Ist das du?

Highlights from the Last Week

1.       The 2011 Women’s World Cup started on June 26, and two of my Drake teammates came to Berlin to hang out and watch the game. We went to the stadium before the match started because we didn’t have tickets, but there were 76,000 people there. It was crazy. So much fun though. We then went to this place that had a big viewing party with lawn chairs and sand everywhere to watch the game. It was a neat atmosphere.

Outside the Stadium of the Germany game with Jar and Egg

2.       I joined a tutor group to learn German, which I really enjoy. It was going well except the other girl and I were talking about what we do and she said that she is a nanny. So I was trying to ask her if she watches the children during the day or at night, and start out by saying “Gochst du die Kinder…” which means do you watch the children. But they gave me horrified looks because they thought I said, “Kochst du die Kinder…” which is do you cook the kids. It was pretty humorous, but embarrassing.

3.       Jar (Drake teammate) brought over a pack of Double Stuff Oreos, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces, which were a huge treat. I have missed them and you can’t buy Reese’s here. Also, a new pack of White Tee’s. Booyah! We sat and enjoyed them at the game. I mean the food not the White Tee’s.

4.       On Tuesday we went to Dresden, Germany for the USA vs. North Korea game. We got there a little early and got to walk around. Dresden is a beautiful city and there is so much history there. I wish I liked history more; it makes you wish you would have listened in high school and college classes. I never did well in history classes. Bummer. The game was sweet though. There were 25,000 people there and that is quite a lot for a women’s game of two foreign countries. If you don’t care about women’s soccer, just so you know they won 2-0. We stayed in a hotel/hostel thing not really sure.

At the USA game in Dresden

5.       A man was biking in Dresden and totally just started going sideways and tipped over onto a grass hill. It was so humorous. I think he might have drunk too much at the game, but still quite funny. He just got up and acted like it was totally normal to tip over. Speaking of biking, Egg and I confirmed the fact that riding double on a bike is not meant for us. We did it home from the train station and literally I thought I was going to tip over. I almost peed my pants too because I was laughing so hard, and couldn’t breathe. It was worth not walking though. So I can relate to the man. Biking is tough at times.

6.       As we were heading back to our hotel in Dresden at around midnight, I had a Nike USA colored jacket on and Jar and her sister had jerseys on, but I noticed that Hope Solo was walking at us. She is the USA starting goalkeeper and she kind of smiled at us, but since I was like 10 steps ahead, I quickly in my head decided to just play it cool rather than be the fan. She clearly was trying to keep a low profile and go meet her family. So Jarvis sees her after a few seconds and goes, “Hope Solo?” like so casual and Hope says yes obviously and then Jar pauses for a second and goes, “Good game.” And says see ya. It was the most casual exchange as if they went back to second grade or something. Jar being a goalie herself obviously has an appreciation for them. Kinda like if I saw Abby Wambach, I would probably say, “Ist das du Frau Wambach?” Haha that’s for you Egg and Jar. But yeah it was funny, maybe you had to be there.

7.       Also while I was at the game, I was walking back to my seat after half time and I saw a couple girls with UNC soccer stuff on. I knew the Charlotte Eagles, which are a semi-pro Christian soccer team were going to be there and I kind of was trying to find them so I figured I was just going to ask. I did and sure enough they weren’t, instead the whole UNC soccer team was here for the World Cup. It happened to be though that we got to talking and these two girls were handing out tracks and was involved with AIA in the states. One had gone to UTC and we knew a lot of the same people. As we are talking another woman walks up and asks if we are part of something or other and she was part of the Charlotte Eagles. So we talked to her and knew a bunch of the same people, which was neat and then we all got to pray together in the middle of the stadium for our teams. It was really cool. It is always great when you meet people who share the same passions as you.

Drake Soccer Represent. Boom baby!

8.       The other thing that has been super busy is an American tour arrived on Monday. It is 7 sixteen year old girls that are here for two weeks. I am kind of in charge of organizing them and bringing them places, etc. There is also a cool female coach that I have got to spend a lot of time with, which is a small world she is best friends with one of my college teammate’s sisters. If you can follow that. Anyway they have three games this week. I got to play on Monday and last night with them against some women’s teams and we had some other German girls play. The purpose is to just get some quality time with German soccer girls and hopefully build relationships. Playing was a lot of fun and we won both games. I won’t play Friday because season starts Sunday and I need to rest and get ready for that. It has been really enjoyable, but at the same time crazy busy.

9.       On the train ride home last night there was a man that was sagging his pants and usually that is totally normal. Might I add that he was roughly 65 years old. But usually when you sag your pants you have boxers on underneath. Well this man decided that he didn’t need boxers or maybe forgot them because his entire bare butt was hanging out. I mean how do you not feel that gust of air with every step. It was shocking. I saw more than I EVER wanted to see that’s for sure.

10.   I got a package of letters from my mom from different people. It was great and I sure do miss my parents. A LOT. I get to see them soon though.