. . .And Beyond

Home Between the Painted Lines

2010-07-16T13:39:00.004-04:00

I spent 20 of my 25 years between the lines with my sister Sarah. From the beginning, number 4 and 5, me and Sarah, Sarah and Rachel, were stuck in the middle - we were stuck in the middle of a family of 8, stuck in the middle of the painted lines - the painted lines on the dirt, on the grass, on the wooden planks and on the green turf.

I spent 20 of my 25 years in between the painted lines, the painted lines that joined to form the structure of a house that became the foundation of a home - the home of two sisters, Sarah and Rachel, the home of two athletes.

We spent our childhood in between the painted lines building our home. And our home became more than home - it was a place of fierce competition, a battlefield of stubborn wills. Our home was a place of joy and fun; a playground of laughter and dreams.Our home was a place of peace and spirituality, a sanctuary of quiet prayer. And as we grew up, our home became our office, a place of work and diligence.

Home was more than home - it was a battlefield, a playground, a santuary, an office - but home was always home in between the painted lines with my sister Sarah.

And today, Sarah left home. She left our home between the painted lines forever. And when she drove away in her shiny black Murano, a part of me drove away with her. Home will never be the same without her.

Image Redefined - Profile on Keli Puza (Smith)

2010-06-25T12:20:00.001-04:00

Image Redefined

United States Olympian, Current National Team Member, and Mom, Keli Puzo is revolutionizing the image of the American Hockey Athlete

Eighteen years from now, Xavi Puzo like many American teenagers will head off to college. He will be a handsome, bilingual young man embarking on his college journey with a fire in his eyes – a fire that is born of his roots, Pennsylvania and Barcelona, and bred of his modernly iconic and vibrant parents, Keli Smith and Inako Puzo.

And if the oracles have their way, the fire in his eyes will set ablaze the teenaged promise land of dorm rooms, late night ‘study’ sessions, cafeteria food, and freedom.
The oracles know, because they, like many in the USA Field Hockey community, have witnessed the very same force of fire in the eyes of Keli Puzo as she has set ablaze the traditional image of an ‘American Field Hockey Player’ and redefined it.

Mother. Wife. Athlete. Determined, Competitor. Who is Keli Puzo?

Before matches, she straightens her blond hair, and accents her do with a pair of silver earrings. Entering the match field before competition, Brine stick and shinnies in hand, her gait is casual, not a blasé casual, but a confident, empowered casual. She wears a smile on her face. And as her earrings accent her hair, the determination of her smile accents the ferocity of her eyes.

Her guise - hair, earrings, smile and gait, don’t fool you – because one look in her eyes and you know - Keli Puzo is the ultimate competitor. She wants to win.
It is her fearless desire to succeed that has propelled her hockey career from the fields of Selingsgrove, Pa to the turf of the University of Maryland, and to the hockey pitches of Barcelona, Spain. Her relentless determination has morphed her into one of the premier leaders and strikers on the American team.

On the field, Keli’s striker role is twofold – one could view them simply as attacking and defensive roles – but a true competitor, like Keli, views her roles purposefully. On the attack, her purpose is to eliminate the opposition. And on defense, her aim is to get the ball back.

In both roles, Keli finds pleasure bringing confusion, chaos and absolute misery to the opposition’s backfield. When in possession of the ball, Keli uses her dynamic change of speed and direction to get in behind defenders. She is a powerful goal scorer who positions herself properly, low and strong, in front of the cage prepared to win any ball in whichever manner the situation necessitates – she will body-up, quick-step, or dive to hear the clang of the ball against the boards.

And when her team doesn’t succeed in hearing that celebrated noise, and instead loses possession, Keli defends relentlessly with one purpose in mind whether in a tackle-back, a double-team, a recovery run, or on the press – win the ball back. And funny enough, she usually succeeds. Keli’s style of play emanates her passion for the sport of hockey. She fights brilliantly because she simply loves the game. And Keli plays hockey the same way she lives - with a resilient passion to succeed and to enjoy life.

So it should be no surprise that she and her husband, Inako Puzo, joined their passion for hockey with the celebration of their marriage hosting a 2 v. 2 World Cup playing exhibition for their guests. The event, might I say, was a thrilling, sport-socializing success.

But that sort of thing is what you have come to expect from Keli Puzo. She takes an idea and makes something of it.

So in the iconic fashion of a revolutionary – Keli Puzo made something new of the traditional image of an American hockey player in May when she made her comeback to the ranks of the Red, White and Blue in a test series against Argentina at American University only a few months after having a son.

Young Xavi Puzo joined his mom and her teammates on tour in the American University dorms, because new priorities and responsibilities didn’t mean, as some may suppose, that Keli had to let go of her competitive passion and talent for the sport of hockey.

Instead, Keli has heroically redefined the image of an American Hockey Player, balancing her new family roles with a role she has played her entire life – athlete.

So eighteen years from now, as Keli hugs her son and sets him off upon his college journey, she will tearfully chuckle at a distant memory - Xavi has already experienced and survived dorm-life - in May 2010 at American University while his Mom made her comeback to international hockey competition.

Logan of Red and The Shadow of Dread

2010-05-26T14:43:00.000-04:00

And sail they did, through the night. Through the night by the moonlight.

And when the morning broke, and when the children awoke, it was Logan in Red, who first spoke.

“As you, my comrades, slept, I served my duty, and peace I kept. For in the night upon us fell a terrible fright. A monster, a goon, an alien of the moon, the worst sort of undelight; it was a villain of the most gruesome sight.

Where it came from, I cannot say, but the events unfolded in quite a peculiar way. It had begun in the dream, or so it seemed, for all was well, the sea sat calm, without the slightest swell. For we, the courageous four, had just set sail from the bay’s shore. Traveling for a time, slowly did we unwind, beneath the stars and moon, trusting danger did not loom.

It was I standing at the mast, when a shadow upon me was cast. I thought nothing of it, a shadow of the night; that was it. But then, as I stood by the sail, suddenly, in my right ear, I heard a piercing wail. So to my left I did turn, and a shadow I did discern. The shadow nearer towards me it crept, and into my ear, its voice slowly stepped.

‘Logan of Red, I have come for you, the boy of valor and fast stead. So stop your dreaming, child of red, and come away with me so we can start our scheming. Because this I know, that you my boy, have a powerful glow, and I can give you an arrow and bow, and your strength to the world you will show.

“Come boy. Come.” The shadow eeirily sung. “Now boy Now. Any more time, and you will surely fail.” And what was I to do, I thought. The shadow seemed to have me caught. Oh, the arrow and the bow, how I longed for it you can only know. The choice left me quite distraught, and inside myself I silently fought.

What was I to do? If only the future I could preview. So out to the sea, my eyes projected, and in the water the truth reflected, for suddenly I knew as my eyes perceived the slightest hint of blue what it was that I was meant to do.

The shadow had stood silent waiting for a while, as I, Logan of Red, remained my soul’s pilot, thinking how violent, how vile. What was this monster that came to distract me from my task, and doubt of myself how he had longed to cast.

He had come to destroy the bond of the Courageous Four, so I said to him, “I will hear your words, no more. For, only tonight, have we left the shore pursuing what is right, searching for a cure. A cure to save the baby in blue and to this I, Logan of Red will be true.”

The voice was dangerously quiet. Then the sea stirred, and I sensed the brewing of a riot. Then the voice yelled, I am a soul-less pirate!!!!

That was when I knew that a battle would ensue. So I closed my eyes and thought of the Baby in Blue. And strength he gave me, to defeat the soulless pirate of the sea.

“Now, here I stand, the morning after, thankful that we survived what could have been disaster if I had chosen to serve the selfish master. ”

“And thankful so, are we to you, Logan of Red, for the honor of what you do and the truth of your words said.” Replied Kylie of Pink as Logan let out a tired sigh.

“Now let us make you a bed, where you may rest your brave little head. And strength from respite may your mind find, after surviving such a daunting grind. For on our course, by way of boat, train, or horse, we shall continue, all in the name of the Baby in Blue.

And with that, William of Green gave Logan’s back a soft pat, and Ellis of Yellow tipped towards him the tip of his hat.

And together, for a moment, the Courageous Four silently sat looking out to the serene sea wondering what their destiny would come to be.

But they worried not, for if one thing in the night to them had been taught, it was that happiness, even from a soulless pirate could not be bought. Perhaps, instead, like a book unread, it should be a purpose sought.

The Courageous Four

2010-05-25T12:17:00.000-04:00

Four pairs of legs dangled over the dock, while the minds of four children were entranced by the ticking tock of the bays clock. Bored and tired these four children had become, because it seemed their great plan was slowly coming undone.

All day long, the four children had sat by the bay, patiently waiting for their ship to come so they could sail away. For today they had intended, to sail to world’s never known, and never pretended.

But the sun had slowly faded, and their eagerness, like month old milk, had become dated.

The youngest Ellis of Yellow leaned upon William of Green who sat nestled, as if in bed, beside Logan of Red. And all of them rested upon, Kylie of Pink who carried upon her shoulders the weight of the kitchen sink.

She thought, “How has this day become so long? I cannot remember when the sun last met the breaking dawn. Nearer now seems that the sun shall be set. And, oh no, oh no, the goal of our task is not yet met. What, now, shall we do? Will we be able to save the baby in blue?

The growing doubt made her pout. But the day had not always been this way. They had set upon their adventure with the eagerness of four children at play.

In the early hours before noon, they sang songs in the cheeriness of an inspired tune telling stories so true, of the little baby who had come wrapped in a blanket of blue.

But for a while, the singing had stopped. And all they heard was the ticking of the clock.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The dock rocked. The children lulled. Their spirits dulled. From each other and the task, they were pulled. Away. Away. Away. With what reason had they started the day?

Then all of a sudden, the voice of the youngest started budding. And like a young flower the voice grew, and the attention of the elders, it drew.

Slowly, the sound became profound. And little Ellis of yellow, with a voice deep and loud, both loud and proud, sang about the quest they knew, the quest to save the baby in blue.

“Oh little baby, strong, strong, strong, in this world may you play, long long long. For it is the quest of the Courageous Four to find the healing cure that will give you strength to endure, dure, dure.

We, the Courageous Four, are sure, that life, for the baby in blue, has tons more in store. So baby of blue, we, the Courageous Four have come to save you.

It is I, Ellis of Yellow, an interesting and artsy fellow, the son of sunshine, who must keep the spirit high in low tide.

And Logan of Red, a boy bold of heart, who has become the protector of peace, defending us from danger right from our journeys start.

And William of Green, a boy curious, wise and smart, is our man of mind, the scientist who will guide us with reason through the duration of our journey’s time.

And last of the four, is Kylie, the lady of pink, a girl bold enough to think without the slightest eye’s blink that we four children can achieve our mission so long as we believe that what we do will save the Baby in Blue.

So trust, trust is a must, as we sit on the cure’s cusp. Little baby in blue, this we ask, stay strong, strong, strong, so long, long, long that we are on our task. For we dream of a day when the Four will become Five. And that means, Baby in Blue, that you are still alive. ”

Ellis of Yellow had uttered the final word, and the silence of night was the only sound left to be heard. And in the silence, the four children found relief, for they found a renewed sense of belief.

So the Courageous four let go of the day, the day they sat by the bay waiting for the ship that had never come to take them away.

And letting go was for the best, because now, quite at peace, on the dock, the children came to rest.

And as they rested, high up in the sky, the moon was shining bright, shining its light down upon four dreaming children sailing away in the night.

Day and Night: The Looking Glass Perspective

2010-05-16T12:38:00.002-04:00

The reflection in the looking glass - it is a contradiction of sorts, for how can a thing appear to be completely itself while being the complete opposite of itself.

The looking glass creates, what appears to be, an illusion. The illusion is created by the looking glass’s reflexive, almost magic, properties that enable a person to perceive a clear image of self.

In life, sometimes, we encounter people whose presence provides us with this reflexive perspective. A contradictory perspective, so to speak – of something being the opposite and the same.

If our lives were Shakespearan plays, we would call these people our character foils - a person who is quintessentially different yet remarkably the same as the other. And because of these contrasts and parallels, foils provide a lens for creating a more definitive image of a person.

It was 5 am Tuesday May 11. Sleepy-eyed, and sleep deprived, a mob of blue-Asic clad zombies (also known as Hockey players) slowly trickled their way to the American Airlines check-in desk at the San Diego Airport.

At 5:05 am, the elevator doors open.

In walk, Day and Night. Both stand a little over 5 feet tall. Day’s shoulder length, sandy brown hair is pulled back into a tight, perfect, ponytail. Her shirt is pressed, the collar folded over and the edge tucked into her dark blue jeans.

Night stands beside her. Her long bleach blond hair lies in a tousled mess of a side bun. Her shirt, wrinkly fresh, looks as though it came right out of her travel bag; the collar, like Night’s hair, goes in every direction. I was unable to see if Night’s shirt was tucked in, because I was distracted by her jeans - fade-washed, zipped, frayed, black Joan-Jett skinny jeans.

I look back to Day and her dark blue, simple, jeans. Day and Night are polar opposites, I thought.

Or are they?

At 6:20pm Thursday May 13th, as the USA plays Argentina, two players substitute into the game for their first international cap for the Red, White and Blue.

Onto the field run Day and Night.

Onto the field run Marta Malmberg and Kelsey Kolojejchijck. Only now, their differences aren’t as pronounced.

And it is not because of the uniform.

It is because of the look in their eyes.

It’s the look of determination. The look of pure, relentless determination to succeed. Whether that means defending Luciana Aymar, the reigning best player in the world, or running a fifty yard tackle back to break up a dangerous counter attack.

The same raw fuel burns inside Day and Night. The raw passion to fight – to scratch, to sprint, to dive – the passion to do whatever it takes in order to prove that they belong.

Marta Malmberg and Kelsey Kolejejchijck, Day and Night, on the surface appear to be opposites, but if you take a deeper looker, maybe they are more alike than then they appear.

Or maybe not. Kelsey will continue to wear her Joan-Jett jeans and Marta her Gap-esque ones.

But somewhere, in the counters of their reflection, you see the image of the unyielding, competitive fire burning inside both of them.

Congratulations Kelsey and Marta.

The Voice

2010-05-10T23:49:00.003-04:00

This is my first draft of a video submission to become the next Nike Field Reporter for Nike Women dot com. Let me know what you think.

What I Learned in the Land of Orange

2010-05-04T21:53:00.002-04:00

For one night, and one day, the world turned orange. The people gathered in the small cobble-stoned streets of the city by the sea to hail the queen of the little land. And they all wore her color. The color of her passion, red, combined with the color of her lightness, yellow, to create the symbolic Dutch color of the Royal House of Orange.

And so, on this night, April 30th, as they do every year, the army of orange amassed in the streets of the Queen’s city, Den Haag, smiling and dancing, embracing their freedom.

And for what purpose did the people dance?

Well, in anticipation of the birthday of the Queen’s mother. For, in a time not too long ago, the former Queen Julianna (mother of the current Queen Beatrix) on her “verjaardag” gave her people a gift - she gave them the gift of celebration. And by sharing the celebration of her birthday with the people of her land, she broke the barrier between the Royals and the common man.

And now, as this holiday known as Queen’s Night and Day has become embedded in the vibrant tradition of the Dutch, it seems to have evolved – for there seems to be nothing to celebrate other than celebration itself.

And celebrate, the Dutch do. My own eyes have beheld their spectacular celebration as they swarm the small, cultured, historic streets of their nation with the wreckless, happy, abandon of people content to be alive.

I have seen how, in the backyard of Van Gogh, and before the steps of the Rijks treasure chest, the people cluster to hear the trumpeting beats of a modern day music master; not Bach or Beethoven, but DJ Tiesto. I saw how, as the bass boosted sounds vibrated the ground, the people of orange floated happily through the air.

It was as my body perceived the sensation of the celebration, as my ears trembled to the beat of the dance and as my hues of red and yellow melted into orange, that I realized the people of this little land by the North Sea have let me in on a secret.

The secret of life. The secret of pushing its boundaries by living freely for oneself while sharing the celebration of oneself with others.

For this world, turned orange, is the world that made me become myself.

