mask monday

this morning i rose from bed early again..this time i decided to do a little pampering-plucked a few eyebrow hairs (as ive learned i may have a unibrow making its way onto my face) and put on a face mask to keep the pimples away. a.english walked into the kitchen and after letting me know i had something white on my face asked why i was wearing a mask. i told her it was mask monday and asked her why she didnt know..the small chuckles in the morning are what get the day moving : )

anyway! my brain is tired and i barely remember what i did today. i think we went to the pool this morning..we def had a meeting and practice this afternoon. somehow i didnt eat enough before practice and was nearing hangry by the end (not a good place). my dear friend nathalie saved my life, twice, providing me sustenance via protein bar.

tonight was a chill night in the dorms. some alone time in my room followed by an attempt at watching team america while doing friendship bracelets brought my night to an end..im really just not good with funny movies. oh well..i tried.

i thought i was tired much earlier, but somehow i find myself lying awake in bed at a ridiculous hour unable to fall asleep..   : /

happy birthday emilie! : )

woah!

so we had our match v england..the outcome wasnt what we wanted, but the game was a serious battle! it was a lot of fun for me and really hard. i had 3 goals for the game: insert 3 times, attack, and keep my feet moving. since im pretty good at forgetting things (good and bad) that happen on the field, i dont remember if i inserted 3 times : / gonna have to  review the game tape for that one. i think i did a good job of attacking with and without the ball and i had to tell myself (sometimes aloud) to keep my feet moving-i think that helped. overall, im happy with the performance of the usa : ) im glad we battled and really brought it to england. go usa!

we play ireland (again) in the next round. we are in the 5th place pool. im psyched for a rematch and to continue our journey upwards. it's gonna be an awesome game im sure!

today:
i couldnt sleep in (replaying the match in my head), so i went to bfast alone with some tunes. after dancing outside for a bit i went back to the dorms and started a new puzzle with a few of my teammates : ) love the puzzles! we broke for a pool session and lunch..then back at the puzzle. we decided to do this one without looking at the box-great idea mari! we paused the puzzle again to enjoy a polo match at the royal gaurds polo club--pretty cool! i've never seen a polo match before-it was a lot of fun (although i was crazy tired!) we came back to the dorms for dinner and...more of the puzzle : ) ..puzzle completed. i watched a movie with kim and nathalie after our intense puzzle session. the night is ending with either reading or watching yesterday's game..

tomorrow brings a busy day of preparation..

cheers cheers

..reflections..

i was informed yesterday that we are only here for 10 more days. i was shocked, completely, and a moment of paranoia set in. i realized that my days in rugbyland are numbered and i couldn't bear the thought of life after this journey. i then pulled myself together with a few deep breaths. i got to thinking about my journey here, all the adventures, hurdles, matches, teammates, coaches, sacrifices, laughs, and cries that got me to this point. ive thought about these things many times before, but it's a bit different when looking from the tail end of an almost 8 year long dream.

i think back to my days at temple university, where i first began my rugby career. after my first season the team decided we wanted to be national champions, put in the hard work, and went for the gold. we did it, we took the national div 2 title that year. that was the first year i played under the guidance of pete steinberg. pete brought me along to practice with the big dogs, as i saw them back then, who played for keystone rugby club. i remember being scared, while somehow still absolutely loving every minute. pete has been a great part of my rugby life since those days in philadelphia.

during this time at temple i became great friends with tunney. together we confessed our goals of making it to the 2010 womens rugby world cup. we were in it for the long haul. we started our olympic lifting training that year-tunney was a lot better at it than me and the results came much quicker-i was jealous : ) but my eyes were opened to the possibility of this world cup dream and there was no turning back.

i played for a few all-star teams in college and completely gave in to my rugby obsession. i was introduced to a new coach my third year at temple, lisa rosen. lisa has played a huge role in my rugby career for many years..and fed me many great meals while enjoying fun times with the pups : ) i started playing with the usa u23 team that year as well..lisa being on my first (and scariest) tour. 

college came to an end and i knew i needed to take myself to nyc. i wanted to play with the best, as i saw them. the new york rugby club had some of the best national players on it-my rugby idols-and i wanted to be there! i applied to grad schools, only in nyc, so that i'd have a reason to go there--for my mom : ) and made my way to the big apple! talk about star struck! i played my first game with nyrc in 2006 and could not contain my excitement..on the wing yelling to lisa on the sidelines to look at who i was playing with! it was crazy!! (hedwig and baja) it took awhile for the shock to settle down, as i was playing with national players of all different positions-watching in awe.

