Hi

Shard... very impressed with the changes to the blog. Looks cool. Okay... my answer to question #2 is easy. I DID play softball in college along with volleyball. I was actually better at softball but loved volleyball. However, I kind of wished I would have played basketball because I love it. But I never played it because it was the same season as swimming and of course you all know how good I am at that... :-) (remember swim relays at Green Valley... :-). Also... I went back to Michigan for my dad's wedding this past weekend. Had to go through some more of mom's things which was tough but it was good to see family and friends. Hope you are all well and enjoying time with family and friends. Beth

ps... you can follow Utah Volleyball on twitter... www.twitter.com/utahvolleyball ... and we started our program's blog at http://www.utahvolleyball.blogspot.com/ (it is in it's infancy... :-).

changes...

ok girls....so if you havent noticed i made some changes (with the help of my lovely and kind sister). if you have any suggestions or anything let me know. i hope you all like it!! :)

HELLO!!!!!

Hey guys!!!!
Its so good to read about everyones trips and adventures. And its fun to see pictures too. Everyone is doing things that are really exciting. Thats great. Chels, i can't believe you were in Chicago and i wasn't there. Dang it.
So i love being in Poland and i totally forgot how much I missed being here. I went to spend some time with my grandpa and my aunt for few days and it was really relaxing being there because they live in a small town. When i was at my grandpa's it brought back some memories from my childhood and it was fun to just look back. But i didn't have internet for few days so that was kind of hard. haha. Now im back in Wroclaw (city that i live in) and im excited to hang out with some of my friends. Anyway, here's the answer to my question #2.

If i could play a different sport in college, i would totally pick basketball. I started playing basketball when i was young here in poland. My dad was the first one that introduced it to me and took me to my first practice. I loved playing and i loved the excitement of the game. And sometimes, i liked how you could push people around on the court. haha. Also, it was really hard for me to give up playing because i played for so many years. But i still like watching it.

hope all you are doing well. miss you girls
love ya
BARTO
PS. I'll try to put some pictures up soon

Pregunta numero dos

Si juego un otro deporte, me gustaria jugar futbol.

Sorry, I've been trying to practice my Spanish so that I'm not totally rusty by the time I get back to spanish class this fall.  Translation: If I played another sport, I would like to play soccer.

I loved soccer when I was younger and I like to think that I was pretty decent at it.  Some of you have seen what's left of my juggling skills :)  When I was a freshman in high school I had to choose between soccer and volleyball and it was really hard, but I chose volleyball because being tall was an advantage for a hitter.  Kind of funny, but that's really what it came down to!  I've never regretted my decision because now I know all of you!  Anyways, I still miss running around outside and slide tackling in the grass, so if anyone's ever up for a pick up game then let me know!

I am SO behind...

Oh goodness I have a lot to tell everyone but I don't have time tonight! My summer as been fabulous so far and I have done so many fun things but they just need pictures that are not yet in my possession :) 

So far question number 1... My mom, dad and sister have all shaped who I am in so many ways. I can see a lot of myself in them in terms of personality, beliefs, and opinions. There are a lot of qualities I see in my mom that I hope to have. These include her patience and her brains! As for my dad, I think I have a lot of his personality and his weirdness. My sister and I have comparable opinions and very similar interests. She is eight years older than me so has been able to have more of an influence over me though I used to get so angry would she would jokingly tell me to go to bed. Whew....watch out!

On to question 2... If I were to play another sport it would probably be softball or maybe I'd do high jump. Softball can be boring but not if you pitch and high jump just seems pretty sweet. 

Goodnight everyone...I miss you all!

Trip to Zion's

Because of the Holiday, my friends and I decided to go camping after work!!! so we left Salt Lake @ 11:30pm and drove for almost 5 hours to get to Zion's around 4:30am... We clearly didn't get any sleep... But who wants to sleep anyways right? I went on a boat ride, fishing if some of my friends. Than we went for a walk to look around the ranch. Than my friends and I decided to go to this river... It was so cold... but I took awesome pictures of our little adventure. It was great, beautiful things to see and an opportunity to get together with some old friends and eat marshmallows and banana boat (and yes with lots of CHOCOLATE)
I was the funniest thing that I did so far and I hope go and visit other places before our season starts!!!

