Day 2

So, I lost in the 64 to Kim. Not for lack of trying, because had it been any other day i swear I would have had her.

...on a side note, the Ukraine coaches are sitting behind me listening to "my humps" by the Black Eyed Peas on their phone and dancing.

Anyways, I had the same annoying ref as yesterday who was being a pain to me all day yesterday too. My lame failed yesterday, and I had to write my name on the back of my new one since there were no printers here. I thought I did a darn good job, and they passed it at im\nspection. The ref basically hassled me nonstop about it claiming that it was illegal, and when I had him today and really confronted him about it he was like "well, i said some referees would fail it but im nice and I'll let you fence" grr! lol

I think I was getting heat exaughstion in my bout, because afterward i had a headache and my legs were shaking. That's not why I lost but it had a hand-- I was supposed to fence at 915 am, so I warmed up hard until nine (I was really knocked out by the heat), and I was planning on givng myself 15 minutes to just sit and cool down. When I got in the main gym, they were already waiting for me on the strip (WAY early) and I was exaughsted. At the end of the bout I had the right idea and really had to concentrate to make my actions precise and my footwork not too big. Any other day I should have HAD her, its so frustrating. End score: 15-11

Truthfully, despite my unfortunate loss I really feel this tournament was worth it. My fencing is getting stronger and STRONGER. I see what his happening and I'm playing with the big girls. They're beginning to be afraid of me, and I'm not worrying that much about them. I think this is coming with the more experience I get and its exciting to see improvement despite my placing.

I bought a shirt/skirt combo downtown today, its purple and looks fun (I am HUGE here... I don't feel short anymore, I just feel fat in my size L outfit hahaha)! Very asian. The vietnamese people are really cool, but are scary drivers. You cannot believe what can fit on a motorbike. I think the record for peopel I've heard of so far here is 6, and of stuff I saw them carrying bricks, and HUGE metal poles. I saw chickens today too! (watch out, avian flu!)

Anyways, there's lots to tell bt tomorrow I'm planning on going to a university built here in 1007 ad and probably the Ho Chi Min mosuleum (museum?). 3 people got injured today and a fourth slightly, so if Sada had backed out of tomorrow I would have had to fence the team competition! eep!

Love you all!