Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Unfortunately I am here in Italy and can't be with my family but I am very thankful for being in Italy and doing what I do.  Spontaneously I asked Aury Cruz (my teammate) if her friend ("The Chef") wanted to cook a turkey and do Thanksgiving dinner.  "The Chef" agreed so we decided what everyone was providing and planned the dinner.

Last night we (Megan Hodge, Omar (Megan's boyfriend), Aury Cruz, AD (Aury's boyfriend), Walter ("The Chef") and I) gathered at my apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a little random but good enough.  Turkey, chorizo stuffing, onion risotto, sweet potatoes,  spinach w/ pancetta, salad, bread, apple tart, and tiramisu.  It actually hit the spot and did feel like a Thanksgiving meal.

The Turkey

My plate (well the 1st one)

Lastly and most importantly I just want to say Thank you.  I am so thankful to have to best and most supportive family in the world.  Words can't even explain what they mean to me and how blessed I really am.  I am also thankful for the incredible friends that I have, and all the opportunities I have been given in life.  I should be thankful everyday because I really do have a wonderful life.

Here are some pics of my incredible family

Mom, Dad & I

Dad, Lexi, & Noa

My sis Erin & her lil ones

Lala (My Grandma) & I

Dad, Mom & Lala in Japan

I hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day...cause I sure did.

Ciao from Italia...

World Championships Recap

Because I didn't blog about our last two games in World Championships I thought I would give a little recap.  Unfortunately we did not finish as high as we would of hoped.  The two losses in the 2nd round led to a difficult match up in the semi-finals against Russia.  Their team had an average height of about 6'4"...I felt very short out there on the court.  After lossing the first set we came back strong in the 2nd to tie up the match.  But the Russian's proved to be a stronger team that day winning the next 2 sets and advancing to the finals.

Russia def. USA 25-16, 13-25, 25-19, 25-21

The tournament wasn't over after that match.  We still had a chance to go home with a medal.  This game proved to be a tough one as well playing against the home team Japan.  It was an up and down match, one set to us, the next to Japan and so on.  In the 5th Japan proved to be the digging machines that they are and upset our team to win the Bronze.  It was a very hard fought match and unfortunately we came up short.  But in the process learned a lot about ourselves and our team and hopefully will return next summer as a better team.

Japan def. USA 18-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 15-8

Overall 4th place was not exactly where we wanted to end up, but it was a successful tournament.  There were many highlights, a couple low lights, but most importantly a lot of learning that will help us get to our ultimate goal of winning the Gold in 2012.  I want to thank Japan for being a great host country and making the month as comfortable as possible.  Incredible crowds...  Can't wait to be back for World Cup.

Sayonara...

Happy Birthday Noa

To my Darling Noa,

Happy Birthday...wish I could be there with you to count and dance all you want.

Miss you.

Love your Auntie Lou

My Nephew

Final 4...

Wednesday we battled a tough match against Brazil coming out a little short with a 3-1 loss to them.  If we would have won we were automatically in the Final 4.  But since we lost...we had to wait for the results of the Cuba/Italy match.  Unfortunately that match was the last one of the day...and ended up going 5.  If Italy would have won...the deciding factor would have been points and it would have been very close.  My Dad being the mathematician that he is...was figuring out the amount of points we needed and what Italy needed throughout the whole match.  But...eventually Cuba won and we advanced to the Final 4.

Thursday we traveled on the bullet train from Nagoya to Tokyo.  I have been on the bullet train before but every time is a great experience.  Comfortable, quiet and fast.  I think it took only about an hour and half.  We passed Mt. Fuji...supposedly it is difficult to see because there is always snow on it.  But it was perfectly clear for us with no snow.  It was amazing but too difficult to take a picture from the train.  Looked a little bit like this though...

I spent most of the train ride dominating the Monopoly card game and watching an episode of The Event...one of the new TV shows I am getting into.  I will post another blog about my other favorites.

Friday was another off day.  Had a great practice at the competition gym, a little walking around with Logan, and dinner with my family.  It has been so great having them here, I can't even explain it.  The more time I can spend with them the better since I will be off to Italy soon for 7 months.

