Yes, you can guess it, it snowed today. Like real snow. I've only been in real snow once before, so needless to say I was pretty excited. I walked with Melina in the snow, we went to get her sled from our family's gym. It was pretty cool, but at the same time, I don't know that I'd always want to walk in it. I know that I need to invest in a new jacket and maybe even another pair of shoes. We'll see.. ok, that's it, just wanted to share that it snowed today =)
Ciao!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Second email
Hello once again from Germany!
my little sister, Melina
Aliki, Melina, me
Things are still going well here in the cold country. We had our first game last night. It was a practice game, against a division 2 team, we are division 3. Before the game, we had only one practice as a team, so needless to say, I was a little nervous to see how it was going to go. I was excited though. What a great experience I have in front of me, so why not make the most of it. Anyways, we fought them hard the entire game. There were stretches where we were even ahead. All my nerves went away, of course, once the ball was in play. And for those of you who know me and my game, you will be proud to hear that I took the first shot of the game, that would be the first shot on the floor! lol, yes yes, I know, me shooting? What a crazy thought!
So, here come the stats for you numbers folk:
Minutes played: 40 (we play 4, 10 minute quarters)
Total FG: 7/14 (1/2 3's)
Total Reb: 5 (2 OB, 3 DB)
Assists: 7
Steals: 3
TO's: 5 - in my defense, 3 of them were travels, which apparently I have to learn how to dribble again, cause its different here, but still, that's no excuse, I know
Now that the stats are out of the way..I had a really good time playing. I enjoyed my teammates a lot and I think they enjoyed me as well. I didn't feel out of place on the court with them, and even in the TO's it wasn't awkward. I will admit that the coach spoke in English this time around, but on the court it wasn't bad. Other than the language barrier, once again, I think that we have a chance at being real good, which is always exciting. Of course, there is a difference between potential and reality. So, we will have to wait and see. I spoke briefly with my coaches after the game and they were really happy about the game and joined in my excitement for the future.
We have practices all this week, and then we have games on Sunday. It is what the call the Final Four, the Cup. It is something completely different than regular season. The Cup that we participate in is open to all divisions except for 1, they have their own cup. Its a similar setup as the NCAA finals, starting with 32 teams, ending up with 4 who play against each other. And that is this weekend..sorry for the long winded explanation, but I just learned it and it was interesting to me.
As far as any updates with the family..there aren't really any right now. Everyone started work and school yesterday, so I have the morning to myself, and right now it has been taken up by sleep and reading. The search for formal German lessons is failing. To learn German, in Germany is expensive. So, the lessons may not take place =/. I still hear German allll the time, but understanding anything is not there yet. Not unless its slow and directed at me, and even then its a little hard. I'll try and cut myself some slack seeing as it hasn't even been a week since I've been here.
I think that's it for this one. I'm going to look into the whole blogging scene, and see if I can figure it out. I've never done it before, but if I can do it, and its easier to just send you the link, then that might be the next email.
I'm attaching some pics that I talked about in the first email, from my host family trying on my oversized clothes =), and some from a little adventure my sisters and I went on. Hope you enjoy!
Until the next time..
Ciao!
Serena
my little sister, Melina
my two sisters, Aliki and Melina
my sisters and mom, Aliki, Melina, Gabi
Aliki and me
Melina and me
Melina and me
Aliki, Melina, me
First email
Hello all,
So here's my first email from Germany. I feel like there is so much to write and I don't even know where to start. I'll just start writing whatever comes to mind, so pardon the randomness =)
As most of you know, I'm staying with a host family. There are two girls, 11 and 16, and a boy, 19. The mom is from Germany and the dad is from Greece, where he is currently at now. I will meet him when he comes back on Saturday. They own a gym, and there is one here and one in Greece, so I guess the travel back and forth quite a bit. The girls have been a pleasure and the youngest one is officially my new shadow. She wants to do everything with me, hang out all the time, and even wants to come to all my trainings and games. It's really cute. The older sister is very nice and was very welcoming from the start. She speaks the best English, oh yes, they all speak some level of English, but she hangs out with me too. They are like the sisters I never had, and now I have sisters and brothers! It's great. I have my own little room, with just enough space to house the tons of clothes I brought =). Last night, my first night here, I dressed the girls and mom in my hoop clothes, we all know that I like my shorts big, so needless to say, it was a great photo opportunity! We cooked dinner together tonight. It was really fun, we had music going and the little one was taking pictures and everyone was dancing..it was awesome.
