For our next Meet the Basket Wives post, I am happy to introduce you to Lesa Burgess. Lesa and I also met through Facebook, but got to really exchange messages when she was preparing to give birth in Turkey after I had delivered Naomi there. I could immediately tell that Lesa and I were a lot alike: both former college soccer players that graduated from college the same year, married their college boyfriend and started having kids at a young age (we now both have four children). And although I think I have been to a lot of countries, Lesa’s list puts me to shame. She is a true globe trotter.
I have really enjoyed getting to know Lesa through our interactions. Our husbands have played against one another when they were both played in Turkey during the 2008-2009 season, but we have never met. I hope one day we can get both our big crews together…or maybe even play int he same place. Enjoy hearing from Lesa today. And if you would like to follow her husband, you can find him at his personal website.
How did you and your husband meet?
Chris and I met at the University of Utah where he played basketball and I played soccer. We met at a party at the beginning of the year. We ended up talking most of the night and then he offered me a ride home. It ended up that I lived 2 doors down from him in the same apartment complex. From then on we were together all the time. We dated for 3 years and got married the summer after college right before our adventures began.
Where was the first place you lived internationally? Can you tell a little more about the experience?
Our first city internationally was Izmir, Turkey. It was my first time out of the country and broke me in fast. I was amazed at how many people smoked and was blown away at the different smells everywhere.
We lived on the 19th floor of a really old apartment building. The elevator was very questionable. After only being there a week or 2 I locked myself out of our apartment at 10:00pm when I took my dog out. Chris was on a road trip. To make matters worse I went to call Chris and dropped my phone. It shattered and was not working after that. I ended up finally knocking on someone’s door and mimed what was wrong since I couldn’t find anyone that spoke English. They wanted to close the door on me but I was persistent since I didn’t know what else to do. They finally went up to a different floor and brought a friend that spoke English. I explained the situation and thankfully they were kind enough to find a locksmith type of guy to come break me into my apartment after a couple of hours. I didn’t cry, but looking back I think it was because I was too scared and was in survival mode.
One night a very strong earthquake rudely awakened us. It felt like we were in one of those cartoons where the building is swaying back and forth. We bust upright in bed and both sat there preparing for the collapse of that old building and finally were able to breath again when it was over.
When I was to fly home I was dropped at the airport with our dog. I checked in and they took my dog away. The lady then asked me to wait, which I did. Four men came and got me and led me to a back room where they had me sit. They shut the door and proceeded to speak Turkish to each other for about 20 minutes while I sat there wondering what was going on. I was starting to get nervous so I just bust out.. WHAT, what do you want?! Finally someone explained to me in broken English that my visa had expired 3 days earlier and that I was there illegally. Have any of you seen Midnight Express? Lots of things were flashing through my head. I was quite scared and ready to cry. Basically I ended up giving them lots of money and running to my gate where I stepped on the plane right before they closed the doors not sure I ever wanted to leave the USA ever again.
How many years has/did your husband play(ed)?
This is our 10th season.
What cities have you lived in internationally?
Izmir, Turkey
Cairns, Australia
Manila, Philippines
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Seoul, South Korea
Istanbul, Turkey
Donetsk, Ukraine
Eregli, Turkey
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zielona Gora, Poland
Sopot, Poland
If you had to pick a favorite international city, which one was it and why?
Cairns, Australia was amazing. I really loved it. The people were so friendly and easy-going (almost annoyingly so at times). No language barrier is always a wonderful thing. There were a lot of things to go do. We saw some amazing things like the Great Barrier Reef, The Rainforest, and real crocodile farms. We held Koala bears, pet Kangaroos, had huge snakes wrapped around our bodies. I had friends and there were lots of kids around the basketball family. It was wonderful. The worst part about it all was that it was our first couple years so I didn’t know what I had! I was still getting used to the idea of being away from home and missed my friends and family so much. I would give anything to go back there again and KNOW how awesome of a place it is and really be able to appreciate it.
Dubai was also amazing. I LOVED it. Our apartment had tons of cockroaches the entire season regardless of how many times we had bug sprayers come, but other than that, I loved it there. I could definitely spend a few years there and be just fine! We were able to be there when the Burj Tower (the tallest tower in the world) opened and we went to the top and looked down on all Dubai. We went on a sand safari, rode on camels, stayed on the palm island. It was a great place that I will never forget!
Sometimes I get jealous of some of you wives that are able to spend multiple years in the same country where you can learn the language and really immerse yourselves and become comfortable. At other times I feel lucky to have lived in so many places all over the world and experience so many different cultures!
Please share one funny moment in your life as a Basket Wife.
There are lots, but here is just one…. We were in South Korea and after one of Chris’s games my then 2 kids and I were able to go with his team to a really nice dinner. It was a very nice restaurant, but being in Korea, the tables were low and you sat on an inch thick pillow on the floor, Indian style. Before you could enter the table area you had to stop at the little bench in the lobby area and remove your shoes. I was all dressed up with some almost knee-high boots. I looked nice and dressy until I removed my boots and exposed my capri leggings and white running socks. I felt ridiculous walking into the seating area and hurried over to my table as fast as I could and threw my legs under the table. It really wasn’t a big deal and I doubt anyone really cared, but I just felt so embarrassed and it’s funny to laugh at now.
What was the toughest struggle you encountered in your life as a Basket Wife?
It has kind of changed over the years. At first it was just being homesick and adjusting to a new culture. As the years have gone on that has become easier. I still miss home and family of course, but I guess I’m used to it now. I don’t really get “homesick” in the same way. Now that we have our own kids (7, 5, 2, and 3 months) I miss them getting to spend time with Grandmas and Grandpas or their cousins or friends. I can’t complain about where we are or whine about wanting to go home because it affects them.
One of the biggest struggles now is living in small apartments with 4 small children. The monotony of days as the season goes on. Getting out and doing a lot of traveling or sight seeing is just not realistic with small children so we spend a lot of time in the same space day in and day out. I usually go through at least one rough patch during the season where I struggle and have to pull myself up and out of it.
However, with this struggle, there is also a positive light. I am not busy doing this or that or running here or there like we are at home a lot. It gives me a lot more time to just sit and spend time with my kids. Do puzzles, read stories, play games, or just listen to them. It has taught me the importance of studying my kids, learning about them and what I need to do with each of them to be a better Mom.
I know that being on our own away from any friends or family, depending on each other, has strengthened my marriage with my husband as well.
I feel that we can find something positive from any situation if we try to. It’s the trying part that is important.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned as a Basket Wife?
There are so many lessons. I can’t imagine how much different my life would be and how different I would be as a person without these experiences the last 10 years. I have grown so much and feel I can appreciate and have gratitude for so much that I would otherwise have taken for granted.
I also have learned to fly by the seat of my pants and improvise. I was never one for those sorts of things, but have learned that it’s good to be able to do so.
Having faith. There have been times where my faith has been tested. I came out of these times knowing I was not alone and that my prayers are answered. Even when I feel totally by myself, I know I’m not alone.
Learning to slow down and love life in any situation has been a great lesson I am grateful to have been forced to learn. ☺
It is so interesting that this was your interview for today. My husband and one of his teammates were talking at dinner the other night and Lesa and Chris’ name came up. They both played against Chris last year in Poland. We were discussing how faith and this lifestyle can be a little difficult and they immediately referred to Lesa. It’s refreshing to read things from her point of view.
Funny! I think we must have lived in the same building in Izmir.