Back to Reality!!!!

After a wonderful month in Detroit.... well maybe not wonderful, but interesting its back to teaching. Upon my return to New York after a lovely eleven hour drive, I settled in to my new home and prepared myself to start school for my masters as well as teach. Oh, I forgot to mention, not even twelve hours after arriving home, I had to bowl a tournament!

One of my closest friends, Norm, runs a monthly tournament called OST. The tournament is very well run, and are always on a competitive shot. I knew that I should keep sharp for upcoming regionals, so I decided to bowl. The format is the same as the Mini-Eliminator in Las Vegas, bowl three games cut half the field, bowl two cut half, bowl one cut half, bowl one cut and to the final four. I bowled well and made it to the final four, but I had some tough competition with Anthony Pepe, I knew it would not be easy to win. I kept my head in the game and focused on making good shots, and soon enough I had seven in a row! By the ninth frame I had won, and was full of emotion. Even though it was a home town tournament, and not a tour stop it meant a lot to me for all the people who came down to watch me bowl and to be able to stand there a winner.

For now, I am back to school to get my masters and teaching. I cannot wait until tour starts up again in January, until then practice,

practice, practice!!!! Up next on the agenda, Kaizen by Diandra trunk shows at the Equinox Gyms!!!!

Turbo Staff Photo Shoot and Good Friends... What more could a girl ask for?

Lil Belmo.......... thats all I think about as I stare at Kimberly Belmonte's belly, she is very pregnant and I am very excited. Kimberly is Jason's wife, and is the one of the most amazing people I know. I was so excited to be one of the first people outside of their family to find out about their pregnancy. I cannot wait until Christmas, when Lil baby belmo will arrive, best present ever!

A few days after Kimberly arrived, all of the exempt bowlers on turbo staff had a photo shoot at the Detroit Tigers game. Since none of us knew where we were going, we all decided to car pool. Honestly, we are all cheap and did not really want to pay for parking :). Diandra along with her husband John, was kind enough to drive myself and Clara to the game. When we arrived, we saw the Belmonte's entering the stadium with their entourage, which included a camera crew. Jason is having a piece filmed for Australian television, it is pretty weird to see him with a camera following him around 24/7. I cannot wait to see the piece, and I am sure it will be great for our sport. Once we entered the stadium, John and I waited while Diandra went to get our tickets for the sky box.

The sky box that Turbo had was amazing, they really went above and beyond. It was so nice to have all the bowlers together in a social setting instead of competing on the lanes. We had unlimited food and beverages, as well as an amazing view of the game. Soon it was time for our close up!!!! Diandra, Clara, and I all primped in the bathroom together, because the boys were hogging it! We all had our individual shots taken in our regular bowling clothes, and then a turbo shirt. Then, all the women had a group shot, which was really fun. After the girls finished, it was time for the men to take their pictures, once they finished we all got together for a group shot. Once we finished our photo shoot, we had a chance to talk and catch up. Kimberly told us all about her pregnancy and her expectations for the birth. To be honest I was very nervous for her, it seems extremely scary, but I am sure wonderful all at once.

Once the game was over, Diandra, John, and I attempted to find the car, yes I said attempted. Somehow we lost the car, we walked and walked, but could not find it, and no one in the parking lot gave us a stub. Just as I thought we were never going to find the car, John called out, "It's right here". The car was under our nose the whole time, Diandra and I laughed and got in the car. John and Diandra dropped me off at the bowl, and it was time for dinner and much needed rest.

My inspiration for the World Championship will be this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"