Well as I mentioned before, there was a lot of turmoil for me that I left behind in Norway and that continues on (club now wont pay the salary they promised, but I digress), but the great news is that I get 2 weeks away with Ireland, in an environment that I love and with just such quality people and staff.
Being in different environments that have been stressful to say the least, makes me appreciate the whole Ireland set up that much more. There is just such a great vibe on the team. There really aren’t cliques, in the sense that there is no one I feel like I couldnt sit down next to and have a great conversation with, and the staff is awesome as well. Irish people in general are just so funny, and really seem to have what matters in life figured out.
We played in Amsterdam against Holland on Sunday. My ankle has been killing me, and I didnt think I was going to be able to get through a game, even with how it felt Saturday. But I woke up Sunday and it felt ok, and I went the whole 90 minutes, which was awesome. I felt like it was a pretty solid game from me, so its nice to walk off the field feeling like you did your best. We did lose 2-0. Were unlucky with a missed PK, right after they went up 1-0, which could have changed the game, but in general we were solid against a strong Dutch team. We play Russia Saturday and its the same with my ankle; day to day, but just trying to be diligent with taking care of it, and really hoping for the best. I was down to Limerick on our day off to see my brill physio Ger, and he seemed to get a lot of the inflammation out of it, so fingers crossed.
Just focusing on all the good things and good people in my life and taking things one little step forward each day. Sometimes its all we can do. But always, despite any drama and hardship, there are always so many things to be thankful for in life. And I’d like to be the kind of person who chooses to focus on that.
Essays on Life 