Around Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach has wavered back and forth between being beautiful and sunny, to downright cold. Not the sort of cold we were experiencing in Toronto before we left by any means, but cold for being by the beach and training for volleyball. Not that I'm complaining. If I could transport a couple of my most favourite people from home to LA for the winter, I think I'd probably stay here the whole time!
Training, both with Coach Cam and with Sport Psych Mike has been unreal. We're really pushing our comfort zones, but we know that's what it takes to be a champion. The results are already coming, but the process has been even more rewarding to date.
We are staying in the cutest little apartment, albeit a bit cave-like and dark at night. It's about at 2 minute walk from our court, which affords us the extra time to do our journaling and other homework from Mike, our daily exercises as prescribed by our trainer Ken, and working hard to find new partners and to inspire our community to come support us at our Gold Medal Gala. More than ever, I am confident that we are on the right path towards our goals. Call it a hunch.
We're going to try to post some videos in a bit - having some problems figuring that one out. We also want to post a slideshow of photos. For now, here's a few select photos from our trip so far.

OUR APARTMENT

THE WALK TO PRACTICE

LOCALS PLAYING - MY IDOL DOUG

Be Inspired - Are you living the life of your dreams?

Certain moments in life put everything into perspective, make you realize how much control you have over yourself and your experience, yet at the same time, how little control you have over life. Liz and I had a few 'aha' moments this week, that both challenged us to look inside for the answers and to put this whole journey in greater perspective. The dad of a good friend of Liz's passed away this week in his sleep at a young age, making the fragility of life, and the necessity to live every moment within it, even more poignant. I found myself thinking of my own parents: do I show them that I love them? Do I spend the time to continue to grow our relationship? What more can I do so that, should I lose one of them tomorrow, I would feel like I gave everything I could to our relationship? Likewise, this event made me question my decision to spend extended periods of time away from my family and friends, in the name of a ‘game’. Is my goal really worth it? Is this truly where I want and need to be? Am I on the path of my dreams? If it were all to end tomorrow, would I be proud of my choices? To all of this I answered yes. Had I answered no to any of the questions, and chosen to reevaluate my goal, that would have been ok too. The fact is that I took a look and made sure that all my challenges and obstacles on this journey were worth it, given the bigger picture of life. Can you say the same?

Help us Win Gold - Join us for our Gold Medal Gala!

On April 1st, 2009, Team Mizara will be hosting the April Fools Day event of a lifetime - the Gold Medal Gala at the Great Hall. From 6:30-10pm that evening, you will have the opportunity to watch some of the top musical, aerial acrobat, magic and comedic acts in the GTA, while you mingle with other Team Mizara supporters, eat outstanding food and bid on exquisite silent auction items (including autographed Chris Bosh sneakers). All for only $55 for 1 ticket and $100 for 2 tickets!
Most importantly though, you will be driving the funding that will help us win Gold! Visit www.goldmedala.com to buy tickets and learn more!