Italy

The summer is here and I will be back in the states next Wednesday, June 6th... It is definately time, I am ready to go. I know that this summer will be wonderful and I am relieved to have no stress of wondering where I will be playing next year. That is the benefit of signing early. I was blessed and all of that stuff was handled in May this year. In September, I will be headed to Viterbo, Italy. Getting the chance to play in Italy is definately a dream come true. I have wanted this, since coming to Europe 5 years ago when I began my European professional career. I love the Italian culture, especially the food and will get a chance to live there and experience something different than just traveling through.

Viterbo is approximately 80 kilometers north of Rome. Tobi and I were in Rome at the end of May for 4 days. (We had planned the trip back in February and how ironic it is that I will play so close to there next year.) The trip was amazing. Rome is now my favorite city in Europe, and Paris falls to #2 on my list. In Rome, there is so much history, with so much to see, and now I understand why it is best to go back more than once. Also, we had the chance to see the Pope up close and listened to him give a speech to travelers in about 6 languages at the Vatican. When he drove by me, while he was driving through and greeting the crowd, he glowed. This moment was something extraordinary for me and brought tears to my eyes. I had experienced a once in a lifetime event and saw this special person so close. Unbelievable and absolutely amazing. He blessed us and until this day, I still have that feeling inside me.