if daddy has to make a choice, daddy may choose "boy" as daddy grew up in a all-boys family. Mommy wishes a baby girl. Well, whether you are a "boy" or a "girl", it doesn't really matter. What matter the most is that you are my baby, and you will always be my precious baby.

Love,
Daddy

2014: Learning Full Stride

"There is a significant difference between being a fast skater and being a quick skater. Speed is measured by how fast a player in full stride can skate from point a to point b. A players ability to stride efficiently with good technique creates speed. Quickness, however is the players ability to go from one speed to another in a small amount of time and space, which may also include changing direction. Quick starts have a completely different technique then skating at full stride.  Quickness in a game is considered to be more of an effective tool then speed itself. Hockey is a game of transition and reaction where burst of speed and quickness are valuable assets to possess."

source: http://www.semihockey.ca/skating_progression_with_ihd_part_2