L-R: Azuka, Kip (my Nepalese friend), Gary (the head of our club), Vito, Alan (the Filipino — our best player. He’s not left-handed!). I’m holding my glasses in my hand. Trust me, you don’t want to see me with them on!.

We played at the state championships yesterday. It was the first time I was competing in any kind of sporting event and I was very nervous. On my first game I was paired with Dayo — a Nigerian doctor who was the best player by far — and I got soundly trounced. He’s a very nice guy — told me to loosen up and that it was all just for fun.

I almost beat two people who kept pushing the ball to my backhand — I’ve got some pretty good loops and attack there — but I got carried away and missed both games. Gary told me at the end that this was the best he’d seen me play and I think the nervousness brought something out of me. Anyway, that’s it and I think I know what I need now — practice, practice, practice.

On my way to Lewisburg (where the tournament was held) Vito asked me if I had a girlfriend. Back in the dorms, my cousin A — Jaycee‘s friend — called me. For some reason, the talk went to my not talking and she asked me if I had a girlfriend.

Is that an omen? Is it time I had one?

PS: I’m still tired and aching. It might be a while before I start blog-hopping again.