Sometimes I forget

In life, it is easy to lose focus on what everything is about. It is easy to get wrapped up in life's constant twists and loops that truly important things get swept to the side. Right now, in life, I am trying to figure out the direction I want to take in life. I want to start growing up and doing more than I am doing. However, I do not know what this looks like. I heard a quote that said "Not all that wander are lost." I don't think that applied to me. In an earlier post, I talked about how I think God has me here for a reason that I don't know and I think He is waiting on me to be patient and content. Sometimes I forget that ultimately He is in control and the more I try to go against my own advice, the more lost I become and I wander ever farther. I keep pushing myself farther and farther away and feel so inadequate. It is a terrible feeling. The worst part is I know it and continue to do it. It is like I know the stove is hot and I continue to put my hand on it! WTF am I thinking? I need more focus in life right now... I want to be able to see life the way I used to see it... I want to make a difference... But I can't because I can't even do anything right in my own life.. I am a wreck.. However, I know that I don't have to do it alone.. Hide me in the shadow of your Wings

One of the best posts I have ever read... Truth

Isaiah 53

I sat there for the better part of four hours. It was cold, by my standards anyway. I couldn't feel my toes, they were numb. My fingers and nose may have well fallen off, because I couldn't feel those either. It was the first track meet I had ever seen in person.
It was the 3200. That’s 8 times around the track. 2 miles. It was cold. There was a decent crowd of people watching. The sun was going down with a strong breeze of arctic air blowing across the track and  the field. On the starting  line stood 15-20 kids ready to run their lungs out for 10-12 minutes. Within the first 3 seconds of the gun going it was obvious to see who wasn't going to win. I could see it, they could see it, the whole crowd could see it. And as everyone's eyes fixated on the few front runners, the lonely few faded farther and farther behind until they were eventually lapped. Not once, but twice.
I didn't watch the front runners. For some reason or other I wound up watching the kid at the very back. He was nonathletic looking. His form was formless. He looked like he was running under water. Frozen in time even.  But he was moving. And as he came around turn four, the look on his face was pure distress and pain. And to think he had 7 more laps! But he kept running. He kept moving his legs. I thought to myself, "Kid, poor kid, do something else with your free time. We both know you have no chance of ever winning today, tomorrow, next week, EVER!"  But he ran. Never stopped. Not once. I am sure at the next track meet he will run again. He will try his hardest to do better. And again he will come in last. But he will run. He wont stop. He wont stop for anyone or anything.
On the ride home I was talking to Kayla. I asked her, "Why would a kid ever subject himself to losing over and over again?" "Well" she answered simply, "He's out there. He's competing. He's doing it. And that is all that matters."
I thought about it for the rest of night and into the next day and even up to now really. The kid was obviously running for something other than winning. He must have had some other motivation. Maybe it was personal. I don't know. All I know is that when I was in high school  I would have never attempted anything I knew I had no chance in. Eventually, the next day my heart went out to the kid. I finally realized what he was actually doing.
He realizes there is something much larger than himself. He is risking all that he is, in knowing that the reward will be so much more than what he can imagine. He knows there is a bigger picture than himself and that certain pieces to the puzzle are required. Courage and hope are quite possibly the most valuable character traits a person can posses. And when those two traits are realized impossible things become possible. And when they are put into practice mountains are moved, giants fall, waters part, people come alive, college kids win Olympic gold medal hockey games, people survive cancer,  needs are provided, people are fed, sins are covered, what is lost gets found, etc…
The consequence of courage and hope is nothing short of victory. For victory sometimes shows itself in the most uncommon of forms. Isaiah 53

Confession to make

Today, as I woke up late to even get to church late, I came to the realization that something needs to change. I am not being challenged. I am not going anywhere. I am not being pushed. I am simply... There. I don't want to say a waste but sometimes I feel like it. I know that I am capable of whatever I want to do. The problem is I am picky and sometimes I do not get the breaks I am looking for (i.e. my professional soccer career). However, as many times as I fall away, I know that the Homie G has my back. He always reels back in and tries to set me on the right course. I was talking to my roommate tonight about where we are in life. He voiced how I had been feeling in the fact that I am comfortable yet very discontent. John Piper states that "God is most Glorified when we are most Satisfied in Him." I think that has been God's challenge to me. He will bring something my way that will really bring new and exciting challenges when I stop being so restless and just sit and rest in His peace. I think it might be one of those topsy turvy upside down things that God does where it is about the opposite. Be still and know that He is God is alot easier said than done sometimes. If I can be patient and faithful in the little things, I know He will open new doors or even possibly a window or even better a bungee cord...