On to basketball, I had my first practice today. Met all of the girls and had a training session. They all seem really nice and welcoming. We have a practice game on Monday, so we'll see how that goes. I learned plays today and was able to get up and down the floor with them a bit, so that's good. I will definitely update you when we get games under our belt =)
Oh yes, the food. Well, I haven't had real German food yet. My first day I had Thai and Chinese food. This morning I had cereal and toast, and tonight we cooked and made a pasta dish. Believe me, I will let you know when the time comes for me to eat real German food lol.
That's all I can think of right now. Please feel free to write back. I will respond as soon as I can, but I will respond to everyone that writes.
I hope that all of your 2009's have started off right!!
Ciao,
Serena
P.S. I have started to pick up German words and phrases. My accent is horrible and of course my memory is right there with it. But I'm determined to figure it all out =)
So here's my first email from Germany. I feel like there is so much to write and I don't even know where to start. I'll just start writing whatever comes to mind, so pardon the randomness =)
As most of you know, I'm staying with a host family. There are two girls, 11 and 16, and a boy, 19. The mom is from Germany and the dad is from Greece, where he is currently at now. I will meet him when he comes back on Saturday. They own a gym, and there is one here and one in Greece, so I guess the travel back and forth quite a bit. The girls have been a pleasure and the youngest one is officially my new shadow. She wants to do everything with me, hang out all the time, and even wants to come to all my trainings and games. It's really cute. The older sister is very nice and was very welcoming from the start. She speaks the best English, oh yes, they all speak some level of English, but she hangs out with me too. They are like the sisters I never had, and now I have sisters and brothers! It's great. I have my own little room, with just enough space to house the tons of clothes I brought =). Last night, my first night here, I dressed the girls and mom in my hoop clothes, we all know that I like my shorts big, so needless to say, it was a great photo opportunity! We cooked dinner together tonight. It was really fun, we had music going and the little one was taking pictures and everyone was dancing..it was awesome.
On to basketball, I had my first practice today. Met all of the girls and had a training session. They all seem really nice and welcoming. We have a practice game on Monday, so we'll see how that goes. I learned plays today and was able to get up and down the floor with them a bit, so that's good. I will definitely update you when we get games under our belt =)
Oh yes, the food. Well, I haven't had real German food yet. My first day I had Thai and Chinese food. This morning I had cereal and toast, and tonight we cooked and made a pasta dish. Believe me, I will let you know when the time comes for me to eat real German food lol.
That's all I can think of right now. Please feel free to write back. I will respond as soon as I can, but I will respond to everyone that writes.
I hope that all of your 2009's have started off right!!
Ciao,
Serena
P.S. I have started to pick up German words and phrases. My accent is horrible and of course my memory is right there with it. But I'm determined to figure it all out =)
Welcome to my blog!!
Hello all!
Ok, so it's going to be official. I'm going to have my own blog. I've sent out a couple emails so far, which I will post on here in case anyone has missed them. I think this will be much easier to keep everyone updated as to my life and adventures here in Germany. I'm not sure when I'll post, and I don't want to set a specific time and day that I will post. Basically, whenever I feel like something fun and exciting or interesting, viola, it will appear here!
I hope that everyone's 2009 is still starting strong! If you have any fun stories and updates, please send them my way as I would love to stay in touch.
Well, that's it for now. I'll post my other emails and some pictures for everyone to see!
Ciao,
Serena
Ok, so it's going to be official. I'm going to have my own blog. I've sent out a couple emails so far, which I will post on here in case anyone has missed them. I think this will be much easier to keep everyone updated as to my life and adventures here in Germany. I'm not sure when I'll post, and I don't want to set a specific time and day that I will post. Basically, whenever I feel like something fun and exciting or interesting, viola, it will appear here!
I hope that everyone's 2009 is still starting strong! If you have any fun stories and updates, please send them my way as I would love to stay in touch.
Well, that's it for now. I'll post my other emails and some pictures for everyone to see!
Ciao,
Serena
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