I miss...

Every Friday we run a mile before our open gym. The fact that we are doing that every single week killed the phrase “Friday Funday”... The whole team needs to be under 7 minutes and 40 seconds. There is few of us that are way ahead and there is few that are struggling. Everybody has to make the time, if not they are running again during the week. One of our teammates was struggling and she was running three times per week in order for her to make the time. It was Thursday and I was on my way back from Venom, I thought about Friday morning and I wasn’t excited at all.  But then I had a conversation with myself, I was like Bojana it is four laps as fast as you can and you are done for the day. Last week I ran 7:09 and I desperately wanted to be 6 something, no matter if that was 6:59 haha…So, there it was Friday morning, woke up and headed to the gym. Bright and early, windy and kind of cold. We finished our warm up and it was about time to start our mile. It was surprisingly easy first two laps, third one I struggled a little bit, I kept talking and encouraging myself. My mind was chaotic, a lot was going on over there, but not one second did i think of giving up. Fall and season were in my mind and the fact that this will help me and make me better. Last lap, all I thought about was the six minutes I wanted to reach. I was cursing to myself and pushing like never before. Once I passed the finishing line coach yelled 6:41… I was barely breathing but I screamed out of happiness. I was happy like a little kid that gets brand new toy. I reached my little goal and passed the mental struggle I had. Pushed when it was the hardest!! My teammates did awesome as well. The last one passing the finish line was the girl that was struggling, her time was 7:21. She made it!!!!

 #missingthegame

  Being out of season is a struggle for every athlete. It is hard to practice hard and not be able to compete. In season you work hard the whole week and on the weekend you get your award, you get to play. While doing so all those hard workouts have purpose. However, working hard in spring is the most important thing, because it makes you better for what is coming. You have to be mentally strong because you don’t get the award every weekend, you don’t get that magic push that keeps you going harder and harder. Now you have to keep yourself accountable, push yourself and keep saying that it will be worth it because it will make you better. Fall is so far and I really want to play. I miss that excitement I get before we hit the road. Home games are my favorites because it is an amazing feeling being able to play in front of your friends and family. I wish my parents were able to attend my games. I miss my crazy mom, her awkward advices from the bleachers as well as her huge smile no matter if we win or lose. I remember her going to all of my games when I was home, and supporting me. She knows basic rules about volleyball but she doesn’t really understand the game however, she was always giving me advices about how to be a better teammate and team player. My huge wish is for her to be able to come here to the United States for my Senior day game and my graduation! That would make me the happiest person ever…

 #missingher

Role model

Being a student athlete takes a lot from the person because you have busy schedules, as well as busy weekends. However, being a foreign student athlete takes even more energy. You are far away from everything that is related to you, everything around you is just different but you find a way to go forward and eventually fit in and it’s not that different anymore!! It becomes your reality.

You leave everything that you love and that you grow up with for new experiences and a better future. Sometimes you have days when you are filled with happiness because you see that all your hard work pays off. You are getting all those awards and recognition that you always vied just because the way you set your mind to it. This season, I worked hard like never before. It was all about details, small things that we never pay attention to. I set my goals high and believed I can reach every single one of them. I did even more, I was awarded the All- Conference first team,  Conference Tournament first team.  I finished the season averaging a program record of 4.30 kills and 12.37 attacks per set to go with a program record tying of 460 total kills and a program history of 1,324 total attacks … I led the WAC in kills per set (4.30), total kills (460), points per set (4.82) and total points (515.5) while ranking 10th in total digs (253) … In WAC play, I also led the conference in kills per set (4.29) and points per set (4.80) while ranking second in total kills (206), third in total points (230.5), tied for ninth in total aces (13), and 10th in total digs (112) … I was the only player in WAC to place top 10 in both kills and digs in either overall or WAC play … I bet all you see is a bunch of numbers and probably don’t even understand what kill is, but it gives you a clue as to what I am talking about. It seems like I’ve reached everything that I wanted in this past year. I put a lot of my time in making this possible. However while doing so, I’ve given up a lot of things that girls my age enjoy doing. For example, I didn’t party, I missed pretty much every birthday celebration of my friends, and I was gone almost every Wednesday until I came back on Sunday. In my free time, I was doing homework and even though it sounds kind of sad and boring, for me it was worth the sacrifice. I made my family and myself proud because I stayed focused the whole time. I made a life time memories and stories while constantly having fun with my teammates and traveling and witnessing a lot of amazing places.

