The latest soccer and ultimate news:

A couple of weeks ago, Oscar had a game at 10:00 am and they won 3-2 and I had a game at 12:00. We were behind 1-0 in the first half and Lenny and Michelle (a boy) were pissed at each other and everyone was fighting and ticked off at the fact we were losing. Then after watching the little kids game, Profe finally showed up and he helped diffuse the tension. He told us sort of jokingly, "How is it possible that you guys are losing to them?" (we beat this team in the finals). "If you guys don't win, you guys will have a punishment at practice on Tuesday." At that, Gabi (a solid defender) tried to supress a smile and murmered to his brother Eric (another great defender) "Then I am not going to practice that day!" Then Lenny gave me a big smile and said, "Even with that we might lose." It helped lighten the mood and everybody played better as a result of that.

Last Thursday, another girl (I mean woman) came to soccer practice. She is Profe's daughter and her name is Ariani. She said that she loves soccer but has not played in five years because of the birth of her child. Her kid is now three so she thought she would start playing again. If she hadn't said that she had a three-year old I would have guessed that she was in her early twenties (I found out later she was; she is 22). She must have been an amazing player before she temporarily quit, because she scored two goals during our scrimmage!! At about 5:30 I saw that Miguel (not the soccer Miguel but one of my new friends from ultimate) and Tilo were watching like they said they might. After we finished the scrimmage and talk with Profe, I went over to say hi. We talked for a bit and then decided to go to see if the people that we normally play ultimate with on Sundays were still playing in a little field next to the stinking river. They were, so the five of us joined them in the game for a few points. Tilo turned out to do great for his first game. He could catch and throw pretty well and even did a defensive block.

I realize that I haven't talked a lot about my Sunday ultimate games so I will take the liberty to do that right now. Every Sunday at about 4 o'clock (or about 4:30 Mexican time) my dad and I (and occasionally my brother) go to "las Canastas" which is a rickety road next to a river that goes up into this mountain. At the end of the road after you pass through a gate, you pay five pesos per person to this older guy who used to get mad at us for leaving after 6:00 p.m. (now he doesn't mind and we are allowed to stay till 7:30!). We throw for a surprisingly long time and then we play. Beto is the other really good player (besides my dad) so he and Dad are always put on opposite teams. Some other regulars are: Luis who was a beginner when we first started but now has gotten quite good, he has a really good sense of humor and we always joke around, especially about the way that I say the name Patrick in English. Mari Paz is another, she is sweet and shows up often. Tamara is Beto's girlfriend and she is really nice and I sometimes guard her. Tonatiuh and Eric are both funny and pretty good. Miguel is someone who is really fun to guard 'cause we are a pretty good match for each other and we goof off a lot. I really like his sister also but she doesn't come as often. Pao, Diego and Santiago are the other younger players (Miguel is sixteen): Pao is 11, Diego (her brother) is younger but I am not sure how old, and Santiago (their neighbor) is closest in age to me: 12. We all get along and I am glad to not be the youngest.

I really love playing Ultimate not just because I love the sport (which I really do) but also because I love seeing all the people there and right now even, I am anxiously looking forward to the game and wishing I could go and play right now!!!