Golden Girls

The US Women's soccer team just did what ABK Girls have never done--back 2 back titles--2 Gold medals! When Carli Lloyd's ball beat Brazil's keeper far post in overtime, at least 3 people in our class visibly jumped, focused more on the live feed than on the lecture. The next 17 odd minutes were some of the longest of my life. I'd said going into this match that even a silver would be an accomplishment given our young team, a new style of play, and the absence of our most dominant scorer, especially given that I knew this team could beat Brazil after our lead-up "friendlies." However, watching the game, I realized how much I can't stand Brazil and wanted to just pound their faces into the dirt. I don't like how negative I am towards such talented players, but it can't be helped when Cristiane ruins a good scoring chance by faking an injury just to catch her breath. And what's with the first name thing. It was fine with Pele. Even Ronaldo. But every player? They're not ALL good enough to just be one name.

But props to a great Brazilian team for a good game. They truly are talented. But make no mistake. They are second best. Pia pulled out the best in this team, utilizing our speed, experience, leadership, and talent like Greg Ryan never had to. Seven different players scored goals in this tournament, proving that this truly was a team effort and that Abby Wambach was a leader, but not our only weapon. For such a young team, this shows great promise. And it was what the new Women's Professional Soccer league could have only dreamed of the year before exhibition.

If I weren't sitting in class, if I could vocalize the crazy soundtrack in my head, it would be something along the lines of, "HECK YES TAKE THAT BRAZIL AND GREG RYAN WE ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD CARLI LLOYD IS MY HERO AND LORI CHALUPNY AND REAL SOCCER MOMS LIKE MARKGRAF AND RAMPONE AND POOR LIL WHO MISSED THIS AND TAKE THAT WHOEVER BROKE ABBY WAMBACH'S LEG WE WON WITHOUT HER YAY PIA FOR TAKING A RISK WOOOOOOHOOOOO!"

But I'm in class, and I have to pay attention now. USA USA USA!

Hey batter batter

Tonight I donned my cleats and glove for the first time in...it's been too long when I can't even remember the last time I really played softball. And it's probably been 6 years since I've been on the mound even though I can't believe it's really been that long. I love that feeling of being in control, making sure the infield is ready, yelling "2 outs, play's at 1st", taking a breath, releasing the ball...I'm totally in my element. Even in a group of strangers, like tonight, I become like a different person, it's hard to explain. We talked a while ago about how, for athletes, playing sports is the ultimate ice breaker. You don't need small talk or awkward conversations. You really don't even need to know people's names. But you can encourage each other and celebrate and create memories all the same. Of course, for those for whom sports are a dreaded nightmare of embarrassment, it's not such a pleasant situation. But for me, it's where I can shine. It's not even that I'm fantastic, because I never made it to the varsity level in any sport, but I just feel at home on the field, any field (well, not the tennis court). Still...I badly need a trip to the batting cages. Six years is TOO LONG.

Speaking of sports, how freaking awesome are the Olympics!!! I love watching all of it (okay maybe not watching the Chinese take 8 diving golds and both team gymnastic golds). It's such sportsmanship and glory and sheer talent and determination that you only get to see every 4 years. It's beautiful. And Michael Phelps looks like a boat gliding through the water when he does freestyle. He didn't even have to try to win his heat in the IM prelims. And even though they've cost me a lot of good sleep...USA USA USA (I LOVE SOCCER!!!!!!!!) I won't attempt a full blog on that very worthy topic (maybe at some future date...perhaps after a gold medal...), but I will say that I woke up my whole house with a "YES!" when Carli Lloyd knocked in the goal against Japan, and seeing us crush New Zealand was fantastic, even though I managed to miss the setup of 3 of the 4 goals. I have such bad timing for getting coffee, flipping pancakes, etc. But my play-by-play was about a minute ahead of the video feed, so I was prepared for the 4th goal (of course it took me until the 4th goal to figure that out...naturally). Anyways, here's to a rockin' game on Friday.

Tradition...

It's amazing how different I feel after 3 days off work. Technically 5 days since I've had to be at the hospital. I told my classmates, "I miss being a normal person." If I had written any time in the last 4 weeks (and I considered it many times, even drafted one), it would have been depressingly negative. Not that expressing my true feelings isn't important, but you'd rather not hear about that, right? Right.

I am realizing as I get older how much I love and value traditions. Sometimes stupid little things, sometimes great moments of marking times in our lives as monumental.

My dad and I tackled Mt. Elbert today, tallest peak in Colorado. My legs won't thank me tomorrow, but it makes for an impressive addition to my list. When my dad and I climb 14ers, we go to the store the day before to get food for the hike, make our sandwiches, pack our CamelBaks and print out the maps and directions. We get up early and usually have egg sandwiches and coffee, eaten in the car. When we get to the top, we usually start with a picture, a handful of gummi bears (affectionately called "Summit Bears" when hiking), then eat lunch, sign the log, and head back down. The drive back usually involves a stop for coffee (today it was ice cream). It's nice to be able to count on things.

I miss the traditions at Christmas from my grandma's house. Mini pizzas and little sausages, making gross faces at the thought of oyster stew, running around in our church clothes trying not to get them dirty. Trying to stuff about 20 of us in one pew at St. Louis for Christmas Eve Mass. Coming back for ham sandwiches and cheesy potatoes, sneaking some of Aunt Lori's fudge before dessert started, and then scoring a huge piece of mayonnaise cake before the presents were opened, always in order from youngest to oldest. I miss that. In fact, I miss everything about my grandma's house...Pippi Longstocking and the ceiling fan and baseball in the back yard, and the bear in the shed, and Grandpa's grape juice, and Rainbo drinks and too many snacks before bed, and being "punchy." At least I still have those memories to treasure.

I hope I can stay on top of it enough to start my own traditions as life goes on.

For now, Summit Bears will have to do.