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A brutal case of first-game jitters, followed by two jubilant victories

ATHENS, GREECE – OK, so I have been super busy with competition and all of the "resting" we are supposed to be doing during the day, so sometimes its hard to get down to the computer lab and write my journal. So I apologize - it's hard when you're having so much fun.

After Opening Ceremonies, it was time to get down to business and play some softball. Even though the weather has been crazy, with 90 miles-per-hour winds (I might be exaggerating a little), it's still sunny every day in Athens, with that type of sun that makes you squint and gives you a headache.

We opened the tournament with China, and we didn't get the results we were hoping for. We were defeated 5-0. I don't think we played to our abilities. I'm not taking anything away from China, because they made all of their plays and scored, but I can honestly say that our team had a case of the first-game jitters. The jitters were reflected in the six errors we committed. Yes, six errors. It was not pretty. Our fans were still really supportive throughout the whole game, which kept our spirits high.

We ended up coming back and playing great against Canada and Italy, tallying our first and second wins. Our first win was a huge deal. This is the first time Greece has had a softball team, and many people expected us to go through the tournament without a win. We defeated Canada 2-0, and slid by Italy 2-1. [Editor's note: Lindsay doesn't mention it, but she contributed to each of those victories with a run.] These were some of the most intense games I have ever played in my 15-year career. Afterward, I was mentally as well as physically exhausted.

Another exciting highlight of my week is that I got to see my parents for the first time in a month and a half. Even though I had to talk to them through a fence (at the "meet and greet"), it was still nice to know my family was finally with me, cheering us on. I missed them a lot, and I feel more complete now that they are here with me.

So, I need to say a little thank-you for making it possible to be with my family. I'd like to give a shout-out to everyone at Mattson and Company in Foster City, California, where my mom works. When the company found out my mom could not afford to come see me play in the Olympics, they gave her an "assignment to come out to Athens." It just happened to be at the same time I was playing. They are paying for everything! It was a dream come true, because it wouldn't be the same experience without my mom here. So thank you!

Top Five Moments of the Week:

1. Finding out that my shin could be fractured. I thought I was just getting old and was always sore. Oops!
2. Rewarding myself with McDonald's for our victories. OK, so I indulged a few times even when we lost.

3. Walking through the courtyard watching Team Japan doing shadow swinging at 12 at night. (That's watching their swings in the shadows from the lamps. Whoa! Hardcore.)

4. Spending the day in downtown Athens with my mom. I was finally free for a few hours. I then missed my bus when I got pushed out of the way by some big guy. I waited another hour in the heat. Not OK.

5. Having Sports Illustrated follow me around for the day. That was a trip. The camera was in my face the whole time, and it was a struggle to act normal.

My weeks are going by fast and it seems like I will be home soon. All I can do now is soak up everything this experience has to offer.

— Lindsay