As Laura knows from some near book length pm's I sent to her on the issue hehehe, I too would like to see her stay in figure.
I started out as a die hard fan of female bodybuilding, started as a bodybuilder, but the direction it went over the years with all the drugs somewhat made me pull back. I still love it, attend shows regualy and in fact one of my closest friends is an pro bodybuilder...but facts are facts....a figure look is generally more acceptable to the general public..it's even more acceptable to those in the bodybuilding community. Only negative to me with figure vs. bodybuilding is figure shows are boring as hell to watch. When I go the the O or ASC I love watching the female bodybuilders do their thing, whereas figure I start drifting off a bit.
Laura should do whatever makes her happy though.........she could even flip flop and try both.