Looking up or down depending...

Today was interesting. There is a massive tournament going on in AZ this weekend. The Food City Tournament. Friday night, we tied 1-1 and should have won. The other team, which was full of Juco kids, tied the game with about 2 minutes left in the game and we were not able to regain the lead. Frustrating... I wake up the next day and get the time wrong and show up 2 minutes before half time. We had 10 men on the field and went into half tied at 0. We ended up winning 3-0 while ending the game with 10 men. Fantastic. I had to coach during the next game. My 94s lost 1-0 while kicking the crap out of the team we were playing. Officially, they are going into high school so I don't have to do any training for like 3 months now. We get to play soccer tennis for the next couple of weeks so that will be fun! My mens team ended up losing 3-1 while getting screwed by the ref... we ended up not going through and thus we are back to frustrating... However, it is coming into snowboard season! Exciting! and yet, it is in november and it was 95 degrees today! wtf...

Keepin it close

Why are people afraid? What is it about fear that people do not like? Is it Change? The going away from the status quo... An inability to change with the times or adapt to it? Is it Control? The fear of not being able to handle your life and control every little thing in it? Could it be not having enough control or could it be not having any control that makes people afraid? Physical and emotional pain could be a reason for people being afraid. An inability to let things go. Spiders, snakes, and bats are also things that make people afraid. There are so many things in life that can make you afraid. My question is, at the end of the day... it is going to happen anyways... isn't it better in life to experience all you can experience.. the good and the bad.. the ups and downs.. the loves and the fears...

Psalms 56:11

The people around you, your community, your support group, are what help keep your way. Good company corrupts bad morals. In this life, it is too hard to do it on your own. There are not very many cowboys out there anymore. They are what help with fear. They are what help get you through the tough times. They are what you remember at the end of the day. They help keep you on track and focused. They are what help you keep on keeping on.

History

If I could go back in history to any point... I think I would go back to either Rome or Greece. There are certain aspects of their cultures that are awesome and yet terrible. The Spartans, the Macedonians, the Romans were all ahead of their times as far as militarily as well as politically. They Spartans fought as a unit. Shock and awe and brutality were their ways. The Macedonians and specifically Alexander the great were really the first group to use tactics. Alexander would retreat then turn on them as they pursued. or retreat on one side and have them overpursue and cut them off by flanking from the other side. The Romans used both of them. However, it was their name that caused their enemies to tremble. The battle/war was already over because they had an invincibility aura about them. The enemy knew that they were not able to win before the battle was even fought. Fear is something that can either work for you or against you. The ability to understand it and use it for your advantage is something I think can be very effective.

Wooden

Four things a man must learn to do if he would make his life more true:


1) To think without confusion clearly
2) To love his fellow man sincerely
3) To act from honest motives purely
4) To trust in God and heaven securely

Control Play

Sometimes I feel like I am so lost. Football has always been a part of my life. For the past 3 months, the only thing I have been doing is coaching. Stressing... Gray Hairs... Thinking is non existent except about the pitch... No Escape... I am really starting to like my day job. It forces me to think... do different tasks... it is a great change of pace... also,  the last couple of days, I have been playing.. for me.. it has been a blast.. i actually have control over my little world on the pitch while over half the time im not sure what or where i am in life.. do i even want control? am i grasping for it? or am I just trying to avoid it? what is right? what do I want? am i doing what i do to make people happy or am I doing what I want...???

Incomplete yet so close

today, my girls team played against chandler gilbert. we scored 2 goals in the first 12 minutes and were close for a third. however, right before half, they put one in. 2-1 at half. after the first 8 minutes, we came out and started playing.. and put a third one in. 3-1... we kept at them but slowly the ball kept coming down to our end. they got a pk... our goalie blocked it.. it seemed as though it was meant to be.. in the last 15 minutes... they finally broke us down and put one in.. 3-2.. after pushing up and with about 5 minutes left they got a corner and put it front post on a dummy.. they knocked it in.. 3-3.. we end up losing on a long ball that a girl puts far post upper V... lose 4-3

