Beach Volleyball in Perth

Our Volleyball courts beach side all week!

Of course since I went to Perth because I was on the Beach Volleyball game we had to play a little volleyball while we were there and not just party the whole time; So I am going to let you all know how we did with the volleyball aspect. The way the tournament is set-up is that we have pool play for the first three days and then we are ranked to continue with the tournament. So after the Sunday night out at the opening ceremony and the first bar we had to wake up Monday morning at 7am in order to get to the courts in time to play our 9am game. Needless to say we were all dead tired and hungover, but pulled it together to play. Our first game was against UTS (University of Technology of Sydney)...I think they took it pretty serious, and have had a little more practice together than us, but we played great and only lost by a few points each set. However, we all had a blast playing together diving around and laughing about "skills". After that game we had to "duty" which means we had to ref the game. The only think I know about reffing is 'in' and 'out', however, there are many more rules that we didn't follow in our first game. Such as, you play to 18 and every 6 points you switch sides and you can't set a serve, so I was a pretty worthless ref. After our duty we just decided to lay out all day and take a nap until we play again at 2pm. Unfortunately we didn't know they gave out free sunscreen so we were all toasty red when 2pm came along.

The Asian and Awkward Girl.

In our second game we played against AU (Adelaide University) which was NOT our favorite team. We were playing so good and then this Asian out of no where came and served his wicked serve and was on a 7 serve roll. So we lost the first set, and then we pulled it together and won the next set. In the third set we played good again but some how this very NONATHLETIC team walked away with the win, and when I say they weren't athletic I mean they had two girls with bows in their hair, this Asian who looked like he didn't play sports EVER, and another girl who was just awkward. Although, we found out later in the week that they won our pool.

Bond Rugby

 On Tuesday we only had one game and it wasn't until 3pm, so we were able to sleep in and recover from the night before. So on Tuesday we went to show our support for Bond and went to watch the Rugby team and the Soccer team, both walk away with a victory! It was nice to watch soccer again, and also rugby; all the guys on both teams are so nice and we then sat at their fields for awhile to just hang out and talk with the guys. Because of the bus system during the Uni Games we are required to take the "red bus" to the rugby fields and then get on the "yellow bus" which will bring us to the beach, its quite a long process but a nice way to relax each day. So from the rugby games we got on the "yellow bus" and we got to the beach around 1pm and just hung out again until out game at 3pm. In our 3pm game we played against Notre Dame University in Australia, which of course made me think of my cousin Lily!! Who I miss SOOO much! But they were a great team, and it was a close match we lost the first one 19-17 and the next one also 19-17, both great game though! If I remember correctly we all played so good in this game we decided that we all deserved drinks to be bought by the rugby team for the entire night. I don't think the rugby guys liked this too much!!

Action Shot

On Wednesday we played JCU (John Cook University), this was by far my favorite game; not only did we win but we had a blast playing against them! They were such a fun team who also didn't take it too seriously and we playing just to have fun. This was our final game for pool play and we ended being seated 4th out of 5 teams, which of course wasn't ideal but it was fine with us. On Thursday we started the tournament and we decided we needed to enforce rules that would make us try really hard. So this is what we came up with...If we missed a serve it was a drink at the bar, and if we didn't go for a ball and just let it drop it was Jager Bombs for the whole team (which is a $50 penalty).   So we started our first game for the tournament we had a little more hanging over our heads. We played our game at 11am and we played against the 1st ranked team in division A and we actually played a close game with them. We won the 2nd set but unfortunately lost the 3rd. Overall, it was the best game we played yet, and we were all happy with how we were progressing throughout the week. We had another game at 2pm and again lost, I don't really remember anything significant that happened but we were still able to play in the final round on Friday because of our scores during our pool play.

On Friday we played our last game of the tournament and won!! It was a good game and it felt great to walk away with a win! All and all it was a great tournament and I am so happy I decided to go, even though we didn't win many games I loved every part of it! I also realized that even though I may not be the best volleyball player I still really enjoyed playing and I am going to try to stay consistent with it while I am in Australia. I actually recently just joined a social league at Bond University where we play twice a week! It just a great activity to keep me active while I am here! I hope you enjoy reading about my volleyball during my week at Perth, my next post will be about the night life while I was there! 
I can't forget about my training; although, Perth set me back a little with my training for the half-marathon/ maybe triathlon I was able to hit the gym hard this week really focusing on getting my time for my 5K faster and also started biking and swimming laps!
I called my mom yesterday and she told me it was getting cold at home, it's so hard for me to comprehend what cold weather is like. Today it is 85 degrees here and beautiful, I haven't been in weather less than 70 degrees in about 5 months!! I hope everyone is enjoying the fall football weather!!
SEEEyaa-
lib

Our Adventure to Perth!!!

