One week down

Hey guys,

So the first week here is all but up, and it has been pretty crazy, so I thought I would update all y'all as to how things are going. I'll split it up so if you're less interested in one part you can skim it more or less.

Soccer wise things have been pretty good. The reserve team match went pretty well. I started the game at center mid and played about 60 minutes, 3o each half. I don't normally play center mid so it was difficult to get used to playing a new position with new people in a new place on the second day I was there. I did well enough to be invited to the PDL training, where not all the reserve team got invited. The level of training is probably higher than actual games for Gordon, so I will probably get a lot better this summer. I am working hard, doing extra running and work outs, so hopefully it will pay off with some first team appearances, and eventually with Gordon. We had our home opener on Friday. We lost 1-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the only professional team in the PDL. For games we only dress 18, and I didn't make the first team. Today we had an exhibition game against Chivas Guadalajara's reserve team, and I was supposed to dress, but then they changed the rules on us (since it was an exhibition game) and we were allowed to suit up less players than we thought, so I got the axe. I was disappointed, but I think I'll get my shot with the first team soon enough. We haven't been getting the best results, especially today (5-0 loss to Chivas), but it's been fun.

Oh yeah, and the Champions League final? John Terry slipping was part sad part funny. I was holding out for both teams to lose, being a Liverpool fan, but I suppose it's better that Man U won. I very much do not like Chelsea.

Five of my teammates and I have been going to an elementary school and participating in class for an hour, and then doing after school soccer clinics for an hour Tuesday through Thursday. We're going to do the same this week, too. It's pretty fun for us, but the kids have the most fun with it. Overall, it's a good way to spend an afternoon.

Life with the host family is good. The two girls are the least bratty kids ever. They are a lot of fun, and the six year old, Allison, always wants to play catch with anything that's around. We play Wii sometimes, and it's a real self esteem boost to destroy a nine year old girl in Wii Tennis... haha, just kidding. She drew the picture posted above while we were at a Surge dessert event. She drew me, what was on my name tag, and some cake. Cute kid.

Ok, hope I wasn't too long winded and irrelevant. Miss you all.

Chuck