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Rooming with Mia
Posted: Wednesday June 21, 2000 10:37 AM
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.
June 18, 2000
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Well, I just got back from dinner with my dad and my uncle and aunt and cousin Jimmy, grandma and my dad's girlfriend and her kids. We had a nice dinner, and I am stuffed. I spent the early part of today playing golf with my dad and uncle and cousin Jimmy. It was a blast, and I didn't do half bad. My cousin and I had a good time. It was only his fourth time playing, and we had a lot of laughs at each other. We traded off holes with our dads. We would have great drives (the young guns), and then the dads would have a good drive. All in all it was a great day bearing the rain. I remember when I was younger when it would be Mother's Day or Father's Day, I use to think what about kids' day? And then I came to realize everyday was kids' day. Well to back up a bit and start where I left my last diary entry. We were at the end of our trip in Australia. We ended up winning the tournament. We beat Australia for the final 1-0. It was a good game, and they played well and hard. Shannon scored the goal on a penalty kick. Speaking of Shannon MacMillan, I forgot to mention that she played in her 100th game on the trip in Australia. Congrats, Mac. It is awesome how many of us have played for our country 100 times. In our last hotel in Australia, Mia and I were roommates and had some good times. We laughed a lot, and she was teaching me some of the rules of rugby and Australia rules football. I was enlightening her with my presence. One day we were just giddy and joking with each other because it was the day before we were leaving, so we were hyper. Anyway, I was packing and laying my clothes out on my bed, and then I pack. Well, I left the room to do something, and I come back and I look at my bed and my clothes were gone. Mia had hid some of my clothes throughout the room. It was rather funny (maybe you had to be there), and she ended up telling me where they were because I couldn't find them. Yeah, fun times. Also in our last week we went to the petting zoo and fed kangaroos and touched koala bears. Actually, we woke up the koalas because they sleep during the day. At one point during our feeding frenzy with the kangaroos, one of the kangaroos started attacking Julie's bag of food. It was quite funny. So all in all the trip was fun and a success. The flight home I could have done without. I didn't sleep much and my butt hurt by the end of the trip. I think I have finally gotten over the jet lag. The first couple of nights home I didn't sleep too much. I have spent my break at home in Connecticut. It has been going good, and I have found some down time. I went to the Yankee game with two friends from home. Laura and her fiancé, Dave, and my dad's girlfriend's daughter. We had a good time. We were in the adidas suite, and then got to go down to their Legend seats, which are right behind third base -- they are amazing seats. The Yanks lost to Boston, but I got to say hello to Nomar, who is the one player I root for in Boston. However, now that I am going to be playing in Boston for the WUSA, the new pro league, I may like some of the other players. But I still love those Yanks. Spent some time with my mother this break and had a good outing of golf. I'm still not a very good player, but what can you do? I can't remember if I shared with you all that I am a godmother. My friends Elizabeth and Frank had a baby girl, and I was the chosen one. I am so excited for them and excited to be a godmother for the first time. My other friend Jodi is off at sea with her family on the Mediterranean Sea. I hope she is doing good and hasn't gotten seasick. Just found another one of my friends is pregnant, Gina. Happy for her and John. So many babies this time of year, very exciting. Well I leave on Tuesday to head to Hershey P.A. for the Gold Cup. We play in Hershey on June 23, in Louisville on June 25, in Boston on June 27. So check out those games if they are near you, and I imagine one of them will be on TV. The semis of the Gold Cup will be in Louisville on July 1, and the finals on July 3 in Boston. There's a lot going on with this team. A lot of traveling and games. At times when we are on the road so long, we go a bit crazy and burned out. I think our coaches do a good job of keeping us smiling and not burned out. Like on our trip to Australia: It was getting towards the end of the trip, and we were getting tired of the same routine -- eat, hang in rooms and read. So one day instead of doing a normal practice we did a game of soccer golf. We had done that in Portugal and we did it again, and basically we all have a good time, laugh, compete because even though it is soccer golf we want to win. Basically it kept the team morale good. The best thing about it was that my team won! Aly, Lorrie and I -- we rocked. As I look towards our last three months before the Olympics, I realize it will be here before I know it. I also am amazed how quickly time has gone. It is amazing sometimes because I can't believe it is already mid-June. I think sometimes we forget to see how precious time is and to look back on our days and try to enjoy the day we are on a little bit more. I know there are times where I'm like, "Gosh I can't wait till this week is over." Then before you know,it is over, and you're like, "Where did it go?" I think the time I have reflected on this past trip was my time rooming with Mia. We have been on the team for the same amount of years, and we use to room together in the beginning. I can remember in those young days, we use to jump on our beds and sing to the Jackson Five and laugh. I look at the week we roomed together and not a whole lot has changed, but there have been changes. However, we still found time to laugh and enjoy each other's friendship. Take that extra moment to look back on days and also to take full advantage of the day at hand. Just want to share part of a quote I like: "Experience each day with open arms, savoring both victory and strife, welcoming the good and the bad together. For only then will you know the joy of life." Take care, -- Kristine Join Kristine Lilly in supporting the March of Dimes.
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