Defeated by the Indians

 

While many of us were feeling hopeful going into our first night game under the lights, it did not turn out how we had hoped.

The team gathered in the locker room 5 hours before kick off to prepare for the close to 3 hour road trip over Highway 33 into Maricopa.

We all put on the lower half of our pads and so that when we walked off the bus we could get right into our pre game warm ups.

The bus ride was filled with many people sleeping, listening to music, and having a good time.

The team has not played a game under the lights for a while, so seeing lights on a field was pretty exciting.

While it was not a huge stadium, it was still a stadium none the less.

Seeing as we arrived about an hour early we spent some time running around on the field to get accustomed to the grass, and pass the ball around, having a good time, smiles could be seen on all of our faces.

At about 6 pm we all entered the final stage of game mode.

We quit the messing around, grabbed our bags, and walked over to a covered area to finish dressing and spend time thinking about our assignments, and what we wanted this game to be like.

It was almost completely silent as we all helped each other grab straps on our pads, and get pumped for the game.

After we were all ready we lined up in two lines, two men across, holding hands, and walking out in complete silence, as one well oiled machine.

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Mother’s Day

Today is the second Sunday of May.
We all know what that means.
It’s a day filled with flowers and cards and breakfasts in bed and hugs and kisses and long-distance phone calls.


I don’t know what to say except that I love my mom very much.

Of course, like any other teenager, I have had my ups and downs with her, and I still go through phases of conflict with her today.
But it is in these moments of conflict, where I have learned to put down my pride and learn humility and obedience. She teaches me even when I am at my worst.

My mother is a beautiful woman. Without her, I wouldn’t be here on this Earth. She has given me a gift that no other person could have given to me. Her distinct set of chromosomes combined to make a unique me.
Thank you mom.

And I can’t forget the effort and care she put behind raising me. The nine months of carrying me and the 18 years of nurturing me. The schooling and teaching and feeding and holding. The bandaids on the scraps, the porridge when I was ill.

Maybe there weren’t times when she wasn’t at her best, but I know that if we could do it all over again, we would do it perfectly..but then again, you can’t rewrite your past.

I appreciate my mother so much. But I know I won’t be able to appreciate her fully until I become a mother myself.

To all the mothers out there, thank you. There is no other job like being a mother out there.

To The Best Man I Know.

This picture says it all.

I love my dad.
I don’t know any other immense, bottomless love.
During times of difficulty, he has been my rock and laid out the foundations for a secure home.

The only thing that scares me is how old my father is.
I mean, I am in no form ashamed of his age. My dad is 80 and he hasn’t failed to love me for a single day.

However, I do get worried.
Sometimes, when he does certain things, I feel a little tug on my heart.

For example, his once steady and strong hands tremble. His fingers move very slow and systematically.
He cannot stand for over 20 minutes at a time.
His sight is slowly slipping away; He can’t drive after the sun begins to set.
He gets sick more often. My father, man who hadn’t caught a cold in so many years, finally caught one this year and he is still trying to recover.

I know these are all natural, especially for someone so elderly. However, he is my father, and I can’t help but get a little sad to see him slowing down.

However, none of these symptoms of old age make me love him any less. Although I have been attending a boarding school 2 hours away from home for the past 5 years of my life and I don’t talk to him nearly as much as I should, he still remains number 1 in my heart, my blessing from God.

I hope that everybody gets to experience such a love. It is overwhelming and wonderful. It motivates you and places you on the right path. It lifts you up and betters you. It moves you without words. It is so powerful and definitely one of the greatest emotions God has given to his people.

My father allowed me to be the person I want to be. When I am older, I want to be able to give the same selfless, unconditional love to my children.

I love you dad, always. I will continue to try to be the best me I can. Hope your cold goes away soon!

Pure love

When I had the first meal of after being sick, white rice, I thought I was in heaven. I was like, “Thank you for letting me eat. Thank you so much.” That was one of the happiest moments in a long time.

