found free wifi!

Hellooo!!!

I found free wifi so lets try to skype,  I miss everyone so lets set this up!

laurenjulialeslie is my skype name

also going to the beach this weekend! so excited spain is beautiful!

Need Advice

Hey guys,


I miss everyone more than you know. We lost our game today in Barcelona 2-1. I played the last 20 minutes and I was proud of myself.  Aragon sports wrote about me on the internet and my first game with the team, it says :Alberto Berna dio entrada a la californiana Lauren Leslie, que debutó con el Prainsa Zaragoza y jugó con corrección. Alberto is my coach, and it says i had my debute and played with correction...haah whatever that means, it think it is good!!  


The issue is, I followed my dream coming here, but now im wondering if it was really the right dream. I am glad i came, but I am really missing home.  Not just my freinds and family, but my life, and coaching.  I really enjoy coaching and sharing my passion and I think I am seeing it might be what i want.  Here soccer is more of a job. Soccer is not a job to me it is a passion.  I am slowly learning spanish, but not being able to communicate is horrible for me. I am the kind of player who likes to talk and inspire the team, that is one of the things i do well., and here i can not do that and it kills me.  There is so much i want to say to the team and i cant. I cant be the player i want to be, playing well isnt enough for me.  This team needs inspiration, it needs to be on the same page.  There is a lot of individuals, who only care about themselves, and i want us to unite.  I dont play soccer for myself really i think..i love the team stuff, but what good are the long bus rides if i can only speak so much...and not be fully me.  I know it will come in time, but can i wait that long. 


So now I am wondering if I can share my passion through coaching? I want to share how great soccer is with people..I loved seeing the Blues girls i coached getting so excited for games. And I know I will be a good coach, cus i have had the best coaches and bad ones, so i think i know how to treat players, and how to coach them into being good people not just players.  I wont have favorites, and put people down... I don´t know. I am just really missing home, and im finding things very hard right now... I was so blessed back in california and now I am seeing that.


Thanks for listening guys! Love you all


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=585041022951&set=a.585040918161.2084728.201004106&type=1&theater Here is a picture of my jersey!

First game in Spain!

Hey everyone,


I have a small update. Today I played in my first game in spain. We won 6-3! I played right back the whole second half.  I am so happy, and so thankful to be playing soccer. The team is Prainsa Zaragoza if you want you want to look it up. I got number 3 and it says Leslie on the back of my shirt, loveeeeeeee ittt haha. Hopefully I stay here for awhile because I am enjoying Spain and the people. Just need to learn some spanish! Hope all is well. I miss you amigos, familia, y Blues! 


Lauren

My new home Zaragoza, Spain!

Hey guys, I am back!

I also have some very good news! I have made a semi-pro team in Spain! I joined at the end of season so we only have 4 games left, then the cup. It is called the SuperLiga that I am in, and my team is Prainsa Zaragoza Futbol Femenino. God knows whats best because I am so happy here. First of all my team is so nice, and everything I was looking for. They have made me apart of the family, and want me to be here. I live with 2 girls on the team, Marieta and MaiTei. They are so funny, and are silly like me. I live in the heart of the city of Zaragoza, which is beautiful! I can walk everywhere. Also the food here is so good and fresh! Marieta is a really good cook and she is teaching me how to cook, because lets be honest I know nothing. So I have my own room, my own keys, Im all set! because I joined so late the club is just paying for my stay, food, and needs. We will see next season in August how much I will get paid! Whatever it is it doesn´t matter, I am so happy to be playing soccer with a great group of girls. The jerseys are Blue, which i´m stoked on because it reminds me of the Blues haha! I could not be happier, I am living the dream! I also get to learn a knew language! So far I habla poco espanol. I am so glad God lead me here because it is so much better than it was in England. The weather, the location, just everything really fits! If anyone wants to visit spain you have a place with me! Also I think I am coming home May 12 for my graduation and to gather my things, I hope to liev in Spain for awhile. SO lets get together when I get home!

Lo siento if there are a lot of spelling errors i have to type fast on amigas computer!

Adios,

lauren leslie

I know its been forever!

