The 2009 WNBA season had its highs and lows for Shameka Christon. While her team suffered through a tumultuous year that did not live up to the team’s high expectations, Christon had the best season of her six-year career. She posted career highs in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (4.9 rpg) and was honored with her first All-Star nod.

Following the season, Christon headed to Poland to play for Lotos Gdynia until the end of the year. We caught up with Shameka via email prior to her EuroLeague game versus Szeviep Szeged on Thursday to discuss international hoops, fashion and food as well as her thoughts on this past season in the WNBA.

WNBA.com: You've been in Poland for around a month now. How has the experience been for you so far?
Christon: "So far my experience has been great! My teammates, coaches and fans are really nice. Overall the atmosphere is welcoming and I love it."

WNBA.com: This is your first season playing in Poland, how are you adjusting to living there?
Christon: "I am adjusting well. All of my teammates speak English as well as the head coach! So there isn't really a language barrier, which has been an issue in the past. The movies at the theater are in English with Polish subtitles and they are showing here about a week later than the U.S. There is an Italian, Mexican, Sushi, and Chinese restaurant that are all very good! I live in a three bedroom townhome that is very modern and I love it. So adjusting has been smooth. It is a nice home away from home."

WNBA.com: Did you study the language before you left or have you just tried to pick it up as you go?
Christon: "No, I didn't study the language before I left, nor have I tried to pick it up as I go. Well for a couple of reasons! 1) Everyone speaks English so that is how we communicate and 2) I only signed til Christmas, well until [Tamika] Catchings arrives. So I don't want to learn a difficult language when I may be in a different country after Christmas. Ok and maybe I am being a little lazy. :o) However, everywhere else I have played I made an effort to learn the language and loved doing so."

WNBA.com: Have you tried the local cuisine or do you just stick with foods that you know? If so, what are your favorite dishes?
Christon: "Yes, I have tried one of their cuisines here. Can't pronounce it if my life depended on it. But it was beef and rice wrapped in cabbage with some kind of sauce covering it, with side of potatoes and some vegetables. It kind of looked like meatloaf but it wasn't that. May not sound good but it was pretty good and that is saying a lot because I don't care for (red) meat. I really have to crave meat to eat it."

WNBA.com: Between the Polish League and the EuroLeague, do you have much down time to sight see and have some fun? If so, what kind of things have you done?
Christon: "No I have not had a chance to go site seeing. I wish I had time to do it but I have not."

WNBA.com: I know you're into fashion, how is the shopping where you are? What are your thoughts on the fashion/style that you've seen while playing overseas?
Christon: "LOL... this question is not fair. Since I am living in NY now, it is kind of hard to compare the shopping. I have not run into any high end boutiques, no LV, no Gucci, no Saks 5th..... yeah the list can go on and on. So I might get depressed soon. No I am kidding. I am saving money and that is a good thing...LOL. I like some of the styles in Europe. When we travel, I buy the magazines and can't read it because it is in a different language but hey all I need is the pictures to find a style or trend I like. Often times I will see a trend in Europe that I like and take it back to the states. And my friends look at me like, what do you have on? But by the end of the summer, they are rocking that same trend but in a different color."

WNBA.com: Over the past few years you've gone from playing in Israel to Spain to Russia and now Poland, do you have a favorite country out of all the ones you have played in?
Christon: "Spain is my favorite!!!! It is laid back, good basketball, and great weather. It is the life!"

WNBA.com: What are some of your fondest memories from playing overseas throughout your career?
Christon: "I really don't have one but I love getting a chance to experience something new, whether it is the culture, food or whatever. I am spontaneous, so new things are good things."

WNBA.com: What do you miss most about home while you are overseas?
Christon: "I miss my family the most. It is a blessing that I get to play this game and earn a living but I hate when I come back home and my two oldest nephews (11&12) are almost as tall as me. In my head I am wondering where did the time go. My youngest nephew (3), it takes a while for him to warm up to me. LOL, he gives me a look like, yeah, I seen you here a couple of times and I seen you on TV, but you can't play with me until I'm ready. Then there is my niece who is one. I just have to introduce myself to her every time I go home. I always miss my brother, he is my best friend. Lastly, my mom! She loves it when I come but fights tears when I leave. And despite the fact that we have been going through this for nine years, she still acts like she did when I first went off to college. Before I got really involved with basketball she told me that I couldn't move out of the house until I was 47....So can you imagine?"

WNBA.com: When you left to go to Poland did you take anything with you to remind you of home?
Christon: "No, I didn't! My bags have a strict policy that I have to follow ... at least four pairs of high heels, three pairs of basketball shoes, hair products, make-up, and lots and lots of clothes. Oh and extra cash to pay for overweight. Anything else just won't make the trip. LOL. I keep all my photos of family and friends on my computer and iPod."

WNBA.com: Okay, I'll actually ask you a few basketball questions now... Is there anything specific that you want to work on while you are overseas to add to your game for next WNBA season?
Christon: "I feel like there are so many areas that I want to improve in with my game. Right now, my main focus is being a better student of the game. I am always watching basketball; men, women, 2009 WNBA games on DVD, whatever, if it is basketball, I am watching it. I want to be a better one-on-one player too. When the shot clock is running down and we need a basket, I want to be able to create for my teammates or for myself. Whoever has the best shot."

WNBA.com: What is the biggest difference between the European game and the WNBA?
Christon: "In my opinion, the competition and speed is stronger in the WNBA. But definitely in Europe you have to guard the three point line. Positions 1 through 5 will shoot the three and make it if you don't guard them. And the practices in Europe....well that's another story for another day! LOL."

WNBA.com: Talk to me about this past season with the Liberty. Obviously things did not go as planned. When you look back on it now, can you tell what went wrong or what was missing?
Christon: "Yeah, this season was a tough season. I know what we wanted to do and what we talked about doing, but that was not enough. I think that each of us individually needed to ask our self, what did we do to get better and prepare for the 2009 season? Did we come back better than we were in 2008? I think that is just something that we have to ask ourselves, individually. However, there is something to be learned from every bad situation. I talked with my teammates after our last game and told them that we need to come back better after the off-season. We have to take this season personal. We have to be mad about it and come back in 2010 with a chip on our shoulders. So hopefully, everyone will work really hard in the offseason and come back ready for the new season. We were all very disappointed and knew that we had under achieved. We felt bad that our fans, staff and management had to experience a season like this, so we have some work to do."

WNBA.com: While the team did not have the success that you would have liked, you did receive your first All-Star nod last year. Tell me about that experience.
Christon: "The experience was great! It was a chance for me to get to know some of the other players of the league better and the overall atmosphere was phenomenal. I didn't know what to expect, but I definitely was not disappointed. My Liberty family was very supportive and proud which helped a lot. Once I relaxed, I had a blast!"

WNBA.com: With the way things played out last year, how hungry are you to get that Liberty jersey on and start next season?
Christon: "I am really hungry. As a competitor, you are always hungry for that next game, that next victory, and the chance to earn your respect and be the best. I love this game and I am passionate about it. Call me selfish or whatever, but at the end of the day, I want to win. And anyone that is not dressed in a Liberty uniform is in my way, so don't take it personal. Winning is an attitude. And with the way things played out last season, well let's just say I had an attitude adjustment."