AJ and...: sierpnia 2014

Well, I can't hide that it took me so long to write here a post. I just didn't have time because of exams, work and then cause of watching AVP Tourt. Finally found the best moment to do it! I'm travelling to see USA men's national team playin in Cracow so I have full 9 hours to write something. The beggning doesn't seem to be interesting but I humbly think, all of you will enjoy reading. Let's start.

Firstly, I'd like to tell you the story but don't skip it. It has connection with the rest.

Long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a girl called Ala fell in love with beach volleyball. Just as it started it seemed to be a long relatioship. She had been following every point, set, game of every team till she met two amazing players.'They are phenomenal' she thought that's why the girl started to call them 'American Tsunami''. Ala decided to give them her heart while supporting and somehow to devolve them all power and stength she had, no matter what cause that young lady knew that they would be the champions one day...

You can always find the Latvians in your life

Everybody has favorite team. So have I. Everybody would cheer for them as loud as he can. So would I. But would everobody cheer in a name of betrayal a country? No? I would. But only few people respected that. For me it doesn't matter where you're coming from, where do you live etc. Sport has its own rights and you can be a supporter of whoever you want! I'm that kind of person who (sorry for writing it in words like that) shits on that what people say and think. I'm for my team and even if guys don't know that I exist, I treat their games so personal. Their loss is my loss, their win is my win. Even callin me 'stupid blondie' or tellin me 'Go to your fucking America' during the game, won't change my feelings to the duo I'm supporter of. Contrariwise, I'll be even louder and more annoyin after words like that. Why? Cause I'm stubborn and just want to show that love to the team is more important than caring about what other think! Watching Casey and Jake fighting is my the most favorite thing on this planet, watching them winning makes me grinning so hard for many, many days. I'd do almost everything to see them on the court, with victory but I'd never turn down my voice because somebody doesn't like it. However I met a great group of people from Latvia. It was so amazing to support with them. Everything started when American Tsunami, Casey (or Clemens as it is said on FIVB webstie) Patterson & Jake Gibb played against Samoilvos and Smedins. We were in 3 cheering for USA, they in about 40 but mutual respect connected us somehow. My guys lost in that battle but Latvia's people were so kind that every time we saw each other, we just scream 'Latvia USA Latvia USA' What's more, they helped us to cheer guys in other matches. They were not mad that I'm on American side, they were glad that I can be with my team in a bad and a good moments. I remember, my eyes were watering after the game I've mentioned above. We lost but Latvians gave an applause and chanted our songs for Casey and Jake. As you see, sometimes we meet people who want to stab in our backs but as you see, there is a chance of meeting 'Latvians' in your life.

Somebody is so rude.

I've actually mentioned that topic. While being in Stare Jablonki I met many people who were so kind and nice to me, they tried to understand my way of thinking and supporting team USA, they wanted to take a photo with me cause 'omg you're so awesome! They must be proud to have you'. That was pretty shocking but, no doubt, I felt their buy-in! So why the hell topic of that part sounds like that? Well, people are rude too! Me and my friend heard many times names, stupid questions. They offended our feelings, abused us. I'd try to get it but saying me to 'shut up' even if they do nothing to support their team is so inappropriate. I'd never say a bad word about somebody who's supporting other team, not mine. To be honest, a little Estonian boy was making me sick I saw myself in his behavior. I saw me many years ago and.. right now. I saw me who'sgetting excited point by point and... I liked it! I knew he's annoying as me but I'd never kick his ass cause I'm aware of his feelings and I know why he does it. He is just a supporter.

'What's going on with your America girl?'

Oh God, I heard it so maaaaaany times. 'Don't demand so much, their time will come.' I answered. The season hasn't been easy but faith, hope and hard work paid offso damn well! I've been into volleyball for a very long time and it thaught me patience and foreknowing that's why at Stare Jablonki Grand Slam I had one motto which had had to show and prove that with 'my' guys everything is possible. My guys I meant Casey Patterson and Jake Gibb. That motto goes like #FromQualiToPodium. I don'twant to discribe every game of them.The point here is their prowess and will to fight. Not every game ended with a victory but the losses built them and me also. We all wanted to do and give our best. We all wanted to improve, show our better side next time. Casey and Jake on the sand, me - on the stadium. It seems we did it! We started with quali and ended with bronze medal. When I had met them on Tuesday and my first words sounded 'will be with you till Sunday, till the big final'. Well, bronze medal game was our big final, wasn't it?

I love beach volleyball. This sport thaught me so many things and made me the person who I am right now that's why I go to every Grand Slam tournament which is here. (Well, we had only the one in Stare Jablonki. HAD!) I waited for it for the whole year and it's not cause of partying in the evening, drinking beer or whatever, smoking shisha... It's all about the USA team, about waking up so early to go to the court number 6 and cheer for Ryan Doherty and Nick Lucena playing against the team from Quatar, about showing support for Phil and Rosie, about losing voice cause you shouted "GET THEM JAKE! COME ON CASEY' so loud that Mr. Patterson and Mr. Gibb heared you on the court number 1 while playing against Poland...

Not sure if saying thank you would be enough.

I think that the words 'thank you' are not enought to explain and say how grateful I'm to have/had you here. I'd like to thank to Amor who was such a phenomenal person! Thanks to Summer and Emily who welcomed me as a good, old friend! I'm still in shock a bit. Casey and Jake deserve their own part here. Well, dear guys thank you so much for every second you spent on the court.Thank you for being such a great players and...men! Cheering for you is such an honor, it's just the best thing ever! Thank you for being so pleasant and amiable all the time. Dear all team Patterson/Gibb (yeap, I'm talkin about you Rich, Tylor and Troy too) you were the reason of everything I've done in Stare Jablonki. You were the reason of losing voice, drinking in a name of celebration the victory, betrayal Poland, having the best time this summer! Thank you for your time, all kind words you told me, every little smile me, hug and kiss you gave me (or I gave you, it doesn't matter). As I told you, even if I'll have to sell my kidney, next World Tour belongs to us. #CaseyJacobaeaeao must be heared in the world!

In the end. I would like to thank to Spike Town USA for every tweet and at small article about guys. Well, it is s great place to say thank you to Kyra Brown for every word she sent to me. When I just think about that what you and Jake Gibb wrote about me I can't stop blushing and smiling. It is really an honor to read things like that about myself. You told me to keep it going, you helped me to understand somehow that I am no anonymous any more. I didn't have that awareness but you pushed me to getting it. Thank you!

I love gifs so I prepared a few which show reactions in Stare Jablonki. Enjoy.

1. When somebody called me 'stupid blond American'