Where in the World is Your Atlanta Dream?

 

Where in the World is… Nikki Teasley?

Hello all… hope all is well!  Just checking in from Madrid, Spain.

My overseas experience is a little different this time– I am not alone!  As you all know, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter (Yasherae Jonae’ Teasley) last June.  She and my nanny (Chaka) traveled with me this time overseas.  It was Yaya’s first long flight.  I was so nervous because every time we would travel in the past as a team, I would get the seat next to the newborn who cried the whole flight.  Thank God Yaya is a very happy baby… she had a blast on the flight.  She stayed awake almost the entire flight playing and making everyone laugh.  It was also Chaka’s first time flying out of the country.  I enjoyed watching both of them have a good time.

 

As for the city we’re in, Madrid is a great city.  There is a lot to see.  The team keeps us pretty active so I have 1 or 2 days a week to see the city.  Yaya, Chaka, and I try to plan a trip to see the city every Wednesday (my day off-no practice).  We spend most of my days off shopping for Yaya… smile.

 

The team that I’m on is currently fighting to stay in the first division so practices are pretty intense.  Every game is extremely important since there is only one game a week (Saturday), so we train hard all week.

 

Just to give you guys an idea of a typical day for me… Yaya is still not adjusted to the time change yet so she usually goes to sleep around 2 a.m.  She wakes up around 7 a.m. for a diaper change and feeding and then she goes back to sleep.  Around noon, I feel tiny hands or feet slapping or kicking me in the face..smile.  I guess that’s Yaya’s way of saying “Mommy get up- time to play,” lol.  We spend a few hours playing then I get ready for practice.  I kiss Yaya goodbye and head downstairs.  My teammate picks me up and we go to the track where the team runs the mile run.  After the mile run there is weight training, and after weight training, practice.  When I’m done with practice, I rush home to my Yaya..smile.  I shower, make dinner, then give Yaya a bath.  I play with Yaya for a few hours and then Yaya, Chaka, and I watch movies til we fall asleep.  Of course it’s just a nap for Yaya… smile.

 

So as you can see, I am staying busy here in Madrid, working hard.  I am very excited about this upcoming season with the Dream.  I really enjoyed the fan support last year and look forward to more fun and more WINS.  See you soon!

 

GOD BLESS,

YaYa & Nikki Teasley

 

 

Where in the World is… Izi Castro Marques?

Hello everybody,

Oi galera,

Hola a todos.

Hope all is well with you all.

I am writing from Spain to let you guys know a little bit about what I am doing overseas.
 
So I am in Vilagarcia de Arousa, a little town north of Spain probably familiar to you all because Tamera Young played here before I arrived.  So just a little reminder of the city… typical town of north of Spain, very cozy city with the beach that helps with the cold.  In this region they speak a dialect call Galego which is very similar to my own language Portuguese.  So it’s pretty easy to communicate over here… gives some rest to my brain hehehe.

 
Ok now a little bit about the team and the league and all that.  We are in last place in the league.  I have only been here for a month and the team got me to try to help them to move at least two positions up so they don’t go down to the B league.  Just a little explanation, in Spain they have the first league and the two last teams go down to the B league and the two top teams of the B league move up for the First league.  So, things are really tough over here and it’s a real challenge to me and my teammates until April.  We also had a coaching change last week so things are starting to heat up over here.  But it is part of the job right?  We can’t win always but we definitely can play hard and give all on the court at all times and if we go down is because they are better than us and not because we didn’t work hard enough.  So we have a lot of work to do until April.  We have two upcoming games that are very important so wish us luck.

 
With the spirit of hard work and fight, I am very excited for the 2009 WNBA season in ATL!  Big changes on our team, more experience for everybody and a very good feeling that things are going to be a lot of better this summer.  So I really can’t wait for that.  And with all of your support, ATL FANS, we are definitely going to have more fun this upcoming season.

 
I think that is that for now.  Keep following up with us and I will see you all next summer!

Ate mais, see you later

Beijos. Kisses

 
Izi Castro Marques #8

Where in the World is… Sancho Lyttle?

Hello Dream fans!

 

This is the first blog that I write to you as a Dream player.  I am currently in Spain on one of the Baleric islands called Ibiza.  It is like any other island that I have visited… white beaches and good weather.  But lately it has been raining and cold.

