Early morning and evening are still cold. It becomes warm and even hot very soon at noon, though. I also heard birds singing in the morning. Spring has come to the New England (NE) area finally. The rowing and soccer seasons in NE area also start.
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| The soccer field at Hopkinton, April 22, 2023 |
Alice originally planned to withdraw from the travel soccer team this spring. However, there were girls moving out of MA or unable to attend, and the number of roasters of soccer decreased to eleven. Finally, we decided to stay with the travel soccer team (Fall and Spring seasons) this season. Alice would miss some squash tournaments, but it was also a good opportunity to learn the importance of fulfilling your commitment. This season, the team entered the higher-level league. When the opponents are stronger, but the roaster becomes less, it is really a challenge for girls. However, Alice still enjoyed the game when she successfully passed the ball to the attacker and got the score or they got tied with the strongest opponent in the league. I really appreciated the coach having a conversation after each match, I found it not only encouraged the girls but also told them to make every effort until the end of the game.
In late Mach, Emily and Alice attended US Junior Squash Silver Tournament at Philly. We learned the sentence from Arlen Spector:
You are never too far behind to win and never too far ahead of to lose
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| The Slogan at Arlen Specter Center, Philly |
When you feel a lot of stress, can't control your temper, or feel arrogant about winning a match, it is true you are just nearly to lose. Alice even made this mistake again at another gold squash tournament in April, and Emily was still finding the best way to adjust herself quickly to fit her best condition for the match.
Alice and Emily had a good time for school spring break. Their friends' mom drove them to MSquash for two and half days of training. Kids even went to the farm and played mini Golf.
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| Alice in the lesson at MSquash SONO |
After spring break, Emily began her busy spring rowing schedule. She and her teammates attended Saratoga Invitational Regatta and won the Gold Medal in Girl's Junior 4+. One mon of Emily's teammates drove all girls and the coach from Acton at 4:45 AM and returned at 3:20 PM. This is really a thing of teamwork and a very quick in-and-out regatta.
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| 1st Gold Medal, Saratoga Invitational 2023 |
Finally, we had a family birthday event for me. Again, when there are no reminders on Facebook, LINE, or Instagram, it is helpful to focus on celebrating with your close family! We have done this for a long time but this is really a simple life we really live in.
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| Happy Birthday to Quintin, 2023 |
