You had a really successful but in some ways frustrating 2006. What do you consider to be the highlight of the 2006 season and why?

Winning my second senior VISA championships was one of my highlights of 2006. Another highlight in 2006 was winning 2 more silver medals at the World Championships. I now have 6 World Medals! 2 gold and 4 silver!

You had surgery on your ankle soon after you got back from Aarhus. How is your recovery progressing? Any ideas yet when we might hope to see you back out on the competition floor?

I had orthoscopic surgery early November. I had two bone chips removed. The recovery is going good, just slow! This was my first surgery, so I'm not used to going through the slow recovery process! I will for sure compete at the VISA Championships, but I also hope to make the Pan Am Games this Summer.

The new scoring system has been in place for 12 months. It seemed at the start of the season that the gymnasts and coaches were as confused by it as the fans. Now that you have competed for 12 months under it, what are your impressions? Do you prefer it to the previous code of points?

I think the new code was a little difficult to get used to, but now I think everybody understands it better after the first year went by. It is very different compared to the old code, but in a way I think it's better. It sets apart gymnast with good execution. But you cannot only have good execution, you need to have a high difficulty score as well if you want to place among the top. Overall, I think it was a good change! It may have been challenging, but that's what makes it fun!!

You upgraded almost all of your routines in 2006. Without revealing all, are you able to give us any hints about what may be planned for your routines in 2007?

Yes I will be upgrading some more! A few things on bars, and floor. And hopefully vault as well ;)

You just got home from the most recent National Team camp in Houston. Can you describe an average day at camp?

Yes, I did get back from camp recently. A normal day at camp consists of two workouts, just like at home! The first one is from 8:30-12 and then we eat lunch, get therapy and rest. Then the second workout is from 4:00-7:00. Then we eat dinner and get extra therapy if needed. Then we go to bed! A normal camp is 3 and a half days. And if it a selection camp or a training camp for a major competition, it will last longer!

You took part in the 125th FIG Anniversary Gala shows in both Switzerland and Puerto Rico in 2006. What is it that you enjoy about performing in these kind of shows? Do you have any on your schedule for 2007 already?

The shows were both really fun! It's always fun being around the other gymnasts from around the world! You get to meet and become friends with a lot of gymnasts! 2007 is going to be busy with training and competions, so I'm not sure which shows I will be attending yet. I know I will be going to the USGTC Summer Camp on July 29!

Your new floor music is Dark Eyes - a Russian folk song. Was the link to your heritage the reason that you selected it or were you inspired for some other reason?

I was actually watching the Winter Olympic Games, and Sasha Cohen has always been a favorite of mine. One of her programs was to Dark Eyes. And I thought that it would be a good piece for my floor routine! We looked around for different versions, and finally found the one I have now!!

You have always set short rather than long-term goals in your career. Can you tell us what you goals are for 2007?

I have to stay that I do have long term goals as well, but for me its very important to follow my short term goals in order to suceed. That is how I put together the puzzle in my gymnastics career.

My goals for this year is to get healthy with my ankle and get back into the competition season as soon as possible. The Pan Am Games are also coming up this summer, which is a very important competition, along with the VISA Championships and of course the World Championships shortly after nationals.

You spent more time than you might have expected as a spectator in Aarhus. Which gymnasts and/or routines impressed you the most from the women's competition?

Yes, I was able to watch a lot of the competition going on in Aarhus. Vanessa Ferrari won the all-around, which was great for her and for her country! She is young, and for her to accomplish such a great result is very great! Also, the Chinese were very strong, and are gearing up for the Games next year in their home country! Cheng Fei was amazing on vault and floor and both of her titles were well deserved!

You travel a lot these day. What are three things you never leave home without?

My phone and computer to stay in touch with my friends and family, and my VISA card, haha :)