Category: Friends

Time for a change!

Posted on by vballphil in Family, Friends, Fun

So when I need a quick change in my life, the first thing I do is change my hair. So…I hacked my hair :)! And to be honest, I see myself and think I am back in college playing (since my hair was this short back in the playing days). Of course, this cut is more styled AND I died my hair last night to a dark chocolate brown. Anyways…this being one of the 3 weekends off this summer, I decided to make the best of it! First I headed out to my cousin’s 15th bday party at my uncle’s in Fontana. They rented that cool & huge water slide for the kids (but if anyone wants to rent one for a party…let me know…so cool). It was great to see a lot of my family (ie…grandparents, etc).



















Then it was off to my friend Jen’s bday bash in LA. We started at the grand re-opening of Sebastians in Toluca Lake. It was free drinks and appetizers all night. I brought my friend, Melody, with me to meet my LA friends :)….










Finally, on Sunday I met up with Melody and some of her friends for brunch at Schooner or Later. So we started at Schooner or Later, but ended up at Joe’s…it was only a 2 hour wait for S or L….haha….good times!!






The land of 1,000 lakes…seriously!!

Posted on by vballphil in Friends, Minnesota, volleyball

So, I recently came back from the infamous Junior Olympics in Minneapolis, MN. Being it was my first time in Minnesota, I was excited to see as many cities as possible. IRONICALLY, my travel person put me up 30 minutes away from the convention center, so I saw more then the average person! Hahaha. It was awesome to see a ton of my friends who were their either coaching or recruiting. The one night I went out, I met up with some of my Mizuno coaches and some other college coaches at “the local” for the annual Molten Party. It was an early night, but a good night!! 🙂

Besides living in a gym, I got to venture through St. Paul too. From the 94 you could see the capital…which was gorgeous!! And on Sunday, before I left, I went to the infamous Mall of America!! And yes, it is MASSIVE!!! The outside lining of the Mall was pure shops (everything you could imagine). The inside was an amusement park! And below the 3 stories of shops, etc, was an underwater, underground aquarium! CRAZY!


And let’s end this blog with my miracle of a trip yesterday home! From hail & severe weather on the runway (before take off)…to the horrific takeoff (the 1st 10 minutes were HORRIBLE)…to me having 5 minutes to make my next flight, in another terminal…to getting my bags FIRST at John Wayne…CRAZY!! Hahahaha!!

To Reno & Beyond…

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Friends, Fun, Reno

So part one of my week long tripped started in Reno, Nevada on the 1st. And, for the most part, it was pretty cool! When I start the trip by getting into the supershuttle with a friend (who I had no clue would be there AND he ended up being on my flight too) I knew it would be an “ok” 3 days.

I brought our AVP athletes, Stacy Rouwenhorst & Ryan Mariano, along with my co-worker Pace. And, for the most part, it was great! Here are some of the pics from the booth & “lovely” nightlife in downtown Reno.

Booth Action




Silver Legacy Nightlife






And now…the booth action is in Minneapolis, Minnesota 🙂

La Casa Del Camino

Posted on by vballphil in Friends, Fun, Laguna Beach, Sunset

So, if you ever venture into Laguna Beach for the day or just want a quick, local mini break…GO TO THE HOTEL LA CASA DEL CAMINO!! A boutique hotel, on the water (literally 1/2 a block from the break) with an amazing location, good rates, and an amazing view from “The Roof”! Jen, my former co-worker and fabulous friend, had to take a tour of some OC hotels and invited me to join her for dinner last night! SUCH A GOOD DECISION ON MY BEHALF!! I have found my new fave hangout!! The roof has the best sunset in the southland! And, not to be forgotten, the food rocked :)!!



Yummy Charleston, South Caroina

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Charleston, Friends, Fun, South Carolina


So this past weekend the AVPCroc Tour ventured over to Daniel’s Island (aka Charleston), South Carolina. And with the exception of the elements (rain, humidity, mosquitoes) IT ROCKED! We played at the Family Circle Tennis Center (which is a beautiful location to have a tournament). Here are some photos from the tournament & player party.












After the tournament Misty invited me to dinner with her father, brother, sis-in-law, and Karch’s parents (who are absolutely delightful). We had dinner at the Charleston Grill at the hotel Charleston Place (which is GORGEOUS). It had to be the best meal I have ever had or experienced! It pays to know the Soux Chef! Wow. I even tried fish and liver! YUCK but SO GOOD!

I will definitely go back to Charleston again…with a trip to Savannah!! YEA! ONE DAY!

Now I have a mini fake break for 5 days…then off to Reno & Minneapolis…YEA!

Bring it on Barry…

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Friends, Fun, Tampa, volleyball

So if you haven’t heard yet, on the first day of Hurricane season we had a tropical storm named Barry role through the AVP event in Tampa….CLASSIC! So besides the gnarly weather, things were actually ok in Tampa! Lots of work of course, but Sat night was fun with some of my fave people AND I got to spend some time with my former roomie & teammate of 3 years in college, Viv. Anyways, I get this weekend off, but am back on the road next week. Charleston is beckoning :)!!

Here are some photos from Sat night at the Green Iguana




















And here are a couple of pics of me and Viv and Viv and her hubby!

Louisville, Kentucky….

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Friends, Fun, Kentucky

So we ventured into Derby country this past weekend for the AVP’s return to Kentucky. And Kentucky did a great job of hosting. Great people and great crowds! Hahaha. It was interesting being on the Ohio river and next to (and under) and expressway!! Hahaha. Here are some photos from the weekend (and this weekend I made it out a couple of times)…

The AVP site at Waterfront Park





Caesar’s Palace, Indiana









Lucky Strike on 4th Street Live



Oh…Hermosa Hermosa Hermosa

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Friends

So, this past weekend was one of the grand daddy AVP tourney’s in lovely Hermosa Beach, CA. Of course, there were some minor details that made this weekend incrediably rough and historic at the same time. From the record setting number of courts on Sat (16…an all time high) to Misty’s record breaking win (73 wins is her record now). From the ultimate lows to my friends who supported me AND Misty’s record!! Wow…talk about a long weekend (even if it was a 2-day main draw).

Here are some photos from the weekend….

Out at Sangria















On site on Sunday


From the Beach to the Asphalt

Posted on by vballphil in AVP, Family, Friends, Fun

So…most people who talk to me know my lovely situation right now…so we wont talk about that…but at least I got a “home” weekend a week ago with the Huntington Beach AVP stop. Here is a photo of me and Paige from the fabulous Ken Delgado in Huntington Beach.

Despite being completely worn out, I tried to muster up some strength and go out on Sat night…I made it out for 30 minutes (nice huh)…At least I got two pics out of it! Hahahaha!


Then it was off to AZ for the Glendale stop. Luckily enough my mom and stepdad stayed the week in Scottsdale (so I came in early for some poolside action.




And, I was able to see one my closest friends growing up, Gina. And I got to meet her new hubby Chris! YEA!


So this weekend is Hermosa Beach…um…yea…not fun…but what can you do right?!