Here are some pics from the streets of Tokyo...

Today we play Russia in the semi-finals.  They are undefeated up to this point, and their average height is about 6'5".  I might be exaggerating a little but not much.  Our team is so happy after a long summer of competition and training to have made it to this match giving us an opportunity to get to the finals.  I know I am fired up for this game.  I can't even remember the last time I played the Russians. But I think it is a good match up for us...even though they are giants...we are ready to take them down.

With Love from Tokyo...

One down...one more to go

Tonight was one of our more crucial wins of the tournament so far.  Without tonight's win we would have made it very difficult on ourselves to make it to the top 4.  But...we came out on fire and played some good volleyball.

USA def. Netherlands  25-17, 25-22, 25-18

Brazil, Japan, and Russia have already secured three of the four spots.  The last spot will go to Italy or us.  We have a tough match against Brazil tomorrow and hope to play our best volleyball yet. Time to get some rest...we have a quick turn around.

With Love from Japan...

A lil bump...

Sorry for the 2 day break from blogging.  Not as easy at this stop for me to be on the computer.
But here is a little update...

We came out strong our first match against Czech Republic.  We were prepared for them to come out banging with a lot of confidence after beating Italy, and taking Brazil to 5 in their first pool.  With our pre-game preparation and consistent play we were able to control them pretty easily and come out with a 3-0 win improving our record to 4-0 in the 2nd round.

USA def. Czech Republic   25-20, 25-20, 25-13

The next day against Italy was a different story.  This for sure was our first real test of the tournament. Even though Italy had not played well in the first round we knew they were going to come out tough against us.  The Italians are known for their good defense and consistent play and that's exactly what they did against us.  Even though we could have won this match, and had many opportunities in the 3rd and 4th with 4 point leads...the Italians continued to fight and dig some amazing balls.  Unfortunately we didn't play our best volleyball that night but on the brighter side we still only have one loss.  This tournament is a long one, and have two more games that could help us secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Italy def. USA  25-16, 24-26, 27-25, 27-25

I never enjoy losing, but even the best teams lose.  Hopefully we will learn from our loss and play better tonight.  Italy is now in the past and we have to focus on Netherlands.  They have always been a decent team and are coming off a loss as well.  We will have to give it our all tonight and fight until the last whistle is blown.  I love challenges.

Off the court I have been spending a lot of time with my family.  My Mom, Dad, and Grandma made the trip and I am so happy they are here with me.  I can confidently say I have one of the best and most supportive families in the world.  It is incredible how they are always by my side, and I am so thankful for it.

Time to concentrate for tonight's game.  Keep us in your thoughts...we are still in it.

With Love from Japan

Accessory Wish List

Along with shoes I am big into accessories that can make an outfit pop.  Here are a couple that I hope to be wearing some day...

Givenchy Crystal Chain Necklace

Alexander Wang for Repossi

Nessa Tiger Ring

Giuseppe Zanotti Chain Necklace

These pieces are incredible and could make an outfit go from boring to banging.  Hope I can find a way to get a hold of a couple of these pieces.

Shoe Obsession

Since we have a couple days off from playing I thought I would blog about my shoe obsession.  First of all my preferred volleyball shoe would be the Mizuno Wave Nexus 3.  I have been playing in this shoe or a version of this shoe since I joined the national team.  It is not a volleyball shoe as much as our sponsor Mizuno tries to get us to wear the volleyball shoe, it is actually a running shoe.  My feet feel just right in them and I will probably never change unless they discontinue the shoe...I hope not.

My Mizunos (Mizuno Wave Nexus 3)

Now on to more exciting shoes.  My fetish is at a higher level for off the court shoes.  Almost to the point where I could call it a problem...but I will never let it get that far.  My fetish has to do with that fact that I am so interested in fashion, and shoes are a form of art in the fashion world.  Most might think I'm crazy but we all have our passions and interest, and this happens to be one of mine...shoe shopping.  So here is a look a few pairs of shoes I have bought this summer/fall.

