Working Hard

Hello all,

We just finished a pizza, its called the Big Texas, a little awkward but pretty darn good. We have worked the last two days for Jen's coach, helping box up a store he runs and move it all to a new, big store. They picked us up at 7 AM on Monday and 6 AM today, we worked over 12 hours both days in a no air conditioning, no windowed building, lots of fun. But the money is good and we need it, neither of us has worked for a month and we have this thing called a wedding to pay for next summer.

I practiced tonight for the first time since my little accident. My ankle feels pretty good and we think the stitches are looking good. I was supposed to go to the doctor either friday or monday but couldn't because of work and translation issues. I am supposed to go tomorrow morning, hopefully he thinks it is good and not infected. (I would know if it was right? Like it would be red and itchy and painful?) Jen continues to practice well and learn a lot. More and more girls are showing up and coming back from "Holiday" so they are starting to look like a team. She is still frustrated with her offense, namely the power and form of her shot, but continues to put in extra time after practice and will continue to improve.

Offensive frustration will be a running theme for both of us for awhile I'm afraid but that's what happens when you are new to any sport. Good news on finding a team for me, one of the connections the USATH has happens to also be a friend of Jen's coach. ESV Weil is 15 minutes from where we live now and is in the fourth league, which is the level that everybody thinks would be good for me to start at. I am going to train with them on Thursday, hopefully they like me and need a player so we can move forward. I also received an email from a guy who helps coach the Irish Natl Team but lives in Germany and works for a club that is two hours from us. He invited me to play for his team and said he might even have a job for me but the commute is just a tad too far. Between work and driving and training Jen and I would never see each other if I was on a team that far away; it is a last resort kind of option.

We are still busy applying and looking for jobs. Jen's team is still helping us and we hope to find something soon.

Jen's team played another scrimmage on Saturday. They beat a top level Austrian team in 3 20 minute sessions. Jen spends her time on the court playing stellar defense and working on her offense. She makes many friends with the girls she plays against. Not. She has trouble grasping the meaning of the word "friendly" match. But thats why we love her, she gives her all, all the time and plays hard. Her teammates and coaches love it and she is fun to watch dominating on the court. She makes the other team not even want to enter her area on defense, its obvious and kinda funny to watch. She hasn't hurt anybody seriously yet (we think) and she hasn't been booted from any games.

We have to continue work for her coach the next two days and than Jen will be busy with scrimmages all weekend. She has a game Friday, Sat and Sun with practices mixed in between. Gonna be a busy weekend.

We hope all is well with everybody. Jen's cousins, how are the games, matches and summer coming along? Timmy, we heard about your 5K time, thats ridiculous, you would smoke both Jen and I right now. Keep up the good work. Jon, good luck with golf tryouts, I haven't played in forever, I miss it. Brendan, you going out for the squad, back at school yet? Mum, glad you are on here, sorry we missed the birthday bash, Tom and Katherine said it was a great time. We miss you all. Much Love.

P.S. Paintrain, hows the monotonous comp lab treating ya?