i kept trucking through rugby and obsessively loving every moment. giving up weekends, parties, weddings, family events, nights out with friends..as every rugger does. although i missed those events, it was all worth it because i knew i was doing something i loved and really needed to do. once i started playing with the national team i was in my glory. rugbyland came alive and i enjoyed many long trips away from home in rugby heaven.

looking back on all the people who helped shape my rugby career is overwhelming. from my time on philly's team to my days in college to the all-star teams to family-so many people have helped bring me to where i am now. it truly is amazing how much it really does take a village..or in my case many villages. im so grateful for being able to enjoy these moments..these moments that i dreamed about so long ago. to take a few moments to reflect on how much of a dream come true this journey really is is incredible and emotional. all the supporters and fans, all the friends and family, all the teammates who have become my second family, all the ruggers supporting the sport, and all their family/friends who make their careers possible..there are way too many people to thank, to name, to give props to, but know that i appreciate it all-everything and everyone-and havent forgotten how big you really are. here's one for the masses: THANK YOU!

    

: )

yesterday was the critical point. we are here to win. and win big! im so amped..feeling the good vibes and ready to fight. the energy inside me and my teammates is amazing..cant wait to unleash!

today continues our england game prep. afternoon practice, meetings, and lots of food for fuel-love this place : ) rugbyland is a real dream!

we finished both puzzles and im feeling anxious to get a new one! vix's puzzle was great-american flag made out of colorfully designed pencils (shouldve taken a picture) - we did that one twice! mine was much less exciting-mountain/trees landscape (def dont need a pic of that!)-boring! but they are finished! will go in search of a new one today, hopefully.

: (

unfortunate end to a hard fought match v ireland. ireland wins 22-12.

feeling tired, sore, and blue.

tomorrow starts a new match prep for england..

v ireland

today is game day. short and sweet. im in the zone. calm intensity.

ready to rock. so hype to play-waiting to unleash.

bring it.

its sunday!

i was just informed of the date/day of the week. its pretty impressive how unattached to the calendar i am out here.

ive been really bad with uploading and posting my pictures the past few days. im hoping to get back on track tomorrow. the wave of excitement learning how to upload pics has passed, but i'll try to get it back : )

today we had a morning training session. i felt really good and am happy moving forward to our next match..on tuesday : )

this evening, i enjoyed a double session of doing puzzles and hanging out with my teammates. i love the girls here and living in rugbyland!  : )

..tomorrow i must write before im too tired to think : /

WIIINNNNN!!!!!!

51-0! Game #1 was a success in a BIG way for the USA! im still feeling the chills from the game : )
i was soo excited watching us tear through that game..i almost passed out like four times! i had trouble controlling myself on the sidelines..i jumped off the bleachers at least five times-every time was worth it!

we had some great scores and awesome runs, sick tackles and lots of sweet action! the second half felt a lot more our speed and we got into the groove. it was a fun game to watch and im really excited for the next one.

we play ireland on august 24th. still no webcast in our near future, but the twitter feed should be going and hopefully some facebook updates.

thanks for the support today! we could feel the usa all around us as we played. and the fans who made it out to london did a fantastic job in the stands! the bikini ladies were one of the highlights..

tomorrow should be a chill day of recovery and preparing for the next match..go usa! : )

GAME DAY!!!!

we're here! we made it! game #1 v kazakhstan! soooo hype!! only a few more hours until kickoff! sooo hype!!!!! : )
ok need to regulate my excitement, but its so hard to contain! listening to chill music (not working to relax me since i have it on full blast), had an arousal workout this morning to get the nerves going..more for rostered players, but i needed it too : )  lunch soon, then its game time!

we've waited a long time for this moment! to be here at the womens rugby world cup..playing for the usa..its pretty amazing (so many other words floating through my mind now).

there will be live twitter updates here: https://twitter.com/USAEaglesRugby 

unfortunately, our game will not be streamed online : ( tears..
game #3 will be online and on tv, but until then stick close to your twitters to hear about the usa!! send lots of good vibes our way..we're ready to go! crush! win! dominate.

getting close..

not much going on in england today. more game day preparations-we got to practice on the "private" field this morning-and meetings. some down time and naps made the day quite relaxing.

we all got bikes! our liaison acquired the entire team a fleet of bikes-the new and doubly improved biker gang has reemerged since our 12 strong biker gang at residency. im pretty excited about riding my bike around campus, although my helmet doesnt look so great on my fro.

after watching zoolander-hilarious-im headed to bed to rest up for some pre-gameday rugby action. its almost friday!! : )

are you for real?

day 1 of being official has come and gone..and im still absorbed in my own shock of being here! i love every moment..its so amazing! im so happy to be in this place that ive only dreamed about for years..its just crazy!

