Today was a very tiring day for me. I woke up with only 2 hours of sleep and had to get ready for USA team photo shoot at a temple. I thought it seemed silly just to have a photo shoot at 9:00 in the morning when everybody was celebrating late last night. But we all managed to make it work. After the USA team photo, we visited a high school that have been supporting our teams at our games. We wanted to thank the school in person.

When we arrived there, there were so many students lined up dressed in their shirts that represent the USA flag. I felt like we were celebrity coming on the school campus. The cheerleaders and dance team gave us 3 different cheers, I thought it was pretty interesting. After they finished with their cheers, they gave every one of us a bag with a gift inside, mine was pineapple cake, yummy. Some of the students wanted to trade shirts for our shirts. I decided since I didn't care much for my red polo shirt, I traded it with a girl for her shirt of an American flag across the shirt. 

Finally we get back to the hotel after a long morning, I was still exhausted from last night that I just passed out when I hit my bed. I slept for about 2 hours before dinner. After dinner, we had to get ready for the closing ceremony. It was mostly like a social with all countries in the Stadium on the field. They had set up tables and chairs for us to enjoy dinner or talk with each other. I have met few of the other countries athletics and traded pins. I would have traded clothes but I didn't want to get rid of anything I had. I wanted to remember this experience. 

We went out to celebrate again this time at Hooter's, yes, there's a Hooter's in Taiwan. I didn't stay long, because I was getting tired and wanted to pack before sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day. So I'm going to try and stay up as late as possible and wake up early to pack the rest of the stuff, that I can get some sleep on the long flight to pass the time =). 

I'll be seeing you back in USA soon. 

So as most of you already had heard....WE WON THE GOLD!!!! We beat Germany again 4-0!!! Got my shut-out. I cannot explain how I really felt after the game when the ref finally called the end of the game. I couldn't believe it. I was walking out of the box and one of the girls came running down the field to jump on me and give me a hug. Then I realized, it was real that we are the world champion!!!! 

After the game, we just ran around the field waving at our fans, friends, and family. We had a flag and ran around with it. We had about 15 minutes to change quickly for the medal ceremony. We had a small water party in the locker room and changed. We were all lined up and waiting to get out on the field to receive our medals. I was soooo excited, I had happy tears coming down my cheeks. We finally got out there and received our medals. So many flashes coming across the stands for pictures of the team holding the medals. Now I truly know how the olympics play feel during the medal ceremony. It was such a great honor representing for my country and amazing experience. 

After hundred of pictures and hugging with teammates, friends, coaches, trainers, and family, we finally got back to the hotel to shower to get ready for our big celebration. We went out to this resturuant (I forget the name of it) but it was not any good so we splitted up, age 21 and older in a group and anyone under 21 in another group. Whoever is 21, of course, celebrated with drinks and underage kids celebrated with food that we weren't able to eat in forever!!! It was a such a great long night!!!

I finally got my GOLD medal. I cannot say how extremely excited I am about this achievement. I'm so glad I decided to give soccer a 2nd chance when I didn't play for a whole year. If I didn't give it another chance, I would have never met many amazing athletics and coaches. I have made so many friends in 3 weeks only. I think that is once in lifetime experience. But I'm now thinking about coming back for a second GOLD medal in 4 years. Oh yea. 

I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. I wouldn't have gone this far if it wasn't for you. Thank you. I'll be sure to upload some photos from Deaflympics to share with you. GO USA!!!!

This is it, the moment of the truth, or hours of truth since it's not just moment, haha. I'm pretty pumped up about the game and nervous too. But I'm staying focused on it and getting ready for the possibly the biggest game of my life. I'm just really honored to be here in Taiwan playing for the GOLD with the most amazing teammates and coaches, I wouldn't ask for anybody else to play with or for. 

Today, this morning we had an early practice. Boys' practice was cancelled so some of the guys wanted to come with us to help us get ready for the game. It was very helpful for me. In practice I was mostly working with the boy goalkeeper and other two guys shooting the balls at us. It was very useful to me because they had stronger legs than girls would in soccer game so if I could stop their shots, then I can stop anybody's!!! =)

After practice, the captain wanted to have a quick meeting with the team before lunch. She was a little nervous about the game and worried that most of the girls weren't focused and are thinking that the final game will be an easy game since we killed Germany 4-0. But they can take it from us if we play like crap like the game against Great Britain. I felt the same way our captain did. She challenged us to prove her that we really want to win this GOLD medal and how much we care about this game. So I think everybody will be more calm and focused on the game tomorrow. 

