Getting Back into it! and Africa

Ok, that's it!  Break's over!  Well, for the most part anyway... Vacations ARE already scheduled.  But work has begun again.

I've been home, I've traveled to two softball tournaments.  I've been to a couple LSU baseball games and now a couple of Zephyr baseball games (my first ever!).  I've visited a handful of important people, but there are several still to cover.  It's been about three weeks since I've done a basketball work out, and it about killed me!!!!!  I've done weights a couple of times and jogged a couple of times, but there is no substitute for a 2 and a half to 3 hour basketball workout, complete with quick (hopefully!) full-speed offensive moves and a whole lot of jumping that just isn't in the normal daily routine otherwise.  Needless to say, the "quads" are killing me!  And it's all thanks to Eddie Palubinskas today.  He's been my shooting coach since high school, and although I give so much credit for developing me as a person and a player to my CLA coach, Coach Dallimore, Ed gets "props" as well.  His passion for the game, and his ridiculous confidence in me as a player are just contagious, and I LOVE going to work out in his clinics.  It's SO crucial to have people believe in you, even when you don't feel like you deserve it sometimes.  I've said it before that I have a lot of work to do, and I do, so here it is.  Not every player improves over every summer, but I make it a point to.  It's so exciting to get better isn't it???!!!

Also, Morgan, my fiance is over in Africa right now on a church missions trip, so we are missing him, and praying for him.  Please do one or the other (preferably prayer!) for him :)  I'm so proud of him and the team for raising all that money to go over there and make a difference for that church over in Mozambique.  I only wish that I will have an opportunity one day soon to make it on a missions trip of my own.

Summer!

Ok, Jodi's team lost in their regional... but not before she made some pretty gutsy plays to keep her team alive!  She had the game winning run in their second to last game to keep them alive, and then she got on base again in their season's final inning of play, and then beat out a throw to second base to again keep them alive.  We're proud of her!

So now, we are all home, and the summer has officially begun.  We both have a bunch of unpacking and organizing still to do.  Vacations are planned, and promises are made to better both of ourselves for next season.

On another note, the team I signed a contract with for next season won the Italian Championship!!!!  That is so exciting for them, and it means they will play in an additional league next year with the best teams in the world.  It will be with the best teams in the world, so I have a lot of improving, but a lot of motivation to get better this summer as well.  I will be playing in the big games next year.  The big ones that everyone in the basketball world cares about and watches on TV around Europe and Russia and all over.  Honestly, it is a little scary, but isn't that what playing is all about?  Getting to the big games and pushing yourself to the limits to see what you are made of???  I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I hope and pray that I can stay healthy, and that I take advantage of my opportunities to perform to the best of my ability.  That's how John Wooden defines success anyway: "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming"

So that includes my preparation this summer.

LC Conference Tournament

I wish I had great news from the reason I detoured my flights to instead of home, but I only have good news.  Jodi's team made it to the championship game of the NCAA Division-III ASC Conference Championship, but got rained out.  If they would have went to any other tie-breaker method other than the one used, they would have won anyway... but they didn't...

They were cheated out of a chance for another ring, partially because of weather and playing field, but also from the conference officials.  I'm sorry for them, but they are tough kids and should get a bid for a regional anyway because of their national ranking.  We find out in a day or two where they would play if they do get that bid.

Jodi wouldn't say she was happy with her performance, but she did earn $50 from the pops for a big double in the semifinal game!  I'm against this type of reinforcement, but obviously Jodi's happy to get some cash :)

I'll keep everyone posted!

And That's a Wrap!

Well, it's all over.  We lost.  And in an appropriate fashion if I might add.  I mean, it just wouldn't be right if we went out with any more than just another thing to say "NOW, I've seen everything", or just a simple "UN-believable..."

We were playing well up until half-time.  We were actually winning by 2.  Fast-forward to a minute left, down by 6, our captain and point guard scores 6 straight points to tie us up with 30 seconds left.  The other team comes down, scores 2, and for some reason our "inbounder" throws the ball to our very uncoordinated guard (her best friend...) instead of our calm point guard (a huge "no-no" in basketball) who continues to dribble across half-court one step and launches it at the goal with 15 seconds left on the clock.  Instead of going to foul immediately, we all stood there for a few seconds paralyzed, not believing what the heck just happened.  The girl made both free throws and we lost by 4.  Unbelievable...