I hope you all are doing well
Love you tons, Ci

Hey Ppl!!!

Hello everyone!!!
I hope you all are enjoying summer as much as I'm, chilling with friends and spending some time with the fam
I know that I's ALWAYS late but here we go :)

Q#1: Who is part of you? Who has had the biggest impact on your life or your personality?
That's a hard question, but I'd say that my parents did a pretty good job with me lol
My mom got stronger since i moved to U.S and she has always helped me to stay strong even when I face a hard situation. She is a funny women and tough me to laugh more about myself and have fun no matter what. She was the one who introduced me to volleyball and was also who stood up for me when I decided to come to U.S. My dad in other hand, my dad is the one always yelling at me, and from the most part he's right :) so i try to listen to him and learn from his experience and always to the right thing... He's the most amazing person that I'll ever meet, and I just want to be like him.

Q#2: If you could play any other sport in college what it would be and why? Considering all the factors.
That's funny, because I remember talking to Corinne and Jen about playing other sport, which it would be football hahha.. considering the fact that I'd be a boy and I'd make make money and go pro... But seriously, I don't think I'd play any other sport because I love volleyball way too much

Guess What??!!!

Guess what everyone I PLANTED A GARDEN!! I don’t know if any of you remember but in my backyard there is this little place for a garden. Anyway last weekend I went home and I told my Dad that I wanted to plant a garden. Monday afternoon I was with my Mom and my Dad went to a nursery to buy some trees and he bought me stuff to plant a Garden. So yesterday I went out and spent a couple hours planting a garden. I have 2 tomato plants, 2 zucchini plants, a row of onions, a row of beans, and a row of potatoes. Hopefully it will all grow and then everyone can come over for dinner :-) I will keep you posted with how it’s coming along, right now its just 3 rows of dirt and 4 tiny little green plants. I am crossing my fingers that nothing dies.
*Dani*

Questions...

Question 2


Picking a different sport to play in college is a hard question. In junior high and high school I played a little bit of softball and basketball but that was it. In high school I was all about volleyball that was the only sport I played and wanted to play. My first choice would be table tennis but I don’t think that is an actual NCAA sport. My second choice would be gymnastics however I think I am a little tall for that and I will not give up my height. So I guess I would play basketball. I have always loved playing basketball I'm just not very good ha ha.

*Dani*

Costa Rica!!

Hello everyone!

I am so sorry but I am way behind. This past few weeks have been crazy because summer school has started... Anyway i thought i would fill you in on a few things and i will start with Costa Rica. My trip to Costa Rica was amazing!! It was absolutely beautiful there. I know Abby shared a lot about what we did while we were there so i will just highlight a few things. First going zip linning was awesome. I know most of you have seen this picture and i promise i did not wet my pants. It was from the rain!! It was rainning while we did the zip lines so they gave us the rain coats and my did not work. I was soaked from head to toe because of the water. Also becuase it was rainning rust from the zip line would get all over us. We were so dirty!

It really was the best 10 days! Everyday we did something different. Hiking the La Fortuna waterfall, white water rafting, going to markets, the fresh fruit, surfing etc... were all among my favorites. I loved it!!

*Dani*

Chelsey went to Chicago

Well hello everyone! I went to chicago with Nick on May 15-18 to go and see his friend graduate form law school. I really didn't go for the graduation snooze!!! haha If you don't know who Nick is its a kid that I am dating who is such a great guy by the way. anyways......... 

