Auf wiedersehen, Deutschland

Seven and a half months later...

So my first professional basketball season has come to an end and I'd like to do a recapitulation of sorts; but, I am not sure that's possible in one post. If the sheer volume of of things to share in the last 10 days wasn't enough to make this post difficult, the roller coaster of emotions surely pushes this into multi-post territory.

It is with this in mind that I've decided to provide a table of contents for my next few entries:

1.) Cottbus vs Halle

2.) Thanksgiving...again!

3.) Cottbus vs Zehlensdorf

4.) Club Sound

5.) Thanksgiving the Third

6.) Last trip to Berlin

Hopefully this will help me cover everything important that happened with enough detail. Stay on the lookout!

Hi there...

How are things? It feels like forever since I have posted. Almost an entire month later, I can finally give an update on basketball related events. I'll start there.

On Saturday, February 7, we traveled to Berlin to play the 4th place team our league. Even though we beat them by 30 at home, we knew it would be a tough game because we'd only have 6 eligible players. Between injuries and people deciding that practice was optional, I knew I wouldn't really have a viable substitute and would have to log 36+ (out of 40) minutes.

Just as advertised, the game was even the entire way. With :23 seconds remaining the other team was down 3 with the ball. We bore down defensively and corralled a long rebound as time expired to secure the win. In 37 minutes of play, I had 19 points and 10ish rebounds. I was prepared for bad officiating, so I wasn't super surprised that I didn't get the calls that I should've gotten. My numbers weren't spectacular, but I was satisfied with my play because I made some tough shots down the stretch. Nick finished with about 12 points and 8 rebounds.

The first place team lost last weekend so we have a chance to win the league without any outside help. I'll mention more about the particulars of that when the time comes; but for now, the focus is winning next week in our (insert triumphant music here) home debut of the new year.

In other news....

I am now an independent business owner. It was just a little investment and my short term goal is only to make some extra change to help with student loans, but other people have been able to retire after 5 years. I am going to start another blog that will go into more detail and I will link it to this one.

Oh yeah.....
GOOOOOOOO STEEELERS

..Back again.

Well, after a much anticipated break from German life, I've made my way back to Cottbus and life has returned to normal.

First off, We won two games between my last post and when I flew back to NJ. Nick was definitely the shining star in each of them. I think he had 30 points and 24 points respectively. My numbers didn't stand out as much, but I played well in both games. The opponents were definitely scheming to take me out of the offense so I had to defer a bit more than usual. I finished the first game with 18 and the second with 14.

On December 19th, I flew from Berlin to Newark with a short layover in London. After a brief interrogation by US Customs, I was warmly greeted by my parents, sisters, and Kim. It was such a relief to hear American music that wasn't Rihanna's "Bom Bom Bee Dom Bom Bom Bee Dom Dom." Exit 28 never looked so good.

My time home was filled with Christmas decorations, movies, food, egg nog, monopoly, and more food. I got to help out with MKA's boys' basketball and see some old teammates and friends as well. My second weekend home I got to see Kim's family. That was good stuff, too.

Kim and I spent New Year's Eve in NYC with all but one of my former roomates, Rachael (one of my best friends and aspiring singer/songwriter), and a bunch of other people from Amherst. It was great to see everyone again.

Unfortunately, I had to head back across the Atlantic on New Year's Day. Sadness.

After pit stops in Berlin and Amsterdam, Kim and I arrived in Paris. We experimented with the Parisian subway system enough to figure out how to get to the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, St. Michel Notre Dame, and the Grand Arch.

After Paris, it was back to Germany for us. It was nice to be able to share my life over here with someone from home. It was back to work for me as I had individual work outs and practice all week long, but it was great to come home to a familiar face.

On Saturday, before my game, Kim and I did a little bit of sightseeing around Berlin with Yogi and Martin. It wasn't exactly my idea of getting mentally ready, and my coach wasn't thrilled with the idea , but that's okay. We saw some gorgeous architecture among other great sights (not including a scary Palestinian demonstration).

The game itself went well. For most of the game we had a 15 point lead. It was my first game wearing contacts since forever. It was something special to be able to read the scoreboard. I finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds with one of the best cheerleaders in attendance (I may need make a quick, shortlist to do everyone justice. Maybe that will be my next post.)

All in all, the past 3 weeks have been 3 weeks filled with countless memories.

I guess I'll have to start the countdown until I come home again.

Big gulps.