About two and a half weeks in...

Hey everyone! Sorry it has taken so long to write. The internet in Town isn't the best and is hard to get on here. Where to begin??. After the first weekend I was here I had my mind set that I was going home. I did not like it one bit. The team got back Sunday morning an I felt lost. I had no idea who anyone was and I was just at a house and had no idea what I was doing, where is was going to be living, etc. one of the girls, who speaks little English, but we used google to chat, asked how my weekend was. I was honest with her and told her everything. Then I started to break down cause I was havi a difficult time. I think the only person who knew I didn't like it was my sister meaghan. I told her not to say anything because I didn't want people to know. I didnt want to let anyone down. So many people helped me get where I'm at and I didn't want them to know. Then on e training started it was better But better wasn't enough. The rewrote called and talked to me. I talked to family and friends. Then I stayed up talking to one of the girls in the house I am staying at. Then that night I just thought about everything and the following day was just agreat day. I was ok. I thence iced that I was going to fight it out. I'm glad I did and am stil here. My flight home is tomorrow but it is can Ellen and I'm staying the three months! These past two weeks I have gotten to know the team and they are amazing. Hilarious, fun, and amazing players and am so happy I have the opportunity to play with them. I still don't. Are for the town, but neither do most of the girls. The girls I live with are from down south, like say Paulo and they said that it is more beautiful there. This town is slumish. People will eat a bag of chips and just throw the trash on the ground. There are rarely any trash cans and people just throw it on the ground. It drives ,e crazy. At times if I need to do it, I place it nicely on the ground as if it is better but it doesn't help. Then there are random pigs, cows, dogs, cats, etc that roam the street randomly and eat the trash. It's definitely something I have not seen before. But I figured if these girls are here even though the town us is then I. An do it to and will have to learn how to adapt. The girls I live with have helped so much. They have been so kindand helpful in so many ways. I am so thankful for them. I am glad I chose to stay at their house be ause it helps with my portuguese. I have learned quite a bit and am impressed with myself. I can understand more then I can speak but I do my best. The Iceland girls have been so kinda too and help translate a lot. Thank god! That is one of the hardest parts is the language barrier. It's tough. Luckily some of the girls took English in school so theydo their best but it's stil difficult ult for them since they don't use it all the time. I had my first game with the team last Wednesday. I made the roster, which I was so surprised. I wasn't expecting to play either and was just excited to be on the bench sine only 18 are one roster and we have about 30 girls on the team. The four national players were in the USA playing so I think that helped me get on the roster but I didn't care either way I was happy! We ended up winning 11-0. I got to play about ten minutes at the end and I even scored! I was excited. All the girls were really happy for me and asked why I didn't do a celebration dance haha. It's a big thing here to celebrate and I just put my arms up and that was it. Lol Hmm what else. It hasn't rained one day. Then Sunday we were going to go to the beach in recife but of course it rains that day out of the 18 days I had been here. Just my luck. It cleared up so me and some of the girls went to the pool then ice cream shop to watch futbol game so it was nice to do something. We are going to try to go to the beach this weekend since we have sat and sun off. Oh Saturday night some of the girls asked if i wanted to go out so I of. Ourselves said sure. I dread the weekends because they are boring for me. We never have anything to do. So going out and the beach or pool I wasn't so excited! We went to a bar in the plaza or town square and then they Took me to the town festival. That was. Er interesting. Smal and dirty and packed. There was a small ferris wheel I would not even think about ever going on. Music was popular and everyone was dancing. I attempted to dance and did alright. Hha. This week we have a lot of training. Two a days all week. Mon, wed, and fri we lift in the morning and train in the afternoon. Then tues and we'd we have training in the am and pm. I love it though. The girls are so good and enjoy playing with them. It takes forever though. Everyone is laid back. If the coach says go do this or do that people walk. If we walked in the us... The coach would make us run and yell at us. The pitch isn't the best either but it's not horrible. It takes 3 days for them to cut the grAss and they have manual old fashioned sprinklers for the fields. Sorry these are all jumbled up. It's been a while since I have written on here so. Am trying t think of everything that has happened since I ave arrived so I just write what comes to mind. The food here is pretty good. I'm so sick of beans and rice though. I made a bet with myself this week that's wont have any. It's Tuesday night and I'm doing good. They have it with every meal. Aliya. I miss salads. It is too hot here so they don't sell lettuce and if they do it's more expensive. They vegetables and fruits aren't the same either. I've tried a few different things to. I think I had a little of the water or it was food called a pastel that I ad that made me sick for 24 hours. I hated it. I had a roommate for a week. She was different and didn't talk to anyone. Even the girls who spoke the same language so I felt really awkward. But she left today so I'm happy to have my own room again. Well I will write more later and will try to get better in writing more often. I have to go to the inversion wi the girls when they have class to get on this weisite cause the Internet at the house is no god. Til then.. Take care. Chat with y'all later!

