Christmas Cheer.

Frequently during everyday life, many of us feel the need to hurry, hurry, hurry, and in the end we just end up waiting anyway.  We change lanes so that we can cruise past the slowpoke in-front of us just to stop at the next red light.  We run out the door to meet up with a friend for coffee, not bothering to grab a hat or scarf because we simply don’t have time, only to find out that our friend is running late.  We book it through the airport on our way to check-in, nailing a few innocent bystanders with our luggage in the process, only to find out that our plane has been delayed.  I think it’s time that we all take a collective breath and just relax.  Am I saying that you shouldn’t try to be on time? No.  All I mean to say is that when the situation is out of your control, try not to work yourself into a frenzy, pushing your blood pressure into the danger zone.

I woke up this morning completely oblivious to the outside world.  At twenty to nine I received a phone call from Rafa (our trainers brother) who was going to be taking me to the airport.  In a sad and almost reluctant voice he informed me that it was going to be impossible for him to drive me to the airport due to the snow storm which hit last night.  Upon hearing this I immediately went to the balcony and pushed aside the drapes.  I was speechless.  There were a whole 2.5 inches of snow on the ground.  I accepted his news and hung up the phone.  About one minute later Charly (my coach) called me and repeated the news that I had just heard.  He then told me that my best bet was to take the metro.  “Gracias, nos vemos en una semana, ciao!” and after saying goodbye to my coach I was quickly gathering up my bags and thanking the high heavens that I had decided to go home with only one suitcase. 

Pulling my suitcase through the slushy mess outside, I arrived at the metro station in about 5 minutes.  I have taken the metro quite a few times during the past 4 months and of course the one day that actually matters how quickly I arrive at my destination has to follow on the heels of a snow storm.  The metro was packed with people and I was pushing through the crowds with my backpack, purse, computer and large suitcase.  I knew that with several transfers, the metro was going to take me approximately one hour to arrive at the airport.  Understanding that the speed of the metro and the number of people traveling with me were completely out of my control, I sat back and told myself, “Leslie, you’ll get there when you get there. There’s nothing you can do about it so stop stressing or else you’re going to sweat right through your shirt.” 

The ride went as smoothly as it could have and I arrived at my check-in counter just to find out that “yes, your flight has been delayed.”  All that sweatin’ and stressin’ for nothin’.  Looking back on the experience I can’t help but laugh.  There was one particular transfer at the metro stop of Tres Olivos that absolutely floored me.  We pulled up to the stop and as our windows gave way to the scene which awaited us, there was a collective groan that spread throughout the train.  Have you seen the movie Crocodile Dundee?  The one where Dundee goes to New York to visit his Lady friend, Sue, and towards the end of the movie there is a metro scene where the platform is so jam packed with people that nobody can move and Dundee has to lift himself up and walk along the tops of people’s heads and hands in order to reach Sue?  I don’t know how or why the path opened for me but the next thing I knew the sea had parted and there was an isle just wide enough for one person to squeeze through.  Thank goodness everybody was calm and thinking logically or else perhaps I would still be there, standing amongst the masses, unable to move due to the overwhelming amount of human pressure that was pressing in upon me and keeping me captive.

So, a few days before Moses parted the Red Sea and allowed me to maneuver my way through the metro, we had our last game before the holiday break.  The game was at home and we each brought a second set of clothes since we would be going out for a team dinner following the game.  Well, the game was sort of a disaster.  The final score was 92-81 which shows that we didn’t have a problem putting the ball in the basket but at the same time we couldn’t make a defensive stop to save our lives.  Experiencing defeat prior to flying home for Christmas puts a suffocating lid on the bottle of excitement that was building up inside of me in anticipation of seeing family and friends.  Playing for a paycheck is stressful.  Every night you want to go out and play to your full potential, but when you don’t or when your team loses, you feel as if you’re not doing your job, you’re not worthy of the money, or that your team is disappointed in you. 

One thing I have learned over the years, even though now it’s a bit harder, is that you cannot let a loss consume your whole being.  Remember the loss and the bitter taste that it left in your mouth, but for the sake of your well being and the people around you, do not dwell on it.  Trying to take my own advice, I dressed for the team dinner and put a smile on my face.  We gathered at an Italian restaurant in Madrid called, Ciao.  The whole team was present as well as our Junior team, in total about 35 people.  Food was placed upon the table family style, but I must say that the portions were quite a bit smaller than the family style dishes at Buca.  Numerous pitchers of sangria graced the table and it did not take long for laughter, jokes and entertaining stories to fill the air.  After dinner and dessert our waitress presented a couple bottles of Lemoncello.  Shot glasses were then distributed and the chilled, yellow liquid was poured over and over again. 

Arantxia, Laura, Maria, Retxi, Jaza and myself at our Holiday Dinner.

Javier pouring the Lemoncello!

Miss Crooks and I;)

After dinner the whole group piled into a handful of taxis which brought us to a dance club whose name escapes me.  Coaches, trainers, wives, boyfriends and players, together we danced until the late hours of the morning. 

The next day was Sunday, but my flight was not until Monday morning so we slept in, packed and headed into Madrid later in the evening.  During the month of December and January there are special double-decker Christmas buses that circle around the city carrying passengers who desire to ooo and aaah over the Christmas lights that are beautifully stretched above every street in down-town.  Today the temperature in Madrid is a comfortable 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but that final night atop the bus in the open air was absolutely arctic. 

Sadly, Julie and Julia have nothing to share for that week.  We’ll try and get back on track this week.

Leslie’s Loose End, yep just one for this week.

 In Spain, while playing basketball it is not considered a smart move to verbally let your teammates know when you’re open.  You can wave your arms and bulge your eyes until they pop right out of your head, but making any sort of noise is frowned upon.  I guess by making a noise you are alerting the competition as well, but what if your teammate simply does not see you?  I’m going to need to work on this.

Cowboy Ben, Sleeping Beauty and their Aunt;)

Well, I hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday break filled with great company, scrumptious food, warm smiles and plenty of holiday cheer;)  I had a memorable time at home with my family, and thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with my nephew and new baby niece.  Benjamin, who is just over two years old is a ball of everlasting energy.  He is an absolute delight and is incredibly quick to pick up on every word you say.  He enjoyed sledding with his aunt and uncle;)  Olivia is a sleeping beauty.  I literally can’t believe how many hours an infant can sleep during the day.  She wakes up when she’s hungry and once her little tummy is full she promptly returns to a deep slumber.  

An early Happy New Year to you all!!! 
Leslie