Yoo Yooo,

I know its been so long so here is a recap on my life :)

I went to Blackpool and stayed with Nana Wynne. My moms mom. She does not have internet so I didn't get to post.  Nana Wynne is the cutest thing anyone could have in their life. She just wants to make you tea all the time! She is so funny, and sings and dances all day long.. I see where my mom and I get it, its in our blood. It was great updating her with everything going on back in cali. We talked a lot about my brothers, and what they are up to. I also got to see Trevor, Nana Wynnes brother. He is very intelligent and writing a book. I loved being around him and Wynne they are so opposite.

So then I went to Germany to visit Julia, my friend who stayed with us in SC and went to CVCS. She is from Germany, and studied abroad at our place. I could not Blog there because when i went to my blog the words were in german, weird!  Germany is amazing, and I loved it! I went to Cologne and Dusseldorf. I saw a beautiful  Cathedral. It was breathe taking! I drank Kolsh, the beer of Cologne (each city makes their own special beer) and ate weird funky german stuff. haha Also their GYM was wild, they have everything from machines, saunas, food, drinks, and tanning bed, all included. So I bought a day pass and after my cardio decided to go in the sauna....well lucky me (not) there were about 3 naked guys just showing their junk, so weird, I guess its a Europe thing..i was not prepared. so i sat there awkardly in my towel. haha.

What was cool was that the gym had the Vibe machines that Brittney's mom uses in her O2 wellness center. Europe of course is ahead of us on health, so it seems. Everyone walks and rides their bikes. I love how crowded the streets always are.

I walked all around, talked to the people, tried to speak german, and went out for the night life! It was so much fun.

So soccer update. Confidence is gone, I mean completely gone, but ya know what I will not stop till I tried my everything.  I am talking to a team in France, Spain, and Italy! In two weeks I have try outs in spain so lets hope this works out because i can speak spanish, not italian or french! If it does not work out, I have been talking to a team in Switzerland, a lot. The coach really likes my view of soccer and likes my video, he has already said I can be on his team! This is great news, but it is not semi pro, just a good league. I don't care about the money anyway, just need some to live :)

So I am back in England now, training, and hopefully Spain works out! I think I just need to find a way to get my confidence back. Im worried I am not the player I used to be. 

Miss you all!! And don't think I will be coming home anytime soon, ICE LIEBE EUROPE!

Lauren

The link below will make you LAUGH :)

ecodrink promo.mov

I feel good :)

Hey loved ones,

I can honestly say I have never felt this feeling before. I am so unsure of the future but I am completely okay with it.  I did not make the team, but I was ready for this, and I'm OKAY :)  I think it should be this way. I know when one door closes another one opens, and I am so excited for the future.  The coaches did give me praise, and say I could for sure play on a premier league team, that is the league below this one.  They said if I want they will set me up with try outs.  The first team is by Blackpool, so I could possibly live with my Nana Wynne.  I did learn yesterday what would happen if I made the team I was trying out for.  I would have to be in this hotel for 9 months, and I only get a two week break, during the world cup.  I honestly do not think I could of done this. I would hate to be gone so long without Stanton, and my family, in this hotel.  I love soccer, but I don't just love the game, I love the team aspect of it.  Over here the team isn't much of a focus, we only have 2 prac's a week and everyone lives so far from each other. We are never together, and it isn't like college soccer, which I was hoping for. I love to be with the team all the time, and bonding.  It is not like that here.  If I join in the league below, I will be able to come home for summer, they end in may.  They already started playing.  This could be a good idea!

Right now I am just praying, and keeping a open mind.  I have a chance to travel, and that does not come very often. I have friends in Germany, and Rome that I want to visit. Also I met two girls who play soccer who didn't make a team out here as well who are just going to travel around!  I do not want to quit, I am a fighter, but maybe soccer isn't my path. Soccer has already given me so much, and helped mold me into the person I am today!  I will keep you updated, just know that I am okay, I am growing a lot through this experience.  I know that I am a good soccer player, and I am proud I tried to play at the highest level, and I stuck it out for this long.

Love you all! Be the Best that you can be!

Lauren Leslie

spelling errors

Hey guys I know I have lots of typos! that is because I am typing fast and don't read over my emails! well that's just me! haha

another dropping from my Loo, flush quickly haha

Hey guys,

I want to apologize. It is not okay that I post about other people and how they hurt me.  Everyone deserves a second chance. God has given us many.  We are only human and I am sure I slip up and hurt people also. I shouldn't be such a cry baby, I mean this is life!  I am so lucky and so Blessed for SO MANY THINGS! No more complaining!

