End of Season Awards Banquet

It was a fun season!  My first season of hockey and learning to skate all in one!  When I started to prepare for the season, I bought all the gear to skate as a wing or a center.  Though, I didn't know how to skate.  A few weeks before the pre-season clinic I set out to learn how to skate.  For three weeks, nearly everyday, I was out at UAA trying to learn how to skate.  After two weeks of getting almost nowhere and having feet hurt terribly, I went back to the shop, bought a different pair, only to be in even more agony.  I finally went to an actual hockey shop, Champion's Choice.  Apparently, my skates were an entire size too big!!!  So, I exchanged a pair, and bought a decent used pair of skates.  What a difference!  Still, I needed to learn how to skate.

As I started to learn how to skate, for the second time, I found that my progress was more rapid.  A few days before the clinic I received an email asking if I was still interested in trying out for goalie.  There were a few teams in need of a goalie and since I had showed interest in learning any position, I agreed to give it a shot.   Little did I know that goalies not only wore a lot of gear, but their skates are completely different.

I showed up to the clinic, not knowing how to skate, in bulky gear, it smelled horrible (borrowed gear smells rank) but did the best I could.  I couldn't even make it through the skating drills.  I simply couldn't skate.  I remember Ray (one of the "coaches") telling each person what they did well.  Everyone except me received a praise for some sort of skating skill.  I assume he got to me and didn't want to hurt my feelings and said "you can see the play develop."  At the time, I took in stride and because I was at least pleased he didn't say "your skating is weak sauce."  Little did I know, my ability to watch a play develop was going to be my biggest asset.  Lacking in skating skills and hockey knowledge, my lifelong experience with team sports and over analytical brain helped bridge the gap between my skating ability and lack of speed.

For those who think goalies don't skate much, I will have you know that that is a common misconception.  The goalie is usually one of the best skaters on the ice!  A goalie pretty much skates the whole game and rarely stops to "chew the fat" or "chat chit."  The skating is a lot more technical than one would think and they don't get breaks.  Not only is it technical skating, but they do it in all that gear.  I am in awe of goalies when I see them now, as I have been in the crease and know what it's like to do just the basic skills I have learned this season.  I am nowhere near a level that would be deemed as "good" but I know that to be able to the things I have seen takes a lot of skill and effort.

With that said, I raise my helmet to goalies of all skill levels.  You have my respect and appreciation.  A team without a goalie is gonna have one heck of a time getting through a game and there are not many people willing to stand in the way of a fast flying puck.  Just so you know, it's a constant adrenaline rush if the pucks are flying the whole game.  The faster they come, the more intense it is!  Whew!  Can't type any more about it, I am getting excited and I still have things to stay focused on.  =D

The banquet was a blast.  Low key, good company, good food, and the Awards were given in a chill-axed way.  Not too much hullabaloo and fuss which was cool.  Sometimes award banquets can be so tedious!  We also received our team pictures and any other items we may have ordered.  I ordered player cards because I thought it would be cool and it was!  Hopefully, I will get some in the mail soon!

I played for two teams most of the season.  My primary team was Team Nelson and my secondary team was Champ' Choice (their goalie had surgery and was out for most of the season).  Both teams were filled with  great ladies and it was such an honor to skate with them and to learn so much in the process.

Seeing Team Nelson develop into a better, stronger team was a fantastic experience.  Our team had a lot of first time skaters and it was evident for most of the first half of the season, but as we continued to play and work hard we started to celebrate our victories!  We didn't win many games, but we achieved so much!  In the end of season tournament, we took third out of five teams.  Our tournament record was 2-1-1 and that tie was a huge victory on its own!  We tied B Bella who pretty much owned us the whole season.  First time we played them I saw over 30 shots on goal and we lost 0-8.  Let me tell you this, they didn't put that many in the net against us in one game for the rest of the season!  Still, to tie them at 1 was huge for us!  My team played their hearts out and it felt good to be a part of that and share it with them.