It’s interesting that one of the most common mistakes Dutch people make when speaking English is in the use of the verbs “to learn” and “to teach.” For example, if I were to teach someone something, they may say, “Rachel learned me that,” instead of “Rachel taught me that.”

On one occasion, I asked the reason, and I was told that there is no equivalent in the Dutch language for the English verb “to teach.” At the time, I took this answer for what it was, and questioned no further.

Now though, as I reflect back on my two year experience in Holland, I find the absence of the verb, “to teach” very significant. For nothing can be taught that cannot be learned. The act of teaching is meaningless unless what is being taught is learned, and only the receiver of the teaching is empowered to learn the lesson of the teaching.

So essentially, teaching is futile unless the individual learns the information. So the word to teach could be deemed meaningless.

(Sorry, if I have confused you with this brief exploration into the philosophy and logic of language, but I found this concept incredibly relevant to my Dutch experience.)

You see, I had been taught many lessons through out my life - wise nuggets of valuable information about how best to live - but since I had never learned these lessons for myself, I had never been able to live by them.

But, learning is a journey and in the past two years I have pursued that journey, knowing that I will never be, as long as I am alive, fully-wise. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t travel the course of becoming so.

In two years, I have learned a little bit more about life, and the importance of embracing it and sharing it. I learned that I had to get to know myself, so that I could live for myself and ultimately, share myself with others.

When I left America for the first time in September of 2008, I didn’t really know myself. And in order to learn who I was I had to explore the limits of who I could be. And that took time, courage, mistakes, openminded-ness, and persistence.

At first, in Holland everyone was a foreigner to me, as I was even a foreigner to myself.

Now, now, though, something is different. I trace back through the last two years. I have danced with them on the streets celebrating their royalty; I have eaten with them in their homes; Shared laughs with them over drinks; Embraced them with American hugs; I have allowed them to see me, at my finest, and my worst.

Yes indeed. Now, something has changed. I realize, I realize that these people who once were just foreigners to me; now, now, they are my friends.

Their friendship has changed me. Because neither them, nor I, had to open up. We didn’t have to become friends. But we did. We shared our lives, our thoughts, and most of all our laughter. It is the friendship I found here, in this little land by the sea, that has enabled me to grow into myself.

And in knowing myself, I have learned that we are enhanced not by our similarities but by our differences. So we must accept who we are, share it, and celebrate it. Whether we wear Orange or not.

I Am A Woman

2010-04-23T06:15:00.000-04:00

Lessons from an Earthquake

2010-04-14T08:36:00.005-04:00

On Easter Sunday a 7.2 earthquake rocked Baja, Mexico; a few miles away in Chula Vista, California, the reverberations shook the home of six women who had gathered with their teammates, friends, and family to celebrate the holiday.

To these six women the powerful Baja quake seemed like an aftershock - an aftershock to the shattering blow that reality had delivered a day prior to their dream of proving themselves as world contenders in their sport.

Reality stung. They had failed in their conquest. They lost the game.

Two tectonic plates shifted against each other – the tectonic plates of incongruous dreams and realities. And the result was that the ground trembled beneath their feet as the sturdiness of their dream was compensated.

Would the dream buckle under the duress?

Like that home in Chula Vista, they swayed and shook, but in the end, they remained in place. They did not crumble. Because the structure of their dream had been built, like most Californian homes, to withstand the duress of an earthquake.

Now, after a week and a half, the major aftershocks of the quake have subsided. And the time has come to re-assess, re-analyze, reinforce, and where needed, reformulate.

The duress of the quake revealed the weaknesses and inefficiencies of their foundation. Crucial changes would be absolutely necessary to re-strengthen this foundation – and only from a properly re-solidified fortress would growth become possible.

And trust me, as one of those six women who experienced the quake, the aftershock phase has not been easy. While the major, blunt aftershocks have ended, the subtle minor ones continue to creep upon me at the most un-threatening time. These aftershocks force me to scrutinize the deficiencies both me and my country face in the sport of hockey.

Sometimes I wish I could live in ignorance of these deficiencies - in the blissful, excuse-making ignorance of my shortcomings. But the truth is, I will never experience the sporting reality I want, if I don’t confront these weaknesses. So if I, and we, choose to carry forward in pursuit of our dream, we must be completely honest with ourselves.

That is why, in the days after the quake, I scheduled my flight to return to Holland to finish the 2010 competition with the Hockey Club Klein Switzerland.

To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to return. I was tired, disappointed, and angry. And the last thing I could imagine was going back to Holland to face the reality that America was just not good enough to make it to the World Cup. This reality starkly contrasted against the reality of how good the Dutch are, and how strong the Hockey infrastructure (club system) is in Holland.

My mom would say, this is a character builder. I don’t know if this built my character or defined it. But I knew I needed to go back to Holland. And now that I am here, I know I made the right decision. But it hasn’t been easy.

In my first match back, my side, who is still in the hunt for the last playoff spot, beat OZ (Orange Black) 4-2. After the final whistle, exhausted from the battle and my travels, I walked numbly off the field. I went straight into the club’s change room, and sat on my bench. As my chest folded over my legs, my eyes filled with tears. One thought came to mind - I wish I could have helped the USA get this result a week earlier.

The artist in me loves the poetic justice of the situation. I guess this is life. This is sport. And the song will go on, as long as we play on.

Greatness Grows

2010-04-08T20:39:00.002-04:00

A Guest Post Featuring Hannah R. Dawson

2010-04-05T17:26:00.007-04:00

I wanted to say Thank you to my sister Hannah for contributing this great piece. Writing must be a family skill because she has composed such a beautiful, funny, and thoughtful piece.

At first, I didn't want to post this on my blog, but blog's are all about sharing, and I want to share with you my sister's moving words. Thank you so much, Hannah.

(Note - as the owner of this blog, I have given my commentary IN CAPS on Hannah's words)

Rachel’s 100th

BY HANNAH DAWSON

(Couldn’t think of a catchy title)

Walking into practice, I hear the voice of one of my coaches, “Hey did you hear about Rachel?” In my mind I’m running through the list of sisters, Natalie, Sarah, Rachel. Okay so I keep thinking what is so special about Rachel that I didn’t know? Still I am thinking, her birthday isn’t until August; she’s single (ANY INTERESTED TAKERS??), so she’s not engaged or expecting for that matter. Time ran out, my coach’s voice started pouring out with enthusiasm, “She got her 100th cap yesterday verse Canada and scored two goals!” I mean I knew this, but why didn’t I remember (MAYBE B/C YOUR MIND RACES EVEN FASTER THAN YOU TALK)? I really felt like a horrible sister (THIS BLOG MAKES UP FOR IT).

I am not sure if anyone knows the “real” Rachel, sometimes I don’t think she knows herself (HAHA - YOU HAVE A POINT). When she sits behind her blog she is a writer. When she’s behind her camera she’s an artist. When she is in the classroom, she is a business major. When she is on the field, she is a hockey player. So who really is Rachel?

Although if there is one thing consistent in Rachel’s life it’s that she’s a competitor. She was the only girl allowed to play wiffleball on holidays with all of the men in the family. She challenged her older brothers in football throws and batting practice in the back yard. She helped out in the family business, landscaping, pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, etc (DON'T FORGET DRIVING THE BATCO & PICKUPS). Rach soon earned the name “Ray.(AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T TELL THEM ABOUT MY NICKNAME BOOM)” Through middle school you even caught Rach wearing her brothers clothes (SARAH DID TOO), she now jokes around that she was the third boy.

Once high school hit, Rachel became someone different. Before leaving the house, she at least looked in the mirror ten times. Her brown curly hair bounced off her shoulders with a splash of make-up (THANKS FOR MAKING MY FRO SOUND GLAM). However, Rachel always kept quiet (THATS B/C YOU WERE ALWAYS TALKING). She didn’t really say much, she didn’t have too. She left everything she felt on the court and the field. What she did out there substituted for everything she might’ve wanted to say. She was relentless, tenacious, and gritty, but within her eager fight she remained graceful, fluent, and elegant. These two opposite feelings clustered together explain everything there is to know about Rachel Dawson (SHE IS A CONTRADICTION?).

Rachel is all about being pro-active instead of reacting (BECAUSE I KNOW I DON'T REACT WELL WHEN THINGS DON'T GO THE WAY I INTENDED). She takes problems head first instead of trying to get around them. She does not hide, she seeks (LOVE THE PLAY ON WORDS HANNAH). She encounters life('S) struggles and hardships with a smile. She strives on challenges and feeds off upbeat energy. And in each and every scenario, Rachel finishes on top (HAHA) with no regrets because she knows she has given every piece of herself to that particular moment to make the best of it and due to those efforts, whether it’s receiving an A in a statistics (WHICH I ACTUALLY GOT AN A MINUS IN) class or loosing to Korea in the world cup qualifying match, she does not bow her head instead she looks up for the next challenge that awaits her.

If there is one thing she has taught me in the game of field hockey, which has carried over to the game of life it is, “the girl or the ball.” Which is true about Rachel, this little saying coincides with her everyday life also. (IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY???) There is nothing that’s going to stop her from getting what she wants. Whether it’s that A in her class or the win in any match, she will push, pull, shove, and kick for what she wants until she has it.

So when Rachel is ready to unplug her computer, close her camera, shut her books, and hang her jersey all up for good, she will look back to all of what she’s done and not have an ounce of regret.

This 100th cap is something she will always be proud about and recognize as a great accomplishment, but right now it’s about what and how her team and herself will do to become number one in the world (HOW WILL WE RESPOND??). To many it sounds like a far-reaching goal, but to Rach, it’s just another days hard work on the field.

I may be the terrible sister for forgetting such a milestone in Rachel’s life, and I will probably forget the next one too (AT LEAST YOU ARE HONEST). However, I will always remember how Rachel got to that moment, how she herself has become such an astonishing person that sometimes, no most of the time, she doesn’t even know it herself. (NOW I KNOW IT SISTER, THANKS!!)

Sara Silvetti Shines

2010-04-04T22:02:00.002-04:00

The USA had just tied Korea 2-2 in the fourth game of the World Cup Qualifier. Despite the physical exhaustion of the hard fought battle, an energetic buzz pervaded the air as the team waited, in anticipation, for Lee Bodimeade to conclude a post-game interview.

Purveying the scene, some distinguishable things stuck out - a bottle of wine, a blue Tiffany’s bag, a bouquet of flowers, and a collage of smiles directed toward one special teammate.

The team was eager to celebrate the milestone achievement of their teammate, and friend, Sara “Betty” Silvetti, who in her resilient, determined and cheery manner had earned her 100th Cap wearing the Red, White, and Blue.

And as they waited, Betty shared the joy of the celebration, entertaining her teammates while posing with her massive vase of flowers. And in that action, the essence of Betty’s presence on Team USA is understood.

Sara Silvetti is the ultimate team player. Genuine, trusted, willing and able, she possesses an irrepressible glow that emanates from her and shines on those around her.

When I asked Maren Ford to describe Sara, she said:

“Sara is flexible. She can be anywhere and do anything. On the field and off the field, she is multi-dimensional. She can play any position or role. She does whatever is asked of her – willingly and ably. On and off the field – she performs her role with a laugh and smile.”

It is this flexibility described by Ford that makes Betty such an incredible asset on the field to the USA program. In the beginning of her career, the young Silvetti played the highly-pressurized center-midfield position. Then, during the 2005 World Cup Qualifier in Rome, Italy, Sara was called upon to play right half-back, a new position for the midfielder. Yet, undaunted by the change, she performed her new responsibility brilliantly.

After spending the last three years of her career in the midfield and backfield, this year, Betty was called upon to perform a new role – on the forward line. Again, she transitioned into her new role with seamless simplicity.

Most inspiring about Betty’s journey, is that the road to 100 has not always been easy. She has persisted through broken jaws, changing positions, different roles, and missed teams. And yet, despite the bumps along the way, Sarah has remained a continual, positive and consistent force within the team.

With disciplined resilience (and a smile), Sara has continually strived to better herself and those around her. So yesterday, it was an honor to celebrate the individual achievement of a teammate who had given so much more to her team and country then 100 games.

So as Betty opened her Tiffiany’s box, and the gleam of a shiny-jeweled necklace peaked out – I thought to myself, how appropriate for the girl whose smile and laugh has shun upon us all.

Enjoy the View

2010-03-30T13:10:00.003-04:00

Stream of Consciousness

Let me forewarn you, I am tired. Not too sure why – like most Americans I have been trying to catch up with my debt, my sleep debt that is. And I have been provided with ample opportunity to do so since moving into the Town & Country, our tour mode, San Diegan home for the duration of the Qualifier.

But still, it doesn’t change the fact that I am tired. And although it is a good, victory-filled tired, I am still tired. And if there is one thing I hate more than being tired – its being tired and filled with ideas. Because, let me tell you I have tons of ideas, brilliant ideas (at least they seem to be brilliant right now) running through my head. I have ideas for great posts, for post hockey careers, for exotic travels, for different creations - ideas, ideas, ideas, too many ideas running around upstairs - but honestly, my ideas are just threads right now, tangled up in a big ball in my head. I am too tired to untangle the ideas right now. So, needless to say, I don’t have the focus to write a succinct, meaningful blog.

At the same time, I am also aware that we are three games into the tournament, and I have been relatively mum about the Qualifier experience. Please, pardon moi, my dear, dutiful readers – I have just been distracted. My focus has been on the performance on the field. I am sure you have read about the results on the website, and if not, you can read about them there – I don’t really want to overanalyze the games. I have thought enough about hockey for one day.

So if you are still reading this, I am going to take you through the tour experience thus far in a stream of consciousness exercise. I remember learning this writing technique in middle school English class – it continues to be one of my favorite methods of writing.

So here it is, the 2010 World Cup Qualifier Experience:

Dusk. Sunset. Natural. Sun. Cycle. Moon. United States of Tara. Laugh. America. Buck. Dirty Dancing. White Vans. Photography. Beaches. Cliffs. Tension. Doubt. Fear. Desire. Nerves. Heat. The Now. Salt. Bruises. Outdoor Lunch. Fountain. Bad Coffee. Soccer. Sun. Early Bird Dinner Special. Fashion Valley. Spa. Forgetfulness. Birthday. Cupcake. Red Velvet. Posters. Sign. More. More. Eight. Nine. Twenty-One. Benjamin. Bailey. Babies. Weddings. White. Mountains. Road Trip. Junker. California. Sunshine. Three Squared. Nine. Points. Three Per. Family Time. Mirrors. Everywhere. Mirrors. Portrait of Girl. Victorian. Grandma. Hair dye. Dark. Pet Shop. Green Carpet. Wow. Meetings. Presentations. Cheesy Graphics. Hammer. Screws. Laughs. Bubbles. Sun. Setting. Team. Together. Fun. Win. Win. Win. Play. Hard. Thorough. Eat. Food. Chocolate. Starbucks. Pool Workout. Fast Feet. Rep. Again. Again. Nerves. Opportunity. USA. Embrace. Embrace. Sleep. Tired. Dream.

And heres a little collage of photos. With my Random Words.

Hope the View Inspires You!!

Horse Play

2010-03-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

Horse Play

A Horse walks into a bar. Bartender says, “Why the long face?”

That’s the classic ice breaker joke told by Lee Bodimeade when we have extra time on the warm-up clock before a match. (If the joke confuses you, no worries – we usually are too when he tells it. I guess it’s supposed to be funny).

But after the unreal, crazy events of yesterday evening in Chula Vista, I have a new Horse Joke:
11 Horses Run into the Olympic Training Center. Blue-Tooth Front Security Man says, “Sorry, No Horse Play Here.”

So here’s my press release:

Horse Herd Heads to Hockey Event

Wandering Wild Horses jumped the Mexican border yesterday and sought freedom to playfully graze in the Olympic fields of southern California.

Four wild Mexican horses, led by an undaunted leader, staged a successful hoist of a nearby California Coral and stampeded their way through the paved, palm tree lined streets of Chula Vista, California yesterday evening en route to the Olympic Training Center.