the thing that is hard to swallow.. we were up 3-1.. couldnt find a way to hold on to the lead even with us playing well.. it felt like a playoff game.. it was so much fun.. it was what you play for.. that type of atmosphere where you live for.. it was unfortunate because we had it in our hand.. we just couldnt hold on and we let it slip.. we need to learn how to hold on and fight/push beyond what they think they can.. the season is intense and seems long while it happens.. however, in all reality it is only about 2 months long.. we just didnt have the ability to be mentally strong enough to last the season to be strong enough at the point it mattered the most.. it is a learning curve for me as well as the team.. for the team, we must learn to find ways to win games.. to be strong and together for the length of the season.. for me, i need to find a way to keep the girls in it and driven for longer in the season..

overall it has been a success yet because something bigger was hanging out there waiting to be snatched, i feel so incomplete and yet so close...

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream---and not make dreams your master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! Rudyard Kipling

The Truth

I think it is crazy how you can go through something and it seem so long yet in reality, it is a very short period of time. You can truly find out someones character... Who they really are, when things go wrong or bad. There are very few times I look back on and say that I wish I would have done things differently. I don't have very many regrets. However, as I look back on my second season, there are many things I can say that I am proud of such as a better season than last year, a 15-3 record, as well as getting to host a semi-final game in the conference tournament. However there is only one point that I wish I could take back. It is amazing how sometimes wins and losses get to me and I only remember the losses. I lost it. As I look back on everything, that is the only point that I would have changed and done things differently. Sometimes, as a coach, it is very difficult for me to remember that it isn't the game of soccer that I love the most, it's the people involved. They are what make it and I epically failed on that particular day. I keep reading about John Wooden and how he demanded so much... excellence... perfection... from his players that they will remember him for the rest of their lives. That is the legacy that I want to leave; not one of someone who gets caught up in winning and losing. I need to keep remembering that if I teach the right values that wins will come because of the character.. however.. I also must be willing to live by it.. 

We only truly find ourselves when we face the Truth.

Funny

Idk

Sometimes life gets way crazy.

4 majors is really tough. 

I cannot be perfect all the time. 

I do what I can. 

I give it my best always.

Yet, I stretch myself so thin.

Why all the demands?

What are the expectations?

How can it be so hard?

Light/Dark

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others

John Wooden

So I have been reading this book about John Wooden and all the people he touched in his 99 years here on earth. The guy had it figured out. He was old school and new school and well ahead of his time as far as coaching goes. However, he went beyond the here and now, the wins and losses, and the fame to something more important. Something bigger than himself. I think he realized that ultimately, this life doesn't mean anything unless it is eternal.

I have so much to learn...

cpr - constantly practicing r*****ness

i teach cpr from time to time.it is amazing to me how some of the people i teach are some of the nicest people ever however the level of education is pretty low. they love people and get along great but their convos are pretty limited to basic topics.

on the flipside, the people that have an education typically are on the go and only

want to get their work done.. there isnt a whole lot of communication or want/need to interact w other people. obviously there are exceptions all over the placeand people are all different but i think thats why i coach because life is meant to be shared..

corporate america is crazy... people want to be left alone and just get thru life.. there is no getting personal and investing in people.. its all about self and climbing the ladder to hopefully pick up someone elses crumbs..

i refuse to settle ever again

Do your J-O-B!

When I worked at Boeing, I heard a fun fact about how 20% of the people working do 80% of the actual work while 80% sit and do nothing. They just sit there and collect a paycheck. They do not pay attention to what's going on around them. Then they wonder why they don't ever move up.

Other people have an issue of being very good at what they do and get so good at doing something one way that they have an inability to change or adapt to the changing times. If it is anything out of the "norm" they cannot change.

Other people have this incredible ability to pass the blame onto other people while not doing their full job. It can be so frustrating.

