I wrote this before my Asia trip…stay posted for that later. Due to technical problems, this blog was posted later than planned.
Since my last blog, there have been several tournaments and three new stamps on the passport: France, Switzerland, and England. Instead of it being solely a golf trip, I turned these overseas events into a vacation with my mom and little sister, Erica. We spent three days in Paris prior to the Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale and three days in London following the RICOH Women's British Open. We did all the 'touristy' things in both places; museums, shows, palaces, etc., and had a wonderful time. Erica is not quite the history buff that I am, so while my mom and I analyzed almost every painting and sculpture in the Louvre with the aid of the rented audio tour guides, Erica parked herself on a bench in whatever room we were in, popped in the iPod and people-watched. By the fourth museum she was on the verge of tears, especially after standing for three hours through King Henry VIII by Shakespeare in the Globe theater. The Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale is an amazing tournament in an absolutely gorgeous area right on Lake Leman (it looks like an ocean) that separates Switzerland and France. Everyday I went for a run in town along the water, which was so beautiful to look at, but apparently running is an odd thing to do. You could spot a LPGA player by the fact that they were running. I have never received so many strange looks in such a short amount of time doing something 'normal.' Evidently running is not a popular form of exercise there, but there were a lot of walkers and roller skaters. Dodging pedestrians and the clouds of smoke that trialed them, became an exercise in itself. We were also given odd looks when asking to eat dinner before 7:30 p.m. - most restaurants didn't start serving food until then, only alcohol. I know several American men who would've lost at least ten pounds on this trip.
The RICOH Women's British Open was a great tournament as well, despite not playing very well and the "British Open" weather. There they have a saying: "Spring is just a rumor and Summer is just a girl's first name," and my goodness it was the truth! It was cold, raining, and windy the entire time. On the 18th hole of the second day, while it was fifty-five, pouring rain and howling wind, I looked at the volunteer holding the "Silence Please" sign and joked, "You seriously live here?.... By choice?" And he said "Oh this? This is a bloody fine summer's day." Well to each his own; I choose Arizona. London, however, had perfect weather all three days we were there. In London we also had the most American hotel room. Let's just say the three of us girls had some very good bonding time in the other rooms. In Evian, my mom and sister shared a twin bed (apparently two doubles doesn't mean double size beds but two twin beds). And I think we discovered why some European women don't shave their legs; it's downright difficult in their sized showers! I hit my elbows on the walls or slimy shower curtain just shampooing my hair. It took some serious balance and ingenuity to shave my legs. Erica perfected it by putting down the toilet lid then propping her foot on the towel she had laid on it while in the shower. This just tells you how small the bathrooms are. All of these little things are what make trips memorable, especially for a rookie year.
P.S. In France, if you ask for French fries they will have no idea what you want - ironic huh? Also, asking for ice in a drink is like asking for napkins at Subway - neither place realizes that one is just not enough.
Besides the traveling, I have been working very hard on my swing, which I never have had to do before this year. It had gotten so far off of what it originally was that quick fixes for a tournament were not helping at all. It is difficult making changes during the season, but I know that it will eventually get better and start paying off. So for all of you who are being supportive and keep saying, "Don't worry, you'll start playing better golf," believe me, I am trying. I also just went to the Oven (Nike's golf testing facility) and had my lies all changed, which is going to help leaps and bounds as well. The ball is actually going where I am aimed. It's a thing of beauty. I have around five tournaments left and am very excited to see these changes and my hard work (hopefully) fall into place.
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Topics: Rookie Blog, Blumenherst, Amanda
