So I just wanted to give a quick update on our matches from this past week and then Alli will take it away with some thoughts and updates on the more interesting aspects of our time here.
We had two matches this weekend against teams that are both below us in the rankings, so it was essential to come out with W's to maintain our spot in the standings. Our team came out playing very tough in both matches and pulled out 3-0 victories in both games! We seem to be improving as we go which is a good sign if we can continue the upward trend. We have a big match this weekend against Castelo do Maia with the winner of the game getting sole possession of 4th place. It's at home so we'll likely have a raucous crowd of 80 people cheering us on! My knee has began to act up this week so hopefully with a nice diet of ice and ibuprofen I will be good to go by gametime.
Boa tarde (good afternoon) everyone! Nothing too new and exciting has happened the past couple of weeks... I had the flu right after my mom left (she had it right before she left), but am feeling much better now. Luckily Dan did not get it. We couldn't call it "the flu",even after I was better, to anyone here because they seriously FREAK OUT like it is the Black Plague.
Fun fact: last Tuesday was a holiday here... a holiday for the Immaculate Conception. Unfortunately, I do not think it would be "legal" or "politically correct" to have a holiday for the Immaculate Conception in America. To top it off, the name "conception" (of course translated into Portuguese) is a common third name for people here... because people have about 4 names apparently. Lia's third name is "conception", and now I spot it on the back of many jersey's of opposing teams at Dan's games. Also, in the gym where Dan plays, there is a huge sign that says "Feliz Natal" (Merry Christmas) and a very large Nativity scene. It's awesome!
Another observation I have made since the first couple of days I have been here is the outrageous amount of people with foot deformities, limping when walking, uneven legs, and just general leg or foot problems. I told my mom about this when she got here and she was amazed as we spotted more people each day. To top it off, a family friend just got back from Spain with her husband that is a doctor. They were talking to my mom about their trip and said, "Gosh, it was amazing to see the number of people with foot and leg problems... all using a cane to limp/walk around and looking like they are in so much pain." My mom described our same observations! Our friend's husband explained to my mom that most of the problems looked as if they could be fixed by a hip, knee, or foot surgery. However, due to the fact that Europe has socialized/universal health care, this is considered a "specialty area" and is therefore not covered. To have the surgery, the person would have to pay out of pocket and is therefore just not affordable. On this same page, the lady who owns the cafe we visit everyday just had her tooth pulled. Instead of having insurance to cover for most of the payment for a root canal to save the tooth, the universal health care covered the tooth to be pulled out since it was a molar and the other teeth are enough to chew food. And lastly, a teammate of mine has had a bad knee for almost three years. Physical therapy is covered under the health care, but being that it is not getting any better, she requested an MRI. The doctor told her that she just needs to continue to rest and ice and did not agree to the MRI. She really wants/needs the MRI, so after she tries to find an insurance company she can afford, she will hopefully be covered in part to get an MRI in the next few months. This whole universal health care proposal in America could be pretty scary....
After a whole week of clear blue skies and 40 degree days, the rain and wind are back! The good news is that our building is still standing... although I had my doubts in the middle of the night. Dan and I ventured on over to the Moroccan cafe the other night... mostly because I really just wanted to laugh at him sitting on the tiny pillows! Dan enjoyed the ambiance and the Sangria, but after about 45 minutes, the uncomfortableness (is that a word?) started to set in.
I enjoyed visiting a beautiful town called Espinho with Lia on Sunday before Dan's game. We walked along the boardwalk and window shopped (shops are closed on Sundays), I bought some red colored popcorn (very festive), and clapped for Santa and the Christmas carolers strolling along. Santa just walked on over to me, reached his hand into my popcorn, got a couple good mouthfuls of red popcorn, and then continued on his stroll.
Tonight Dan's team is playing soccer for practice and then having a team Christmas dinner. Being that Dan is the worst soccer player on his team, he is consistently chosen last and put in the goal. But to pump up his team, Dan bought an FC Porto (Porto soccer team here) Jersey and is going to bust it out tonight for the big soccer game. I will be there and will be happy to post about it on the blog in the next couple of days....
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