A Win For the Lady Rams!

Last Wednesday the VCUQ Lady Rams had a win over Texas A&M Qatar.  It is cause for celebration because the girls haven't had a win yet this season.  You can imagine the excitement after the game on the part of the girls and Coach Brett.  When the players called an extra practice earlier in the week to prepare for this game, Brett wasn't as enthusiastic as he should have been, but it really helped, I think.  Another factor in the win had to be the addition of our little white mascot Dixie (our new puppy) who stole the players away from the pre-game pep talk but gave them lots of good luck licks. Even though she and I left before the game finished (because apparently dogs aren't allowed in the student center, but dogs aren't allowed anywhere in Qatar, especially parks, but falcons ARE allowed in the cabins on Qatar Airways), Abbey stayed on to finish taking pictures.

This team has heart, that is for sure.  They push each other and they push their coach. Sometimes they are disappointed when their hard work doesn't pay off or they don't get to play as much as they would like to, but when there is finally a win to advertise, it all seems worth it.

Having said that, Coach Brett is still planning on showing the team a clip from the movie "A League of Their Own" where Tom Hanks says, "There's no crying in baseball!"  Just like Tom Hanks' character is a little out of touch with his feminine athletes, Coach Brett might be slightly clueless about the emotion women athletes have to muster in order to compete, but he is learning, along with the Lady Rams, about what it takes to be a team, win or lose.

Abbey's Biathlon

Abbey participated in a biathlon last week during P.E.  The ASD P.E. Department held one last year, and it was such a hit with parents and students, they decided to make it an annual event.  This is supposed to help the students get prepared and motivated to participate in the triathlon that they hold in the spring for parents and students.  I don't know if Abbey came away ready to take on that kind of challenge, but she really pushed herself, buddied up with her friend who was feeling reluctant, and came away proud of her finish time.

I am just amazed at the wonderful programs The American School of Doha provides for our students.  They really build strength, confidence, talent, and determination, and I'm not just talking about the P.E. department.  Thanks, ASD for pushing our children and providing such a positive "American" atmosphere for so many blessed students to learn!

Writer's Block

I have been in a funk lately with a bad case of writer's block, so I thought I would whip out my handy Writer's Notebook that Abbey gave me for Christmas last year (as in 2010) and get my writing juices flowing.  Poetry always does it for me so here is a rough draft for today. I'm publishing it so that I will have some accountability and motivation to keep writing, oh, and so I can go through these simple steps of the writing process that Abbey has so thoughtfully provided in the front of my notebook.  Man, I love her!

SANCTUARY

When you're not here
There is
No real estate for me to settle,
No foundation to build on,
No firmament to spread my roots.
So I wander from room to room,
From thought to emotion to
Distraction.

Slowing my breath down is difficult
And so I am shallow in my
Inhilations,
Expectations,
Celebrations.
They are all diminished and
Cautious with calculations
And measured pleasure
Since my horizon has no sunrise until
You
Step through the threshold and
Pour your
Cemented soul next to mine.

Then the tranquil nesting can resume
With brilliant plans of grand designs
For modest home improvements,
Well overdue upgrades and
Mindful interior expansions.

Please don't confuse -
The solitary solace is needed.
But when the paint has finally dried
And the inspections are complete
Then is the time for cooperated
Ebullient efforts to
Slowly take over so that the
Structure can stand in balance and beauty,
In tandem with all the individual
Nail gun wounds smoothed,
The insulation in place
Against extended harsh elements,
So that the hoped for sunset can be
Miraculous and unfettered
Through the picture window of our
Sanctuary.