When the meeting was over, half of the team decided to go to the men's semi-final basketball game and other half went to the final volleyball game. I didn't really want to go out so I was the only staying at the hotel relaxing till it was time to go to the track meet to support our girl. Our girl did great job but unfortunately few other teams were too fast. But we will win the GOLD medal with her tomorrow night!!!

I cannot wait for tomorrow night. It's going to be a very long restless day but I will do my best to try and relax and maybe get a nap in the afternoon before game. We will be going to the boys' game in the morning where they will be playing for 7th place, I believe. Then after that, we probably will have a meeting with the coaches to go over everything and rest for the rest of the day. 

Again, the final game is at 7:00 PM in Taiwan time on Monday so that mean it will be 7:00 AM on Monday in Eastern time. This is the correct link, deaflympics.tv 

no dot com or anything like that. Just the way I typed it, you can just copy and paste it if that's the best way. Tomorrow, I think I might write a new blog a few hours before the game. It won't be much but I might have something to say =)!!!

Today, we had a day off (not what I was expecting after yesterday's game). But I guess it was needed for those who need to heal from the game, we have two girls that can barely walk without pain. But I know they are taking it easy and doing everything they can do to help it heal faster. I woke up earlier than most of the girls since three other girls and I wanted to do laundry before we go support one of our girls in track. We walked over to the big laundry place, there weren't very many people there. So the three girls and I got to know each other more and talked about what we want to do in our future. 

After laundry, we had to take a cab back to the hotel since we were running late and had to meet with the rest of the team to go support our track girl. We made it on time, luckily. But two other track teams had dropped out and there was only 8 other teams. All of them made it  to the finals without a race. So there was no race today, the finals race is tomorrow in the afternoon. Not sure if we would be able to support her since I have no idea what time is practice for tomorrow. 

We went to the Deaflympics store which I had already gone with my family other day. I bought some more stuff for other friends that I just thought of. I hope they will be happy with it =). Then we went back to the hotel to relax and wait for our assistant coach to go to Taipei 101. Since I had already gone, I decided to stay in with one of the girls who had gotten injured in the last game. The trainer told her not to walk as much so I kept her accompany. We decided to go meet my family at a jade market that is only open on the weekend. The jade market is like black market in New York City where you see series of tables with bunch of valuables things on tables waiting to be sold. It was amazing and most of the stuff were made of jade stone!!! Some were very cheap and some were expensive. Got myself some cool stuff for my small statues collection.

We were getting hungry so we decided to go to a resturantt that's famous. Modern Toilet Restaurant. That's the name of it. And it is exactly what it is in the name. There were toilet seats as chairs, bathtubs with glass on top of it as tables, and small toilets as plates. I thought it was sooo funny and I was a little weird out eating my meal out of a toilet, haha! There was even dessert. Can you guess what kind of dessert it was? Ice cream that shapes like poop. Yes, no joke here, haha. I'm being serious. I took pictures of everything. I will post them as soon as I download the pictures =).

Finally we get back to the hotel to regroup with the team. We found out that they were already getting ready to go back out to watch the women's basketball game. I decided not to go and hopped into a cold water pool to cool my legs and bad thumb off with one of the girls who's injured. It felt pretty good, similar to hot tub but cold and it was nice. 

Nothing else special happened today, we haven't seen the coach all day. Probably because the boys had a really bad game this morning. They had a game against Argentina. From what I hear, a few players got hurt badly in the game, many cards including red card, and terrible refs. There were several elbows or tackles and the refs would not call them against Argentina but make the worst call against US team when they had done nothing. Here's the link to the article if you are interested in reading about it. http://www.usdeaflympics.org/articles/article/2009/sep/12/argentina-elbows-us-2-0/

As for the final game for us women. It is on Monday September 14 at 7:00 PM. That's what the schedule is saying. It's bound to change, if it does, I will let you know as soon as possible. I just found out some of the girls' family back home were able to watch the last game against Great Britain online, I hope it worked for you guys too!!. The final game will be live online or at least 30 seconds delay =). I'm positive this is the correct link to be able to watch the game.

 deaflympics.tv

No .com or anything like that, just .tv

That's it. Trust me, I have tested just few hours ago watching the women's basketball game online, it was actually pretty exciting game!!! Go USA!!!

This morning, I said in the last blog I was dedicating the game to 9/11/01. I wrote 9/11/01 on my water bottle and the tape on my hand. I will never forget 9/11/01.

