A Finntastic Weekend

As we drove up the winding, snowy hills to our destination, a few things were immediately obvious. 1. We weren’t going shopping in any kind of downtown Helsinki coffee shop infested areas 2. It was borderline creepy how smoothly we were driving on so much snow and 3. Any minute now we would run into a huge candy cane sign that said “North Pole”. But whatever. We didn’t care. We just wanted to get to our beds ASAP. We had left Hjørring at 2pm and arrived to the training center at 2am. Twelve-hour travel days are the best.

The dorm-like sleeping arrangements were better than expected, and once we woke up to (not the sun, because we didn’t see the sun the entire weekend) let’s call them shiny clouds, it was evident that we were at a high quality training facility.

The amount of snow and ice that covered said facility were less desirable as you can imagine.

The joke of the weekend was that we went to Finland for a preseason tournament, instead of oh, I know don’t know, Spain or Turkey, to appreciate Hjørring more.

At one point I said to my coach “Ok ok, I get it, I get it, Hjørring is awesome, we can go home now!”

But nevertheless, we stayed. And we enjoyed it.

We jumped in an ice lake or whatever they call it. It’s a Finnish tradition, right? So, you jump in the water for a second and go in the sauna after. I pictured it going much smoother, but it was more chaos than my life prefers.

I slowly stepped into the water, (which is a feat in itself because I’m terrified of not being able to see what’s beneath me) dunked my head under, shot up out of the water, grabbed my towel and clothes and ran barefoot through the snow to the sauna.  All the while screaming “it’s not worth it”.

But it was. I was just having a moment.  And being dramatic.

So we did that. We played two games against the No. 1 and 2 teams in Finland, and Finnished the weekend with a win and a loss.  (did you catch that brilliance?) As with all preseason matches, we learned things. And talked tactics. And learned things. And talked tactics. And complained about our legs being sore and the such.

But enough about soccer.

We had much more important things going on. Like making a Harlem Shake video… which I believe is roaming the internet like a scared cat that knows there’s a dog close by. It’s like one of those things you probably shouldn’t do because everyone else is doing it but you do it because everyone else is doing it, but after you do it, you’re like why did we do that, but you’re like well let’s just watch it five more times.  Yeah, I don’t even know where it is.

We played some team bonding trivia game. And let me tell you, our teammates are so considerate to make the questions in Danish and English so the Americans could participate.  There were questions like “What species of monkey is Rafiki from Lion King” and “Which country has one the most men’s World Cups”… I told everyone before we started playing that my team would win, and we did. Some may say that’s cocky, I say I’m just instilling confidence in my team. Bro.

Let’s see here. I’m almost done, don’t worry.

I saw one of my old teammates from AIK (Sweden). She calls me a douchebag every time I see her. We have an ironic friendship. It’s ironic because she’s the douchebag… Yeah I hope you're reading this.

Fast forward to the travel home.

I wrote this sitting in the van on our 5-hour (I wrote year instead of hour at first, because that’s what it felt like I guess) ride back to Hjørring. We stopped to eat at a rest stop off the highway in Denmark. If you think the Jersey Turnpike has slim pickings, you just shouldn’t think that.

We had the choice: McDonalds, Burger King or a place called Sunset Boulevard.  Sunset (which is what the locals call it) is a far cry from what you imagine Sunset Boulevard to be like. It’s a combination of Subway, McDonalds and imported shitty French fries. So, Casey (the other American), Nino (a player on trial from Georgia- the country) and I ate at Burger King.

Guess today was our cheat day.

So, that’s all for now. Except the Titanic song just came on the radio. And all I can think about is how I know what that freezing cold water felt like now that I’m an experienced Fin-dipper (I am assuming that’s what they’re called, I don’t have the exact dictionary spelling, sorry).

I’ll write again soon. There are lots of things going on here in Denmark... like the timer on our laundry adding extra time during the cycle and my old housemates (aka my teammates that are under the age of 22) accidentally putting my VISA in the trash mail pile. You know, the usual.

