USA Nation's Cup Camp Day 1

So I decided to blog about the Eagle's Camp. Here's the first day's bit:


6/22/11
10:00am Central time (9am EST)

On my way to San Diego for the USA Women’s Nation’s Cup Camp!!

Actually, I’m not so much “on my way.” I’ve been sitting at O’Hare since 7:50am (Central time). I was sitting on a plane that had just arrived from Richmond then. I sat on that plane for an hour and 20 minutes and subsequently missed my connecting flight to San Francisco. That irritated me. What a way to start a trip?

However, I’ve been trying this new “not dwelling on stuff” attitude, and it helped in this instance. If there’s nothing you can do about a situation (like sitting on a runway for over an hour), then move on to the next best solution or remedy. It saves you some stress.

The next best solution turned out to be that proverbial blessing, which had been disguised by the thumb-up-our-ass waiting on the runway. United put me on a direct flight to San Diego (I had originally been scheduled to fly into San Francisco and then to San Diego). However, I will be arriving about an hour later, but at this point, I’ll take the hour delay instead of having to deal with another connecting flight.

So now, I’m just sitting, waiting, blogging, people-watching, getting anxious about playing with some of the top rugby players in the nation. Of course, none of them belongs to a club as awesome as James River (and I can’t thank the Old Boys enough for their donations…amazing).

I think it’ll be edifying to see where I stack up against the top talent. I’m hoping to make River proud. And I’m hoping that you guys enjoy this little blog. It gives me something to do, but I hope it provides a little entertainment as well.

6/22/11
5:10pm Pacific time (8:10 EST)

Just got to the OTC (Olympic Training Center) in Chula Vista, took a little walk and am just waiting to meet my roommates. It’s gorgeous out here—70’s, no humidity, clear, blue sky. My shuttle driver (the OTC sends shuttles to the airport to pick up players), Alfredo, said that the weather was supposed to be pretty much the same all week. I just need to remember to keep sunscreen on (don’t want a headband burn).

The housing here is reminiscent of college—pretty much dormitories. I videoed my room, and I’ll post that later (and don’t expect professionalism—I’m on the phone while filming).

Also, the bunnies are everywhere. When Aliea and I came out here a few weeks ago, with MARFU, we saw bunnies everywhere on the first day. They were grazing all over the sidelines of the fields, but we didn’t see anymore of them after that first day. Well they’re back. Maybe I’ll catch one and bring it home to be River’s new mascot, along with Animal and the JRG.

6/22/11
10:30 P (1:30EST)

In from the team meeting…sleepy. Long day. Little rest. Incomplete sentences.

Yeah it’s time for me to hit the sack, but before I do, I just wanted to pass along some information. We were asked, in our team meeting tonight, to introduce another teammate and give various facts about them, including the club for which they play. I think maybe three players, other than myself (out of the 34), knew where James River was…but now they do.