Amazing how things can change so quickly. At the age of 26, I look back on posts I've written over the years and how my goals and views on life have changed. After a long struggle to find a new title after coming to terms with the fact that I would not have a career as an indoor player, I have decided on one of my favorite John Wooden quotes (all quotes actually) of all time.
Although the blog will continue to focus on volleyball, I will also open up a bit more about personal happenings compared to what I had done previously. Volleyball is a huge part of my life - it's brought many people into my lives that have made me a better person, and I hope that I have been able to have a similar influence on many teammates, players I've coached, or simply players I've shared the court with. After putting my two weeks in at Mercer (more on that shortly), I was able to find a job 9 days later because of networking I had done in the volleyball community back in Chicago. As a matter of fact, while I have been lucky to be employed the majority of my life, almost every job I have gotten has been due to friendships I have made in the community - and I've even been able to return the favor by helping others obtain employment as well.
I've had many highs and many lows - and the valleys have been deep. However, I've always been able to keep focused on the present and push through, usually with the aid of others close to me, or even simply finding inspiration through reading other people's experiences. I hope to perhaps use this blog as a way to return the favor.
For now, let me give a cliff notes' version of the last 6 months and then I'll go into more detail next time (REALLY gonna try to make posts daily - but I know I've said that before). Realized Division I Coaching was not for me, put my two weeks in, came home, found a job a week and a half later (which I LOVE) - currently living in LaGrange Park with stepdad but hoping to move to Naperville in the near future. Played indoor this spring, slowly started to get back into shape, playing sand now and feeling like I'm having a pretty good season. Working on registering a business that runs camps/clinics/tournaments. Happier than I've been in a long time.
More to come later!