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Ukutula

Today was a non stop fun crazy day.. i know i have a little bit more game blogging to do but i thought i would just blog about today! We woke up at 7 and started getting ready to go out as it was our last real day in South Africa! The plan was to go to the Lion Park called Ukutula which is translated Quiet Place. Before we left, we realized that Dan lost his bank card in the ATM the night before! oops.. it was the middle of the night so there wasn't a whole lot we could do besides to try and cancel online.. we went to the park anyways after we kinda got it under control and got lost like 6 times.. freakin south afrikans are not good with directions.. or the fact that it was the middle of nowhere with windy twisty roads.. the cool thing about the lion park was it was like 30 bucks to play with lions for the day! we got to play w 2 month old cubs and hold and feed them! haha it was crazy.. it is amazing that for only being 2 months old how strong and wild they are! we also got to play with 6 month old cubs and they are like the size of labs and so strong and are always looking to get in trouble! in the wild, lions eat cheetahs.. however, there was a year old female cheetah that literally took the lion cubs as her own and just loved on them.. it was one of the craziest things i have seen! we then got to walk around the rest of the park and see some of the most beautiful white lions you have ever seen.. they specialize in breeding the white lions and they are so crazy looking.. so cool. in fact, 5 cubs were born the night before and momma lion was a little on edge and when dan and i got too close to the fence, she charged us with a full on roar and hiss except much scarier than you can ever imagine even with a 10,000 volt fence in front of us.. you dont understand how big and strong and majestic they are until you are 3 feet away with its teeth showing! oh man..

anyways, got to see a friend i havent seen in forever, got my dad another orange hat which he will love cuz its neon orange! came back and am now writing the blog! coming back tomorrow.. should i change the name of this blog???

Kaapstad!

Dan, Cammi and I are in Cape Town right now. It is seriously the most beautiful and chill city you will ever go to. We got here yesterday morning and immediately was thrown into the mix as we went to eat lunch in the middle of CT at a place that serves literally every form of food east of the Mediterranean. It was really cool though because it was very diverse but everyone was very friendly. Morgan and I got to catch up which was real cool!

A little background on Morgan is he grew up in San Diego and played for Surf growing up. He is a year older than I and we went to school at APU together for 3 years. He is a solid guy with a heart for God and Soccer. Originally, he came to Cape Town to play for a professional team called Ajax Cape Town (which is a shoot off and feeder team for Ajax Amsterdam. Several players like Benny McCarthy, Grant Igesund, Steven Pienaar have come from Ajax Cape Town as well as Cameroon international Eyong.) He played for Ajax for 2 years before being loaned out to the team that I played for when I was here called Ikapa Sporting. They tried to sell him to a team in Joburg but he didn't want to go so he quit and is now living in Cape Town. He has a gigantic smile and an attitude that draws people to him. He is now working as a fit model for Woolworths (equiv would be Sears or Nordstroms) and also is starting a Football Club called Khayelitsha United in one of the townships here in Cape Town called Khayelitsha. He has brought it from no teams to 3 teams U-13, U15, and U-17 Boys. He has gotten Umbro to sponsor it and has more worth than it did a year ago! The goal of the project is to get these boys out of extreme poverty and gangs to hopefully either play professionally or into a University somewhere. They are looking to partner with other club teams in the states to hopefully make this happen!

(The website is http://www.freewayfootball.org/)

After we dropped off our stuff at Morgan's house (the guy we are staying with... my gk in college), we went to the fan park and got some scarfs for presents back home as well as watched part of the Brasil/Portugal game (which was the worst game of the world cup till the next spain/chile game which was worse but at least there were goals!). We went out to eat at a place called greens and sat ironically next to another american family with 3 boys. The parents were asking questions about what we did and how long we were staying. When they found out that Morgan is an ex pro and that I played as well, the questions were never ending! haha, morgy and I just laughed and had fun with it. We went back to the flatt and went to sleep.. it was a long day! I was definitely excited for the next day! Go US!

Footie Live Truth (Part 1)

I have had the opportunity to watch a lot of soccer on tv and I think it is funny how easy the pros make it seem. I mean anybody can trap a ball off their chest and side volley it into the roof of the net on a dead sprint on tv... and make it look easy while doing it.. right??? Well I got to go watch two games so far and I have been impressed with both for different reasons.

1) USA Vs Slovenia
The game wasn't the best game I have ever seen as the US dug themselves into a 2-0 halftime hole. In the first half, you could see them fighting with each other and bickering. It was almost as if you could sense that it was game over. However, they came out firing as Landon Donovan put one into the roof of the net early in the second half. They kept chasing the game and working together. I loved the fighting spirit as Bradley pulled the game even with his hard work and determination. Finally, the US was so very unlucky to not have won the game as Josy scored the winning goal and the crowd go crazy only to have the referee call it back on an invisible foul.