 

As for my team, they started out on the rocky side but we are slowly getting better and are trying to stay afloat so we can make it to the playoffs at the end of the season.  For the past three weeks, I have been MVP for the Spanish League, which is great, but I am just going out there to help my team win, whatever it takes and it is paying off.

 

As for me I can’t wait to get back and get to my new team.  Despite what happened to the Comets I will never forget my start but now I have to be ready for a new beginning and a new city and new people and new fans.  All these things I am excited about and I hope the city of Atlanta welcomes me with open arms.

 

Sancho Lyttle

 

 

 

Where in the World is… Ivory Latta?

Dream fans- Find out what Ivory Latta has been up to this offseason!  Latta stopped by the Atlanta Dream offices over the holidays to let fans know about playing overseas in Israel (she hit the game-winner to give her team the Israel Cup!), her plans for the New Year, and why she can’t wait to get back on the court in 2009.   

 

Where in the World is… Chantelle Anderson?

Hey Dream fans!  This is your first time hearing from me in a blog but it definitely will not be the last…I love blogs!  And so much has been going on recently.  I had to update y’all, so here goes.

 

So ya, I recently finished filming an episode of the TV show Made for MTV.  For all of you that didn’t see the show, I had six weeks to transform Avery, a 16-year-old un-athletic couch potato, into a varsity basketball player.  I had watched Made a million times and always thought it was funny.  So when I got a chance to actually do the show, I was SO EXCITED!

 

Going in I had two rules for Avery: work hard, and don’t disrespect me.  It was actually funny because Avery and I both have pretty strong personalities.  So he would say something smart and I would say something right back.  It kept things interesting and light during his difficult workouts.  We ended up getting along really well.

 

So everyone wants to know if we ever fought.  And yes, did we ever.  There was a huge fight about two weeks into filming that didn’t make the show because it wasn’t even on camera!  Avery had skipped his running workout that morning which only added to my already bad day.  We ended up yelling at each other and both threatening to quit the show.  Much to the relief of the producers, we were able to work it out and everything went on as planned.  I’m so glad it didn’t end up on the show!

 

Overall, my first experience with reality TV was a success.  I can’t imagine ever having my own reality show though because I got sooo sick of the cameras around all the time.  You’d be surprised how much they film for just a one-hour show.  I do absolutely LOVE being on TV though, so hopefully it’ll happen more often, in some way or another

 

On top of the Made show, I’ve been doing lots of appearances around the city on behalf of the Dream.  We’ve gotten super busy this holiday season.  My favorite appearances have been the ones benefitting Toys for Tots.  Being able to help put smiles on kids faces is priceless.  So if you haven’t donated a new, unwrapped toy, do it today!

 

I’ve also been working out with our team trainer Dustin and teammate Nikki Teasley.  He’s been making us lift so much that none of my pants fit anymore!  Oh well, I did always wanna be thick No but really, we’re both doing great and I’m happy to report that I am having no problems with my knee.  It was difficult to watch the team play without me last season, but I’m thrilled to see the progress and can hardly wait to show off my hard work next summer!

 

That’s about it for now, so until next time God Bless! (And get your season tickets! LOL)

 

Always ~ Chantelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where in the World is… Kasha Terry?

View Kasha’s Photo Gallery!

Dziendobry (Good Morning/Hello)… Kasha is in the building!  I hope that this blog finds everybody healthy and on their best behavior for Santa Claus.  As you can see my Polish is ON POINT HAHA!  Just playing but it is getting better.  Before I get started I want to say CONGRATS to Katie. Weddings always make people sappy and emotional and when I seen those pictures I immediately went into sap mode. You were very pretty Katie, CONGRATS.

Alright, to start off…Rybnik, Poland…nothing like ATL.  I am so home sick I don’t know what to do.  I spend more money trying to make the apartment that I have feel like home it’s pitiful.  I miss my family and friends and my dog, Teddie!  I think I miss him the most because my neighbor has a dog and every time I walk up to my door he barks and it is just a constant reminder of Teddie greeting me when I come home.  There isn’t much to do here in Rybnik.  We do stay by the mall, which for me really does not matter because I am too tall for any of the clothes there so I don’t really go much.  Mostly, I sit at home and play XBOX.  I bought my Wii from home but I plugged it in the first week and all of sudden the adapter started smoking and that was that.  So I got an XBOX for my birthday.  Which by the way was Oct. 21st, I am now 25.  Whoo-hooo for me…I can finally rent a car!!!!  Sad I had to spend it over here though but having Ketia and Tangie here helps out a lot.