Hey Everyone. So I arrived to Recife safely on Thursday. I was pretty nervous the entire time because i didnt know how to do baggage and do customs. I tried asking someone but they didn´t understand me, but she asked her boyfriend and he helped. I had to speak slow for them to understand but customs was a piece of cake. Once I got my bags there was a lady, Rosie, and her daughter, Juliana, who had a sign and picked me up. Craziest thing I have ever done.. in brazil airport not knowing who is picking me up. They did not know Portuguese so they called a friend who translated on the phone. They got me food, let me shower, nap at their place. They were soooo nice! Then at 9pm we went back to airport to meet manager of team, some players since they were coming back from a game. Then we head to Vitoria. I had and am still having a hard time here. Have been wanting to cry every day. It is sooooooo hard not understanding people and I just feel lost. There are two girls from Iceland who speak English so that helps and a girl named Bruna who I have been with this weeked who knows english fairly well. The american girl is away in Sau Paulo working with fifa and wont be back for a few weeks. The team is away at a game now, and it was to late for me to be signed up to play so I am staying with other players who did not travel. It is hard because during the day we have nothing to do. The tv they do have is in portuguese and no internet at the house except the one im at this weekend but its on her computer so she is kind and letting me use it. Other then that i just sleep. The weather is nice..hot. The food isn´t bad either..just different. Beans and rice always and some kind of meat. We go to this little place for food..breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ladies make us eggs in the morning with lots of fruit. I have actually tried quite a bit of things.. couldnt tell u the names cause its hard to say/remember. The living and everything is just really different. We walked to the gym and there was domestic pig and cow just walking the streets. The motorists and cars are crazy. You have to pay attention or they will run your ass over ..lol.. not even kidding. Looking far away at other towns it looks pretty cool cause its all on hills and houses and such. The town i live in is uhm very traditional. very very. I wish i could post pictures. It definitely makes me realize how much I have and how much I appreciate everything at home. But minus the difficult times its cool experience to see it all too. I cantwait for the team to get back so i can start playing and to figure out which house im for sure staying at and to get settled in. Maybe ill be more at ease and comfortable. Well wanted to make sure I wrote something since I am not sure how much I will be on. missing everyone more then i can explain! chat with ya soon xo

The last few days before I depart.

Well, it is Monday, March 5th, which means I leave in TWO DAYS! Its crazy to think I will be in a different country, on another continent, but it hasn't really hit me yet. At times it does, but I do not think it will until I am there and settled in.

After I turned in my paperwork I felt a lot better and made the rest of the week and weekend go by smoother. Thursday I met up with a couple old high school teachers. It was nice to see them and catch up. This weekend I had a few farewell parties. Friday I got together with friends and Saturday was a goodbye gathering with my family. It was great to see everyone and love how much support I have behind me. Thank you all<3

Today I picked up my VISA. I went back to to Consulate, of course, ONLY between the hours 12-1 PM. It went really quick. Literally walked in, picked it up, and walked out. I recommend if anyone goes to pick up a VISA in the near future to have someone just drive around while you get it instead of paying for parking when you are there for 5 minutes.

I also called to confirm my flights as well. I guess international flights you have to call 72 hours before to confirm them. Luckily I read the rules & regulations... phew! :) Also, found out that my first and second bag I check will be free but if I check a 3rd, 4th, etc, that it will be $85 per bag. I have not packed yet, but I am definitely going to make sure it all fits in two. Not sure what I am even bringing yet. I am the type of person who needs to do it the day before and lay everything out. If I do a little at a time I will freak out and think I forgot something, which leads to unpacking everything. I  would have to find what I think I didn't pack and would be a big mess so I find it easier to do it all at once.