In an up-close, post-capture interview, Herd Captain W.E. Stallion gave a statement regarding the hoist and stampede:

“Wellllllllll. Me and my buddies were trotting around the hills in Mexico a couple weeks ago, when we heard about some exciting upcoming events going on across the border in Chula Vista – The Field Hockey World Cup Qualifier. Now, me and my fellow Phillies are avid hockeyers – I mean, Philly is the hockey hotbed. So the four of us, myself (White Ed), Philly Phred, Little Red, and Sanchez decided we wanted to join the competition.

So we started training, and we trained really hard for days. But a few days into the training, I had a revelation - we would be a bit out-manned (or out-horsed) when we took the field in the competition. All the other teams played with 11 on the field. So despite our physical prowess and beauty, we needed to find some new recruits, and fast. The tournament was only a couple days away.

Luckily, Sanchez knew a few horses at a local coral over the border. I actually think Sanchez was sweet on one of the Mares, Phyllis the Philly from Philly (who was a descendant of Constance Apple-trot, the founder of Horse Hockey in America).

Anyhow, the coral was only a gallop and a half away from the training center, so we planned to pick up our new teammates on the way to training. All went relatively smoothly. We hopped the border with ease, ran to the ranch, riled up the troops, hoisted a herd, and then headed full steam ahead down Olympic Parkway.

The adrenline rush was amazing. The mares and stallions were pumped to play. Lights and sirens from animals of steel guided us as we giddy-giddy upped our way to the competition venue.

I was incredibly proud as I led the troops up the hill towards the OTC Visitors Center. We were prepared and ready to taste Olympic Glory. We came upon the hill and stood atop the threshold, in awe of our Olympic Destiny. I saw the soft shining green of the artificial turf. Oh, how my hoofs longed to trot upon that sacred surface. My eyes twinkled as our gallop gathered speed along the Asic-lined Olympic Walkway. Giddy-giddy-giddy. My heart skipped to the beat of a giddy-up.

We pushed onward, descended the hill, heading towards athlete check-in to get our dining hall passes. And that’s when my heart deflated. That is when I saw the American girls. Led by Katie O’donnel and Katie Evans.

I saw it in their eyes. The eagerness. The confidence. The discipline. The focus. I knew then, that we didn’t stand a chance. No horsing chance.

Just when I realized the futileness of our efforts, a cowboy encroached upon us. A border patrol helicopter circled toward the ground. My dream of Olympic Glory slowly fizzled out. I was captured. As we headed out the security gate, the guard with the blue tooth and the two finger wave yelled, No Horse Play Here.”

This story is based on credible news worthy events. We, the members of USA field hockey, witnessed these events as we left the dining hall of the Olympic Training Center. Luckily, no one was injured by the horse stampede.

If you don’t believe me, or for more information check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yszdWSLoJjk

How Alice Got Her Muchness Back?

2010-03-21T13:25:00.001-04:00

It’s the month of March. The Month of Madness. And much madness is brewing between the painted lines of the wooden court, as mockery is made of the meaning of ESPN’s Master Science, Bracketology. My Kings, the Tar Heel Kings of the year past, shall be dethroned, and that I doth bemoan but the mission of the Madness remains the same – determine the kings who will sit upon the throne of Hoops - a 1, 2, 4, or maybe a 10, could claim the fame.

Ok. It doesn’t matter much to me. My bracket is toast – stale toast, Villanova was my chosen King, and Kansas his heir. Both were beheaded by the axe of lower seeds.

So before I lose my cool, lets talk about another type of Madness, The Madness of the Mad Hatter in the world of a girl named Alice. Last week I saw Tim Burton’s version of the Lewis Carrol Classic, Alice in Wonderland.

As a child, Alice had it sorted out - she was all that and a bag of chips. But chips don’t age like wine, and Alice must have left her back of chips open too long, because like my toast, her chips went stale. Her “all-that-ness” became “a whole lotta-notta-ness.”

Props to the Mad Hatter for calling her out – Muchity, much, much, much – you seem to have lost your Muchness.

And seriously, who likes to be called out for their lack of muchness? I for one hate being challenged for not giving all my much at training. But it happens. And, sometimes you need someone to call you out - spark your fire, ignite your madness. Just ask North Carolina Coach Karen Shelton, she used to always call me out. Muchness challenged is muchness ignited.

But can you really blame Alice? We can’t really expect her, or anyone for that matter, to live by their muchness, all the time. So maybe Alice didn’t lose her muchness as much as she just let it go dormant. So she needed to find the key that unlocked it – she needed to hear the alarm clock to awaken it.

But in order to reawaken and rediscover her muchness, she had to encounter a bit of madness. So she tumbled down a massive hole, entering a world where nothing made sense. All was madness. Alice lost herself, she lost her mission. She confronted doubt, evil, and her fears. She was challenged to find herself by traveling through the Madness.

Like Alice, we USA F. Hockeyers have been encountering Madness. The Madness of a Slippery Sand Hill three times a week. The Madness in the voice of our coaches challenging us to move our feet faster, lift our knees higher, and to dig a little deeper. The Madness of exhausted bodies, and tired minds. The Madness of knowing the feat that we will face, the Jabberwalkie, named the Qualifier. Its the Madness of the unknown – will we find our Muchness in time?

Alice did. She rediscovered her muchness, just as her muchness was called upon to serve her. It was her muchness that allowed her to accomplish 7 impossible things before breakfast. And that gave her confidence to slay the Jabberwalkie.

And after she won, Madness danced. Madness danced the Futterwacken because Alice got her Muchness back.

(I just read this post to Maren Ford. Her reply was, “Rachel, you are weird. Mad weird.”)

The Land of the Pursuit

2010-03-11T19:42:00.006-05:00

On Monday morning I arrived at Amsterdam Schipol Airport way too early for my flight back to the USA (I missed a flight back to the States last year, and since that experience, I have become incredibly diligent about giving myself ample time before flight departure).

So with an hour to spare before the check-in counter opened, I decided to post up at the Schipol Starbucks with a coffee. (Where else could be better to reacquaint myself with America??)

So for those of your who don't know me, here's a fun fact - A good cup of joe is one of the prime motivating forces in my life. Coffee taps into my soul, and powers my mind to understand the world's most perplexing mystery's(ok, I'm exaggerating, only a little though).

So, as I sat over my coffee, I started to reflect on the past three weeks of my life which included a 13 day tour through Argentina and a 10 day excursion to Holland. Yes, the travel was a bit intense, but also incredibly eye-opening.

In my reflection, some enlightening ideas dawned upon me. The most profound of which falls under the headline, "Why I Love America."

Fast-food chains, open land, and general American massive-ness, aside, what I value most about America is that good ole American spirit.

This is what I recorded in my notes.
*****************************************

Why I love America

America celebrates the courage of the individual who pursues his own greatness. We don't respect the coward who sits behind his shield of comfort; instead we love the man who goes in search of his own destiny; the man who is told he cannot, and he ought not, but despite the discouragement, he follows the voice of his heart and seeks his vision.

We admire the rebellious of spirit, who proclaim that they are inspired by the vision and the pursuit of greatness.

America celebrates those who pursue their dreams - those who journey with boldness and courage as failure stares them in the face. We celebrate those who smile back at the failure with a rowdy grin, and say, you will not prevent me from making my attempt. America respects and values the man who in earnest tries. And often times, it is in this attempt, where the full essence of a man is realized.

For True Greatness lives in the Pursuit of Greatness.

So here it is: I love America because man is free, his spirit for greatness is untamed. Because man is not confined to a box by life; instead he is encouraged to break the binding of the box and use the material to sail the open sea, until he lands upon his destiny.

********************************

So the question is, how does my reasons for loving America relate to USA Field Hockey?

Its simple. There are no guarantees for success in the upcoming Qualifier. Our reality is simple, we have to win it, we have to beat talented opponents.

But, I (and I can speak for my teammates as well) don't just want to qualify for the World Cup, we want to pursue greatness.

I don't want to be the person who is held back and discouraged by the reality of what is; nor do I want to be the person who pretends that reality is not what it is; instead I want to be the person who sees reality as it is, envisioning what it could be come, and strives to make that vision real.

We sit around #10 in the World right now. What number is Greatness?

The Cliche American

2010-03-01T17:02:00.001-05:00

The USA Women’s Field Hockey Team resumed training today in Chula Vista having enjoyed a short respite after our tour to Argentina. Unfortunately, much to my dismay, I am not with my teammates at the moment. Instead, I am a few thousand miles away, in a small European country called Holland (also known as the Netherlands).

Before I delve into this blog post, I need to preface you with a bit of my personal story. Post 2008 Olympics, I pursued an opportunity to live and compete overseas at the Hockey Club Klein Switzerland in Den Haag, Netherlands. So the past year and a half, or so, I have been living between America and Holland. I joke that I am 1/3 feline, seeing as I live three lives; one in Holland, one at home in New Jersey, and one wherever the National Team requires.

Anyhow, after the tour to Argentina (and a 25 hour trip back to America), I spent 2 nights in my former life (in North Carolina), and then hopped a plane over the Atlantic to my Dutch life. The second half of the Dutch season resumed yesterday, and I arranged to be here for the first two matches of the competition.

So now you know why I am here.

Now comes the exciting part of this post.

When I first arrived in Holland, the team called me the cheerleader (it was even written on my water bottle). You see, the Dutch have this clichéd idea that all Americans are the spirited, jumpy, cheerleading type. In my time here, they have learned that I am far from that.

So anyways, in Holland, I have developed a simple weekly routine. Monday mornings are reserved for recovery at the gym. The gym, called The Max (think Saved by Bell) overlooks the Hockey Club Klein Switzerland. In a way, it has become my home, away from home, away from home.

So this morning, out of ritual, I found myself wondering op de fiets (on the bike) toward the Max. I landed at my destination swiped my Max card through the reader, listened to the Body Jam Class rock out in the Dance Hall, watched a couple men play squash, then with a smile on my face, made my way to locker room to prepare for my workout. After discarding my winter coat (yes my body is in temperature shock) I made my way upstairs to the second floor workout rooms.

As per usual, I say my hello’s to the friendly trainers (who always ask if we won on Sunday) and then I go about my tasks – I warm up, stretch, run, lift some weights, etc.

Today, I was going about my business, doing some hamstring exercises in the open room (where people do core workouts, jump rope etc) and in walks this lady. She starts setting up her workout station, and then, she turns to me, and asks, “Do you mind if I put on my Ipod.”

Without looking up, I say, “Oh yeah, no problem.” And then a light bulb flashes in my mind - she just spoke English to me, with an American accent. Now, I am intrigued, so I finish my set, and look up.

As I do so, I catch a glimpse of her cut-off Arizona Rugby T-shirt. Yup, she’s straight up American, I thought to myself.

Naturally, excited as I was to run into a fellow American, I strike up a convo, and asked if she was from the states? Indeed she was, she replied with a big smile. Then after offering a few niceties, I continued with my workout, and she went to put on her Ipod. Since we were BFF’s by that point, she yelled with a bubbly grin from the other side of the room, “I need some bouncy music for this workout.”

That’s when I saw it. Yup. The mini-trampoline.

Oh man. This ought to be good, I thought, as I threw myself into another set of hamstring curls. I didn’t realize how good it would be.

That’s when I heard it. Oh yes. Simple Minds had returned.

“On the Catwalk, gonna do my little dance on the catwalk.”

The music is blaring; the trampoline is making melodies like its on the catwalk strutting its stuff, and Arizona Rugby Lady is jamming out, springing around, little dumbbells in hand making Y’s, T’s, and L’s with her arms. The whole time she is staring in the mirror smiling the happiest, most free, childish smile I have ever seen.

Immediately, I pick up on her American groove and I start curling my hamstrings and rocking my hips like I am on the catwalk. I lose myself in the dance. Then, suddenly, the song cuts off. The room goes quiet; awkward silence ensues.

“Whooooo let the dawgs out? Who Who?”

Not uh, no she didn’t, I think. This is my jam!!! But obviously, this song was too 1990s for her, because she switched it to some 80’s melody. And since Flash Dance isn’t quite my style (it was the era before me), I knew it was my cue to get back to my workout.

So again, I went about my business. But I constantly found myself looking into the room to reassure myself that the bouncing American on her trampoline, grin in place, was real.

And sure enough, there she was, The Cliché American.

And here I am now, writing about the Cliché American with a grin on my face and a laugh in my soul.

Maybe the Cheerleader nickname wasn’t so far off.

I cannot wait to rejoin my teammates in California and RAH RAH SISH BOOM BAH the USA all the way to the World Cup.

The Missing Piece - How to Solve a Puzzle

2010-02-24T10:48:00.000-05:00

Terry Walsh stood at the easel at the center of the hallway (which served as a makeshift meeting room). On the easel sat a large blank sheet of crisp white paper. 18 pairs of captivated, curious eyes stared at the Hockey Master, Walsh, waiting for him to reveal yet another secret, magical, and simple key to sporting success.

Terry paused, in the dramatic way of a stage performer, inhaling deeply – his lips curling together in confirmation of the potency of the information he was about to disclose. He exhaled, and just as we thought that he was about to reveal his magical wisdom, he held the silence a moment longer.

We held our breaths, daring not to break the growing suspense of the silence. Then, Terry turned his back from us, moved his pen to the paper, and wrote one word boldly across the paper’s face.

Stepping back from the easel, Terry whispered his magical word . . . CONFIDENCE.

A shiver rushed down my spine. This was the missing piece.

The missing piece to puzzle started long ago.

Here’s the lesson, in the form of an analogy.

Imagine our journey as a process of building a puzzle. How does the puzzle-building process begin? When does it begin?

It starts in the store, before you even purchase the puzzle, before you open the box, before you see the individual pieces. It starts with image of what you want to achieve – the final construct. It starts with the inspiration derived from the vision of the achievement.

It is only once you have been motivated by this vision that you decide to purchase the puzzle. So you check out of Target, go home and you open the box with your mind wrapped around the concept of where you intend to go. And when you open the lid, abandoning the image of the achievement, you see one thousand tiny, unconnected, individual, intimidating puzzle pieces.

If you are anything like me, you ask yourself, where do I even begin? You feel overwhelmed by the intricacy of the puzzle, of the minute details that depend on you to find their place.

Its moments like these, when I put the lid back on the box, glance at image, smile and just shake the box. Making a little music, I dance to the jingle of unconnected pieces, and embrace the process that stands before me.

With this relaxed relief and regained composure, I develop my plan. Step number one: sort the pieces based on simple distinguishing characteristics – color, shape etc. This step is essential to providing me a structural, compartmentalized view of the puzzle – a way of accomplishing the task section by section; separating the big task into a bunch of small manageable tasks.

Next, I chose to focus on one section of the puzzle. Usually I decide based on which part I feel is most essential, and easiest to begin with. I decide to start simple, build a foundation from which further growth can occur. This decision, I hope will give me a framework for progress.

Slowly, but surely, the sections begin to evolve, until eventually I see how the different sections will fit together. The picture, little by little, detail by detail, begins to form.

At this moment in puzzle building, I usually get really, really excited. I can see the finish the line. My adrenaline starts to rush, and I am ready to give it a final heave and sprint to the end.

So I decide to truck forward with such ambitious intensity and enthusiastic vigor that I lose a bit of my perspective. The finish line isn’t as close as I thought. And this is when adversity strikes. My mind says, “We are in the homestretch, the puzzle is nearly complete, all should be easy smooth puzzling at this point.”

Reality tells me otherwise. I cannot find the proper fit for a few silly pieces - the explicative pieces that would complete the puzzle.

So the impatient competitor in me gets frustrated. She wants to throw in the towel; she wants to give up, call the task impossible, she wants to quit.

But the voice of the resolute, wise achiever tames the driven competitor. Be patient. Stay strong. Persist. Persist. Persist.

And so the achiever takes a step away. She breathes. She smiles. She envisions herself toiling with her task, persisting through the adversity, and ultimately achieving her mission. She allows her creativity and passion to flow back to her. She rests; she stops forcing the issue. She relents, and decides to trust herself, and her abilities.

In this relaxed, poised state she discovers a new openness in her mind, a new dimension of her abilities, a new limit to her mental capacity. She feels as though she has expanded toward a new boundary of potential, expanding her achievement threshold.

Through this growth, she discovers a peculiar sense of self-belief – a belief and trust in her abilities to overcome adversity and to accomplish her task.