So the game against Great Britain. How do I explain this? We won but not in a way I thought we would win. The score was 2-1. Yes, I didn't get my 3rd shut-out. I was very disappointed in myself and upset. Overall the team, USA, played slow and like crap the entire game. I could see oppinurities the girls had to steal the ball or pass the ball or score but they didn't take it. I was yelling at the girls so loud that the stands could hear me. I know the team is deaf but I had to try. Nobody was looking behind to communicate with me but that's not their fault. It's just part of the deaf game. 

How did I lose my shut-out? It happened so fast. One of our girls had fouled a Great Britain player just outside of the box on my left side. They get a free kick, I called for 3-person wall to block the ball. They lined up and I told some of the girls inside the box to man up everyone and not let the ball bounce once. The kicker strike the ball and one of the girls from Great Britain headed toward to the ball and tried to head it in the goal but it was too far for her so she kicked it with her knee. I saw the ball was going left so I dove left and had my left hand on the ball. I thought I had blocked it out but the force I gave wasn't enough. The ball didn't go outside the post, it went in. I was devastated. But I knew the game wasn't over just yet. 

For the rest of 15 minutes after the goal I had missed, I made sure I didn't give them a chance to get another goal to tied the game. After the game, I gave everybody on Great Britain team a hug and that they played a good game. Then as we cooled down as a team, I wasn't smiling or joking around with the girls. I know we had won and that we are going to the finals but I wanted to achieve my goal of 4 shut-outs. Now I can only get 3 if I get one at the final game. 

And the worst timing ever, I had been randomly selected for drug testing. Come on, right after the game? And when I was just too upset to do anything? But I didn't have any choices so one of the girls and I went to the staduim where they held drug testing. It took them 3 hours to finally let us go after giving them cup of pee. One of the girls and I were very hungry and tired, we had gotten back to the hotel to find out the rest of the team had pizza. So we ordered ourselves pizza for lunch.

The rest of the day was not anything I would want to mention in the blog. It's not worth it. But tomorrow, we will be supporting one of our girls in track. Yes, we have a girl that compete in two sports in Deaflympics. She's amazing and have so much energy. We will support her then we probably will have practice in the afternoon.

Before I get ready for the big game against Great Britain, I just wanted to say one more thing  in case I forget later.

Today is September 11 in Taiwan time. I will never forget that day, 9/11/01. Since my team and I represent our country, USA, I have decided to dedicate my game today for those who have lost their lives, family, friends, and heros. I will do my best and get my 3rd shut-outs for them. Go USA and may everyone from 9/11/01 rest in peace.

Today was a really weird and hard day for me because I woke up with a even worse cold. I didn't even get to sleep much. My entire head was hurting and stuffed up. Few of the girls told me to wake up because I looked like I was tired as heck. I couldn't really open my eyes because I was really stuffed up. I would've gotten some cold medicine but we are in Taiwan so I had to deal with it and drink plenty of liquid. 

We had an early practice at 8:00 this morning before the boys' game against Russia. Practice was pretty good, I noticed everyone was focused and working very hard. I finally got the chance to practice, YAY!!! I told myself that whenever I play soccer, I just turn off my sickness and turn on my game face. Because I'm not planning to let my team down just cause I'm sick. It's the damn GOLD medal that's on the line here!!!

We went to the boys' game, it was already 20 minutes into and they were down by 0-2. I was a little surprised so were the rest of the girls. We tried to support them by pumping them up and cheer them on like we have been doing the last 2 games for them. It was not their day. They had lost 0-5 to Russia. They will still have 1 or two more games to fight for 5th place. Hopefully they will work hard to get there.

After we got back to the hotel from the game, I was feeling even worse and we were supposed to go to lunch as a team. I talked to one of the captains on the team and asked if it was ok that I stayed in and sleep to get better for the second practice. She understood so I went to my room and sleep for 2 hours. I wasn't feeling any better, just even more tired. But I would suck it up and go to 2nd practice in the gym. I ran for 25 minutes on the treadmill and did some abs workouts like we did yesterday. Finally we were done for the day, I cleaned up myself and went to take another nap for 3 hours. I felt a little bit better at dinner but couldn't eat as much as I used to. 

After dinner, we had a team meeting with the coaches about the big game tomorrow morning against Great Britain. The coaches made some changes in offenses and defenses. It seems like it is a lot but I have faith in my teammates and that we will win if we just work hard for 90 minutes of the game. Coaches said that everybody should breathing hard during the game and after the game. He also said I might be able to get away with that but should have some mud on my sleeve. I told him that he got it. I'm going to give it my best, 150%, not 100% just cause I'm a little sick. Please, I want the GOLD, not Silver, not Bronze. The nice shiny GOLD medal. Go USA!!!

Game is September 11 at 9:30 AM meaning SEPTEMBER 10 AT 9:30 PM IN OHIO. 

