WOW...what a journey I've had the last month! The last time I blogged, I was in Orlando and had just finished a trip out to the Kennedy Space Center. I finished off that week recruiting at the Disney Soccer Showcase at Disneyworld, then drove down to Ft. Lauderdale for a week long coaching course. I met other coaches from all over the country, mostly back east and the midwest. The coaching course was a blast. I learned so much, gained confidence in the things I already know, and met people who have confidence in my ability. My group was awesome....we named ourselves "Peter's Pandas" after our instructor, Peter Broadley, who was so helpful, so honest....he helped all of us become better coaches, but he also let us know the things we did well and the things we needed to work on. Our group worked hard for each other and we enjoyed each other's company! It was great! I made other friends from other groups as well and excited to continue those friendships. Tony Dicicco was there...he coached the women's National team and I grew up going to his goalkeeper camps! That was pretty cool to be able to meet him...but I was SO nervous around him!
From Ft. Lauderdale, I flew to DC where I stayed with my friend, Beth Bauer, who I played club soccer with back in 1993-1995. It was so good to see her! She also had a little foster dog who I would've taken home with me in a heartbeat if I had a place for him! I got to walk around DC a little and I went to the International Spy Museum....I took on the identity of Greta Schmidt from Germany...but I forgot my mission and who I was supposed to meet with and why, so I was captured by customs officers at the end of my tour through the museum! It was a lot of fun.
From Ft. Lauderdale, it was a small trek to Baltimore via Annapolis, Maryland where I walked around downtown and the U.S. Naval Academy! It was a cute place with beautiful scenery of the Chesapeake Bay!
I arrived in Baltimore Wednesday evening and immediately immersed myself into the annual NSCAA Convention. The best part of the week was being able to spend time with my good friend and colleague, Josh Walters. Josh left Utah State to join the staff and Florida State last summer. Even though I am really excited for this move, it has been hard not working with him anymore. He is one of those people who has always believed in me and mentored me...and he is a good friend. The sessions at the convention were awesome. I got something out of each one. I also met a lot of people, experienced the world of networking at a professional level and in a purely "social" environment. I saw quite a few people from my course in Ft. Lauderdale, so it was fun to see them again and strengthen those friendships. I also had the opportunity to meet Briana Scurry, former national team goalkeeper. I watched her and the U.S. Women's National team win the World Cup in 1999 at the Rose Bowl!
I am really grateful for the last month. Many prayers answered, I grew in confidence, and I got to meet good people and spend time with good friends. I would've never been able to come on this trip without the help and support of my boss. I'm grateful to work for someone who believes in constant growth as a professional and that she always helps us find the resources so I am able to take part in activities and events to help me get better at what I do. It is time to keep moving forward taking with me everything I've learned on this trip. :) So here's to the next adventure!!!!