A Conversation With Your Next Week Self

As I was sitting on the plane from Newark to Amsterdam, beginning my journey back to Hjørring for the second part of the season, so many thoughts went through my head. I was having what I like to call unorganized thoughts, or mixed emotions.

For the most part in my life, I know what I feel when I feel it, and usually my emotions have been on par to the situation at hand. If I score a goal or we win a game, I'm happy; if I lose something I'm frustrated with myself; if I don't finish a workout I'm disappointed in myself etc.

But when I was sitting on that plane, leaving my friends and family at home, going back to playing soccer in Denmark, I couldn't figure out what I felt. And for someone who is OCD, this was pretty emotional. Yes, on a plane.

I thought about the goodbye I had with my mom, something that crushes my heart to the very core. I can't even look at her when I say bye now because her eyes fill up with tears as soon as I say "alright Mom, I gotta get going". Then I walk out the door with my bags, get in the car, put my sunglasses on and let it out myself.

On the plane I thought about that scenario over and over and how if I told my next week self about it, she would laugh. Because my next week self would be sitting in her new house, with her teammates, playing soccer every day, watching it on TV, staring at her shined boots, carefully putting on each shinguard (right before left) and getting stains out of her headband.

My next week self was more Ocho (my alter ego) than Tiffany. Tiffany is very sensitive, shy and more recluse-like than the egotistical, in your face, Ocho. Ocho can handle being away from home and living the dream. Tiffany misses her mom.

As I stepped onto the field for our first training session the day I arrived, I started to feel that sensitive side slowly fade. I was exhausted, but knew I could push through training. Eventually, I wasn't pushing through, I was just back in that game flow.

We were doing a drill where we had a defender on our back and we had to try to turn and beat them. I got a hard pass in, tried to chip it so it spun backwards over the defender's head and though it just wasn't high enough, I looked at my teammate and we both smiled and laughed.

That's why I'm here. That's why I was able to leave. That happiness overshadowed the sadness of leaving.

In that instant, I knew I didn't have to wait to hear from my next week self, because I had heard from my current self that things were okay. I wrote on my Facebook a quote that I came up with before I left -"leaving home is always harder than it seems, but nothing would be harder than not living out your dreams" I am sure there are variations of this same saying, but I liked that I could rhyme it.

The idea that I wouldn't hurt my own feelings by leaving my family and friends always wades in and out of my mind. I could feel that sense of security all day every day. That feeling has always been very comfortable and a major part of why "Tiffany" still lives at home for part of the year. "She" needs that though.

But my mom and I always remember very well what I was like when I was sitting the bench for the Breakers a few years ago. That, regardless if I was home every weekend, I wasn't truly happy.

Maybe one day I'll have the luxury of soccer and family in the same place. But until then, this is the way my dream is possible. This is where I need to be.

So, as I sit here in the confines of a small, Danish town, I am very content knowing that Ocho and Tiffany can live as one. Where both can thrive and live out parts of their lives that make them happy. Your next week self is always going to be the person who deals with the consequences of that prior decision.

It's your current self's job to ensure that the difficult decision will pay off for them.

Signing off... Ochiffany

The Champions League of my own

Saturday June 9, 2012 Fortuna Hjorring defeats Brondby IF 3-0 to qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League - "sick, sick, sick"

Thursday August 23, 2012

Fortuna draws Glasgow City FC for the Round of 32 - "awesome, let's find out everything we can about them -youtube!"

Wednesday September 26, 2012

GAME DAY - "it's time"

We stayed over night in Scotland, just outside of Glasgow. Nothing to write home about. In fact, I had never been more excited to get back to Denmark.

I had joked all week about the UEFA Champions League theme song being played wherever we went. Like you would imagine for the men's teams and in some crazy fantasy world that doesn't really exist. But someone told me the song wasn't played, or it wasn't allowed to be played. So I quickly forgot a cool moment that wouldn't be.

I was walking out onto the pitch with the rest of the team. We all had little kids next to us with Champions League shirts on. My kid couldn't stand still for two seconds. That's all I was thinking about. Why won't this kid just stand still? And why do I always get the tallest kids in front of me? I'm 5'3!