She seizes the empowerment of the lessons of her journey. Enlightenment descends upon her, and intuitively she knows how to complete the puzzle. She finds the solution sitting inside her mind. She feels it growing inside her soul, pulsing inside her heart.

She finds the fit of the final piece. She finds her CONFIDENCE.

So, she completes the puzzle. She admires the achievement, frames it, and hangs it on the wall to collect dust.

Then, she goes back to Target to get inspired again.

Children of The Rain

2010-02-20T10:18:00.001-05:00

Childhood. Where is that place - that place of freedom, of imagination? Where lies that open field of fearlessness where the uninhibited state of innocence invigorates the soul’s astute awareness of the limitlessness of life?

The rain was falling like grand pearly pellets from the sky, breaking their form only when they collided with the ground. The team sat huddled under the protection of the dugout, gazing upon the flooded turf wondering whether practice would be or would not be.

They watched the rainfall from behind an invisible vale of separation – a vale constructed from some unconscious fear of rain. Crowded together, the masses waited for someone to tell them what to do.

Waiting. Watching. The torrential rain continued to taunt the team. “I will not give you respite. I will not stop. I will continue to pour upon your playing field, pounding it with my pearly, pellets of power.”

The team heard the rain’s message. They started to grow restless.

And then, in a courageous stand against nature, a few brave soul’s relinquished their fears, and broke through the vale, stepping cautiously, at first, into the submission of the powerful rainfall.

And what they found when they stepped to the other side of the vale was an empowered sense of freedom – the freedom to run, splash, kick, smile, and laugh.

They became the Children of The Rain. They found childhood, again. And one by one, inspired by the grace of those who had already decided, each individual embarked on the journey back to childhood.

“I felt like a kid again.” Barb Weinberg reminisced with glee. “I haven’t felt that young in a long time. I used to love playing in the rain when I was kid. I felt so free. Uninhibited. Just happy.”

So the team played soccer. They bounced on the island-like bubbles of turf sending ripples thru the soaked green field, that had become an ocean.

They pounced from puddle to puddle as white played blue in powerball. They had a synchronized slide session. They played wiffle ball.

They dove.
They slid.
They ran.
They jumped.

And when the rain relented and the sun shined again, they sat. They sat still in exhaustion. The exhaustion of an exhilarating return to childhood.

The Tension Force

2010-02-18T23:17:00.000-05:00

Tension is a powerful force. In my 10th grade physics class, I had to build a model rubber band car. Unfortunately, (unlike my older brother Andrew) I do not possess the gift of mechanics, so my first attempt at rubber band car building failed miserably. The car was supposed to travel down the length of the hallway (at least 25 meters) – and if I remember correctly mine went about 4.

The idea behind the rubber band car was simple – the rubber band was attached to one end of the car. In order to move the car forward, the band was coiled around the axel of the wheel on the opposite end (I can’t remember specifically which axel, front or back, but that is insignificant to my story). The car was supposed to move on the principle of converting potential energy (in the form of tension) into usable energy – when the band was released, the tension created a force that was supposed to propel the car forward. The key was to coil the band as tightly as possible around the axel, creating as much tension as possible without making the band snap.

Now, you may be wondering why I am talking about my 10th grade physics project (although those of who know me wouldn’t be surprised if I was just being random Rachel with this story). Well, (surprisingly) it is actually incredibly relevant to the trials and tribulations of the USA field hockey team. You see tension can be an incredibly powerful, albeit uncomfortable, force in the world of sport.

There is the obvious physiological use of tension in strength and explosion training. You know that feeling when you are in the gym, pumping the heavy iron, and before you powerfully explode to lift the weight (roughly 120 kgs over your head Olga style) you contract your muscles in order to create a source of potential energy.

Ok, Olga aside. Tension is obviously ridiculously crucial in movement-based activities like hockey. But beyond the physiological tension of the body, there is yet another powerful tension force in sport.

The tension of being really close to where you need to be, but not quite there . . . yet. This is the predicament we have found ourselves in recently. We have been playing some really consistent periods of quality hockey in the past 10 matches; unfortunately, we have very little to show for it. 2 and 8 isn’t exactly what I call a winning record.

So losing has been strenuous, especially since our desire to win is so intense. This desire is juxtaposed to the reality of the situation - we haven’t been able to find a way to get more wins. We are on the cusp, but not there, quite yet. We know we are playing well, and competing at a high level. We know we have made an important progression in our game, and we know we have learned invaluable lessons from the difficult losses. But we also understand that our rubberband is awfully close to the edge of snapping

We feel the tension. We are coiled pretty tightly around the axel of our wheels. However, with a 4-0 win this evening against Belgium, you can rest assured that our rubberband will not be snapping. And there will come a time, in what I expect will be the not so distant future, when the tension in our rubberband will release, and we will be moving forward, fast and with force.

At that time, I will have successfully redeemed myself for the failures of my 10th grade rubberband car.

**This was not a lesson in physics. Most of the ideas on tension were constructed from vague memories of learning physics. Some of the notions included above were total fabrications of my imagination.

Kayla Joins the Century Club

2010-02-17T21:27:00.003-05:00

Kayla Bashore saw the large bouquet of beautiful flowers when she stepped off the team bus at the Club de Campo Hockey Club in Cordoba, Argentina. When she came to Argentina last week, she knew she was in the 90s; but upon seeing the flowers, she realized tonight was her night – tonight, she was to join the Century Club.

Teammate, and good friend, Lauren Crandall walked up to Bashore, gave her a squeeze, and offered her congratulations. It was then that Bashore, more casually known as KB, was overcome with the significance of the night.

Emotion overwhelmed her as her mind traveled back to a time 5 years prior.

The scene was similar. There was a buzz of excitement in the air; loud Spanish music pumped vibrantly through the venue – the light of day was giving way to the darkness of night as the stadium lights shun upon the reason for the gathering, the green hockey pitch. A roaring, enthusiastic, and patriotic Argentine crowd filled the stands in eager anticipation of the match between Argentina and the USA.

Twenty-one year old Kayla Bashore heard the announcer call her name. She felt her heart swell with pride as she listened to the National Anthem. She felt for the first time the exhilaration of representing the United States of America in a foreign land.

Now, travel five years forward in time, 373 km down the road from Rosario to Cordoba, and you will find Kayla Bashore in a remarkably similar situation. Only now, the twenty-six year old Bashore, wearing her lucky number #26 is about 99 games more experienced.

In her first 100 games for the USA, the 5’4, fast-footed center midfielder has established herself as one of the team’s most premier and dominating players.

“Its amazing to see the progression, both with the team and within myself, in 100 career caps. It seems like just yesterday I was playing in my first matches against Argentina,” Bashore reflects. “Its funny though, it doesn’t matter if its your first game, your 26th or your 100th; that feeling you get when you put on the uniform and hear the anthem never changes.”

Bashore admits that she felt a heightened sense of emotion on February 16th, the evening of her 100th game for the USA. But that is understandable for the passionate, hard-working, detail-oriented yet laid-back Bashore. When asked to describe herself, she said with a grin, “I am a bit of an oxymoron. I find myself being extremely laid back in a lot of situations, but when it comes to ‘work mode’ I can be quite Type A.”

Maybe, though, her personality isn’t as much of an oxymoron as it is a testament to her detail-focused perspective on life. The Korean born hockeyer came to the USA when she was 3 months old, and spent her youth in the small Pennsylvania town of Shoemakersville.

In 2001, Bashore was a member of the first-ever recruiting class in the history of the Indiana University Field Hockey program. When she arrived in Bloomington, the team was composed of mostly club players.

“You should have seen us that first year. I was extremely realistic about our team and our capabilities. I never set goals; instead, I focused on the process – on the details of preparation knowing that when the opportunity presented itself, I would be fully prepared to take advantage of it.”

That opportunity presented itself in Kayla’s senior hockey season when her Hoosiers earned (for the first time in Indiana history) a bid to the 2005 NCAA Tournament and faced the historically strong University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Bashore’s Hoosiers fought brilliantly and fiercely in the match (I can attest because I was on the field for UNC). Despite being out shot by the Tar Heels, Indiana capitalized on their opportunities, and advanced to the NCAA second round with a heroic 1-0 victory.

To Bashore, this was an exhilarating success: “That was our National Championship –from where we came from in my first year to where we got in my final season – that is what I consider progress and success.”

Bashore feels empowered by the perspective her experience at Indiana gave her. She employs this perspective as she travels a similar road of upward progress with the USA.

“I don’t focus on what lies too far ahead of me. I don’t get lost in setting goals or a having distant vision of success. I keep my focus on the details – how I warm-up for games and trainings, how I prepare myself, how I recover, how I spend my free time on weekends, how I fuel my body, etc.”

When speaking about her USA team, she says: “We have all the pieces to accomplish great things. But honestly, I don’t know where we will end up; but I do know that if I take care of all the details along the way, we will end up where we are meant to be.”

And with all her details covered, Bashore has ended up exactly where she is meant to be, a member of the Century Club.

CONGRATULATIONS KB!!!

The Traveling Book Club

2010-02-16T13:36:00.001-05:00

The advent and commercialization of the internet, specifically the recent growth of social media networks like facebook and twitter, have challenged the hierarchy of tour leisure activities undertaken by the members of the USA field hockey team.

Facebooking, which falls under the more general category of internet play, is closing the gap on the team’s number one tour past-time, good ‘ole, traditional r-e-a-d-i-n-g. Yes folks, believe it or not, book reading (and by book, if you have forgotten what they are, I mean those long stories composed of related words on touchable paper, bound together in either paperback or hard back) still has a stronghold on spot number one. It makes me proud to know we are a team who values substance.

I have taken it upon myself to perform some research into the “substance” of which we are reading. My research has led me to some interesting questions and conclusions regarding the relationship between who you are and what you read.

Remember that saying, “You are what eat,” (in which case I would be a combination of beets, corn, beef, bananas and peanut M&Ms). Well, what if we rephrased and said, “You are what you read.” Who would Lauren Crandall, Kayla Bashore, Katie Evans, Barb Weinberg and the rest of Team USA be?

My findings are intriguing. Here are the characters / players (or readers) in what can, from now onwards, be known as the Traveling Book Club.

We have the Searchers for Soul / Self, The Fantasy-Fiction Faction, The Mystery Mongers, The Money-making Mogels / Success Seeking Sect, The Ready for Romance Readers, The Open Occulters and the Miscellaneous Remainders.

Three books belonging to three readers comprise The Searchers for Soul / Self: The Power of Now by Eckardt Tolle (Barb Weinberg), The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand (Kristen Holmes), and Eat, Pray, Love (Lauren Crandall). Are these readers in need of spiritual healing?

The Fantasy-Fiction Faction is spear-headed by Claire Laubach, reading Alice in Wonderland, Katelyn Falgowshi reading The Lord of the Rings, and Sarah Dawson reading Oliver Kitteridge. What type of relief do these readers find in the wordy world of fantasy fiction?

The Murderous Mystery Mongers group is quite large, here’s the list: The ScareCrow (Matt Soto, Team Videographer), The Sixth Target (Michelle Kasold), The Lost Symbol (Maren Ford and Lauren Phieffer), Beat the Reaper (M. Ford), and The Girl Who Played with Fire (R. Dawson). Is the mundane ness of life in a hotel room in Argentina not exciting enough for this group of violent, secretive thrill seekers?

And then we have The Money-making Mogels / Success Seeking Sect (who needed two titles because they are too ambitious for just one). Kayla Bashore, co-owner / CEO of KaPow hockey (www.kapowfh.com) took some useful tips (hint, the mention of the company in this blog) from her book The Girls Guide to Owning your Own Business. With the reading of Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, Steve Jennings and Katie Evans are seeking to join the ranks of the extraordinarily successful, business elite. Meanwhile team trainer and recently engaged Jamie is reading the 7 Habits of Really Effective People. So what drives these already successful readers toward further greatness? And can I get me some of whatever genius you get from your read?

My heart goes out to the next group, the Ready for Romance Readers (Valentine’s Day away from their loved ones must have been especially difficult). Nicholas Sparks has edged his way quite strongly into the group; Katie O’donnell is reading At First Sight while Maggie Giddens (USA Referie) reads The Last Song. Carolina Nichols meshes love with law in the dramatic Jodi Piccoult novel Change of Heart. Betty Boot (Sara Silvetti) rounds out the group with her reading of the historic and tragic love affair known as Atonement (yes, she has already seen the movie but insists that she will see herself thru to the end of book – now that is persistence if I’ve ever known it). Now I wonder if these ladies translate the romantic passion of their reads into the game they love? **Please note that I have refrained from mentioning Kate Reisinger ‘s (Team Manager / Mom) book of the moment, Broken Little Heart at her insistence**

Now the Open Occulters have fallen for Andre Aggassi in his Autobiography Open. Jesse Gey, Carrie Lingo, and Maggie Giddens have all been mesmorized by the captivating, formerily undisclosed, story of Agassi’s life and career. I wonder if their personal sporting tales can in anyway relate to Agassi’s story – I have heard it is a must read.

The last group, the Miscellaneous Remainder is made up of three people, two of whom could be called the most miscellaneous members of the group, Lauren Powley and Lee Bodimeade. When asked what she was reading, Powley said, “Nothing at the moment.” She quickly rescinded her first answer, and replied, “Fast Track.” To which Kayla Bashore replied, “We aren’t talking about your EZ pass.”

Miscellaneous #2, Lee, provided multiple answers – the truth and validity of which is anyone’s guess – Sport’s Illustrated, USA Today’s Sports Crossword, and How to Coach a Winning Field Hockey Team (which I assume is written by Terry Walsh). I wonder how Lee feels about sports.

Miscellaneous #3 has a quite intriguing and informative read. Doc (the team Doctor) rounds out the Traveling Book Club with Horse Soldiers, an account of the special forces operation in Afghanistan after 9/11/2001.

Now, in assessment of the Traveling Book Club, I must admit, there is quite a bit of variety going on in our team. I posed the question earlier, are we what we read. And if we assume, for the moment that we are, then Team USA is quite an interesting and assorted bunch. We have quite a bit of substance and depth to our character – you see there is a lot more going on with us besides being just hockey players. We are self-searching, romance-loving, mystery-needing, money-making (or not), fantasy-finding, free-thinking wanderers, trying to relax with a good book before a big game.

Meet Jacki Kintzer - The First Capper

2010-02-15T11:20:00.001-05:00

Jacki Kintzer stood in the elevator with USA National team mate Katelyn Falgowski after the team’s pre-match meeting. As the elevator doors closed, Kintzer turned to Falgo and said nervously, “Lee (headcoach) told me I was in green. I don’t have a green jersey; I only have a yellow one.” Falgo smiled, and reassured her teammate not to worry.

Falgo, a young veteran on the national team, knew her University of North Carolina teammate Kintzer would be formally presented with her Green #31 jersey in due course.

On February 14, Jacki had earned her stripes with the National Team, getting the call as starting goalkeeper in the team’s match against Argentina. Accordingly, she would be officially presented her USA uniform shirt prior to field departure.

The first international cap (first match) is a celebratory moment in the career of a hockey player. It is both a triumph and a reward for the talent and hardwork of years dedicated to the sport – it also marks the start of a new journey representing your nation.

In a perfect world, the first cap would go off without a hitch, but that often is not the way in the sporting world. Imagine the nervous, anxious, excitement of the unknown awaiting a first capper in her first match.

Kintzer heard the loud, rowdy, enthused South American crowd. She was enthralled by the environment – unfortunately the Argentine spectators had reason to celebrate early in the game, as Argentina scored in the first minute of the match.

This didn’t rattle, the focused and confident Kintzer. She maintained her composure despite a rocky team performance in the first half and in the second half, Kintzer was determined to keep a clean slate. With two minutes left in the game, the Argentines earned a penalty corner – the resolute voice of Kintzer rang proud in the goal cage, “They haven’t scored yet this half; they aren’t scoring now.”

Her words proved true; the Argies did not score. Unfortunately, the USA was unable to convert on their opportunities at the other end of the field.

So, in Kinzter’s first cap, the States fell to Argentina 3-0, in what otherwise would be considered a dominating USA performance. Unlucky is the most unfortunate and pathetic word in sport.

