'Be yourself. The world worships the original.'
- Ingrid Bergman
Upon request from a few special someone's I have decided to start a blog about my new chapter. With that being said I would also like to provide forewarning that this blog will be written very naturally without any inhibitions. In other words, it's going to be me. Like my girls Ellen and Chelsea have done so famously - I want my blog, my words, to embody my personality traits, my humor, my intelligence, my beauty and my quirkyness if you will ;).
As many of you know I have recently packed my bags and headed over a small pond to begin a new chapter. Last Friday, September 9th, I hopped on a flight from JFK and ended my 13 hour journey in Durham, England. I have been offered a scholarship from Durham University to pursue my masters in business management, be the assistant coach of their women's football (to my liking I have been banned from calling the game 'soccer' in this country) team, and to have one more year of playing the game I love. I have been beyond excited to get the wheels rolling on this journey. Better yet, my feet moving on and off the pitch (car-less accommodations).
University sport in the UK is nothing like American athletes are used to in the states. Durham university only has 4 full-time coaches in the entire athletics department [virtually unimaginable in the states], majority of the facilities are shared with the general student body and even the public [community bonding...] and gear, besides kits, is supplied on your own merit [you mean I am not getting hundreds/thousands of dollars of cool things?!?! unfortunately not this time], and our team is only allowed approximately 20 physio visits for the year [suck it up premadonnas!! no ice baths :) ]. Ignoring all the differences you do have one similarity, the only thing that really matters, a huge group of student- athletes that want to get better, work hard, learn, train and ultimately win championships. The numbers on paper most would equate to a 'recipe for disaster'. However, in my first few days of preseason I have witnessed a tight knit group (teams, teammates, coaches, weight/strength/speed coaches and staff) that are a determined family. This is going to be a season unlike any other and I'm ecstatic to be part of - coaching and playing - an innovative type of program.
As I mentioned earlier this chapter doesn't only involve sport. I would like everyone to check out this link: http://www.dur.ac.uk/study/sunday_times/ . Holler at my new uni!
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| My British mobile. |
I have purchased a pay-as-you-go phone so I have a UK numbA. I'm still working on a bank account and adapting to the food [puke]. Pictures of the city centre and university are imminent don't worry. I have been rocking my manchester united top - feeling SUPA euro. I think my style is perfect for Europe (even though Jackie would like to argue that my fashion sense is not appropriate for public in ANY country...love you too!).
From Durham, New York to Durham, North Carolina to Durham, England. 'Isn't it ironic...don't you think...' - yes I just sang that :o
Translation dictionary: (dedicated to Mama Q)
Kit - uniform
football - soccer
physio - trainer
mobile - cell phone
footpath - sidewalk or trail
lou or toilet - bathroom
tele - TV
bibs - pinnies (I had to coach a local team and one of the girls said 'I'll put it on once you start calling it a bib'....hahaha oh really! rude)
pitch - field
boots - cleats
lay-in - sleeping late
