Cat's Corner

May 16, 2008

So I didn't wait forever to write this time! Ha ha!

Well, I'm in Visalia, Calif., and it is beautiful. Since I am used to Central Time, I've been up since about 6:45 a.m. this morning. I think I am going to go take a walk after I finish writing this blog.

Since I last wrote, my Blue Demons won the BIG EAST tournament, with our pitcher being named the Most Outstanding Player. I flew back to Chicago on Sunday, and was lucky enough to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show with them that night. We earned the number two seed in our regional, but we were "sent" to Northwestern, which is right in our backyard. Our girls were happy to not have to travel this week.

The Bound 4 Beijing Tour last stopped in Williamsport, Pa., and Bowie, Md. Williamsport is home to someone who is friends with many of us on the team, Jeremy Lazorka! He is the softball manager at University of Arizona, and when we train there he often comes to assist at our practices. His family hosted some of us at their house for lunch, and it was delicious. They make these cheesy potatoes that just are to die for. There is no other description for them. It was a nice way to get out of the hotel and relax.

In Maryland, we played the Washington Glory of National Pro Fastpitch. They had their championship ring ceremony before the game, so Kelly (Kretschman) got her ring and promptly began showing it off. She likes to give me a hard time since the Glory clinched the regular-season title after beating my Rockford Thunder, and they also won the Championship Cup with a victory over us. After all the ribbing I get from her, I didn't want to see her ring! ;) I eventually looked at it. I hate to admit that it's a big one!

I spent four days in Chicago after coming home from Bowie. Of course, I flew home to cold and rain! Why can't the beautiful weather be there when I arrive? I was productive in cleaning and organizing my place, though. I got rid of plenty of old clothes that I no longer need or wear, and took a ton of trips to the dumpster to toss out all the boxes I had piling up. Tuesday I took the GMAT – the graduate business school entrance exam. Dun dun dun … we will know how I did within the next 20 days. Let's hope it's good enough to get in! I took so many practices tests to get ready, but the real thing was so much harder than I expected. I didn't handle sitting at a computer for more than three hours trying to read and answer questions very well.

With the little down time I've had, I have started thinking about my life after the Olympics. We all know I'll be in Chicago, but I have decided I need a friend, so I have started researching about Shetland Sheepdogs! (They're basically mini collies). I plan on getting a Bi Blue one. They are adorable! I'm obsessed with them now. I read about them on the Internet almost everyday.

Last night, our team attended a fundraiser for the Miracle League of Visailia. We took pictures and signed autographs for everyone in attendance, but our biggest contribution might have been in the silent auction. Many of us bid on - and WON - sports memorabilia. I personally brought home a few, including my favorite: a Cal Ripken, Jr. autographed bat. I am a huge Cal Ripken, Jr. fan. I was lucky enough to get (and still have) one of his rookie cards when I was younger. My cousin used to try to trick me into trading it with him, but I never fell for it.

Anyways, I have cherished that forever, and this past Christmas, Cal took even another step up in my book. My mom was at a teachers conference where he spoke. She buys a book for me every Christmas, so her idea was to buy his and have him sign it for me. Well, she didn't get through the line to get him to sign it, but using connections my agent has, my mom got the booked shipped to Cal, which he signed with a personal message to me. On Christmas, I opened the book to look for the note my mom usually leaves for me on the inside, and I instantly started crying. Cal wrote to me, and my mom made it all possible. My love for Cal Ripke, Jr. grew that day! Now with my card, book and bat, I'll have a shrine in my office! =)

Tonight we'll play in Visailia, but what I am looking forward to is the one-inning Miracle League game that will take place before ours. We all get to be buddies and help disadvantaged kids play the sport we know and love. It's such a good feeling to know we can be a part of great things!

I will have more pictures - and maybe some video - next time! Keep dreaming…