So today I got to do what I do best...COACH! It was so much fun! I was a bit nervous going into it (which I never am coaching a new group of people). Why this change? Well, maybe it was because I was going to be along in a gym with 15 kids from ages 10-13 who speak GREEK! Yeah, that’s right...Greek. Keep in mind I speak hardly any. I know my numbers 1-20 and a few phrases. That is about it however.
Well, luckily for me I always coach with a lot of body language and demonstration. I really had to use that today. I didn't even develop a true practice plan because I needed to first asses their skill level. We did some basic ball control drills and games and then, while the girls were getting the balls and on break for water, I decided the rest of the practice.
I was a bit uneasy because there were a group of parents watching the end of practice. I am never a big fan of parents while I am coaching, because I just always assume the worst. I figure it is better that way, because if I get a compliment than it is a pleasant surprise. Anyway, after the practice one of the parents came up and introduced herself. She told me what a great job I had done with the girls today, how they looked like they were having so much fun and learning a lot. Then I heard that one of the kids asked if I could stay as their coach (I am just filling in while their coach is on vacation).
I guess that is a good sign that I am in the right profession, considering that I don't speak the language but was still able to teach. What a new and challenging experience, but it is one I am so thankful for! I loved working with the kids today and can't wait to work with them again tomorrow!
February 17, 2010
Some Days You Gotta Dance
When you live far from home for a long period of time there are certain things your truly appreciate...
And back to our regularly scheduled program...
Yes that's right it was Carnival here in Cyprus! This is the European version of Mardi Gras, but honestly reminds me a bit more of Halloween than what our typical opinion of Mardi Gras is back home on Bourbon Street. The parades were held of Valentines day which was also the night of our "I Love America" date with the American Basketball players (Trent and Brandon). OF COURSE we had to have dinner at TGI Fridays in order to show our Love for America! After some tasty Burgers, Fries (not chips as they say here), and Chicken Fingers...we went out on the main street down by the sea to watch the late night Carnival festivities!
Anyway, I hope all is well back home (ENJOY THE USA! ITS THE BEST) I will try harder to keep the blog going at a faster pace. Love you all! Miss yall!
How easy it is to get things done
How a package is delivered in a timely fashion (kels I got it TODAY)
How people don't randomly park in the middle of the street to go into a store
How you don't have to drive a stick shift car
How you don't have to drive a car that is older than you
How people show up to practice
How people work hard, even when it is not asked of them
How you can watch the Olympics without a Greek announcer talking over them
How you can watch TV that isn't on yer PC, with headphones on
How you can dry your clothes in the dryer
How you can put your dishes into the dishwasher
How it doesn't cost $10 to make a 4 min phone call
How you can talk face to face with friends and family rather than over skype
How a taco at Tbell is less that $1 rather than 2 Euro
Its the little things about America you begin to miss and love..
So America... I confess my love to thee, You shall always be my one and only...and yes there may be the allure of other countries and lands far away with their seemly magical ways...but you America you are my true love... the one I will always be proud to be from and want to go HOME to.
And back to our regularly scheduled program...
Yes that's right it was Carnival here in Cyprus! This is the European version of Mardi Gras, but honestly reminds me a bit more of Halloween than what our typical opinion of Mardi Gras is back home on Bourbon Street. The parades were held of Valentines day which was also the night of our "I Love America" date with the American Basketball players (Trent and Brandon). OF COURSE we had to have dinner at TGI Fridays in order to show our Love for America! After some tasty Burgers, Fries (not chips as they say here), and Chicken Fingers...we went out on the main street down by the sea to watch the late night Carnival festivities!
Me, Brandon, Trent, Berks
Crazy Car Sufers!
Berks Running In The Streets With The Other Crazies
Best Group Outfit Of The Night!
