Home in Jersey

It has been absolutely wonderful to be home with my family and Tobi in New Jersey. Even though there was not any snow this year, it was such a perfect Christmas. We had the chance to visit a lot of the family and many friends. On the 23rd, Tobi and I took my Dad and brother up to New York for the day. We went to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree and also ice skate in front of the tree. The wait was about an hour and a half to get on the rink, but it was worth it! Afterwards, we stopped in the St. Patrick's Cathedral before heading home. There is no other place like Christmas in New York and being there really gets you in the holiday spirit. The past two weeks have gone so fast. Before I know it, it will be New Year's Eve and we will be back on a plane heading to Germany. This long awaited break has gone too fast! However, I am excited for the second half of the season and the chance to make a run for the championship!

Trip to Priolo, Italy

What a crazy trip! First, our flight in Cologne was delayed for a few hours and then, redirected from Catania to Palermo due to the "active volcano" in Catania!!!! That put us about 3 hours away from our destination of Priolo. We got in the hotel at 2am! As you can see, it was not the ideal day before a game.

We stayed in a small city outside of Priolo and it was on the coast. The coastline was absolutely beautiful!!! ..and the water was clear blue-green. We had the chance to walk around for a few hours the morning before the game. (At first, I had not wanted to go because I was so tired, however, afterwards I was really glad that it was mandatory.) I wish that my camara had its battery chip charged.

We had shooting practice in the afternoon and then lunch. After eating, I went up to my room and crashed in my bed until the game. When the alarm went off, I thought to myself, how am I going to play this game. I put myself in the shower, and had a red bull. I felt pretty good after that and was somehow ready to go.

The game was intense and physical, but everyone on our team definately showed up to play and we pulled off an amazing win! The 62-49 win over the Italian team shows how far we have come from our loss at home to them! Definately a game to remember..

Tomorrow morning we have a German game versus Leipzig. Next Tuesday, we go to Lille, France for the last FIBA Euro Cup game in the first round. I hope that we are able to play well against them, because every point counts in getting to the next round in January.

Also, for this week, e have a German cup game on Friday at home and our last game for the year on Saturday in Berlin. Then, it is Christmas break! Yay! Tobi and I are flying home on Monday, December 18th, to New Jersey to spend Christmas with my family. We will be there until December 31st.

Hopefully, we will get a chance to check out the Munster Christmas market before I leave for break. I love German Christmas markets, but we have had no time to check some of them out in the area. There is nothing like walking around a Christmas market, taking in the Christmas spirit and having a Gluwein to keep warm!

Until next time...

1st place!

This past weekend we beat Saarlouis 81-70, and Wasserburg lost to Freiburg. This gave us sole posession of first place!

Now Saarlouis, Freiburg and Wasserburg are in a 3-way tie for 2nd place. We have too more German league games before Christmas.

Next weekend we play against Leipzip at home and the following week we are in Zehlendorf (near Berlin).

Tomorrow we leave for Italy... :-)

Update from Dorsten, Germany

Basketball notes....

We have a big German league game tonight at home against Saarlouis, in which we are playing to stay tied for first with Wasserburg. Currently, all three of us have just 1 loss and are in a 3-way tie for first place. Wasserburg plays in Freiburg on Sunday.

Next week is will be exciting because we are going to Italy! I LOVE ITALY! I have never been in the south of Italy and now I have the chance to go to Priolo. We will leave on Tuesday for our game on Wednesday and then return back to Germany on Thursday. Sometimes you have the chance to explore around for a few hours and I am definately hoping we have that chance during this trip!

In the upcoming game against Priolo, we must be competitive, unlike the almost 20 point loss we took from them at home. We must play the entire 40 minutes even if we are behind. This is important because 8 out of the 12 third place teams, in their respective groups, go to the next round. It is based on a point system and therefore, every point counts.

Other notes...

I can not believe it is already the beginning of December! And that Christmas is coming! I am excited to say that I just booked a flight and I will be home on Monday, December 18th. We have a nice two-week break until January 2nd, which will be much needed. I will rest my body for a few days and then, of course, begin training for that tough January schedule!