"Wings Like A Dove" (MAKING TRACKS)

So today was one of those days where you wanted to get so much done but something else kept coming up and you had to take care of it. At work, we are at a particularly busy time and the days start to mesh together. I couldn't even tell you what day it is and I even forgot that I had a meeting to prepare for in the late afternoon. But as I looked at my schedule for the day, I realized that I had time to work in a little volleyball viewing. I was able to watch the CUNY Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships over at Baruch College. I had to finish up my meeting and run down there for a 8pm game, but they had a long first game so they ran behind almost an hour. The two teams to make it to the championship game were Baruch (#2) and Hunter (#1) Colleges. One of the guys on the Hunter team is someone taking the referee clinic and the guy who runs the clinic was also in attendance. I have to say that for a college volleyball game it was unlike anything I've ever seen. It was completely awesome and almost like a crazy playoff basketball game on a large scale. The audience was boisterous and the staff was completely supportive. The warm-up had so much energy not just among the players but also the audience. I think the music was responsible for that because it blared hip-hop, rap, and merengue which I wanted to get up and dance. It was like a party. When the game finally started, Baruch showed their weak points and fell in their first game, but by the time the second game came around they had made a complete turnaround and dominated to take it. Each play came with comments and loud applause, such pressure under those conditions because it can be silent a lot of times around volleyball, but not this game. I had to leave in order to make it back to the theatre district for work, but I did learn that Baruch retained their crown as the champions by winning the third game. It must have been an amazing third game.

"Somewhere" (WEST SIDE STORY)

The first day of referee clinic I was completely excited and a little nervous as with any new class situation. I got down to the area early so that I could give myself some "lost" time because I don't know Chinatown too well. And, of course, I got lost and could not find the school mostly because I left the directions on my desk at work and could only remember the school name. Luckily, I called Dee, a Chinatown native, and she put me on the right street.

So I'm completely terrified with new situations and even new faces. I didn't recognize anyone--some older, some a lot younger than me, but all just a bit silent, but only in the beginning. As I took a seat in the classroom, I glanced around at the atmosphere and began to feel the world close in on me, another step into something I thought I knew but maybe I really didn't. Those feelings were sort of reinforced after the instructor began. Being a player and an official are two different things, different eyes and attitude. I've been a player for a few years, only recently paying more attention to rules and regulations. There is so much to know and to learn so much about it in that first class was overwhelming, but the knowledge was so amazing. Only I would think something like that. I mean to know how many inches think the line has to be around the court may sound weird, but I didn't know it and now I do. It's just one of the new things I learned about this game and more to come.

"I'm Not That Smart" (THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE)

My birthday was really amazing. I was able to spend it doing two of my favorite things--volleyball and karaoke. I just wish I had a couple of more hours so I could sneak a show in theatre for my other passion--theatre. Brandeis open play was free of any previous drama, and the play was fun and, better still, among friends. The fun continued into the party later at the karaoke bar. The bar was completely empty the whole night so it was like I had a free, large party space all night. Everyone doing karaoke was a friend, and that is when karaoke is the best. It was a wonderful day, and I feel truly blessed.

So last week I began taking a referee clinic held by the city's board of volleyball officials. It's a clinic going over the rules governing women's college volleyball and applying them to the NYC school level, both girls and boys. I had ideas of wanting to be a referee after watching so many games so I asked one of the referees at an Urban league game one night. I knew the referee through a friend and this was back in November. She told me that I was in luck because one of the best referees happened to be officiating on the next court. So I introduced myself and told him of my interest in learning to officiate properly. He told me when the next clinic would begin and he would let me know. So months went by and it was finally time to sign-up for the clinic. I was so hesitant even though I had looked forward to it for months. In the days leading up to the first day of the clinic, I was actually really nervous about it and just questioning if I could actually 'cut it' as a referee. To step beyond the court and up on that ladder, rising above the court, could I ever be able to stand that high? I, of course, was having doubts and still a little nervous telling people I was actually going to take the clinic. The day finally came, took a deep breath, and I walked into the classroom......

"C'mon Everybody" (ALL SHOOK UP)

Well, another "milestone" has come upon me, it's another birthday, 33 to be exact. And I'm always grateful for another day, and anytime I can get out of bed and move I feel blessed. There are a lot of other worst positions I could be in in this world so I have no reason to complain about life. God has given me chances and opportunities and what I do with them has put me in my current situation, and I feel great. So today it will be spent doing two of my favorite things, volleyball and karaoke. Cheers!!!