With a volley update... Yesterday was our last regular season match. Now its onto the playoffs and cup. However play offs are a bit different than our single elimination bracket play we are used to in the US of A. We are some strange point system based on how many matches we won in the regular season and we can earn more points in the playoffs (which consist of the top 4 teams). However due to how the teams finished in the regular season we are stuck in 4th with a miracle run only placing us in 3rd.
We do have a (fair) shot at the cup finals however. We are in the semis and will play a two match series consisting of best of 5 set matches. AEL is currently 2nd in the league but are extremely strong. Our team is capable of beating them, but considering we have been averaging 6 people at practice (two of which are players who cannot compete with the team) it is... an up hill climb... to say the least. However, anything is possible and who dosen't love a good ol David and Goliath type fight?
Berks and I have been trying to stay on the chill end lately because we are saving up for a trip to Egypt! We are so super close and seeing the Pyramids is literally #1 on my list of things to do before I die, so its kinda essential since we are like a 30 min flight from there! I hope we can save up enough to make it work!
February 3, 2010
January 30, 2010
Now that we're here... so far away...
Okay so I know I have royally sucked at updating my blog since new years, but my computer was in the repair shop and I just got it back, so I am sorry to leave you all waiting. Hopefully this will help stop the harrassing emails and facebook messages.
Well lets see, there have been quiet a few exciting things happing here. A few weeks ago while I was exploring the island I found an amazing little beach out in Agiya Napa. I was on my way to have dinner with Kendra and Loizos so I didn't have much time to hang out there, but it was amazing and the water was the clearest I have seen. (Don't feel too bad, I went back the next week with my roommate krista for a swim and sand castle building competition). For dinner we went for a traditional Cypriot Meze. I unfortuanatly brought my camera so you will have to make due with these pictures from google...
For the meze you sit down and course after course is put out on the tabel. We started with a greek salad and then had some bread. More and more food kept coming out and I could hardly keep up with them, seriously the plate was never empty till the end of dinner. In fact, as a main meal the Meze usually consits of somewhere around 20 plates of food. (this is for the whole table keep in mind).
We have a new teammate! AMANDA BERKLEY from wisconsin!! She is over here as a practice player, and let me tell you the level of play at practice has instantly increased! It has been super fun to have her here and really awesome to show her around the town.
Well lets see, there have been quiet a few exciting things happing here. A few weeks ago while I was exploring the island I found an amazing little beach out in Agiya Napa. I was on my way to have dinner with Kendra and Loizos so I didn't have much time to hang out there, but it was amazing and the water was the clearest I have seen. (Don't feel too bad, I went back the next week with my roommate krista for a swim and sand castle building competition). For dinner we went for a traditional Cypriot Meze. I unfortuanatly brought my camera so you will have to make due with these pictures from google...
For the meze you sit down and course after course is put out on the tabel. We started with a greek salad and then had some bread. More and more food kept coming out and I could hardly keep up with them, seriously the plate was never empty till the end of dinner. In fact, as a main meal the Meze usually consits of somewhere around 20 plates of food. (this is for the whole table keep in mind).
An example of the traditional meze... however its never all on the table at once because you eat it as it come out...plate by plate
Tahini is similar to a humus spread made from sesimi seeds and oils. You do not need to use a lot of this however, because it is a very very strong spread with a ton of flavor.
Loukanika are sausages that are tasty, but remeber to always add salt and lemon to the meat! Yum!
Sheftalia are made of pork and mixed with yummy spices (one of my favs)
AND OF COURSE HOW CAN I FORGET.....
SNAILS!!!! Yes yes... I did eat one... it may have taken about 5 mins to prepare myself while their 3 year old daughter was downing them across the table but I ate one. Now for those of you that don't know I will try about anything, but I am a HUGE texture person. You take the snail out of the shell but digging it out with a toothpick. Well the thing is rubbery and slimly which my texter weary mind was not handeling to well. Water glass/ chaser in hand... I ate it!!! Much to my surprise it wasnt too bad and kind of tasted like a mushroom.
