Thanks kirakira for the links!
Some notes/very rough summaries:
In the first part, around 4:45, Mao is talking about her one-handed Biellman (back in 2005), and she says something like, "I don't know if I'll get extra points for it, but no one has ever done one before, so I invented it." This 100% embodies the Mao spirit, in my opinion. She's not doing something because of the points, but because she wants to do things that no one has ever done before; she wants to push technical barriers!
She also talks about cutting her fingers frequently (on the blade).
Part 2
When Mao's on the phone with her family, she says (jokingly), "I was second, but what do you think?" Her Mom says (as a joke), "you didn't land the triple axel, so it was bad," whereas Mai is really impressed.
I'm really surprised they don't make a big deal about the GPF. That, in my opinion, was a key milestone in Mao's career. Is it because they don't have the footage?
She didn't even win 2005 Japan Nat's!
It is insane watching Mao and Mai practice in the middle of the night...
But then again, it now makes sense why jet lag issues don't worry Mao so much--at one time she was used to practicing in the middle of the night!
There's Mao's mom at 7:30! She looks so much like Mai! Even the loving way she looks at Mao is the same!
Part 3
Around 0:30, she talks about breaking her finger before Japan Nationals (see my blog for details on this!)
Around 4:00, Mai says that when Mao cries, she feels like crying too, and then Mao says that from when she was little, when she did well, she would start crying. Aww, that's so cute.
Around 6:30, Yamada-sensei said she was excited about Mao from the very beginning.
Part 4
Around 5:15, I like how Mao starts practicing by using Ayumi Hamasaki music. She should use one of her songs for an EX sometime. That would be so fun for her I bet!!
It's still painful to watch Mao suffering through the beginning half of the season.
Part 5
Mai says that on Mao's off-days before Japan Nats, they'd go have shaved ice, and go shopping and eat at new restaurants, and do the sort of things that typical college students do. That's something that Mai wanted to do for her.
Mao says she's grateful to Mai and Machiko-sensei for giving her all kinds of advice and support.
Mao says she couldn't be really glad after her FS performance at Nationals because she wasn't sure what kind of score she would get. She was still a little worried.
Mai makes an awesome comment around 5:40. She says, "Mao has a strange power. When Mao smiles, I become really happy too, and when Mao cries happy tears, I start bawling. I think it's a bit strange [like 'mysterious']." I'm sure we all agree?
6:03 Mao standing next to Taka-chan!
Part 6/7
I love Mai's earrings!
I really can't watch Mao looking disappointed and sad; it's too painful...
At the end, Mai says, "It ended in a flash."
Makino says he was glad she did the 3 triple axels, but he was even more impressed that she was able to overcome her problems.
Part 8
Machiko-sensei says that Mao is really great/heroic and strong.
Later she's talking about how Mao probably felt a little upset that she didn't win a gold medal, but the real reason that she was so upset was because she wanted to give a perfect performance, that was her goal. And yet, after doing those two perfect triple axels, she messed up on the (relatively) easy flip and toe loop, so she was mad. (Of course, we knew all this already...)
Mao says she can forget everything except that upset feeling.
Mao says apparently it's the heaviest medal--heavier than the medals from Torino and Beijing.
Mao says it seems like the people were watching were more nervous than me, but I'm very thankful for everyone cheering for me.
This reminded me about Mao forgetting what question the girl asked...
Around 7:00, Yamada-sensei says that 4 years ago, she thought Mao was the best she could be, and she worried if Mao could maintain that, but then now, she sees that Mao has become a 'bigger' person. And she says that surely, 4 years from now, Mao will become an even 'bigger' [ie more amazing, more great] person.
I totally agree, and I look forward to watching the journey. Though surely there will be more tears and suffering ahead, I believe there will be the Mao smile at the end!
Mao says that she thinks her biggest issue is not being a consistent skater. She says that every year she wants to keep improving, and although things may happen [ie problems], if she didn't have those things, it wouldn't be fun, and she wouldn't have a feeling of accomplishment.
GO MAO!
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Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:20 pm
Thank you very much chineseteacup!! Yesterday I discovered that I had totally missed your post in the Olympics thread where you said you were looking forward to reading my blog posts. 
Mao's Ice show schedule 
Yuna and Mao in one show!!!!!! I'm dying to see it! 
Gotta start saving money now...