And the team is truly amazing, A great bunch of girls who are so talented, im lucky to have met them!

lauren

Furry Febuary

Here is what is new,

Saturday all the girls spent the night at the Ramada Hotel, where I am staying.  We played some bonding games, had a meeting with the coaches, and filled out paperwork. Well the girls filled out stuff not me, I just hang out awkwardly. Sunday morning we woke up at 6 got breakfast and headed out on a bus to BOOT CAMP! haha! We put on these ugly onezie outfits and helmets and got out in the freezing cold mud and woods.  We were split into two teams and had mental and physical paths to get across. It was fun and of course my team won! Then we learned how to army crawl and throw grenades..pretty sure I wont be joining the army soon too intense. Then we did a assault course, climbed rope, went under fences, climbed fences, jumped on blocks, ran, its was soo fun!

Then we ate army food...no comment..
The highlight of my day was bonding with the girls, I get along with them great. We have an amazing forward on our team named Becky not only does she play soccer she finds time to take care of her baby boy! We had a good long talk about what was going on.  She told me she thinks I should be on the team, and she is amazed on how my attitude is. She told me she thinks I am a great player, who has a contagious personality, and it so positive. This really nice to hear, because its hard to be positive when you feel like your just going through the motions with no result.  The coaches are good coaches, they just dont communicate with me about what is going on. I think they will let me know after our game on Thursday. I thought it was Tues. but it is Thursday agianst a boys team.

Any advice on playing boys? they are faster and stronger so we will see..then again Tad always taught me that playing your own age group is always the hardest. Anyway I think that might be my last chance to show them what I got.

On another note I have got an email from Chelsea FC, hopefully I can trail with them if this doesn't work!

Today I am going to run to the gym, its really far, but I want to work out. I need to work on my core, and groin area badly. The other girls in the hotel are going to kick the ball around.

Later today we are meeting up with the team and going to Sheffield we are going to learn about health and then correct technique in the gym..should be good.

So far so good. It is tough to eat well because I dont have a fridge or anything. I get 1 meal a day, and then keep some fruits and veggies in my room.  The girls all have fridges, but i dont dare buy one not knowing if im on the team or not.

I miss you all and I miss home, but I am learning a lot here. Love  you all, have a great week. Keep me in your prayers

Lauren Leslie

Fly

Keep on trying

Hey guys,

Thank you for all the support and kind words! I got an email from Chelsea FC today! Think I will get a trail with them. It is not over with the Belles, but its good to have options!

Fly

this is hard

Hey guys, I am a mental mess right now.  I didn't do very well today, i did okay.  It is just tough, this is such a mental challenge. I feel not good enough, even though I know I am! I can not help but get down, Im living with girls who are already on the team, and im ashamed that I am not. I know I still have a shot but after tonight I am just so down on myself.  I did so well the first try out, but it hurts that that wasnt enough.  The coaches told me the door is still open, but I have to really pull it together in the game on Thursday, to make the team. This is a real challenge, but when it comes down to it its just soccer.  Yes I love soccer haha but there is more to life, like my wonderful family, friends, Stanton, nugey bear, I guess I just need some confidence...nothing new haha

I am trying my best

Hey guys,

Kind of down today.  It is hard seeing the coaches hand papers over for other new girls to sign in front me, and talking about the future and the team.  I am just sitting there watching and waiting, not knowing if I'm good enough or not.  I don't have a big name for myself like these girls have, and it is against me.  

This was really hurting me, but now I realize its okay.  I may not have a big name, been on a national team or anything, but I know I have heart, and that I am good enough.  I have showed that I am good enough and it hurts that they still don't know if they should take me or not, sometimes I feel like they are dragging me along waiting for something better to come along.

I can say that I am glad I am not built up, I a glad I am not in the papers, this could send my head and my heart the wrong way.  I am not here to get praised, but to give praise and my best.  I don't mind being the underdog.  I just had to work 100 times harder. God gave me the skill of soccer, I don't deserve any praise and recognition.

Soccer does not define me, and I don't want it to. I have many parts to me :)  I am trying hard to have a good attitude, I am struggling not knowing what the coaches are thinking.  All I know is whatever happens I WILL BE OKAY and it WILL BE FOR THE BEST.

