Cards Galore

Boas Festas!

So we had two more matches this weekend before our nice holiday break where we get a few weeks off. Well not really much time off, just no games. The games were pretty intense and I really wish I understood Portuguese because there was a lot going on and I had no clue!

In our first match vs. Castelo de Maia in the battle for 4th place, we came out strong and took game 1. Game 2 saw us carry that momentum with a big lead of 8-2 at the first break. However, at that point the other team started going crazy at the refs. There was a noise that went off during our serve so they thought they were supposed to stop playing but we didn't so we won the point. They proceeded to get a yellow card (which equals a point for us) and then a couple plays later they got upset again and their libero got a red card (which means he has to sit out the rest of that game, not the match). So having a good lead and the other team without a libero, you would think we should close out the game. But no, they manage to pull back into it and steal the game 30-28. Very frustrating. Next game, our team starts yelling at the refs about something (no clue what was going on during all of this) and our OH gets a yellow card and then our coach got a red card and had to sit behind the bench the rest of the game. Then right before the other team was going to serve, our coach pushes the shopping cart filled with water bottles, balls, warmup jackets, onto the floor!! It was ridiculous. Anyway, we lost that game and the next to lose in 4. A tough one but hopefully we can get matched up with them in the playoffs and get revenge!

Sunday saw a weaker opponent, but more cards! We came out playing well and took game 1 very easily. Then in game 2, our serve wasn't as tough and the game was much closer. The other team got to 24 and their opposite kept talking junk through the net so OH that got the yellow the day before got in the net and started yelling back. BAM, yellow card, point for the other team, game over. It actually was a double yellow for the opposite on the other team but it didn't matter. Then at the start of the next game, another yellow was issued to the other team, for no apparent reason to me. Anyway, we played much better and won in 4 to put us at 10-6 for the year, in 5th place. Also, for the weekend that made 6 yellow cards, 2 red cards, and 1 shopping cart pushed onto the court. I felt like I was watching Kevin O'Dell play in high school!

So after the game Sunday, Alli and I went to dinner with some teammates and friends and then played some poker after. Dinner and drinks were free cause my teammate is sponsored by the restaurant so we were quite excited! The food was delicious, especially the filet mignon wrapped in bacon with cheese. UGH it's to die for! Alli didn't play poker with us although she made oatmeal cookies while we played so that was fun for all of us. She however was the party pooper, passing out early at 2:30am while the rest of us were up to 5am. I don't know how they keep the hours they do but somehow they do. Must be all the cafe's they drink...

Also, there is a local cafe that Alli and I always go to. The couple that works there, Andrea and Ericha, are very friendly and always happy to see us when we come into have our daily coffee and play cards (Gin). They brought their 3 year old son in the other day, Matteos, who is a very cute kid with dimples. Anyway, he was a little shy at first, but like most like kids, started making faces and playing with me across the room. He was very funny and kept doing dance moves and falling on the ground laughing. He also put his shoes on the wrong feet so we got a kick out of that too. Lucky enough, he let me get a picture with him too!

Alli and I are planning on going to Barcelona on Thursday for a few days over Christmas! Tickets are booked... just have to get my passport from the Portuguese post office tomorrow (long story... dealing with my work visa and having the passport sent from Portugal to America to Portugal to America and now hopefully back to Portugal..) so we can leave Portugal.

That's it for now. Christmas is almost here so we hope everyone has a great holiday!! We miss you all and hope Santa brings you something nice this year!

D & A