When I get up, I have a cup of coffee, surf the Internet, then do a half-hour run.

I want to see sunrises in the mountains. You never get to see such things enough in a lifetime. I want to see more.

I don't want to compete. I want to skate for the joy. I get so nervous in competition. I get always sick. I had pressures enough in my life from skating.

When you see the audiences and the smiling faces at the shows it really makes up for the work that you put in. I have a job I really love so whatever hecticness comes up - I'll just deal with it.

Sometimes I even now feel like a stranger in my country. But I knew there would be problems because I had seen the world as a skater. And now? A lot of people in eastern Germany have lost jobs, rents went up, food costs went up, unemployment went to 20 percent. Freedom is good, but it is not easy.

I love Sunday-morning drives. I'll be up at 6 A.M., get a cup of coffee, and head out.