But for Kinzter the experience of her first cap was invaluable and memorable. “It was the most fun I have ever had while playing. I feel connected now with my teammates at a different level – a level of being in battle with and for one another. It was a natural high, despite the result.” Kintzer reflected.

Her first cap culminates a year of incredible success and achievement for the modest, artsy Kintzer. Two years ago, she was a back up GK at the university of North Carolina. This summer, she got her first taste of international competition as the starting GK for the USA at the Junior World Cup. This fall she led her Tar Heels to a National Championship and caught the eye of USA coach Lee Bodimeade, who asked Kintzer to join the squad in California for the World Cup build up. The eager Kintzer seized the opportunity, dropped all of her Spring semester classes, re-enrolled online, and moved out to California in January.

Kinzter, an art major at UNC, enrolled in a Digital Photography class this spring – so when she is not playing hockey, she is capturing the memories of her first tour with the national team. If it isn’t her stick extending from her arm, you can be sure that it is her camera. Kintzer is intrigued by the relationship between art and sport.

Yesterday, Kintzer earned her first cap. Who knows what the future will hold for the talented hockeyer who is inspired by the artistic beauty of the game she loves.

Mendoza Update

2010-02-15T09:33:00.003-05:00

My name is Rachel. I am a procrastinator. Its one of my major pitfalls. You see, right about now, I should be packing (and by packing I mean randomly stuffing) my clothes into my travel bag, but instead I find myself writing the blog report.

In our first match against Argentina, we fell short of victory - 2 goals short. We played well, strong defensively, but could not get on the scoreboard. So we did not play well enough to earn the W. Tonight we have an opportunity to earn what we left on the table last night. We will play our final match in Mendoza (the home of the Malbec wine) this evening at 7:30 Argentine time.

After the match, we have a late night barbeque, followed by a red eye bus trip over the mountains to Cordoba. I am envisioning the bus trip to be "league of our own" style. I could see Lee doing a great rendition of Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan, manager of the Rockford Peaches. Growing up it was always one of my favorite movie - the whole sport / sister theme always struck a chord with me.

In Cordoba, we will play four matches, 2 more against Argentina and one each against Belgium and Chile.

Hockey aside, life's been grand. A few of us rendez-vous'd to the Winery to make a few cheeky wine purchases. As early stated, Mendoza is renowned for the Malbec grape that grows in the region. Today, as we know, is Valentine's Day. One lucky gal on the team, M. Ford received a special delivery of red roses from her beau in Michigan. They look beautiful on our coffee table.

Sara "Betty" Spagetti, M. Ford, and myself have taken up watching a new Showtime series, United States of Tara. We have found ourselves in hysterics laughing over the different states of Tara (she has multiple personalities). The show is a real gem if you enjoy a bit of outlandish, crude, dramatic humor.

Hmmm....so I need to hop to my packing...its almost game time. Can't wait.

GO USA!! Stay tuned for more. . .

Training Center Departed; Mission Argentina Started

2010-02-12T09:37:00.006-05:00

Life was swell. The ease of routine seemed to have resettled upon the members of the team as the return of Tuesday training was welcomed by the shining California sun. The rays of that sun peaked through the 8 am morning haze as the hockeyers ascended the hockey hill (the hockey field sits in the valley below the hill). And it seemed that all was well in the world; the entire squad was reunited for a competitive game of powerball and training.

But we knew, in the back of our minds, our impending fate. The fate of untimely, teamly separation – the fate of tiresome travel to a foreign land in the lower hemisphere – the fate belonging to the pinnie, tanned hides of those who would endure the hot, humid temperatures of long Argentine days. A fate (un)welcomed by the return of swollen, plane-cramped legs.

It was Wednesday, February 11. The day that the training center was departed – and a new journey started. We met at the San Diego airport at midday. The number one topic of conversation - the variety of the new Asics Tiger travel shoes – they came in all shapes, all sizes, and all colors. Everyone was quite pleased, except for one minor glich. Barb Weinberg was paranoid about the off-white of her shoes clashing with the pure white stripe on the Navy travel polo. But Barb persisted and found a way to manage despite the severe nausea of the clash. She diverted her focus from the color of her shoes to the white-snowcapped peaks of the Andes.

And so it was, we journeyed 22 hours through the sky, from San Diego to LA to Santiago to Mendoza, until we landed upon the bumpy, dry green of the hockey pitch. And then, we found ourselves at home again, in the routine of hitting a hockey ball. Trap, pass…bump bump….trap, bobble, bump, settle pass.

Training number one wasn’t a beauty. But we survived, and in the words of Coach Lee Bodimeade, we will be better for it. Now, with the setting of the summer sun, the time comes to tuck our beet-filled tummies into bed. Good night.

The Dining Hall

2010-02-10T13:56:00.001-05:00

The USA Women's Field Hockey Team resumed preparation for the 2010 World Cup on January 11, 2010 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. The first order on the menu is earning World Cup Qualification (the WC Qualifier will be held in Chula Vista, CA in March). And lets not fool ourselves, earning Qualification will be no casual stroll in the park; the team will face Pan Am rivals Canada and Mexico, European contenders Belgium and France, and Asian power Korea. So it should be no surprise when I say the team has been served a full plate, both literally and figuratively.

Speaking of full plates – you ought to see the OTC Dining Hall. You have to understand, the dining hall at the OTC is a special place – it’s a hub of daily activity with the primary purpose of fueling the bodies of focused, hard training athletes. Its secondary function is purely social – let me tell you, there is nothing like coming together over a good meal after a long day at the office.

Recently, the array of sports represented in the Dining Hall has been as varied as the daily salad bar – the assortment bobsledders, hockey players, rowers, jumpers, throwers, runners, soccer players, and more. It’s an interesting combination, and the dynamics of the interaction can be quite hysterical at times.

Typically, you walk in thru the left side doorway, casually scoping out the scene gathering and assessing essential information – seeing whom you know, whom you don’t, and where you can sit. After taking a quick peruse of the food bar, you make a decision on course number one. After setting your plate down at the round table of choice, you head to the drink bar. And man oh man is there a variety of drinks to choose from.

The rowers, for whom I have a developed a great affinity, introduced me to my new favorite dining hall game, Guess the Drink (over-taking the Top Five Game). Here is how the game works – one person, known as the drink maker heads to the drink bar and makes a drink by combining four ingredients. Curdling is not allowed in the drink, and sometimes, on the occasion of a late dinner, caffeine is prohibited.

Upon returning to the table, the maker gives the drink to the drinker. The drinker must identify all four ingredients without getting three strikes (a strike is given for each wrong guess). For the drinker, the decision-making process can become quite strenuous, especially in the event of well-blended combinations. A rule of thumb is to always check for carbonation.

Actually, my success rates are not as high as I would have hoped – as the drinker, my taste buds have not developed the acute and precise awareness of the separate ingredient tastes, and as the maker, I rarely stump astute taste buds of others, particularily Wes the Rower.

Individual success rates aside, the game is a triumph – it epitomizes the social energy of the dining hall. What is not to love about beautiful, healthy, fun, competive people enjoying one anothers company over a meal and a drink.

the battle of the blue

2009-08-03T16:42:00.013-04:00

meetmeg. meethan. sisters. bothbleedblue. butwhatistherealblue.
michiganblue. carolinablue. spentsummertrainingtogether. onlytocompeteinaugust.
gameone. 2009season.
truebluewillberevealed.
8.29.09.

You Don't Know Me Now

2009-07-26T09:01:00.003-04:00

Bold, Fearless, and Determined.
Honest and Pure.
Free of Limitation.
A Dream. Of the Heart.

The Art of Losing. . .

2009-04-06T15:09:00.006-04:00

This post has been on my mind for days - yet I have been too superstitious to write it, because I didn't want to jinx what I thought would happen - a UNC National Championship. But last night, the Tar Heels won the National Championship. Can I get a heels on three? One. Two. Three. HEELS.

Yes, I am estatic about the victory, but I believe there is a more pertinent point that comes from the story of victory, and that is the art of defeat.

As the final four was approaching, I found myself thinking a lot about Tyler Hansbrough and his journey at the University of North Carolina. I thought about how much he had accomplished and how much more he wanted to accomplish. I wondered how much he craved to capture that illusive National Championship. I thought about how close the Heels were last year; yet how far away they must have felt from the Championship after their performance in the final four against Kansas.

My thoughts progressed from Tyler and basketball, to the lesson of loss in life. I thought about how desperately you can want something; yet how quickly you can lose that thing. I thought about how loss turns your desire to destitution. But how, eventually, you gain a bit of perspective - you realize you have to let go a bit; you have to loosen your grip on the thing you desire - crave it less, pursue it less, and you have to trust that fate will happen.

Think of how many different things you can lose in life. You can lose little things: an earring, a toy, a phone number. You can lose big things: a job, a loved one, meaning and hope. You can lose your temper, or lose your purpose. You can lose your place in a book or you can lose your money; you can lose touch, you can lose games, and you can lose your way.

But from all this losing something greater always comes. As Coldplay so aptly states in their song Lost!, "just because I am losing, doesn't mean I'm are lost." You may feel lost (among other things: purposeless, sad, alone, frustrated and confused) but you aren't lost. Instead, you are on the cusp of finding.

I have a peculiar yet strangely profound memory of loss when I was a child. It falls into the small category of loss, but profound non the less.

The highlight of my five year old life were summer day trips to Absegami Lake with my family. My mom would pack up the Dawson brigade (7 of us at the time, I think) into the Dodge Ram Van, and we would hit the road for the lake. Like any small child, I loved bringing my best friends with me on our trips - so my Barbies were always in tow.

On one particular day trip to Absegami, I was running a bit behind schedule (I must have gotten caught up in an episode of Zoobably Zoo). Everyone else was ready to go; their bags were packed and their suits were on. I was frantically running around getting the essentials for the trip - jelly shoes, beach bag, shovel, and barbies.

"Shoot!" I remember thinking, I could not find my favorite Barbie, my best friend. I needed to find her before we left - she could not miss this trip to the lake - we had been looking forward to it for days. I searched the house up and down; I ravaged through the playroom, my bed room, and my older sister Sarah's stuff (Sarah always stole my things, so I figured she stole my Barbie too - probably as a cruel joke). But Barbie was no where to be found.

The screams started erupting from the van: "Come on, Rachel!!! HURRY UP." Dave, Nat, Drew, Sarah, Meg, Han, Dad and Mom were waiting impatiently for me. Andrew came into the house, slamming the back door to make a point, yelling at me to quit looking; Everyone was ready to go. But I was a stubborn five year and I refused to admit that she wasn't there. I made another search of the house. To no avail.

Finally, after a few minutes of frantic, desperate searching, my Mom came into the house and said, "Rachel, we are leaving." She drug me outside and into the van and since I was the last one, I had to ride on the hump - the worst seat ever. I was crying terribly - I had lost Barbie, my best friend. How could I endure a wonderful trip to the beach without her?

Dave and Drew, like the tough older brothers they are, told me to toughen up and get over it. Natalie was oblivious - she was applying red toe nail polish to her feet. Han started crying because I was crying. And Sarah was giving me an evil snare - I could see she enjoyed my misery.

For my five year old self, it was tragic. I didn't know how I would get over the loss. My mom told me to pray to Saint Anthony, the Patron Saint of Lost Things. She said he would help me find it. I hoped he would, but I strongly doubted it. All I knew was that Barbie was lost - that she wouldn't be accompanying me on this trip (or any trip ever again.) While the tragedy stung deep, I knew I couldn't let the day get away from me; I needed to find a way to enjoy Abesegami Lake. So instead of brooding over Barbie, I focused on enjoying my other toys, and enjoying the time with my siblings and cousins.

With the shifted focus, the thoughts of my lost Barbie eventually left my mind. I had a brilliant day; I swam, sunned, and ran around (Sarah and I even built a sand castle together). The day soon ended and we returned home. I was immediately confronted with the loss of Barbie. My mind started thinking: where was she, was she safe, did she miss me??? I immediately stopped my thinking and instead threw up a prayer to Saint Anthony. Hopefully, he would help me find her.

The days went by - life went on. And I had fun with other friends. I was in the playroom one day and I saw my beach bag (still packed from the trip to Abesegami). I went through it, ripping out all the toys and putting them away in their places. I thought I had cleaned it all out but there was something else inside - in a pocket I had forgotten about. I unzipped the pocket, looked inside, and was thrilled when I saw Barbie. She had been with me all along. In my mind, she had been lost, but Saint Anthony helped me find her. But while she was lost, I realized that I could have fun without her. I realized that Sarah was not all that awful, and my other toys were cool too. I realized that I was strong enough to get over losing something that was really important to me. I realized that life goes on, despite the loss, and often it is when you let go of the thing you lose that you find it, or you find something else to replace it.

Now, here is the beauty of the art of losing - when you lose something, whether big or small, you often end up finding something else. You can find the thing you lost - or you can find something new, or perhaps you re-find something old. Or maybe, you find an inner strength to survive the loss, or you find whats real and important in your life. Perhaps, you find a source of meaning and hope. I believe that the poetry of defeat is heard as the art of losing paints the pathway to victory.

For Tyler Hansbrough and the Tar Heels, last night, things came full circle - from heartbreaking loss came the ultimate victory. It is the power of last year's loss that enriches the beauty of this year's victory.

GO HEELS!!!

Humble Me by Nora Jones

2009-03-21T16:42:00.006-04:00

This picture collage illustrates some of the views I have scene over the past month. Some of the pictures are from Amsterdam and Den Haag, while others are from Bermuda. The majority of photos came from a biking excursion through the Duins (dunes) in Den Haag. A bike path runs from Schevenigen (the beach in Den Haag) to Utrecht. One day before I leave, I hope to bike the 60 km path. Until then, enjoy these photos. Sorry for the small size of the picture.

xx Rach

Grandpop's Wisdom

2009-03-12T05:15:00.005-04:00

Sometimes I wonder, what exactly is the purpose of life? Now, I am not asking this in the philosophical, deep essence of the question - so please don't expect a discussion on religion or philosophy (remember I play sports for a living, I don't think I am even capable of a conversation in those areas). I am simply asking, what the hell are we supposed to do with our short little lives? What is the goal? Is there even a goal?

Some theories I have come across: the purpose of life is to make a lot of money. The purpose of life is to have a lot of kids. The purpose of life is to serve others. The purpose of life is to learn as much as there is to learn. The purpose of life is to find your passion and do it. The purpose of life is to have fun. . . etc. . .

Just call me difficult, but none of these answers really get me. Yea, each theory is meaningful in its own way - but on the whole, they don't do it for me. Ponder this: if you make a lot of money will you feel your life's purpose is fulfilled? Likewise, if you have a lot of fun, have a lot of kids, serve others or learn everything there is to learn, will you have fulfilled your life's purpose? If you answered yes to either of these question, I am jealous. I wish it was that easy for me.

I guess these answers are just too absolute for my liking. They are too action-driven and goal-oriented. There appears to be no continuance once the desired action is achieved. I am seeking a different answer. Perhaps, though, I have already been told the answer.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in early September. I was back in Berlin. I had just got home from the Olympics and I was making arrangements to head to Holland. It was a bit strange at home on this Saturday morning. Mom and Dad had traveled up to Connecticut to watch Hannah play and Melanie was already at hockey practice.

The house was shockingly quiet. I had no plans, no engagements, and no motivation to really do anything. But the sun was shining, the air was crisp, and my body was demanding some caffeine. So I threw on a pair of my my mom's sneakers that were laying by the front door, and I wondered down Hamilton Avenue. My destination: DUNKIN DONUTS.

I ordered the usual - Large Coffee with Cream and Sugar. Then, I stepped back outside into the beautiful day. If Berlin was the type of town where people walked around on nice days, like Chapel Hill or The Hague, then I would have meandered about the town on foot. But for those of you who have driven down the White Horse Pike, you know Btown is not that kind of place. I needed a new destination.

Since being home, I had yet to visit my Aunt Donna and Uncle Joe, my God Parents, who lived on the other side of the railroad tracks. I decided to take advantage of the weather and make the trek. Off I went, coffee in hand, to visit the Beebe's. I didn't know it at the time, but this decision may be one of the most meaningful decisions of my life.