At the banquet, we also were to vote for the next season's league board members.  I was asked to run for the board and did.  There are nine positions on the board and nine of us ran.  So, I guess you know I am on next season's board.  LOL!  I might need to get a car to be able to keep up with it all!!!

B Bella early in the season, I think we lost 0-5 this game

My friends (both teams) playing at Subway Centre.  Purple team made it to the championship game and won that too!

Watching my friends playing for the a chance to make it to the final round - they won.

Goalie Gumby

Our Team Shirts =D Team Nelson!!!

House of Vasa Coat of Arms

My Dragon Spirit with Forget-Me Nots on the goalie stick =)

On the left it says "Maniac" and that's my Maniacal Guy

I took Hebrew in college, so I had to add this bit of flair

 

 

This is a pic of me early in the season when I could barely stand up!

Shamrock Scramble

Yep, I ran a 5k.  Not that it's far, but I haven't run in awhile.  Though I am very active and keep busy, I rarely make time to just run.  I do run when I do various activities, but I wasn't sure it was really enough.  I was pleased that I was able to run it in the snow and without "training."  I wasn't even very tired afterwards, but I was terribly hungry.. 

Running + Snow Trail + 16 degrees + hills = Famished

I ate three slices of some sort of sweet bread, a banana and a half, and drank a bottle of water all within minutes of finishing the run.  It was a lot of fun and for a good cause.  It was great to run with my friend Holli.  For those moments when I thought I should just walk, she asked me if I was sure and I decided I still had some life in me.  Good times!

I am ready to run!

At the bus stop heading to the scramble

Me, Holli, and Kim

That's my friend Beast.  We went to a party later that same day!  She's awesome!

Vacation in the Lower 48

First class from Seattle to Oakland

I had quite the whirlwind vacation while visiting the lower 48.  Saw many, and missed many.  Next trip will be a little slower and I will have to organize a little better.  Most of my trip was about seeing lots of people, so I didn't spend a lot of time with everyone.  Pros and cons to that, but I hope that the time spent was meaningful.  I enjoyed a meal with my dad and his wife while in Southern California.  I even got to have dinner with my mom, Aunt Mena, and Suzette.  Those two meals were important meals I didn't want to miss. 

aww how cute

I missed seeing some family in Portland, but I enjoyed a lovely meal and did some homework.  This may sound silly, but I really like the Portland airport.  It's quite lovely.  The people who work there were absolutely the friendliest people ever.   I noticed that when I was there last year when moving out to Alaska, and my good opinion was more resolute after coming back again and experiencing it again.

requson for the manicotti

Even though I don't miss living in California, I do miss family and friends.  Alaska is my home and I feel it every morning when I wake up, and every night when I go to sleep.  Whether for a spell, or a lifetime, this is my home and it was so wonderful to touchdown in Anchorage after a wild week and a half in the lower 48.  I like the cooler climate, it suits me.

a very lovely poem about Alaska

As Break-Up leads us into the long days ahead, I prepare to say "good-bye" to our beautiful, and wonderfully long winter and getting ready to say "Hello!" to summer.  Last year, most of my adventures were around town on on transit.  I had a blast.  Since I have actually made an effort to make some friends and they are active individuals, I plan to have a lot more adventures - Alaskan style.

trying on some pole dancin' shoes

Kara being silly

Christian modeling a sweet hat

Kara showing off her art skills

my eyes were closed, but this is my dad and I in Oceanside

just super cute!

i did a lot of coloring on vacation =)

That's my Twin!!!

My Twin again!

RED CUP!!!

Empty RED CUP!!!

Pedi time!

Yep, we are cute!

Ninja Midgets - Dylan and Tyler

My Twin!!!

Ninjas on Patrol - Kelly, Me, Tyler

RED CUP!!!!  Dylan, Me, Tyler

Lunch with the Freemans

UDUPI Palace!

Chana Bhatura

No more Chana or Bhatura

Auntie Nita and her Painting

Roach Coach Meal - Yummy!

Lillian's in Santa Cruz

Thanks, Scott!!!

A little treat at the airport. Shared with a guy on the plane.

