Well today was an interesting day!
Woke up around 4 am and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I got to skype with Mom and Dad, Brad, and Payge, and I got to facebook chat with Jolie!! Around 11am we found out we were going to the pool today. Not manditory, but a good number of the girls go. We were thinking we may swim some laps or stretch out like we do in the states on days after games. But no, this is more of a fun, relaxing time in the pool! There is a water slide, a jacuzzi, and half the pool is outside. We also got to do what they call an ice bath, or going in the sea hole. You run outside in your swimming suit and either jump or take the stairs into the Baltic Sea where there is a hole in the ice. It’s pretty cold, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Some of the girls do this every weekend after a game. Definitely an experience!
As far as the game goes, it is was a lot of fun to get out and actually play full field. Indoors of course, on a real indoor fotball pitch, not a football field haha. We played a team from the Swedish second division. They were pretty skilled, but didn’t put it together very well. We won 2-1 I believe, there was a debatable 3rd goal that was called back because they said it was finished cleats up. I got to play all 90 which was nice, although I definitely have some work to do to get in my best shape. I played at outside right back, which is where I will probably be most of the time. I also get to take corners and free kicks which is lots of fun!! We play in a 4-1-3-2, which kind of ends up looking like a 4-3-3 sometimes. It was tough this game because the other team was playing a 4-3-3 with their wing forwards staying very wide, but against a 4-4-2 our wing backs will have a lot of space to get forward because our center backs are responsible for the two forwards. It is interesting how much the ball was in the air, yet still under control in the game. People are very confident and comfortable with the ball which is enjoyable. Our next friendly is next Sunday against a Swedish team that is in the first division.
Outside of soccer, grocery shopping is still an adventure. Did some more today, got lots of different chocolate to try 🙂 Oh and some real food too. I’m glad I brought my peanut butter because it has been a lifesaver this first week. There is also a gelato place right next door, so that’s trouble. It’s owned by a couple from Germany. We’ve been there two times already!! We also went to a sports bar today and got some really good pizza! We have to walk everywhere right now, but hopefully we are getting bikes sometime this week. I don’t mind the walking, but 2 miles is a bit far to walk with groceries haha. To answer Mom’s question, we do have our own kitchen to cook in, so that’s what we do most of the time. By cook this first week, I mean eating peanut butter on flat bread and cereal. This next week I will be able to experiment a bit more!
We keep hearing how much fun the islands are in the summer, and the melting snow is giving hope for the future. The beach volleyball world tour or something of that sort is coming here in mid-August, so that will be really cool if we get to see some games! It will also just be nice to get out and explore a bit without deciding whether I need my snow boots or my rain boots. Well I’m off for now. Hope everyone is doing well!! Keep me updated about everything exciting going on at home!!
