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Everything to do with team
Kristine Lilly is the all-time appearance leader and third all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Women's National Team. The midfielder from Wilton, Conn., was a member of the U.S. teams that won the 1999 World Cup and 1996 Olympic Games. Lilly also played on four national championship teams at the University of North Carolina. Lilly is training for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Check out Lilly's diary every month on CNNSI.com.
September 4, 2000
Hello and how is everyone? Well right now we are at Big Bear Lake. We just spent two days here as our team getaway weekend before we leave. We leave tonight to head to Melbourne. I can't believe we are leaving. Julie, Carla, and Brandi and I were walking around town and got some ice cream, and we all were like, "I can't believe we are finally leaving.' It has been a long year, but this is what we have been working for, and now we are ready. The last two days were spent doing some team building activities and a ropes course. It has been great, and this team is ready. I'm not going to go into a lot of our activities because they were team moments. I will highlight some part of the days and share with you some of our laughs and moments. To start off the weekend, we didn't know where we were going at all. After our game against Brazil on Friday night our coach just told us that we were going on a getaway weekend and that is all she told us. Did you catch our game with Brazil? It was a great atmosphere and game. We played well and scored some nice goals. The crowd was amazing, and it was a great send off game for us and got us all pumped up for the Olympics. So we go to the airport and even when we got there none of the people at Southwest or the other passengers would tell us where we were going. It was hilarious. One of my teammates tried calling the airline the night before to ask where the flight number she got was going, and they told her they were sorry but they couldn't tell her. How hilarious is that? We weren't going to get any info, and it made it even more exciting. So finally we land in Ontario, Calif., and the bus driver didn't even tell us where we were going. We boarded the bus and started on our trek to somewhere... We played bingo along the way and our hour or two trip was over before we knew it. A couple people almost got a bit car sick but made it through the long windy road up to Big Bear Lake. Finally we knew where we were and it was absolutely beautiful. Our first night we sang some songs and did some fun activities. We took a lot of pictures and shared a lot of smiles. We got to make some Smores which were delicious. After that we headed back to our hotel for some rest. When we were leaving it was dark and the stars were amazing. So bright and it was so clear. We had a first great day in the mountains of Big Bear. The next day we had some down time to ourselves, and then we met at around Noon and headed to our ropes course which was great. We did three different activities that included being high off the ground and secured by harnesses. There was one where we had to leap off a platform and catch a trapeze bar. It was scary, and I had a hard time leaping off the platform. I missed my first one but tried again and grabbed it. A couple of my teammates are afraid of heights so for them to do this stuff was awesome. Basically there were a lot of different activities to help us overcome fear and bring everyone closer. Our staff even joined in, and it was great to see them having fun and sharing in what it takes to be the best. The last part of the day we had to pick up a carabiner and give it to someone and tell them what they mean to you or what you have learned or appreciated about them. It was emotional and touching. Everyone has made an impact on this team in one way or another and to hear it from everyone was tear-jerking and refreshing. One activity that brought a lot of laughs and our competitive edge was this game called "Have you ever." Basically one person is in the middle of the circle and asks, "Have you ever been..." For example, say swimming and whomever has ever swam runs in the middle and gives high fives and then joins the circle. The last one to join the circle is in the middle and say, "Have you ever..." The people that were in charge of this activity said they have never seen a group so competitive and not wanting to be last. It was hilarious. We are a competitive group no matter what. I think a couple people got bumps and bruises from that game but mostly a lot of laughs. As you can see it was a great weekend, and a time where all the soccer is put aside and we all join together and help each other get through different activities that may be hard or scary. One of my teammates did the "Leap of Faith" where you had to jump off and catch the trapeze bar and when she was down and down she had tears in her eyes. It is moments like that that you see that we all need some help and some encouragement and love to help us get through. Although the weekend had nothing to do with soccer it had everything to do with team. There were some amazing feats this weekend and it is those we remember and keep close. We all know that we have insecurities and weaknesses, but we also know that we need people and right now this team needs each other to win a gold medal. So as I leave you today, I head to Melbourne, Australia to be a part of the 2000 Olympics. The team leaves with excitement, smiles, and a bond that we will keep tight as we compete for a gold medal. As I got packed up, I ran across a couple other things that people have sent to me to give me strength and support. My mom gave me this cute little dog stuffed animal that reminds me of her love and comfort. My brother and his girlfriend sent me some books, a journal and a beautiful necklace to let me know they are always with me and love me, and e-mails from my close friends that let me know they will be rooting for me. I leave you now with just a small reminder, remember what your goals are, remember where you are from and remember that you can't do anything alone. Use those around you to help you get what you want and thank them for helping you. Thank you to my family and friends for your support and love, and thanks to my team for being them. Let's go kick some butt! I'll be in touch from Down Under. G'day mate! --Kristine
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