Anyway, I was standing there. And all of a sudden I got chills. I actually got chills before I realized what was giving me chills. And then there it was. The Champions League theme song. The song I have listened to for so many years watching the men's competition on TV, DREAMING of an opportunity like that. Like when you're young, you don't realize that you dream about things that are mostly for men. You just think by that time it will be waiting for you.  (I totally thought I'd wear a SF Giants jersey one day).

And then it hit me. I was playing in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. For a team I love. For coaches I'm proud to play for, and more importantly, with players and friends that I admire and respect so much.

We played two matches against Glasgow City. The first game we won 2-1 and the second we tied 0-0, sending us to the Round of 16. Yes, the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. We are one of the top 16 teams in Europe.

Okay. So, like McKayla, I'm not impressed with too many big things. I'm more impressed with my socks having the perfect fold for a game. Or if an announcer pronounces my name correctly (WYMER).

But I will never forget the feeling of standing in front of the crowd while that song was playing... a moment that, if only for a few seconds, will always remind me that if we didn't bust our ass prior (June 9), would never have happened.

I don't really believe in fate and all that junk. (sorry to all the believers) but it's just hard to think that I was supposed to be in that lineup on that day in Scotland. That I'm even supposed to be in Denmark right now. Still playing soccer at 28 years old.

If fate had its way, I'm pretty sure I would have been done playing by the time I was 24.

Why? Because fate is all the things that tries to stop you from doing what you want to do. If I gave in to every obstacle, everything that tried to get me to do what I didn't want to do, that would have been my fate. I would have taken the road that was paved for me.

But I didn't. And I never will. Because anything that gives you chills in this life, is worth jumping through rings of fire for. Rings of freakin fire. And I mean Johnny Cash emo country song fire. Not circus fire.

Because even if I get burned on my jump, I'll still always get through the ring. I'll get to the place that I'm not supposed to see. Living the life I'm not supposed to live. And be that person that I was never supposed to be. Every. Single. Time.

Highlights from the game here

Back in... Green?

Guess who's back!? Back to blogging with much to catch up on. Two months of catching up to be exact.

Quick summary? Sure.

Summer in Connecticut 

After I left Denmark in June, I decided to play for the New England Mutiny while I was home for the summer. That turned out to be exactly what I needed. Training close to home, a few games and a reminder of what American soccer was like.

Thanks to the New England Mutiny for providing high-level soccer for the players in the area.

Providing some high-level soccer of our own, I also had an amazing experience coaching the first girlsCAN Football Summer Elite program in Connecticut. We had the privilege of coaching three teams from U-9 to U-14 for the month of July and taking them to two tournaments, one of which was the Penn State 8v8 Tournament (no special reason for picking that one).

I have to say this about the experience.  There are some extremely talented and motivated players out there.  I was so impressed with some of the players in our program that it was inspiring.  It inspired me to want to be better for them.  It is now my goal to help the next generations of players who want to play soccer. I know all the great things that come along with playing the game and these young players are more than deserving of reaping the benefits of all the work they put in. It's my job now to guide them and see that they get all they can out of soccer.

With that, if there are any young players seeking advice, do not hesitate to ask someone who has been there. Everyone's road is different, but there are people who know what you're going through and can provide you with options and perspective.

Okay. So, aside from playing with the cats and swimming, that was basically my "offseason".

Now, I'm writing fromm Denmark with my American point of view in full affect.

Birthdays in Denmark 

One of the players on our team turned 25 over the weekend.  This is considered a milestone, especially if you're not married. (I say buy a fake ring and leave it at that) But anyway, if you turn 25 and you're not married you get the honor of being cinnamon-ed. See photo below.  If you turn 30 and are not married, you get the same treatment with pepper.

Luckily, I will be out of the country for all my birthdays.

Another interesting bit about birthdays is that they decorate their house with Danish flags.  I thought this to be a little weird considering you're celebrating the birth of a person and not a country, but of course, I was the weird one for questioning the culture.

Schools in Denmark 

One of my biggest concerns with Denmark is the fact that they have two different kinds of schools. From what I gathered by the picture below, is that this is a sign for a "real school".

