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What is really important?
Kristine Lilly is the all-time appearance leader and third all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Women's National Team. The midfielder from Wilton, Conn., was a member of the U.S. teams that won the 1999 World Cup and 1996 Olympic Games. Lilly also played on four national championship teams at the University of North Carolina. Lilly is training for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Check out Lilly's diary every other week on CNNSI.com.
Aug. 27, 2000
Well, we are back in good old Chula Vista where we spent three months in residency earlier this year. This is our last stopping ground before we head Down Under. I had a different feeling coming back to meet the team this time. Could it be that I was heading to the Olympics? I knew when I left home this time I was gone and wouldn't be back until after the 2000 Olympics. So of course I was even more excited and anxious to meet the team again. Of course there is never a dull moment with this team, and I imagine everyone has heard the news but I would like to shed light on my good old friend Michelle Akers. Yes she has retired from the national team, and it is sad, but it was the best thing for her. Ever since I have been on this team, Michelle has been there and she has showed me what it takes to be the best. You never saw her out there without giving her best and over the past year, all she has and more. Somehow through her chronic fatigue and numerous surgeries she has persevered. I have to say knowing her off the field has been just as fun. I can always count on her to fall for my jokes, in which a majority would be busting on her, but somehow she would still laugh. She has a kind heart and through all her struggles she never complained. I will miss her. If you are reading Michelle, I miss you already. I respect your decision and I admire your strength. I know all your fans out there have appreciated what you have given to soccer but more so to them. Enjoy your time, my friend.... So that leads to our new addition to the team. Yes, there is a player that steps in to take her slot, and it is Michelle French. Michelle is a great addition to our team and will help in our quest for a gold medal. Actually she is one of my roommates right now and it is great to have her here. She is a great player and person, and I'm glad to have her here. Plus, she laughs at my jokes or maybe it is me...
I spent our last break at home in Connecticut and it was great. My friend Jodi who served as the nanny last trip was visiting for the week. We had a blast. Plus I got to see a lot of my high school friends that I haven't seen who I am still close with. We all met out on Friday night and reminisced a bit and had some laughs.
>Two of my friends are prego, Beth and Gina which is exciting. I also saw Jen, Laura, Kathleen, Bri, Jeff, John, Buck, and Mark. The only things that have changed is the topic of conversation. Now we talk about houses and babies and jobs, instead of boys and what not. However, we still talk about boys (I mean men now) and laugh a lot. It was great to see all of them and to catch up.
Jen, I hope you checked out the site, and if you are reading, 'Hi!' Also on break Jodi and I went to see Les Miserables on Broadway in New York City, which was great. We had great seats and we wished we could sing as good as the people on stage. No such luck -- I think I will stick to soccer.
The rest of my time was spent lying in the sun and seeing my family. I spent a night at my mom's for dinner with some friends. She is getting anxious to head over for the Olympics.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, I had an interview with Ahmad Rhashad. He does the stories on Olympic athletes, and he came to Wilton to do one on me. It was fun, and my family got interviewed as well. That was the coolest for me, because my dad has never done an interview and he did one. My mom got on, my grandma and Jodi slipped in there and got an interview, too. So it was a fun day. I don't know when it will be on, but sometime during the Olympics.
My dad's girlfriend's daughter gave me this beautiful ring before I left, and I love it. Thanks Dawn, and good luck with the season and school. School starts tomorrow where I live, so the kids are bumming. Overall it was a great break and very relaxing.
On Saturday, I went for a long bike ride that I do every so often, and it was awesome. It was so peaceful -- the sun was shining, and I was listening to my walkman and reflecting. I was thinking about how lucky I am to have friends from high school that I am still close with and having such a supportive family. I saw some of my cousins that I grew up with -- Fred, Jimmy, Heather, and Brian and my aunt. That was nice, and they wished me well.
As I kept riding, I started to think ahead to Sydney. I am ready, and as I kept riding and riding, I thought of how great of a team we have, and when we play our best soccer we are unstoppable. As I finished my ride I just smiled because I was going to the Olympics.
One last thing that makes us realize what is important. I was doing my last minute packing and getting ready to leave this morning, and I had told my grandma that I would call her to meet to say bye. So I called around 10 a.m., and I was like, 'Grandma, I will be over around noon,' and she goes, 'Oh?' like a little disappointed.
So I asked, 'What is wrong.' She said 'I made some waffles just in case.' So of course I say, 'I'll be right over.' Now I still had allot to do, but how can you resist seeing your grandmother and sharing some waffles with syrup from Vermont.
I have to say it was a great send off and a moment that I will keep close. We spent probably 30 to 40 minutes together, eating and chatting and to see the look in her eye when I left I knew that that waffle and 30 minutes meant a lot more to her and to me. I think the best part was me explaining to her off sides and she understanding it.
This whole scene I described sounds like a Folgers commercial. We said our good-bye, and she said, 'I'll be watching you on TV,' and I said, 'I love you, grandma.'
Now if that doesn't remind us of what is important at that moment I don't know what else can. I think we all should, at moments, figure out what is really important now? Right now for me it is the Olympics, but right at this moment it is finishing this and going to bed.
Every so often ask yourself what is important. It may change your actions or thoughts and may even make you happier.
Until next time, get that Olympic fever going, but first watch us Friday against Brazil. It will be a good one.
Take Care,
--Kristine
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