Home Sweet Home

Nana and I celebrating our birthday!

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  There truly is no place like home.

  No matter how many times you leave, no matter how old you are, there's nothing like going back home. After four months in France, I was able to return home for a few weeks over the Holidays and enjoy the company of my family.

  For me, when I'm home in Portland, that's what it's all about. All family, all of the time.

  When it comes time to head back overseas, it's tough . No many how many times I have done it, it's always hard getting on the plane and returning to Europe -- leaving family behind. The Holidays are filled with family time and for me, since my birthday is right after the New Year, I'm always a little extra-reluctant to get on the plane, and give up that family atmosphere.

Holiday Lights on Peacock Lane.

  Your heart is so full from those days spent with loved ones, that it's hard to return to the grind of life as a basketball player abroad.

  But after a certain point, you realize enough is enough. That it's time to get back to work. Your family members and friends return to their normal work schedule, and 'regular' life resumes. So regular life must go on for you as well.

  You settle back into your routine, and you get back into your season, and your life in Europe.

  So here I am. Back, and ready to get after 2013!

  But first, here are a few highlights from my Holiday break (but certainly not ALL the memorable moments):

- Getting re-acquainted with my nieces for several days, and getting to help out with one of their basketball practices. The three of them never fail to amaze me, entertain me, and make me laugh.

Breaking out the Kitchen Aid to whip up the cheesecake.

- A walk/run around the lake with my mom (she 
 walks, then I leave later and catch her!) on a beautifully sunny day. We meet up at Starbucks for a coffee, then walk the last mile-plus home. It's always one of my favorite things to do!

- Holiday Lights on Peacock Lane with my parents and nieces. Peacock Lane is a Portland tradition that I had visited once before, but don't have memory of.

- An afternoon spent shopping in Downtown Portland with my mom.

- Catching up with an old friend who is newly engaged!

- Making my first cheesecake -- for Christmas dessert!

- Christmas Eve at my aunt & uncle's

Family time.

- Christmas Day at my brother's

- An early birthday celebration with Nana, and the rest of the family.

  One not-so-highlight: Spent my birthday on a plane (that's one thing I can say I've never done), and jet-lagged once I touched-down in Dunkerque. So I spent the day pretty much wishing it to be over so I could settle in my bed and sleep! I was able to celebrate a few days early with my Nana (who I share a birthday with) and my family. But celebrating nearly a week early isn't quite the same. But you adjust, and you appreciate being able to celebrate at all.

  So you see, I had a pretty great break, and have a lot to be grateful for! I'll stick these moments into the memory bank, and continue on, making new memorable moments.

                                                                                              Happy 2013!

More Holiday break pictures below...

Family time in the gym!

One of the houses on Peacock Lane.

Blowing out the candles.

Birthday girls.

Nana and some of her great-granddaughters.

Cousins!

My Red Velvet cheesecake. Yum.

Back from Hiatus

With my three nieces!

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  Happy 2012, and welcome back to Sabrina's Crossing! I took a longer-than-expected hiatus from blogging while home for the Holidays, but I'm back in France, and ready to get back to it (basketball and blogging, that is)!

  I had an awesome time at home, spending most of my time with family and friends. And of course I continued to workout to stay in shape for the remainder of the season!

  Since I was in Oregon for nearly three weeks, I had to keep reminding myself that I was in-season, and still had four months of basketball to play! From past experience, a 7-10 day break for the Holidays is the norm. Last year in Sweden, I had about five days. So I guess it all balances itself out from year to year. While a longer break is always more-desirable, at a certain point you realize it's time to get back to 'doing what you do'!

Playing Wii with Sofie.

  That said, I'm excited to get the second half of the season started! But first I need to get my land legs back, and get this jet-lag under control (I think I spent all of Sunday drifting in and out of consciousness, and then had my eyes pop open this morning around 4am!). 

  So what did I do at home, since I obviously wasn't blogging?!? A little bit of everything, I guess.

  I made frequent visits to ClubSport to keep my conditioning up to par, and to stay ready for the second half of the basketball season. ClubSport is always changing, they're always making upgrades. And this time around was no different.

  Among other things, they added a 'high altitude training' room. I immediately wanted to give it a try, and see how a simulated run at altitude compared with the many runs at altitude I've done in Colorado. I didn't lose my breath as quickly as I thought I should (room was set for 9,500 ft.), but it was a fun/interesting thing to do.

The line up outside the ES.

  One of the more-ridiculous things that happened while I was home was when I took a trip to the Nike Employee Store the day the Jordan XIs were released. I guess I underestimated the power of  possibly the most-popular Nike ever. But needless to say, the appetite for shoes, and Jordans in particular, never cease to amaze me.

  I quickly made the decision to reschedule my pass to the ES for another, less-chaotic day when the line just to get into the store was out to the street, several hundred feet from the door.

With Sadie.

With Stella.

  After spending four months away, it's always fun to see how much my three incredible nieces have grown and changed during that time. I swear, they just get cuter, funnier, smarter, and more- entertaining every time I see them (no bias)!

  We have a great time together, whether it's playing Wii, playing dress-up (them, not me!!), going to the coffee shop for a treat or two, playing basketball, or playing on scooters, bikes, or roller racers!

