Well it's that time of the year again, the hurry up and wait game. Trying to figure out where we are going to play next year is always a stressful time. You just have to keep your fingers crossed and know that hard work will pay off. I also have great representation who work really hard to make sure we get placed on a team that I can take the most advantage of my skills and drive to be successful.
The summer has been great thus far. Been able to spend a lot of time with the family. I must say it is tough going home knowing mom won't be there but life is moving forward and I have spent a lot of great times with dad and the brothers. We are still waiting on summer to come and stay in Seattle so hopefully our last few weeks stateside will be sunny and awesome. I am sorry I wasn't able to get out and see more of the "extended" family but I promise it will be top of the list next summer. Love to you all and I am back in the blogger mode so be on the look out! Also if you have twitter I'm on @thenickylew.
- Thanks for reading and keep checking in!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Goings On
I really appreciate all the kind words and support I received from the last post. We all know how awesome mom was so I will leave it at that and try not to make anyone cry this time. Things have been moving along pretty well here in good old Strasbourg. Weather has started to turn, we have had a week of sunshine which has been nice to recharge the old batteries.
Basketball is going along and we are still trying to break into and maintain our spot in the top 8 so we can make the playoffs and get some bonuses. We have lost some heartbreakers down the stretch which is very frustrating because one play, shot, or call goes our way and we have 3 more victories. I have been working hard and picking up my defense. It is really frustrating not being able to contribute more but I just keep workin hard and stayin focused.
I have also started my own company called PlayBIG LLC. The goal for me is to start providing summer basketball camps for kids to teach them the much needed fundamentals. I am really excited to be able to give back some of the knowledge and experience I have gained to help kids have opportunities like I did. We are working on a website and trying to lock down dates and locations for our first camp this summer. I will add the website link as soon as we get it finished.
Basketball is going along and we are still trying to break into and maintain our spot in the top 8 so we can make the playoffs and get some bonuses. We have lost some heartbreakers down the stretch which is very frustrating because one play, shot, or call goes our way and we have 3 more victories. I have been working hard and picking up my defense. It is really frustrating not being able to contribute more but I just keep workin hard and stayin focused.
I have also started my own company called PlayBIG LLC. The goal for me is to start providing summer basketball camps for kids to teach them the much needed fundamentals. I am really excited to be able to give back some of the knowledge and experience I have gained to help kids have opportunities like I did. We are working on a website and trying to lock down dates and locations for our first camp this summer. I will add the website link as soon as we get it finished.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Family Loss
I start this post with a heavy heart. My loving mother was taken from us on January 23. The cancer that she had so valiantly battled for 6 years finally became too much. She showed me what it really meant to be a survivor. She never let this horrible disease change what she was going to do in this life. My mom took the news that one day she would die and spun around and said screw that I have life to live. Man did she ever live life after she was diagnosed. She hiked some of North America's largest mountains, traveled the world, and gave my dad, brother, and I more love then we even knew we were getting. She truly is my hero. I have been struggling with my loss but I must say it does help to have basketball to return to. At least for a few hours everyday and can forget about "real" life and work hard to become as good a player as I can. My mom would have wanted it no other way. When I came home for Christmas this last December, I sat and had a great conversation with my mom (one of our last). I was not ready to return to France. I didn't want to leave her because I knew something wasn't right. She grabbed me in her hands, kissed my cheek, and said "No tears, you go on, you live your life knowing I will always be with you." I left for the airport a few hours later not knowing that that would be the last time I saw my mom. She I think knew that I was going to be ok because I have my wonderful wife and second family the amazing Helbock clan. I cant say enough about how much I love you guys and how amazing you have been helping me through this.
I still have trouble at night, laying in bed my mind drifts to thoughts of my mom and I have trouble falling asleep. She gave so much of herself to so many and I am so blessed that she was my mom. I will miss her more then I think I even know right now. She is with all the angels and is sipping her coffee mug, walking the beach, and sending rays of sunshine from her big smile down to all of us everyday. I love you MOM!!
It has been very nice to return to France and engage myself in basketball. My teammates and the SIG organization have been so generous and helpful to me and I thank all of them very much. We, as a team, are starting to find ourselves. We have been playing very well over the last few games and especially this last Saturday night when we defeated Pau at home. Again I am very thankful that I get to play a game for a living and have the opportunity to not really have to grow up. I can find my release on the court for my sorrow and pain. But as my Mom always said to me before every game I played since Middle School "Play Big". I will continue to Play Big for Mom knowing she is with me everyday making sure I don't let down.