When I arrived at Aunt Donna's, a whole 8 minutes late, I heard some muted chatter coming from the back yard. Naturally I walked around the house to see who it was. To my liking, I discovered my Aunt Donna and Uncle Joe, along with my grandparents sitting in lawn chairs, drinking coffee and enjoying the sun (much like I was). Perfect I thought.

After the customary hugs, and family banter, I sat down and engaged myself in the conversation. I have always enjoyed conversing with my elders - they seem so wise to me. My Uncle is a Deacon at the church, my Aunt works in the courthouse, my Grandmom, well, she seems to know something about everything, and my Grandpop, well, he is just a sage.

So we were talking about everything from A to Z, and then they started to ask me about my recent experiences in Beijing, and about my intentions to travel to Holland. I spoke about these experiences almost apathetically. To compete in the Olympics had been my dream since I was young - I had achieved it, and yet, I didn't really feel any sense of fulfillment. I only felt a little more lost and empty - the dream that once filled my mind and heart was gone. The dream had faded into a reality. I tried to muster up some enthusiasm about where I was headed - I mean come on, rach, EUROPE - pretty cool. But as much as I tried to pretend, they could see through the guise.

Maybe my Grandpop saw the purposelessness in my eyes as I spoke about the happenings of my life, or maybe he just knew that I was pleading for some sort of advice or guidance. So the sage he is, my Grandpop spoke words that continue to resonate in my mind today.

He said, "Rachel, in all I have gone through recently (my Grandfather has been courageously battling and beating cancer) I have come to realize that life is about all the people you meet along the way."

He continued to speak along those same lines talking about all of the people who he had met in his life and the impression they had made upon him. He spoke of how people can make a lasting impact on your life even when they cease to be "in your life". They may enter for the shortest period of time, a day, a week, a year, or a decade, but in that time they can change you and impress upon you some sort of meaning. And all you have to do is simply open up and share yourself with them.

My Grandpop shared his wisdom with me on that beautiful September day: the purpose of life is to share it. No matter what you do, how long you do it, or how successful you are doing it, share the journey. There is no greater purpose than that.

Can We Go Back. . . ?

2009-03-06T16:50:00.002-05:00

What was life like before the internet? What was the first thing people did in the morning? Brush their teeth? Well, I don't do that until after I check my email, facebook, myspace, bank account,and news sites; I also sometimes wait until after the odd ichat and/or skype conversation. My teeth can wait. And as they wait, maybe, in the mean time, I'll get an extra dose of my caffeine fix, yummm coffee.

I mean was it seriously possible to keep track of all your friends before facebook? Before the fb, did you have real friends; I mean real relationships that required real conversations? And what was it like to have interaction without an audience (I mean, come on, wall and status posts are a total public display of how cool (or uncool) you think you life is).

But who am I to hate, I am just one of the victims (or am I the abuser?). I am an internet junkie. Come on, HALLO, you are reading my blog.

So for a day, I propose a world with no facebook, no email, and no mobile phones (or blackberries). An internet-free day. If you want to get in touch with someone you have to either pick up the land-line (preferably with a cord) and ring-a-ding 'em, get out the pen and stationary to send a post, or drive, bike, train, or walk to their home.

Furthermore, you must make plans prior to leaving the home and rely on those plans until the plan is executed. Translation: no last minute text-cancellations. And no caller ID to screen that certain someone's call that you said you would meet up with but really don't feel like it anymore.

Ok, so maybe internet free day, should be technology free day - so no GPSs allowed. Before making plans, you need to acquire all the necessary details - you must plan your travel route, write out directions, and agree on a specific location. Do paper maps even still exist?

Seriously, is this even plausible. I like to consider myself an idealist; but in this case I have to be realistic - I probably wouldn't survive.

I have been writing this post uninterrupted for the last 25 minutes. In FB time that is like eons. My home page is going to be abuzz with some serious updates. Please forgive me...off to be the abuser I am. All smiles here...

TOT ZIENS.

xx Rach

Pushing Back. Sharing the Load.

2009-03-02T15:00:00.003-05:00

Its funny how the simple, often insignificant events in life can become metaphors for life's bigger lessons. Let me give you an example:

On Fridays before training at KZ, our team has core stability training. This is the Dutch alternative to American weightlifting (I prefer the Dutch way - less bulk, more cheese.) Anyhow, core stability is run by our team Physio, Lars. Lars typically runs us thru a few exercises in an attempt to develop core strength.

One of his favorite drills is to have us partner up and squat back to back. The aim is to see which pair can stay squatting longest.Lars likes to pair us off by height - this means I am usually with the tall, extremely thin, 18 year old Marloes. Now, don't get me wrong, Marloes is a total gem - she is an avid watcher of Gossip Girl, my favorite tv show (we often discuss this topic during training) - but when it comes to strength, I sometimes fear I am a bit too weighty for Marloes.

On Friday, we were getting ready to perform the exercise. Round 1: We both squat down, back to back. Marloes is pushing against me, but I am just yielding to her weight, trying to hold her up, afraid she can't handle my force. Bam! We immediately collapse to the floor - I just couldn't carry her weight and my own. Round 2: We get ready to squat down again. And again, I yield to her weight pushing against me - and again we fail - Bam! down we go. Round 3: We squat down into the same position, knowing we were unsuccessful in our first two attempts. Marloes, though, with the wisdom of her youth, says, "Rachel, just push back against me." I figured I ought to take her advice, because the previous method wasn't working. So I pushed back against Marloes who was pushing back against me - these equal and opposite forces pushing against each other gave us balance and strength. We stayed standing. For a long time. And, we won round 3.

Now the fact that we won isn't the important part of the story (eventhough I love winning; and despise losing.) I was thinking about this exercise last night before bed. There is an interesting lesson to be learned here. Sometimes, you have to push back against the world - you have to lean against others even when they are leaning against you - sometimes that gives you the stability to stand. You don't always have to carry other people's weight in addition to your own. Sometimes, your only option isto push back against the world, and, hopefully, the world will share your load.

Easy Silence

2009-02-26T08:21:00.002-05:00

The last couple months have been an interesting time for me. Physically, I was here, there and everywhere: USA, Bermuda, Holland, home, NYC, Chula Vista. I was never entirely settled, never comfortable and never completely at ease. It was one of those times when I felt constantly on edge, knowing that I would only be in a spot for a short period of time; anticipating the time when I would have to adjust and adapt and cope again with new surroundings.

But on second thought. Maybe the change I was coping with didn't have to do only with the things around me, but what was going on inside of me. I felt the foreboding sense that something was about to happen to me - that I was listlessly waiting for the proper moment for that change to occur - for life to change course. I was waiting. Not doing.

Before I returned to Holland though, that changed (change changed, interesting). I finally realized after 23 years of just following a path, that I had a choice in the next direction my life headed. I have a hand to play in the course of my life. Sure I have been dealt a certain lot of cards, but those are my cards to play.

With this new perspective, I finally feel free. Free from my own worries, doubts and most of all fears. There is an "easy silence" that surrounds me - a calmness, peace, and stillness that pervades, for at the moment, my being. It feels nice to be back in Holland. I have time to concentrate on me, to enjoy the folks around me and the experience of living and playing in a foreign country. This won't last forever so I might as well live it up now.

Thanks for reading.

xx Rach

I Am

2009-02-21T15:33:00.002-05:00

I AM

By Rachel Dawson

I am I
As seen by my own eye.
I hear the words of me that be spoken,
But I refuse to let them beat me broken.

I am I
As heard by my own ear.
I taste the salt of your minds distain,
But from my purpose it will not cause restrain.

I am I
As tasted by my own tongue
I feel your judgement upon me cast
But to your verdict I will not hold steadfast.

I am I
As felt by my own heart.
and from myself, I will not depart.

For, I am I,
Seen by mine eye,
Heard by mine ear,
Tasted by my tongue.
Felt by my heart.

I am I
And of the world
I am, but a part.

Chew well. . .

2009-02-16T18:06:00.002-05:00

Cliche Mom-ism: chew your food before swallowing...Oops, sorry Mom, I forgot to take your advice on this one - I took a big bite, and unfortunately, I choked. Big Time. I missed a sudden death stroke in the Final of the Pan Am Cup that ended our bid for World Cup Qualification and gave the win to Argentina. I could sit here and try to rationalize a meaning from the situation - I could analyse what happened, why it happened, and what I learned from it. But it doesn't change the fact that we lost - and I crumbled under pressure. Oh well. You live, you learn, and sometimes you just have to forget.

Self-doubt and fear crept in. I let a momentary panic attack and fear of missing change my plan of attack - I made a brash, sudden, and unbased decision...funny how our minds can get the best of us. Or do they get the worst of us.

But like I said, I won't analyze. It is what it is. And it is OVER. On to the next phase. Perhaps I won't take so big of a bite this time.

PS: I never got flowers.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T08:40:00.002-05:00

Its a day of love. Hugs and Kisses, xoxo. Speaking of X's and O's, game on today - at 2:30 pm, we take the field against Trinidad and Tobago. It will be an interesting semi-final match up. I have never played against T&T, so we are ready for the unexpected.

Speaking of unexpected, I would love a delivery of unexpected flowers. But that is just wishful thinking - highly unlikely, most improbable, although not (pause) impossible. Wink, Wink.

After the game, I intend to indulge in some highly entertaining chick flicks, maybe a stroll on Horse Shoe Beach - ya know, its the usual here in Bermuda. With three days rest since our last game against Mexico (note: we won 6-0), I am a bit bored. Can you sense the ennui in my tone??

Ugh. I can't wait to play. Too much "free" time. I wish you could loan out time. I have a surplus right now. Interest rates are low - I am selling at an attractive price. Any takers?

Ok. Off to occupy my mind till game time. Toodles.

xx Rach

Pool Play

2009-02-08T20:56:00.004-05:00

Quick Recap: In the first two games of the tournament, we have come out victorious beating Jamaica 10-0 and Chile 2-0. These wins put us in a good position as we prepare to play Mexico on Tuesday.

Hockey aside though - I am thoroughly enjoying the serenity of Bermuda. We are staying at a beautiful resort and spa Hotel right next to the water. Today, I explored the majestic beaches that surround our hotel and relaxed in the outdoor hot tub with a few teammates. I feel as though I should be on my honeymoon, not on a hockey trip with 20 girls...Oh well, hopefully that will come in time. As for now I plan on enjoying the peace of this calm island. Personally, a trip like this could not have come at a better time. It is exactly what I needed. Just take a look at the picture.

Pit Stop: NYC

2009-02-06T12:39:00.005-05:00

We were en route to Bermuda on Tuesday, that is until we took a little pit stop to the bitter cold Big Apple. Our flight to Hamilton was canceled as soon as we deplaned at JFK. So we jumped shipped, booked a hotel in Times Square and spent a couple of days in my favorite city. It seemed like everyone had a friend to catch up with, and it was a great getaway from the monotony of training in Chula Vista. Luckily, we had a couple days to spare and we weren't in a hurry to get to Bermuda. However, attire-wise, we were most unprepared for the winter weather. Imagine traveling from San Diego to Bermuda - would you pack a winter coat??? A few of the girls ate a nice Italian feast down in Little Italy while others stayed in Midtown to catch a comedy show with Lauren Powley's brother. I must admit, I absolutely love the buzz of NYC. It is a city of its own kind; a place where you are free to be who you want to be and do what you want to do - a place where there seems to be no limits, almost to a fault. Oh, New York City, how I love thee.

But regardless of how much I adore the city, I could not wait to get out of that weather and go to a place a little more laid back - a place with a bit more green, blue, and pink (yup, they have pink sand here) - a little island called Bermuda. The little detour to NyC put me in the right frame of mind to enjoy my respite in this beautiful country.

Today, we play our first match of the tournament against Jamaica, who is an unfamiliar foe. However, we are prepared for any sort of battle they throw at us. It should be a fun game to get under our belts . . . it is always a good day when you wear the Red, White and Blue.

A special shout out to Katie R. who gets her first cap* playing for the USA today!!!

*a cap is an official international match

Lesson Learned...the hard way

2009-01-27T23:19:00.002-05:00

I hear the east coast is getting hit with some brutal weather - sometimes you have to endure the cold to appreciate the sunshine. Out here in Chula Vista, we were hit by a snowstorm that came in the form of orange; and by orange, I mean the Dutch. In our test series last week against Holland, we learned some lessons the hard way. In the first two matches, we lost 4-0; in the third match we posted an extremely embarrassing 10-0 loss; we enlivened for match four but the dutch brought a barrage of goals near the games end as we lost 7-1; in the final match, we made some improvements and played the Dutch to a 3-1 loss.

As dismal as these results are, they have provided the team with great insight into what it takes to be Olympic Champions. In my estimation, the Dutch are the most technically sound team going around right now - their ability to execute skills and 2v1's, finish plays, synchronize timing, and play pressure defense is almost unmatchable. Opening the new quad with matches against the best in world gave us a bitter taste of reality - but after swallowing that pill, it has focused us for where we are and where we are going. It provided us with great preparation for our tour to Bermuda in 5 days. At the Pan Am Cup, the goal is to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Well, the Santa Ana winds are starting to blow out here in San Diego, just maybe they will blow a little luck our way. Until luck comes our way, we have to continue to train - so off to the field I go ;0)

xx rache

Responsibility, Hope and Virtue

2009-01-20T13:21:00.007-05:00

I am back in San Diego. I enjoyed an exciting and eventful weekend with my family in North Carolina. We attended a reception for the Patterson Medal, watched a Tar Heel Men's basketball game, and watched an unfortunate Eagle defeat. It was really nice to share a fun weekend with my family in Chapel Hill.

This week we will host the Dutch National Team in a few competitions in Chula Vista. In an unofficial test match, we lost 4-0. We were a bit tentative in our play, and we must be more assertive if we want to give the Dutch a good challenge.

Today is such an exciting, and pivotal day in American History. Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. His inauguration symbolizes hope - hope that we can overcome all the ails of our past and present. For in the depths of our circumstance, we must forge ahead together. We must unite in hope of what we can do now to change our path. The question is how can we purify and further the spirit of Americanism that founded our nation. For while we are what we have been, there is no limit to what we can become.

Personally, I must ask what I can do. I am trying to figure out how I can use hockey as a vehicle for giving back to people. Throughout my career, I do not believe I have served others as much as I could have. I believe I have a responsibility to share my gifts and talents. I need to start serving and giving; I need to start now. My only problem is, I don't know where or how to begin. I want to become a doer of good. If you have any support or guidance, please feel free to share it with me. All the Best.

xx Rache

A Big Hello from "Heaven"

2009-01-17T11:24:00.003-05:00

Coach Shelton, the Head Coach of the North Carolina Tar Heel Field Hockey Team calls Chapel Hill heaven. I think she is right. However, my niece Kylie, a four year old future Tar Heel (hopefully) who is helping me write this post, disagrees. She is just too young to understand how incredible this place is. I think the value Chapel Hill holds in your heart appreciates with time; the longer you are away, the more you see how great this place is. Lets just start with the most beautiful color in the world - Carolina blue. It must be God's color because the sky in "heavven" is matches the Tar Heel uniforms. So incredible is this shade of blue, that the Chapel Hill fire department has blue fire trucks (My nephew Will is itching to see a blue truck!!)

I hope that fate goes the way of the Tar Heels today as they face the University of Miami Hurricanes on the basketball court. We will see. Look for me and my fam at the Dean Dome!!!

I will write more about the escapades of the Dawson Family in Chapel Hill later. Right now, I have to go visit all the hotspots on Franklin Street. I cannot wait to get myself a slice of Broccoli and Cheddar from P&P. YUMMMMM.

xx rache

Jumping Back on the Horse

2009-01-12T23:49:00.002-05:00

The sun woke me up this morning. Yup - my phone died in the middle of the night leaving me alarm-less; I had to rely on the good ole California sunshine to awaken me from my peaceful slumber. But I'm not complaining - I mean, it could be worse, like New jersey worse.

