Hello! Julianne Zussman here, casual
blogger, part-time rugby player, and full-time friend and teammate to Mandy
Marchak.
I held Mandy against her will, hijacked her
laptop and decided it was time to player profile the author herself.
Here we go.
Mandy has a nickname, “Shamone.” A lyrical
interpretation of Michael Jackson’s ambiguous mid-song shrieks, Shamone is also a modern variation of
“Moni,” nickname circa Girls Gone Wild U-23 summer 2004.
Shamoment: common noun; a Mandyism; an event characterized by Mandy’s finest
qualities. Gullibility, absent-mindedness, fear, innocence, and humility. It
involves a powerful movement. An awkward noise. And people sighing, “Oh Mandy.”
Never planned. Always hilarious.
For example, when I asked Mandy if I could
guest write on her blog, she was stoked. Then I told her I was writing about
her, and her eyes got wide like saucers, her mouth slowly opened and she went,
“hrrrrmphphhphphhphmrr.” So I told her I wouldn’t.
Shamoment.
When in Dubai at the World Cup in 2009,
Mandy saw an insect on the training pitch, screamed a gargling water sound, and
dropped to the ground so fast that her teammates thought they were victims of a
drive-by shooting.
Shamoment.
Once when Waters was getting dressed up for
a Girls Nights Out, Mandy liked her outfit so much that she clenched her fists,
squeezed her face, her body trembling, and said, “You… look… (almost moaning)
soooo good right nowwwwww.”
Shamoment.
On holiday in Greece, Mandy decided to stay
behind from the group to “work on her tan.” Worried about her fair skin, Ghiz
warned her about the hot Greek sun, to which she replied, “It’s ok guys, I’m
wearing 4 spf.” A few hours later, her friends returned to find her curled up
in a ball, wrapped in a hoodie, hiding under a shady tree, trembling, groaning,
shameful and red as a tomato. We think she was blushing but there was no way to
tell.
Shamoment.
This is how her friends know her. Her
opponents recognize her when they see the back of her jersey. Powerful, evasive
and skilled, you can ask any of her teammates who they least like to tackle at
practice… it’s her. The kind of girl that you love the play with and hate to
play against.
I would choose to play beside Mandy because
of her skill, but also because she’s an exceptional team player. Mandy has a
sincere belief in the ability and specialness of all her teammates. When she
leads, she takes her team with her. She loves sharing quotes and fun facts, and
staying in touch on bbm. She is one of the proudest Canadians I know, so firm
in her national identity that she can tough out 6 months a year of unapologetic
British banter. Maybe it’s because she just smiles when she’s confused.
Mandy, you are humble, hard working,
genuine, and one of my favourite peeps (MFP). I love catching up with you and
you always make me smile. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts &
reflections with everyone on your blog. Sorry I lied to you and, next time,
erase your browser history before you hand me your laptop.
MCX
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