Phase 2 started today as my clock went off at 4 AM (Midnight out here). Got to the airport by 5AM and jumped on the plane. They tried to bump me off but I told them I had a close connection in Toronto. I really didn't. More like a 4.5 hour wait. Flight was uneventful and landed in Toronto slightly late at 8AM.
WEll the old saying "Karma is a bitch" got me this time. Telling Air Canada I had a close connection was a bad idea. I had to get my bags in Toronto, get to Terminal 3 and check in with Westjet. Everything going well, having a nice lunch when they announce my flight has been cancelled. So now instead of heading out at 12:45 or 1:15 or whatever it was, I am rerouted through Edmonton instead of Calgary at 3:45. So I meet up with Chelsea from our team as she got on the same flight. As we wait to board I go to Starbucks. Funny thing I see. The girl waiting on me is drinking a Tim Horton's Iced Coffee. I chuckled out loud.
So off to the plane we go. Relatively uneventful as well except for the fact that I fall asleep for about 20 minutes and wake up with my head on the shoulder of an Asian man next to me. Guess I am warming up for opportunities when we travel. Land in Edmonton to a little over an hour wait. Hold on...Karma again as the flight is delayed. We end up getting out late and getting into abbotsford at about 8pm. Now it is 9pm and I have been up for 21 hours. Kind of tired.
We head out to breakfast tomorrow at 8AM followed by an 8:30 meeting and then a 9:30 practice. Another training session later in the day. This will be a hectic week of practices and meetings as we get ready to leave on the 1st.
Japan and China await. I have been to China but am still excited to see three different cities and I am really excited about Japan. People say it is very nice. I am eagerly awaiting the sights, sounds, smells and tastes. I described China the last time as a bombardment of the senses and I feel it will be the same again.
I finished reading a really good book on the plane that really makes you think about things. One particular section talked about the blessings we have in life. Often we bury our heads in our stresses and get drained because of them. I have been blessed by a number of things in my life and basketball has been one of them. Yes, she is a hateful bitch on a number of days but most other days she is a loyal companion. I have said to a few people that the game has been really good to me. It pays me well and I have a nice truck to drive around in all because of a round, orange ball. THe most important things it gives me though are the emotional connections. Working with the players, the big wins, the tough losses, developing friendships and traveling to places that move you in different ways. It is tough to think about on some days but the game has been fantastic to me. I am not sure where I would have been without her.
So now I must get off to sleep. I am tired. I will be posting every day throughout the phase as long as internet access is good. I will discuss the regular things such as the practices and games, the food and the way the day unfolds but I will also try and give more this time. We will see how it goes.
Until tomorrow
Coach
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