As an athlete, I've always been very proud to represent the United States.

If you have nothing in life but a good friend, you're rich.

What I love the most is getting on the ice and just popping in a fabulous CD and skating - all by myself, the rink completely empty, just me and the music.

Skating has given me so much that it's priceless.

As I've gotten older and grown more independent, I think for myself, and that's how it should be.

When I look back at the world championships, I know there's a lot of room for improvement, I'm always up for a challenge. The Olympics, they don't define me, I've had some good and some bad. But it's all about the Olympic experience.

There's a lot of emotions that always come out after a skate of a lifetime. I always start crying because there is so much buildup to that competition.