By now you all may already know that I'm no longer in Bulgaria playing basketball. If you didn't already know, I am no longer in Bulgaria playing basketball. I'm sure there are a lot of questions as to WHY this particular adventure was cut short, and the simplest answer I can give you is that there were issues with paperwork enabling me to be in that particular country. It is so crazy to me that I'm back here and back to square one. I also know that everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for me. I understand that chasing a dream involves having to start over a few times. I haven't lost my love of the game. It is a whirlwind adventure but after some rest I know that I'm ready to get back on a team and do my job. How cool is that?
The trip home was very,very long. Actually the trip home was actually a trip to Memphis, Tennessee where my parents were visiting family for thanksgiving. Sophia to Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich to Philly. Philly to Charlotte. Charlotte to Memphis. That was tiring just typing it out. I walked off the plane and didn't initially see my parents, so I figured I'd go and get my luggage and call them up. I don know why I thought they wouldn't be there. I clearly wasn't thinking straight because I turn the corner to go up this ramp to baggage claim and there they were. I guess they couldn't go past a certain point. At that point I was so emotionally drained that all I could do was hug them. On top of that my cousins Midge and Chick and aunt Kate were there too. It was crazy how everything worked out and how I got to go relax and get away with some incredible people in Memphis.
The thought of a nine hour drive back to Kansas City wasn't even bad to me because I got to be in a car with the two people who ALWAYS come through for me. My Mom and Dad were very supportive and still are. I'm sure it's tough supporting someone who's job is to go all over the place and not be anywhere permanent for a long period of time. I'm so blessed to have them and I'm never going to stop saying that. My sister Becca was huge in this whole experience as well. Having a sister be there for me and ALWAYS have my back is a blessing as well. I was blown away by how supportive she has been through everything. It seems like a curse being so close to your family and having a passion that takes you away from them.
I've been laying low since returning to Kansas City. I've just recently begun training again and preparing myself for a potential new team. I've been wanting a dog for awhile, so since I knew I'd be home for a few months I figured now was a good time to get a dog and be here to train it. So my new puppy is a hound mix (I think with Rottweiler, but who knows) and I got her from the same animal shelter that my Dad got Zeke from. It's been pretty exhausting potty training her and making sure she doesn't chew up everyone's shoes (papers, pens, Zeke's tail, her tail, Christmas ornaments..etc). I didn't want to name her with a typical dog name, and really wanted something Irish. Since I'm a huge Jimmy Fallon fan, It only seemed right to name her Fallon! Already she has gotten compliments on her unique name.
Another thing I haven't mentioned but meant so much to me was while I was in Bulgaria I received a package from who I thought was my mom. I open it up and read a card that says that the goodies inside are nothing special, just something to show they were thinking of me. Little did David and Ann Welch know how special that was to me. In the moment that I read this card I felt so appreciative of the family that I have.
I also want to shoutout to the Griffon football team for having an unbelievable season. It didn't end like we all may have expected or wished it to, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they made everyone proud, and put themselves in the history books. I also have been so proud of the Western women's basketball team for doing so well and working so hard. Now that I'm home for a bit I plan on coming to a game up in St. Joe.
Sorry again for not writing in so long. Next time the title of this Blog will be a new country, and that's when the new adventure begins. Thanks to my family and my friends for CONTINUING to be so supportive. This career path is not as easy as it seems, and truly is a "grind."
It is good to back in America, though.
Until next time,
Jess