You must be wondering why am I telling you this? Well a few days ago, I was at Venom and we were having a team bonding with our 18 year old. Since they are about to go to college, coach wanted us to have a short talk with them and their parents. He wanted them to realize what it is like to be a student athlete. It was three of us talking and  he wanted us to tell a little story about how we ended up here and how our daily schedule is. I was the last one speaking and they found me interesting because my story was different compared to two other girls. I started off talking where I was from and how I got here, which they found fascinating. I proceeded on telling them about my daily schedule and they all stared at me like I was a freak. I explained I do have time for friends so they wouldn’t misunderstand me or get the wrong idea. Everybody started laughing and I just stood there and wondered, why? I do, I have a lot of friends and even though I don’t go out very often and don’t party as much as people my age do; it doesn’t stop me from having friends. I explained how time management is important and helpful. Furthermore, the whole story made me think of how people don’t understand true values and how having fun means a lot of different things. I prefer making memories that will give me goose bumps every time I think about it. I would be able to revel in those feelings during upcoming crazy night and summers and will always be remembered.

You know how they say success isn’t just what you accomplish in your life, it is also what you inspire others to do. I am happy when I hear that some kids want to be like me. I remember me wanting to be like someone else and admiring some other players. Everything I do has a  purpose for my family and I, but it makes me extremely happy when I see it has purpose for others as well. I am still at the beginning of my journey and I barely started creating and writing pages of my life book. I am excited for new challenges, adventures, wins and loses as well as being proud of the huge family I have all over the world. I have those few people in each place that I go to which makes me feel safe and blessed. I am thankful for the questions those kids and parents had because it made me realize how happy I am with my life and the people that are a part of it.

The dragonfly

Isn’t it just amazing how we are change over the years? When I look at me and the changes I have made in just one year it makes me happy. Have you heard about the dragonfly and its meaning? I didn’t until a few days ago. It amazed me and made me realize how happy I am with all the people in my life and how blessed I am for the opportunities I have. 

The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life. 

I found myself in this sentence. When I came to States I was mad at the world and I was in my own bubble fighting for a chance to be successful. Serbia is a beautiful country with gorgeous nature, but the economics, politics and wars from the past make it hard for my country to be a successful one. Therefore, young people are leaving if they have the chance to do so. I am one of them. I came to the United States focused on making my dream a reality but that I got lost somewhere in between. I was always putting my self down and I was so thirsty for success and a bright future. However, things here are different. People are happier and their mentality is different. I made some awesome friends that taught me so much and helped me adjust. Heather was my teammate and now she is my good friend. I remember meeting her for the first time. She has a gorgeous smile and positive energy. One great player and person. She was always complaining about my face on the court and the way I would behave while playing. I never understood what she was talking about and why my facial expressions bothered her so much. It was annoying for me and it was making me feel uncomfortable. Eventually I realized that my face and behavior was affecting the whole team. I was one of the best players on the team but also the worst one.  

At home you play for a team but you actually play for yourself. The level of play is professional and nobody cares how you feel and what you do as long as you are scoring. So that’s how my mind was set. I was in my own bubble doing my thing. But here the girls were different. I saw that I am different for them and it bothered them, especially Heather. She was our senior team captain. Of course she cared, but at the moment for me maybe too much. We went through the whole season and made it to the National Championship. And there we were about to play the final game. I swear the moment I stepped on that court I felt like a completely different person. All I was thinking about was my attitude and the way I will behave on the court. I didn’t think about technique or team we are playing against. I didn’t think about me I was thinking about my team. I wanted to think of ways to help make people around me better. Everything Heather was complaining about was passing through my head and it made sense for me now. I played my best game of the season without even thinking about it. I realized how much I’ve grown as a player but also as a person. Unfortunately, we lost the final game because of the same issues we had the whole season. I remember like it was yesterday. It was hurting like hell. I will never forget that day. It was the the day where I lost my National Championship ring but became better player and better person. It’s also the day I promised myself it will never be just about me, it will be about my team, and I will be an example of hard work and dedications. I am so happy for the experience I had. Also thankful for Heather because she is the big part of who I am today as a player. I am so happy she entered my life and made me understand what are true values and what is true passion about the game we share.  

