APRIL 2-21 IN A NUTSHELL

Since my last blog on April 1st many things have happened, and I am going to try to sum them up as good and quick as possible.

EASTER BREAK:We had 3 days off for our Easter break (hallelujah!) and I decided to surprise one of my best friends who lives and plays in Taranto, Italy. While there I was also able to meet and greet some of my old teammates, and see almost all of the former/current Cras Basket staff...what a blast. Check out this pictures to understand what I mean:     

with Beckster in front of Palamazzola

Beckster, Michellar and I

Probably THE best crepes I've ever had... with white chocolate filling. Yummy

And FOR SURE the longest pizza I've ever seen

il mare

Amici

Italian breakfast.... where's the meeeeeat at? 

The cutest car... Flintstones Style

Posing on the beach

I can't believe that I am paler than a GOLDEN LAB

"Morena", "Ex-Loira" & Jacaré

Crazy Brazilo-Italinis...I don't know them

So to speak in terms of the Easter time: my spirit was able to be "resurrected" from the wear and tear the routine of the past months has brought to my mind and body. Stepping away for a couple of days, seeing old friends and revisiting familiar places filled me with new energy for a strong finish here in Targoviste. The countdown is at 32 days today- to find out the definition of "countdown", please go back to one of my older posts).


BUSTRIP TO SATU MARE & ORADEA:Last week I had one of my longest bus road trips since I probably was 14 or 15 years old, when my junior nationalteam took the bus to Slovakia (about 18 hours) for a tournament.We started on Friday with an 11.5 hours busride to Satu Mare. Stayed the night. Played a game at noon. Won the game. Got on the bus... arrived in Oradea after 3 hours. Went to Mc Donalds (yeah, the golden arch is a rare occasion out here... and gets celebrated EACH TIME time we see one with a Combo and McFlurry). Played a game. Won the game. Stayed the night...9am: got on the bus again... after 2 movies, 4 stops, 1 lunch and many many naps later we arrived in Targoviste at 7pm.

Chuckster and I at a beautiful rest stop in the middle of the mountains

Such troopers: even hours on the bus can't wipe the smile of our faces

Toni- my German-speaking buddy

Yupp, this "cheeeeese" smile is for a double cheeeseburger... we are so easy to please!

Luxury on wheels.... that's how we roll!!! Two seats per person!!!!

Snack Time on the bus... yyuummm, I love bellpeppers!!!

 A note on the mirror of our bathroom.... if anybody can help me? The warm water is what?

View from the bus... just like the compound eye of a fly

Ciupa (my Romanian sister) and I- taking in some sun

DSDS FINALE:

After months of weekly entertainment for me, the German equivalent to "American Idol" came to an end on Saturday night... (or for me, on Sunday afternoonnoon, during the re-run because we were celebrating our win against Sf. Gheorghe on Saturday)... yeah, yeah, I know many of you are rolling your eyes right now... but guess what YES, I am one of "those people": I cancelled all of my social activities on Sunday, so I could spend all day watching the special pre-shows and then later indulge in the 2.5-hour finale from 4pm-6.30pm.

The finalist were Mehrzad Marashi and Menowin Fröhlich.

For me a win-win situation:
First of all, I liked both of them as singers and entertainers, and I think that they both could be an enrichment to the German music market.
Secondly with Mehrzad we'd finally have a winner from Hamburg (which is the biggest town close to my home)... and with Menowin, he simply has a cool last name ;)

As you can see, I am a highly qualified judge, whose knowledge of music never gets compromised by minor details... hahaha!

WITH FURTHER ADO.... THE WINNER of "DSDS- Deutschland sucht den Superstar 2010" is:

HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH!!! CONGRATS!!!!

THE APPROACHING END OF THE REGULAR SEASON:
Now there are two games left in the regular season: we are on our way to Craiova today (unfortunately I won't be joining the team, because I sprained my ankle during practice on Monday and will stay in Targoviste to rest and hopefully get the swelling down) and then have one more homegame against Alexandria on Saturday April 24th, 2010.

I want to ask all the fans to come out and support us... because I believe that, just like we need to prepare and get ready for the playoffs NOW, so do the fans... so come out and practice your cheers, so that once the playoffs start, we as a whole- MCM TARGOVISTE- will be unbeatable!!!!