Our First Team Jager Bomb!

If your a first time reader I will give you a little background about why I am traveling to Perth for the week. Earlier this summer an email went out asking for athletes to compete in the Australia University Games that would be held in Perth this year. I replied and let them know the sports I play, and unfortunately they weren't sending Basketball or Soccer over for girls. But they did ask me to play on the Beach Volleyball team, and I thought o yeah it can't be that bad Julie could help me....Well right when I arrived on campus we started having training sessions and at first they were pretty intimidating and Marisa and I didn't know what to expect, but after about 3 weeks we got the hang of it and we were really enjoying it. So that is what I will be doing in Perth; competing in 'Mixed 4's Division' for the entire week with a Canadian girl and an Australian boy. So now that you have a little background about what brings me to Perth you will understand. 

Team SLU

On Friday night (09/25) and Marisa, Kiley, Allie, and I decided to go see a movie and have an easy girls night which was well needed! After the movie we walked around and waited for a cab, after about a half hour of waiting we decided to call one which took an additional 30 min. When we finally got back to school around 12am Marisa and I realize we have yet to pack for Perth and we would be leaving in 5 hours!!!! We ran around like mad women and just threw a bunch of clothes in a bag (much of what we never needed, you will figure out why in a bit). At about 2:00am we called in a night and took about a 2 and half hour nap to be woken up by my 'Asian Morning' ring tone letting us know it was time to get on the first bus of the day! We crawled outside and all got on a charter bus to take us to Brisbane airport, which is about an hour away. We went to meet up with TEAM BOND and we walked in knowing only 3 people, which were the ONLY 3 American's participating in the Games and ALL from SLU.

Beach Volleyball Team

Once we got on the bus I sat next to Jon and I slept the entire drive. We then arrive to chaos in Brisbane's airport where we were in line for group booking along with a HUGE clan of Chinese adults.  We had an hour before our flight took off and we have still not received our boarding passes or checked our luggage. Luckily some nice guy helped us all out and we got everything taken care of and we were off to security checks. In Australia there is no rule about liquids, wearing shoes, a jacket, and even your laptop so we flew through security. We got to our gate about 5 minutes before it was taking off so NONE of us ate breakfast. As soon as I got on the plane I was placed with Michael who was from Sweden and was getting his master at Bond Uni he was playing on the basketball team and that was about all I could understand from him right before I passed out for the rest of the 5 hour flight. If you didn't know Perth is in Western Australia and Bond Uni is in South Eastern Australia. Once we arrived in Perth we were all dragging and starving!! We then had to get all our baggage and catch another bus out front to take us to our hotel. Well unfortunately for me my baggage was lost and would not make it to our hotel until 9pm that night. We finally made it to our hotel in East Perth and we were all placed in rooms with our teammates. Well since we have a coed team Marisa and I would be rooming with Sarah, who was our other teammate. Once we got our keys to our room we quickly found out that it resembled a room like the 3 little bears; honestly, it was 3 tiny beds, with VERY little room for activities, so needless to say we would become very close throughout the next week.

Killer and the Roo

After we settled into our room we ventured out to East Perth and found a small cafe to order a salad and then found a cute little alcohol shop and quickly became friends with the owner, you will hear more about him later. After getting some small drinks we went back to the hotel to meet up with everyone else and figured out our plans for the night. We found out we had the welcome ceremony at 8pm and an after party followed at 'The Library' where we would wear our tracksuits to represent BOND (luckily for me because I still have no luggage at this point). In a few hours I figured out exactly how much fun I would be having and how much fun the rugby team is. We started to 'pre-drink' which, is a term they use in Australia when they want to drink before an event, we all hung out in the rugby room and quickly met some new friends!!! A little before 8 some 'maxi-taxi's' came to transport us to the venue where the welcome ceremony was taking place, which was this AMAZING amphitheater called 'Northbridge Piazza". During the welcome ceremony all the athletes received a shout-out and then a mascot dance/contest. However, the Bull Shark for Bond didn't win we still enjoyed the ceremony and all the event that were in it. I can't go on without mentioning how one of the Rugby boys the infamous "Killer" (which is his nickname) decided to jump on an Asian photographer and pin him to the ground because he thought for some odd reason it was a kangaroo. This might be all you hear about him because I don't know how appropriate everything else is that he accomplished throughout the week, but needless to say he was a special 27 year old who some how is a lawyer...(Law is an undergrad in Australia). After this event I knew it was going to be an unforgettable trip! The night went on with us all going out and drinking a little too much but meeting SO many new friends it was such a fun night!!

