King's Day and Re-Injured in Tough Loss - Blog #26 (Apr. 21 - 27)

Basketball Update:

We had one game on Friday this past week. It was a tough matchup for us on the road at Hubo Limburg. They are fourth in the standings and had beaten us by twenty at home earlier this year. We played a really solid first half, and I was playing well too. In the third quarter, my back flared up, and I was unable to return to the game. Very frustrating. It was a close game, and we ended up losing by three. Back-to-back games that we had a good chance of winning and lost at the end. Biggest game of the year on Wednesday at home against Leeuwarden. They are the 3-seed, and we are the 2-seed. Massive playoff seeding implications. Then, on Saturday we have our last home regular season game against Antwerp. Big week, let's go 2-0!

Leadership Lesson:

A great way to show you are a leader is through sacrifice. Sacrificial leadership is contradictory to how most people may perceive what a leader is. Sacrificing for the group is a great way to show people that you care. I came across a great clip of Steve Nash talking about what he thinks makes a great leader, and I thought it was well worth it to share.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI9NBwBiS6F/

He talks about caring for others and authenticity in leadership which are two things I have already discussed. These two things are great complementary pieces to sacrificial leadership. Sacrifice is a great way to prove to others that you care about them with your actions. Also, it should not be fake or superficial. Most people are good at spotting BS when they see it. They can tell a genuine person from someone who is trying to fake a good deed to get ahead. Show you care through sacrificing for others and do so because you want to, not because you feel you have to.

Top 5 of the Week:

Animated Disney Movies (Pixar Not Included)

1. Lion King - This top 5 is sparked by locker room conversation this week. Best soundtrack from top to bottom in my opinion. Classic story and a great film. Hakuna Matata.

2. Muana - Another amazing soundtrack and a newer one that seems like it will become a classic. The second one came out recently, and I didn't love it. However, the first one is awesome.

3. Mulan - "I'll Make a Man Out of You" was my favorite Disney song growing up. A sentimental pick here. Great movie and top 5 worthy no doubt.

4. Coco - This one has my favorite Disney song currently, "Un Poco Loco". Nice plot twist and an awesome, newer movie.

5. Tangled - My sister, Maddie, was obsessed with this movie when we were younger, so I have seen it countless times. A bunch of great characters in this one and a great story about Rapunzel.

What Else Did I Do This Week?

On Monday, we went to a nice dinner in Amsterdam at Salmuera which is a Latin American tapas-style restaurant. Afterwards, we said goodbye to Becca and Christian. They went to visit Dani and Andre in Bari before going to Rome. Absolutely insane timing with the passing of Pope Francis. RIP to a legend! It was great to see them and spend some quality time together.

With a Friday game, it meant we had off Saturday. Saturday was King's Day which is a massive celebration in the Netherlands that is a holiday celebrating the king's birthday. I did not know that the Netherlands even had a royal family until I lived here. The celebration was like nothing I had ever seen before. Hundreds of thousands of people in Amsterdam were partying and going crazy. I got to Amsterdam to meet up with Nikki around 11. We were very lucky because one of Nikki's coworkers (Robert) was hosting a brunch on the outskirts of the center. They had a great rooftop with an outstanding view. They had good food, desserts, and drinks. It was a nice, more chill vibe compared to the madness going on in the center. The weather was perfect. It was very sunny and not too hot. After Robert's, we went to Colleen's apartment to hang out which is right in the center of Amsterdam. She lives in a great location. There were a ton of boats going by, music playing, and a ton of foot traffic as well. Her apartment was beautiful with huge, canal-side windows and a gorgeous interior too. Jacob met up with us too, and we met a bunch of new people who were visiting friends of Nikki. It was a really fun hang at Colleen's, and we went to Hagen's houseboat after. It was in a less busy area, and we were able to hang out and chill with a nice crowd. Nikki and I were staying the night at Jenny's. We walked Daria home and went back to Jenny's to hit the hay. It was a very fun day and a memorable first King's Day.

On Sunday, we met up with one of Nikki's former bosses from Colorado, Casey, and her husband, Neil, and their daughter, Asher. They were great company and fun to walk around the city with. We got pastries and hung out in the park. The amount of trash on the streets post-King's Day was pretty disgusting. Cans and shattered glass bottles mostly. It was unfortunate that they had to see Amsterdam for their first time like that, but they still enjoyed the city. We went back to Leiden for the rest of the day, and I was able to watch some NBA playoffs which have been amazing thus far. Not gonna talk about the Bucks though. Do. Not. Trade. Giannis.

Top Meal of the Week:

My favorite food this week was on Sunday morning when Nikki and I went to St. Jean with Casey and Neil. We got a couple amazing pastries, a pistacio/blueberry muffin and an apple/cinnamon bun. I got a dirty chai to pair with it, and it was a nice, light breakfast.

One Thing I Miss About the States:

I miss good Mexican food. I have talked about how much I miss Chipotle (first stop off the plane when I get home), and it is one thing that isn't too difficult to make at home. However, Mexican food is hard to find here because of the far proximity away from Mexico. I have bought guacamole at the grocery store, and turns out, it is mayo-based here. Nasty. Thanks for reading!