Avila's Journey to China Continues
March 15, 2007 | Field Hockey
March 15, 2007
Junior forward Janelle Avila is traveling with the United States Under 21 Squad to China as they prepare for the 2007 Pan American Championship and the 2009 Junior World Cup. After winning their first game against the Shanghai Club team 3-2, the U.S. fell to 6-1 to China. The next day, the team practice and then returned to competition with a 5-1 win over Shanghai. Avila was in the starting lineup in all three games and has netted two goals so far - one in each game against Shanghai.
Avila has been keeping a journal since the team arrived in China...
We played China on Monday and lost 6-1. The score doesn't sound too favorable but we played a lot better than we did when we won our first game. To give credit, China is good. They are very fast with great skill, and great precision. From our first game we had some things to work on and we definitely did this game. The next time we play them we will be ready, and it will be a closer game. That night the Chinese Hockey Association had a formal Chinese dinner for us. There was a lot of different food from fish to beef to chicken to plants roots, tofu, dumplings, duck, whole shrimp (with eyes and tenticles that you had to peel!) and I tried sushi for the first time. I don't think I will be eating it again, but I can say I had authentic Chinese sushi. It was really cool though because there glass table that turned in the middle of our table which all the food was on; you just took what you wanted and just turned the glass. I was at a table with some of the Chinese coaches and our translator so it was very good to interact with them. They showed us how to take the food and what to dip it in. I know if I wasn't at that table I wouldn't have tried nearly as much. It was a great night!
Yesterday we practiced in the morning then went to downtown Shanghai and went shopping. We saw the Pearl Tower which was on the river. The view reminded me of the Sydney Opera House on the water; well nonetheless it was gorgeous and the best sight I have seen so far. The shopping was AMAZING! We went to a lot of different stores, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Store. Once it was dark out all the lights were on, it was so bright, all the different billboards and TV screens- nothing I had ever seen. But to top the day off we ate at Pizza Hut! Never thought I would be so exicited to eat at Pizza Hut, but it was American food. It was a little different... but again.. American food! Can you tell I miss it a lot!?
Today we had our second game against Shanghai and it was our best game yet! We won 5-1 and had a solid 70 minutes of play. Everything finally came together for us today. Our press, passing, and cuts were second nature to us. I am so proud of how we played today and I cannot wait to have our next two games vs. China. All the games have been at a very fast pace and after four days my body is starting to feel it.
We have tomorrow off and will be going to Old Town to do more shopping (can't wait). But it will be good to give our bodies a break before we go into our last two games vs. China.
The time difference has finally set in, but it is still weird to think that right now its 6:15 pm here which means I have gone through most of my Wednesday and back home some are just starting to being their day. This morning (your last night) I was getting updates on American Idol!
I am having a blast here but I can't wait to get back to Louisville and see all my Cardinals! I'll talk to you in a few days!!! GO CARDS!
Janelle