So, the team has to go down a division, so I feel bad for the staff and players that have to remain, but fortunately, I'm off to bigger and better things (God-willing as always).  Somehow I finished 3rd in the league in points scored with 16.1 per game, and I think top in the league in 3 pt. shooting %age at 45.5%.  A personal victory for me.  Points really aren't indicative for me as to how the season has gone, but it did give me a ticket to basically choose my next team.  I have signed another contract with a team still playing in the semi-finals this season.  It will be my biggest test ever!  I'm scared, nervous, and excited at the same time, but I have a whole summer to rest, relax, and improve.

The plan is still to fly into Dallas the day before Jodi plays (Wednesday), and one of my best buddies Kelley Alford will come and pick me up from the airport so we can hang out!  I was accepting the fact that I might be by myself my first night, but that is not the case since she goes to school about an hour away :)  Dad and maybe Morgan will meet us there the next morning before the game.  Jodi's team, by the way, is still 2nd in the nation, so Go Wildcats!

hang tight

My internet's out right now.  We lost Game 1, so if we lose tomorrow, we are finished.  I'll write more either when I get home, or after the season if I can "mooch" some more internet off a teammate.  Say some prayers for us!

Home Stretch!

I think it's pretty obvious what time it is from the picture above.  That is an actual picture of my room in the middle of "packing" mode!  In fact, to keep the integrity of this blog and the state of mind that I'm in, I have not moved a thing since writing this blog.  I'm laying in my bed amongst the mountains and piles of clothes and other stuff.  It's a total mess, but an exciting one :)

We have only 2, maybe three games (9 actual days!) left in this season from Hades.  Teammates are pretty touchy right now too.  We've been through so much this season, and fuses have long been run short.  A lot of things are not being said even though girls are about to explode because we'll all be home in less than two weeks.  Thankfully, I, personally, have no "beef" with anyone, and I hope to leave on those good terms.

(Kiki's always at my house now playing on the guitar... free concerts!)

I've made some good friends this year despite or maybe because of everything (not sure really which one it is).  I'm friends with the Americans and the English as well as pretty much all the Italians.  Kiki, Elena, Mox, and Simona mainly.  I've been blessed to be around Kiki and Elena for two straight years, and those are going to be two lasting relationships.  Kiki has basically adopted me (she's not quite 30 yet), and I now consider her one of my best friends.  I even asked her just this morning to be one of my bridesmaids if she can make it to the wedding next summer (that's the plan anyways!) and she is super excited about it.  She was telling me just yesterday that she wants to plan out the menu and everything, and with Elena's help they'll chose the wines and every course!  I was so touched when they said they would be there if AT ALL possible, along with Daniella and Fabrizio.  Simona plans to try and make it as well.  Such a special feeling to make connections over here, and I realize it's such a rare blessing to make friends on the other side of the world!

At the b-day party at my house. Simona was ecstatic to receive her iPod, and I love my new watch from the team!

Bummer...

Ok, so we lost the series, 2-zip.  We now await Game 3 between the other two teams to see who loses.  We will then play that 3-game series away, home, and away (if necessary).  But you know what?  The beautiful Sicilian weather has finally arrived, and now I know within a couple of days when I will be heading home.  If it's a two game series, I'm headed for the beautiful BR, but if we have to play three, I will leave directly after that away game straight to Dallas to meet my dad for Jodi's conference tourney.  I'm sacrificing my European post-season tour to catch her games.  I know... what's the point of being over here if I don't get to see the world after the season's done???  Family... There'll be time later for world-seeing (God-willing).

Here are the photos from my 24th birthday at the Sicilian family's house.  Daniella and Fabrizio are some of my favorite people ever.  They are AWESOME!  Along with their two boys, Andrea and Paolo.  Of course Kiki was there with me as well as Elena.

Kiki got me a cake :)

Ribera parents, Daniella and Fabrizio!

I popped my first bottle of spumante!