The point is not the referee but rather how the US fought itself away from elimination and kept its Cup hopes alive. For those of you who are at home watching the game wondering what the heck is going on, you have to realize that it is much different than what you see on TV. It is much louder, more volatile, and much faster than you ever imagined. You only see portions of the field while watching it on TV. You only ball watch. However, when you watch it live, you see the whole picture as the play develops. These guys that they are playing against are world class players. They are big, strong, fast and they play in pro leagues around the world. We are a very young and for the most part inexperienced team that is playing with a lot of fight and spunk. We have come back on a very experienced England squad and also come back from two goals down against a very solid Slovenia squad.

I am sure you have heard how some players are complaining about the ball. Well let me tell you, that ball explodes off the players feet. IT IS A DREAM FOR PLAYERS AND IT IS A NIGHTMARE FOR KEEPERS! The fields are pristine and very slick! The stadiums are packed and extremely loud thanks to the Vuvuzelas. I have been to both Ellis Park and Soccer City and when the fans coordinate the Vuvas together, it is a massive sound wall that almost goes beyond what the ears can take. I can't even hear the players trying to communicate on the field much less the referees whistle! The weather itself is a factor! Did you know it is winter here??? At 830 at night, it is 30 degrees outside! While I am bundled under 5 layers of clothing plus a blanket, they are in shorts and maybe an under armour! The elevation is around 7000 feet! You try running around for 90 at a breakneck pace at that elevation with your nerves going crazy as the world watches you... Think of the most stressful situation you have ever been in and multiply is by 50 and then maybe you can understand the stress and importance and challenge and the demands that the US has to deal with at the world's largest and most celebrated tournament!

When I hear that we (the US) do certain things wrong or that certain players don't deserve to be there, I think they don't understand the pressure and the time and effort it took to get there in the first place. I am sure that it is equally if not more frustrating for them because they want to do the US proud. They want to succeed and show themselves worthy. When you play on an international level, you do not get to train with your team everyday as you would a club team. There are certain times that they get to play together and train. It is difficult to bring a team together that are all sold out on a style of play, that get along, that play for each other in such a short period of time. Coach Bradley has put us into a position to go through in a very difficult group! It is simple, if we win... we go through!

My point of this whole banter is to try and show that it is much different here. Between the other teams, the referees, the ball, the crowds, the fields, the travel, the elevation, the sound, and even the weather, there is so much for them to overcome! Let's all get together as we want them to do and support them! The eyes of the world are on them! We need to hold them up!

Differences... Day 2

There is an 9 hour difference between here and Arizona. The first day we finally go to shower and catch up on sleep a bit. When you have been traveling for 2 days and have long layovers in several cities, it is amazing that a shower is what makes all the difference. We got up and went to a picnic with all of Marco's friends. We played an hour of soccer.. the teams were a bit skewed as Cammi and I's team lost... We stopped for a while to eat.. And that is where we realized that we didn't have any food.. All three American's were not worried but the South Afrikan, Marco was a bit distressed. There were 25 other people there and as soon as we sat down, they shoved food in our face... in a good way ;-). Everybody shared everything that they had. There was no talk of money or paying back. It was very chill and honestly, it is what caught us off guard. First of all, in the states, I feel like when you do something for someone, people keep score or tally what is owed. It was not the case. South Afrika has much more of a community feel than the US. I mean, honestly, when is the last time you went to a park and had a picnic and played a game of pickup whatever. It was such an awesome feeling. People here I feel are much more open and inviting than back home. People want to share. Everybody brings stuff and if you forget to bring something, it really bothers them that they didn't. As opposed to the states, we are much more possession oriented. We like what is ours and don't like other people taking what is "Mine."

We had a blast with all the our new friends we met. In fact, later that night before the Bafana Bafana game, we played a couple of group games that were very fun. We played a game called 30 seconds which is a combination of charades, taboo, pictionary, and hand puppets. It was a blast. Then the Amerikans stepped in and taught them the classic game of spoons. If you don't know how to play, you aren't a true Amerikan... jk. It is a game where intensity, sacrifice, and passion is encouraged, required, and necessary for success. Needless to say that there were a few injuries! Your's truly placed 1st and 3rd and now has a broken arm... jk... We left the flatt and went to the fan park called sandton for the Bafana Bafana game. We arrived and there was at least 5000 fans/people from all over the world. Dan and I immediately started taking pictures with anyone that wanted to take one! There was air of celebration! The South Afrikans were so proud to be hosting the first Afrikan World Cup. Fans were cheering, dancing, singing, blowing the vuvuzelas, waving flags, sharing drinks... Just celebrating! It was an amazing feeling. "Ke Nako" means "It is Here" and yes.. It was. There was only 2 things wrong with the night... It was balls cold... 25 degrees in fact. And the Bafana Bafana team could not score a goal to save their lives and lost 3-0 to the dismay and tears of the crowd. Other than that, it was amazing!!!