Since this post is already long I will have another one summarizing the week and I really can't wait to tell all the APPROPRIATE stories! Hope you enjoy!!!
SEEEyaa--
lib

GO TITANS GO!!!

 

New Apparel

Annoying Guy on the Train

Sorry I know it has been awhile, but I have been so busy traveling and preparing for the Uni Games. But on Friday night Marisa and I managed to find out way downtown to Brisbane to see our FIRST RUGBY GAME!!! Needless to say it was amazing, we were cheering for the Gold Coast Titans who were playing against Sydney Roosters in the semi-final game. On Friday we had a busy game, we had volleyball training and then a meeting for the Uni Games so we were kind of rushed to catch each bus and train, but we succeeded!!  We arrived right at kick off and just in time to grab a glass of wine, however, we quickly learned that you can't drink alcohol while sitting in your seats. So this is very different than American sports where we all watched the games and drink the entire time. But as we settled in our seats we also realized that we don't know ANYTHING about rugby, so then we asked the guys sitting next to us to explain the basic rules about the game. In no time we understood majority of it, and we were even cheering for the titans loudly and proudly! Of course we couldn't leave without getting some apparel to show our team spirit. After leaving the stadium it was madness, there were thousand of people every where all trying to get of the trains mostly back to the Gold Coast. We met up with the guys in our group and quickly maneuvered through the large crowds to the train station. We realized we had one minute to run to our platform to catch our train. Once we got to our platform Marisa and I pushed through people to jump to the front of the line where we met up with other guys from our University. The train was max capacity and of course Marisa and I had to stand the whole hour and half ride back. But it gets better...Once we got settled on the train we quickly found out we were standing next to this guy who did NOT shut up the entire ride; he told us about his sister, his phone, his parents, ALL the Harry Potter books and movie, and much more. Once we FINALLY reached our stop we were graced with silence and then grabbed a taxi back to Bond Uni. We were exhausted when we finally made our way back and just called it a night.  I will hope to catch up later with the post, but for now I need to get ready for "Retro Sports" party theme tonight. I made it to Perth!!...and enjoying every aspect!! Can't wait to post a post about it soon!!
SEEEyaa
lib

Good Cop...BAD COP!

Mom and Dad

I have dedicated this entire post to talk about my first incident, and hopefully last with "Mom and Dad". So while living on campus again we have Resident Assistants who are here just to make sure everything is going good and help us if we ever need anything. Well we also have Senior Resident Fellows; well our residents fellows is a couple who are in their mid sixties who just look after the building, enforce rules, and hang out with them. I quickly gave them the name of Mom and Dad, because I view them as our parents while we are all here. However, I guess that I forgot that parents give us rules, and when we don't follow the rules we will face consequences...Up until two nights ago, Dad was AWESOME, loved playing beer pong with us, taking pictures of us, and just being a really cool dad to have (kind of like my real one at home), and Mom I mean she was OK...always would say hi and smile at us but just came off as a crabby strict mom (nothing like mine at home)!

At the music festival

So Thursday night started out great!...Marisa and I had volleyball training, and then we came back did some homework real quick and then got ready to go to the music festival on campus. So we all went to the small concert and realized quickly it wasn't that much fun and we would rather go back to our room have a few drinks and hang out with some friends before we got on a bus to go to our favorite night club, "East". So that's what we did, we apparently we have a really cool room, and of course Marisa and I are a lot of fun, and our room just happens to ALWAYS be the meeting place. So we were all getting ready to walk out the door when Mom peered in, and saw me drinking from a glass bottle (which is the ONLY rule against drinking, that we can not drink from glass bottles, but wine bottles and hard liquor is OK..doesn't make sense but it's a rule). We she then proceeded in to ask me what I was drinking, and I said "this great drink, want some?"Well apparently she didn't and wasn't too happy to see Marisa and I with glass bottles in our room. She then asked if we would have a meeting with her...and then proceeded to tell me that there were too many people in my room and we were too loud. Long story short...We had to meet with Mom and Dad, and we have quickly concluded that Mom is BAD COP and Dad is GOOD COP! Although we did just get a warning they were happy with our respect for them and for understanding of the rules, they also told us we were lucky we were the last students to get a warning...I think really it's because Dad wants to still be included in our fun of beer pong and other drinking games, and I also think Mom was crabby with us because we never invite her to join, but only her "hubby" as she likes to call him... So as much as I enjoy the freedom of living here with no rules from my parents, I also like to think that everywhere we go no matter who we are with or how old we are there will ALWAYS be rules, and with rule you must follow. So my lesson was learned this week, and although I am old enough to drink there will still be rules and we must respect, understand and follows those rules to stay out of trouble.

