Our first few days at the Olympics

February 07, 2006

After a 7 hour flight from Boston to Milan, and another 2 hour bus trip to Torino, we are finally in the Olympic Village! We took an overnight trip and arrived safely in Torino, just in time to meet and greet the biathlete team and do our team processing. We took a bus to the processing center and got lots of gear! You get a shopping cart and get to fill it to the brim with USA shirts, pants, shoes, gloves, hats, jackets, luggage, and lots of other cool Nike and Roots stuff. It is like Christmas in February! After we received all of our gear, we ordered our official team rings and took our official photos. That day was exhausting, so I got into bed and slept 11 hours...not the norm for me.



The next day we finally got to get on the ice. We had already been to the ESPO arena in November, for our pre-Olympic tournament, so the arena was not new to us, but it somehow had a different essence to it. Our first skate was basically a time to get our "bus" legs out, and to get a feel for the site of our first game. The arena is only 20 minutes from the village, so it is a great chance to see the rest of the city along the way.





The Olympic Village itself is pretty exciting. It is designed similar to a college campus, with all the facilities you need inside. There is a giant cafeteria, where all the athletes eat, a salon, general shop, post office, bank, video arcade, flower shop, coffee shop, internet lounge, weight room and fitness center, and the dorms. All the teams sleep in the same buildings, so I am in a room of 8, with Courtney Kennedy as my direct roommate. We have been roommates all year long, so we know each others sleeping schedules...which is important in such a big tournament. She makes me laugh, too, which is a huge plus. Last night we could not sleep because of jet lag, so we stayed up and watched the first 3 episodes of "Lost." By 3 AM we were ready to get some shut eye...


After another practice this morning, a few of the USA athletes got to attend the official flag raising ceremony. I was in attendance for the first time. We were coupled with Armenia and Iran. It was perhaps, one of the most symbolic parts of the games thus far for me, because of the current political situation with Iran. I was happy, however, to share this Olympic moment with them. To see the Olympic flag, the US flag, and the Iranian flag all being raised side by side was symbolic in and of itself. We are here to play in the Games and to participate for the same just cause. It was moving to see that in a time like today, the Olympic Spirit is what still can bring us all together.



I am off to do some interviews...I was just stopped by Ross from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno...have one with Letterman on the Top Ten...we were just in the Feb 13th People Magazine...Access Hollywood...and many, many more! It is crazy!



Comments

Angela

best of luck to you, Trish and everyone from all of the Reading guys...we will be cheering for you....after the olympics and in peak condition, you will once again be ready for us...!!!

sincere best wishes and good luck..

"Buona Fortuna y tanti auguri....."..

ciao

joe P

Posted by: j pasquale at February 10, 2006 09:45 AM

Comments

Good luck Angela, I'm with the NWHL, and we met last year. I was with Mayor Susan Fennell and we met you and Charlene at the hotel. Have a great Olympics, even though I will be cheering for Canada you are the best women's defencemen in the world!!!

Cheers,
Sharon

Posted by: Sharon Hermes at February 10, 2006 10:19 AM

Comments

Hello Angela, WoW, what a great job you have done in getting to your third olympics. I have enjoyed your journal and look forward to checking out you on TV when you all take home the GOLD. I live in St Clair Shores so you being from Harper woods and having family in the area just brings the games a little closer to home for me. We are all proud of all of the US athletes and will keep all of you in our prayers. I get goose bumps just watching the games on TV so I can imagine how you must be so thrilled. You GO GIRL!!!!! I will point you out to my two kids, and root you on all the to the podium. Thanks for sharing, GO USA Hugh

Posted by: Hugh O'Donnell at February 10, 2006 04:40 PM

Comments

Just want to wish you Good Luck in Torino & God Bless you and the entire US Olympic Team! Will be looking forward to your blog updates! I'm also from Michigan in Metro Detroit in Harrison Township! I met you once after the Nagano Olympics when you came over to the high school I went to.

Posted by: Kerri Saikin at February 10, 2006 09:57 PM

Comments

ANGELA-----

I wish you and all your teammates much luck during the Olympic games------you are as good as I thought you would be when I saw you skate 10 yrs ago in Syracuse-----glad to see Julie Chen on the team too!! Glad to hear your mom is over at the games watching you---remember meeting her at Union College for the ECACs--------

SKATE HARD and BEST OF LUCK!

