big big day

"Big big day" is a phrase my dad uses all the time on exciting days. Before I even have my first cup of coffee in the morning, my dad will look at me, smile and say, "big big day!" When I left for college, when I had soccer games, when I went into news 8, they were all "big big days". Today is a big big day, though, not for me, but for the US women's soccer team! They're playing in the Women's World Cup!!!!! Gah, so exciting. Today at 2pm on ESPN, everyone better watch! Of course, lucky me, I can't watch, I have to work at Subway at 11:30. UGH. But whatevs - I will work hard to get out early, drive as fast as I can home, and SEE THE GAMEEE!! GOOO USAAAAA! I'm watching in spirit! I'm going to have my mom text me updates the WHOLE time, of course.

I think my favorite part about watching this World Cup is that it brings me back to the '99 World Cup, which was SERIOUSLY INCREDIBLE! Everyone remember it? US women won the final against China in penalty kicks! SUCH A GREAT TIME. I was 9 years old and OBSESSED with Mia Hamm. My sister loved Brandi Chastain, my mom loved Joy Fawcett, dad...not sure? But we were all SUCH big fans of the team! We watched every game, which was kind of tricky because we didn't have cable. So we watched them at friends houses, or had people tape them for us, and the semi-final we even watched at a bar! Keep in mind, I'm 9 and my sister is 8. At a bar. Good stuff. We were vacationing in Point Judith, Rhode Island when we watched the final game. It was such a long and intense game, scoreless after two halves and extra time, and finally the US won in PKs! I remember every emotion I felt during that game. Freaked out when Michelle Akers got subbed out, ecstatic when Kristine Lilly saved a header headed for goal, nervous when I found out Brandi was taking the last kick! But the feeling I will never forget is the feeling when Brandi scored and ripped her shirt off - utter BLISS! I was so happy - my summer had been MADE! My heroes were now WORLD CHAMPIONS.

YES BRANDI!

And I can safely say that Brandi was such an inspiration to me with her pulling her shirt off after she scored - that I practiced this in my yard until I had it perfect. I'd put up my pugg pop-up soccer nets, throw on a bathing suit top, put on my Mia Hamm jersey, kick the ball into the net, and then rip it off and get on my knees in celebration, JUST like her. I'd say I mastered it - and I'm sure all the neighbors would agree.

So my hope for today is that what happened for me can happen for all the other 9 year olds out there. Win or lose, I just hope this team can inspire young girls like they 99 team inspired me. I will never forget those girls, and they will always be my heroes! But I have to root on this new team now -- and put all my faith in them! Let's go USA!

As for my LIFE since a few days ago -- it's been pretty normal! Worked some long hours at Subway, hung out with the fam, ya know, the normal stuff. But my favorite part was two nights ago -- because as I'm SURE YOU ALL KNOW - WINNIE THE POOH CAME OUT TO THEATERS ON JULY 15TH! So clearly my sister and I went that night. I worked until 8 - so we went at 9:10! Yup, while everyone else was lining up for Harry Potter in their costumes, we went to Pooh...in our sweats. It was AWESOME. Hilarious, cute, everything we wanted it to be it was. It was only like an hour and nine minutes long, but it was so great just to be hanging with the Pooh gang again! Everyone loved it. My sister and I like legit couldn't stop laughing at parts! Ah, so great. Tigger was always my fav as a kid - but now I'd have to say it's a toss up because Pooh is just SO great too! I won't give away any plot stuff or anything because everyone just needs to see it for themselves DUH! But seriously, go.

Here's a review I found, just to get you PUMPED!

"One would have to have a heart of cold temperament to find much — if anything — wrong with the animated adventure ‘Winnie the Pooh’…Brought to you by some of the Disney folk who delivered last month’s noisy, flashy ‘Cars 2, ‘ this hand-drawn tale is as elegantly simple as that sequel is voraciously, impressively computer-rendered.” [Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post]

Alright, well, that's about all I have for today ... I'm off to the gym, then to work, and then hopefully back to catch the end of the World Cup game! GOO GOOO USSSAAAAA! I'll be updating soon - hopefully my life will consist of more than Subway sandwiches and children's movies, but hey, I'm not complaining! (PS - my family also watched Pete's Dragon last night) HAHA WOW LOVE MY LIFE! Anyway, I'll write again soon!

In the meantime, everyone should listen to "Letter to Me" by Brad Paisley. It came out a little bit ago - but I heard it yesterday and I had forgotten how good it was! Just a good listen if you're bored! MAKES YA GO BACK IN TIME! :)

Alright -- Love, Soccer, and Pooh!

Katieeeeeeee