  Stella, Sadie, and Sofie always keep me on my toes, and always manage to keep a smile firmly planted on my face!

First birthday dinner with Nana & nieces!

  The benefit of having a long Holiday break, was that I was able to celebrate my birthday at home for the first time in several years. I share a birthday with my Nana, so it was a special day to be able to see her on January 3rd this time around!

  We definitely took full advantage, and spent some quality family time together (I count two family birthday dinners). Nothing like having a homemade chocolate birthday cake!

  I was also able to take advantage of scheduling and timing, and make the three-hour drive to Seattle to watch the Colorado women's basketball team take on the Huskies. I hadn't seen the Buffs play in person since 2008, and it was my first opportunity to catch the Buffs in action since my CU teammate, and good friend Linda took over the reins as head coach!

Coach Lappe and the Buffs in action!

  Seeing a college game again was fun. The pace and the intricacies of the game are much different than the European game, and the college game has changed a lot since I wore the black and gold.

  Unfortunately, I probably won't be allowed back for any games in the near future, since I was on-hand for the Buffs' first loss of the season. But it was great being in the stands cheering for my alma mater!

  My mom made the day-trip to Seattle with me, and we had a wonderful afternoon together: spending time downtown, at Pike's Place Market, Starbucks, and of course cheering on the Buffs and yelling at referees!

Mom & I in Seattle.

  Obviously, the main reason I went home, was to spend Christmas with my family. To me, it just isn't Christmas unless I'm with my family! I had a chance to catch up with a lot of friends I only get to see on occasion. I got to meet a new second-cousin (my cousin Robbie's son, Wesley). I managed to finish my shopping in time, and hopefully everyone enjoyed the presents I brought home from Europe!

  But outside of that, the time I got to spend with my family was the real gift! I had a great Holiday at home, and I loved every second of it.

  The sun is finally rising on Monday morning here in Dunkerque

  I'm also looking forward resuming my journey with this blog. As you might notice, I made a few changes to the layout. Please let me know if the text is too difficult to read, or any other feedback you might have. Thanks again!

2012 in Dunkerque!

Happy 2012!

Birthday Celebrations

My bday party in Germany with Billi ,Tinki & Nina. We went bowling.

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  This week, I was reminded of yet another difference between living in the U.S. and Euro-living.

  Small cultural differences present themselves on a daily basis, but the way birthdays are celebrated here in France (and many of the other European countries I've lived in) are vastly different from how Americans traditionally celebrate their birthdays.

  I first became aware of the differences my first season overseas in Italy. It was one of my teamamtes' birthdays, and as practice was coming to a close, she gathered everyone together to tell us she had brought some food and drinks to have aperitivo after practice.  

  Aperitivo, or appetizers, consisted of small salty pastries, champagne, Coke, and Fanta. We all went to the back room, where everyone sat for a bit, drank a glass of champagne or Coke, had a some snacks, and celebrated our teammate's birthday.

  And again, yesterday, my teammate here in Dunkerque was celebrating her birthday. She did the same. Brought brought lots of small snack foods, along with champagne-like drinks, and cider (only in France it's called apéritif). The whole team gathered in the bar area of our gym for close to an hour to toast Aurelie, and celebrate her birthday.

Aurelie - setting up her apéritif.

  For my non-American readers, a team birthday celebration in the States might go something like this. Before or after practice, the team will gather into a huddle and sing "Happy Birthday" to the day's honoree. That's it.

  The second difference I've noticed is who brings the birthday cake/dessert. In Europe, if it is your birthday, you bring the sweets. In the US, friends and family usually always provide the cake.

  I always think of my mom saying, 'you can't bake your own birthday cake'! In Europe, they might not bake it, but they surely bring it.

  Similarly, if you go out for dinner on your birthday in Europe, it's your treat. My second season in Italy, I was invited to a birthday dinner at an awesome Brazilian restaurant in Milano. The restaurant was incredibly good, but also incredibly expensive. I think it ran about 50 Euros per person. I imagine that was a pretty hefty bill. And I remember thinking that I was entirely too cheap to ever treat my friends to something like that!

  Again, it's the opposite in the States. Many times, a group of friends will take the 'birthday-girl' out for dinner and split the check as part of her gift.

Birthday champagne.

  For my birthday my first season abroad, I did not participate in the Euro-birthday tradition. Maybe I was being a stubborn American. But I just thought it was strange, to bring your own birthday cake, etc. I guess I thought it was your day, not everyone elses, so you should be treated to something special.

  At some point between years one and two in Italy, my mindset changed. For my second birthday in Italy, I followed suit with the Italian tradition. I brought the champagne and the treats. And I have to say it was really nice. It was a nice feeling to take a moment out and share something special because of your day. Instead of others taking the initiative to celebrate, it is YOU taking the initiative to celebrate your special day.

  The aperitivo/apéritif tradition is something I've grown to enjoy (on both sides: giving and receiving): to take some time to appreciate your teammate/friend, and celebrate her birthday in a small way.

  I can't say I prefer one tradition over the other, but I think it's interesting how different birthday celebrations can be. Don't worry, there is one tradition I've found to be universal however. And that's the tradition of birthday presents!

  Is there anything about birthday traditions/celebrations I've missed out on? What's your favorite way to subtly celebrate a birthday?