Back from Schweiz...Sweet Weekend!



I'm back from Switzerland and it was a fantastic weekend!! 

I have a some pictures I need to post some photos and talk about my trip, but I am EXHAUSTED right now so it will have to wait until tomorrow!!  It was á fun weekend, spent with some great friends!!  Fun too see my Swedish friends down in Schweiz living their life.  And it was greattttttttt seeing Sophia!!  Thanks for a wonderful time me best.

So tomorrow I promise to write and post pictures tomorrow about my trip!!  Hope everyone had a great week and recovered from all the Turkey!

KRAM


In Switzerland!!

Okay real fast...I landed in Zurich yesterday around 12.30.  Sophia was there at the airport to pick me up and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO great to see her!!!  I can't believe it had been 6 months.

We then drove to Cissi's to pick up some fika for the julfika.  Mattias and Josefine came over for dinner, we made tacos.  It was so great just to hangout with them!!  I really do miss that!!  Then more Swedes came over that live here is Switzerland and also play innebandy, Daniel, Linda and Jens.  So here I was in a room with 6 Swedes and 1 american in the foreign country of Switzerland.  I traveled pretty far for a swedish julfika!!  HAHA!!  But what was nice was the company and that is all I really cared about.

Today I slept in, which I really needed and I think we will travel to the town of Solothurn to do some shopping and site-seeing.  Then we will go watch Mattias's team Wiler play and then have a party at Sophia's in the night!!  I can't wait!  There will be lots of different people from all over....love it!

Well now it's time to go explore this country!  The sun is out shinning...NICE!!  And later of course I will put up some pictures!!  Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace

Almost...



Spent the day getting ready for my trip to Switzerland!!  I'm landing there in 2 days!!  I can't wait!!  I have a little bit of Sweden in my suitcase right now!  Bought some stuff for Sophia!!

We will have a Swedish fika on Friday night (funny that I am going all the way to Switzerland for this) and then a big party on Saturday!!  I can't wait...So much planned!!  Can't wait to see all my friends down there!

Today I went and worked with some elementary school kids in their physical education class.  Did two basketball lessons!!  I hope to see them at our classes on Friday!!  I think this was good promotion.  Looking forward to seeing some more interest.  Vi får se!!

Later homies.



Tough Weekend



Check it out...I got a mini black eye.  This weekend was tough for us.  We lost both our games...Saturday was a close one vs. Eos 76-73.  It was an exciting game and well-played...we just couldn't pull off the win in the end.  SUCKS!  Then on Sunday we lost pretty bad vs. Sallen in a game that we were down from the beginning.  I think we were a little fatigued and tired, but the second half was much better than the first half.  They did a little interview on us during the game..here is the link...check it out:

http://svtplay.se/t/103621/basket

Yesterday Pam, Aisling, Julia and myself went to IKSU to sit in the jacuzzi and sauna.  Felt pretty good after a long weekend.  My legs are still pretty tired today, but I think a basketball practice will be good for them.

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving week...Thanksgiving on Thursday!!  It's already here.  My family is getting together in Arizonia so I hope they are doing well!!  I send my love and I wish I could be there!!  

3 more days and I am in Switzerland...yipeeeee!!

Peace for now!!
 

Down South

This weekend we are traveling down South to play TWO away games.  First game is Saturday in Lund vs. Eos...we fly down tonight to Malmö.  Then after the game Saturday we will take the train to Uppsala, stay the night and then face off vs. Sallen on Sunday.  Then back to Umeå later that evening.  So a weekend down South for us.  I hope the best for us, eventhough both places are very difficult places to play in.  I will never forget the Eos game last year, I have never been so mad after a game in my life.  I never want to feel that way again.  Both these teams are new this year in the Damligan and have eager players that want to win.  So we have to do everything in our power to play OUR game!!  We leave today kl. 19.40.

Today is the movie premiar of NEW MOON!!!  Can't wait to see it!!  Tony, Aisling, Pam, Julia, Toby and myself will be headed to watch the film at kl. 15.00 before our flight.  I have read all four books in the series, so I do know what happens...but it's still exciting to see on the big screen!!  Have I mentioned that I can't wait!!  

 

TGIF today!!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!!  We are going to have a weekend packed with action-filled games!!  I like our chances...

GO COMETS!!

The World's Craziest Bruise

And guess who would have the world's craziest bruise??????  Well..............Yours truely!!  Yep, today my american teammate asked me why I had a green mark on my ear.  Then I thought, that's a bruise.  I remember in the game when I smacked heads with a girl and my ear throbbed with pain.  Well I got a bruise on it, right through the cracks.  So weird.  Julia said it looks like green mold, BUT I PROMISE it's a bruise.  Such an odd place, I can't believe it.  I took a picture but it doesn't give it justice.  You can only see a little bit of the green, but the whole inside is bruised.



