Thursday, June 30, 2011

first softball game

Today was my first game in the summer softball league I joined. I thought I'd share with you how it went.

First off, I went to the wrong place. I parked and walked around, not seeing anyone on the field. I called my coach and he told me they were at a different location. And that they were all waiting for me so they could start the game. Eek! I jumped back in my car and flew there.

When I got there, there was a frantic 5 minutes of trying to meet the people on my team, put my new jersey on, learn the rules, and realize I forgot to pack a baseball cap (ie. the sun will be in my eyes).

The game began! We had 14 people on our team and only needed 9 or 10 in the field. I was SO okay not playing defense my first game. But our team only had 3 girls and that is the minimum required for co-ed leagues...so the 3 of us HAD to play. They put me as catcher. No big deal, right? I'll catch and throw.

I did okay. In the 2nd inning, my teammate at third base threw the ball to someone near me, but missed and it hit me in the left calf. Owwww. I had turned around to go back behind the plate so I totally didn't see it coming. I am currently typing this on my stomach (on my bed) with an ice pack on my calf. Big ol' bruise. But hey, no pain no gain.

When it came for me to bat for the first time, I was freaking out. I went up to my coach and said, "Ok Coach Doug. What do you want me to do?" He told me to "swing away" and I have no idea what that means. I nodded though as if I totally knew and walked to the plate. I swung and missed on the first pitch.

The second one came at me and I hit it. Not far but I hit it. But at the moment my arms extended with the bat's movement, my left shoulder popped out of place! Owww. It hurt so bad. I stood there for a millisecond, focusing on the pain. Then I realized everyone was screaming at me to run. RUN!!!

My shoulder was making my whole arm crooked in a weird angle. My arm and hand were twisted up toward my face. But I had to run! So I did. My right arm went back and forth while I ran (like normal). But my other arm just stayed in that awkward position. I looked like a cripple.

At first base, I popped my shoulder back into place. I felt pretty BA.

After a couple innings, they switched me to right field. Finally! No one hits to right field, so I would be safe. However, as the game went on, we realized the other team had a lot of lefties. So a ton of balls were coming my way and I was not doing well.

So they switched me to center field.

My second time up at bat, I again swung and missed the first pitch. The second one I hit as a foul. The third I swung and the ball flew...one foot. Seriously. It barely tapped my bat and went one foot in front of home plate. Oh well, gotta run. I ran like heck to first base.

But then the most embarrassing thing happened.

As you know, I was sick all last week. I was well enough to go to work this week, but I'm still dealing with my nose. As in needing to blow it all the time.

So I'm running to first base and Coach Doug was there, holding out a hand to give me a high five. As soon as my foot hit base, I was so relieved I made it on a one-foot-hit ball, I meant to laugh and slap his hand. But my nose decided at that moment to shoot a HUGE gob of snot from my right nostril onto my face. GROSS! Ahhhh!

We lost 13-6.

Things I need for next week: cleats (everyone wore them except me), a glove (I had to borrow Coach Doug's), baseball cap, tissues in a pocket in case something embarrassing happens again, and some confidence.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sherlock

I don't know about you, but when I'm sick I tend to do 3 things:

- complain
- blow my nose constantly
- watch movies

I was asking for suggestions of fun things to watch and a couple people suggested "Sherlock". Not Sherlock Holmes, the Robert Downey Jr/Jude Law movie that came out a year and a half ago. But "Sherlock", the BBC Masterpiece Mystery series. It consists of 3 ninety-minute episodes that aired in England last year. Then PBS broadcast them in the U.S. last fall. And now....they're all on Netflix instant watch!

I LOVED them.

I don't recognize the guy who plays Sherlock Holmes (his name is Benedict Cumberbatch) but I love the guy who plays Dr. Watson - Martin Freeman. He is going to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming Hobbit movies. Sweet!

These stories take place in modern day London, not Victorian-time London. So Sherlock uses texting and GPS to help solve crimes, he has forgone the iconic pipe and wears nicotine patches instead, and when you first meet Watson, you find out he was a war doctor in Afghanistan and just returned home from duty.

If you get the chance, you should definitely check these 3 episodes out. The first one was my favorite, because it introduced the characters and had a really great plot. There were a couple of laugh-out-loud moments, which were pleasantly surprising. The writing is so well done and the actors are perfect in their roles. Sherlock is brilliant. It will blow your mind to see how fast he can observe and share exactly what happened.