-------------IN OTHER NEWS----------------------
We have a new teammate! AMANDA BERKLEY from wisconsin!! She is over here as a practice player, and let me tell you the level of play at practice has instantly increased! It has been super fun to have her here and really awesome to show her around the town.
Berks was diggin the baskets at the store that turn into a cart.
Our team has been struggeling lately and now we are know locked into 4th place with 3 games left of the regular season and also league play offs. However, we are in the semi finials of the cup game and will play AEL who is currently second place in the league. It is nice to know that we still have a shot at a championship in the cup series!
It is super exciting that Amanda is here, but kind of sucks that we can't go on as many road trips because a few days before she got here, I was in a car accident that totaled the lancer! Sadness. I was extreamly lucky and walked away from the crash with a few minor cuts on my foot and neck, along with a bruise on my head where I hit the steering wheel since there were no air bags. I am hoping the club will get me a new car but I am not 100% sure about it. Kind of tough having 4 players to one car and an awesome island with so much to see and do. If the car doesn't work out I think we are just going to rent some mopeds! Either way, super fun.
Well I think that is about it and we are all caught up now... Oh sloan and izzy are almost potty trained and doing super well they are cute a can be!
January 3, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!! (and new decade…) I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday! Mine was quite the event! I went to ATHENS to meet up with Juels (a teammate of mine from last year in Germany). As if this wasn’t enough of an event on its own we got to spend NYE together exploring all Athens had to offer.
Julia found the sickest hostel and honestly I recommend it to anyone who is ever spending either a night or a month in Athens. It was only 20 Euro a night and SUPER clean. It was also practically at the base of the Acropolis and seriously 20 meters from the metro station. It is called Athens Backpackers and run by the friendliest group of Aussies ever. Oh did I mention free breakfast, WiFi and tea/coffee all day long? Yeah, I know awesome. They even have a fully stocked kitchen so if you are on a budget this is the place for you! They also have group tours that they run, but unfortunately they didn’t work out with my flight schedule.
I got to town a few hours before Julia arrived so I checked us in, met our roomies (Gabriella from Australia and Alec from Brazil). I decided to go over to the Athens museum because the entry fee was only 1 Euro! It is amazing because it is the completely modern building directly over the ancient ruins (which you can see through the glass floor of the museum). I went to the little café that is outside the 2nd floor with an amazing view of the acropolis. Note: you can see these in my picture slideshow.
I also decided I didn’t want to do my hair for new years so I spent the rest of my time waiting for Jules by going to a salon to get my hair done. It was a much needed hair cut and when I lifted my head up…there was Julia in the chair across from me… I might have gotten up mid-blow-dry…in order to sprint over and give her a big hug. My hair dresser thought it was hilarious and as usual EVERYONE couldn’t believe how tall we where.
Julia and I walked around the base of the Acropolis and searched for a restaurant for dinner. We sat outside at a wonderful café and had dinner of course with feta cheese hahha. After we were done with dinner we went for gelato. Unfortunately we took a turn down restaurant row (every major touristy city has one). This is the street where the waiters outside attack you with menus and try to convince you to come eat at their over priced restaurant even if you say no like 100 times. However, once Julia said, “no thanks we already ate” they left us along. Good trick for anyone traveling.
After dinner we changed and went down to the Syntagma (city center) where there was a big new years party with live music, tons of people, and a street full of people selling food and all sorts of souvenirs from fake purses to sheep coats to these little toys that are a ball and when you throw them on the ground they go flat and then reshape to a ball. Once again we were constantly attacked with people trying to get us to buy stuff. What in anyone’s right mind makes sense that you jump out in front of someone yelling LADY LADY YOU WANT A LOOKIE…I don’t know about you but I have personal space issues, especially when it comes to people with personal hygiene issues. I am not sure if it was the sugar high from the gelato or just excited that it was NYE and I was with Julia but my hyperness turned into responding to all the people yelling to us to buy stuff…
Vendor: Lady lady you are so beautiful, beautiful purse for a beautiful lady???