Still feel pretty beat up after the game on Saturday.  Have some nice bruises on my knees and even a pretty good jammed finger.  I guess that's the price I pay for playing this great sport of basketball! :)

Tonight Julia, Johanna, Mila, Aisling, Pam and myself went the DERBY match Dalen vs. Umeå City.  A great rivalry between the teams and always exciting to watch.  Gammlia was packed and the game was on TV...did anybody see me watching?!?!  We sat right in the front row so maybe you saw!  City ended up winning the game 6-3.  They played their butts off, that was for sure!  Fun to watch and they were so excited after the win!!

Now I will leave you with some pictures of Friday night.  Annica came down and spent Friday night at my place and spent some time with us.  Went for fika during the day, then practice, and then pizza night!  Ate pizzas and watched Idol on tv...Julia, Pam, Annica and myself.  Girl night!!  Fun time just hanging out with the girls!  Got us geared up for the game on Saturday anyway!!






SWEET headbands by the americans!!  We are really proud of them!!

Well time for bed!!  The week has just begun!! 

KRAM!!


We Won Again!!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!  We won again!!  And by 17 pts...sweet!!!  First time I have won by that much over here in Sweden, and even more crazy...we have already tied last year record 6 games in.  3-3 right now, so it's nice to be .500.  Kind of a rough game for us in the second half, after going into half-time with a 20 pt lead, it was hard for us to finish some easy baskets.  Their zone gave us some difficulties, but the most important thing is that we WON!!  A win is a win!!  That is all that matters!! 

The final score was 63-46 vs. Visby.  We had a great crowd as well at the game (THANKS EVERYONE!) and the atmosphere was fun to play in!  I was just a little frustrated with myself at times because it just felt like I couldn't finish a shot.  OKAY, that was just a side note.  I ended up with 21 points in the game and 20 rebounds.  Crazy that may rebounds almost matched my points.  Pam our new player had 14 pts and Mila had 15 rebounds (10 of which were offensive!).  We played with 7 players because Julia was sick, Emma played and scored a 3 pointer, which was pretty sweet to see!  Carro was solid, as always...Aisling took the ball aggressive to the basket...Johanna attacked more on the offensive end which was nice to see!!  It was a great team effort and sweet victory for us!!

Next weekend we travel to the south of Sweden to Lund to play Eos on Saturday and then take a night train up to Uppsala to play Sallen the next day.  So 2 games on the road that will be tough!  But I hope we can at least pick up one win!!  Vi får se!!

Today I will lay around on the soffa!!  REST!!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!!
KRAM


Winter Wonderland



The snow is falling outside and inside it's nice and cozy in my apartment!! 

Finally today I felt nice and rested, when the day before I was absolutely EXHAUSTED!  I have no idea why I was tired, but all I wanted to do was sleep...life was miserable.  But today is a completely different day and I feel re-newed and energized!!  Good day of shopping with Pam and Aisling after our morning session...and then a productive evening practice with the team.  We play our next game on Saturday vs. Visby at 15.00!  I really hope this is a good game for us!!  Let's go COMETS!!

Now it is 2 weeks until I leave for Switzerland!!  I can't wait!!  Also some more exciting news...Courtney is coming to Europe April 13th and staying until the end of May!  And that includes a trip to Sweden along the way.  It has now been one year since I have seen my sister, and that was when she came here last year to visit me.  Sucks that our lives are so busy and so far away from each other, but we make sure to stay in contact and update with one another!

Today I also realized that Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks.  Every year I have done a Thanksgiving for the team, and I think I would like to continue that tradition.  But I need some supplies!  Last year Courtney brought a bunch but no visitors this year makes it harder.  Looks like I might have to be creative and make some things from scratch!  So my new project in the next two weeks is to get Thanksgiving ready!  I hope it turns out alright, I love Thanksgiving food!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Now back to laying on my couch and watching some TV!  What a great life :) 

Adios amigos!


WOMANIZER!



MARIA!!

Pam loved that story today!!  You are a WOMANIZER!!  She laughed the entire day about it...

It was fun to see you today!! 

Grand Canyon!



My darling, little sister Courtney is going down the Grand Canyon.  She is taking a rafting trip for ONE MONTH...25 total days...down the river through the Grand Canyon.  Pretty much completely disconnected from society and technology for 25 total days.  I couldn't do that, but she is all excited and geared up for it!!  She loves that sort of thing.  So I am wishing her luck, she leaves next week and returns Dec. 16th.  Have a great time sis!!

Life is pretty methodical these days...school, practice, eat, sleep, practice, eat and then sleep again!  Seems to be the way life goes once season begins.  It goes fast though, I can't believe it's November already.  Before you know it, it's going to be xmas! 

Off to bed now!! 

God natt!

Vi Vann!!

