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RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

VACATION TIME AND CAMP LOOMING 24th October 2007

I have been loving my vacation time off since we have returned back home, but the next residential camp is looming.

Surprisingly, I have managed to stay quite busy. I thought I would have trouble filling in the days and that I would have become a little bored, but this has not been the case at all. Even though all my friends from Montreal are away, and my family is out working, my dog and I have been keeping busy. I won’t bore anyone with the mundane details of a regular day, but there are bigger things I have been up to.

Since returning from my sojourns in Stratford and Mississauga, I went to downtown Montreal to celebrate Amy Walsh's, and her friend Ross’s belated birthdays. Even though both birthdays were in September, the party was held in October so that both would be at home in Montreal. This allowed them both to celebrate in style with friends and family. I only knew a few people - members of the Walsh clan, but I had a blast and was really pleased to have been asked.

Then, Amy and I made the long drive down to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to watch Diana and her Princeton teammates in action against the University of Lehigh. Even though the game wasn’t the greatest, Princeton came out with the win, so we were happy about this. D. also received an assist in the 1-0 win, and the scorer of the goal was Alexandra Valerio, an old teammates of mine from Ottawa, so we were happy all round.

After the game, Amy and I kidnapped D. and drove her back to Princeton. We stayed the Wednesday night and spent the whole of Thursday there. Then it was time to return to Montreal on Friday morning, quite the fleeting visit.

Amy’s future hubby, J.P., is a Princeton alumnus, so Amy and I spent most of Thursday walking around the campus and looking at the ivy covered buildings. J.P. was a hockey player there, so I think she found it interesting to see where he had spent his college career, and what the "Cap and Gown" Club is. I am in awe of the beauty of the campus. I find it so amazing that people get to study in places like this. Tennessee wasn’t bad, but man, oh man this Princeton campus is amazing. I found myself also walking round the campus looking at the people around me, wondering how many of them are going to become hugely influential members of government and society - must be stressful going to this university!!

One of the reasons we had to return quickly after our quick visit to Princeton was because Amy’s sisters had organized a bachelorette function, of sorts, for her on the Saturday night. This was not the party you are envisioning. Instead, it was held at her house in St-Hilaire and it was a dinner with a few of her friends. Of course fun was had by all, but it was a formal, enjoyable yet, tasteful way to celebrate. Amy’s sisters and her friend Jas had done a wonderful job and I know Amy was pleased to see how well the evening went.

It was not an early night. The party went late, but I had to be up bright and early, to head back into town. There I had arranged to meet up with four of my old friends from high school, whom I have not seen since the night of our graduation 7 years ago. These girls have all stayed in touch, but because I was so far away in Tennessee, I had drifted apart from them. I did keep in touch with the occasional e-mail every now and then, but for the most part, we had had no contact since May of 2000 - insanity!!!!!

I had an amazing time. I think that perhaps I use the word "amazing" a little too often, but that is the only word that describes the day. We had meant to meet over lunch at 12:30, but we were all getting along so well and having such a great time talking, that we missed lunch, and it was well after 5:00 pm when I had to leave. I love it when you meet friends from your past, and it seems as if you have never left. It has been 7 years since I saw them last, more time than the five years that I actually knew them at school. However, it seemed as if we had only seen each other a week ago.

My next big event is a little premature, as it is only happening in the morning. That is when my sister is having her head shaved for charity. She is one brave girl to be doing this and she has worked her butt off raising money. On that account I have to take this opportunity to thank Magali and Elaine and other fans for their generous support of her. Sara has had tremendous support and many people have gone way out of their way to help her out- thanks to all. We will have a full report ojn the event soon.

I will attach photos to this report when I receive them.