It's private and real so that is definitely a plus.

But there is always the question as to what the fake school is like? Is it like clown school? Or do kids show up and then they don't have to do anything?

Any insight into this would be much appreciated.

Last, I'd like to leave you with a photo quote... or quote photo or quoto. Such a simple saying, but so difficult to follow at times. It's interesting for someone like me. There are so many times that I think I have myself figured out completely. Then all it takes is a few days of reflection to see that, somewhere along the line, you stopped being you and you started being what everyone else wanted you to be. If you ever wonder why you might not be happy sometimes, take a look at the person you are and then think about the person you were when you were happy. I think too many times we equate our happiness to what we have or don't have, who's around us or not and the shitty things that might happen to us at times. But really, it's just about the person you are and the thoughts you have inside. When people are happiest, it's when they are truly being themselves.

The closer you are to you, the closer you are to greatness.

Wash Away

Single digits. Anyone who has been away from home for an extended amount of time knows that the words "single digits" have several meanings.

1. It means you are really close to going home

2. It means you are going to have to leave behind people and a place that, regardless if you loved it or hated it, changed your life forever.

3. And time goes by.... so slowly.

I am constantly saying hello and goodbye to people in these types of situations. It forces something out of you though. It makes you really appreciate time with people and the little things.

The last few weeks have been a mix of ups and downs. We dropped points in vital games and are now in a situation where we have to win against Brondby this weekend... a team we've yet to beat. If we don't win, for the first time in the history of the club, we won't compete in Champions League this fall.

If we do win, we will have dug ourselves out of a gaping hole that we created. (Funny how we have to get ourselves out of our own holes in life, huh?)

But about the little things... it's amazing how on and off the field, when you have some time to sit back and think, the little things really are the difference between a good time and a bad time, and a win and a loss.

During my time at Penn State, we were constantly reminded by our coaches to take care of the details. At the time I think it was just something we said to make them happy and something we could all agree on, but didn't realize the full impact it had on our seasons and our success.

But truly, the details make all the difference in the world. Especially in a game where the score is tied 0-0 in the 94th minute and we let in a goal off of a set piece... something we have struggled with all year.

Got scored on. From a set piece. 94th minute. Most important game (at the time) of our season.

Those words would make any player or coach cringe.

Anyway, the details. Off the field it's much of the same. I live in a small town of about 24,000. There's not much to do on the regular. But it's not always about what you're doing. It's about who you're with and the thoughts in your own head. It's about taking time in the morning to peel the egg shell off a hardboiled egg. (Tell me it's not amazing when it comes off easily). It's about making the perfect cup of coffee. Playing with the cats in the neighborhood. Jamming in the car to "Call Me Maybe". Sitting in coffee shops and chatting. Watching YouTube videos and saying the quotes all day everyday. Hearing dirty english words in Danish while the coach is talking... things that, no matter how the season ends, you'll never forget as long as you live.

I really dislike cliches so I'll try to change it.  It really doesn't matter how a film ends if the lead up to it isn't interesting. For the most part, if the lead up isn't interesting, I won't even watch to the end.

The process. How you got there. How you get to the end. That's what matters. That's where we are made. That's how we come to find who we are, what we like, where we want to go and the people we want in our lives.

I think about the 21 year old version of myself. And oh boy, I thought I was hot shit. (Not that that's changed too much) but I've learned so much more about myself through these crazy adventures. And I guess I can say that during my time in Denmark I have grown more than any other individual experience in my life.

Through my struggles, my thoughts, my writing, my friends, my family, my awesomeness, my love for the little things in life and my desire to be something and make something of my time on earth... I've found me. I've been to hell and back, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Finland, Brazil, San Jose, Boston, Sweden, Vancouver, Denmark... and I'm not sure what's next.

I don't need to know what's next. All I need to know is that I'm not done growing. I'm not done finding me. Today this is me. And this is what my adventures have made me. But as the rains wash away pieces of the earth, so shall time in the creation of the people we are. And the things we want to leave behind. And the new things that grow with a new day.