Anyway, I am pretty excited. We jumped back on the horse today, getting back to business on the hockey pitch (and the weight room, ughhh) with our first official training of the New Year. Following a short training, we had a team meeting about what to expect over the next year. We set a task for ourselves that is achievable in February - QUALIFICATION for the 2010 World Cup. It will be quite a formidable task, nevertheless one we are fully capable of attaining.

So with our preparation underway, we will test ourselves immediately as we host Olympic Champions Holland in Chula Vista next week. It will be a great opportunity to measure up against the best in the world.

Personally, I am incredibly excited about hosting the Dutch on American soil. I have spent the last three months in Den Haag, Netherlands playing with Klein Switzerland (Little Switzerland). I have learned a great deal playing in the Dutch league and I am eager to see if it transfers into my play for the USA. Time will tell.

Speaking of time. It is bed time. As they say in Dutch, Slaap lekker.

xx rache

And Beyond. . .

2009-01-11T13:41:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it is 2009? What happened to 2008? It was a pretty extraordinary year to say the least. But like all things, the year has come and gone, and all we can do is move on. The opening days of 2009 have been interesting, both for me on a personal level and for the nation as a whole. We anticipate the New Year because of the opportunity it offers us to start fresh - we eagerly wait for the hands on the clock to change from 11:59 to 12:00 believing that the passage of a moment will change the hands of our lives, refreshing the spirit by enlivening our hope for things to come. But, when we bade farwell to 2008 - the gloom and misery of our situation did not fade. It seems that the spirit of hope has been undermined by our current predictament - we are in disarray, trying to find our way through the uncertainty as we remain fearful of what is and what is to come.

Perhaps though, this is the best way to start the new year. In the muddle, we can make a lasting new years resolution. We have a task. A task to heal the ails of a faltering economy, a chance to re-access our values, an opportunity to get back to the basics - to work hard, and serve others - a task to enjoy life at this very moment. Since we don't know what tomorrow holds we must embrace today. We must do the things we can do today and cast aside worries about those we cannot. How we act today will determine our tomorrow because at some point, every tomorrow becomes a today, and every today becomes a yesterday. And in this never-ending passage of time, all we have is NOW.

My New Years Resolution is to live simply and to enjoy the moment. I travel a lot these days. Right now I am in California; Carolina on the weekend; Bermuda in February then off to New Jersey and eventually back to Holland. I am constantly packing my bags to a new destination. I hate packing - but it helped me realize how invaluable material possessions are. I used to stress about what I would take with me - whether I would be in want of something I forgot. But I realized that we aren't what we pack in our suitcases; we are what we hold in our hearts. There is no place for anger, fear, or anxiety - we must reserve all of our hearts for love and hope. We must use that love and hope as we serve others and move forward in life.

The muddle that started 2009 offers us an opportunity - opportunity to make it better by focusing on now - where we are, what we are doing, and who we are with. All things will get better in time.

xx rache

Moving Forward

2008-09-13T22:03:00.005-04:00

Now that the Olympics have concluded, and the Olympic buzz is slowly starting to wear off - I am beginning to settle down in "normal" (whatever that is) life. I am currently back home in New Jersey, spending time with my family and friends. It is an interesting point in my life, as I sit in a crossroads holding the power to choose the direction of my life. In the past, my decisions have always been guided by my commitment to education - high school, college etc. Then, after I graduated from UNC in December, the opportunity to pursue the Olympics just seemed waiting for me. It was impeccable timing to say the least. Now I sit and wonder where the road should go next - do I pursue hockey further or do I embark upon a new path. But perhaps, the answer is pursue both - use the pursuit of hockey to lead me toward a new path.

I state this with an edge of predictability, because I know where I am headed. I have decided to continue to play hockey for a club team in Holland. I will be heading off to Europe tomorrow for what I anticipate to be the adventure of a lifetime. In the Netherlands, hockey clubs possess both a competitive and social function. It is neat (and quite different from the US model) because members of all ages play the sport. I am looking forward to enjoying hockey in a new way. Not to mention, the incredible cultural experience that awaits.

I will keep you posted on the travails of my travels. All the Best!!

Poem Written Before Olympics

2008-09-05T13:32:00.002-04:00

Hi all. I wrote this poem on the morning of August 5, before the start of the Olympic Games. I was up entirely too early (still adjusting to the time difference), when I felt compelled from my sleeplessness to write a poem. I hope you enjoy.

TRANQUILITY
by Rachel Dawson

A new day has dawned;
The suns hazy glow has fell upon,
the silken grass and lilly pads
of China's new, rebuilt past.

One Nation has opened itself unto the world;
In this offer, the gleam of an ancient pearl,
as we hope for the herald of peace,
dreaming that what is west will merge with what is east.

It is in the vision that through competition
we will conquer the doomed beast of power,
so that eventually, triumphant our world will sing,
in the glory of unity at dawns tranquil hour.

Final Post From Beijing

2008-08-22T18:45:00.003-04:00

Its 6:30 am here in Beijing and I am getting ready to depart the village for the final time. The completion of this tournament marks a great time to reflect on the progress and improvements of this group over the course of the Olympic Games as well as the journey we have taken over the past three years. We have come a long way, and while the 8th place finish is disappointing, we take from it a lesson about playing in big tournaments that could not be learned any other way. Sure we all wish that we could have medaled, but for the moment, we are exactly where we need to be. Nothing this group has ever accomplished has come easy - it is this resilience and persistence that will carry us forward over the next Olympic cycle. With the development of youth hockey in America as it is, the possibilities are limitless - we must only continue on the current course of USA Field Hockey, have belief in what we can accomplish, and the persistence to accomplish it.

My final days at the Olympic Games (since the conclusion of the Spain Game) have been like the rest of the experience, a whirlwind. The team was on the Today show and met Tiki Barber (the other Tiki Barber) and Meredith Veira. We watched the USA Women's soccer team win Gold against Brazil, and I had my picture taken with Vince Vaugn. This experience has been one of the most incredible of my life - one that I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to have shared with all of you who have read my blog, my famiy, my friends and especially my teammates. There will be more to come from USA Field Hockey. . . just stay tuned. . .as for now, I need to hop on my flight to the States. . . the U.S.A. is the best country in the world - I feel fortunate to have represented our wonderful country . . . GO USA!!

One Point Ties

2008-08-19T08:51:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose; and three times we tied - and unfortunately, ties didn't give us the point total we needed to go through to the medal rounds. The tie to Great Britain left a bitter taste in my mouth - it was extremely disappointing not to get a result because we feel that we are fully competent of succeeding at this level. I believe we have proved that we can play with the best in the world - the next step is proving that we can beat the best (consistently). Tomorrow, we play Spain in the 7/8th classification match. This game will be a great opportunity to play a highly skilled and talented opponent; it is an opportunity to get a win against a quality side. And it will be our last opportunity to showcase USA Field Hockey in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Go USA.

A Video Hello!!

2008-08-16T23:03:00.000-04:00

Game versus Germany

2008-08-14T04:12:00.002-04:00

We had an extremely disappointing loss to the Germans today 4-2. In an incredibly even-matched game, Germany got the edge on us by executing their attack penalty corners. With the win, Germany keeps its strong hold atop our pool, while we remain with two points and have to await the outcome of tonight's matches to see where we sit.

Although the defeat is difficult to swallow (I really despise losing), I am very proud of our team for putting forth what I consider to be our best all around game of the tournament. Our forwards and midfields were incredibly tenacious on the press and put the German backfield under considerable pressure. While our backfield and goal keeper maintained a solid defensive structure and minimized their chances.

Unfortunately, we lost. But obviously, we cannot go back and rewrite the outcome of the game - from here we must move forward, taking with us the lessons of the first three matches. Our focus must switch to our next match, New Zealand. Our next two games are must wins - and therefore we must refocus, and put forward a winning performance.

More Photos

2008-08-12T01:29:00.003-04:00

From our Village Getaway and Opening Ceremonies. . .

Good Morning. . .

2008-08-11T19:57:00.003-04:00

Good Morning!! I just pulled back my shade, and the sun is already shining here in Beijing - this is a much appreciated change from the rainy weather of the past couple of days. This evening, we take on Japan, a team who in the past couple years has become a friendly nemesis (if such a thing exists). Since I have joined the National Team in 2005, aside from Argentina, Japan is the team we have met most internationally. In the 2005 World Cup Qualifier in Rome, we lost to the Japanese in the 3-4 match. Again in the World Cup Final, we fell to them in the 5-6 game. Since those meetings we have played in two five game test series, one hosted in the USA and one in Japan. It is nice to meet a familiar foe in competition; however we know this evenings match will be incredibly difficult. The Japanese are quick and disciplined; their defense can absorb a lot of pressure - we will have our work cut out for us, but it is a task we apt to succeed at.

I must admit, it was an incredible relief to finally play in a match the other night. With so much activity going on around us in the village, in the city, in our hometowns (heck, even in my own mind), it was relieving to finally hit turf. At the days end, we are here to perform - sure the environment and the stage has altered; but the game we are playing remains the same. It is the same game, albeit improvements in the level, I played at BCS, Eastern, and UNC. It is the same game I played with my sisters in the backyard; its the same game I watched my sisters play in college; it is the same game I have played for years; so that is why when I hit the turf, I feel comfort - because that is where I have always been and that is where I am meant to be. Now, it doesn't mean it always going to smell like roses on the turf - but being so far away from the USA, the field has become home. . .

Game One

2008-08-10T22:52:00.002-04:00

So before I get to the 2-2 draw against Argentina, I need to give a view shout outs. Happy belated Birthday to my Grandpop, I hope you enjoyed watching me play for the USA. Congratulations, to my little sister Hannah who leaves for college tomorrow - Han, I can't tell you enough how excited I am for you. . . you have worked so hard to get where you are - enjoy every moment of the experience that awaits you! Lastly, thank you to everyone who got up at the crack of dawn to watch our USA Hockey Team compete; we can feel your support over here in Beijing.

So the question of the day, is are we happy with the 2-2 draw with Argentina. In earnest, I think considering the circumstances of the game (we were down a player for 20 minutes in the second half because we received two yellow cards), being able to come back from 2-0 deficit was a huge accomplishment. However, the result is not the outcome we had hoped for but we are pleased to come away with a point.

Well, there is more to come later about the game as for now, I need to put on my swim suit for a pool recovery.

Opening Ceremonies

2008-08-09T09:28:00.006-04:00

Amazing. Fantastic. Exhilarating. Beautiful. Nothing I can write will do justice to what was the 2008 Opening Ceremonies. The Chinese have put on an incredible and extraordinary show; one that captivates the mind and enlivens the senses - its magnificence touches the very core of the human heart.

Our opening ceremonies experience started early in the day @ 5:15 - and like most days here in Beijing, it was incredibly hot and humid. Dressed in our Gatsby-esque Polo outfits, the perspiration started immediately as we walked out of our building. Our first stop en route to the Birds Nest was at the Fencing Center where we mingled with other athletes and awaited the arrival of President Bush.

It was amazing to be in a room filled with so many talented athletes. President Bush arrived with an entourage of people including his father President George H.W. Bush, his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, the Secretary of the Treasury, and many others...After making some remarks, the President mingled with the Olympians and took a picture with each team.

As I was standing in the room, I had an incredible thought - I was in the same room with two Presidents of the United States, various high ranking public officials, the Dream Team (including Lebron, Kobe, Chris Paul and other stars), and many other incredible athletes. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

After the photo-op with the president, we made a trek to the Gymnasium Hall that served as the staging area for the walk to the Birds Nest. We waited in the hall for what seemed like hours in the sweltering heat until our number 140 was called. We left the gymnasium and made our way toward the main event. We had a long walk in the hot heat - and finally reached the tunnel leading into the National Stadium. TEAM USA started chanting U - S - A as our time to march approached. The sound of U - S - A reverberating in the tunnel sent a cold chill up and done my spine - then they announced our country and our march around the track began.

Now, I never realized how difficult it was to wave for such a long period of time (especially in a sports coat). My right arm ached as I gazed up into the crowd at all of the spectators, but nothing could hinder the enthusiasm I felt as I walked with my teammates around the track. I was extremely thrilled to see numerous American flags being raised with pride in the stands. When our march ended we took our place in the center of the track and awaited the lighting of the Olympic Torch.

With our blazers thoroughly soaked, it finally came time for the lighting of the Torch. Chinese Olympians and star athletes ran the flame around the National Stadium; all minds were wondering how the Torch (which was high above at top of the Stadium) was going to be lit. To our amazement, we watched as the former Chinese gymnast was hoisted into the air, and made his captivating "run on air."

Now, it is night time here in Beijing, and as I write this post and prepare myself for bed, I need to "put to bed" (as our coach always says) all of the excitement and hype of the Opening Ceremonies. It is time to focus in on what is most important, performance on the hockey field. Tomorrow at 6:30 pm (6:30 am Eastern Time) we will play Argentina in our first Olympic match. Go USA!

8.8.08

2008-08-07T19:31:00.003-04:00

The lucky day has finally arrived in China. Today is 8.8.08. Later this evening, the world will gather in The National Stadium (aka The Bird's Nest) to witness the official opening of the 2008 Olympic Games.

But before I delve into the excitement of the opening ceremonies, I need to recount the incredible last couple days. It started with our team getaway from the village. Our coaches decided that a break from the hustle and bustle of village life would be perfect to maintain our focus and enthusiasm.

After training on Wednesday morning, we packed our bags and crammed into a tour bus and made a trek to the Great Wall of China. After a 1.5 hour bus ride, we arrived at a small parking lot, at the base of a hill. The team was looking around, saying, "Where is the Wall." When we set out on our journey, we did not know that we had to climb in order to reach the wall. So after perusing the markets at the base of hill, we began our 40 minute climb. Kelly Doton and Amy Tran led the hike, and after climbing what seemed like 5,000 stairs, we met a fork in the road. Two men were standing there and they suggested we stay to the right toward tower 6; however Amy had a better idea - realizing that we had a choice between Tower 6 and Tower 8, Amy exclaimed, "8.8.08 - we are GOING towards Tower 8!" Amy's proclamation re-enthused the group and we resumed our hike with a renewed fervor.

So, after climbing a while longer, we finally reached a huge clay-brown barricade - THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. We mounted the wall, and into vision came the seemingly endless structure. The physical exertion and the high heat and humidity left us thoroughly soaked in sweat - so we wiped off our brows and took out our cameras - and the exploration of the Great Wall began. With a length that measures about 4,000 miles, the Great Wall is a magnificent structure to behond. Along the walk, we snapped pics, climbed the guard towers and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery of the rolling green hills.

After traversing the wall, we finally arrived at Tower 6, and instead of descending the wall by foot, we opted for the tobagon slide ride. Now I was just a nervous nelly as I awaited my turn; I watched my teammates basically bob sled (without the ice) down the hill . At last it was my time, and nervous as I was, I freaked out, and held down the accelorator to get the ride over with fast. I soon realized that this wasn't my best course of action, so I finally started braking and slowing. I eventually eased into the flow of the course so when I reached the end, I had calmed and enjoyed the ride.

We all descended safe and sound, and then returned to the bus to head to Leisure City for some relaxation. We stayed in Pagota's - which was a courtyard surrounded with 6 rooms. Exhausted from the days activities, we headed to bed early.

On Thursday morning, we woke up to the sound of music, dancing and celebration in the street. My roommate and I ran out to see what was going on - to our surprise and good fortune, we learned that the Torch Relay was coming thru Leisure City, right outside our rooms. We waited and watched for an hour, until finally, we saw the parade of buses and security cars head down the street - The torch was approaching. Every 40 meters a new torch bearer (or is it barer?) ran with the Olympic flame. We watched as one runner handed the flame to the other and joined hands in unison. The moment was beautiful, and sent a cold chill of inspiration through my body.

Now, my story wouldn't be complete if I didn't tell you what happened next. We headed out to breakfast and while there we met a team of jump ropers, The Bouncin' Bulldogs, who were from no where else, but my home away from home, Chapel Hill. We took a picture with the group and were treated with a simply remarkable performance. These kids are the real athletes. Dina Rizzo and I couldn't pass up the chance to hop (literally) into the double dutch ropes ourselves!!!

