Danielle Scott Weblog

Hello All,

I hope everyone had a joyous celebration of Christ’s’ birth. I am back in Italy now. My time at home really went by quickly. It was wonderful seeing some of my family, holding my great nephew and watching him waddle across the room, singing Christmas song, and being thankful for all that Christ has done and is doing in our lives even in the mist of tragedy. My heart goes out to all those kill by the Tsunami in Asia and those soldiers abroad. My family too lost a dear loved one, my uncle Frank, (my Mom’s oldest brother) passed away on Christmas Eve. I am going to keep this note short as my eyes are filled with tears so much so that even as I try to blink them back, they overflow. Please, lift my family and all those families who have lost loved ones.

Danielle

You know I never valued ear plugs as I do today. I started using them on a regular basis when I had my snoring visitors… I won’t call any names:-) This afternoon they really came in handy as the hotel room was way too hot. And unlike in America there was a thermostat but the occupants hadn’t any control over it. So my roommate and I were forced to open the window so that we would not suffocate, which along with fresh air came the wonderful sound of passing cars, and honking of horns.

Anyway, we won tonight in five. Last year on this precise date and time I went home perplexed and sad after having lost to this team, Forli, which is a good team but we should have, could have, would have won if, but didn’t. This year another five gamer but we finish the first round off victorious and a happier flight home. HOME, woohoo. I get to see my mommy and daddy and sister and brother and my nieces and nephews and great nephew and all of my family.

Happy Holiday’s,

Danielle
(written on my flight home before Christmas)

Hello…well, back to living as usual. That is, my guest have taken flight! I already miss the company but I definitely have more quite nights. And I don’t mean because we were up chit chattering all night. You’ve got it! Both were big time snorers. I mean calling the dogs! I literally had to sleep with ear plugs and hoped that I would still hear my alarm sound. (I did.)

For those of you who keep up with my teams’ results, I am sure that you have already read that we lost to Modena 3-1. That is sports for ya. We lost to the eleventh place team according to stats but not in their hearts. They just seemed to be more hungry that we were. But thanks to Pesaro beating Jesi and Forli losing to Bergamo, we have the same possibility to have a good match up in the Italian Cup if we beat Jesi on Sunday (which by the way will be televised on Rai and followed on the Internet) and Forli.

My aunt while she was here always talked about the driving, how crazy it is and how I rolled with the best of them. Well, while out shopping for my secret friends gift (I’ll explain that later), this big SUV was parked where it shouldn’t have and I cut the corner a bit short and scraped its’ fender. BOOO! With the car behind me honking, I backed up to try it again. As I was pulling over, that same car (rather the person driving) thought that they need to emphasis my need to leave a note. I’m like, of course, that’s why I pulled over. Long story short, I left a note on the car so the person can call me.

Abut the secret friend…each year the team draw names from someone’s hand, instead of a hat since there usually isn’t a hat available. The name you pick from the hand is your secret friend and you have to buy a gift for her. The dinner is tonight so I can tell you that my secret friend is Virna. I found the nice white gold chain with a cross that has a small diamond in the center. I think she will like it.

Well, will yak at you later,
Blessings and Happy Holidays,

Danielle

I can’t believe that just four months after the Olympics I would be back in Athens, Greece! The Games seems so long ago. Before landing my coach asked me if the airport was big. I could NOT remember until stepped into the airport (nor could Logan). Then I remember the baggage claim belt, I believe it was number eight. I remember waiting there for about an hour while a few of my teammates had to fill out lost baggage form and in the meantime recording with my handycam everyone’s feelings about finally being there in ATHENS! I remembered having to walk a half mile to the restroom….(not quite but it seemed so). There were still signs and billboards standing along the highway and streets. In the stores were lots of memorabilia available for purchase. I went to see the Acropolis again and passed the temple of Zeus along the way. The food was good and a lot of it. Actually too much for a pre-game meal!

We played this match without our starting rightside and one of our starting lefts but managed to win in three. Woohoo! We have one more Top Teams Cup match, and three more league matches before Christmas break. By winning all three league matches we will finish the first round third or fourth. Right now we are tired for fifth of twelve teams. Only a few points separates third through sixth.

Well, many blessing to all of you and your families.

Danielle

Hey Yall,

Well, I’ve really been enjoying my Mom and Aunt. I do ask that you lift them up in prayer as both are feeling a back pain. They are one year apart but it is almost as if they feel each others pain. My aunt has already had shoulder surgery and my Mom will have to have it soon. Trippy huh? We are enjoying each other in spite of this. Last week I took them to Torino which only about a half hour drive from Chieri. We took a trolley ride up the hill to a beautiful church call Surperga. As we climbed higher, there was a wonderful view of the city. In the distance there were snow topped mountains. Torino by the way is where the winter 2006 Olympic Games will be held. Surperga has an unfortunate and sad story to it. Located on a hill top, one very foggy night an airplane carrying an Italian futbol (soccer) team and staff, tragically struck the church. It has since been restored including a memorial for those who lost their lives.

Last week we also to a train to Milan. That was actually my first time there besides changing planes at the airport. Once there we took the metro to Piazza Duomo. Piazza Duomo is where the largest church of the city is found. And boy was this an enormous church, unique in its architecture, typical in it’s sculpture and painting of it’s time. Still amazing in it’s beauty. (I said typical but it is an assumption of mine as I have no historical knowledge on which my opinion is based…)

We played Reggio Emilia that Sunday, winning in three. I had to face two previous national team players, Nicole Branuah and Erin Aldrich.

Until next time….

Danielle

Hey Yall,

I am so sorry to not have filled you in already about the Monday night’s four days later than THANKSGIVING FEAST! It was absolutely wonderful. Lot’s of hard work, more so for my Aunt, Mom, Logan, Marta, and Ester. But especially for my Mom and Aunt who had to pick out every quill! I mean nine hours of work (two large Turkey’s)with aching backs and shoulder! I think the butcher actually went to a farm, found the turkey, chased it for a bit before wringing it’s neck or however one kills a turkey! A quill by the way is the shaft of the turkey’s feather. More than 30 teammates, friends and family, all at my place in the dark! Yep, the lights went out four times. The last being the longest “energy conserver.” I had only three candles. My teammate and neighbor Neli saved the day by bringing over about twenty small candles that as we finished light them all….yep you got it, the lights came back on (we left the candles lighted anyway). Everyone had arrived by about nine o’clock snacking on an assortment of pretzels, chips and dips… When all the food was placed on the table everyone gathered around as I explained our celebration of Thanksgiving, followed by a prayer. Everyone raved about the food, Turkey, Roast beef, pork roast, dressings, cranberry sauce mixed with mandarin oranges, sweet potatoes, garlic matched potatoes, pasta salad, egg salad, green bean casserole, bread sticks, lemon bars, fruit dessert! Mum, ummmm! Everyone ate until they were more than content commenting that the taste was different but very good. For some it was their first taste of American style of cooking with all the spices…. As we sips on hot chocolate someone had the grand idea to have me entertain them by signing. Yikes! Sing? And what? I took a moment then a song sung by Whitney Houston on her “The Preacher’s Wife” album came to mind. I don’t know the name but it starts out with…”I love the Lord, He heard my cry…,” then I sang Silent Night and if that wasn’t enough they wanted to hear our National Anthem! I started out too high Ugg. I didn’t mind signing, though I was thinking please don’t let my voice crack. My Aunt even sang a song called “Mama prayed for me.” It was a fun evening. I give thanks to the Lord for all of His Blessings.

Well, that’s that…

Will write again soon

Danielle