I have no idea what link is working, you can try all three. I think, I think there will be a live blog of the game at usdeaflympics.org. Sorry, I don't have any more information about it.

This morning was full of confusion and drama. First I finally got to see a doctor about my throat, I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to prevent it getting worse. Just drink plenty of liquids and he gave some cough drops, that really helped, thanks doc!!! We went to the game between Russia and Great Britain. On the bus on the way there, we had a meeting with the team and coaches. Apparently, few of the girls "abused" the freedom we had been given the last two days. I wasn't happy to hear that. So the coaches were disappointed and upset, I would be if I was the coach so I can't blame them. Since we are a team, just couple individuals, there were some consequences. We won't be having as much freedom as much we used to and had two practices today.

We watched the game and paid attention to the players that we need to watch out for from whichever team we will be playing on Friday at 9:30 AM (Thursday September 10 at 9:30 PM). I was paying a lot of attention on how some players took their shots at the goal or the way they showed aggression to the goalkeeper. Wanted to be ready for some tough one-on-one if there's any!!! I made some notes and talked to the coaches about what I felt we should think about trying something different to dominate either teams. The coaches told me they will analyze the game and team tonight and hopefully we will be able to work on it tomorrow morning practice. Russia beat Great Britain 6-2 so we will be playing Great Britain on Friday and Russia on Monday. I say we play Russia on Monday because I believe we will beat Great Britain and advance to the FINAL!!! 

Our first practice was in the gym at the hotel, 8 players on a cardio machines and other 8 on abs workouts. I felt pretty good after running for 25 minutes and series of abs workouts. Then we had an hour and half break before the 2nd practice. The 2nd practice, we didn't have a practice field to practice on since our schedule practice was yesterday and we were supposed to have game today so I was kinda disappointed about that, I wanted to practice yesterday but can't have everything, can I? So we walked to the nearby park, it wasn't a great park but it had a very small soccer field with no goal and hard ground. I knew I wasn't going to be able to work on my goalkeeping. We mostly worked on our footwork and protecting the ball. I gave it all I got even thought I wasn't that much of a field player but nobody can say I didn't try my best =).

After practices and dinner, we had a quick meeting with the coaches. The coaches wanted to remind us to stay focused and not be influenced by any outside negative vibe (family or close friends who heard about drama and complain about it). I thought the coaches were right. Before the games started, we were on a roll and very focused and didn't see them at all. When the games started, family and friends came to support us and we were able to see them and talk to them anytime we aren't playing soccer. I know I need to limit my time with my family because I really, really want to focus and get that GOLD medal. 

Tomorrow morning, we got an early practice at 8 then go support our boys as they will take on Russia in their first ever Quarter-final game in the Deaflympics history for USA!!! Go USA!!!!

This morning was a very interesting morning, let me tell you about it. The boys had a game against the 6-time world championship team, the gold medalist from 2005, Great Britain. Yesterday, I was talking to one of the boys on the team and he was not thinking positive and thought they might not do well. I told him that he needed to be positive and believe, a miracle can happen. The score was 3-1...USA won!!!! They came from behind in first half after trailing by 0-1. After the boys scored to break the tie 1-1 into 2-1, everyone went wild, even the boys on the field!!! It was so awesome seeing such a great comeback and beating the gold medalist from 2005 and advancing to the next round!!! They made history this morning, the USA men's soccer never made it to the 2nd round before. So there was a lot to celebrate today!

After the boys game, most of the girls decided to go out and watch some other games such as volleyball, track, and basketball. I decided not to go anywhere since I wasn't feeling very well. This morning I woke up with no voice, yea that wasn't so good. So I just ended up taking it easy today. Went to the Deaflympics store with one of the girls to get some gifts for friends and family. Hope they will love it when I give it to them!

We didn't have practice today, just a day off since we will have tomorrow and the next day before our semi-final game. From what I know about our schedule for tomorrow, we will be watching a soccer game between Great Britain and Russia since we will be playing either of the team in the semi-final and final game. It will be very useful and helpful for me because then I will know which player from each team is very good forward. I will be taking some mental notes of them =). I really want the GOLD so I gotta do what I need to do to get it!!!

We had a great game against Denmark!!! 7-0!!! I have the most amazing defense because I only touched the ball 3 times, only 2 times I kicked the ball away from the box. So I was pretty much supporting my team by giving them tips and lookout and telling them to keep their heads up. After the game, we had the rest of the day off. For lunch, we ordered pizza, YAY!!! 

