Black Tennis Pros

It looks like Venus is going to treat us to her thoughts while she's in Japan. This is her first blog entry for the week:

Monday, October 1, 2007

Hey everyone, and welcome to my blog!

I loved Seoul - it was actually sad to leave. I felt like I made friends there. It was a great week. Obviously, winning titles is always fun, and it's a great feeling to add another one to my name. But the overall experience was really a great one. I'd have to say the highlight of my week was the final; it was just a great final, so intense - but the most interesting part was probably getting coerced into eating tongue at this Korean barbecue last night. I almost lost it - twice. Don't get me wrong, I loved the food all week, and I ate lots. But the restaurant owner brought us some delicacies and of course, there was cow tongue. He told me to dip it in the sauce, which was vinegar, and I really don't like vinegar at all. It was just miserable! But I made it through.

Afterwards, we stayed up pretty late last night singing karaoke. I'm traveling with my mom and my sister, Isha; we've been having so much fun, and last night was no exception. We sang until our throats got sore. We may have rocked out a little too hard. Actually, my neck was sore too, and on the plane here we were really tired. They were with me all week in Seoul, and they'll be in Tokyo with me too, motivating me to do my best - I hope we can stay away from the karaoke joints.

I really love the dress they gave me after the final in Seoul. I was thinking about when I'd have another chance to wear it - but I don't know if I can even get it back on! The reality is probably I can't wear it again, but it was mine to keep, so I have it with me. They fitted it for me too, which was great, but with that in mind, I don't know if any other woman can wear it!

This is actually my second time in Tokyo. I played the Pan Pacific a few years ago, and I really like it here. Last time I was in Tokyo, I went to the temple and bought some kimonos. I also ate a lot of donuts... I remember being thoroughly disgusted with myself. Oh and a lot of fried chicken too. I just couldn't stop, it was pretty bad. I'll definitely have to improve my eating habits this time...

Right now I'm actually reading this miserable book - it's so depressing, scary and hopeless - and it's making me depressed! It's called "The Ruins" by Scott Smith. I am really just trying to finish it so I can move on. It's about these kids who go into the Mexican jungle but they don't bring water or anything and they get stuck. I don't know how they're gonna get out of it. And these plants keep creeping up on them too, it's just horrible. It really made me ill. I like to keep busy, but I just want to get through this book so I can maybe get to some designs tonight. I've been working hard on my portfolio. Right now I'm working hard on my line and technical drawings on the computer, which is maybe the worst part about fashion design. I like doing board layouts and textiles, but I hate technical drawings. So I'm gonna hammer those out first and get them over with! It's a daily routine. It passes the time and I like challenges. I'm working on swimwear now, and in the next few days I'll be starting some children's wear...

I'm really looking forward to my match tomorrow. This is so fast-paced; I just got here and I'm already playing tomorrow. It's funny, I'm all the way here in Japan but tomorrow I'm playing an American, Jill Craybas. It happened in Seoul too, that my first match was against an American. I guess it's the luck of the draw. But no match is easy and I'm going to have to keep my focus and play my game.

Talk to you all tomorrow,

xxx

Venus

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