I am now One Year old (Alaskan)!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a one year old Alaskan!  I have officially been in Alaska for a year and it feels good!  Darn good!!!  It's been one of the most incredible years of my life and I have no regrets.  The year has been full of challenges, triumphs, confusion, happiness, first times for this and that, chicken eating bears, and the "holy heck that's a moose right there!"

I am grateful for the many blessings in my life and the opportunities I have to grow each day spiritually, especially when I'm living right, I am immensely blessed for that effort.  Even when I have made mistakes, I feel the love of my Father in Heaven.

ej

Odd ways to hurt yourself...

When I was in high school, an iron fell on my head.  Yup, an iron.  You know, the kind of iron you use to press your clothing when it's wrinkled?  Who knew right?  Bled for days, but was really just a little mark of a triangle from when the tip of the iron struck my forehead at the hairline.  Don't worry, even though I dropped it on my head, it did no permanent damage.  Yes, that can be disputed, but for the sake of this post we will go with my view of what I believe my mental capacity to be.

Post-Post Insertion:

A friend of mine happily reminded me about the time a picture frame fell on my head.  That's another story, but yes, I picture frame fell on my head, nearly in the same spot as the iron.  Falling objects will be the death of me!

Then, last week in my first game of the year, and still recovering from my injury I ignored since mid December, I struggled miserably  to stay on my feet the entire game (only to learn later my skates were in desperate need of sharpening).  At any rate, I went down to recover a puck amidst flying stick blades and skates.  After eventually having to lay down on my back to cover the puck that I couldn't see just to get a whistle to stop the action.  When I finally got to my feet I felt a sharp pain on my left butt cheek.  I thought "dang, maybe I sat on my own skate or something.  Fast forward to the next day at the chiropractor's office and laying on the table with the massage therapist.

"You have a swollen area on your left 'cheek.  You might want to ice it.  How'd it happen?"

"Oh, I am a goalie and play hockey.  I think I came down on my own skate last night."

"Well, it looks like the size of a curved finger.  Looks more like the tip of someone's blade."

Yeah, that explains a lot.  Not even a cool story of how I made an amazing save.  No.  I plopped my bum right no top of someone's stick as they were trying to swipe the puck.  Geez, no glory in that story!  Now, for how I hurt my head last night.  You know the crossing lights?

not actual crossing light from altercation

So, once upon a time, I was crawling between a tree and a snowbank...wait...let me set the scene a little.  It will make so much more sense.  I live in Alaska.  We get a lot of snow.  It's wicked awesome and we get a lot of it.  So much, that when the snow plowers come, or it completely dumps, the sidewalks disappear.  So, you either walk on the road's edge to get to where you are going, or find another way around or through it.  So, heading to catch my bus last night to meet up with some friends downtown, I take the back side of a snowbank to get to the intersection.  Back to where the story started...I pull my backpack off to carry it in front of me for balance, and so I can clear the branches of the tree.  As I am doing my usual trek to reach the corner, I clear the tree and start to stand up...only to clock myself in the head by hitting the crossing light box.  I hit it so hard that snow that was accumulating on top of it came showering over me, my backpack and all around me.  Apparently, I forgot that I was gonna come out of the "tunnel of trek to the corner" a little bit "taller" because of the snow accumulation from actual snowfall and plowed snow.  I have a nice knot on my forehead on the left side.  How many people do you know hit their head on the crossing lights?  It made me laugh once I stopped seeing stars, crossed the street without falling over, and was able to assess the damage at my stop.  Go me!  Haha!  Never a dull moment in the life that is mine!

Once I got downtown, I finally was able to walk around Town Square and see all the ice sculptures.  Here are a few of the pics!  I love winter!  Next time, I will skate around the square.  They hot mop that area, but I had to meet some people for dinner.  I can't wait until I go again!

we'll find out what she said...

seal party!  makes me hungry!  haha!

it's a jungle out there!

my face is gonna be in one of those soon!  haha

this was titled "splash" i'm still confused

some native art

the town square is next to the performing arts center

this train must makes me smile.

choo choo!

i want to get a pic on that train!   i was by myself this night though

it's like disneyland, but different