Backs again the wall, FC Barcelona came out fighting yesterday, igniting the field in an dazzling display of fireworks for 93 minutes--give or take a few shaky moments--and claiming their ticket into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
It's a game that I'll always remember. My stomach was in knots as I watched the pre-game show, painful memories of an all too recent week where my team had lost three out of five replaying in my head.
They had put themselves in a hole by losing in the first leg to AC Milan 2-0. Not only would they have to score an insane amount of goals in the second game, but they had to keep Milan from scoring. One away-goal from the Italian team could easily eliminate Barca and put the final nail in the coffin.
But led by magnificent Lionel Messi, who scored the first goal at minute 4:44, they did it, winning 4-0. And I feel lucky to have been part of it, sitting in front of a giant screen in Bend, Oregon, watching from thousands of miles away.
Yesterday's game is the reason I love soccer so much (and probably why Abby Craig does too). It reminds you that anything can happen. That if you work hard, you're going to get somewhere. If you push yourself, you'll reach a new level. If you think it's possible, it just might be.
Soccer is about life. The ups and downs, triumphs and defeats. And every once in a while, coming together and creating magic.
I'm in the editing phase of 44 Book Seven, which should be out the last week of March. Thank you all for writing and joining the new book alert Mailing List... you'll be hearing from me soon :)
Happy Wednesday and hope all is well in your world!
Jools
got to love lionel messi best footballer in the world by far, it was a brill game loved every min i watched, cant weight till next book comes very excited xx
ReplyDeleteHi, Anna!
DeleteCouldn't agree more about watching Messi and that he is the best footballer in the world :) I'm always so amazed when he's fouled, tumbling down into the grass, that his eyes are always still on the ball, seeing where it is. Pure genius!
Thanks, too, Anna for being excited about Book Seven! Won't be long now!
Hope you are brewing up some fun weekend plans!
Jools
When I click on the mailing list link, it says I do not have permission to view it, I want to be on the mailing list! :-(
ReplyDeletego on to older post and click on the mailing link there and u should be able to join the mailing list
Deletehope this helps
Hi, Laura!
DeleteJust a heads up...I have you on the list! Thank you so much for wanting to join :) And thanks, Anna, for the helpful advice here..
Hope you all have a great weekend~
Jools
Hi!I'm 13 and I am a huge fan of the 44 series.I have read each of the books at least 10 times and I just can't get enough! Everyday right after I come home from school, I check to see if book 7 has been released yet.I was just wondering, do you know the specific day that book 7 will be out?
ReplyDeleteHi, Katie!
ReplyDeleteWOW, you've read each book 10 times?!!! You are amazing!!! It seems like you should get some sort of prize or award or something!
Anyway, I wanted to thank you SO much for your awesome email here...it made my night reading it! And especially put a smile on face that you come home from school every day and check to see about Book 7!
Book 7 will be released sometime during the last week of March..as we get closer, I'll have an exact date...:)
Thanks again, Katie, for being a FABULOUS fan!!! Hang in there...just a little while longer :)
Jools
Love, love your series and am anxiously waiting for book seven! My Grand-daughter lives in Bend and I love it their. That's why I love you books so much because I know where most of the places are that you write about in your book.
ReplyDeleteHi, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for the kind words! And...for being such an amazing fan:)
Lucky for you that you have your granddaughter here in Bend :) The best of all worlds, no?
Book Seven will be available on Sunday! Yay!!
Hope you're having a great Thursday, with some fun weekend plans brewing~
Jools