Snapshots of Joy: 2013 Rewind (December): Philly...

It was the perfect December weekend...soccer watching, morning run by the water, snow, shopping, and more soccer watching. As I have written before, following my first favorite soccer team, takes me to new and interesting places. The Terps made it again to the semi-finals of the NCAA championship, which this year was held at PPL Park in Chester, PA. I have been there several times to see the Philly Union, but had never ventured into the city. I had a few things on my list...watching the Terps win, a morning run by the water, walking to Starbucks for coffee, and running up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art. I'm good with lists. We are very lucky soccer fans actually, most of time we end up at the right place at the right time. What we didn't realize was that we booked the same hotel that was hosting the College Cup...so imagine our surprise when we walked in the lobby to check-in and the entire Maryland Team and Coaching Staff were there. No big deal. Coach Sasho chatting with Taylor Twellman. As a soccer fan, it was pretty much amazing and awkward. We are the random fans of Maryland who make no sense...and someday I will figure out how to explain how following this sport and this team changed everything for my family and I.

The Terps beat University of Virginia on Friday night...and we were elated. We were in the stands with several PA youth soccer coaches and I was distilling all my knowledge about which players played with which MLS academy teams. It is scary how many factoids I am starting to retain. They were also cheering on several terps who are from PA. We were on to the next round...which was further than last year...we would play Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. That Friday night at the hotel bar, Coach Sasho and a few of his crew ended up sitting at a table next to us. It was crazy...I offered him our extra chair. I had the pleasure of working out in the gym with the Notre Dame Coach Bobby Clark on Sunday AM. Both Clark and Sasho have ties to Sir Alex Ferguson. I was in awe. Clark was calm and focused walking on the treadmill...I think I had a feeling then. Our terps lost later that afternoon...but I was so proud. Of their character, of their growth during the season, of everything. There is a reason why they are my first favorite.

My pictorial list of fun in Philly...