The getaway was great fun, but when it came time to leave we were ready to return to the village and focus on the next task - a scrimmage against Korea. We took the field at 10 of 8 and played to a 2 all draw. It felt great to get out on the pitch (the turf field) and get a good, competitive runaround in.

Now that I have brought you up to speed (in this overly long post), next on the agenda are the Opening Ceremonies.

Photos from Team Processing and Around the Village

2008-08-07T02:34:00.002-04:00

Out and About in the Village. . .

2008-08-05T09:33:00.001-04:00

Good Evening, or should I say Good Morning. Regardless of the time of day, the news I have to share is exciting. First let me preface you with the fact that the village is thriving as new batches of athletes arrive daily. The chaos in the dining hall is a key indicator of the increase in athlete volume. In order to understand the capacity of the dining hall let me draw you a mental picture . . . combine 6 football fields (3 deep and 2 wide), then line the space with thousands upon thousands of tables, put in buffet style food stands and add one McDonalds café, and there you have the village dining hall. Needless to say, the dining hall is the prime location for socializing, culturizing, and simply people watching. Today, there was extra excitement at meal time as some big time athletes arrived - ehhh, maybe you have heard of Michael Phelps, or perhaps Roger Federer or how about Spanish tennis phenom, Rafael Nadal. Yes indeed, we saw all of them. What is so amazing to me is the idea that all of the athletes here are competing for something greater than themselves; we are competing for the pride, honor and respect of our countries.

Speaking of pride and honor in our country, we celebrated the raising of the USA flag in the village this evening. Members of the USA delegation gathered in the International Zone where the Village Mayor welcomed the USA delegation to 2008 Olympic Games. The flag was raised slowly and steadily in harmony with the national anthem. It was an awe inspiring and breathtaking moment; as the anthem played, I realized it was the first time I had heard the national anthem at the 2008 Olympics.

We Made It. . .

2008-08-04T07:53:00.005-04:00

After a long three days of travel, we have landed and settled into the Olympic Village. I cannot explain the eager anticipation I felt as I flew over the Pacific to Beijing. It was thrilling to imagine all of the exciting experiences that await us.

Thus far, the scenery in Beijing is breathtaking. The architecture of the village and the Olympic facilities is indescribeable. We were given a passing glance of the Birds Nest on our ride into the Olympic Village - let me tell you, it is a massive structure whose beauty lies in its intricacy and detail.

We traveled over to the Olympic Green today and had our first training session on the Olympic field. It was nice to get our legs back under us after the long days of traveling.

Well, there will be more to come in the following days about life at the Olympics. For now, its time for bed - so I can hopefully adjust my body to the 15 hour time difference between Pacific Coast time and local Chinese time!!

The Journey Begins. . .

2008-08-01T00:19:00.002-04:00

Wow. Wow. Wow. And the journey to Beijing begins tomorrow. Training in Chula Vista concluded yesterday with a fantastic session in the heat chamber. Our coaches and trainers surprised us with a "special" session - instead of the normal lifting circuit, we were treated to water balloons, water guns, and a slip 'n slide. The team enjoyed the stress-free fun and relief of the newly named "water chamber."

Later in the evening, USA Field Hockey Technical Direction Terry Walsh hosted the team and staff to his beautiful San Diego home for an Olympic Send Off. The highlight of the evening (besides the tour of Terry's home) was the presentation of the Olympic Game Uniform. Under Armour created a new red, white, and blue uniform for the Olympic Games. The uniforms are absolutely incredible - I can't wait to wear it with pride in our first game on August 10th against Argentina.

Tomorrow we head up to San Francisco for team processing. From San Fran, we finally head to Beijing on August 2nd, my birthday. I couldn't think of a better place to be going on the day that marks my 23rd year. The fact that I will be traveling on my birthday is not atypical. Since I can remember I have been on the road for my birthday - whether I was traveling for my sisters AAU Jr Olympics or a National Team tour, it wouldn't be my birthday without a 5 hour drive or perhaps, a 12 hour flight to Beijing!!! How Perfect!!

Well, I ought to start prepping for bed - I have a 5am wake up tomorrow!!! Good night All!!!

fri -DAY

2008-07-25T09:34:00.002-04:00

Its Friday morning, and you know what that means, almost the weekend. We finished up Thursday with an intense conditioning practice (but our last round of shuttles for a while) and intersquad scrimmage. The scrimmage witnessed moments of brilliance in the level of play, but overall, it was difficult to maintain such a level because of fatigue.

After training we had special visitors join us on the Turf. The kids from Jesse, Kasold, OD's, and Falgo's neighborhood dropped by to take a picture with the team. They also brought cards for each team member. My card had a great quote on it:

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And Today? Today is a gift! That's why we call it the the present." - B. Olatunji

On tap for today is a morning training run immediately followed by a session in the heat chamber. Besides a run on Saturday, we have the entire weekend off. I am looking forward to relaxing, perhaps hitting up the beach or Balboa Park.

Unfortunately, my sister Sarah (who is also my roommate and teammate) and I need to begin our preparations for moving out of our apartment (which is a task I am NOT looking forward to). I am not the best planner in terms of moving and I just cannot believe that our 8 month stay here is coming to close. Sarah plans to play hockey in Belgium over the latter part of 08 -09, while my plans are TBD!!!

I have included in this post pictures from the OTC in Chula Vista. I hope you enjoy the beautiful sights of our California home. It is pretty picture-esque!!!

Our New Ice Vests

2008-07-23T23:09:00.003-04:00

As we continue our heat training, we are beginning to develop cooling strategies that will help us stabilize our body temp. These strategies include ice baths immediately following training and ice vests. In this short clip, Carrie Lingo shows off our brand new Ice Vests - called the V2 - after a trainer at the OTC, Vinny.

Monday Morning

2008-07-21T09:38:00.003-04:00

Good Morning!!! Its Monday morning and I am sitting at my kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee, enjoying a bagel with pb, and gearing up for our last full week of training in Chula Vista. We have a pretty full day ahead of us - a morning training run, a couple of meetings, and then a rendez-vous in the heat chamber. Now the heat chamber is not nearly as sinister as it sounds. It is a tent that is heated and humidified - its purpose is to acclimatize our bodies to the temperture and humidity of Beijing. We perform a 48 minute lifting circuit in the chamber and measure our heartrates during the workout to ensure that our bodies are adapting. Although it isn't always the most enjoyable or comfortable activity, I trust that it will help us once we arrive in Beijing.

Well, I hope everyone has a great start to their weeks - and if not, just remember, its just another maniac monday!!!!!

Photo Fun

2008-07-20T12:54:00.001-04:00

Its been a while...

2008-07-18T16:40:00.002-04:00

So we concluded our European tour with a 2-2 draw with the #1 side in the world, Holland. I was happy the tour ended on a more optimistic note than it got off to in Germany. The tour marked a difficult training phase in our preparation but one that the coaches assure us is pivotal to our performance at the Games.

After the tour, we returned to our home base in sunny San Diego. We train at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. We surely missed the awesome amenities of the OTC - the great food, awesome training facilities, and not to mention the incredible weather.

In other exciting news, I went to the ESPY Award Show in LA a couple of days ago. The experience was a whirlwind - I have never seen a larger congregation of acclaimed athletes and celebrities in my life. I took my Mom as my guest and we had a wonderful time enjoying the event. Fellow Tar Heel Tyler Hansbrough was also in attendance and I enjoyed having the chance to catch up with him about the happenings in the Hill.

Even though the event was amazing (I mean I saw Jerry Rice, TO, Becks, and JT), I was relieved when it finally came time to return to Chula Vista and to focus on what is most important right now, training for the Olympic Games. It is this hard training, the challenging phases and the persistence through difficulty that makes the journey worthwhile - and it is the journey that is at the very heart of sport.

European Tour Continued. . .

2008-07-08T02:52:00.002-04:00

So we concluded our three game tournament in Germany and have changed our residence to Germany's neighbor, Holland. The German tour did not go exactly as planned - we failed to get a victory as we had a few difficult matches which highlighted areas of our game we need to improve before we head to Beijing. For more information on the matches you can check out usfieldhockey.com. We have a long (yet short in time) road ahead of us. But we have an incredible opportunity this week to play against the #1 team in the world. Holland and Germany play a very similar style so it will be a could opportunity to implement some of the lessons we learned from Holland.

We are staying in Den Haag, Holland. Our hotel is right on the beach - unfortunately summer weather here isn't quite like summer in San Diego! It has been terribly stormy and windy here. Yesterday, we had to go on a 40 minute run on the boardwalk - for 20 minutes we ran dead against the wind and rain and it felt like it was hailing on us!!! Jesse Gey and I had to duck our heads to create a breaker against the wind. I think it was more of resistance training than a recovery!!!

I am totally pumped to be in Holland because two of my best friends from college live here in the Den Haag, and I got to see them last night! It is always fun to catch up with old friends and have a good laugh!!!

Well off to training!!! Take Care and have a splendid day!!

And the games begin. . . tomorrow

2008-07-03T13:43:00.002-04:00

So after many days of training in Germany, we will finally start our matches tomorrow. HOORAY. Training has been pretty intense as of late since we are in the final build up phase to the Olympic Games. But enough about Hockey. . . let me tell you about what we have been doing while here in Germany. . . Our hotel is pretty cool because it doubles as a Horse Track and Golf Club. There has yet to be a horse race since we have been here, but I imagine it is pretty amazing. We have been training at a German Club right near our hotel. The club is beautiful - quaint and picturesque. It has clay tennis courts, a pool, an 18 hole golf course, a hockey pitch, a sprawling grassy area and a workout facility. It has many other features including a restaurant and indoor hockey gym - but I am sure we haven't even explored most of the club yet. Yesterday, after lifting, as part of our recovery, we had a pool session. The water was immaculately clean and refreshing. The lining of the pool was actually made of a tin or tin-like material which I had never seen before. Later in the day after our training session, a few of us returned to the pool (we had an hour to veg before eating dinner). The scene was a lot less serene - the pool was crawling with young, boisterous kids who were horsing around. There was no lifeguard on duty and we could not get over how chaotic and wild the scene was. The kids were dunking one another, running around the pool, pushing each other in, and doing crazy dives into crowded areas. It looked like a child's paradise and a mothers nightmare. But I can't lie, I was dying to get in on the game of diving catch !!!

So in my last blog, I tried to post a video of the Cafe we created at the end of the hallway; unfortunately the internet has been a little slow, and the video refuses to properly upload. Drip, Drop, Fizz is the hallway hangout during our downtime. Keli Smith, Kelly Doton and I are the primary coffee drinkers while Sara Silvetti is a constant fixture on the internet scene. Amy Tran is a supplier of gummy sweets while K. Smitty supplies the goods for our chocolate fix. It is a pretty happening spot as many people stop by for a laugh, a chat, or just to say hello. Haha. . .I am actually writing this blog from the Cafe. . .Ok, now back to my coffee. .. .

Oh Yeah, Happy Fourth of JULY - its America's Birthday!!!!!! We will be celebrating abroad, but be sure to think of us as you watch the fireworks because its pretty likely we won't be seeing any. Maybe we ought start some fireworks in our match. . .

Drip, Drop, Fizz - The Hallway Cafe

2008-07-01T16:31:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the Hallway Cafe - DRIP,DROP, FIZZ (trademarked by Kate "Tiki" Barber). This cafe is the "hot" spot in our hotel. It is team-owned and operated - if you happen to be in Bremen drop by and enjoy the fizz. We also offer free wireless internet.

Hi From Bremen, Germany

2008-06-28T16:44:00.002-04:00

After a long and interesting day of travel, we are finally settling down into our beds for a good nights sleep. The trip to Europe started out relatively smoothly - but chaos erupted about 40 minutes into the trip. The bus driver was whizzing thru traffic when all of sudden we realized he was slowing down and pulling over to the side of Interstate 64. We were all a little confused and thought perhaps he had to use the bathroom. But he soon revealed to us that the alternator belt had broken - just our luck. So stranded on the side of the road, we were given word to unpack our tightly packed suitcases from under the bus. (Now just imagine the amount of luggage that 20 girls have when they are away from home for over a month). In record time the bus was unpacked - and we all had a bit of elbow grease on our travel uniforms. We felt very accomplished at this point until the bus driver emerged and told us to repack the bus. So without hestitation Dingo, Lee and myself hopped in the luggage area and the rest of the girls started handing us the luggage. I think we may have set a new world record for quickest bus pack. So after about an hour of standing on the side of the highway, another bus rescued us. We eventually made it to DC just in time to catch our flight to Amsterdam. We flew for 8 hours, and then hopped on another bus for 5 hours to Bremen. We settled into the hotel, had lunch, and then training at 8pm. Surprisingly, we had a pretty sharp training run. Now its off to bed

Olympic Selection

2008-06-25T18:25:00.005-04:00

Wow. The last few days have been an incredible, emotional whirlwind - filled with joy, heart-ache, and exhilaration. First, the National Championship concluded on Saturday. The New England Team claimed the Gold with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Midwest Team. My New Jersey team fell just short of medaling as we lost in the 3-4 game to CAPA.

While the Championship concluded, a new page in USA Field Hockey was written with the announcement of the 2008 Olympic Team. Selection time is a stressful, trying and emotional time for all players and coaches. For the Olympic Games only 16 players are selected from the squad of 24 who trains together year round. We have become a family and it is unfortunate that all members of the squad cannot be chosen because every teammate is deserving of the honor. But the world of sport is a world of semi-permanent absolutes - you either win or you lose, get selected or not - but regardless of your fortune today, you continue fighting because in time, you can change your fortune.

So it is with these thoughts in mind that I tell you I was selected to represent the USA in the 2008 Olympic Games. I feel incredibly blessed to have received this honor. It has been a dream of mine since I was young to be an Olympian - it is simply amazing to think that this dream is becoming a reality. But the ultimate dream is that of Olympic GOLD .

The Olympic Team was publicly announced on Monday Night at the Olympic celebration Gala. The night featured entertainment by Art Explosion and the Pink Falmingos, as well as short films of the team. Hopefully I can get a hold of some video from the evening to share.

Now this blog has been entirely too long - but I have one more exciting event to share with you. Yesterday, I traveled to Washington D.C. with my University of North Carolina teammates to meet the President of the United States. The President hosted some of the National Champions from the NCAA and celebrated our achievements. It was a great experience - pretty indescribable.

Well, thats it for now. The team leaves for Europe in two days, so please check back for the scoop from our travels.

Game Day

2008-06-18T12:59:00.004-04:00

Hi There. Still here in Virgina Beach at the National Championships. Day four of matches will take place tonight. At this point in the tournament, the points table is pretty close - tonight's matches will have a huge impact on who is in best position to take home the title. We take on the CAPA (California Pennsylvania) team (us and capa both have four points) so its an important match. Our NJ team is pretty young but extremely talented - it has been exciting to be play with younger kids who have so much energy, enthusiasm, and skill. If you want to follow the tournament, you can get the results at www.usfieldhockey.com.

Well, I ought to get going. Its about time to take my pre-game shower, and get some pre-game fuel (aka food). Its going to be a hot one on the turf! I don't have many pregame "rituals" besides taking a shower and doing my hair. My logic is that if you look good, you play good. I'm not sure if these things are exactly correlated, but they seem to give me confidence on game days. . . GO NJ!

Welcome Hockey Fans!!

2008-06-15T12:23:00.004-04:00

Hi All! Rachel Dawson here. Welcome to my new blog that will hopefully give you the inside scoop on the journey of the USA Women's Field Hockey Team. I am really excited to get this blog up and moving as there are a ton of great things happening right now for USA Field Hockey.

Members of the National Team are currently in Virginia Beach competing in the premier Field Hockey competition in the USA - the National Championships. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, as National Team Members are playing against one another for the acclaim of National Champion and a spot on the Olympic Team. The tournament got underway last night with wins going to the Midwest, the Mid Atlantic and New England. Unfortunately, my team, New Jersey had a disappointing 2-1 loss to the very talented New England team that featured Tiffany Snow's two goal performance. But as I have learned in the past, tournaments are long and the results are often unpredictable, so you have to persist and focus on each game as it comes. Tonight we have a match against the South Team.

Well stay tuned for more info from the National Championships in Virginia Beach. May the best team win!!!