Thanks to all my friends and family who have been there for me, Jake, and my Dad. Keep checking in and feel free to leave messages!! Love
I still have trouble at night, laying in bed my mind drifts to thoughts of my mom and I have trouble falling asleep. She gave so much of herself to so many and I am so blessed that she was my mom. I will miss her more then I think I even know right now. She is with all the angels and is sipping her coffee mug, walking the beach, and sending rays of sunshine from her big smile down to all of us everyday. I love you MOM!!
It has been very nice to return to France and engage myself in basketball. My teammates and the SIG organization have been so generous and helpful to me and I thank all of them very much. We, as a team, are starting to find ourselves. We have been playing very well over the last few games and especially this last Saturday night when we defeated Pau at home. Again I am very thankful that I get to play a game for a living and have the opportunity to not really have to grow up. I can find my release on the court for my sorrow and pain. But as my Mom always said to me before every game I played since Middle School "Play Big". I will continue to Play Big for Mom knowing she is with me everyday making sure I don't let down.
Thanks to all my friends and family who have been there for me, Jake, and my Dad. Keep checking in and feel free to leave messages!! Love
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bonne Annee
Happy New Year everyone!!
First to start off I would like to pay respects to my dear friend, uncle, and crazy guy Jim "Uncle Buck" Ford. Jim passed away the 30th of December. I was fortunate to spend a little time with him over the Christmas holiday while I was home and I am so glad I got to see him one last time. He truly was a great friend to our family and in his own special way left an impression on every one of us. I will miss him a lot.
Secondly we also found out that my mom's cancer has really started to rear its ugly head. She is really in a fight now but you would never know it. She looks amazing and has that same amazing outlook on the whole situation. Her smile is like the rays of the sun, it lights up any room and anybody that looks at her can't help but smile back. Also I dont know if anything will compare to a hug from my mom. They truly are one of a kind. We had a great time over Christmas break with her and the family in Arizona. I am really anxious to get back home and spend more time with her. Love you mom!!! (please send happy thoughts and prayers to her every day)
Personal update, I am really getting used to this city. Strasbourg is a truly amazing place. I think that Christmas was created here. The spirit of Christmas in this city from mid-November until New Years is like nothing I have ever seen or experienced. There are Christmas markets set up in all the common squares around the city and you truly feel like you are at the North Pole in Santa's Workshop. Awesome. Also when visiting a Christmas Market you must indulge in Vin Chaude and crepes. Tres Bon!
Now down to Basketball. We have been struggling as of late but I am trying to bring the extra something that the team needs to get to the next level. I am working extremely hard in practice and have been preparing for games like never before. The team is now coming together after a rough start and turnover of players. Now with the second half of the season upon us I believe that we will catch our stride. My time is now and I am doing work!!! Decide Dedicate Deliver
First to start off I would like to pay respects to my dear friend, uncle, and crazy guy Jim "Uncle Buck" Ford. Jim passed away the 30th of December. I was fortunate to spend a little time with him over the Christmas holiday while I was home and I am so glad I got to see him one last time. He truly was a great friend to our family and in his own special way left an impression on every one of us. I will miss him a lot.
Secondly we also found out that my mom's cancer has really started to rear its ugly head. She is really in a fight now but you would never know it. She looks amazing and has that same amazing outlook on the whole situation. Her smile is like the rays of the sun, it lights up any room and anybody that looks at her can't help but smile back. Also I dont know if anything will compare to a hug from my mom. They truly are one of a kind. We had a great time over Christmas break with her and the family in Arizona. I am really anxious to get back home and spend more time with her. Love you mom!!! (please send happy thoughts and prayers to her every day)
Personal update, I am really getting used to this city. Strasbourg is a truly amazing place. I think that Christmas was created here. The spirit of Christmas in this city from mid-November until New Years is like nothing I have ever seen or experienced. There are Christmas markets set up in all the common squares around the city and you truly feel like you are at the North Pole in Santa's Workshop. Awesome. Also when visiting a Christmas Market you must indulge in Vin Chaude and crepes. Tres Bon!
Now down to Basketball. We have been struggling as of late but I am trying to bring the extra something that the team needs to get to the next level. I am working extremely hard in practice and have been preparing for games like never before. The team is now coming together after a rough start and turnover of players. Now with the second half of the season upon us I believe that we will catch our stride. My time is now and I am doing work!!! Decide Dedicate Deliver
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