Expect the Unexpected

Although we are still in the United States, we are still on tour... and whenever we're on tour... we can expect the unexpected. Random things always seem to happen, someway, somehow.

Seeing that we are staying in the dorms here at American University, we all realized that our meals would be in one of the dining halls on campus. As we walked into "The Tavern" on Tuesday night for dinner we were informed that we were only allowed to have one thing off the menu (which included burgers, quesadillas, chicken fingers, and pizza). Most of us were starving at this point and were wondering first, how we were going to get enough to eat and second, if we were going to get any healthy food. Fortunately we worked out a way to get some pasta, deli sandwiches, some salads and fruit. Challenge number one: check.

We did get a break from the cafeteria food on Saturday though. Since most of our parents (and a lot of other friends and family too!) made it to the games on Saturday and Sunday, they organized a tailgate for us after the game on Saturday which was not only delicious, but reminded us that not everything that is unexpected is not bad. Plus we got dessert! :) Thanks parents!

Now, jump to Sunday night. Although we didn't get the results we had hoped from the weekend, and many of our friends and family had to leave to go back to work on Monday, we went to sleep excited to have a day off to let our bodies recover, to review the game film, and sight see a little bit in our nation's capital.

Monday: 4am. FIRE ALARM!!!
That's right. We got a bit of a rude awakening when the fire alarm decided to go off at 4am. As Maren and I sleepily stumbled from our room, we saw our coach, Lee, looking extremely confused standing in his boxers struggling with the door to his room. Come to find out he had a dream about his computer setting off the alarm, and in his rush to turn try to turn it off, he accidentally locked himself out of the room. Although we were all exhausted, we got a little chuckle out of the situation.

Even with random wake up calls, questionable meals, and a whole lot of free time on our hands, our team has always found a way to make the best of every situation, and even make them fun. We have learned to adapt and adjust, to control to things we can, and laugh about the things we can't.

But finally, I can't forget to mention the challenges that come along with playing Argentina, the number 2 team in the world. The real reason we are here. Every game brings new, exciting opportunities and obstacles. As we adapt to what Argentina throws at us, they too adjust to our game plan. We love this challenge. We thrive on it. We live for it.


"The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges." -Martin Luther King Jr.

"You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind" -Darwin P. Kingsley

Nation's Capital!

We have officially arrived in the Nation's Capital! After quite a long day's travel with a few delays here and there, we all safely arrived, including little Xavi (Keli Smith's little baby boy!).

As I sit here in the dorm room at American University, resting up and thinking about the first match tomorrow against Argentina, I can't help but think back to my college days. Remembering dorm life and game days of old. I can't help but think about my old roommate and my former teammates. I remember the amazing times we had and how everything that I went through at Wake Forest has helped to shape who I am today, not only as a field hockey player, but as a person. Most of all, I am thankful for all of these experiences and memories.

I am interrupted by little Xavi's cries from down the hall and I am quickly brought back to reality. This is not college. This is not my dorm room from years past. I am here representing so much more. In a familiar atmosphere, I am no longer wearing black and gold, but the red, white, and blue. The name of the front of the jersey is the United States. We are here to face one of the top teams in the world, Argentina. I am ready. We are ready.

Although we have played Argentina what seems like a million times in the past, this series will be a little bit different. With a few new players on board, and a new outlook on where our team is going, it will be a big test for us to see how we rebound after our World Cup Qualifier. Knowing the girls, we are up for the challenge. And who better to test us than Argentina.

More updates to come post game. Come out at watch (6pm) or follow us online!!!

GO STATES!!

Volunteering!

It's been a busy last week! We started training back up last week and it took us a little to get back into the routine we had been so accustomed to. We were all happy to be back training together though.

We spent much of the weekend together as well, volunteering for some very good causes. On Saturday a bunch of us, myself included, teamed up the with United Way in order to help out with Stuff the Bus. This was an event where we were helping to collect sports equipment to fill up, or stuff, a school bus. All the equipment collected would then be given to foster children who could not afford to buy it themselves.

Growing up, we were all fortunate enough to be given opportunities through sports. Not only was it a way to meet friends and a fun activity to participate in, it also kept us out of trouble and taught us a lot about life. Through sports, we learned teamwork, hard work, dedication, and time management, just to name a few. These skills, whether used in continuing athletics, or in the real world are invaluable. We wanted to help give back by providing these same opportunities to children less fortunate than we were.

For another worthy cause, much of the team participated in the Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk on Sunday. This was another cause whose meaning was felt close to the hearts of our team. Our former team captain, Kate Kinnear's mother passed away from lung cancer in 2006. We walked in honor of her, as well as all others whom we have known or not, who suffered through the battles of lung cancer.

After a great weekend of giving back, we had to get back to work ourselves for our final week of preparation before we head off to the East Coast to play Argentina in a 5 game test series at American University!!

GO STATES!