Let’s Catch Up

How I Spent My One-Month Off-Season

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and naturally once I get overseas and prepare for a new season and new adventures, I feel the urge to update. But first, I’ll fill in the blank of how I spent the month of  September.

USAB

As some of you already know from the announcement over the summer, I was added to the pool of players for the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. We were knocked out of the WNBA playoffs early and as  disappointed as I was about that, I was looking forward to the NT training camp. Unfortunately, when I returned home I found out that I would need oral surgery and a sinus procedure that I could no longer put off. The recovery was uncomfortable and required 10 days of rest without any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting, meaning I would not be attending camp.

On the bright side, my surgery went well, everything healed perfectly and my two teammates– Layshia Clarendon and  Morgan Tuck– won the 2018 World Cup gold medal!! <3

Home is Where Ya Heart Is

When my WNBA season ended, I didn’t know that I’d have my first “off-season” (yes, I’m referring to one full month as an off-season not a break) in five years. It was a blessing I didn’t know I needed. I was able to take care of my health, rest my body and spend time actually living in my house.

I always talk about how much I love to DIY so time home allowed me to get a few things done around the house including two crafty projects.

  • Built a milk crate bookshelf  that I ended up flipping on its side to use as an entertainment stand in my living room.
  • Transferred a few photos to canvases after I found a simple tutorial on Pinterest.

We also dug up weeds, grass and a bush in our small front yard and put down mulch. I’m tired of the association leaving me letters saying it’s not presentable, so the mulch is low maintenance and will last until I have the front and back landscaped. We fixed the glass storm door that was broken by a parcel delivery man months ago. Finally, we sorted through and donated so much stuff that was cluttering the garage, cleaned and organized it so that both of our cars could fit comfortably while we’re overseas. Most of the above was done outside when it was either storming or extremely hot– I think it rained 26 of the 30 days, not even exaggerating. I didn’t enjoy doing it but I’m glad it all got done!

Fam + Friends

Every year the D.C. side of my family (father’s side) holds a cookout in Maryland that I was happy to go to this year. Unfortunately, it was wet and rainy the whole day but we didn’t let the weather stop us from having full stomachs and a good time!

I co-hosted my first baby shower that we threw for my sister-in-law. Nikki and my brother are expecting their first child, my niece, Willa Ryan Thomas, on or before October 13th!! I’m super thrilled to be an aunt!

Is it possible to be born with baby fever? I’ve always loved kids. Even when I was a kid myself, I’d take care of all my little cousins like they were my babies. So many of my closest cousins and friends are having their own children now which helps satisfy me for now. My best friend Erika just  had her first child, Cameron (pictured below). She let me babysit for her one day, and he was the easiest kid! He’s so adorable and has to be one of the happiest babies ever.

I fell in love with SoulCycle after going to my first class for my best friend Denay’s 29th birthday. I’m usually still playing in the WNBA regular season during her birthday (August 31st), so I definitely enjoyed spending that day in D.C. celebrating her. I also have her to thank for introducing me to a cycling experience I actually love!

While we are on the topic of fitness, I became a member at LifeTime Fitness. Yep, they got me; I finally gave in. I’m getting too old to keep getting free 7-day guest passes at every gym in the area. Although, it’s hard to want to pay membership fees when I work out for a living and am RARELY home. LifeTime allows you to put your membership on hold for the months you can’t use it. (I’m sure other gyms do this too, but LifeTime has all the resources I need). That feature is ultimately what sold me on the decision to join.

Because I wasn’t able to work out the way I’m used to and it’s literally impossible for me to do nothing, I found a new hobby (soon to be passion)– hot yoga. I’ve always enjoyed yoga but will spend these next 8 months committed to consistent practice. Last year, I subscribed to the YouTube Channel “Yoga with Adriene.” I’ll continue following her Channel in my apartment overseas.  She’s great, check her out!

