Far East, Here We Come

ァーイーストへ、行こう

 

下に日本語を書きます。When Monica tried out for Varsity Soccer this spring as a Sophomore, she knew it was a bit of a long shot.  ASIJ (American School in Japan) has had a strong team, and many of the previous year's players were returning, as well as several skilled players upcoming.  But she gave it her best in try-outs and was very happy to make it onto the Varsity team of 18 players.  So, given that starting point, the season has gone pretty well for Monica.  Coach Aranda is a former professional soccer player, and the girls highly respect him.  He works them hard in practice, which is almost every day after school.  It's not just about developing soccer skills, but also physical capability, endurance, and team play.

After the season started, I was disappointed to note that Monica wasn't playing that much.  She would often sit out nearly the whole game on the sidelines, or get in during the last few minutes of the game.  Monica was much more understanding of this.  "Mom, I'm just not as good as the others.  This is Varsity.  The better players need to play.  It's what's best for the team." 

Oh, I see.  I never played Varsity sports in High School.  Neither did Martin or any of our siblings.  This was a new experience and Monica seemed to be handling it well, doing her best at practice, then watching and waiting for a chance to play.  For my part, I attended as many of the games as I could, cheered for ASIJ, and sent subliminal messages to the coach to put my daughter in the game.  Sometimes he would tell a couple of the regulars who were resting from play to stand at the sidelines and call for subs.  Then, as if receiving one of my messages, he would glance over at the bench and call "Monica!" and up she'd pop to join the game. 

Martin went to several of the games and took some very good pictures.  He's growing his "Action Photography" skill, and his pictures actually got better as the soccer season progressed, I think.  HERE are the soccer pictures.  ASIJ is usually in yellow, sometimes in grey uniforms.  Monica is #21. 

ASIJ has dominated the Kanto Plains division, with 14 wins and 0 losses this season.  Monica has improved her skills, though has a distance to go, and has mostly enjoyed the rigorous practices and games.  That said, it was a bit tense here as we waited for the decision about which 15 of the 18 players would be chosen to go to the week long Far East Tournament in Okinawa in Mid-May.  (Okinawa is the largest of the southern islands of Japan.)  Teams from English speaking International and American Military High Schools from various parts of Japan, Korea, and some other nearby countries will be there.  Monica spent the last several weeks trying not to get her hopes up about being chosen, just tried to do her very best, playing on a team full of strong players.  Last Friday, Coach Aranda announced his decision.  Monica is on the Far East tournament team and she's going to Okinawa!  Go Mustangs!

この日本語で書くことは要約だけです。モニカは１０年生だので、バセティー女の子のサッカーのチームになったはぎりぎりと思います。去年の選手は戻るし、いくつの選手はよくなるし、ASIJのチームは強いです。 でも、モニカはがんばったので、１８人のバセティーチームになったけど、最初の試合の間にたくさんベンチで座りました。コーチアランダは前にプローサッカー選手だので、練習で少し厳しいけど、生徒は彼に尊敬します。殆ど毎日に学校後に、練習か試合があるので、チームはいろいろ事がよくなります。

両親は試合を見に、行ってみます。マーティンはいくつ試合に行って、たくさん面白い写真を撮りました。それはここにある。時間があったら、見てください。私は試合に行って、いつもチームをかっさいします。そして、考えてながら、非話しながら、コーチの頭にメセギは”モニカが試合に入れてください”と送ります。ときどき、試合で、コーチは普通の選手を入れて、あとからの思いつきのような、”モニカ、行こう！”と言いました。私はほほえます。

時期は過ごしたながら、モニカはだんだんもっと遊びました。 そして、最近試合が四半分か半分は遊びました。でも、心配間過ごしました。仲間の５月にチームは沖縄に行って、大試合をします。問題は１８人チームから１５人選手だけ行くことができます。モニカはそれについて考えなくみていまったが、もちろん無理です。その大試合は一週間です。モニカの学校、ASIJは関東地方で、一番いいだけど、たくさんチームは参加します。チームはインターナショナルの英語を使うの高校です。そして、軍用の基地からも来ます。（その女の子は強いです！）それは日本から、韓国から、色々近い国も来ます。大試合の名前はファーイストですね。昨日は普通の時季の最後の試合です。もちろん、勝ちました。時季は１４試合勝った、０試合負けた。

ついに、コーチは決定は発表しました。モニカは沖縄に行きます！ゴオオ　マスタングス！