7 days, 22 hours until I land in Columbus!!!
For almost 4 months I have been in Poland, and to say I have had an experience of a lifetime is an understatement. I have learned so much in 4 short months that I will carry with me the rest of my life. I have met amazing people and can't believe I am over halfway finished with my season.
For one, I have learned that I have more strength than I thought I had. One year ago if you would have asked me if I would play overseas the answer would have been NO. I thought it was stupid, and why would anyone ever do that! However, after the successes my team and I had in my senior season, it became a reality that I may get offers. So..... I decided to take a chance on it.....
I have also learned there is another world other than the USA. Our lifestyle, customs, rituals, and overall life is so much different. I appreciate what I have at home so much more than before and know that I am truly blessed.
I was speaking to a teammate about Christmas today and I asked how her family celebrates and other Polish families celebrate. One thing she told me was that most children are told a star brings the presents, not Santa. It blew my mind..... Christmas without santa and leaving cookies and milk for him ??? what!! From movies and such they know so much about how we celebrate holidays, but without coming here I would never know any of this about Poland. Of course I could have looked online to learn information like this, but I guess before I didn't really care about anywhere but the USA. Now I do and I want to learn about the world and what all it has to offer.... I challenge each of you reading this to do the same:)
Taking a chance is exactly what I did when signing my contract to come here. As for the team I play for, they also took a chance on me. We are sitting tied for 8th in our league ( playoff eligible), winning 2 of the last 3 games. The 2 wins was great for us and hope to get another Saturday against a Euro league team Torun.
Personally I am playing better ( not good, but better) as of late (ignoring the last game which I was recovering from being on my death bed --> thanks Josh- he brought some bug over from home and I was a wreck). I finally had a 20 pt game and shot better from the field the 2 of 3 games. Need great practices this week and I am hopeful to play well, get a W, and head home Sunday!
Side note(s):
*Josh's visit was amazing. Josh was able to watch 2 games, come to practices and just see the city which I live! It was great showing him places I have talked about and for him to see what I do everyday. I am fortunate to have someone like him in my life and I can't wait so see him and Oakley when I get home.
*Paige will be having Kora any day now! Kora, Koen and Knox will be the first 3 I see when I arrive in Zanesville. They have me wrapped around their little fingers (even Kora who I can't wait to meet)!
* First stop when I land in Col. is Chipotle, then in zanesville Ads, and Donalds!!!!!- mouth is watering thinking about it.
* For those of you who have messaged me, commented and such I really appreciate it. I am not sure how to reply to comments but I read them and the support I have received from home is unbelievable. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Sorry about all of the random thoughts throughout this post, as mentioned before I type as if I was speaking:)
For now I need to concentrate and focus on my game next weekend. It will be easy right??? Forget about christmas, and being home, seeing my nephews and MEETING my niece, seeing Oakley, family, friends, NYE and everything else that I am looking forward too... ahhhhhh!
...this will be more challenging than I thought :)
SEE YOU ALL IN 7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Hanna
For almost 4 months I have been in Poland, and to say I have had an experience of a lifetime is an understatement. I have learned so much in 4 short months that I will carry with me the rest of my life. I have met amazing people and can't believe I am over halfway finished with my season.
For one, I have learned that I have more strength than I thought I had. One year ago if you would have asked me if I would play overseas the answer would have been NO. I thought it was stupid, and why would anyone ever do that! However, after the successes my team and I had in my senior season, it became a reality that I may get offers. So..... I decided to take a chance on it.....
I have also learned there is another world other than the USA. Our lifestyle, customs, rituals, and overall life is so much different. I appreciate what I have at home so much more than before and know that I am truly blessed.
I was speaking to a teammate about Christmas today and I asked how her family celebrates and other Polish families celebrate. One thing she told me was that most children are told a star brings the presents, not Santa. It blew my mind..... Christmas without santa and leaving cookies and milk for him ??? what!! From movies and such they know so much about how we celebrate holidays, but without coming here I would never know any of this about Poland. Of course I could have looked online to learn information like this, but I guess before I didn't really care about anywhere but the USA. Now I do and I want to learn about the world and what all it has to offer.... I challenge each of you reading this to do the same:)
Taking a chance is exactly what I did when signing my contract to come here. As for the team I play for, they also took a chance on me. We are sitting tied for 8th in our league ( playoff eligible), winning 2 of the last 3 games. The 2 wins was great for us and hope to get another Saturday against a Euro league team Torun.
Personally I am playing better ( not good, but better) as of late (ignoring the last game which I was recovering from being on my death bed --> thanks Josh- he brought some bug over from home and I was a wreck). I finally had a 20 pt game and shot better from the field the 2 of 3 games. Need great practices this week and I am hopeful to play well, get a W, and head home Sunday!
Side note(s):
*Josh's visit was amazing. Josh was able to watch 2 games, come to practices and just see the city which I live! It was great showing him places I have talked about and for him to see what I do everyday. I am fortunate to have someone like him in my life and I can't wait so see him and Oakley when I get home.
*Paige will be having Kora any day now! Kora, Koen and Knox will be the first 3 I see when I arrive in Zanesville. They have me wrapped around their little fingers (even Kora who I can't wait to meet)!
* First stop when I land in Col. is Chipotle, then in zanesville Ads, and Donalds!!!!!- mouth is watering thinking about it.
* For those of you who have messaged me, commented and such I really appreciate it. I am not sure how to reply to comments but I read them and the support I have received from home is unbelievable. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Sorry about all of the random thoughts throughout this post, as mentioned before I type as if I was speaking:)
For now I need to concentrate and focus on my game next weekend. It will be easy right??? Forget about christmas, and being home, seeing my nephews and MEETING my niece, seeing Oakley, family, friends, NYE and everything else that I am looking forward too... ahhhhhh!
...this will be more challenging than I thought :)
SEE YOU ALL IN 7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Hanna