Hello All :) Goodbye to Stayki

As I'm sitting here pondering my giant mess of clothes and things that I need to pack up for Paris, the uncertainty of whether I will be picked up from the airport, and whether Sasha will have accreditation, and whether I'll have a place to train before the tournament once I get there, I just have to remember... to forget it all for now (except for the packing), and instead reminisce on my experience here in Belarus.

Last night I went out for a beer with some Canadian and Belarus friends, and we had a good time just hanging out and talking. Tonight evidently we're going to try and put together costumes since its halloween.

The camp has been a total whirlwind, and to be quite honest, much more stressful than I imagined. The straight truth is that I have been fencing quite horribly the whole time and getting very anxious and stressed about it. But as the last day came to a close, I know that that whole time I've really been pushing myself to try and start each new day positively, I've been trying to push through my issues on the strip and with my coach (due to said stressful behavior), and in the end I think I came out the other side realizing that as an athlete in these kinds of situations, all you can do is stay strong, stay faithful in your true abilities, and continue moving forward. I know that if I walk into worlds with the correct mindset and having taken care of my body, I can beat anyone in the world. In this fact I am ABSOLUTELY positive, and season by season my results have shown that I CAN and I'm FIERCE and INTELLIGENT. If my mind believes it enough, the body will follow... ten years of training is not to scoff at.

In terms of Belarus as a Country, honestly I've had a very good experience with the people here and the city, and the sport village. The only thing I consistently could complain about is the food, but thats just one small thing, and honestly, I didn't have to eat as much of it as I did. Beautiful city, nice people, my russian came in handy, great weather, a supportive coach, and my own room.

What more to ask for?

Now its on to Paris in the morning, and I'm excited to be there. World championships in Paris is going to be an incredible experience, no matter what the result. Our flight leaves Minsk at 11 am tomorrow, arriving in Paris at 430. I have a room, a bed, and although the cab will cost 50 euro to get there if the organizers don't show (aka Panama didn't send forms), at least I know how to get there. I have my accreditation, room, food, friends and ibuprofin... All I'll need to think about is to be positive and prepare for the competition.

Unfortunately I now realize after 3 tries this internet won't let me upload my pictures to my blog but I'll keep trying later!!

Last days at Stayki

Well, its dad's birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! This is a very exciting day because it's the day of my favorite and best dad in the whole world... and I'd like to say that I love him VERY MUCH, and that he really is one of my biggest and best fans and supporters in my life-- and I definitely would not be here in Stayki or a this point or level of fencing without him being there for me all this time!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Me and Sasha at the mess hall in Stayki. Just for a Stayki update.

Hey

No time to talk because I had to pay for the camp and deal with laundry and lack of running water issues... otherwise, things are going well!

E

HEy

Just a short little note to let everyone know that things are going fine, and are pretty much the same every day. Maybe I'll drop you guys a line this afternoon to tell you about my typical day here at Stayki.

Ciao!

Eileen

The Giants

While the Canadians have arrived and I've started my day off with a lesson and a soccer game with all the belarussian and canadian boys (that means- I never get passed to...next time basketball with the girls), I've found it funny to continuously have to find out my important sports news about 12 hours after it's happened.

Watching highlights and reading recaps has been now a part of my slightly lonely afternoons (aka, TV only in Russian even if its a mexican soap opera, and no one online to talk to, canadians napping.) Although I'm far away, its been really exciting to watch the Giants' journey towards the world series (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I'm not sure exactly if we make it when the world series will take place, but I definitely hope its while I'm in Panama so I can watch the Giants in it with other excited baseball fans. I really believe we'll pull it out! The Panda's back! People are (literally) stepping up to the plate that we didn't expect, and we have heart!

In other news, this afternoon I'm planning on getting a (leg relaxation?) massage with a machine somewhere, and will also pay for my stay.

In other silly news, the government has decided to take the Olympic Committee off the public registry and not recognize them because of the duality of the organization. We'll see where this goes... (Please God let me at least have a hotel in Paris)

I've decided to not even go into the money thing with Panama before I actually get there to duke it out in person.

In other other news, it was freezing last night and it snowed this morning.

Love,

Eileen

Well, I've arrived at Stayki! I'm still hoping my water gets hot but the food is good and I'm going to go to training for a lesson at 3!

More news when I have it.

Helloooooooo From Belarus!

Sasha at 4 years hahaha


These entries may be short until I get to the sport camp sight (Stayki), but wanted to let everyone know that things are going well in belarus-- I'm just staying in the apt of the son of Romankov (a famous fencer) while he is away in Germany. Here I can't get inernet on my computer so I have to borrow Olga's (the wife.) when I want to get connected.

Had my first two practices today that went well although I'm exauhsted not from training but rather by the time change.

When I get to Stayki I'll be able to write longer! Love You All!!

Eileen