It was the first time I have been in chicago. It's really pretty there but scary at the same time! We arrived in Chicago pretty late so we had to ride the train when all the homeless and scary people ride it, and there was a really creppy homeless guy looking at me the whole time we were on the train. which I didn't know because me and Nick were standing and just talking, but Nicks friend saw him sit on the ground of the train behind me and start grabeing himself. so his  friend told me to move so he couldn't look at me anymore so Jeremy, Nicks friend who graduated from law school stood right behind me so he couldn't see me anymore. So the guy who was grabing himself got up and went to the other part of the train. At that moment I realized how sheltered I have been in Utah. I have never seen that many homeless poeple and people grab them selves in public for that matter. It was pretty crazy.

Other then that though I really liked chicago. Wish you were there when I was though Barto!! 

We went and saw the bean... that is the big silver blob you see. 

It was so fun taking pictures with that thing. Also we went to an aquarium and saw some sharks and fish. We also went to a museum, and went on the top of Hand-cock where we could see the whole city. It was very pretty! Ok and the big lady who is in all silver was freaking hilarous so I had to take a picture. I called her the silver bullut haha. great times. hope all of you are having a good summer and working out! love you all!! 

HELLO EVERYONE!!! Here are my questions 1 and 2!!

Before I answer my questions I just want to say HI to EVERYONE and I miss you ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!
Question #1
I would have to say my mom has made the biggest impact on my life because she is always the one pushing me to get better everyday in anything I do. My mom does everything for me and not only me but the rest of my family. She goes out of her way to make each of our lives better even if that means sacrificing something that she likes to do or has planned. Ever since I was little my mom has pushed me to be the best and to be good example to everyone around me. Mom inspires me so much because she is just a great example to me and she works so so so hard. Growing up she worked all the time just so we could play all the sports and have the money to travel and do things. She never really takes the time for herself because she is alway doing stuff for others. I think also my mom plays a big part of me because she is my mom and I think I am just like her which is a good thing. I give my mom props for all that she has done and especially because she is going to go hike the grand teton this July and not many people do that(i I wish I wasnt such a scardy cat so I could do that haha)!!! I guess I would have to say my mom is pretty much AMAZING and has made the biggest impact on my life because of everything she has done for me and taught me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question #2
If I could play any other sport in college it would have to be..........um this is hard cause I love softball cause its just so fun and your outside getting tan but I also love basketball because i love being physical and love shooting!!!!!!!! So I guess I will have to go with BASKETBALL!!! I would want to play basketball because it is my second favorite sport and I loved playing it. I love just just shooting and taking it to the basket. Also I like to be mean(not in a bad way) and in basketball you can cause its a physical contact sport. Also you get to run and jump lots. I always felt like I was in shape when I played basketball!!! Last of all its a great team sport and I think it would be so so so fun to play in college!!!

Congrats to Kenzie and Brooke!!

Congrats to our signee class of 2009 (NLI) McKenzie Odale and Brooke McAlister for graduating from high school this week! We are proud of you and can't wait to see you both soon!!'

GO UTES

McKenzie Odale, Star, Idaho

Brooke McAlister, Pleasant Grove, Utah

p.s. this is Heather and to answer the question, I would like to have played tennis in college. I think tennis players have incredible stamina and are amazing athletes. Not to mention you get to be outside in the sun! :)

I WOULD PLAY

I would obviously play baseball because I have bendy arms and could probably be a pretty amazing pitcher. If we had badmitton team I would definitely pick that because that is so fun and intense but we sure don't have a badmitton team so I guess I'll have to stick with my dream of playing baseball.

LOVE ABBY

College sport!!

Well.....let me think, some of you I'm sure would say I should do swimming, that is something that I love but I'm not sure if that would be something I would want to do in college, but that would be one choice probably because I have alot of fun doing it. Another possibility would be basketball. I enjoyed playing in high school and if I did not play volleyball, I possibly would have tried playing it in college. So first choice would be basketball then swimming, if I didnt go into volleyball in the first place!!

Jen

man...

Ok I guess I really have been out of it... I forgot to put my response. So here it is...

I would love to have thrown discus in college. The only problem is that I would probably have to be a lot stronger...I just don't think that my body is built to do that. I think it would be so fun and I really enjoyed getting new personal records when I threw in High School.

