Oh sweet rugby 7s, where have you been all my life?

Let's be honest...I miss rugby. My closest friends are still playing for BYU which keeps me kinda involved with the team because of that. Thank goodness! I get jealous at times though. I want to be going to practice. I want to run and pass and tackle. Its hard to think that my rugby life will never be the same. I probably wont play on a rugby team ever again. Sad. But this weekend made me feel like that it's gonna be okay - That rugby can still be part of my life, but just in a different way.

I joined up with the team in Las Vegas to be a part of the best Rugby event of the year here in the United States. The International 7s tournament. 24 games in one day :) New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Kenya, the USA team and more. It was so great. Rugby 7s is a much faster pace version of Rugby Union. The scoring is faster and more often, and the games only last about 20 minutes. The weather was warm and the sun burned our white Utah skin. People from all over the world were there. Drunks and saints alike were enjoying this fine example of athleticism. People were dressed up, dressed down, and undressed. All the girls sat together with Tom and his army of Fiji supporters. They sang Fijian Folk songs in perfect harmony that almost made me cry. Watching rugby with so many people who love the game made me feel something I hadn't before. I felt like a part of the world. I felt some of the things I felt when I was traveling abroad. You feel connected to the whole human race. Rugby has truly done that for me because it is very much an international sport. It allowed us mormon girls to be a part of a sport most commonly known for its ruffians and beer drinkers - sports bring people together. Even those that dont play.

Last year, my graduating year, was awesome. Our team got to go farther than we ever have. We traveled to Florida for nationals, we lost to the eventual national champs and played awesome. It was broadcast online live through USA rugby. It was a big deal. I didn't get to play in that game. I hate thinking about it cuz it was partially my fault, but that's a whole different story. Some times I have bad feelings about rugby because of stuff like that that has happened through out the years. The club is new. Things don't run like clockwork. But those feelings are vanishing, and in their place a stronger love for the sport is blossoming. Its a lesson to take with me through out life, because as time moves on whether we want it to or not, our situations change. I dont have to let rugby leave. I dont have to lose my friends when they get married or move away. The relationship just changes. But we can find a greater love for them in new ways that keep our lives intertwined with things bigger than ourselves. I love rugby.

Good Morning Utah

Every morning I get up like everyone else. I get ready quickly and prepare for the shock wave of cold air bound to hit me when I step outside. My car is cold, the heater taking it's sweet time to warm up. Despite the unfortunate temperature every morning, this daily regiment has grown on me - and I'll tell you why. Just before I get on the freeway my heater is warm and powerful. I get on the ON ramp....get up to speed....and there before me the mountains of the Wasatch range burst into view, the hallelujah chorus ringing in my ears. Right on que I shout in my car "Good Morning Utah!" This routine has been happening everyday for a few months now. In the early hours of morning when the sun is just getting up, the clouds and mountains come alive. I look forward to what combination of colors and lighting will be waiting for me the next morning. Summer has always been my favorite time of year. I dont like to get up before the sun, but at least the state of Utah knows how I feel. Her mountains and fields may be covered with snow and look cold and miserable, but as soon as that sun hits her slopes and cliffs she greets me with a warm salutation. Good Morning to you too.