This season was completely different story for me, even Heather was proud of me haha…Looking forward for the next one! 

This weekend was the Venom Tournament. My 14s team were playing in Austin. Great experience with my little monsters. It was their first time playing really good ranked teams. Gosh they were so scared at the beginning. While looking at all those “tall” girls they were making comments and I could tell they were freaking out. Eventually they relaxed and we ended the tournament really good. Positive feedback from parents and players made me happy. I am following the example that I've been through. Positive energy is the first thing team needs to have. As you can see my team has it!!  Behold! The power of the ripple effect. Small actions start chain reactions that travels far past our visible horizon. GO FOR IT !!! You never know who you are inspiring around you.

Mondays struggles and Super Bowl Madness

It's Monday and It sucks... Woke up at 7 to grab a quick breakfast, put my gear on, sat on my bike and head to the gym. We knew what to do. It is same old Monday and our best friend Vertimax.  Before we do our warm up we set up the machines, prepare everything and start. Our couch is very strict with his rules and that’s what I really respect about him. We have a week plan, we know what is going on every week of practice, so we know how to prepare the court. As usual our Mondays are conditioning days. Therefore we don't need balls. I mentioned how coach is strict with rules and little things. Well before a ball workout we always take carts with 50 balls out to the gym, we count it before and after to make sure all of them are there. But.. Lately, coaches from other teams found a volleyball after their practice and they gave it to our coach. So, he was telling us how we need to be careful and pay attention not to lose balls and other equipment otherwise he'll come up with a punishment. Extra conditioning?? Nobody wants that, trust me!!! We got a new girl, a new recruit for 2016, a little freshman. In her first workout with the team, she goes to grab some chairs that we will need for conditioning and guess what she finds? A ball haha...  

She grabs a chair and the ball at the same time and started to walk. Coach was talking to his assistants. We spot her with the ball, and the whole team freaked out. Everybody is quiet setting up the Vertimax's but a few girls are coming up to her to hide the ball... of course. They walk her thru the gym to the door. I was the closest one to the door waiting all prepared to run out to the  looker room. I took the ball and ran over there, left it and ran back. Everybody was all nervous but excited at the same time. It was such a team effort and badass move from our little freshman. She is in!!!  

Maybe it sounds silly for you, but for me it is amazing how our little family always has each others back no matter what. The little freshman on her first day impressed us all and we let her inside of our circle. She is one of us now. We are the way we are because of the rules and discipline that coach made for us. Also, we have spirit that we have because of him, he is teaching us how to connect volleyball with real life. Even though every single one of us is different in all aspects we get along because we are all there for the same thing.  

It is a big week for USA! Super Bowl 2016 is about to happen, everybody is so excited. Am I? Well not really. I am from Europe. People, don't get me wrong but I don't understand one thing in this particular sport. All I see is bunch of guys in tight pants running around, fighting and rolling on the floor. However, I am really trying to be open minded about it and learn how everything works. Also there are a few things that I really like about this event. Chicken wings!!! I know I am an athlete, but lets just make Sunday my cheat day... We don't have chicken wings in my country. Actually we do have something similar, but they are made differently and they don't taste as good as these ones here. Yummyyy, I am excited to dip it in ranch. That is something we also don't have.  The other part why I am excited to see this show is because I get to see Beyoncé performing.  Last thing and the best part of this event is the way it gathers people together. I love the euphoria it causes. It reminds me of home when Novak Djokovic, or any of our National team plays. We are small country with only 7 million inhabitants. However, we were world champions in different sports. You can read a little bit about it in the attachment at the bottom of this page. Towns get crazy when our teams are playing. Bars are full and there are big screens in cafes. They are broadcasting games and people hang out a lot. At home, it is normal but here not so much. People don't socialize as much here. I love the fact that my team has a lot of international people that are as outgoing as I am. So we get to hang out a lot. 

http://www.thetoptens.com/sports-countries/