Christian Louboutin Spiked Pigalle Pumps

Burberry Aviator Shearling Boot

Ruthie Davis Sushi Rock & Roll ( My fav)

Alexander McQueen Faithful Boot (but my pair is in army green)

Pretty out there I know...but that's me.  Just wanted to give you a little preview of what you might see me  in if you see me in clothes other then volleyball sweats or uniforms.  Can't wait to put these guys to use.

With Love from Japan...

That was a close one...5-0

What a win tonight!!!!!  Cuba is always dangerous and they proved that once again tonight.  After being down the first set and coming back to win, then having a tight second set and pulling it out...Cuba did exactly the same in the 3rd set.  We definitely blew it being up 12-4 or so...but that is Volleyball.  Often there will be highs and lows...and when Cuba gets on a roll they really get going.  The 4th set we were down again...with a little help from the energy of the bench we came back and pulled off a big win.  We ended up 5-0 in our pool, reaching our first goal, and now time to go and get to the Finals.

I love pictures that show emotion...here are a couple from the game

Tomorrow morning we travel to our next stop Nagoya.  There we will take on Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, and Brazil.  Germany, Cuba, and Thailand will join us in that pool.  Since we beat all three of those teams, we go into the pool with a 3-0 record.  Brazil is the only other team with that record.  After the four matches we need to be in the top 2 to advance to the semi-finals.  It's going to be an exciting one...I can't wait.

With Love from Japan...

4-0

Last night we beat Kazakhstan in straight sets.  Unfortunately I don't have many highlights or genius commentary from the match.  We did what we had to but have yet to reach our highest level of play.  But like I said before...in this type of tournament a win is a win and that's what we got.  So here are a few pictures from the match and a couple random off court photos.  I was messing around with my iPhone and the app Hipstamatic.

Thought this was a cool pic

D, Heat, Stacy, & Jordan w/ VolleyBoo

I got a little action this game

Stacy being Stacy...love this pic

Lo & I

Post-game

C was having trouble centering...but still cute

Tonight against Cuba is our last game of the first round.  We are looking to go to Nagoya undefeated knowing the next round will be a lot more difficult.  Wish us luck.

With Love from Japan...

3-0

Not only did we get a big 3-0 win over Germany on Sunday...we are now 3-0 in the tournament.  Going into Sunday's match we were fully prepared to battle with Germany.  They have some talented players on their squad and knew we would have to be disciplined and alert to get the job done.  The first two sets were tight...but one thing this team is good at is making the big plays at the right time.  I think by the third set we had wore them down with our consistent serving and blocking.  Another positive to this win was everyone was not on their A game...in a way that sounds like a negative...but in reality players can't always have a perfect match.  If our team continues to be able to beat strong teams like Germany 3-0 when not everything is clicking...I would say we have a very good chance of doing big things.  But for now we will concentrate on tomorrow's game against Kazakhstan.

Me & my red nails made the pic

Confident celebrations...love it

Today (Monday) we had the day off from games.  The team got in a quality practice at lunch time and the rest of the day off until video.  Logan and I took a walk around the city (Matsumoto).  Finally it was a beautiful day and it was time for me to get out of the hotel since I had been spending most of my free time doing therapy and watching movies.  On our little adventure she took me to a big department store, Starbucks, and the grocery store.  Both her and I love Japanese food so we picked up dinner at the grocery store which had little stands of different types of Japanese food.  But my favorite part of the trip was finding these little faces that expressed so much.  I will find a special spot for them in my loft.

These little faces are all handmade...each one different with a unique expression.  But what is so fabulous about these little guys is the message that is on the box.  Although the translation from Japanese to English was a little sketchy...the overall message was great.  In short...express and share...life is too short to hold your feelings in.

On that note...I want to thank everyone that had supported me through my career.  I write this blog for my friends and family that I am far away from, and the fans that do support me in a positive way.  It has been brought to my attention that I am not a fan favorite off the court.  I take that a little to heart because I make a real effort to respond to all messages and mail that I receive as long as it is positive.  If I have done anything to offend anyone or turn them off I sincerely apologize.  I will continue to do my blog for myself and ones that enjoy it.  I can't promise that it will always be about volleyball because I have many other interests, but I will always try to keep you updated.

Thanks again.  Sending Love from Japan.