Chitty chitty Chautauqua!

During the month of July, we, my two roommates and I, were able to go up to Chautauqua, New York and spend time with a lot of the guys on the team and also my host family. It was a quality time to spend with the guys and just develop those relationships even further! We were up there for a week. I wasn't able to spend the whole week up there as there was training but the time that was spent up there was incredible. We got to go Tubing, Wake-boarding, Skiing, and Swimming. See the thing is, there is no way, with the guys we have on our team, not have fun! We have guys on the team that love God and love each other and while having a good time, don't put the first two aside. We bought a new tube for the boat because the one we had just wasn't cutting it. However, the one we bought is an island... almost. We fit 5 grown men on there while being towed by the boat. My friend, Jason (Jcheek for those who read the blog), was driving the boat and he is ruthless. It isn't a good boat ride unless someone falls out of the boat or gets flipped 50 ft in the air. He would whip us at about 40 mph! The key was teamwork. If one person failed, then the team failed... and it hurt! We had a formation of 3 and 2! 3 on the bottom and 2 on top and we had to keep the weight down because if we didn't, the tube would catch air and go 50 ft in the air! If anyone ever wants to see some sick wipeouts, just ask!

The moral of the story is, don't let Jason drive!

Another Night to Remember

This is another one of those instances where there was a major loss of pointage with Princess Di. There are many of these tales and slowly but surely, the world will know... But for now, here is another for your enjoyment. 

Remember Jcheek? During training, he had hurt his foot pretty bad and Princess Di... Actually at this point, I need to describe Princess Di to you all a little bit more in detail. She is an incredible lady. Her basic principle is, if you serve her or her kids, she will go above and beyond normal human capabilities to help you out in anyway she can. She is very straight forward and very blunt in her dealings with people. It is what makes Di.. well Di... She has so many contacts all over the Ohio state and through her husband Jeff, worldwide, that literally anything can be obtained if needed or wanted. For example, my Irish roommate Matt came over from Ireland and after a week, his knee locked up on him and he was in a lot of pain. He needed surgery and within 2 hours and 2 phone calls, he had a surgery set up and ice on his knee relaxing on the couch. This is just one example of how she is. Don’t get me wrong, by telling these stories, I am in no way trying to talk behind her back or chop her down. I am simply telling the stories that surround the City Stars and host families! 

Ok back to the top, Princess Di got on the phone and called one of the ER doctors she knows because she was worried about a staff infection for Jcheek. She told me to tell Jcheek to come over for breakfast and see that doctor. I texted Jcheek and told him to do it. And his response back was a joke but if read in a certain light, could be made to sound like he was a complete and utter ass. I decided I was going to wait until Jcheek to throw me under the bus, as is his rep with the team and the Steinhilbers (we all still love him anyways...). The plan worked perfectly...

As was expected, Jcheek threw me under the bus on his birthday at the birthday party. Everyone was making fun of him for something and he has an incredible ability to throw off or deflect all attention onto someone else... but little did he know or expect that I was prepared... yet little I know what would happen... The text simply said “tell her to make some eggs and bacon with cheese and fruit... oh I like pancakes too...” But when I read it in front of everyone in a “demanding tone,” the light mood of the party evaporated quickly! There was an awkward silence... then more awkward silence... then even more awkward silence. Di sat back in her chair trying to figure out the meaning behind the text. Remy, my little host sister moved from sitting next to Jcheek to across the table to next to her mom and said “I don’t like it when people are mean to my mom!” All the while, there are 5 or 6 City Stars over at the house and we are crying because we are laughing so hard.. It was incredibly awkward but we all knew nothing would come of it but it was still one of the most awkward things I have ever experienced. It was hilarious. Remy then said to Jcheek, on his birthday, “nobody likes you!” Jcheek could not figure out what to do or say because it was not a big deal at all and he knew it but he could not figure out a way to get it away from him so he just sat there... Dano was sitting next to Di and looked at her and put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting way, then looked at Jcheek and said, “J why would you say something like that?” Making everything even more awkard than it already was! I was crying I was laughing so hard. In the end, I explained that no harm was meant and it was a joke. But the damage had been done and Jcheek learned not to mess... although I am actually expecting him to try and get back at me at some point by the end of the season... Round 1 goes to Skelly...