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Women's Soccer Summer Update: Senior Christie McDonald
7/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.? Christie McDonald is a senior women's soccer player from Newnan, Ga. She is majoring in English along with minors in history and sociology. McDonald provides insight on her busy final summer as a college student-athlete.
Hello everyone!
Seeing as this was my last summer before I officially go out into the "real world", I decided to make the most of it. I began the summer with a little six-week vacation to Italy -- rough life right? I spent the first week traveling with my mom - we went to Rome, Sorrento and Capri - before she dropped me off
in Arezzo (an hour southeast of Florence) for my five-week study abroad program at the Accademia Dell'Arte.
It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We were only a 10-minute walk from the city and were located in the heart of Tuscany surrounded by vineyards, lush rolling hills and large Cyprus trees - what more could you ask for? There was a winery five minutes away and we spent the evenings up on the rooftop overlooking our majestic little town. And please don't imagine I had my head in the books the whole time. I was there studying acting - clowning to be more precise - so my "academic schedule" consisted of doing improv, wearing masks, and going to town in character to see what reactions we could provoke from the unsuspecting townspeople. There were about 20 student's altogether - a mixture of actors, dancers, and filmmakers.
Since I am also very interested in film I worked with the film people a good amount - something I enjoyed tremendously. I was cast as the adulterous wife for their final project - loads of fun! I actually played a lot of soccer there as well. There was an amazing soccer complex about a three minute walk from our villa. It was privately owned, but of course I jumped the fence to play on it, until the owner came out and started yelling at me in Italian.
Luckily I was able to use my undeniable charm (wink wink) and broken Italian to make friends with good ole Roberto, and he let me play on it whenever I wanted ? at the end he even let me be in charge of locking up the complex so I could organize games of pick up if I wanted to.
So basically I had an absolutely wonderful time in Italy. I got to act, meet tons of new people (I didn't know anyone before I got there!), work on my Italian (I took three semesters at Duke), and play. I was certainly not ready to leave, but duty called, and I had to fly home immediately after school ended to attend my cousin's wedding in the Highlands, N.C.
And when I say immediately, I mean my dad picked me up straight from the airport and we drove directly there - I didn't even have time to go home first! So I get one night of jet-lagged sleep before I have to embark on the crazy weekend wedding schedule - bridesmaids' luncheon, manicures/pedicures, picnic, rehearsal dinner, speeches ( I was the Maid of Honor so CLEARLY had to give an exceptionally good toast!), etc.
It was all worth it in the end. Every detail was beautifully orchestrated, my cousin was gorgeous and radiant, and I couldn't have picked a better guy for her to marry. Not to mention the band was AWESOME - we had to kick my cousin out of her own wedding rehearsal at around midnight so the other guests could leave.
After the wedding I was home for a day, visited a friend in Michigan for a few days, was home for a day, then flew out to Houston where I am now currently spending my time. I am living with my crazy Greek grandmother, interning at the University of Houston, and training with the girls there on a daily basis.
Nothing too exciting has happened to me here; my day pretty much consists of training, working, hanging out with the family, and sleeping. I can't complain though; after my jet-setting summer it is kind of nice to be settled in one location with a set schedule for a change. I leave next Friday to go to Aspen, Colorado for 10 days with 50 of my closest family members (that sounded sarcastic, but trust me, it is not in the least, and that only accounts for my mom's side of the family). We all go every summer, but this is the first
time in a few years that I will be able to go for more than a few days. Aspen is my favorite place in the world so I am PUMPED I get to be there entire time.
And just in case anyone is wondering, no there is no snow there right now, but I don't really mind, I don't do that well with cold weather anyway. After Aspen I am in Houston for a day or so then fly into Durham for preseason!
All right, well that is my summer in a nutshell. I can't believe how quickly it has flown by. But I miss my girls and am really excited for the season. I honestly cannot believe I am a senior. Everyone always tells you how fast it goes by, but it still doesn't really prepare you. That being said, I am just excited I still have a season left and am ready to enjoy every minute of my last go around.
Looking forward to getting back to the Dirty D!!
Christie
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