For the day, my family wanted to go visit the world's second tallest building, Taipei 101. I decided to tag along and invited one of our defenders since she didn't have plans. We had a great time. There is a huge shopping mall and food court just under the building. There were like hundred of stores that we never really heard of but they were interesting and expensive. We went up the building to the top floor which is number 91!!! That's pretty high. We used the elevator and it is the faster elevator in the world. 600 m/m in 37 seconds!!!! Pretty impressive! When we reached the top, I was really amazed by the views. I didn't realize that Taipei is very big city, probably bigger than New York City!!!

I probably took hundred of pictures of all angles because it was just beautiful. I could see the stadium, soccer practice and game field. It was just one of the most amazing experiences in my life.

Nothing else special happened after the long day I had. The boys got a game tomorrow against Great Britain so I got to get ready for some sleep so I can support them!!! 

This morning, we had an early practice. It was really hot, like the hottest we have ever felt from the sun so the coaches decided to make it an easy fun practice. We just mostly worked on our footwork and kicking the ball in series of small games between 2 groups with one coach in each. I thought everyone was very focused in practice today. The only thing I wasn't too happy about is that I didn't get the chance to practice on my goalkeeper dives or blocks. I guess either we ran out of time or the coaches felt that I didn't need it and that the warm-up before the game tomorrow should be enough. It doesn't matter to me because I know I will do my best in the game. 

After practice, we went to support our boys at their game against Japan. We were probably the loudest cheerleader ever in the stands even though the boys probably didn't hear us, haha. But it was fun cheering for them. It was a very intense game. In the first half, there was a foul inside the box and Japan get a penalty kick. It was so quiet waiting for the Japan player to get going and kick the ball into the goal past our goalkeeper. He kicked the ball to the left and it was blocked!!! It was so incredible to see our goalkeeper block that shot so quickly!! But there was another foul taken during the penalty kick. The ref said our goalie came forward off the line too early. It was a bad call but nothing we could do to change that. Japan get a redo. SAME THING HAPPENED!!! We all went so wild!!! After our goalie punted the ball to the other side of the field, he was pointing at the stand and pumping us up!!! WHOOO!!! That was so awesome to see in the game!!!

In the middle of the game, one of our players from the boys team has gotten injured. I didn't quite catch what happened but from what other people explained to me, he and a Japan player went for the ball in the air and the Japan ball just elbowed him right in his back. He fell down and couldn't get back up. It didn't look good. But we are all hoping he is not seriously injured and will get well soon. I'll get you updated about him if I hear any more.

The game was tied 0-0. The boys were a little down about that after the game, they really wanted to beat Japan badly. I knew that because before we got on the bus to get head to the game field, they were getting pumped and bumping chests. They had a totally different and better attitude from the last game. They played their hearts out today. 

Now we just had a meeting with the coaches and team about the game against Denmark tomorrow morning (September 6 at 9:30 PM in Eastern time). The coaches just simply told us to stay positive, play our hearts out and that they are very proud of us. That just made me all pumped up. I want to keep them proud the rest of the time in Taipei. 

I understand there were some problems with watching the game online. I found out that they just fixed it and there's another link. So you can either try 

deaflympics.tv

hichannel.hinet.net/2009deaflympics/live.html

usdeaflympics.org

You have three choices and hopefully one of them works!!! Let me know if there's any more problem, thanks. GOOOO USA!!!

So the result is USA killed Germany 4-0, got my shut-out!!! It was a great game. I'm so proud of my team and believe we got the best defense team. I wouldn't have gotten my shut-out if it wasn't for any of them. The offense did awesome job pushing up and passing the ball around and scoring. 

When we got off the bus and walked to our seating, there were series of people who works for the Deaflympics smiling and signing applause in ASL where you put your hands up in the air and shake your hands. It was a pretty cool thing and a great way to pump us up. We were all very pumped up and getting excited, even our assistant coach was so pumped up, she wanted to play on the field with us.

During warm-up, I was working with the assistant coach and I wasn't really doing very well. I was getting pretty nervous and stressed. But that was all gone after we huddled and chanted USA then ran out on the field to our position. I was sooo pumped and determined so were all other girls. I did better than anyone thought and got more aggressive. The team was so proud of me, even the coach since at halftime he gave me a hug. I'm pretty happy with myself and look forward to the next game against Denmark. It will be a even harder game than with Germany.

My parents and little brother came this morning before the game!!! It was so good seeing them again and it was a good luck charm for me before the game! I love them so much and missing my older brother!!! After the game, we decided to get lunch then went to the Deaflympics store which had all kinds of stuff with the logos on it, such as glasses, shirts, bags, key chains, and stuff animals! I couldn't figure out whether I should get something for friends or family but I'll will find something better in the next ten days I'm here before I go home to the States.

