Early this week I left home for the second year of my time at college. This time my family and I began our trip in the mountains, descended into hundreds of miles of flat sagebrush with scattered cows, and finally finished in a place surrounded with thousands of acres of corn and soybean fields. And here I am, in a place completely different from anywhere I have ever lived before. I have moved into my spacious dorm room, which I will have all to myself this year. I had become rather accustomed to sharing my room, so this is a little weird for me, but I am sure it will be nice to have one place on campus that is all my own.
I spent my weekend with the mens and womens soccer teams, as well as my new volleyball team. We all went to a youth camp (which has finished with its summer camps) where we worked out constantly. The heat and humidity are really new for me, and I can't say they are my favorite. There is nothing quite like conditioning sessions in sand when the bugs and the sweat and the heat and the physical exertion all come together to leave you a disgusting, sandy, sticky mess. I looked like a monster most of the weekend. Overall, though, the time was good. I am excited for this coming season.
Meanwhile, we embark on a week of three-a-days. This entails an hour of conditioning in the morning, followed by a quick breakfast then two hours of practice, then a break for lunch and another practice in the afternoon. Late this week, orientation will begin and we will be down to two-a-day practices. Next week brings the start of classes as well as our first game.
The school year is already off to a rousing beginning. I only hope my weary muscles will carry me through this week... starting with two miles of running hills in the morning.