Miss you all, Hope life is great!

Lauren

Leicester to visit Family!

Hey guys,
    Sunday evening Uncle Aubrey picked me up from Donny and took me down to his house to see my family! It was so nice to see family, even though I barely know them! Farley my oldest cousin is married now and I met his wife Katie, she is very funny. Libby is 17, and has a boyfriend.  I think she looks a bit like me! You can see the Leslie gene.  Then there is Jem and Ruben who are homeschooled! Great kids I had a blast.

For all my friends back home, we played FISHBOWL! woohoo soo fun!  I went shopping on monday with everyone, and let me tell you...the clothes here are so cute and prices are AMAZING!  I got a new pair of predator cleats for 12 dollars!! crazy deals! I just wanna shop, shop, shop, haha.
  I really like the girls, good group, which is very important to me. I was in Bed for 3 days sick so that did HURT me. My endurance went down, we did fitness on sunday and it was tough for me and my chest... I still have a sore throat and some sinus issues.  Just going to keep on pressing and praying!
Christian finally had Jelly Babies, SOO GOOD, I'm in a candy coma

Tell me how you guys are all doing, what is new in America?!?!
Love you all, hope you like the pics,

Lauren

try outs

try outs this morning! my second ones, I feel alright, i still have a sore throat and some icky gunk, also a few days off soccer hurts more than u know. i will try my best!! wish me luck

Been here a Whole week!

          Its finally starting to sink in, this Hotel might be my home for a long time!  I am actually very lucky, everyone who works here is so nice, and there is even a guy named Christian who cooks my food, and reminds me of my brother, just because of the name. They couldn't be more opposite.  My brother is the ultimate babe player slayer and this guy, well, lets just say is not.  Anywhooo I uploaded some pictures just so you know what my life is like right now.  I could sum it up easily. TEA and CANDY hahah, no but really. I have been drinking so much tea! I am drinking some now in fact. I finally got my hands on this tea for sore throat which is great, because I need to heal for try outs tomorrow! Also the candy here is SOO goood, makes our chocolate taste like poopsicles. Don't worry I got a list down of who wants what candy when i come home
Christin-jelly babies and fruit pastels
Stanton-a lil bit of everything
just let me know!

So fact, apparently Copa shoes are NOT cool here! haha everyone thinks im a granny player! Oh well I like my copa's i will rock it. Actually, i might try on some different kinds because my copa's ripped and it rains a lot here so they get very heavy and wet! But I will not deny that Copas have been good to me. xoxo haha

Now lets discuss United Kingdom tele. yes tele a.k.a television. Its RIDONKULUS haha.  The funniest shows are on, i cant even explain.  They also play a lot of "friends", so Jessica Menzube I now have a new appreciation for that tv show.

I am slowly catching on to the phrases here, I am pretty sure I will sound different when I come home.  My uncle Aubrey is picking me up tomorrow after training and I will be spending 2 days with my family! I am so excited, I have not seen them in ages! I will finally get some good food in me, today I did have eggs tho wohoo!

Soo just something else I want to share, I was reading My Utmost for his Highest (thank you Tim Hall for the book) and this sentence really stuck with me
         "Am i so in love with Him that I take no thought for where He might lead me, or am I watching to see how much respect i get as i measure how much service I should give Him?"
I had this mindset the whole time that if I make the team I will give all my glory to him, and recognize he gave me this ability. There isn't to big of a problem with this, but I realized that I shouldn't have to wait for the future to serve God and to praise him for my ability.  I might not make the team, but that does not take away what God gave me.  I should serve him now, not later when I get "respect". Anyway just something to think about. I shouldn't measure my service on what he does for me, I should do all I can for Him.
(p.s) Kim and Bert if u guys do bible study let me know the time so I can skype it! I can make it work!

Well I hope all of you are well! I love you all so much! And all I can say is serve him now, don't wait till your in need of something or want something.