As far as basketball, it’s going ok. We have had some horrible games and we have had some games where everybody just clicked.  We are now 10-5.  We should be 11-5 but the last home game we had, I played HORRIBLE as I’m sure you have seen the box score.  The only thing that I would say about the Polish League is that the game is a lot more physical.  I mean sometimes after we play I feel like I have just went through a UFC fight. LOL!  It’s some really good competition though and I think it’s good for me mentally.  I have lost a lot of weight.  I’m back down to college size… I think if I wasn’t lifting weights twice a week, I would look like a bean pole.  There are a few other Americans here, that we have not had the chance to play yet though.  Alana Beard and Monique Currie– they came after we played their team so I’ll see them the next half.  But I have seen Ashley Key.  It was good to see her since we go back like beepers…we played AAU together in middle/high school for the DREAM TEAM.  Ironic right! 

Well, I have one more game before I leave to go home for XMAS on the 21st, which by the way is not coming fast enough!  This is a very important game for us since we lost to them the first time and we need the win to stay in good standing before the second half.  So, I hope that everybody is doing ok.  I can’t wait to get back home and chill for a while.  I finally get to spend my New Year at home.  I don’t know what I want my first meal to be when I get there, but I do know that when I get to Chicago (my flight is connecting there) I am getting STARBUCKS!!!  And my first stop when I get home is the hair salon. LOL!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Kasha Terry 

#35 Atlanta Dream

  

Where in the World is… Katie Feenstra?

 View Katie’s Photo Gallery!

 Hello to all my fellow teammates and Atlanta Dream fans!

I miss seeing you…and hearing you…everyday!  I guess it is my turn to tell ya a little bit about what has been happening is my life!  I usually say “oh not much”, or “nothing every interesting happens in my life BUT….not anymore!!  I am FINALLY married.  I married my best friend on November 8^th.  Todd and I had an amazing wedding in Grand Rapids, Mi.  Yes, I know what most of you HOTlanta residents are thinking…November in Michigan is freezing!!  And, you are not wrong!  On our wedding day there was a rain/snow mixture and it was about 30 degrees.  Even though the weather was nasty, there was absolutely nothing that could throw this day off for us!  I always wanted a fall wedding, and I am so blessed that I was able to have the dream wedding I always wanted…inside the church at least!  The colors were chocolate brown and ivory and the flowers were really bright reds, orange, and yellows.  I was really happy how everything came together.

 

After the wedding, Todd and I left for Riviera Maya, Mexico…right by Cancun.  We picked out a really nice all inclusive resort right on the Caribbean.  We were so tired after the week of last minute planning and the whole wedding, it was exactly what we needed!  The food was amazing!!  I think we both gained 10 pounds!  Don’t worry Coach Meadors, I have worked out really hard and lost the extra weight! We had great weather too.  The only day that it looked like rain was the day that we had to go home.  We woke up everyday to 85 degrees and bright blue, sunny skies.  The Lord was definitely with us throughout our entire wedding and our honeymoon.  We were so blessed to have a lot of our family and friends around us as we took this HUGE step in our lives, and start our new life together!

 

So now that you are all caught up with my life, the rest is just a waiting game.  Todd and I have moved into our new home in Marietta, GA, and we are getting unpacked and are having fun trying to figure out how to live with each other.  I am going to play overseas,  but I am just waiting for the right team to come along.

 

Thanks for reading about my fun and exciting new life!  I feel like the Lord has given me my Christmas present early…new husband, new home, and a new family!  So don’t be confused next season when my Dream jersey says Mattera and not Feenstra…it’s still that same tall blonde girl Katie!! 

 Have a GREAT Christmas season!

Katie Mattera

 

Where in the World is… Jennifer Lacy?

 Photo gallery:  

http://www.wnba.com/gallery/jennifer_lacy_081114_1.html

 Nǐ hǎo ATL. greetings from Beijing, China.