Shard

ps that last post was from me, Shard. haha I can't believe I forgot to put my name.

Question #2

Hey girls... I hope everyone is doing well. Make sure you keep putting events up here. I love reading about all that is going on and I bet everyone else does too. So this is week is my question time....so here I go:

If you could play any other sport in college what would it be and why? I know that other sports have different seasons they play in and different styles. So what would you like considering all the factors?

I love you all and miss you tons!

PURA VIDA in COSTA RICA

HOLA CHICAS!

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer so far and I miss everyone already! I know me, Sarah and Dani promised everyone that we would post some pictures from Costa Rica, and I am the first one home so I'm going to post some pictures for you guys! There is so much to tell and I took like 200 pictures so this is just a little taste of what our trip was like. We went to a few different places while we were in Costa Rica--La Fortuna, Monteverde, Nosara and Alajuela (San Jose). We hiked to a waterfall, zip lined over the forest, white water rafted, attempted surfing, spoke some espanol (mostly me :) ), ate plenty of rice and beans, had delicious FRUIT, got sun burnt, got bitten by ants and mosquitos, met some crazy TICOS (Costarican people), had more than a million people stare at us because we are American and huge, relaxed in hammocks, walked in the muddy mud, looked at froggy froggies and woody woodies (what they called their frogs and wood peckers), tripped and fell flat on our face (ehem..Dani), attempted some intense yoga, and best of all we bought some land so that we can go back there and vacation whenever we want :). Ok so not really.. but we were tempted. I'm sure the other girls will give more details on our trip, but that's just a little recap and I'll post some pictures here for you to enjoy!

The shirt that I bought says "Pura Vida", which is a saying that they always use in Costa Rica pretty much in any context. Translated it means "Pure Life", but really it's just describes their chill, laid-back life style. So I hope everybody is having an amazing summer...BARTO can't believe you are in Poland I hope you are having a blast and SHARD you are getting married so soon!! AHH. I figured I'd put my answer to the question on here as well...

My dad is a huge part of who I am because he has so many qualities that I have tried to emulate ever since I was little. He is patient, loving and rarely ever gets angry. He is such a peacemaker in our home and he gets along with everyone. In tough situations I always try and think of what my dad would do in the situation because I know that whatever he would do, is most likely how I should handle the situation. I agree that there are so many people that shape our lives each and every day, and he is just one of the many people that have shaped mine!

MUCHO AMOR ♥ & PURA VIDA

Abby

Most Influence in my life is...

My answer

The person or persons that I would say that have influenced my life the most would be my family. They have my huge support group with pushing me in volleyball, with pushing me in life in general. One particular person that I look up to in my family is my mom for one. Seeing her raise 6 kids, helping my dad on the dairy, doing the bookwork for the dairy and making sure all us kids had a great life growing up. She is such a hard worker and i take so much respect in her for what she has accomplished. Another person that I hugely look up to in my family is one of my sisters(remain nameless). My sisters first child is autistic, and autistic children demand alot of patience and therapy and so forth. I look up to my sister becasue she has given him so much patience with his development and has put so much work in to make the little things happen so he has a chance of becoming "normal". I look up to my sister because of how hard to she works to help her sons development increase. Everyday someone can influence your life but its the people that do the little things everyday that impact you for life.

Jen

who i am...

my answer...

so there have been a few people that have impacted my personality and the person i am today. the two i would say have the most are my parents. my mom, of course, i think has been the most. you girls should remember what i was telling in the hotel room in santa barbara but for you that werent there, i basically said that seeing my mom fight her breast cancer and being there through the whole process and taught me a ton of things. she is strong, never gives up no matter what trials she is given, and that family, church and friends do so much for you. my mom is so strong and faught through everything that was given to her. she is my hero. i truely look up to her and i dont think that she knows how much i love, respect and look up to her. and my dad has been another big influence on the person i am today. my dad is a very smart man. he knows a lot about different things. we always said that my dad can fix anything and its true. i am truely grateful for all the my dad has taught me and for all that he has done for me. some may say that i am spoiled and that might be true :) but really he and my mom have showed me how to be an adult. on top of it all, i am so grateful they are soooooo supportive. to drive up from california as much as they do and to travel to all my games that they can is so nice of them. i want to be able to support my children one day. i love them and im so happy they are my parents.