Also put up a pic of Monkey B, he travels with me, thanks to stanny

Lauren Leslie

:(

Hey guys its  6 here.  I just had one of the worsts nights of my life, slash right now.  Ive caught the flu or something and Its really bad I was shivering all night freezing then hot and my body hurts so bad.  My throat is terrible and i want to cry and i just wish somone was here.  This stinks tomorrow is a big day for me, big try outs.  I dont know what to do.  Well i cant do anything obvi i just feel terrible.  Writing this is taking my mind off how i feel a little bit.  I am so upset. Please pray for me. Anyway cmon body fight fight

Love you all

Lauren

Miss my Boys

Put up two pictures of the men in my life :) Stanton and Nugeyy miss you!

Had my First real Try out

Helloo poppits,

So I bet you guys want to know how I did? Honestly I did great.  I played just like me, my style. God really helped me with my confidence.  The team is very good and very nice.  We have a center back name vicki who is 30 something but she rocks! all the girls are great players! Anyway I fit right in, my passes were great, and that's what matter they do FAST HARD QUICK BALLS. Its a very speedy game.  Long prac , we did pure jogging and sprinting with the ball for 12 minutes, it was super tough, and that was only the start.  Anyway I am glad I did good, they say I'm "quality" I dunno that's what they say here! Its top level but I think I am ready, thank goodness i trained at home or I would be DEAD!

So the deal is they want to see me in a game, so Ill be on trail for about 3 weeks :), They like what they see, they just want me in a game situation which is great, I feel I can really sow them.  Only downfall is they have lots of defenders, they dont need anymore! !

Hotel is super nice and upscale but there is no fridge and closet..?? umm im confused haha

So everything is good, I just can not get used to the time switch, I am exhausted and starving.  I have not gone to the bank yet so i have no money, and I'm only given one meal a day here, so since i got here i have been only having 1 meal a day.  Today my body is finally feeling very run down from it, and the un-proper sleep.  I am kinda sad even though im still excited.  Its been hard not talking to Stanton or any of my friends.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Cheers,

Lauren

Day 3

Hey guys,

So I know I have only been here two days, but the coach took me out around doncaster "donny" is what they call it.  It is so fun! I had a blast and met some great people.  Today I went and saw a champions league game it was the Rover Belles vs. Reading.  it was great! I got to sit in the box office seats! My first real try out is tomorrow, im scared but im going to try my BEST!

Love you all,

Lauren

the picture above

In the pic above, not sure why, but it says that on my soccer shorts.  That is why i posted it.  So yesterday was hard, but of course it was I just got off the plan! Today was a lot better, honestly, and I even played boys today.  It was a boys college team and I did great, guess we will just see what is in store.  I have a day off tomorrow which is saturday here, then prac with the first team on sunday! I would love to be on a team closer to Uncle Aubrey or Nana Wynn.  Everyone loves my accent and wants me to talk all the time.  Everyone smoke and cusses, even the girls!  When a girl makes a mistake on the field bad words start flying out of her mouth. I dont even understand them. And this one guy today called his mom a cow...not very nice. Karma hit him thought he pulled his hamstring during prac, poor lad. Going out around the town tonight! I will take pics! 

Miss you love you all,

Lauren Leslie

p.s. yes christian I wont tell them my nickname is FLyy BZZ haha

UHOH

Hey guys,

Its late here, and everything is backwards! They drive on the wrong side of the road, their light switches, even the time is all weird so i can not tell you what time it is. All i know is that it is late and i have not slept in two days and i just had my first try out, well kinda. They said i didnt need to play cus i was tired but i wanted to be strong and do it...

now lets be honest, i didnt know what to expect...THEY ARE REALLY GOOD! and this is the reserve team.  I felt off my game. I didnt stand out i just blended in, and with the reserves!! thats bad you guys.  I need to make first team.  The coach already calls me little one, im the smallest one out there, yes they are HUGE! anyway im scared and I dont know if Im good enough, honestly.  I had no  idea they were this good.  I guess i will have to work hard, im just scared.

Help me

Fly baby

Adventure time

So I have finally landed!  The coaches are great, Paul picked me up and they have paid for a hotel, food, and gym for awhile for me! I get a few trails which is great.  It is in God's hands and Im okay with anything that happens.  But I would love to be the team.  There is an irish girl with me here named aanya.  She is very nice.  Not sure how to tell them my nickname is fly...awkward? haha maybe I will finally be called my real name in soccer land!

Airplane was rough, delayed flight for 3 hours. Food was ....well not food.  I don't get a lot of internet time so I must go!

Love you All

Lauren