National Champs!

Going out on top. That's the way Lauren wanted it and the Terps were able to deliver on Sunday in Louisville. It was a scrapy game, and they held on to a 1-0 lead for the entire game, after Jackie scored early on.

I'm exhausted from the travel and the cheering (and the stress!). When you are out on that field you may be worried about the scoreboard, but at least you have some control over it. In the stands you just cheer a little louder. Not very effective in making a difference in the outcome.

The team went to celebrate after the game at Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Lousiville, which was one of the funkiest places I've ever been. They were loud and hyper and in good cheer, as they deserved to be. Before they arrived at the restaurant, they went back to the hotel for a few hours and happened to meet Drew Carey (actually, they saw him going into the hotel while they were on the bus and all ran off and stormed him... "We just won a national campionship." I'm sure he was amused...)

We got in late last night and I'm rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I have mega hours of work in front of me getting ready for finals (I have to remind myself it wasn't me out there winning a national championship and that my season isn't over!).

But I've got one more trip ahead of me -- we leave for the Outer Banks on Tuesday for Thanksgiving. Cold Beach tradition continues. Should be fun, even if I'll have to sequester myself in a quiet room for a few hours each day and get some work done.

But I'm still on a high. Congratulations to all those women who sacrificed so much along the way. You guys did it!

Dispatch: Louisville

It's crisp and clear and a beautiful weekend here in Louisville.

After a rough start with the rental car (someone broke the rules and brought a cat into the car, which we quickly realized when Liam's eyes swelled and he broke out with a reaction) it has been a great trip thus far.

Maryland beat Old Dominion in stunning fashion, and we cheered in the cold. Stuck around to watch the the Wake Forest v. Duke game, with Duke prevailing. So tomorrow it is the final show down: Maryland v. Duke for the national championship.

Louisville is a happening place this weekend. In addition to the NCAA's, the opening of the Muhammed Ali Center is taking place tonight and it is rumored both President Clinton and Angelina Joli in town for it (although as my Dad has noted, not together, for fear we'll start rumors...) There is also some convention going on that, apparently is focused on teenage girls, because there are gaggles of them on every street corner.

I've spent most of today in our hotel doing work, but went for a run this afternoon from our swank hotel (The Brown - highly recommend it if you ever find yourself in Louisville!) down to the Ohio River. We ran through Fourth Street Live, which is this hip central part of town with a bunch of bars and restuarants - really cute and lively. We're probably going to grab dinner there tonight.

But I can't imagine it can top our breakfast experience at Dizzy Wiz's. Yes, we actually ate at a place that had "Wiz" in its name -- over my objections (I could help but think of Cheeze Wiz, which makes me want to vomit; and the thought of vomiting doesn't go well with breakfast.) But the $2.89 breakfast special was delicious and four of us at for $17 ... that includes two breakfasts for Dad.

And now we wait for the NCAA finals. Lauren likes to take it all her senior year. She won States in high school and I'm just thinking it would be pretty nice to top off an amazing college carerr with an NCAA title. Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Go Terps!

Discover America Tour

When Liam and I were living in Kazakhstan, people would always ask us about America.

"Have you seen the Grand Canyon?"

"What's Los Angeles like?"

"I've heard Montana is beautiful. What do you think?"

At some point I realized that I had visited more countries than states in my own country. So I decided that I would institute a "Discover America" tour while we're back in the states. And in the next few months I'll be heading to destinations I've never before visited in my own country.

* Next weekend: Louisville, Kentucky
* Christmas: Sedona and Phoenix, Arizona
* New Year's: Pittsburgh, PA
* January: Atlanta, GA

I feel like some of these trips are as exotic as heading to China. And I'll prepare myself a little bit to better answer questions about my own country for the next time we're abroad!

Spring break in March is still unplanned. Any suggestions?

Lauren in the Washington Post

Check out this article in the Washington Post. Lauren is getting interviewed by the big boys!

On to Louisville

Another weekend of great Field Hockey at Maryland. And two more wins, taking the Terps to the semi-finalis of the NCAA tournament in Louisville, KY. Lauren was amazing this weekend - and scored the game winner against American, which was pretty exciting.

I haven't traveled for a sports team in almost 3 years, when Liam and I followed the U.S. soccer team around Korea for the World Cup. (There is a great article to be written about the adventure and fun of combining travel with sports.) And while the World Cup was one of my favorite adventures, following your team is even more exciting when it is your sister out there on the field!

Down Dog Yoga

When we lived in Kazakhstan, the Embassy offered a weekly yoga class with this beautiful Russian instructor. Not only was this woman 40 and in the best shape I've ever seen anyone - period - she was a former Soviet gymnast. So this woman was serious. It wasn't your typical yoga class (none of that "go as far as you feel comfortable" talk -- she was all about pushing your body as far as it would go -- and then some). And it was a great way to learn Russian - still remember "inhale.....exhale...." or, "doh.....vidah....."

When we got back ot the States this year, one of the things I was really looking forward to was getting back into both running and yoga. Georgetown Law opened up this new amazing gym and they have four or five yoga classes a week. My first visit was during a night when this woman from Georgia (not the state, the country) was teaching. I felt like I was back in Kazakhstan, although to be honest, I understood my older teacher when she was just speaking Russian better than this woman. Every third word was a Russian (and the rest heavily accented English) and the entire class just kind of looked lost.