i love you all and enjoy your summer. and ps barto...i am!! :)
shard

Hey girls,
So im writing my first blog from POLAND!!!! I got in monday and the time difference kicked my butt because im still tired. Its really good to see my family and im excited to spend some time with them. Hope you guys are doing well and enjoying your summer. Here's my answer to the question:

The biggest impact on my life has been my family. I would have to say both of my parents have played a big role in my life. My mom has been so strong through out the years. She has sacrificed many things when we decided to move to the U.S and i really appreciate everything she has done for me. Sometimes she talks too much but i always listen to what she has to say and learn from her every day. Also, my dad has influenced my life. He was the one that introduced me to sports. When i was younger, he would always go to my games and he was very supportive of me. He still is very supportive and he watches our games on the internet late at night. Its funny because he stays up until 2 or 3 in the morning just to watch us. I hope one day he can come and see me play. I appreciate my family a lot and i learn from them every day.

love you all,
Barto

P.S Shard don't TAN too much!!!! haha

Thought Provoking Question #1

Hey everybody,

Alfred L. Tennyson said "I am a part of all that I have met."

So, here is my attempt at a thought provoking question:

Who is a part of you?  Who has had the biggest impact on your life or your personality?

My answer:

My whole family has been a big influence on me, but my Dad has really been the biggest impact on who I am.  We didn't get a long very well when I was younger, but I think it was mostly because we were so much alike.  Anyways, our relationship is really strong now and I look up to him in a lot of ways.  He is very supportive of me and is very inspirational.  He's a hard worker and sincerely tries to help people when they need it.  I feel like we have a lot of similarities, but I am still trying to be more like him.

I can't wait to see everybody's answers!  Send me a text if you've forgotten how to post or log in.

Love you all,

Miranda

ps. don't forget to change your post to white letters so that it shows up on the dark background

hey...im home!!

hey everyone. just thought i would post a quick post saying that i made it home safe!! it was a long 10 hour drive and a full day of packing before that. but its so worth it. its has been in the 100's for the past couple of days and you all know what that means. . . i have been TANNING!! its great! anyway i miss you all so much but hopefully i will see some of you in seven weeks! i cant believe i'm getting married that soon. well love you all and hope your enjoying your summer! everyone make sure they are working hard! :)

Shard

Nicaragua

Hi Team... Just wanted to wish you luck this week on your exams (or hope you did well if you are done... :-). Nicaragua was amazing. We stayed at a great villa overlooking a bay but we also met a lot of local Nica's and learned about their culture. The person I stayed with is Tim Kelly. Some of you may know him from different volleyball tours. He runs all the college tours as well as exposure tours for players looking to play internationally. Anyway, he moved to Nica after bringing a vb tour there. He is involved with a lot of community projects in the community. He would love to get a group of girls down there on their spring break to work with the kids in the schools, work on the earthship he is building (an "off grid" sustainable house made of recycled tires and bottles and other local materials). You would stay for really cheap, do community service, work with local kids in their schools, get to hang out at the beach, maybe go sailing and for sure surf at a private beach he has access to. He would probably ask you to play a little volleyball on the local cement court where the city would come out to watch and would be excited. The reason he is offering this is to bring people into the community to raise awareness, do community service and gain some public excitement for some other projects he is involved with. Anyway, the key to this post is that it would be really cheap. I just throw it out there for you all to consider for next spring break. It would be fun, easy (he would plan everything) and a good service and cause at the same time. Just think about it and we can continue to discuss if any of you have any interest. It wouldn't have to be everyone but it would have to be enough of you to create excitement when you went into the community. Ps.. its also an easy flight. 3 hours to Atlanta and 3 hours to Managua Nicaragua and then a 2 hour drive to San Juan Del Sur.