Fair Weather Friends...Not Family

Let me begin by saying that despite popular belief, the sun does come out in Denmark. Since the creation of the sun in Denmark in May of 2012, life has changed and my opinion of Life in this Northern Town has changed.

People are coming out of their winter hibernation (which is very noticeable because of the blindingly white Danish skin), the trees and flowers are in full bloom and the cats no longer need my shelter from the weather. (cannot express how used I feel)

Also, because of our location in the world, the sun is out most of the day. Sunrise - 4:36 am.. Sunset - 9:30pm. And this will continue to get longer as we get closer to summer.

Okay enough about the weather. Let's get into it.

The past few weeks have been flying by. People always say that time flies when you're having fun and I guess that's one way to look at it. But I also think that if you're using your time wisely and not wasting it making gourmet meals for cats, then it goes "faster" too.

We have played two games since my last blog - a win and a loss. The loss means that we can only win the league if Brondby loses points in their next match. If not, the best we can finish is second. But that's not a guarantee. So, we have our work cut out for us in our last two games of the season against Skovbakken and Brondy.

Off the field, there have been many new activities. Like... Tanning on the turf field. Tanning on the beach. Eating ice cream at the famous "blue house" because it has "guf" which you need to try.

About the blue house... there are several different color houses on the beach that sell ice cream. But the line for the blue one is cray cray. Why? Because the blue one has "the best ice cream". The real reason why? There is none. I imagine it's the same reason people go to Starbucks over getting coffee at the gas station... even though it tastes the same. (Yeah Starbucks coffee tastes like shit).  It's just because the blue house is famous.

And a quick FYI ... I read online that Danes eat more ice cream per year than any other country in the world... and they have the shortest summer. Come on Americans! We have to be first in everything!

Anyway. List time.

Things I've learned - 5/28/12

1. Watching spiders grow doesn't have the same "aww" effect as watching

babies grow.

2. Oreos + peanut butter + fluff  = TRY IT!

3.  Ground pork, beef, veal and chicken all look the same.

4. In Denmark, the green grass really does grow all around.

5. And finally, for now, it takes two to tango... in case you weren't sure.

... aside from continually learning, I realized I have less than two weeks left until my summer break.

Denmark has been quite a treat, but I am definitely ready for some home time... especially being with the fam.

You see, there's just something about your family that no one will ever understand. It's not that they're perfect or anything, but they just know you in a way that no one else can ever know you... and they love you in a way that no one else will ever understand. It's almost like I walk through the door of my house and breathe a big sigh of relief because the weight of missing them and worrying about them is off my shoulders. And you know that goes both ways.

Simply put, life is easy when I'm with them.  And I can't wait to be back in a place where my mom still tells me to be careful every time I leave the house and my cats will love me no matter what the weather is like!

ME-OUCH

Let It Shine

Pretty much every day here in Denmark, I find myself learning something new. Today I learned that even though it's May and it still feels like February, it's normal to go to amusement parks.

Yeah, that wouldn't really happen back home. It wouldn't be too... what's the word... amusing.

So, we had a team outing at a place somewhat like Six Flags... but it was closer to Three Flags, and in weather that was similar to a wind storm in November.

It's called this: Fårup Sommerland (wasn't much summer about this land)

Anyway, I went. And I enjoyed it. And I took some photos. So I'll share those below right here.

Aside from that bit of fun - let's see if I can sum up the last week in a numbered list! Yay!

1. We tied Brondby 1-1 which means we're still able to win the league, which is awesome.

2. The cats are starting to tell their friends about my residence and more and more keep coming over for visits.

3. I have a new friend that lives close to my apartment but IS NOT allowed in. See photo below.

4. It is very difficult to order from a Chinese food place when you don't speak Danish or Chinese.

5.  Hot dogs are a big deal here.

6. The word "slut" means "end" not "whore"

7. It makes life more fun when you sing "Clouds over Hjorring" to the beat of "Bombs over Baghdad")

8. There's a girl who plays for Brondby that has four tattoos of #8 on her body. Pictures to come.

9. The girls on the team asked me what the difference was between fast food in America and fast food in Denmark. I said it's simple, it's fast. #everythinghereisslower #butontheotherhandtheynevermessuporders

And I think that's all for now. Not as exciting as it seems. Let me tell you.