74-72 Victory over Norrköping!!!  Feels pretty awesome right now!!  So now we have won 2 games out of 5 and hopefully we keep it going!!  2-3 record and only 1 game away from breaking last year's record (not too hard to do ;))

Last night's game was very exciting and a great debut for Pam on our team!!  I must say, it sure was nice having her on our team instead playing against her.  In her first game as a Comet, she scored 26 pts!!  Also provided a nice spark for us I think.  Everybody performed on the defensive side last night.  That was a good team effort and when we needed stops, we worked hard to get it.  We went up by almost 10 pts and then quickly saw the lead deminish in the 4th.  In the last 7 minutes of the game, I think we turned the ball over 11 times and quickly we watched our lead go from 10 to 1.  Oh that got a little scary, but then we stepped it up and fought back and gained the lead again in the final seconds of the game.  We were up 1 pt with 12 seconds to go in the game and I was fouled underneath.  I had two free throws and missed the first one (I even heard a shrill scream in the stands) but I made the second one to give us the 2 pt lead.  So Norrköping got the ball back with 12 seconds remaining, ran a play, got a shot off, and fortunately for us, they missed!  The ball goes out of bound with 1.7 seconds remaining, giving them one last shot...but it was forced up in desperation and win the game!!  And then total celebration by our team!!  I ended up with 28 pts and 23 rebounds.  23 rebounds is kind of crazy...but more than anything, I AM SO HAPPY THAT WE WON!!  Whoop whoop!! Go Comets!!  And thanks everyone that was there, we had a good crowd and people cheering through out! Felt pretty nice!!

Our next game is Saturday vs. Visby at Gammlia kl. 16.00.  Another home game...SWEET!!  I really hope we can step it up now!

Today I went and watched our U93 team play, they lost to Luleå.  Then Tony and I went to church followed by dinner.  Now I am sitting at home just RELAXING!  The week begins tomorrow, here we come yet again!!  I hope everyone had a greatttttttttt weekend!!  Class starts at 8.30...

SOV GOTT!!

Quick News Flash!

So some changes have taken place on our team.  Bri has left and a new American has filled her spot, Pam Rosanio.  Pam played last year in the league for Eskilstuna.  She was a really great player for them and in fact, we played against them 4 times last year.  I think she averaged about 30 pts against us...and this is no lie.  I think she will be great for us but it was really sad to see Bri leave.  Everyone got along great with her and she was good person.  Now Pam has come and can only make our team stronger.  Our first test comes this weekend when we play against Norrköpping at home.  Norrköping is a solid team that has a lot of talent...but I really hope we play a good match against them and hope for the best!  I always believe we can do it...and I still think that way!!  Let's go Comets!!

No other news really to report on the team.  Last weekend we had off so it's been about 12 days without a game.  I think we are all eager and ready to start play again!! 

Now it is officially 3 weeks until I leave for Switzerland to visit my best SOPHIA!!  I can't wait, it's going to be great!  Sounds like she is planning a really nice trip, but most of all I'm just looking forward to spending some time with her! 

Tony, Aisling and I visited my dearest Maria at her work today!  Good craic as always (good conversation in Irish lingo).  Then it was home for a quick nap before practice, and then a solid practice in the evening.  Now I am sitting at home probably going to bed here REAL soon.

Last week I was off from school and this week I have started back up.  That means 8.30 in the morning starts for class.  I am starting to get more confident in my Swedish skills.  I can understand so much more and speaking is even a bit easier.  It's still hard but I am getting closer.  It's starting to feel so much nicer that I actually understand this language.  I just feel more connected and it makes things easier knowing Swedish in Sweden.  (haha imagine that!! :))  But anyway, that is just kind of a proud moment for me for myself (haha) and I thought I would share it!!  

I hope everyone is having a great week!!  And hey, it's almost FRIDAY!!  YIPPEEEEEEEE!!  

Vi hörs! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

On Saturday we had a Halloween costume party with some of the team and other friends!!  It was a lot of fun dressing up and seeing all the different costumes!!  It actually felt like Halloween in Sweden!!  I had sooooo much fun, loved it!!  What a great night and check out all the costumes...


I was a rocker!!  ROCKSTAR alert!!  Think I might take this up again...


Busted prisioner!!  Julia as a criminal!



Paging doctor Tony!


The scariest clown I have ever seen...freaky Mila.  And Aisling as Cat Woman.


Carro, Mia and Serva as Charlie's Angels!!  Looking good girls!


The Irish guys.  Tony pretending he has muscle. HA!


In our roles!

So that was our party in Sweden.  I am also including some pictures from back home.  My dearest friends dressed their kids up back home, and I had to show pictures because THEY ARE SOOOOOO ADORABLE!!  Love it!!


Janey's kids Dean and Norah!!!  Sooooooo cute!


Kellie's little one...Charlie all dressed up as a pumpkin...so cute!  OMG!

NOW lastly...Check out all the snow back home.  It hasnt even snowed here yet in Sweden...but I guess it snowed up to 18 inches back in Colorado.  NOW that is crazy!!

 
That's like half of Norah!!  Haha!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and a spectacular Halloween!  I'm out the door to teach a basketball class!! 

Vi hörs!!







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