Let me just tell ya…being in Beijing after the Olympics has been amazing.  When I first got here (Oct. 02), all of the stuff from the Olympics was still up, and it was great to get to see everything they talked about during the games.  I haven’t had much free time to see everything I’ve wanted to yet, but I did get to go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  I have to say…it’s pretty amazing to see the things and places I once studied in school.  Out of all the countries I have played in so far, this has definitely been right at the top.

 My team has been so great at helping me make the transition.  Because being half way around the world, jet-lagged, sick and unable to speak the language is not as easy as us players make it look. J  So to say the least, they have been amazing so far.  The on the court stuff has been fun but a challenge.  The language barrier is no joke!!!  I thought I could wing it, like I always do when I first get to a new country, but boy was I wrong.  There are very few words that remind me of anything I have ever heard or any other language I have learned.  We have no idea what we are saying to each other, lol…so we just point and gesture a lot.  My translator is great; I would definitely be lost without her.  I’d just be running all over the place pointing and waiving my hands like a crazy lady.  So even with all of that, our team is somehow finding its way.  We are tough and scrappy and we fight till the buzzer sounds.  A lot like another team I know, hint hint.

 Since I’ve been here, I have got to play against and see some friends. Before I knew Ann was playing here, we were watching film of our next opponent and I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw her check into the game.  I don’t think I have ever been that excited to see her, lol.  It was a nice surprise…that is until they beat us by six points.  I have also played against Tan (my old teammate from Phoenix) and Chas from Chicago.  So there has been some fun basketball going on over here.

 But nothing beats being home.  I miss ATL…I could use some Waffle House, some French Toast from Cracker Barrel and some take out from This Is It.  But more than anything else I miss my dogs Riley and Doogie… they had to stay behind this trip.  They would have had to be quarantined for a month when they got here and for a month when we returned home.  So, for the first time, we are apart (sniff sniff).  So ATl, ya girl is doing well.  Hope things are great with all of you.  Bye for now.

 Jenn

#21 Atlanta Dream

 

 Where in the World is… Chioma Nnamaka?

Hello ATL!!

It’s been a while since I left Atlanta so I am just checkin in to let y’all know what I have been doing since the season ended. Right after the last game in Seattle, I headed back across the sea to my beautiful home in Sweden. I had a couple of days before it was time to continue my first year as a professional basketball player, so I took that time to spend with my family and friends and just enjoy some days off to rest my body and soul.

So where am I now? Well, I am playing in France in a city called Valenciennes which is located in the north (yes its very cold over here). I play for Union Hainaut Basket which is one of the better teams in France. I really like my teammates and coaching staff. Everybody speaks English so that’s nice, but I also know a little French so the communication part is not a problem at all. The season is going good for us so far. We are now 7-3 in the French League and we are 2-1 in Euroleague. Hopefully we will continue to do well in both leagues so that we can be in the run for a championship.

Besides playing basketball, I don’t do too much… just trying to get some rest and of course watch all my TV shows on the computer. The city I am in is not very big so there is not a lot for me to do, but I did at least get some shopping done.

Today some of my teammates and I went to Lille, which is one of the bigger cities in our area to watch two teams in our league play each other. And guess what?? I got to see Iziane….yes she is playing in France now in a city that is 20 min away from me. After her game, she came back with me to my city to have dinner. It was really good to see her again and to have some time to catch up on what has been going on since the season in Atlanta ended. I’m sure I will see more of her since we are not far away from each other.

My next game is on Wednesday against Erika’s team in Spain, so I am really looking forward to that. Catching up with two Dream players in less than a week is always fun!

So the life in Europe is treating me very well. I am enjoying my time here in France and one of the best parts is that I am only 2 hrs away from home by plane

Ok ATL, it’s time to go to practice, but i will keep y’ll posted on whats going on here in Valenciennes…

Take care,

Chioma Nnamaka # 9
Atlanta Dream

Where in the World is… Kristin Haynie?

Hello my ATL people! Just checkin in with ya and letting you know what I’ve been doing in my not so busy life. Ever since the season ended, I’ve been home in Michigan chillin with the fam and friends. I just started to work out again. I took a few weeks off so the old body could have a little break. I go up to Michigan State and work out there. It’s only about 15 minutes from my house so it’s not a bad drive at all. But other than that, I’ve just been a bum, hanging out and catching up with my friends from high school and college and visiting my relatives. So it’s been real nice to be at home for a little while and be with my loved ones who don’t see me very often.