Me: That purse is fake and cheap… these… these are real, I am nothing like that purse, thank you
Vendor: hey pretty girl where are you from
Me: I come from a land down under
Vendor: you speak English?
Me: No, sorry I don’t speak any English
Sheep Coat Vendors: BLAH BLAH BLAH (really loud) BLAH BLAH BLAH (jumps around on table)
Me: OH MY GOD! I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE ARE YELLING ABOUT… (sounding happy) AHHH YAY!!! (claps hands)
After our adventures down the crazy market street we stopped for a cup of coffee and a chat. A flower guy came up to us trying to get us to buy them when I responded “no thank you we already ate…“ Jules laughed and was like Jackie I don’t think it really works for that situation…I liked it though…As we were having our coffee, we noticed that 1. We were massively tall and 2. Seemed to be the center of everyone’s attention. This didn’t really start to feel more noticeable until nearing the midnight celebration when we stopped in the middle of the square to watch as a crowd gathered around a group of young guys dancing to the music.
NOTE: before we continue… the people I will be talking about here (as well as the vendors before) are NOT Greek and I do not wish to give the Greek people a bad name, these where foreign people…
Anyway, as we were watching these guys dance Julia kept getting her bum pinched. I turned around and yelled at the group of guys behind us who were scared for a second and then after began to grab at me. Slowly we noticed that the circle around the dancers had shifted their attention to STARE AT US! (keep in mind we were just standing there) and SO the CREEPY NYE begins…It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing guys continually either tried to talk to us or take pictures with us, and if they were not doing that they were STARING!
Creep 1: hello sexy do you speak English
Me: Was? Ich Sprechen Kien Inglesh (walks away)
Creep 2: You are so nice
Me: No I am not
Creep 2: You are not nice?
Me: Nope I am a mean mean person, you don’t know me don’t talk to me
Creep 2: You are so beautiful, where are you from?
Me: did you not get the fact that you are annoying and I don’t want to talk to you?
Creep 2: Where?
Me: (walks away)
Creep 3: Where are you from
Me: Guess
Creep 3: gjus? Gjuse?
Julia: What do you think?
Creep 3: OH GUESS… England?
Me: No
Creep 3: Germany
Me: nope
Creep 3: Ireland
Me: nope
Creep 3: They don’t speak English anywhere else….
Me: (laughing my ass off…walks away)
Creep 4: Do you speak English
Me: you are going to bother me either way
Creep 4: Where are you from beautiful
Me: China
Creep 4: CHINA? Noo
Me: okay okay you are right…. Japan
Creep 4: You are too tall
Me: I am the tallest Chinamen in the world, and a zebra
Creep:???? (awkward staring)
Me: (walks away)
And you can guess how the rest of the night was… Anytime someone asked to take a picture I asked them for 5 Euro first… but most would try to just stand near or next to us and their friend would take a picture. For these I took Julia’s camera and tried to take a picture of the person taking a picture, which usually resulted in them feeling dumb and running off.
After our eventful night in the square and our fireworks we walked and found a traditional Greek restaurant. Julia said I had to try the Musaka because this is one of their most traditional dishes. It is an interesting type of lasagna with the layers made up of… mushy potato, cheese, meat and sauce, eggplant, meat and sauce, cheese, and then thinly sliced boiled potato. Sounds weird, looks stranger, tastes AMAZING!
Julia had to leave the next morning so we walked around and spent time developing our own wolf pack! There are tons of stray dogs and they all seemed to follow us. It started with Budro (German shepard mix) and then Kurdro (lab, Dalmatian pit mix) then George (something mix) and then Butty (lab mix, called BUTTY caz he had a tag in his butt) the final dog of our pack was No Name (black lab) They followed us all around to the top of this hill to where I shot the 360 view of Athens in my pictures slide show.
