Loss to Antwerp, Polar Plunge, and Packer Disappointment - Blog #13 (Jan. 6 - 12)

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Basketball Update:

We had a tough road loss to Antwerp this week, 81 - 69. Besides Oostende, Antwerp probably has the highest budget in the league. They have a nice big arena with lots of seats. It was a tale of two halves. We played really well with intensity and physicality in the first half. In the second, we lost both of those things and ended up losing the game. I played alright and ended up playing all forty minutes. The Belgian teams have had the upper hand on the Dutch teams this season to say the least. The standings reflect this. We are in the middle of the league standings but towards the top of the Dutch teams in the rankings. Big game versus James this weekend (featured on last week's blog). After that, we have a bye week. Need this one!

Leadership Lesson:

During my life, I have been very blessed to have good mentors in my life. An important distinction should be made between a coach and a mentor. A coach tends to help more in the development of a skill for a limited amount of time. A mentor is more career-focused and is someone who gives advice about bigger life decisions. The nature of a mentor is more future and long-term-focused. They are people who may have the job you want or know a lot about what you want to do. I have had some great people in my life who genuinely have my best interest at heart when it comes to my future. If I were to give advice to a young person aspiring in any field, it would be to find a good mentor.

This ties back to a couple of the other things that I have written about, but mentors help you with curiosity and accountability. I have been recommended some great books and podcasts by mentors. I have also learned a lot simply through conversation. Bringing good questions to people who know a lot more than you is a great way to gain knowledge. The accountability piece is huge as well. I have found myself to feel a sense of responsibility to continue to improve in my own life. Because my mentors may see me in a certain light and have belief in me, it makes me want to live up to that and exceed it. These relationships are very important and underrated.

Top 5 of the Week:

Heartbreaking GBP Losses

1. 2014/15 NFC Championship vs. Seahawks - I wouldn't wish this kind of pain on my worst enemy. Steve Bartman, Bill Buckner, Brandon Bostick. I feel like this doesn't get talked about enough among the more general sports media as an iconic sports choke job, but this is far and away numero uno for me. Go watch those highlights, I dare you.

2. 2021/22 NFC Divisional vs. 49ers - March down the field on the first drive of the game and punch it in to go up 7-0. That would be the last time we got into the end zone that day. Aaron Rodgers MVP season. Lambeau Field in the snow. #1 seed. I remember where I was for this game and the sadness & regret I felt afterward. That blocked punt will haunt me forever.

3. 2022/23 Week 19 vs. Lions - Packers fighting for their playoff lives while the Lions were playing for... nothing. Their goal was to keep us out, and they did just that. Little did I know at the time, but it would be the last time I saw my favorite athlete, #12, suit up for my favorite team. Watching him and Cobb walk out of Lambeau for the last time was a sad moment.

4. 2020/21 NFC Championship vs. Bucs - Another Aaron Rodgers MVP season with Tom Brady coming to Lambeau. A huge matchup with a lot of build-up. It was a weird season with COVID and players being quarantined. Rodgers was at the center of it for his controversial vaccine stance. In the midst of all of it, we were still hosting the NFC Championship game. Bad loss.

5. 2015/16 NFC Divisional vs. Cardinals - This one hurt the most because of the false hope we were given at the end of regulation. Arguably the two best throws in NFL history happened for back-to-back Hail Mary's to tie the game and send it to OT. Then, we never got the ball again because of stupid NFL OT rules (at the time) and lost the game.

What Else Did I Do This Week?

Nikki and I are trying to do "No Spend January" this month because of the money we spent over the holidays buying presents, going on trips, etc. We are doing our best to make most of our meals at home. We have a nice little routine of having dinner, going for a walk, and watching Game of Thrones at night. It is something I really look forward to and enjoy a lot. On Saturday after our game, we got back kind of late. Nikki went to Eda's (my teammate Duko's girlfriend) birthday party. Some of my teammates and I met them out in Leiden for our first night out since being here. It was really cool to go to a bar and listen to some good music with some good company. I think it is important to do things outside of basketball with your teammates to build comradery, so I was happy to do that.

On Sunday, Stan, Brad, and I decided to do a cold tub in a nearby local lake for some post-game recovery. It was probably the coldest water I have ever been in. It was about 35 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and I think the water temperature was slightly above that. I used to do cold tubs a lot in college, and we don't have access to one here. That water was so cold. I was only in waist down, and I felt like I was going to throw up. My chest and arms started sweating somehow. We did a full dunk under the water at the end which actually felt really good. Video via Brad below. We warmed up by going to lunch at this restaurant on the lake. It was a good time.

Nikki and I had planned on going to see Wicked. We changed plans and ended up staying home to make Mediterranian bowls. We also went on a pretty long run/walk around a lake close to us which was gorgeous. Great weekend... besides the basketball part of it, and the Packers. Nikki went to bed, and I decided to stay up for the game. I had a bad feeling going in which was only reinforced by the first play of the game. We showed glimpses of a comeback, but injuries and stupid mistakes killed us. Jordan Love did not play well at all. I think we need to have a little better pash rush and get a solid WR1 for next season. This game did not hurt quite as bad compared to previous years. It did suck going to practice the next day and having to see my teammate, TJ, who is a big Eagles fan. There is always next year.

One Thing I Miss About the States:

When we went out on Saturday night, Nikki and I could not believe the amount of shattered glass that we on the floor. People would drop their glasses, and no one would come to clean them up. I am not sure if this is a thing in the Netherlands or if it was just at this bar, but it was weird. On one hand, the fact that they do not use plastic cups is a good thing. However, the trade-off of broken glass all over the floor seemed unsafe.

Top Meal of the Week:

The Med-bowls we made Sunday were outstanding. They consist of homemade tzatziki, chicken meatballs, couscous, and a bunch of veggies. It is an unbelievably delicious homemade meal. Highly recommend! Picture below of my second helping. Nikki also made some banana bread which hit the spot afterwards. Thanks for reading!