But anyway, I always have to leave with a little bit of this or that. This time you're going to get the that.

That: Oh yeah, how about some soccer. Recently, I've been playing different positions. Sometimes center mid. Sometimes outside mid. Sometimes coming off the bench. Sometimes starting. Mentally it isn't always easy to keep it right. To keep that confidence. But what I've learned is that if you need to find your confidence from outside resources, it might not ever come. It's gotta be something within. Some dusty storage bin that, if needed, you can open up and use. I say dusty because it's a backup. If you're not feeling the usual swag-fidence, you have something to fall back on.

You know there are times when you will go practice after practice without getting a good job from your coach. Right? It happens to everyone. So, next time you don't think you're getting the praise you deserve, open up your bin, light that fire cracker, and let it shine my friends.

Boom. Bye.

Tell Them What's Up

So many activities. So little time to blog about them.

The cats have been coming over more than they're welcomed to. I go through cartons of milk unnecessarily. And trying to give them leftover salmon or chicken is obviously just not classy enough for them. They are so spoiled.

If I start buying cat food, someone needs to hit me.

In other news, the suns out in Hjorring. Big plus.

Because I was pretty sure the cloud over the town was just part of the population.

Anyway.

Yesterday we had another one of our weekly trips to Copenhagen to play BSF.

A few of us had to fly out early, because of scheduling conflicts, so I was one of the 5 am-ers with the two 19-year-olds. Although they may have a higher maturity level than me, I was stoked to know that I could name more U.S. states than them.

While sitting at the only Starbucks in Denmark (at the airport) I quizzed them on the 50 states. One had 10 written down, but put Florida twice and Los Angeles as one. And although she wrote "Vegina" and I lost it, because I told her that it is a body part not a state... she insisted that there was a state named "Vegina" and a West one too. I said - OHH VIRGINIA. Yeah.

It was even funnier telling our coach later. He knew that word too.

West Vagina is usually just referred to as the Hip anyway.

So, after teaching U.S. Geography, my good deed of the day was finished. Then it was off to our game. Which was in Ballerup. Which had a street called Ballerup Boulevard.

Trying to teach the Danish why Ballerup is funny to us, is funnier than the fact that Ballerup is funny to us. The word Baller is struggling to make it here. We really need to try harder. We need to Up the Baller status. Ya feel me?

After beating BSF 5-1, in which I didn't participate because of a sore knee (not serious, just being smart) we travelled back to Hjorring (which is a 30-minute plane ride- basically like if a plane could do a broad jump, that's the distance).

Since then, I've just been thinking.

I'm enjoying my time here. I like my teammates a lot. (Don't tell them) With that, I think it's also important to reiterate and add to one of my Life Lessons, that if you have something to say to someone you should say it.

But I think I made it seem like it was more of a romantic thing and it doesn't have to be obviously. See, as I said to one of my friends yesterday, there is a small window of opportunity to say things you want to say. Time goes by fast, people move away, things change. And you might miss that window if you think waiting is a good idea.

We think WAY more than we say. About situations, people, food, cats. But we don't usually tell the people we think about that we think about them. Or what we think about them (good or bad, folks).

I think I'm pretty good about it. I say what I think a lot. But I am going to make an almost-mid-year resolution to be better about it. So, if you hear some shit from me that seems to be coming out of nowhere... all it means is I'm thinking about you. And it may be out of the blue to you, but in my head it isn't.

Operation make life more badass than it already is in full effect.

Who's with me?

Lost in the Danish Nation Translation

April 17 - means awesome Spring weather, beautiful grass fields and ... not in Denmark. We are still wearing pants, gloves and hats at training. The surface is muddy and hard. And well, yeah, I'm jealous of people at home in CONNECTICUT... haha yeah, I'm really saying that I'm jealous of the weather in Connecticut. FML.

Oh well  - Kelly Clarkson said if it doesn't kill me it will make me stronger. Yep. She did.