After Julia left I spent the rest of the day by hoping on the metro and heading down to the port. It was new years day after all and everything was closed. However the Flying Dolphin was still running trips out to Aegina (click here)so I bought a ticket a went to the island for the day. It was awesome and I met a couple (he was from san diego and she was from Wiesbaden, where I played vb last year in Germany) what a small world. The island was awesome and I wish I would have had more time there but it was cool to go and lucky I found it.
My last day in Athens I spent riding the metro getting of at random spots to walk around and see the not as touristy sections. It was super fun and I even went and saw where the Olympics were. It was a great day listening to my ipod and taking photographs. Not to mention all the fabulous food I had. I ate SO much the entire weekend, but everything was so fresh and I honestly didn’t have one thing that was fried!
Anyway I hope everyone had an awesome NYE whatever you did… 2010 is going to be great, I can already feel it! Hope you enjoy my pictures I have posted in the right hand link as well as the videos! Miss everyone!
So excited for the weekend!
Julia found the sickest hostel and honestly I recommend it to anyone who is ever spending either a night or a month in Athens. It was only 20 Euro a night and SUPER clean. It was also practically at the base of the Acropolis and seriously 20 meters from the metro station. It is called Athens Backpackers and run by the friendliest group of Aussies ever. Oh did I mention free breakfast, WiFi and tea/coffee all day long? Yeah, I know awesome. They even have a fully stocked kitchen so if you are on a budget this is the place for you! They also have group tours that they run, but unfortunately they didn’t work out with my flight schedule.
I got to town a few hours before Julia arrived so I checked us in, met our roomies (Gabriella from Australia and Alec from Brazil). I decided to go over to the Athens museum because the entry fee was only 1 Euro! It is amazing because it is the completely modern building directly over the ancient ruins (which you can see through the glass floor of the museum). I went to the little café that is outside the 2nd floor with an amazing view of the acropolis. Note: you can see these in my picture slideshow.
I also decided I didn’t want to do my hair for new years so I spent the rest of my time waiting for Jules by going to a salon to get my hair done. It was a much needed hair cut and when I lifted my head up…there was Julia in the chair across from me… I might have gotten up mid-blow-dry…in order to sprint over and give her a big hug. My hair dresser thought it was hilarious and as usual EVERYONE couldn’t believe how tall we where.
5 Euro a photo...yes its true
After dinner we changed and went down to the Syntagma (city center) where there was a big new years party with live music, tons of people, and a street full of people selling food and all sorts of souvenirs from fake purses to sheep coats to these little toys that are a ball and when you throw them on the ground they go flat and then reshape to a ball. Once again we were constantly attacked with people trying to get us to buy stuff. What in anyone’s right mind makes sense that you jump out in front of someone yelling LADY LADY YOU WANT A LOOKIE…I don’t know about you but I have personal space issues, especially when it comes to people with personal hygiene issues. I am not sure if it was the sugar high from the gelato or just excited that it was NYE and I was with Julia but my hyperness turned into responding to all the people yelling to us to buy stuff…
Vendor: Lady lady you are so beautiful, beautiful purse for a beautiful lady???
Me: That purse is fake and cheap… these… these are real, I am nothing like that purse, thank you
Vendor: hey pretty girl where are you from
Me: I come from a land down under
Vendor: you speak English?
Me: No, sorry I don’t speak any English
Sheep Coat Vendors: BLAH BLAH BLAH (really loud) BLAH BLAH BLAH (jumps around on table)
Me: OH MY GOD! I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE ARE YELLING ABOUT… (sounding happy) AHHH YAY!!! (claps hands)
After our adventures down the crazy market street we stopped for a cup of coffee and a chat. A flower guy came up to us trying to get us to buy them when I responded “no thank you we already ate…“ Jules laughed and was like Jackie I don’t think it really works for that situation…I liked it though…As we were having our coffee, we noticed that 1. We were massively tall and 2. Seemed to be the center of everyone’s attention. This didn’t really start to feel more noticeable until nearing the midnight celebration when we stopped in the middle of the square to watch as a crowd gathered around a group of young guys dancing to the music.