Have I mentioned lately that I wish I was British?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Obama

You've heard of horse whisperers.

Did you know our president is a baby whisperer?



I LOVE the look he gives Michelle at the end.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

sicky

Hi friends, I was rearing up to do my long New York blog...and then I got sick. So I've posted all my pictures on facebook and put all the stories as captions. I'll have to let that be my sharing.

So yes I started feeling sick on Monday. Yesterday (Tuesday) I woke up with the worst body aches I've had in a long time. I could barely get out of bed. Today I was supposed to speak at college group, but knew I couldn't, so I rolled myself into my car and then into my office so I could finish my talk (we're studying the book of Philippians) and print it out for Intern Scott.

Hopefully I'll feel better soon.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

baby!

Oh my goodness, the new york blog is going to have to wait.

BECAUSE MY OLDER SISTER HAD HER BABY!!

Introducing her beautiful son: Samuel Asher Nyquist!


Born June 16, 2011 at 7:26pm
8lbs 5oz, 20.5 inches
Mom and baby are doing great.

And here is why my sister wins "Stud of the Year" award - she did it all without drugs! WHAT!?!? Who does natural births anymore? No one. And she did it both with Judah (her first son) and Samuel. I am speechless and in awe. She is a complete and total rockstar.

My dad and I got to spend Thursday and Friday with Judah while Amy was in labor at the hospital for 18 hours with her husband and our mom. We got to visit them at the hospital Friday morning and spend some time with baby Samuel.


HE IS SO CUTE!

Dark hair, blue eyes, gorgeous. We even saw a little smile and a dimple.

I...just...can't...


Seriously, sister, you and your husband make great babies. Well done.

It has become tradition that my dad buys a birthday cake and we sing to the new baby. My favorite part of this video is when I zoom in on Samuel's face while we're singing and he is like, "Seriously guys? I just want to sleep."



Welcome to the world, baby Samuel! We love you!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

where are all the buildings?

I'm home from New York and my first thought was, "What is all this green stuff?"

As in trees.

For seven days I was surrounded by tall silver skyscrapers. After awhile you just get used to it. Cement sidewalks, huge buildings, bright lights, taxis, people walking everywhere...that is your life.

And then I got home and was startled. Where are all the skyscrapers? It sounds weird but I miss them. But it's because I love New York and that city gets in my blood.

We had a wonderful trip. I can't wait to share details, pictures, and a video or two but right now I am exhausted. Fun blog coming soon.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

New York or BUST...again

New York City was a place I had always wanted to visit. And two years ago in June 2009, my friend Amy and I embarked on a New York adventure that I will never forget. It was filled with fun, laughter, memories, stories we still tell people, and 1 million pictures (Amy and I are crazy with the camera).

As soon as we returned to California, we looked at each other and said, "When are we going back?"

That day is today.

Amy and I are heading back to the Big Apple. And this time we are joined by our awesome friend Jenn. Jenn hasn't been to NYC since she was little so she doesn't remember much of it. Girls Trip!!

What are we going to do?

What aren't we going to do!

We plan to do lots while we're there. We already have tickets to a Broadway show, Central Park, 30 Rock, Times Square, meeting up with friends that live in or near the city, go to Redeemer Church, Ground Zero, Serendipity's, perhaps some Statue of Liberty , and SoHo, Greenwich, and of course, we plan on eating our way through the city. Oooooo, the food is one of the best parts of New York!

I cannot believe I get to go back. That city and I were made for each other. It's magical. You can feel the electricity in the air the minute you step out your door. I can't wait to see what's in store for us!

Be back next week.

Sunday, June 05, 2011

there's no crying in softball

I just signed up for a summer softball league.

Do I play softball?

No.

Have I ever been on a softball team?

No.

Do I own any softball equipment?

No.

I don't know what possessed me. I just saw an advertisement for it and I signed up.

I am secretly terrified that I will be like Evelyn in the movie "A League of Their Own". I'm going to mess up and my coach is going to call me over and say, "Uh Sarah, what team do you play for? Ours? Well I was just wondering why you would throw home when we got a two-run lead?! You let the tying run get on second base and we lost the lead because of you! Start using your head! That's the lump that's three feet above your ass!!"
And then I'll start crying and he'll yell that there's no crying in softball and I will be benched for the season.

Friday, June 03, 2011

weather forecast


Today - rain

Tomorrow - rain

Sunday - rain

Monday - rain

Did the weather not get the memo that it's June?