Just recently I was able to go to a Barack Obama rally on campus at Michigan State. I’m really not into politics too much, but since our economy is so bad and this is such an important election, I decided to just go to the rally and check out what it’s like. And plus, this is kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity! So the rally was at 2:30 and the gates opened at 11:30. By 12:30, the field where it was held was already packed. People were lined up down the street waiting to go through the metal detectors to get onto the field. There ended up being 18,000 people at the rally. They had security people on top of the buildings with binoculars making sure it was safe and what not throughout the day. It was crazy , I had no idea what to expect.

Some friends and I got there around 1 and of course we didn’t have to wait in line and we were able to go up front where Obama was. His speech was amazing and at times I got some chills. It’s a lot better to see it in person than watch it on TV but I guess that’s how it is in sports too. I will never forget that experience. So ever since then, I have watched the presidential debates and I’m more interested in the presidential race. It’s good to be aware because of how important our next president will be.

Even though I love being home, I’m ready to go overseas and get back on the court. I will be back in Hotlanta until Christmas working out with some of the players still here and our strength coach. Then hopefully in January, I’ll be able to get a job overseas. Well that’s all I got for you all at this moment, so take care and God Bless! And don’t forget to vote!!!!

Love,
Krit
#4 Atlanta Dream

 

 

Where in the World is… Tamera Young?

Photo Gallery: Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5

Holaaaaaaaaaaaa amigos y amigas! I’m having a wonderful time here in Vilagarcia de Arousa, Spain!  The first day I got here I was crying, didn’t like anything, ready to go home.  Oh my what a difference.  I thought I would never make it.  I didn’t like the food or being so far away from my friends and family.  I had to clear my head and have an open mind and now I have adjusted, even with the 6 hour time difference.

My days usually start at 10AM when I get up and get dressed for practice and have breakfast.  Practice is from 11AM to 1PM!  Then  after practice I go and get physical therapy, massages where ever I need or like.  It is one of the greatest things I love here!  After  physical therapy I go home eat lunch and relax until practice again at  6PM to 8PM.  Sometimes we may just have morning practice and no night  practice or vice versa!  I haven’t had a chance to see much of the city, but what I’ve seen so far is nice.  We also have a beautiful  lovely beach!

In my free time, I am usually in my room on the internet all day long  looking at different things from clothes to shoes to jewelry to the  WNBA, Atlanta Dream, or James Madison University websites.  PS- I also love to check my bank account which makes my stay here in Spain more enjoyable each day! My teammate for three years in college is my teammate here, Meredith Alexis, so I do know someone,  even though I have met a few friends who I hang out with here also!

One day we all went downtown to go shopping and the stores are a lot different and you think because the euro number is less on the tag  you’re getting a bargain but the equivalence is different.  One euro equals one dollar and fifty cents.  We usually meet in a bar and have café, which is coffee! Well they drink café and I’ll drink Fanta!

As far as my teammates and coaches, they are all nice and make me feel wanted and welcomed.  We all laugh and joke around and its always a good laugh because they barely understand what I’m saying and I can barely understand them!  Hahaha!  They all joke on me because I’m  always on my cell phone emailing, which I’m doing right now, and now we have a fee of cinco euros (5 dollars) if we get caught on our cell phone!  Also here’s a laugh.  We have to pay .25 euros (25 cents) if  we yawn in practice.  I had to pay that yesterday hahaha!

The competition and style of play is very very different. I had to  make some adjustments with the way they play and the way I’m used to playing.  Not too much to change besides the fact they always travel and I’m waiting for the ref to call a travel because my player took three steps but he calls nothing!  Lol!  Then you have to dribble the  ball before you take a step so I’m the one who gets the travel call! Haha!

In the mean time I’m enjoying myself and getting adjusted much faster than I thought. Everything so far is good and I’m trying to enjoy  every moment as much as possible because God has truly blessed me and I’m thankful for him, my family, and friends who support me everyday.  “My talent is a gift from God and what I chose to do with it is my  gift back to him.”  So I’m making the best of this wonderful situation.  Ciao.

Your Atlanta Dream Guard #23
Tamera Young