Aussie Life (Week 7-8)


Well it’s official, I have been here for exactly two months.  Even better? I got mistaken for an Aussie at the grocery store last week.  I think its safe to say that I am definitely settled in and enjoying my new life.

Since its been a couple weeks since my last post, I thought I’d give an update on soccer.  Our team, Nerang FC, is currently sitting in 4th place after two solid victories this past weekend.  We hit the halfway mark in the season in two weeks, which means its important to get these next 6 points in our two upcoming away games: Coomera and Mudgeeraba.  Please don’t ask me how to pronounce either of those names..I’m sure I’d butcher both of them.  

From a competition standpoint, practices here have been really intense.  Since the technical side of the game is very important to Aussies, we do a lot of work with the ball.  Most of our warm-ups, possession grids, passing drills, and even our fitness, have some component that involves the ball.  I like this a lot as I have noticed a significant improvement with my ball skill these last two months.  I’ve also taken the time to start working on my new highlight film from the past couple of games.  Feel free to check out some of my best moments over the past couple of games in the link below: 

Nerang FC:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZEY2dt5oes

Non-Soccer Related
Did I mention that my parents finally made it over as well?  Yes, a one week family reunion.  Was I super excited to see everyone? Absolutely.  Was I able to sleep in at all one day during the week they were here? You answer that question on your own..Lets just say that my family may have found every possible activity to do in Australia and tried to fit it all in to one week.  For the sake of pure humor, I’ll describe the “fun and relaxing” week of events as the Ups and Downs of the Leonard family. And to make it even more interesting, I’ll let you decide whether you think its an Up or a Down.

  1. We are not scared of the ocean.

For those of you who do not know my mom, saying that she loves the beach is an understatement.  Out of every family trip we have taken to Florida, I don’t think there is one day where we haven’t spent at least 3 hours at the beach.  And yes that includes rain or shine.  So in honor of my wonderful, amazing, and athletic mother, please enjoy the next few photos of me and her out surfing at Surfer’s Paradise.
WARNING: The surfing video below is done by professionals and should not be attempted by any rookie.


2.  For some crazy reason, my family is obsessed with animals.

My sister’s brilliant idea was that we go to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.  She wanted to hold a baby koala, have colorful birds land on her head, walk 2485049851 miles around a zoo in the hot sun, pet a baby alligator and feed a kangaroo.  Honestly, I can’t even hide it any longer: I hate most animals.  I love dogs, but everything else..not a big fan.  Take a look below (specifically at me) to see why.






3. There is no WE.  When it comes to safety, everyone is on their own.





4.  Clearly, we love singing to each other.  And introducing new music is an absolute expectation. 



Those four should be enough to give you a quick highlight of what a week in a Leonard family vacation looks like.  So happy I was able to see everyone, and miss them already.  Looking forward to entering week nine down under!

Verse of the Week: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with song I praise him." - Psalm 28:7

Grind.  Believe.  Achieve.

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