Tomorrow will consist of packing and running any last second errands, which includes the bank to pick up my Brazilian Money! I am sure I will have a few people in and out saying good bye and then I will head to training tomorrow night. Wednesday my flight is at 6:30, where I will fly to Charlotte, NC. Then from there to Rio then to Recife. I arrive in Recife, Brazil Thursday around 3:00 PM. dun da dun dun!

My next post will be when I am in Brazil.. cant wait to share with everyone.

Love, Me!<3

Less then 2 weeks to get a VISA...

After my mom, sister, brother-in-law, and I met with Ewerton and his wife, we knew then it was a done deal. Now I just needed to get everything done in less then two weeks...wait what? less then 2 weeks? OMG!!!!!!... ok so I do not get stressed that easily.. I am actually pretty laid back and a very optimistic person.. but holy freaking cow has this week been full of stress and a rollercoaster of emotions...
My BIGGEST concern was my flights and getting my VISA, which go hand in hand. Well, my eager sister and I, were so excited, we booked a one-way ticket that Sunday night! I was ready to go! Then, I went to the consulate website and read all the steps I needed to take in order to request a VISA. To get your VISA, you have to have a round trip ticket. Well crap...... this was the first time I almost lost it but fought back the tears... im so tough. haha :)

First of all, to request a VISA, you may do so Monday through Friday between 9:00- 11:00 AM ONLY. Once it is processed, you may pick up your VISA Monday through Friday ONLY 12:00-1:00 PM!
So, I quit my job right away. I felt horrible and wanted to work this past week but there was no way. I had to get this done in order for me to go, I would be too stressed, and I need my phone on me 24/7 to make sure I do not miss any important calls.

Next, I needed to fill out the application protocol online, print, sign it, and bring it in with the other documents (passport, picture, ID, money order, etc.). Well, this online application asked where I worked, what address I was staying at, and all that fun stuff. I had no idea what to put and was freaking out. I had to have this information because you can only fill it out online, needed to print it, and sign it to bring in. Thank goodness Ewerton has been patient with me because I think I text him or call him 15 times a day!

Tuesday night I still did not have the address, but my sister Donna and I decided we were going go no matter what Wednesday morning because the request takes at least 3 BUSINESS DAYS. That means we were going on Wednesday, Thurs., Fri., and Mon., then I could pick it up Monday or Tuesday... yeah well I leave Wednesday... can you tell why I am going crazy over here??????

Wednesday morning rolls around and I still do not have the address so once again I bother Ewerton to see if by chance he was able to receive it. GOOD NEWS: HE CALLED 5 MINUTES LATER AND HAD IT! PHEWWWWWW! I quickly typed in all the information needed for that application and clicked send. They said to write down the code number and to print so that is what I did. UHHHH... WHY ISN'T IT PRINTING????? Then I get click happy or crazy for this matter and I refresh and retype EVERYTHING! At least 30 minutes go by to try and print. My three-year-old niece and one-year-old nephew were with us and getting into everything (even broke my stepdads eye glasses--oops!) while my sister Donna and I are trying to figure this paperwork out. Finally we decided we would just go there and hopefully they would help us.

We made a quick stop at the post office to get a money order since of course that is all the consulate accepts for payment. I get that and downtown we go. Traffic wasn't HORRIBLE but it still took sometime for us to get to the city. We get there around 10:15 and we did not know EXACTLY where we were going so we parked at the first self park we saw and started walking. We did not know how far we were from Michigan Ave so we asked a lady on the street. We jumped in a cab and they got us there at about 10:30ish.. so 30 minutes before it closes. We made it! YES! We get up to the suite and there is another man waiting to get his application. First thing he tells us....The system is down. SAY WHHHHHAT? I go up to the lady and she of course tells me what the other guy said and I was totally bummed. She did check to see if I had everything I needed, which I did, minus the application. So we wait, and wait, and wait some more. During this time, the other guy, Tim, was keeping us company. He was a super friendly guy and gave me his card for when I get there since we will be in the same area. Cool man.. I made a new friend. Anyway, while we wait, we would get hopes that the system would get running. It almost did at one point but then would freeze. GRR! The consulate people said that there might be a chance if we wait around in the afternoon that they might just allow us to request the VISA since it was not our fault the system was down. So we wait some more. In the meantime, Ewerton's wife and a friend of theirs shows up at the Consulate because they need to get their VISAs as well. Then Ewerton pops in. Well don't we just have a little party going on. Well luckily for them, they had their applications printed out and were all set for the most part. They came in and left and Donna, the kids, and I continuued to wait. Around noon, the consulate man opens the window and finally says "who doesn't have their application papers but has everything else?" Tim and I immediately jump up! They were going to let us apply.request a VISA and they would take care of the rest! OMG! THANK GOD WE DIDNT LEAVE! PHEW! So the guy looks through all my stuff and says to coem back Monday. Deep breath. I was soooo excited! Now let's all just hope the process goes well and the system is running so it is really done by Monday, which it should be soooo off to Brazil I go! whooop whooop!!!

