This is the blog where I apologize for not writing and now I must jostle through the events of the past few months to abruptly bring you up to speed. And, this time there are many significant events to report.
My last blog concluded with the team in Argentina back in February 2011. I posted that blog the day before we played the home nation in the finals. We lost the final by one goal. And upon returning to the hotel, I revealed to the squad that I was three months pregnant with our second child.
It was a celebratory night for two reasons. First, because everyone was excited that Xavi was about to become a big brother. And, lets be honest, anyone that knows him can testify to the fact that he needs a playmate at home.
The other reason for celebration was the fact that we scared Las Leonas on that day. They felt their Pan American rival closing the gap. For so many years they have never felt threatened by our side. But, on that night, something changed. You could see it in their eyes. It was a very exciting note to end the trip on and begin hibernation for baby number 2.
I did not actually hibernate. In fact, I flew to San Diego to spend a week with the team the following month. I wanted to keep training with them until my belly grew too big.
That week in March came to a quick end and it was back to Charlottesville. Back to the family and time to seriously start organizing my first season of our new club team. FH Life was starting the spring season that April and I was looking forward to meeting new faces, our future new stars.
With two season behind us (almost! the fall season wraps up on Sunday). Our first winter season is about to begin. We have excellent coaches working with the group this year and a lot of exciting things coming down the pipe.
Finally, my personal life has been uprooted too since last February in Argentina. My husband, Inako, was contacted by Miami University in Ohio back in April and asked to interview for the head coach position.
After much consideration, we decided to take the job and move the growing family to Oxford, Ohio.
It was an absolutely hectic few months to follow. I had a commitment to the club, as well as my summer camps. Inako had also accepted the position as head coach of USAFH’s high performance Mid Atlantic team and was commuting back and forth from Virginia to Ohio. We would see each other only in passing.
Somehow, we made it through those months and that is the primary reason for my absence in writing blogs. It was so hectic that I was lucky if I got my hair brushed and the laundry done.
Now it’s 11-11-11 and here I sit in our new living room in Oxford. We bought a new house, established new roots in the Mid-West and most importantly, we have a place that we not only call home, but it feels like home.
Ohhhhhh and wait. I forgot the most important news of all. Remember at the beginning of this blog when I told you that back in February, we sent a clear message to the Argentine team? Well, it was spot on! The gap was closing in and this October the National Team sealed it!
With my boys on the couch (Ian was just 6 weeks old) and nerves in my throat, we watched and cheered for the girls at the Pan American Final. The message was marked with a 4-2 victory and automatic qualification to the London 2012 Olympics. Wow, it feels great to write that.
I am not sure what my future will hold but one thing is certain! I better get off the couch and into the gym.
The final three days of our trip to Argentina have arrived. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am beginning to smell the scents of my house once again. Although, the excitement to get home and see my husband and son continues to increase my pounding heart, I know that we have two more games here in Rosario, Argentina and before packing our bags, we must take care of business here. As the old slogan goes, ‘it’s how you finish that matters.’
The tournament has been a great learning experience for this fairly inexperienced USA Team. We have many players with few caps (international games) under their belt. Playing here, against the world’s top teams, has been a glimpse at what it’s like to be in this company game after game and not just play, but compete with the first, third, and fifth placed teams in the world.
We started off the four-nation tournament in Mendoza with a little dust on our sticks and nerves in our spines.After the first thirty-five minutes against Argentina, we had a nice eye-opening experience. We started the second half five goals down but finally began to play like we are capable of and finished the second half tied (of course, losing the game due to our poor first half performance).
The next two games were tough battles with Australia and Germany. Statistically, we outplayed our opponents but couldn’t find the back of the net. This reality sent us to the final game battling for third place. Our final game in western Argentina ended with a win and many smiles as we finally put goals in the back of the net and won in a stroke competition against a quality team, Germany.
The second phase of this trip sent us to Rosario. We have started the final four-nation tournament and so far the experience here has been wonderful. The accommodations are an A+ in my book. It is not too often that I find myself in the hotel spa for an hour massage or lounging by the rooftop pool in our off time. These little perks help to keep your mind at ease and balance during these team experiences. It can sometimes be hard to find time to yourself on tour. Most activities are spent with a group of 17 other women, all great and special in their own individual way. But like every humans, you need to find time to be alone.
My alone time has been spent on skype with my family or shopping in every kids store in town. I had to put an end to the gifts because last time I checked, Santa just visited 7 weeks ago and the next big holiday is not for many months. Looks like I might have to spoil Xavi…..just this one time J
Good night from Argentina! Game 7 tomorrow, USA vs. Australia.
Until next time,
Keli
After a brief week in Virginia with my family, I am back on the road. Well, let me explain in more details because the phrase “on the road” is not accurate. I departed my house in the early morning hours on Sunday, February 6th. My husband, son and I drove 3 hours to Baltimore where we meet my parents for a lovely Maryland style brunch. After crab cakes and fish, we departed the local establishment and headed for the parking lot. This part of the transit was one of the most dreaded in my mind, saying good-bye to my baby boy.
My parents were watching over Xavi for the duration of my trip to Argentina, while my husband needed to return to Virginia to work. After ten minutes of transferring the car seat and all the necessary baby items, it was time to say farewell. I have learned over the years that fast departures are the best option, the least painful route. Of course, I always cried once I turned around to leave, but at least the event wasn’t prolonged like a bad dramatic film.
Inako and I buckled our seat beats and off to the airport we drove. I watched my parents enter the highway headed north and my eyes couldn’t help but fill with tears. My husband was sad to leave our son (and me, I like to think), but strong and realistic about the short two-week period.
The difficult moment was over and now we were moments away from check-in at LAN airways and the separation from my other half. This part was hard, but not emotional. We were used to being at a distance (we spent the first 5 years of our relationship in different cities) and have become comfortable with these moments. Although, it’s not the preferred scenario!
Nineteen hours and two meals later, I finally arrived in Mendoza, Argentina. I meet up with the rest of my team on a stopover flight in Santiago, Chile and have been with them ever since. Together again and this time, we have new challenges ahead.
We are scheduled to play four games in Mendoza and four games in Rosario. Each block of games represents a new tournament but with the same four teams. Here we will get an opportunity to play Argentina, German, and Australia; #1, #3, #5 in world rankings respectively. It will be the first time many of my teammates have had the chance to play these three countries. Big challenges await our team and I anxiously look forward to the opportunity.
Stay tuned for results and the latest happenings in sunny Argentina!
All the best,
Keli