So I had soccer practice tonight guys. Man, was it a challenge! First off, I had to really be commited to the team because my friends all decided to go to the movies. Secondly, Jeff had a wrap party Downtown, and practice was the opposite direction in the Valley, and I was almost tempted to say, “Why don’t I just not go?” Almost.

I put on my new shorts, an old shirt (hoping they wouldn’t notice) some REALLY tight shin guards and socks, which I purposely put on before I got there so no one would notice how tight they were, and stuck my cleats (also new, but purposely white so they’d wear the fastest) in my new bag that I’d just de-stickered (seriously, Big 5, do you really need to put 8 price stickers on my bag? You’re ASKING me to look like a newbie.)

Jeff ended up dropping me off at the field, wishing me luck and heading off to his party. I took a deep breath and found my team, hoping they’d look tired or slow. One girl proclaimed, “I came early to run, so now I’m ready for practice.” And I got nervous.

To warm up, we dribbled up and down a few times, did one foot, then the other, and then paired up to do some throws. It wasn’t too bad, but my lungs were not happy.

Then we did some one-touch passing, which basically means you’re on your feet the whole time. It was good for me, but my African coach kept yelling, “You could be doing better” and I secretly was like, “I know, but you see, I haven’t touched a soccer ball and played on a team in nearly 5 years.” I didn’t, though. I just tried harded.

At this point, we were losing light, so we had to move into the outfield of a baseball diamond (that was currently being used.)

Did I mention there were only four girls at this practice? Including me??

Towards the middle, another girl showed up, and we played keep-away three on three, using our coach and another man who everyone but me seemed to know. It was tiring, and I was exhausted. We were the white team, and all I heard the whole time was “Come one white team, play to man” and I was like “5 years. 5 years, people.” But I just tried harder.

It was so good for me. The girls were nice, good at soccer, but not too good. I believe they are all a few years older than me, which is fine. It’s good for me to play with people that are better than me.

Around the hour and a half mark, we were wrapping up, and our captain was like “Let’s do 4 laps to cool down” and I was like “Umm, I gotta go!” Which was true–my pseudo-mom, Bec, was waiting in the parking lot. I was having her drive me home before she headed out to the movie with all my buddies.

Overall, I think it was OK. I did the responsible thing of coming home after practice, and I can already feel the muscles that are going to be sore tomorrow (including my arms–my arms?!)

I felt like a kid again, getting dropped off, picked up, dropped off at home. And now I am going to be responsible and go to bed on time! Tomorrow is diversity day at work, and I am not only participating but am also the “emergency contact” so I’d better be alert!

Wish me luck!!