anywho-today was a busy day filled with 2 training sessions, lots of meals and snacks, and many naps. im lying in bed now with my book at my side (reading "a long way gone"..pretty intense) ready for my last nap of the evening.

tomorrow is another day to be filled with lots of excitement and preparation. can u believe it? we're just a few short days away from the first kickoff!! love it!! : )

it's official!!

im so pumped! we're officially at the world cup! its so crazy! i barely know what to do with all of my excitement! : ) everything is amazing! i hope this feeling lasts through the whole trip, but really i don't care right now because i just love whats happening!

we arrived this morning to our new dorms, just a short van ride from our previous location, and immediately i was impressed. not only do we each have our own rooms, but we each have a bathroom (with a shower) in our impressive single bedrooms. the rooms are much bigger than the last place. we have a common kitchen area connected to each pod of 6 players where we plan to play more mini ping-pong and do puzzles.

we started the afternoon off with a visit to the dining hall, yumm! after lunch, i laid outside in the grass while a few teammates played frisbee above my head. i watched a few other teams load into the dorms, said hello to some of the wc volunteers, then headed inside for a power nap before practice.

today's session was really fun and started the trip off quite amazingly! : ) as for tonight--just settling into the new digs, reading a bit, and going to sleep early. tomorrow begins 2 hours earlier than we've had to begin since we arrived in england.

cheers to the world cup in action! : )

blacks in england!

we had off today..all day! : ) i slept in (until 9), finished my book!, and ate an amazing omelette made by the baby of the family..what a great way to start the day! after a few episodes of true blood (the fanatics are trying to get me addicted!), we headed into town--this time for a more historic view.

we took the bus to the guildford town centre and walked to the Guildford Castle. it was quite pretty and smelled of lavender..and some other flowers. we strolled around the castle grounds for quite some time. after watching an intense game of "bowls" and being kicked out of the castle museum for lack of funds we made our way to High Street and took a walk along the granite setting (like cobblestone) streets that we learned about at the museum! putting knowledge into action-how cool! : )

the highlight of the day came when two of my teammates and i came across our very own store! needless to say we were quite surprised..and enthused..at the idea of owning a piece of england-among other things. it's official..blacks are in england..and now we know where to shop.

i headed home with a smile of shock and enjoyed the last of our family dinners (spicy chili perfected by miss phaidra knight!) with my podmates. tomorrow we move to the official world cup dorms where we will stay for the duration of the trip. it's no fun to pack up and move, but im pretty excited to join the masses at the women's rugby world cup in london 2010! : )

to rain or not to rain..?

i think the clouds in england ask themselves that question everyday..always deciding to rain. we've been pretty lucky with little rain during practice times, but the sunshine here is quite deceiving-it can rain at any moment! and somehow i still don't anticipate it..

after today's practice i had a pretty light afternoon followed by another amazing family dinner! tonight was make your own pizza night-how exciting!! : ) my family and i made one veggie, one bbq chicken and veggie, and one pesto goodness pizza..sooo tasty!

 

im reading "the five people you meet in heaven" and really hope to finish it tonight-so good.
tomorrow is sunday (right?) and we have the day to ourselves..i hope the rain holds out..

money saved is money spent..

after this morning's session i headed into town again to enjoy another lovely, rainy day in england. since ive been told the conversion rate is less than what i expected i feel like i saved so much money! (even though i hadnt actually purchased anything yet)..so, with my newly found saved money i went shoppin!! i managed to find some serious metal cleats..only 15 pounds (wish i had the symbol for that) sweet deal : )

i came back to the dorms for another fantastic family dinner : ) tonight's entertainment was MINI ping-pong..thanks to nathalie's genius purchase! i won! (21-19)..good come back for me, i'll keep my opponent a mystery.
lots of chatting and chilling with teammates and off to bed for me.

another day on the road ahead..

Guildford day off!

after a morning of lounging and family style breakfast in our common kitchen, we headed into the local town for some shopping and sight seeing. it was a nice walk, good shopping, but a bit too much foot time for me. now, back in the pod hanging with my pod family : ) love them! restin up for another big day in england..

Day..4?

i have officially lost track of the days already. i don't know the date or the day of the week..yesterday someone told me it was wednesday-i thought it was tuesday. what i do know is that we have the day off! we started the week here in london with a few brutal 2-a-day sessions.

its been pretty amazing though..im pretty stoked to be here-the sinking in started early for me. im at the world cup! crazy! i guess i dont have too many words for it yet, but im really happy : )

the days will get jumbled as we go along, but im trying to keep track on here-wish me luck and enjoy! : )