Familys / Teams Convergence Zone!

In Ashland again! Ok, ok technically I'm in a hotel in Medford... BUT! Last night I was back in A-town! My team travelled from Washington yesterday to play against SOU. My parents also drove down bringing Nial and picking up one of my closest friends, Lisa Little. The match was a 1-3 loss so that was disappointing but I played definitely one of my better games (apologies for the boast...) and so that was nice to make a good show for my personal fan section!! Which included:

• My Parents


• Nial


• Lisa and Arturo


• Shira and Sophie


• Diana


• Dallas and Weston (although they came late because they thought that watching a silly high school match was more important that watching their soon-to-be-sister's collegiate volleyball match)

The Down-Ref remembered me and said he would hug me if that wasn't against the rules. Everyone of the SOU coaches hugged me (not expected...) including one who I really didn't know... And half the team (because I played and was friends with them only a year ago) also hugged and gave warm wishes.

My parents got to meet Diana for the first time and Shira, Soph, Dall and Weston. Which was really cool for them, but honestly, I'm kind of upset that I wasn't there when it all went down!! Oh well...

After the match my coach, very kindly, said that I could spend some time with them if I was back to the hotel before too late! Shira, Soph, Nial and I went to Shira's apt where she whipped up some post-game goodness! Potato-Leek soup, home grown corn on the cob and quesidillas.

Quickly, too quickly we had to go

There and Back again, an nomad's tale

So as I stated in my last post, volleyball started for me in early August. We practiced twice a day and also had a conditioning session each day. That was 6 times a week for 3 weeks. Phew! I'm glad we're done with Pre-season!! So then we headed to Idaho the last week of August, we didn't do spectacularly but learned a lot I think.

The following weekend (Labor Day wknd) we headed to Los Angeles. It was my first time to So Cal and I have to say I'm not that impressed... It was dirty and people drive like everything is legal. We played 4 games there at Concordia-Irvine all against top-ranked (15and up) teams. It was tough! But we hung with Cal Baptist (#3 in the nation) and regained some confidence. Our last day there we went to DISNEYLAND!! I had never been there and loved it. Unfortunatley, after our last game we were in trouble with our coaches and had to condition for an hour in the dark outside the University we were playing at... so, we were kinda sore walking around the Happiest Place on Earth but it was still magnificent. Indiana Jones was my FAV!!!

So I am blessed to have my family mostly live close to me, Lee, very convientently lives in Kirkland about 3 blocks from my new school, Northwest Univ. During Pre-season I lived in their spare room and it helped tremendously! It was so fun to hang with my nephew more than normal, watching Nemo or playing with his matchbox cars... Love that little boy!

I moved home this week after getting back from CA. It makes life more organized not living in two places. And now I'm closer to Nial again :)

Being back in school has been a little weird! Trying to remember APA format and Calculus and how to be a good note taker and time-manager...! Its nice though, I do love school and learning so that part is very satisfying.

***REMINDER: If you're in Ashland next week Friday (18th) I'll be playing at SOU at 7pm. Nial and my parents and my friend Lisa are driving down too! So we hope to see you there!***