27 DAYS!!

..until I leave for Colombia! I decided to venture south for awhile--to try something new and make my best attempt at finally learning Spanish. I'm incredibly excited about my South American adventure and getting anxious for what's to come. It's hard to stay in the moment when you see excitement ahead, but alas-I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. And so it is.

My last weeks in San Diego have been, and will continue to be, filled with physical therapy for my thumb (I've reached the "are we done yet" stage), emptying out my closet and my room (rugby donations to the NYRC U19s, everything else to the SD Mission Rescue) and hanging with friends--lots of friend time!

Physical therapy is a necessary part of regaining my opposable thumb function. Buuut..as with most injuries you (well at least I) reach a point where you just want it to be over. Questions like "Aren't I healthy yet?" and "How much longer do you think this will take?" are asked more and more frequently. It's pretty clear though that I'm not quite done yet and there are still a few weeks of forced movements and learning to reuse my hand ahead of me. And so-off to thumb therapy I go!

Donation Station!
I've decided to get rid of the majority of my belongings. At first, it was just so I didn't have to move everything across the country while I figured out what my next steps would be. Now, it has become a stress-relieving new way to look at my life. It feels great to let go of so many things! The rugby stuff has to go as I don't have much use for it all now and I think the young ruggers in NYC will appreciate it more than will some storage unit. The furniture and clothes are being donated to people who will get some good use out of it--or at least they'll sell it to someone and use the money for something good. As for me, I'm loving the idea of having minimal THINGS in my life. I've never been one to cart around a bunch of stuff, but I still have way more than is truly necessary. Goodbye stuff!

Friend time has been great-nights out, daytime coffee dates, mini staycations, marathon tv show viewings, dog walks, food feasting, and so much more! I'm enjoying my last few weeks here in SD (on a very low budget) since I'm not sure when life will bring me back here.

Staying in the present has proven to be challenging. I'm very excited about my trip and what will come of it, but I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself and to just enjoy what's in the here and now. More about the trip soon, but for now...3 weeks until I leave SD...4 weeks til South America!

Thank You & Farewell

 

In January 2012 I was lucky enough to be one of the first 7 players contracted to play rugby full-time at the Olympic Training Center in California. It was totally surreal and incredibly exciting-an idea that many rugby players dreamed of, but didn't believe would ever be a reality. I was fortunate enough to train and play with the top female rugby players in the country over the next two years. I traveled to 5 countries, some more than once, played in over 50 international matches and captained the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2013 World Cup. I've had quite an incredible experience! And I'm happy for every day of it (the good and the...not so good).

I didn't take my place as a professional athlete for granted and knew that it would eventually come to an end. That time has come and the end is here. I was told in November that my contract would not be renewed. Of course it was an emotional blow, but emotions come in all shapes and sizes and I felt fairly certain that I was ready to take on the emotions that came with this life altering change.

Overall, I'm feeling really grateful for the gift of the last two years. Before I moved to Chula Vista I was contemplating the end of my rugby career. I'm happy that I had the opportunity to add more years, experiences and memories to my journey. I was able to push myself and grow in ways I thought were not for me. There were certainly bad days, trying moments, and bitter pills to swallow, but today I am a better person, rugby player, friend and teammate than I was when I began. Although it came to and end before I would have liked it to, I am forever thankful for those who helped me begin this adventure and those who continued to support me along the way. Without the support of everyone in my life I would not have such a great tale to tell---all of the hugs, letters, tweets, emails, facebook likes and comments, cards, packages, visits, skype sessions, pushes to keep going, texts, phone calls, gift cards, pep talks, shoulders to cry on, forever smiles, love and unwavering kindness. THANK YOU!

With a smile on my face I remember the greatness that came with being a part of Team USA.

Farewell friends.