Betsy Barker----Syracuse, NY

Posted by: Betsy Barker at February 11, 2006 12:10 AM

Comments

Good luck in your third olympics Angela. It's been a joy watching you play over the years and thanks for all you and your teamates do as an ambasador of women's athletics.
Bring home the Gold,
Karen-- Tacoma, Wa

Posted by: Karen Miller at February 11, 2006 04:36 PM

Comments

Just seen your TEAM win over the Germans, I can't tell you how excited I was for you and the team. thank you so much for this site. Me and the Misses here it Tucson can not fathom the idea of you girls doing that stuff, but if you ever get to Tucson, I got a meatloaf and mashed potatoes with your name on it. and a sofa bed to rest..
best of luck and tell the team we are with them all the way.

Posted by: W E " Bill"D'alessio at February 12, 2006 03:17 PM

Comments

You girls are doing a great job we are
following you from Orlando, wish you the best of luck
USA ROCKS!
Whoop the Canadians!

Posted by: Gabriela at February 12, 2006 03:19 PM

Comments

Hey Angela:
I am in California and your game against Germany has just ended. Congratulations on your win. We are rooting for all of you out here in the sunshine state.
GO USA
Gary

Posted by: Gary Elder at February 12, 2006 03:22 PM

Comments

Angela: Thanks for letting us tag along on your wonderful Olympic journey. USA!

Posted by: Doug Vogel at February 12, 2006 03:29 PM

Comments

Angela----
Good luck in the olympics! you are the best defenceman in the world. i love to watch you play. bring home the gold this year!
-Ally- Santa Fe, NM

Posted by: Ally Werhane at February 12, 2006 03:43 PM

Comments

Wish you Best of Luck in the Olymics ...I'll be watching!

Posted by: Katie at February 12, 2006 03:55 PM

Comments

You guys look AWESOME! I've been watching the coverage and can't wait for Tuesday's game! The announcers gave your site info, so i just wanted to say hey from Colorado! Thanks for representing and be safe. Have fun too! :o)

Posted by: Kristy - Denver, CO at February 12, 2006 05:48 PM

Comments

Angela, I finally got to see you play after reading a lot about you (I am 8 and have been playing hockey for three years) and all of you played great. My girls team just got done playing against the Canadian girls up in Canada this weekend and we told them that you would take back the gold this year.

Good Luck the rest of the way. We will be cheering hard for you.

Emma Ruggiero

Posted by: Emma Ruggiero at February 12, 2006 10:39 PM

Comments

Hi There Angela-
We are so proud of you back here in Boston, and I was so lucky to get to meet you while you were here, at Meredith & Grew. I've been watching your career ever since, and it's just wonderful to watch you in you element, and at the Olympics.
What a thrill to watch the game against Germany, while the blizzard was going full force yesterday!
Those girls couldn't get a shot at all! Take care, and enjoy! I'll be rooting for you and the USA team. YOU GO GIRL!!!
Susan

Posted by: Susan Rector at February 13, 2006 09:36 AM

Comments

ANGELA-----

good luck to you and the entire team, so far i have been pleased watching you girls on the tv here in the states...beat finland, and then take care of sweeden and i know you can beat the beauties from the North:)...though y'all look much better than them anyway:)...good luck and keep those shot totals high, not every goalie will play out of their mind...the 2 girls on the high school team i coach think you are the best and told me about this blog site:)..high school hockey in Texas who would have thought it:)...GO USA:)

Posted by: James Wilcox at February 13, 2006 11:51 AM

Comments

NICE 2 GOALS, ONE END TO END YOU SHOULD BE WITH THE BLACKHAWKS. I ENJOYED SEENING GOOD SKATING &
SHOOTING. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. SEE YOU SOON IN
THE FINAL 4. GO USA.

Posted by: at February 15, 2006 06:03 PM

Comments

Angela,
Cant tell you how cool it is to see a fellow Ruggiero on the Ice! Am proud to carry the Ruggiero name! Wish I had the opportunity when I was younger growin up in Chicago to play. You're team is awsome and I'm enjoying watching you all win! Go for the Gold girl!! USA ROCKS!

Posted by: Kim Ruggiero at February 15, 2006 08:29 PM

Comments

Angela,
Hi, I am 12 and I am from Florida and I am doing a power point on you in school. It's amazing to tell someone you play girls hockey and they look at you like you are crazy. I think you are an awesome player and I admire you as a person, player, and through your accomplishments. I have been playing hockey for only about 2 years and I would love to hear from you if I can - like tips etc. No madder what the score was in the past you never gave up and don't let that happen now!

Posted by: Maura at March 13, 2006 08:52 PM

Comments

you are a good hockey player

Posted by: at January 12, 2007 09:20 AM