It's been almost 2 weeks since my last blog. A lot has gone on since then. Basketball wise we've lost our last 3 games. Extremely disappointing but it's a long season and a lot of things can happen from now until the end of the season. We lost our first league game of the season in a derby match with Vacallo one of our rivals because they live in the same province as us. I got my first start of the season in this game but I did not play the way I would of liked too. It was an extremely frustrating game we couldn't seem to get into a rhythm and they seem to be in a groove. It was just one of those games you're glad is in the past. Our last game was a Euro-challenge match with T/U Rock in Estonia. I didn't get to suit up for this one, which is difficult to deal with because I want to help make a contribution to the team and unfortunately we lost this one too. We were up by double digits and lost in overtime by 3. That's kind of been the story of the season for us as we seem to let teams get back into the game when we should be putting them away. We got 5 games left until Christmas and the goal is to go 5-0.
Outside of basketball things are going well. Lele arrived safely on December 1st but a little later than expected. Because of weather problems, the last portion of her trip she had to lug around two 50lb bags and take a train from Zurich to Lugano. I was pretty impressed that she was able to do this all by herself and not to mention it was her first time using a train in Europe, which can sometimes be confusing especially in Switzerland where 3-4 different languages are spoken. The first few days I showed her around Lugano and all the places I used to and currently hangout. She approved of my studio flat and the tub that came with it. I think even last year it was tough for her in Poland trying to shower in my small cornered shower. As much as I hyped Lugano up I think the small town of Ticino has already received her stamp of approval. Carrying on, because the the month of December is a busy month for basketball and it's hard to make time for trips, we're trying to make the most of the month and 10 days she has. The best part is obviously getting to spend time together and the trips are a bonus. That being said, I would like to mention we just booked our reservations for PARIS! Her and I are both are overly ecstatic about getting to visit there over Christmas. See the Eiffel Tower, Arc of Triumph, Louvre, etc... We've already visited Milan, Italy got to see the Duomo and the shopping sector of the city. I'm hoping we can make it to Venice & Como, Italy. I'd like to show her the singing tree in Zurich and lastly the castle in Bellinzona. If we have time I'd also like to meet up with my close friend from college Anna in Munich before Lele leaves. If not I'm sure I'll be able to squeeze that end before I leave in May. May WOW! That's a long ways away. Good thing I'm living in the moment and enjoying every second I have here and get to share it with someone I care about.
I hope everyone is enjoying this time of year. It's a special time for everyone and should be celebrated and enjoyed with family and friends. Happy Holidays to all! I love and miss you back home. Until next time........................................................... Love
Love
Bud
P.S. The first photo above is compliments to a very generous Kenyan man who offered to take a picture of Lele and I while putting on bracelets. The funny thing is we posted this photo on Facebook and people that have been there before commented on our picture letting us know they were hit up by the Kenyans too. He then preceded to take more than one and get all pro photographer on us. All the while in the back of his mind he only did it to get money from us. I can't knock his hustle, he took great pics and I am very grateful. I know now is the time of giving, which is why I am admitting what I did. I only had 70 cents on me other than two 50euro bills so I gave him that and we were on our way. I felt really guilty and if I had more change I would have given it to him. So to make up for it I made a small donation to the poor in the Duomo. I hope this act doesn't put me on the naughty list and my redemption deed puts me on the nice list.