BIG THANKS TO MY SISTER DONNA, MY NIECE AVA, MY NEPHEW DYLAN, WHO CAME WITH. THE KIDS WERE A LITTLE CRAZY FOR BEING IN A BORING ROOM FOR ALMOST 2 HOURS BUT THEY DID SO WELL!! I WAS HAPPY AND THEY WERE HAPPY FOR ME! YAYYYYYY!

We then grabbed subway and headed home. The kids fell asleep on the drive back, I took a 2 hour nap once I got home, and Donna, well she stayed up..I do not know how!!

The Start Of It All..

Hey Everyone!

I am starting this blog so all my family, friends, coaches, players, community, fans, or pretty much WHOEVER can follow me as I begin my journey as a professional soccer player in Brazil.

COLLEGE
For those of you who do not know me or know what I have been up to I will begin by sharing some personal information so you can get the gist of how this all began.

I have been playing soccer since the 5th grade. I played on Varsity all four years at Schaumburg High School. I went to Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for my first year and a half of college. I obviously went there for soccer. I transferred back and went to Harper Community College for the completion of my second year of college. At that time, I was really unsure if I wanted to continue to play soccer at such a competitive level. I decided I would go to Western Illinois University, play for the club team, and go back to playing for fun. After my first tryout at the club team I thought that it could be frustrating because I knew my level of play and competition level was different since I have already had the experience to play at a D2 school where we made it into NCAA tournament my freshman year. That is when I decided to contact the WIU Women's Head Coach, Tony Guinn, a man who has changed my life in so many ways, for the better. I met with him, the assistant coach, Jason Cherry, another man who has changed my life for the better, and the WIU tennis coach. Eventually they offered me to come tryout. I was pretty much out of shape and the first practice/tryout I attended must have been FITNESS day because they were running sprints, monster runs, and small scrimages. If you lost a small-sided game you were running. But after another tryout or two, I was asked to join the team so I must have done something right! I was ecstatic. I had to sit out the first year because of NCAA rules on transferring, but I busted my ass to be fit.  After practices I would go to the gym. It was hard, though, to just practice and never be able to play a game. My two seasons that I was able to play in were two great seasons. Our team went to the Final Four both seasons and my senior season we made it to the championship game, but unfortunately lost to NDSU 1-3. It was devastating and still to this day hate talking about that game. My years at WIU were some of the best years of my life. I could not be more grateful to have had the coaching staff we did and to have played with such amazing individuals who were not only my teammates, but my bestfriends, my family. We went through a lot together. One in particular, our coach's son, Shaymus Guinn, found out he has cancer so it has been an on going battle, but that boy is one of the strongest people I have ever met. He makes you want to play harder everytime you step on the field. I truly believe he is what motivated us to do so well. There is no doubt that I will bring Shay's inspriation and stength with me to Brazil.

