April 9, 2009

BERKELEY - Now that I no longer have to go to practice everyday or run endless 110s, I've resorted to sitting on the couch and eating pints of ice cream. Well, that would be my ideal scenario but alas, I'm enrolled in five classes (just like a regular student) and most of my time has been taken up trying to wrap my mind around the fundamentals of statistics, which, I have absolutely no idea why any human would want to major in. It's weird to not have the usual hockey routine anymore - class in the mornings, three hours of practice, weights and running in the afternoons - but I must say I've enjoyed the free semester. My body has been thanking me for the prolonged rest as well so that's a bonus.

But the one part that I miss the most since my hockey career ended is without a doubt being with the rest of the team. When you're still a part of the team, you see everyone pretty much every day the whole week. You get used to it and not think much about the all the time spent with each other. But now that I'm no longer a part of the team, not seeing everyone every day is a little unusual, and I miss that the most. I feel like the team for past two years has become so tight and close that we genuinely enjoy spending all that time together. What I'm looking forward to is this upcoming season because I'll be here for my last semester, so I'll be on the sidelines cheering on the team.

So everyone always asks me what I'm doing with all my free time besides school. Well, since our last game in the fall, I've probably exercised a total of 10 times, so I've definitely not been using my time for physical activity. Since most of my housemates are graduating this semester, we've tried to do as much as we can as a group. Whether it's following the spring sports, shopping or enjoying nights out in the City, we've been taking advantage of our time winding down here at Cal. Speaking of Cal sports, I just want to congratulate the women's swimming and diving team for winning the championship because that is amazing. As for the men's and women's basketball teams, it's always exciting to be around campus when March madness happens and we're apart of it. Unfortunately, the results weren't exactly in our favor, but it's always a fun time to be with friends and watch the games.

Spring isn't the same without spring break, and this year I had a fabulous week off in New York City with one of my best friends from home. The worst part of any type of vacation is the end of it, and I definitely felt the effects on the plane ride back to California. I think the hardest time to focus on school are the last two months after spring break - there are only so many weeks of classes left, you're looking forward to the freedoms of summer, and the weather becomes progressively warmer and nicer. Nice, sunny weather translates to less motivation to study and more time spent outdoors lying by the pool. For me, it's definitely the hardest time because I can't resist sunshine and an opportunity to add a little tan.