Hello again my loyal readers, I would firstly like to start by saying thank you for helping this blog reach over 1,000 views in just 3 weeks. I write because no only does it inform friends and family back home (aka you) of my weekly/fortnightly progress, but helps me express what I'm feeling and also improve my writing skills which should help with the degree I'm pursuing.
It was a tough start to the week for me. As the majority of you know I had been waiting on the decision on my clearance. Well Friday morning i received the email. I have been waiting for this answer for months and the moment I saw the red light on my blackberry flash I felt a sense of anxiety. I picked it up, opened email and there is was. An email from the lady who had been "helping" me gain clearance to play, with the subject entitled, Answer.
My heart started to beat incredibly fast and I paused for about 6 seconds before I could even apply pressure to the trackpad. I quickly started to scan the opening lines and it was clear from the first few words that I had no been cleared. I was distraught. I didn't know what to do. I kept thinking to myself "what am I doing here then" "I'm training for nothing" "I want to go home"
But thankfully peace of mind came in the form of a friend and team mate Anthony Carrabotta, he suggested we go for a walk so I don't just sit around sad. After a brief walk to the library he enlightened me with some very encouraging words. Words of religion, stating that the reason this has happened is because god knows I can deal with it. He knows I can remain strong and positive and get through rather than just throwing in the towel. Its one of lives many tests I am confident I will pass.
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| Carrabotta And I |
Although I wasn't happy as I still wasn't cleared to play, I was certainly cheered up. And I now I know I have to work just as hard as if I was playing, so that when my sophomore season starts I will be in the best mental and physical shape possible.
I also received messages from friends on Blackberry messenger and some touching voice notes from my brothers and sister back home, My father also made an appearance in a voice note with the main point being "STAY WITH IT SON!!!". As I was listening in a already unstable mood I could feel the lacrimation of tears building up. I will be fine though, i have some good people around me and I just have to remain positive.
in other news I feel as though I should inform you all of the game results good or bad, and this weeks results where probably some of the worst……….ever. On monday we took a 8 hour bus drive to Atlanta were we split the team into two and played two different games. Both going into overtime and both ending in losses, even though our Centre Midfield Melvin scored one of the best goals I've ever seen. We then traveled to North Georgia, an additional 2 hours further away from Tampa, where we lost 2-1 to another overtime goal. We then had a 10 hour drive home. Returning at 6am only to be greeted by a full day of classes.
We were 0-3 a terrible record but we vouched to leave it behind us and look forward to our game on Sunday September 11th against a team who on paper looked a lot weaker than us. Although we still managed to loose 4-1 and our record now stands at 0-4. After the game I walked down from the stands only to be told that because of the loss we are training at 6am and 3pm everyday this week. This is one of the things I don't understand about american coaching. We didn't loose due to a lack of fitness, we lost because we didn't play football and does anyone want to hazard a guess why? O yeah because we were to busy running.
If we actually worked on playing FOOTBALL then maybe we would have a chance in a FOOTBALL match. But instead I feel as though I could compete for a bronze in the upcoming 2012 London Olympics. In my experience, players do not react well to fitness punishments, especially at 6am. All that happens is they develop a hate for whoever made that decision, and also start pointing fingers at their own team mates, which will do the opposite of bring us closer as a team.
So even though I can not play a single second this entire year, and the fact that I didn't take part in any of the 4 losses, I am up at 5.30am everyday this week, as well as classes……Brilliant. I hope that you all have a better week than me, and appreciate the time you have in bed.
Thanks for reading
Ty
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