This Longhorn says Konnichiwa! (Cat's in Japan)
by Cat8 on Mar 17, 2011 4:55 AM CDT
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Well hello Burnt Orange Nation!
Long time, I know! I was supposed to write a blog before I actually departed the States for Japan, but I ran out of time. Yes I said Japan. I know some of you are probably scratching your head wondering if I've gone crazy, especially to travel across the ocean after everything that has happened.
To answer your question, no I haven't gone crazy! Back in May, after coaching at DePaul University for three years, I decided to leave and focus on my playing career. I only have a few years left, and training on my own was getting to be difficult. On top of that, the lack of training I was doing was causing my body some issues once season rolled around. After a successful (yet short due to injury) summer season in the National Pro Fastpitch League, I moved back to the beloved Austin and began training. I've been approached about playing over in Japan since I graduated, but I never was quite comfortable with the idea for two reasons: 1. I didn't want to spend March-Nov playing softball when I just finished 6 years of non-stop ball. I wanted a break and 2. I wasn't going alone, and I know myself well enough to know I can't live with just anyone in a foreign country for what will end up adding up to almost 6 months.
In November, after being teammates, roommates, and much discussion Megan Willis and I decided to take the plunge and agree to play in the Japanese Softball League. What's that? Well Japan has a very solid professional league in which teams are backed by companies. We are playing for Toyota Industries Corporation. The team is called Toyota Shokki. Our season runs from March to the beginning of June with a break during the summer months, and finishes up September to early November. The money is good, but the experience is going to be something else!
As I type this we are over the last part of Alaska. We just looked out the window to see ice patches all throughout the ocean. Very different view than I'm used to. Actually this flight is very different than I am used to. We get to fly business class, which means we have our own two person pod. Each of us has our own TV; we can choose to watch whatever TV show or movie we want, whenever we want; our seats lay back into beds; and we got AMAZING food (grilled shrimp salad, Sate chicken with vegetables (my choice), steak with herb butter and asparagus (Megan's choice) a chocolate covered ice cream ball). Every other time I have flown international it's been Economy, and well this is like night and day!
So to touch on my thoughts on the disaster... of course as soon as it happened I was shocked, scared, unsure... every emotion you can think. I called my parents, neither of which answered their phone right away. Later my mom (who keeps Peter updated quite often) sends an email basically telling me I can't let the fear of something out of my control keep me from living an experience like this one. As the days after the tragedy happened, I kept this thought in mind, and while I am definitely nervous, I am also ready to go experience this opportunity. Where our team is located is Kariya, outside of Nagoya. After many phone calls and emails, we've been assured this area has not been affected by the earthquake or the tsunami, minus a little bit of rumbling.
I will readily admit I am usually not one for change. I would be quite content still in Austin, working out every day, and just being, but after some downtown and some "me" time, I've come to realize I live life a little too cautiously. I don't enjoy it as much as I treat my life like a constant business. Sure, I'm a professional athlete, but who says I can't enjoy what that life brings. This adventure as I like to call it is going to be great! We even get Japanese lessons!!
I'll try to update weekly if possible... sometimes more!? I don't know how many of you will actually read and follow this, but I'll check the comments and write accordingly!
Always bleeding burnt orange and representing proudly!
Cat #8
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This is great
I for one am excited to get some Texas Ex’s update (especially one of a kind athlete, Exes) , kind of a “where are they now?” without the cheesiness of that format. Thanks for the post Cat and I look forward to hearing about your experiences in Japan. Its loyalty like this that keeps people interested and looking forward to UT Athletics in general as we produce some of the best and most fan-friendly players in all sports, now if only other UT Exes had Cat’s writing skills…
i totally agree
Great post and looking forward to the updates
"Reality continues to ruin my life."
by jlhotze on Mar 17, 2011 6:12 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Ditto
Looking forward to the updates! It’s always refreshing to hear former Longhorn athletes talk about their adventures. I hope the trip turns out to be a lot of fun!
I hope your agent inked the contract
with guaranteed Kobi steaks. (I kid, I kid.) Thank you so much for representing Burnt Orange Nation. You’re now officially our Asian emissary. You always wear the Longhorn badge proudly, which in turn, makes us proud of you.
The Japanese have a long standing reputation as honorable and respectful people. I’m confident the counsel you received regarding your particular concerns post-tragedy were vetted. Please keep us posted on any stories or first hand accounts of events as you run across them. We like to read/discuss personal connections here at BON. It’s part of what makes this community so special.
Good luck on your season. We anxiously await your dispatches on the league, the fans, media, and certainly, yours and Megan’s game stats. We’re all pretty excited to have an athlete/celebrity represent our community. Fist pump to you, Cat. You and Megan stay safe and, again, look forward to reading your takes from time to time.
ご幸運を祈ります
Gokouun o inorimasu
(About.com says this is “very formal”. Who knew?)
GOOD LUCK!
- follow me @ http:/twitter.com/TXStampede
Welcome
We marveled at your Texas career years ago, so it is great to have you back in the Texas family. And on the blog no less.
Congrats on a great opportunity. Stay safe and keep us posted.
Welcome (back) to BON!
--AW--
Say 'Hi' to Megan
Glad she’s with you.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Japan is big into softball?
Too bad the USA has no womens professional league of it’s own. And don;t get me started on the olympic jerks.
