May 2, 2001

The following is not a typical athlete's journal entry. You will not read about how many points were scored, who won, or who was difficult to guard. Instead, you will get a fresh look into the bizarre happenings that make up The World According To Me. I'll be posting new entries regularly, so stay tuned ...

What a day. What a wonderful, incredible, happy day!! Today (May 2) was the first day of training camp for the 2001 WNBA season. For the first time in two years I was on the court practicing with my teammates instead of riding a bike on the sideline or nursing a sore knee.

Being back on the court made me feel like a kid who has been let out to play after being grounded by her parents. Of course, I've been grounded (literally) for two years now. To be able to run through every drill and take part in all the action -- and feel GOOD -- was an incredible reward for the hard work and heartaches of the past two seasons.

Being back on the court made me feel like a kid who has been let out to play after being grounded by her parents. Of course, I've been grounded (literally) for two years now. To be able to run through every drill and take part in all the action -- and feel GOOD -- was an incredible reward for the hard work and heartaches of the past two seasons. I honestly can't wait to get back on the court and do it again tomorrow.

However, before we get to tomorrow, I must share part of today. My morning started with a 6 a.m. wakeup (I don't mind getting up early). I had the breakfast of champions -- an egg McMuffin (no ham) and large water -- on my way to the subway. It was obvious that I was back in New York City when I read the sign on the door of McD's that said, "All food must be consumed in 20 minutes." I've seen this sign in the finer Italian and Japanese restaurants here in Manhattan, but never in McDonald's. I guess the folks at the "golden arches" are simply trying to garner the extra high rating in the Zagat restaurant guide.

Anyway, I arrived at our practice facility at 7:30 so I could change and get taped for our 8:30 practice. It was great to see all the girls again. Of course Sue, Becky and Crystal had me laughing right away.

Get your pledges ready! Here I'm making the rounds and talking to the reporter from PBS during media day. (Liberty Photo)

We finished practice early (11:10) so that we could get to the Garden for media day, which lasted from 1-4 p.m. There was a bevy of reporters in attendance asking insightful questions and also dining on the gourmet sandwiches and pickles provided for lunch. My teammates did a great job and offered each media member a special glimpse into the spectacular life of a WNBA player in the Big Apple.

When media day was finished, we all went our separate ways and headed to wherever we call home. I take the subway in order to get to the apartment I sublet during the summer and was greeted (along with the rest of the straphangers) by some wonderful music in Penn Station.

First, there was a gentleman in a red silk outfit who was crooning "I believe I can fly" into a portable microphone. I'm going to take a wild guess and say it wasn't R. Kelly! Then, on the subway platform, there was an Asian gentleman playing the organ and singing "Ave Maria." When I finally boarded my train I was standing next to a man who had more hair growing out of his ears than Tamika Whitmore has on her head (hers is groomed much more carefully though).

Once I arrived home, it was time to climb the five flights of stairs to my apartment ... and smile.

Yeah, this kid isn't grounded anymore. I've finally been let out to play ... and there's not a happier person in the world (not just "My World") right now!!