I wasn’t feeling well since last Wednesday. My stomach was acting weird. I thought I was just tired so I ignored what it was telling me.

But finally, the pain really broke out this Monday. During lunch that day, I didn’t want to eat anything but I ate because I had to. But about half an hour later I started to feel nauseated and threw up all I had eaten. I usually never throw up. I hadn’t have thrown up since like 1st grade, so I realized that this virus is a really strong one. That night, I had a high fever. I tried to get changed, but I had no energy in me. I lost 5 pounds in 2 days and felt like a skeleton. I looked at myself in a mirror. It was disgusting.

On Thursday, my stomach finally let some food in. I ate impulsively. I was way too hungry. I couldn’t have been any happier. But I ate too much that I got nauseous again…

But, I’m getting better and better.

I once again realized that I love eating. I missed eating so much.

Sorry Mum.

Love

Dearest Mum, I’m writing to apologize for being sick on mother’s day. Spending all day in bed is what you should be doing while I bring you tea and cook you meals but no it’s the reverse. I truly hope the gift made up for it.

I guess this shows what a dedicated and thoughtful mum you are and I’m sorry I cannot repay you for kindness on a day like today. I acknowledge the favors that you have done for the whole of my life and I thank you for the time you have spent in raising me.

The countless times you went searching for my favorite teddy and cared for me when I was sick. All those occasions when you brought me hot soup and lemon and honey and took the time to make sure I was ok I will never forget. The countless birthday cakes you have created depending on my interests at the time and our walks to school when I was little will always be stuck in my memory.

I know that family has been your priority since you were 23 and I appreciate the time you have put in to raise me and Bex. I’m sorry that I don’t always show it but I do care and respect you a lot. I love how we have great things in common including our sense of humor, love for Vampire Diaries and sweet tooth, but I do often feel sorry for Dad because of our stubbornness and argumentative sides.

Although it seems strange the best thing is when we argue because we both come up with the stupidest comebacks. Seeing your face as and you try desperately not to laugh paired with mine in the same position makes my day. Arguing is fun with you.

So the message in this blog is thank you. I love you and I’m sorry I’m too sick to look after you on your day, I guess I should really make it a regular habit, being nicer that is.

I love you.

News of the Week

I hate being sick.

I really, truly hate it.

This week, I went to school a total of two days. I forgot to submit three assignments, and the majority of my time was spent accidentally spacing out.

I went to a doctor who prescribed me anti-biotics because I have some virus that’s intent on having me fail school; so that’s fun. But before they could prescribe me anything, they wanted to make sure I didn’t have strep throat. By doing this, they shoved an abnormally long Q-tip into my mouth and scraped it against the back of my throat. It. Sucked.

So that’s the news of the week: my sickness that has been enveloping me since Sunday night. I just hope it goes away by Monday.

Well Hello, Sickness

Sick. Oh the joy of being sick (please note the sarcasm).

Yes it’s nice to spend a day inside, reading a book that you’ve postponed because of all of that school. It’s nice to avoid classes for a day or two, taking an extended weekend that only you have the privilege of getting. But is also miserable. A terrible feeling in your stomach, and more headaches then you are used to. Your mom taking you out of school to give you her herbal medicines instead of the regular medicines the nurse will give you. You take a sip of the awful tasting medicine with a wince; it always seems to get stuck in your throat. Your dog, always trying to nibble away at your feet until there is only bone left. Cursing yourself for forgetting your Chemistry Lab Book in your dorm room when you need it for a paper that is long overdue. Procrastinating doing your homework simply because you don’t have a predetermined study time.

Yes, sometimes you crave a sick day, but other times, you just want to avoid it. After being off campus for almost a complete two days, and then finally being brought back, I can’t decide if I’m happy to be just healthy enough, or sad because I’m no longer at home.

Dear My Sick Day,
I guarantee that in two weeks time, I will be remembering you and wishing you were with me once again.