The feeling of a World Cup. The Aura of the greats past. The rising of the new. The tears of joy... The tears of pain. The pride of playing for ones country. The shame in failing. Incredible

South Afrika... Round 2!

Today was our first day in South Afrika... Before we even landed, all the stewardesses had Bafana Bafana jersey's on (South Afrikan Jersey's) and the plane was filled with people who had tickets to see the world cup! After we got through customs, it was an obvious and exciting feeling in the airport as the vuvuzelas were going and jerseys from every country were being represented. I came to South Afrika with my sister, cammi, as well as my friend Dan. Dan and I immediately went to work taking pictures with different groups of people from different countries. Chants and songs and banter on who's country was better, this was going to be a crazy time.

The culture is very different than the US's culture. As soon as we got off the plane, we heard the South Afrikan accent, all the businesses were different, the food, and the currency. Everything is totally new and exciting. I had actually lived in South Afrika for 11 months before this, but to the first time visitor, it would be a bit of a shock. In South Afrika, the food serving sizes are much smaller compared to the US. The coke is much sweeter and much less carbonated. The cars are smaller and easier on the gas. All the mileage is actually in kilometers and the gallons are in liters. Milk is sold in a orange plastic. The trunk of a car is called the boot. Houses are called flatts. Stop lights are called Robots. The pizza is terrible. HD TV just got here. The differences in speech came crashing back as as well. I heard a lot of the lingo I had learned previously. For example, when you ask "Whats up?" is actually "Howzit?" and to respond (if you are white) you say lakker or (if you are black) you would say "sharp sharp" (but it sounds like shop shop). It is balls cold and there are no heaters! The internet is bought through airtime and is very limited.

We got picked up by a couple of my friends who are brothers, Marco and Dino. Dino actually plays professionally with a PSL team (MLS) called the Platinum Stars. One cool thing that he recently got to do was play against the English National Team. He stopped one of Rooney's shots! (But also got scored on by Rooney off a sick volley and by a breakaway to Joe Cole!) We had lunch and were exhausted from the flight so we went back and just caught up and watched some footie... It is awesome being back! more to come soon... and hopefully some more thought from Dan and Cammi...

Build out of the Back...

So the first couple of days getting to afrika were a little crazy... I need to start 2 weeks before in order to build it up a little...

2 weeks ago, life was crazy running around arizona trying to put together 3 teams and get ready for my other part time job.. ironically the hardest one were the older boys. haha normally im chasing senior girls around for my womens college team trying to get them to come to the campus and check it out, but this time it was a little weird chasing junior boys around trying to get them to play on a good team! it was exhausting trying to figure out the age group and all the players in less than 3 weeks.. the crazy part was I had to get everything done and settled before I went to a coaching class in Rome, GA...

A week ago, I did soccer for 8-10 hours a day for 9 days straight.. i am a soccer junkie and that was even a lot for me.. haha it almost took away my ability to sit and watch the world cup without psycho analyzing the game! but it was a lot of fun and really cool to meet people from all over the world who have that same passion for the game, playing, and coaching. I got through it and am pretty sure I got my C license which is a good step career wise for me.. but it was exhausting mentally and physically because of all the training/playing/homework we had to do..

