Hello again everyone!
I am so sorry it has been so long since I have been able to write. Even though it is probably easier to communicate in the US because I have the technology readily available for me to talk to anyone, at any time, right at my fingertips, I have probably talked and connected with less people than when I was in Russia... which is horrible. I take full blame and give you all my sincerest apologies.
I got a message yesterday from a dear follower of my blog and a true fan asking me to simply keep writing... so I have decided once again to pick up this blog. Even though the stories of my life these days are less mysterious because Portland is a much more familiar place then Russia, there are still funny, exciting, crazy, sad and true stories to be told everyday. And in a completely selfish way I feel like writing again, so I am.
As you may have heard, the University of Portland has truly taken care of me again and brought me on as one of the assistant coaches for the soccer teams. I am LOVING being a part of it again. Not only do I get to learn from some of the top coaches in the country, but I get to learn from some of the best players in the country. I get to be around the game I love every day with people I love sharing it with! What more could you want?! Yes, life is good! Plus we got a number 4 seed and host Washington State at home on Merlo Field tomorrow, November 9th (AKA my birthday) to kick off a playoff run!!!
Which brings me to the other things I wanted to tell you about...because this is the BEST time of year!!! First, clearly, my birthday is the bench mark day for when the holiday season officially starts (there is a hint of sarcasm there... but not much). So, as of tomorrow it is officially the holiday season, and everyone loves that! People are happier and nicer... it's great! It is also playoff time for women's and men's soccer which brings a new excitement to collegiate soccer! And then, there is the fall weather. Which means the leaves are in full color changing mode, the air is crisp, cold and fresh and its flannel and scarf wearing time (because I dont wear them all year long...)! And lastly, I am spending my extra time working for two nonprofit organizations that I have felt really passionate about but never had the time to really dedicate myself to.
As many of you know I started a nonprofit called Equipment Across Continents. Without boring you with an over complicated story, Equipment Across Continents has been taken over by the nonprofit I worked with from the beginning called Coaches Across Continents. They are doing some amazing things to improve the future for thousands of kids in underdeveloped countries around the world through soccer. I am hoping to join them next year for some of their field work! For information about what we do please check out www.coachesacrosscontinents.org.
I am so sorry it has been so long since I have been able to write. Even though it is probably easier to communicate in the US because I have the technology readily available for me to talk to anyone, at any time, right at my fingertips, I have probably talked and connected with less people than when I was in Russia... which is horrible. I take full blame and give you all my sincerest apologies.
I got a message yesterday from a dear follower of my blog and a true fan asking me to simply keep writing... so I have decided once again to pick up this blog. Even though the stories of my life these days are less mysterious because Portland is a much more familiar place then Russia, there are still funny, exciting, crazy, sad and true stories to be told everyday. And in a completely selfish way I feel like writing again, so I am.
As you may have heard, the University of Portland has truly taken care of me again and brought me on as one of the assistant coaches for the soccer teams. I am LOVING being a part of it again. Not only do I get to learn from some of the top coaches in the country, but I get to learn from some of the best players in the country. I get to be around the game I love every day with people I love sharing it with! What more could you want?! Yes, life is good! Plus we got a number 4 seed and host Washington State at home on Merlo Field tomorrow, November 9th (AKA my birthday) to kick off a playoff run!!!
Which brings me to the other things I wanted to tell you about...because this is the BEST time of year!!! First, clearly, my birthday is the bench mark day for when the holiday season officially starts (there is a hint of sarcasm there... but not much). So, as of tomorrow it is officially the holiday season, and everyone loves that! People are happier and nicer... it's great! It is also playoff time for women's and men's soccer which brings a new excitement to collegiate soccer! And then, there is the fall weather. Which means the leaves are in full color changing mode, the air is crisp, cold and fresh and its flannel and scarf wearing time (because I dont wear them all year long...)! And lastly, I am spending my extra time working for two nonprofit organizations that I have felt really passionate about but never had the time to really dedicate myself to.
As many of you know I started a nonprofit called Equipment Across Continents. Without boring you with an over complicated story, Equipment Across Continents has been taken over by the nonprofit I worked with from the beginning called Coaches Across Continents. They are doing some amazing things to improve the future for thousands of kids in underdeveloped countries around the world through soccer. I am hoping to join them next year for some of their field work! For information about what we do please check out www.coachesacrosscontinents.org.
The second nonprofit I have been working with is a local Portland organization called AC Portland. We provide 7 elementary schools in Portland with supplies to run after school programming focused on creative writing, nutrition and soccer. For the past two years we have thrown an awesome event called the Poetry SLAM. Trying to make an unforgettable night for the kids, The Poetry SLAM gives them the opportunity to get up on stage and in the spot light to read their poems. They become celebrities for the evening!
SO... if you are going to be in the Portland area November 15th from 6:30-8:30 please, please, please help us to make an unforgettable night for the kids by coming out to hear some awesome and inspiring original poetry.
If you are not going to be in Portland (or even if you are...) please help us out by liking AC Portland on Facebook. You can even go a step further and make a one time or monthly donation at ACPortland.org.
I know that this sounds like a sales pitch, but I have to tell you what makes my heart beat... and its helping people through the thing I love... soccer. This morning I was lucky enough to sit down to have a cup of joe with a local celebrity, Cody Goldberg. People in Portland will know what I am talking about, because Cody has spent the last 3 years of his life working to build an all inclusive playground for children with disabilities and just this past weekend had the ribbon cutting for the first of its kind in Portland. His organization is called Harpers Playground and it is a truly inspirational organization. Anyways, as we were talking he reminded me of a few things that I think all of us need reminders of from time to time and something I am going to leave you with...
Do what you are passionate about, love it and live it. If I may quote him, "I think it all boils down to passion. you've got to find what really, REALLY moves you." And so, in order to make living for your passion a reality it takes the support of people around you helping you. So I am asking all of you to help me by liking both Coaches Across Continents and AC Portland on Facebook, by making a donation or by making it out to Benson High School on November 15th to support the kids who have worked so hard to perfect a poem for us to hear! Thank you all!
Its nice to write again, I missed it.
Cheers!
Dani
At last - all the waiting makes it such a joy to hear from you again. We love the blog and will look forward to hearing about all the amazing opportunities that lie ahead for you. Thank you for starting the holiday season with your birthday - I have been waiting for something to inspire me to get excited about the holidays. Love you, Auntie BeBe
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet lady, for returning to the blog.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am too sick to attend the showing at the Commons tomorrow, I will be watching, what I can, on my old, but somewhat trusty computer.
Whether it's been mentioned to you before or not, your influence has shown brightly this year.
I am so honored that you allow me to follow you. I sometimes drop in at Bon Appétit in the late Winter or early Spring for a coffee or a sammy...or both.
PS: I deactivated my FB account in early October, so I apologize for not wishing you a Big Happy, but I wish it now...that you have happiness throughout your life. I hope you had a great party.
ReplyDeleteUntil next time, hugs for you and for Becca.
Back on FB.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to some good news about the new women's league...if it is something that you want.