First Week of Practices

We finished our first week of two a day practices with a completely unrelated pork dinner. The pig had been living behind Chantas house since I arrived.  Finally yesterday it was taken to the butcher.  I was glad I didnt have anything to do with killing this animal.  Brad and Yoxa joined Tom and I at Chantas house to have the feast.  After multiple plates of pork came out I asked jokingly where all the good parts went because most of what we got to eat was very fatty.  Then Chanta comes out with a bowl of the "good stuff" and it was spectacular.  Just wow. The fatty parts were good but the pieces she brought out after were amazing.  One of the best meal I have had in Laos.

The week of practices went well.  We had one day where it rained during practice.  My team changed sizes every day but the last day was the largest.  I thought we needed some free weights so I bought some PVC pipe and then got some cans.  I cut the PVC pipe and put it connecting the cans.  I then filled it with concrete. Needless to say I was very pleased that it worked out.  They have been used at both practices almost every day since.  The weights have added a new dynamic to practice which I hope will pay big dividends at the end of the season. 

Starting on Thursday Tom and I started helping the team with their English.  Some of these kids arent going to school so they can live in LP and train everyday.  The level vary greatly but it was good to have them help me with my Lao also.  My daily schedule is wake up at 6:30 then get to practice around 7.  Around 9 I head home or out for some food.  If I head home I check my email then around 11 head to the library check in with Chanta then get some lunch.  At 1pm I head over and teach Chantas sister in law english for an hour.  When 2:30 comes around I head to the stadium to teach the students then we have practices starting around 3:30 till 6 at the latest come home relax read some and then head out for dinner.  For me this is exhausting considering I am someone who loves their sleep and since it has started to get cool at nights it has made sleeping much easier.

Just finished a book called Scorecasting.  It is basically Freakonomics about sports and it was really good.  I suggest you check it out if you have any interest in sports.  One of the best chapters is about the Chicago Cubs.  You will probably not watch sports the same again after reading this book.

As always be sure to comment with questions or musings of your own.