Coming to America

Well when we last left off our young hero (how arrogant of me) was told he was no longer needed on the team that brought him to the other side of the world.  On that Friday he was told he would leave wednesday.  Seems like a few boring days until he leaves....

Ok back to first person.

As soon as I am told we are parting ways the team heads off for a 3 day trip to Macedonia, leaving me to fend for myself.  At first it was nice, just to relax, not practice, not run up mountains, and not sit on the bench for unexplained reasons.  Just me to fend for myself.  

And how BORING was that...

I went from staring at the computer screen, to staring at the walls, to staring at myself staring at myself in the mirror (all staring contests resulted in a tie.)

It was clearly evident that I needed to find something to do but lets just say Samokov has about as many options for entertainment as the astronauts had when they landed on the moon (actually....scratch that...at least the astronauts could golf).

I realize I need to go to the bank and the grocrery store anyways.  Since all of my teammates are having a wonderful time in Macedonia without me, I realize that I'll have to use my own transportation I brought with me.

My feet.

To be honest it was kind of refreshing to have to walk to different places I must say, and I blended right in with the locals....well ok maybe not really blended...I guess the stares and double takes I was getting are similar to those Tokyo reisdents give Godzilla as he happily roams the streets.

That can't taste good

I continue on with my errands (I am now a whiz in the grocery store....all strawberry jelly and orange juice for me) and head back home.  I successfully kill 2 hours...

Only 4 more days to go...

I spend the last 4 days venturing to the main city of Sofia, watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and packing up my belongings.  My flight is scheduled for 730am Wednesday morning which is a 4am wake up call for me.  It will take me from Sofia to Amsterdam to Philly and finally to Raleigh.  

Much to my relief (and to my readers dismay) there was no forgetting of bags, sprinting through airports, or rockstar guided tours through the terminals.  It was actually quite normal.  I get to Amsterdam and walk about 3 miles (I will not be hiring that architect to build anything for me) from my my first flight to my second.  On the walk over I wonder if I have shrunk after walking past several women who are literally on eye level with me...no heels. Im pretty sure one of them is my replacement on the team I just left.  

With all these flights and long hours in the air I am anxious to get back to American soil.  When we finally arrive in Philly I stand in the customs line and daydream about what it will be like to be home.  I am snapped out of my day dream by a loud.

Next...

NEXT...

NEXT!!!! says the impatient black woman working the customs desk. I smile and say "sorry i was day dreaming."  she looks at me...rolls her eyes and hands me back my passport...ahh thats the American hospitality I have been missing.  Great to be back.

Once the wheels touched down in Raleigh any other emotions I might have had before or during the trip were replaced with relief and happiness.  I was finally home.  In the arms of my mother I realize that there are worse things that can happen to me in these days that I have had.  As one of my teammates told me before I leave

"Adam you may be going home, but it is to family and friends that love you.  Soon you will forget all about everything here and move on with your career.  But for now just enjoy the time that you have with the ones you love."

For that advice I thank you my good friend.

And so this is the life, the life of a pro basketball player.  There are ups and there are downs, there are highs and there are lows, but I know one thing that I will have throughout this roller coaster ride that I have chosen for my career.  The support of my friends, family, and all of you.

Glad to see everyone is watching the game....Conner..