Once I finished my last season at WIU, I still had a spring semester of classes to finish up and the following fall semester to student teach. That summer my coach Diego Cevallos (Judson Womens Head Coach/CL FORCE club coach), again, mentioned to me about soccer. I told him now that I am finished up at school I needed to focus on my priorties, which were work & student teaching. His response, "Soccer is a priority." Very true. He had me there. I ended up playing again that summer for Crystal Lake Force and he again mentioned something about playing professionally. At one of our summer games, Dan Quinn, another coach of the CL Force, coached for our team, since Diego has two teams he coaches. Dan asked me as well about continuing my play. Now this was two people who mentioned something about playing at the next level. That is when I really started thinking about it. It motivated me more that others thought I could play so that is when Dan asked me to send me a BIO about where I played and such. He said he has a contact who is from Brazil, Ewerton, who is also another coach for CL Force. They said I probably wouldn't hear anything til after winter break, but to continue to stay in shape, for they can call any day. Diego was kind enough to let me come train in the fall with his high school club teams. This was sometimes not an easy task. I was student teaching in the the Fall, which for those of you who have student taught, it takes over your life. I was teaching M-F, and going to training 3 days a week, which was in Crystal Lake. So to get there on time I had to leave an hour earlier because of traffic. Before/After training or on days I didn't have training, including weekends, I literally felt like I lived at the Schaumburg Library. I was drained day in and out, but was so motivated because I wanted this. I think I fell in love with the game all over again because by winter time, I was playing more soccer and working out more then I ever have during college. I could not get enough. I am pretty sure some people were wondering why I was working out so much. I told some people I was trying to play over seas but I did not want to say too much because I did not know for sure.

In December, my good friend and teammate, Katie Condon, told me about this winter training for college athletes to stay in shape over break that was at Soccer City in Palatine. Greg Mehr and Bonnie Young ran the sessions, two really great coaches. After the girls sessions were over, since they went back to school, there were still guy trainings that I attended, ran by Brett Hall. They were very intense and I was so intimidated the first few times going, but were so worth it.

It was January by this time and I had e-mailed Dan and asked Diego if they have heard any further information about Brazil.Then I received my first e-mail from Ewerton letting me know that he is working on details and he will contact me. I believe it was the end of January when I received a phone call from Diego to come to his training session out at RSC in CL to train and meet with Ewerton about Brazil. He wanted to see me play and then can discuss more details with Kleiton Lima, the Brazil National Coach, who is Ewerton's connection, about getting me over to play. I had done this twice and received a little bit of information each time. I was patient, but really impatient, cause I just wanted to know already!

At this time, I was working for the Schaumburg Park District, as a Counselor for the Kasper Before/Afterschool Program. Time had passed and I hadn't heard anything for about a month so I went through days where I was like "well maybe it wont happen" or "he said he would call" and I even was about to e-mail Ewerton just to get a follow up. I was playing indoor leagues about 3-4 times a week during this time too. I figured since I haven't heard for anything, I was going to apply for a paraprofessional position my friend Christy told me about and put my education to use. I ended up not getting the position Christy mentioned, but I recevied a paraprofessional position in the same district but at the middle school. Friday, March 17th, I received a phone called from the principal asking if I was interested. I gave her a call back, went in for an interview, and was hired all on that Friday. I was ECSTATIC! I could not believe I received this call, especially since I was bummed about the previous position. I started that Tuesday, since Monday was President's Day. That Thursday, during lunch, I checked my phone and had missed calls and texts from both Diego and Ewerton. I was like "oh my god!" They told me to come out to training again to discuss some more information about the opportunity to play in Brazil and to talk with Kleiton and Caitie, the other American there. So I went there, played a bit, and then talked to Caitie about the opportunity itself, her experience, etc. I was in shock and barely asked any questions and was kind of just taking it all in. He then told me about the opportunity and that I would go for 3 months and they want me there by March 10th (there was more to that conversation but I am already writing a novel so moving on.. lol). So I told some of my family and a few friends. Sunday my mom, sister, and brother-in-law, came with me to meet Ewerton and his wife to discuss the opportunity fully, answer any questions and CONCERNS, and all other details. After we left there, it was a for sure thing. I was going but it was a matter of getting everything I needed to get taken care of done, which was a lot since we are on a time constraint here! I think from Sunday til now I have had at least a hundred heart attacks and have ate everything under the sun due to the stress I have been under.

So this is how it all happened. I think I just wrote a novel, which is so unlike me. I rarely share this much information with people.. ask my family!!

But I am extremely excited and nervous and every emotion in between that! I appreciate all the motivation, inspirtation, kind words and support from everyone. I plan on updating this as often as I can, starting obviously now and then throughout my experience. I hope this motivates and inspires others to follow their dreams and to never give up.

"Dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them."

Peace.Love.Happiness