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...