So I just had the longest night ever. It started at around 5:30 when the entire USA team went to the Deaflympics Stadium for the Opening Ceremony. We watched the show on the big screen television in a smaller stadium with all other countries. It was really exciting seeing all countries here waiting for the time to walk around and wave our flag proudly. The show was very beautiful. Best art I have ever seen in such a long time. Finally after 3 hours of waiting, it was time to walk and wave the country flag. Since it was alphabetically, we were second to the last. When we were finally up, we were late! Haha, that was so funny. The back line of the USA including the soccer team and me were running to get there on time!! We barely made it! When we reached the tunnel, there were bright lights everywhere and I couldn't believe it. I'm representing my country USA in Deaflympics for the soccer team and I'm truly honored for that. 

After a couple speeches, the torchbearers came out running and lit the big torch just like the regular Olympics! Once the torch was lit, there was firework show going on. I was getting emotional because it was just so awesome. I was hugging everybody, my teammates, new friends, and my coaches. This night really lit the fire inside me to make my country, family, friends, and everybody proud. I'm going to get that GOLD medal, I can taste it =). 

Ok it's really late now, I'm going to get some sleep for an early practice tomorrow and after practice we will be supporting our boys against Japan at 2:30 PM! Go USA!!!!

We had our practice early at 8:30 this morning in the rain and I love playing in the rain. It's just perfect for me. We had good practice, better than yesterday I felt. Then straight after practice, we went to support our boys. They had a game at 9:30 this morning vs. Ireland. We made it to 2nd half and saw the score 0-2. Our boys were losing, I was not happy about that. Watching the 2nd half was really intense because the game was really aggressive and sloppy. The field was flooded of puddles from the rain so it was really wet and sloppy. I knew that the field the girls will play on tomorrow will most likely be wet and sloppy. So I'm mentally preparing myself for a wet game. 

I'm soooo pumped up for our first game tomorrow morning against Germany!!! I cannot explain what I am feeling at this moment right now. But I'm going to calm down and hopefully a good night sleep. So I can dream about getting a shutout and winning the game. In the morning, I'm going to stay focused and visualize myself making the saves. I will also get to see my wonderful family at the game except for my older brother due to his job. But I know he will be thinking of me and following the blogs and news =). Okay, now the most important thing...The game starts at 9:30 AM on September 5 in Taiwan time meaning 9:30 PM on September 4 in Eastern time. I'm assuming the USA company have it working live so you can go to this site and watch it www.deaflympics.tv

If you have problem with it, please let me know and I'll do my best to get information on how to make it work. Thanks!!! 

I cannot wait! GOOO USA!!! We will get that GOLD!!!

Ever since we arrived Taipei, there have been so many confusion and misunderstanding about soccer practices schedule for girls and boys. We were supposed to have scheduled practice for both girls and boys but whoever was in charge only scheduled the boys, not girls. So we didn't have practice in the morning but we decided to workout in the small gym the hotel had. They had 8 cardio machines. So half of the team were on the cardio machines and other half were stretching, doing abs workouts, and legs workouts. I thought it was a pretty workout since everybody worked out hard. I know I did, I ran for about 3.5 miles in less than 30 minutes on the treadmill. I can't remember the last time I ran that far or fast! I was pretty impressed with myself.

After a quick lunch, the coaches figured since the boys have a whole field at a scheduled time, the boys will have one half of the field and the girls would take the other. I thought it worked out great. I had a goalkeeper session with the boys, pretty intense workout. The field was very beautiful, they had three soccer field for training for other countries and there was a river right beside the park and buildings from the city behind the river. On the other side, there's mountains or big hills, I can't tell which but it's amazing. 

At the end of practice, the girls and boys had a scrimmage against each other. Personally, the scrimmage was awful. Just crappy. I don't know what happened from the last time we practiced. Maybe it was because we didn't practice on a field in the last 2 days. Maybe we were getting lazy. Maybe we were losing our hearts and passions in this. The meeting we had just couple minutes ago answered the questions. 

We had a team meeting to dig deeper and find out what happened in the scrimmage today. There were several reasons.  Not everybody's hearts or passions were in it, got lazy or immature, and not good team bonding. But after the meeting, we all decided to get focus on soccer 100% and become more mature and get along with everyone within 36 hours, before our first game against Germany. 

I truly believe in this team, we just need to work on our team bonding and focus. If I didn't believe in this team or wanted to win the GOLD, I wouldn't be here in the first place. I'm ready, I was born ready for this.

