The island of Ibiza is quite small, you can drive from one end to the other in 30 minutes. I can easily walk into downtown Santa Euralia from my apartment. It is a cute downtown with shops, beaches and anything I would need. I still want to be able to take the car every once in a while to explore some other places on the island. The problem is the car is stick and I have never driven one before.
My teammate tried to give me my first lesson yesterday. There are no big open areas or parking lots where I could practice so she decided I should try and go around the block. I got in the car and everything was going well until I had to come up to a stop I did not know that you had to put your foot all the way down on the clutch when you brake. The car stalled and there were cars coming up behind me so we switched seats and I got back in the car on the hill down to our apt. Sho told me to go from first to second, easy except I didn't actually know where any of the gears were in the car so I jumped from first to third. The car didn't like that either and we wound up just coasting into our parking spot. Shona was crying laughing at this point. This is why I wanted to learn now so it doesn't have to be my car one day!
I sat in the parking spot and practiced changing gears... I have the order down now but I am not sure when lesson 2 will happen.
We have a game tonight against my old university teammate Morgan, will be fun to catch up with her after the game. After this weekend we will only have one game a week which will be a welcome change! Hopefully we can settle into some sort of schedule.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Running of the Bulls.
We just played our last road game in Pamplona the city that is famous for the running of the bulls. It was quite a cute little university town but we did not get much time to explore it.
We did go for a quick jog through town Friday night. Upon arriving we were told we could not use our shoot around time and so fearing we may be lethargic if we had a day off we were told to lace up our sneakers we were going for a run. I had no idea going for a run was an option thus laced up my travel runners sans orthotics and headed out the door. I felt like the fat kid in gym class, as soon as I was out of the teachers view I slowed down to what one may consider a "walk/jog". I was proud of myself after the fact because I know full well that my ankle can longer run in the cold on pavement and wake up to play a basketball game the next day. In Europe sometimes you have to look out for yourself and while it went against all my instincts as a person and teammate I did it! The next morning we also somehow got a gym time at a different gym! I was thankful my "running" clothes were not too sweaty!
We wound up losing the game it was a game we should have won which always makes things worse. After the game we showered, ate dinner and watched the whole game on film! Not a pretty sight, kind of like pouring salt into wounds.
We are back at home now and this is the last week we have to play two games! After Saturday we are on to our regular schedule of one game a weekend!
Michelle is in Espana as we speak and will be making her way to the island a week from tomorrow, getting excited to see her!
We did go for a quick jog through town Friday night. Upon arriving we were told we could not use our shoot around time and so fearing we may be lethargic if we had a day off we were told to lace up our sneakers we were going for a run. I had no idea going for a run was an option thus laced up my travel runners sans orthotics and headed out the door. I felt like the fat kid in gym class, as soon as I was out of the teachers view I slowed down to what one may consider a "walk/jog". I was proud of myself after the fact because I know full well that my ankle can longer run in the cold on pavement and wake up to play a basketball game the next day. In Europe sometimes you have to look out for yourself and while it went against all my instincts as a person and teammate I did it! The next morning we also somehow got a gym time at a different gym! I was thankful my "running" clothes were not too sweaty!
We wound up losing the game it was a game we should have won which always makes things worse. After the game we showered, ate dinner and watched the whole game on film! Not a pretty sight, kind of like pouring salt into wounds.
We are back at home now and this is the last week we have to play two games! After Saturday we are on to our regular schedule of one game a weekend!
Michelle is in Espana as we speak and will be making her way to the island a week from tomorrow, getting excited to see her!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Espana
Alright so I am back and blogging. The day after our last game in Karlovy Vary I was up at 730 to embark on my new adventure in Ibiza, Spain. I was leaving the day before my team so my agent offered to take me to the airport when he left. Our cab driver drove the whole way around 160-170 I kid you not. The drive from KV-Prague is supposed to take around 2 hours, we did it in 45 minutes. The roads you drive on are single lane highways and he sped into oncoming traffic to sneak around cars numerous times. I was sitting in the front seat bracing for impact.
When we got the airport I had quite a few hours to kill before I could check in so I hung out drank some tea and tried to pass time. All airlines in Europe are very strict about their baggage weight requirements, you are only allowed 23 kilos. Anything above you will be charged around 20 Euro's/kilo. While both of my bags were well under 23 kilos individually, together they added up to 40 kilos. The lady had checked one of my bags and sent me to another counter telling me to leave my bag there and she would take care of it. Reluctantly I left my bag hoping I would see it again later that night and went to pay my bag fine. The fine ended up being over 8,000 czech dollars, in Canadian dollars $475! After numerous failed attempts to pay with my visa, I was sent downstairs to find an atm and withdraw the money. About 30 minutes later I was back in line with my baggage fees paid.
My first flight was uneventful I was lucky because I had three seats all to myself so I immediately passed out. I had a 6 hour layover in Barcelona so I wandered around the shops and watched some TV. I made it to Ibiza around 11pm that night, greeted by Sho, our trainer and coach. Of course my one bag was missing turns out they only tagged it to Barcelona. My time in the air was 3 hours but in total my travel day was 14!
I have been in Ibiza for a week now we had our first game last weekend but I was unable to play, something about transfer papers. I don't understand most of what is going on around me but we have our first home game tonight and I am allowed to play!
When we got the airport I had quite a few hours to kill before I could check in so I hung out drank some tea and tried to pass time. All airlines in Europe are very strict about their baggage weight requirements, you are only allowed 23 kilos. Anything above you will be charged around 20 Euro's/kilo. While both of my bags were well under 23 kilos individually, together they added up to 40 kilos. The lady had checked one of my bags and sent me to another counter telling me to leave my bag there and she would take care of it. Reluctantly I left my bag hoping I would see it again later that night and went to pay my bag fine. The fine ended up being over 8,000 czech dollars, in Canadian dollars $475! After numerous failed attempts to pay with my visa, I was sent downstairs to find an atm and withdraw the money. About 30 minutes later I was back in line with my baggage fees paid.
My first flight was uneventful I was lucky because I had three seats all to myself so I immediately passed out. I had a 6 hour layover in Barcelona so I wandered around the shops and watched some TV. I made it to Ibiza around 11pm that night, greeted by Sho, our trainer and coach. Of course my one bag was missing turns out they only tagged it to Barcelona. My time in the air was 3 hours but in total my travel day was 14!
I have been in Ibiza for a week now we had our first game last weekend but I was unable to play, something about transfer papers. I don't understand most of what is going on around me but we have our first home game tonight and I am allowed to play!
Friday, April 30, 2010
I know it has been forever but here is a quick update. I can't believe it is almost May... time has been flying by! The biggest news is that I have parted ways with my old agent and am going in a new direction. I think this will be a very good thing, I have found a new agency and am getting ready to sign a new contract with them! I don't know what my future holds but I like the new agency and hopefully they can find me something good!
The drive in movie theatres opened up and I have been able to test out my new puffy coat for next winter. The days have been pretty warm but the nights are quite chilly which is great for me as I get to test out the new coat!
I am headed home May 18th as my tourist visa is up so I will get some good training time in before camp begins around June 20th. Ben and I will meet up with our amazing wedding planner at home and talk about when/where it will take place!
The drive in movie theatres opened up and I have been able to test out my new puffy coat for next winter. The days have been pretty warm but the nights are quite chilly which is great for me as I get to test out the new coat!
I am headed home May 18th as my tourist visa is up so I will get some good training time in before camp begins around June 20th. Ben and I will meet up with our amazing wedding planner at home and talk about when/where it will take place!
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