Finally, got done with the coaching class and headed for the airport.. got ready to take off for a short layover in philly and then head to new york only to sit on the runway for an hour because of a delay. Then after we finally took off, we had to fly around philly for a while because of the storms. In fact, on the landing, it felt like I was in a fighter jet flying in and around the storms to land! I got off and already knew I missed my flight and had to get a new one quickly.. philly is probably the worst airport ever in terms of service and organization. US Airways sucked too because I sat in the customer service line for over an hour missing two potential flights. There were 3 agents working and when I got to the front, 2 of the 3 went on break at the same time with a line of 20 people behind me. Finally, I got a ticket and "confirmed" for a flight at 830 which got moved to 930 which got moved to 1010 then to 1030 then finally took off at 1130. I landed around 6 and sat in philly for about 5 hours in a frenzy trying to make sure I didnt miss my South Afrika.. I got to new york about 1215 and got to JFK about 130. Got 4 hours of sleep and got checked into the South Afrika flight. luckily, there was the dutch game going on. My favorite part and I will leave you with this was when John Harkes said that "the Dutch were putting a lesson into how to play 5v2." already adventures getting here... this is gonna be a crazy trip..

Build out of the back...

There is a guy in my C License class that just does not get it. We were talking about team management in certain situations. My group that included this guy (who ironically was named uncle kellar by some of the other guys in the class just to piss me off). He is a super nice guy but just has never played the game and just doesn’t get it. Basically, we had to make up scenarios where our team was playing in a tournament in another state and had games at 9-am and 2=pm. We had to talk about what we would do at halftime for the 9-am game. I give the scenario that we are up 2-0 at half and have to do certain things to keep the lead to give us a great start going into the next game. He cuts me off and says.. NO NO NO, we need to talk about oranges and gummy bears and... we were in shock! what is this guy talking about! This guy is a riot.. he doesnt have a clue but is one of those overzealous dads who just tries too hard..

Anyways, the real thing that i wanted to talk about is Football. Im talking the real football that everyone else in the world plays. In this class that I am taking, emotions run high, people from all over the world are in it, everyone has a different style and everyone is worried about not passing this class. I don’t want to get cocky but from what I have seen, I believe I am at least in the top half.. we went through a long hard day of nothing but football. We had 2 classroom sessions intermixed in with 4 field sessions. After that, we were all tired... sore... cranky... and what do we do? we play! But what amazed me was the mix of people and how all of a sudden, people who were jacks during the day transformed and became part of our team. Soccer is a passion, a love, an obsession. It is easy to be drawn into it and fall in love. Go to a World Cup and you will know what I am talking about. Soccer is something that transcends countries, races, genders. It doesnt care if you are gay, black, white, male or female. It is amazing to me how the game of soccer is such a universal language and brings people together. I mean, if you get down to it, it is a retarded game. The purpose is to stick a little white circle in a big white rectangle. However, the passion that is shown and the glory that it brings is priceless. And the relationships made all the while could have more of an impact on someone's life than you know..

Moral of the Story: Get stuck in

Strong and Courageous

Currently, I am sitting in a bedroom with a complete stranger.. Objective is last man standing.. oh wait.. We are both in the C license coaching course trying to further our careers. Today was a real long day. It started at 7 am... oh wait 4 am for the west-coaster and it is ending here very soon.. This whole week is about soccer.. how can it not.. its a coaching course designed to teach you to be able to teach 11-14 year olds on how to play the game.. technique/physical/mental/tactical sides of the game.. we watched the USA/Australia game and had to break it down.. offensive and defensive sides of the game for both Australia and the US (both of whom just sucked!) I can talk about it all I want but to no avail because you will stop reading.. if you have even gotten this far.. but never once is there a mention of the 5th side.. soccer in the us is in a rut.. we think of the game as having the 4 pillars i mentioned earlier.. but that just makes it boxy.. and things suck when they get put in a box. I believe there are at least 6 things that make soccer great.. passion is an obvious one.. the game is full of passion.. just go to any game in europe or the world cup and the passion will speak for itself.. However, another side that never gets mentioned is the spiritual side to it.. there has to be a spiritual side even if you dont believe in a God.. in my world, I play/coach/work/jump off bridges/get tattoos for God.. obviously that is different for everyone but even if you dont believe in God, you have to believe that you are playing for something bigger than yourself. If you don't play for something bigger than yourself, then the game is an epic fail and you lose even if you win. winning solves a lot of problems for teams like that but as soon as losing occurs, the players have no foundation to fall back on.. i am talking about the ability to lower yourself in your own eyes and put teammates and their desires first above anything you want.. ultimately if you do just that, you are playing for something that is bigger than you and thus you are playing for something that will last longer than the here and now.. great teams are forged by togetherness and selflessness and by having a common goal, a single heart, mind and spirit.. "be strong and courageous for I will be with you wherever you go!"