You go girl (s) and be safe over there!
"you can't be a great defense in a casual manner!" Manny Diaz
From what she wrote:
After a successful (yet short due to injury) summer season in the National Pro Fastpitch League, I moved back to the beloved Austin and began training.
I'm sorry, all white people who act black look the same to me.
-Snoop Dogg
by burntorangehorn on Mar 17, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I stand corrected
I wasn’t aware of such a league – my bad.
"you can't be a great defense in a casual manner!" Manny Diaz
Thanks for the update, Cat.
You are one of my favorite athletes ever at UT, but it has been difficult following your career since then since unfortunately womens softball doesn’t get alot of publicity. Sounds like you getting a once in a lifetime experience (and sounds like your mother is a very smart lady). Keep us post and best wishes.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
Good Luck, Cat!
Thanks so much for posting from the cushy biz class! Glad to have you on here. Looking forward to reading some more. Would love to read about your first game and how the fans are over there. Be safe and Hook ’em. Always, Hook ’em!
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
Welcome to Asia, Cat!
It’s great to have another TexasEx in the neighborhood. My wife (‘02) and I (’01) and newborn daughter (TxEx ‘29, perhaps?!) are just across the north China sea from you in Tianjin, China. We’d love to come watch you and Megan play sometime this spring. Actually, my uncle, another displaced Austinite, lives in Nagoya. Time for a visit. Hope you enjoy the expat lifestyle, it takes loads of patience, but it’s rewarding.
This is cool
Proud to have a Longhorn like you represent us on the other side of the pond. I look forward to reading more about your experience.
So glad to have you blogging with us here
We’re huge fans, and are grateful to hear about your experiences in Japan. Thanks, Cat!
You ain't hurt...
eeeeeeeeeeeeee...
…i feel like a little school-girl reading directly from Cat. Easily all-time favorite women’s athlete, and top five former Longhorn. I’m excited for this. Hook ’em Cat!
by vy til i die on Mar 17, 2011 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions
This is just incredible
We have always been proud of you here at BON. You are amazing. Have a great time, be safe, and keep us posted.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Obvious troll everyone
1 post and no comments.
I kid, I KID.
When it comes time to give out signed copies of the 2012 London Olympic softball team photos, I want it on record that I posted this 2 hour before you blogged this. Oh that’s right, the IOC are a bunch of douches that took away softball in 2012.
Cat, your an awesome ambassador for our country and university. Trudy’s on PB when you get back?
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
You make the burnt orange fans very proud, Cat!
It’s great that you get to have this experience, and thank you so much for sharing some of it with us.
Sounds like you did your due diligence, and Nagoya is hundreds of miles away from Fukushima, so we’re all glad you’ll be safe. We know you’ll do great things, and thanks again for updating us on the experience. Hope we get to read more in the future!
I'm sorry, all white people who act black look the same to me.
-Snoop Dogg
by burntorangehorn on Mar 17, 2011 10:54 AM CDT reply actions
Good luck in Japan!
Congrats on reviving your playing career. Looking forward to hearing more about it. Hook ’em!
Wow thanks for sharing and updating us on your journey
Best of luck to you on the island of Japan, I hope you have a wonderful time.
Awesome!
Enjoy Japan and kick some tail on the mound!
Check out our college hoops blog: http://marchtomarch.fantake.com/
Follow me on Twitter: jc_at_m2m
This was the most sincere sports writing I have read in a while.
Congratualtions on the opportunity and the guts to have such an adventure. You and Megan are two of my favorite UT athletes and certainly the cutest. The two of you will definately stand out in Japan both on and off the field. The next 8 months should be a blast. You will be marvelous ambassadors for the state and the university. Japan will get a taste as to why Texas is special and unique. Good luck, take care and we look forward to having you back home in the Lone Star. Hook ’em!!
Pardon the typos. Where is the splchec?
All new states are infested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men. --Sam Houston--
You just had to go into how attractive they are, didn't you?
Well…yeah, it’s kind of hard to ignore.
I'm sorry, all white people who act black look the same to me.
-Snoop Dogg
by burntorangehorn on Mar 17, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
You cannot be afraid to talk about the elephant in the room
Pardon the typos. Where is the splchec?
All new states are infested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men. --Sam Houston--
A fun read, and sound fantastic
Glad to hear about a great opportunity, professionally and personally, for an all time longhorn favorite.
One question though, where in Japan is Toyota Shokki?
proud to swim home
Best wishes
Very happy for an outstanding individual who makes all us Longhorns proud. But Cat, I wish you could spend a few more weeks in the States until the nuclear reactor problems are controlled. Please be careful and err on the side of caution in this case. Looking forward to hearing many more great things from you in the future.
One of the most dominant athletes
I’ve ever seen at any level. Loved watching you destroy opposing hitters, Cat. Japan is supposed to be a really tight country, so enjoy such a sweet opportunity but don’t forget to visit ATX every now and then!
Good luck Cat!
I learned a big lesson from you: the distance isn’t an excuse when the dreams are what you are talking about. Best wishes and thanks for sharing this with us.
Hook’em
Best of Luck Cat
I have followed your career since you were at UT and look forward to reading your updates from your Japanese adventure. I admire you and Megan for doing something outside your comfort zone. You are a great ambassador for the game of softball.
dsdsdsd
YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!!
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