NO WORRIES, real Mom and Dad (aka Jan and Dale) I am not in any trouble, and have remained good friends with Fake Mom and Dad. You have taught me to always respect others and that is what I did.
However, I couldn't let this ruin my night, so we all left and went to East our favorite night club in Broadbeach and we had a great time! I would also like to not that we had a dance off with everyone in our group, we had this special hat and whenever it was placed on your head it was your chance to go in the middle of the group and show your moves. I would like to claim victory for myself, because I am the one who walked away with the hat and now has the hat hanging in my room as a memorabilia of my first successful dance off.

SEEE yaa--
lib

Class-Run-Pilates-Hot Tub-Sauna----I LOVE IT HERE!

I just put this up for my FAMILY!! Miss you all!! Sorry no other good pictures of today!

Today was WONDERFUL!!! I woke up not too excited to sit through my class, but ended up really enjoying it!! I am learning so many useful facts in
my Love, Sex, and Relationship class; did you know that guy biologically really do have a 'less connected brain' than women? It's a proven fact that the Ischium of a males brain is thicker, therefore, the hemispheres of their brain are farther apart which makes it harder for them to think about more than one thing, or even the consequences of each action. So next time you say a guy is thick headed...Biologically they really are!! Thought all the women would love to hear this! After class I came back to my room and slept for 3 hours!!! I slept so good, but when I woke up I saw that my mom tried to call me and I was sad, because I haven't talked to her in a couple days :(. I am going to try to call her right before I go to bed, which will be right when she is waking up. After my long and well needed nap, I went for a run. Today I ran for about 20 minutes and started to feel sick, so I did a little abs and arm workouts; I thought abs and arms are vital part to train also when concerned with long distance running. I then jumped back on the treadmill and ran for an additional 35 minutes. So as of right now, my training is going great! I actually really like to run now, and it helps me to stay focused each day and balances everything out. After my run I came back here and then Kiley and Allie asked me to do a Pilate class with them, I thought I was doing so good with my working out I just couldn't say no.

Picture for Photography (Yield Sign)

Bird of Paradise Plant

We went to the rec center at 5:00 pm sharp and the class didn't start until 5:30 but luckily we were early because there were only 3 tickets left!!! So I walked into this class unsure what to expect; I have never been to a yoga or Pilate class before so I was kind of nervous. As the class started I enjoyed it, and then it got harder...and harder..and harder, until I was dead!!! I couldn't feel my stomach, my hip flexors were aching and I really thought about walking out.  Then we FINALLY started to meditate, it felt amazing!!! After the 60 minute class I walked out of there feeling WONDERFUL!!! I highly recommend Pilates to EVERYONE! After that we all went to the Cafe where I continued with my healthy day and ordered chicken kebab with all vegetables and a banana. After dinner we just didn't spend quite enough time at the rec center so we went back to lounge in the hot tub, and then proceeded to the sauna. It was such a relaxed night and now I feel as if I like at a Resort/Spa/HEAVEN!!! Tonight we decided that each week we are all going to try to do two of the different classes that are offered, which include; boxing, yoga, pilates, deep water running, spinning, super circuit, step, and strength and conditioning.

Tomorrow I don't have any classes but I have a 'to do' list. I think I picked this trait up from my mom; I make list all the time, but majority of the time I don't do anything on them, and for that matter I lose them before I can even start the task. However, right now on my list I need to go to the "Post" (post office), run, laundry, a work-out class, volleyball training, maybe lay out by the pool, and a concert at campus tomorrow night. Sounds like I'm going to have a rough day...so I better get going and get some rest!!! In all reality, living here is amazing!!! Class two days a week, free work-out classes, pool, beach, weekly trips, and free concerts/shows!!!

