I met the potentially most powerful woman in the U.S. today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi! It's always refreshing to meet women that are successful.

The reason we met is because the U.S. government does not fund Olympic athletes like governments in other countries, and there has been speculation of government scholarship funding cuts for U.S. Olympic hopefuls.

This one million dollar scholarship is limited, and only offered to athletes living at one of the four Olympic training centers, and does not come close to satisfying the need. Based on my athletic performance and earning my MBA, I was proud to advocate for future athletes in raising this scholarship to three or even five million. I was very impressed with Mrs. Pelosi's admiration and understanding of Olympic athletes and hopefuls. She was very supportive of the potential scholarship increase.

Mich. Congressman Bart Stupak is also strong advocate; the scholarship was named after his son B.J. Stupak, who passed away after steroid use in high school. While on Capitol Hill I also lobbied for a new tax benefit for corporations endorsing Olympians and hopefuls. I'm planning on continuing this effort and doing big things in the future for athletes to come!

As you can see in one of the photos, I am posing with Speaker Pelosi, and Rep. Stupak.

In another photo, I am smiling alongside Captain Mike Deal of the U.S. Marine Corps. Deal has served our country overseas twice in the war against terrorism. What an honor. We are so thankful

Also, I had the chance to meet with President Obama and Vice President Biden, and their wives. Naturally, I was impressed by the female fashion. Talk about a change...wow! They looked great and were going for the more sexy versus conservative look which has been the talk of some press here and there.

The experience at the White House this time was more personal. Since it was raining, they met with each team individually which was great.

I was given a special "coin" by Rep. Pelosi and Capt. Deal that I will cherish.

ViVA is thrilled to host the Kick Off of Olympic Medalist Allison Baver's new charity OFF THE ICE! OFF THE ICE is an educational sport movement that uses skating as a catalyst for success to inspire character values, goal development, and healthy lifestyles in children. It also brings skates, related equipment, and facilities to communities throughout the world.

ViVA is excited to have Allison Baver hosting our Friday Night Benefit Dance on Friday, April 23rd featuring Burning House. Tickets are $10 per person and it is your chance to meet our local US Olympian!

Allison will be signing autographs at ViVA from 8 to 9pm that evening. She will also be hosting an auction featuring great items- sports related items, gift certificates and items from local businesses!

Tickets are available in advance at ViVA or can be purchased the night of the event at the door.

Come out and support Allison and her efforts to make a difference in our youth!

I hung out in the Penske Truck Rental Suite at the Philadelphia Flyers and NJ Devils game and it was a blast! Did an interview with the commentators at the game which rocked, sat on the bench for warm-up and hung out in the locker room post game! That was so much fun, I loved it! It feels great to be home and it was so much fun to be with my family and sponsor. I miss them. The Flyers really took good care of me. I had to go right from the airport to the game and they even helped me find a curling iron and gotta thank of course my Pantene Ice Shine Hair Spray that saved my day again! All the guys on the team were really nice and it was cool learning more about their equipment, training and the game. I was able to relax with a few of them in the press box and talk about our sports a bit. I met some great guys and had so much fun I'm going back Friday night.

But, I have to say my mood and routine has been very strange these days, just not as serious which feels weird. I've been so busy with things I have not had much time for anything, if that makes any sense. Really can't even explain it to you! It's like well she's not training so she's probably not doing anything, right? Wrong! For example, tomorrow I'm going to a school to speak about Flat Stanley at 9:00am! I had to make a Flat Stanley Project to present to a 2nd grade class and could not believe that was happening! My Mom helped me and it brought back lots of memories. Interview after, lunch meeting at the location I'm hosting an Off the Ice even on April 23rdt (I'll keep you posted), errands/emails that I won't be able to finish, working out if there's time which there won't be and then meeting one of my best friend's families for dinner to show her kids "the bronze". It doesn't even feel like I'm getting a serious surgery on Monday-having the plate in my leg removed! This time post Olympics is so bizarre and very transitional. It just takes time. You need to relax and absorb everything, fully analyze and plan. It can't be forced. Looking forward to enjoying Easter with my family at my sister's house. It will be the first time we're eating dinner as a family in her home!

Happy Easter!