Last Year of my 20s…

I was born on September 30, 1989 at around 4:00pm. Therefore, I just celebrated turning 29. Yes, TWO-NINE. For some odd reason, MULTIPLE people kept wishing me a dirty 30.. WHYYY? While I’m sooo looking forward to my 30s, I think it’s going to be my best decade yet– I’m not rushing it people haha. My heart was so full being surrounded by loved ones on my special day. Because I’m back playing in Europe again, I’ll also be home for Christmas this year!

Speaking of Europe…

CCC Polkowice

Ollie and I have now been in Poland for 8 full days. Bella didn’t make the  trip because she has some (non-life-threatening) health issues that make staying with my parents safer and easier for her (and me). Thank God for my parents and joint custody! They really love Bella as much as I do.

Anyway, I’m living in Polkowice, Poland playing for the defending Polish league champion CCC Polkowice (as in CCC Bags and Shoes, the largest footwear retailer and manufacturer in Europe). Of  course, our club has the same goal to win the Polish league but we also hope to perform better in Euroleague this season. We have a talented roster, great coaching staff and management with all the resources a team needs to be successful. We played our first Polish game well below our potential with an incomplete roster and won by 40. My teammates are great people and have been awesome so I’m really excited for this season!

You can find our full schedule HERE and you can also follow the box scores on Eurobasket. I’ll have a link to live stream our Polish games on YouTube, I’ll share that with you ASAP. FIBA live streams all the Euroleague games via YouTube as well. Click HERE to keep up with the Euroleague schedule!

Overall, I’m really enjoying my setup. The city is small but has everything I need. My apartment is walking distance to our gym and in the center of  everything. It’s in a new building, modern and the furnishings are so homey. I have a brand new Toyota C-HR, it’s a cute little hybrid crossover. I’m just a 1.5 hour drive from Wroclaw, about 3.5 hours from Prague and 3 hours from Berlin. It’ll be a busy season with the added travel from Euroleague, but you better believe when our schedule (and my body) allow it I’ll be exploring!

Last thing, I hope everyone registered to vote for the midterm elections! Please be aware that voting policies/deadlines vary by state. Click HERE for information in your state! Send in your absentee ballot or prepare to visit polls on November 6th! Surely, we understand now more than ever just how important it is!! I sent my absentee ballot in before I left.

Well, that’s all I have for y’all for now. Next time you hear from me I’ll be an AUNT ahh! 🙂

XO,

Jas

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10 Comments

  1. Sam Eligwe
    November 24, 2018 / 7:20 PM

    Thanks sis for the update. Love staying in the loop with your life changes. I can feel through your posts there’s been a shift, I don’t know what it is, but I’m with you sis. Love ya, let me know do you need anything.

    • Jasmine Thomas
      Author
      November 28, 2018 / 5:12 AM

      Thanks bro!! I hope you’re having happy holidays with your beautiful family. Congrats on the new addition! Would love to have y’all over when I’m home. Love ya!

  2. Judy Vlcek
    October 12, 2018 / 3:06 AM

    Had wrong email address grist comment

  3. Judy Vlcek
    October 12, 2018 / 3:05 AM

    Good luck!!!

  4. Judy Vlcej
    October 12, 2018 / 3:02 AM

    Hi Jasmine,

    Glad you got sometime to enjoy what haven’t been able to do with your busy schedule!
    Pinterest & DIY can be fun. Lots of ideas! Nice book shelf !!
    Glad you took time to have your oral surgery done!

    Hoping you have a great time overseas! See you in 2019!!

    • Jasmine Thomas
      Author
      October 12, 2018 / 3:28 AM

      Thank you! <3

  5. Denay
    October 11, 2018 / 8:43 PM
    • Jasmine Thomas
      Author
      October 12, 2018 / 3:28 AM

      Denay! Your comment is blank for me, can’t see what you said lol… but hey girl!

  6. Nader Shehadeh
    October 11, 2018 / 3:16 PM

    Welcome back! Great update, your page is put together really well! Help me with mine lol

    • Jasmine Thomas
      Author
      October 11, 2018 / 4:38 PM

      Thank you…You’re doing a great job so far though! I could help you, but I pretty much just find themes that I like and that work for my content. The themes usually come with installation services (they aren’t free themes) so that’s how it gets organized. Then I just reorganize/add new stuff from there.

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