SEEE yaa--
lib

2 Rainy Days in a Row=Productive Libby

Rain Clouds Coming in (My view from my room)

Rainy Day

Yess....It actually does rain in the beautiful continent of Australia!! It is Tuesday afternoon here and it is Monday late night at home (Illinois), I just got done with my classes for the week (most of them at least)!!! I have one more tomorrow morning just for an hour, and it is a class that I really enjoy. I have actually considered double majoring in both Athletic Training and Psychology, hoping to one day be a  Physician Assistant Specializing in Sports and Psychology. On Monday I had classes and then was suppose to ref (By the way...Mom and Dad I got a JOB!!!); my volleyball trainer asked me if I would ref beach volleyball games every Monday night from 6-10pm and I would be paid $50! I know it's not much but it will help pay for some expenses during the week. I also just signed up for a social beach volleyball (separate from my competitive volleyball team) with a few of my friends; I think its going to be a great time!!   Since all volleyball got canceled for Monday night I had an open night to finish some homework and catch up for the following week. Marisa, Stephen, and I went to the JAKL (John and Allison Kearney Library) for a couple hours and I finished majority of my readings and organized my computer.

Windy Day at BOND

Today I had classes and then went for run ( I am up to 55 minutes now!!) and now I am "skyping" with Alec before he goes to bed. I am also telling him all about the people in my group, and how SLU has a great group of students here and we all get along great! At Bond Uni we are referred to as the 'SLUzer'. I am actually on my way out to go to volleyball training for a couple hours and then I think Marisa and I are going to get in the sauna and sweat out all of our toxins! Tonight I will probably take it easy go to dinner with Marisa, Kiley, and Allie and Marisa and I were talking about rearranging our room (if you all know me well enough, you know that I no changing stuff up, when I was younger I would rearrange my room every opportunity I got). Tonight I also need to finish my homework for next week because Marisa and I will not be in classes, we are excused for the week to participate in Perth!!!! I just got a package from my mom today and I was SO happy for her to send not only coffee and dryer sheets (which they don't have here), but also my soccer gear, a one piece suit (which I will be wearing in the Triathlon) and MY FAVORITE coconut M&M's!!!! The package came just in time right before I leave for Perth, because I have noticed this morning that my large toenail is falling off and I will be able to use my soccer tape to hold it down for a while (gross I know!!).
Well for now I need to jump in the shower because I just got back from beach volleyball and I have created a small beach under my desk from all the sand! O.. Yeaahh! I talked to my cousin Molly today, and we were fantasizing about Christmas!! Only 3 Months and 4 days away!!! 
Hope all is well at home!!
SEEEyaa-
lib

Last thing...for anyone who wants to send me a letter I LOVE GETTING MAIL!!!

Elizabeth Deiters

Campus and Dining Services

Building 10 (Student Court)

14 University Drive

Bond University QLD 4229

Australia

First Rainy Day

Rain Clouds over BroadBeach

Today, we woke up and we had every intention of going to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary but rolled out of bed and saw that it was our FIRST rainy day. So I was productive and went to the gym and ran a 6.5K (~45 min) and did some weights. I also found our 4th person on our team going to Perth ( unfortunately I think she is the "drunk girl" the one that we always see at Don's stumbling everywhere...but HEY maybe she knows how to play volleyball and I guess we will for sure have a great time with her!).  I also found a job on campus, my volleyball trainer asked Marisa and I to ref Monday night games for $10 AUD per game! I took this advantage thinking that it would be a great way to fund a fraction of my trips and other unnecessary expenses. We are now all sitting around our room and I think we have decided that for the day we will go to Surfer's Paradise and go bowling, putt putt golfing, and possibly a trip to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. I think we have also made an executive decision to travel to Thailand!!!

Some of my cousins on Family Cruise 2008

I also was fortunate enough to talk to most of my cousins on the phone; they were all at V&H for my cousins birthday party. I am sad not to be there but Martin sure gave me all the details of what I was missing. According to him, there was this wedding party with a really short and fat bride and a tall skinny groom and all the bridesmaids were fat and short..?? O how I miss Martin's company! I also was able to talk briefly with Thomas, but I don't think he had enough patience to talk to me on the phone. I'm so glad I can stay in close contact with my family while I'm here, at first I thought it would be harder for me to talk on the phone with them thinking I would miss them too much...however, I really like talking to them and at some times I become nostalgic for my family and friends but I know I have to take full advantage of my time here and it's going to go by way too quick to be sad!

I need to get ready for indoor activites today, but I just wanted to add another short post for all those people who get bored with the long ones!!

SeEEE Ya--
lib

OO YEAHh....JULIE AND JOEY CONGRATS WITH BOTH VICTORIES THIS WEEK!!! Central and Freeburg!!!