Nothing special really happened today, just 100% soccer. After dinner

We made it to Taipei, Taiwan!!! The city is really, really different from Chiayi City. There's more building and a lot more traffic and people. On the way here on the bus, I saw the big gold Buddha again and took better pictures of it. And another cool thing I saw is (supposedly) the tallest building in the world. It was so tall but far from distant, it didn't seem all that tall or big until we eventually got closer into the city. I took several pictures of it, when I find the time I will post one of the best pictures I got. 

We checked in the 2nd hotel, Miramar Garden Taipei. One of the very best hotel in Taipei and Taiwan. Very nice hotel. Got slightly softer beds than the last one. Heard they have American food!!!

An hour or two after we checked in, we all had to go over to the city hall to get our badge. The badge is for identification, a pass, ticket, and such. Took a very looong time to get it, there were a lots of other athletics from around the world getting their badge. I met one of the Russia girls soccer player. It was pretty hard communicating with her because her sign language is in Russia. But we somehow managed to communicate. I thought it was pretty cool. There was bunch of big signs everywhere in the city hall saying "Welcome to Taipei," 'Deaflympics," or "Power in Me." I thought it was pretty interesting getting that amazing experience of beginning of the before the start of the Deaflympics.

We didn't get to eat lunch today, just a snack so we were very starved when we finally got back to the hotel from the city hall. We finally got to taste American food again!!! I miss chicken popcorn, potatoes fries, and spaghetti!! They had some beef, salad bar, and a desert bar! But of course we will stay away from the desert bar to focus on the GOLD, not sugar =).

After dinner, I decided to go to the gym and run for couple minutes since we haven't had practice yesterday and today. I wanted to work out so I wouldn't get rusty for the next practice or game. It's 100% soccer for me here, we probably won't get a chance to sightsee or visit someplace special while we are here. My idea of sightseeing is whenever I'm outside or on the bus headed to somewhere. I'll always have a camera on me if there's something worth a photo =). 

It's getting late here and you are probably eating lunch. Till the next blog!

We had a day off yesterday! The coaches decided to give us a day off because more girls were starting to get hurt like bad bruises, small sprain in their ankles, or getting sick. But this would be the only our day off for the next 2 weeks. It was a good day. We had 2 meetings all day about team shape and how to communicate as a team. Then we went to catch the boys basketball scrimmage with a local team, USA won 125 to 20, something like that. After that, the boys soccer team had a scrimmage with a local team as well. The coach told us to pay attention to team shape and learn from the scrimmage. Our boys won easily. I think we all learned a lot from watching the scrimmage. I know I did =). 

It was also our last day here before we drive off to Tapei the city!!! Only the boys and girls soccer team are going into the city and everyone else stay here to train. The boys' first game is on Sept 4, (Sept 3 in USA) so the coach feel that we need to get back to the city and practice on the game field to get used to it. 

Food in Taiwan, I'm beginning to see very many stray dogs here. My theory is that they somehow managed to escape from the dog factory where they eat dogs. I heard people eat dogs or cats here. I haven't seen one cat here yet...weird. Oh well. Now I have to finish packing before we all have our last breakfast in this nice hotel!

I was going to post this last night but I was soooo exhausted, I just fell asleep when I hit the bed. It was a long day of training. We moved our practice earlier so it wouldn't be as hot as it was during the time we used to practice in. I had a goalkeeper session with the boys goalkeepers so I had a great practice! I felt pretty good about myself afterward.

In the second practice, we scrimmaged against the boys and we did soooo much better than we did last time. The team, coaches, and I believe we got some much better after the meeting we had other night. We got our hearts in it now so I'm pretty happy about that. 

After dinner, we had a girls' night in our captain's room, just hanging out and playing games. It was really needed because now I think we all know each other even more and got along pretty good, that's a good thing since we need to get along on and off the field. 

I just realized, I don't really have much news at the moment but I'm sure there will be alot to say in the next post, =)

The first thing I want to say is...I LOVE MY TEAM SO MUCH!!! I'll explain why I say that, just bear with me...

Today was a little rougher than yesterday. We had practice same time this morning and we did a lot better than yesterday. Afterward, we went to lunch at a food court below the hotel and went back to the hotel to relax for an hour and half before the next practice, scrimmage with the boys again. But unfortunately, we had another bad thunderstorm with lightening and it wouldn't let up so we had to train inside. It took us a while to find a place to train inside since the gym was already taken by the men and women basketball team and the volleyball team. Finally our coach got lucky and found a room that look like a ballerina room because there were mirrors on the wall the entire room so we had to be extra careful with passing the balls around. We didn't want to break the mirror and pay for it!! Since it was a small room, we had to have two session, one for boys and one for girls. So the men got the first session and we went out in the hall to play ping-pong, there were several tables, we had fun!!!