On Saturday we played a team with a long name that is definitely getting abbreviated here to BSF . We beat them 6-0 to put us back in second place in the league. Ballin. I scored my first and second official goals in league play and it felt good to find the back of the net finally. Even if one was a bouncing, bend down to reach it, header.

In other interesting news, we've had some fun with translation and new words for our Danish friends. After our game Saturday, SOMEHOW, it got translated that we had Wednesday and Thursday off to rest for our game Saturday. Later that night we found out that we actually have an important Cup game in Copenhagen against Brondby on Wednesday. So, as you can imagine, I quickly regretted the McDonalds and ciders I had after the game. 

So, that was fun.

Back to the name of the team we played - BSF - It stands for Ballerup something something. As Americans, seeing the word "baller" in anything gets us a little bit excited. I explained to our assistant coach why it made us giggle and what a baller is. Being extremely appreciative of anything witty, I was really impressed with his answer:

"I've been looking for 20 years for a word to describe myself, and I finally found it"

Haha. Yes. Amazing.

You're welcome Denmark. You now have a new word. Hopefully you'll all try to fit it into your life. If you need help, just let me know.

Things I learned in the last two weeks:

1. Danish money isn't monopoly money, so if you go to the casino and lose, you are losing real money

2. Cats here probably don't understand english

3. I feel so much safer riding in a car than on a bike

4. McDonalds is always really packed here and I couldn't remember that being the case at home... then I remembered there are like five on every street so it's nearly impossible to overcrowd one (there's only one in Hjorring)

5.  Don't discourage foreigners to speak english by laughing if they make a mistake... even if the coach says "suck balls" during training, you can't laugh.

6. And last but not least - try your very best to be positive. Things suck sometimes. Things suck a lot of times. You're totally in control of how you react to those bad things. 100% in control.

Alright  - done for today. Final words? Okay fine.

Take this to the bank:

Don't think you're better than us ? EH?

Six pounds of coffee later... Thank you to everyone who sent packages. Pretty awesome. I think I'm good with coffee for the rest of the year now. So, if anyone needs other ideas, I mean, I guess I can make a list:

Gummy bears Peanut Butter Fluff Easter candy Double stuffed oreos

(I know, I know, I'm such a health nut!)

Anyway, the blog has suffered due to my new extensive social life. Usually, I'm not one to socialize much. I don't like that many people. Yeah, big secret there. But I have friends here. Shocking!

Last weekend we (Lydia, me, the Aussies and one of our Danish teammates) took a trip to Copenhagen and Malmo. There we met up with Alyssa Naeher  (who somehow has more Twitter followers than me, so please don't give her any extra) - but she took a plane in from Potsdam for the weekend to hang out with me.

After a night out in Copenhagen, we went to Malmo to see Canada vs. Sweden and enjoy a mini Penn State reunion with Carmelina Moscato and Erin McLeod. Super fun. Even though Sweden beat Canada, it was still cool to see an international game live. Even if it was freezing. And Carm didn't get us box seats. Still awesome.

Regardless, the weekend was eventful. More so than the usual daily musings from Hjorring anyway.  Lots of travel, lots of laughs. Mostly laughing at the weird shit the Aussies say.

A few things I learned from the weekend: 

1. If I never learn how to drive stick, I'll never have to drive while I'm here :) (sorry Lyds)

2. Subway ingredients are the same here as back home

3. If you see a skum, you must distinguish them (easy enough)

4. I also learned more about this

old law

that I'm not really good at following (oops)

 After the weekend, we had to come back to run the Beep Test.

Which was like so fun.

We had a few training sessions and now two days off for the holiday weekend here. Apparently the whole town shuts down, so I had to stock up on Cup O Noodles and Coke. So, yeah, Mom, don't worry, I'm good.

What else?

We have our first big game on Monday. We travel to Copenhagen to play Brondby (the No. 1 team in the league). There might even be a stream to watch the game. Not to get anyone's hopes up. But if that's the case I'll post it on Twitter or Facebook for everyone.

(I'll be the one wearing a headband)

That's all for now. Don't miss me too much.

Peace, I'm outta here!