NOTE: before we continue… the people I will be talking about here (as well as the vendors before) are NOT Greek and I do not wish to give the Greek people a bad name, these where foreign people…
Anyway, as we were watching these guys dance Julia kept getting her bum pinched. I turned around and yelled at the group of guys behind us who were scared for a second and then after began to grab at me. Slowly we noticed that the circle around the dancers had shifted their attention to STARE AT US! (keep in mind we were just standing there) and SO the CREEPY NYE begins…It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing guys continually either tried to talk to us or take pictures with us, and if they were not doing that they were STARING!
Creep 1: hello sexy do you speak English
Me: Was? Ich Sprechen Kien Inglesh (walks away)
Creep 2: You are so nice
Me: No I am not
Creep 2: You are not nice?
Me: Nope I am a mean mean person, you don’t know me don’t talk to me
Creep 2: You are so beautiful, where are you from?
Me: did you not get the fact that you are annoying and I don’t want to talk to you?
Creep 2: Where?
Me: (walks away)
Creep 3: Where are you from
Me: Guess
Creep 3: gjus? Gjuse?
Julia: What do you think?
Creep 3: OH GUESS… England?
Me: No
Creep 3: Germany
Me: nope
Creep 3: Ireland
Me: nope
Creep 3: They don’t speak English anywhere else….
Me: (laughing my ass off…walks away)
Creep 4: Do you speak English
Me: you are going to bother me either way
Creep 4: Where are you from beautiful
Me: China
Creep 4: CHINA? Noo
Me: okay okay you are right…. Japan
Creep 4: You are too tall
Me: I am the tallest Chinamen in the world, and a zebra
Creep:???? (awkward staring)
Me: (walks away)
And you can guess how the rest of the night was… Anytime someone asked to take a picture I asked them for 5 Euro first… but most would try to just stand near or next to us and their friend would take a picture. For these I took Julia’s camera and tried to take a picture of the person taking a picture, which usually resulted in them feeling dumb and running off.
After our eventful night in the square and our fireworks we walked and found a traditional Greek restaurant. Julia said I had to try the Musaka because this is one of their most traditional dishes. It is an interesting type of lasagna with the layers made up of… mushy potato, cheese, meat and sauce, eggplant, meat and sauce, cheese, and then thinly sliced boiled potato. Sounds weird, looks stranger, tastes AMAZING!
Julia had to leave the next morning so we walked around and spent time developing our own wolf pack! There are tons of stray dogs and they all seemed to follow us. It started with Budro (German shepard mix) and then Kurdro (lab, Dalmatian pit mix) then George (something mix) and then Butty (lab mix, called BUTTY caz he had a tag in his butt) the final dog of our pack was No Name (black lab) They followed us all around to the top of this hill to where I shot the 360 view of Athens in my pictures slide show.
After Julia left I spent the rest of the day by hoping on the metro and heading down to the port. It was new years day after all and everything was closed. However the Flying Dolphin was still running trips out to Aegina (click here)so I bought a ticket a went to the island for the day. It was awesome and I met a couple (he was from san diego and she was from Wiesbaden, where I played vb last year in Germany) what a small world. The island was awesome and I wish I would have had more time there but it was cool to go and lucky I found it.
Arriving in the port on the flying dolphin (talk about motion sickness)
My last day in Athens I spent riding the metro getting of at random spots to walk around and see the not as touristy sections. It was super fun and I even went and saw where the Olympics were. It was a great day listening to my ipod and taking photographs. Not to mention all the fabulous food I had. I ate SO much the entire weekend, but everything was so fresh and I honestly didn’t have one thing that was fried!
Outside where the vball matches were
Saw a local swim team practicing... jealous much?
Anyway I hope everyone had an awesome NYE whatever you did… 2010 is going to be great, I can already feel it! Hope you enjoy my pictures I have posted in the right hand link as well as the videos! Miss everyone!
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