After practice and dinner, our coach decided to have a meeting with the team, just girls. He had some concerns about the team and thought it would be the time to have a meeting where we all can talk about it and let it out even if it was about another player on the team. It took an hour and I thought it went very well. Several girls talked about their feelings about the team, complaints, what can we do to make it better, and even shed few tears. This meeting made me realized something. I'm truly lucky and honored to be playing for the Deaflympics with these girls and for the coaches. Everybody is absolutely amazing. I have a feeling that tomorrow we will be stronger and more positive as a team. Now, you can see why I says, "I LOVE MY TEAM SO MUCH!!!"

So we just had our first day of training!!! We had our first one at 10:30 in the morning at Chung Cheng University. From what I saw on the bus around through the campus toward to the soccer field, it's very beautiful campus. There was a small bridge that went over a pond, we saw some black swan-like in the pond. Everything there looks really old, I thought that was pretty cool to see something that people didn't bother to upgrade or try to build cool-looking building like some college does in USA.

Practice was good, just a little rough with the heat, it was VERY hot and humid!!! We had a very few that almost passed out from the heat but I think we all will be able to overcome the heat and get stronger in a day or two. I believe in the team =). We are making sure we all drink plenty of water, on the funnier side we are having a competition tomorrow of how many time you go to the bathroom, haha. 

We had a second practice and it was definitely somewhat better than the first practice since we had a nice quick thunderstorm with lightening and ended with rain shower. By better, I meant we had a scrimmage against the boys in the rain after of course the lightening was gone. It was so much cooler and not humid at all. So I'm hoping we somehow get lucky and get rain shower for the next couple days, probably not, haha. The scrimmage against the boys was alrite, not our best but it was helpful for us so we now know what we need to work on. I know I have some stuff to work on to make myself ready for the competition in a week. 

Couple things about Taiwan, there are very many moped and bicycles!!! Everywhere we go, they are all over! I think moped is the top transportation here. Some of the girls and I were wondering why we didn't get moped instead of the bus. But I thought about it some more and think that riding the bus is much safer =). 

I gotta get ready for some sleep. Got another training day tomorrow. YAY! 

I'm finally in Taiwan!!! It only took us about 36 hours of waiting, flying, and riding the bus before we got to the hotel in Chiayi City!!! You all probably sleeping right now since it's afternoon here and middle of night in USA. 

I have met sooooo many awesome people in the last 36 hours. Everybody is friendly and extremely excited about Deaflympics. We all have the same goal which is to win the GOLD!!! YEA!!!

Taiwan is really, really different from USA. I can't really describe what the environment look like but there are several big hill or mountain-like. I couldn't really see them well since from what I heard, there's volcano smoke going on and clogging the air. Part of nature, I guess. On the way from the airport to the hotel, I saw a really big shiny gold Buddha. I thought that was really cool to see it with my own eyes after seeing it in the newspaper or T.V. 

Food here is really hard to order and learn about since everyone who make the food doesn't even speak English. So we can't really tell what is what. Oh well, we always will figure it out since we saw McDonald's!!! =) And no, I'm not going to eat McDonald's everyday since I really want to stay healthy and good shape that I have worked really hard on in the last 7-8 months. 

Well, I have to get ready for a meeting with the team and coach to hopefully to figure our schedule for the next 7 days of training before our big day comes. Can't wait!!!

I started this blog because I thought that would be the best way to updates all of my friends and family about the Deaflympics in Tapei, Taiwan.

I'm leaving for Detroit Airport at like 4:30 tomorrow morning (Aug 26th). Pretty early but got a flight out to LA at 7:05, wouldn't want to miss it!!! When I get to LA, I will be getting together with the both women's and men's soccer team to receive our bags and uniform and eat dinner before we get on the 17 hours flight to Taiwan at 1:30 in the morning on August 27. Yea, it's going to be a very long flight but at least there will be plenty of team bonding!

I'm pretty excited about this experience, you only get this kind of experience once a lifetime! 

Anyway, for those you who want to know the game schedule ahead of the time since the whole 12 hours difference is a little confusing (I know, I'm still a little confused!), you can watch them on the internet at this site. http://www.deaflympics.tv/

1st Game is Sept 5 at 9:30 am=Sept 4 at 9:30 pm in USA

2nd Game is Sept 7 at 9:30 am =Sept 6 at 9:30 pm in USA

I will add the rest of the game schedule in the next blog when I find out.