Then, a few weeks ago Sarah invited me to join her at Down Dog Yoga in Georgetown. It is one of those studios where they turn the heat up. For 90 minutes, I was at the same time intensely uncomfortable and more flexible than I've ever been in my life. I probably also lost 4 kilos in body weight just from the sweat that I left on the floor. We went back this morning -- different teacher and a bit cooler in the room -- but I love it. Might have to make it my Saturday morning ritual. Just feels so good to start the day off that way. And my arms are thanking me. I was actually able to open a can of sauce this afternoon by myself. Baby steps :)

If I were a white man...

I had a Dr's appointment this morning (no TB! Yahoo!) and was listening to NPR on the way there. Morning Edition had an interview with a 25 year old French African about the riots. The young man talked at length about his friends who are rioting and how he understands why they are doing what they are doing. What I found interesting - but maybe not so surprising - was his take that most are doing it because they can. They see other people on the television burning cars and they have been angry and decide now is the time to voice. On spark that ingnited an entire country.

The interviewer asked the young french man, "Do you agree with these tactics." To which he said, "No, no, no..." And then went on to say that ,"If I were a white man," I would be very upset at the way the minorities have chosen to show their anger.

I was struck by that phrase, "If I were a white man." It was such an "us" and "them" statement. That even after saying - as a black frenchman who dispproves of these tactics - if I were a white man I'd see the world through different eyes.

After a semester of equal protection studies, the Hurricane in New Orleans and now the riots, these past few months have been a lesson for me about the power of race and how the sins of our fathers (and our very own) are not just for the history books. They are the front page.

Terps take the ACCs

What an amazing weekend of field hockey.

Friday night Maryland topped Duke 4-3 in a thriller, with Maryland scoring the winning goal with under two minutes to go. And then yesterday, with even less time left in the game (40 some seconds), Maryland put in the game winner on a blast from a penalty corner to win the ACCs. Being the sap I am, I almost cried. Lauren played like a champ and it was just so wonderful that in her senior year they took the ACCs. Now it is on to the NCAA tournament.

It was a perfect fall weekend. And it is amazing how years of training has left the smell of fall imprinted on my brain to associate fallen leaves with fall sports: soccer, field hockey and football.

Liam and I both felt nostalgic for the days when we were out on that field. It is one thing about post-college sports life. You never get that feeling back again. The team bus. Team meals. Inside team jokes. As much as you might try to recreate what it is like to be on a competitive team, as time goes by you focus shifts to work (where you may work on a team, but usually you don't get to take your aggression out on the opposing side - and if you do you probably get fired). Hmmm. Maybe that's why I've decided to go into litigation?

But Lauren has given us all a great gift. We get to be her biggest fans. And fortunately, even after they win the NCAAs (I'm calling it right here...) we'll get to keep cheering. Hopefully, all the way to Beijing!

The Champs!

Russian Chronicles

I've been reading this fantastic blog on the Washington Post over the last few weeks called the Russian Chronicles. Two WP reporters started in Vladivostok on September 1 and will arrive in St. Petersburgh on November 22. Along the way they have met with families who have lost children to the Chechen war, journalists and today, their post is about a meeting with U.S. Ambassador William Burns. The blog is a fantastic read about a fantastic journey.

It also makes me really nostalgic for Kazakhstan. This week I met with a woman who is thinking about applying for a position with USAID in Kazakhstan - talking about the mountains and the hiking and all of our adventures was just so much fun. And it made me miss it a bit. My Russian has probably completely left me (not that I would know because I never use it) and I find myself missing little things like trips to the Green Market and Sunday afternoon at our favorite Georgian restaurant.

I've been feeling very grounded lately. No trips save the one I took to New York for a weekend. I think I might need to plan a fun trip with Liam for Spring Break. Something exotic and far away. And sans law books.

Dream Job

I got my first BootsnAll travel newsletter today. And what a find - my dream job! Yes, folks, they are looking for a World Cup Blogger. In addition to getting to write -- you have to be available to go to Germany next summer during the games. Soccer and German beer - a perfect combination.

My first World Cup experience was the 2002 games in South Korea. It was, by far, the most unique experience of my life. There is nothing like following your soccer team from city to city, dressing in ridulous and patriotic gear while getting to see a country at its best -- the South Koreans went all out for the World Cup. You'd show up in a provincial city and at the train station there would be an information booth with people speaking every possible language (i'm still curious where they found the South Korean who spoke Polish...) and would make your hotel reservations, get you a taxi, etc. Some even gave you free food. Now that's hospitality.

In addition to landing my picture on the FIFA web page (looking very depressed after Germany knocked us out...) I have a ton of amazing memories from that trip. Like being surrounded by 1000 riot police at the U.S. v. Korea game. 1,000 U.S. fans and 60,000 Koreans. But we did our best to make some noise...

Ahh, to go to Germany this year. If anyone has been able to get tickets, let me know. We've been shut out twice in the lottery. Could it be the Germans are keeping tickets from Americans? Is this payback for Iraq? A consipracy in the making...