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.

Reasons why

I like bulgogi:
-it's fun to say
-it forces everyone to stay at the table
-you get to use chopsticks
-only really special people get invited
-you make it on a special grill that you can only buy in Korea (you know it's authentic when you can't even find it on eBay)
-you don't have to eat for like a whole day afterwards
-it's pretty much the best tasting thing in the whole world

the US WNT rocks my face off:
-Hea-O is super fun to yell
-Natasha Kai's shoes
-"friendlies" are not friendly
-Natasha Kai placing the other team's free kicks
-they redefine "soccer mom"
-Natasha Kai's tattoos
-they're going to bring home GOLD

How do you say "hippie" in Greek?

Smells of home-baked spanokopita wafting through the air along with the sounds of laiko tragoudi (Greek folk music), Greeks and non-Greeks and part-Greeks flocking to take part in a celebration of great culture. Or maybe just to play Break-a-Plate. Opa! Grateful to have the chance to once again partake in the Greek Festival, I donned my "Made in America with Greek Parts" shirt and headed out hoping to score some pastichio and dancing entertainment. Well, despite the claims of the combo plate having said deliciousness, no pastichio was to be found, although I got over it quickly when I had a bite of the gyro. Yum! Opa! So, after lunch, a second round of coins was obtained for beers and desserts. Guess which one I went for. So I'm over in line and barely get a "I'll have a cookie and..." out of my mouth when the lady behind the table freaks out at my shirt. I'm not kidding, this is how the conversation went (slightly abbreviated because blogger might have a word limit on posts...seriously):

Her: "I love your shirt. What are you half Greek?"
Me: (I wish) "No, not quite that." (rather large fib)
Her: "Where did you get it?"
Me: "My sister made it."
"She made it????? (extreme amazement) Does she have any more?"
"No, just for the four girls in my family."
"Can I buy it from you? Seriously."
"Haha (no, you can't buy my homemade shirt from me)."
"Here, show this to (other Greek lady behind the table). Hey, look at this girl's shirt. Isn't that great? Her sister made it."
Next lady behind the table: "How much do you think she'd sell them for?"
Me: "Oh, probably at cost (mostly joking of course)."
"She should sell them here next year. She could make a fortune. How'd she do it?"
"Just a bleach pen. (I explain the very easy process)"
"Yeah, but it looks so perfect. Here, go show Teresa. Her sister made this!"
Teresa: "Oh my gosh! I love that. That's one I actually like. Not like the one that says 'Desperate Greek Wife.'
First lady: "I know, like 'Got Ouzo?' No I don't got ouzo. Or 'Greek by Marriage.' My husband would never wear that."
Teresa: "How do you do it?"
Me: "Just a bleach pen. (I explain the process again.)"
Second lady: "Oh, but that takes a steady hand. We could stencil it."
Teresa: "Yeah, look at how well this year's stencils went (holds up a nice visor stenciled with the Greek flag...I liked it. Not the visor, the stencil). Okay, you have to go over to the calamari stand and ask for Sophie and tell her Teresa said she should see this."

And then I got to finish my order "...and one of the custard." But I obligingly went and showed Sophie the wonder shirt (and explained the bleach pen again). Who knew, Michelle? If you don't pass your boards (you will), you can sell Greek shirts to excitable women.

So then, leaving the Festival, I head over to the Bonfils bus to donate blood, cause I got a call last week that my 8 weeks was up and could I please donate again. An hour later (mostly wait time cause the bus was small...no, I got rid of that blood fast once they got me hooked up--8 minutes 32 seconds) I'm off to ride my bike back home with a red gauze bandage around my arm. After stopping off at my apartment to grab my reusable grocery bag, I once again headed off for the grocery store to get fresh fruit and whole wheat pasta. With my reusable bag. On my bike. After giving blood. In a homemade t-shirt and birkenstocks. I've never felt so much like I belonged in Colorado in my whole life.

A true friend loves at all times

I think that's in the Bible somewhere. If it's not, it should be. I've been struck a lot recently by my increased need for real friends, and thankfully, also by the presence of such friends at the right time.

So, good friends, I had hoped to finally be inspired to wow you with my wit and perspective, but I've gotten very little sleep this week, on top of being sick now for 5 days straight, and having seen very little of anybody besides my team at the hospital. And so hopefully you understand that I'm having a hard time staying upbeat right now. But I know I should try, me being the textbook melancholic choleric and all. So...good things are:

-Friends that are true friends. Enough said.
-I have the whole weekend off for the WNT game. It's like they knew.
-Food is finally starting to sound good again.
-I still have time to read for fun.
-Panera continues to bring good food and good memories.
-I am so looking forward to my new house and roommates, and have even had multiple people offer to help me move.
-Rachelle's coming to visit soon.
-I get to wear scrubs half the time I'm at work (which means tennis shoes. bonus!)
-Reba makes me laugh. Out loud. A lot.
-I maybe think I might know how to sorta read an EKG (that inspires confidence, doesn't it?).

Okay, given all that, like I said, I'm still tired and lonely, and I feel as if much of my life these past several weeks, and for the next several months, consists largely of going to the hospitals, being at the hospitals, and coming home from the hospitals. Not to mention that I doubt I'm done getting sick from those at the hospitals. So, the best thing you can you for me (I'm not trying to be selfish, but this is a little cry for help) is keep checking in on me, call me, email me, and let me know if I can call you up randomly to come hang out (and by "hang out", I probably mean sit on the couch and talk or watch a movie cause I won't feel up to much else). I'll need the social interaction, and I know I won't always think I feel up to it, even if it is what's best. And in return, I promise that this won't last forever, and someday I will go back to being a good friend. Promise.

...I'm on your team and we just scored

Postcard from Edinburgh, Scotland today from my current favorite world traveler, who might be usurped by Mary if she brings me Fatima souvenirs.

In my dream last night, I was awesome at Guitar Hero. Obviously a dream.

Cried laughing quoting Ellen last night. I love it when people think I'm funny.

5 more whole days of having a life. I'm trying to see the bright side.

I scored 9 points in our football game (a girl extra point from 10 yards is worth 3) and mercy-ruled the first team in the playoffs. Championship here we come.