They see me ridin', they laughin'

Readers, forgive me, for I have not blogged. It has been seven days since my last blog. The events leading up to our first game are pretty insignificant. So, let's skip to the game and then come back to the other stuff if there's room.

Our first game was yesterday against Vejle. (Don't worry, I can't pronounce it either) The game was at 1pm and with Daylight Savings Time we had to be on top of our game, and we were. Promptly arriving to our meeting at 11:30am, we we made it through one of the toughest days of the year for any foreigner.

Aside from having to bike to the match for the first time in my life, up hill both ways, it was a gorgeous day in Hjorring. We even wore shirtsleeves during the game. (TAN! WOOH) In front of an amazing crowd of about 30 people, we didn't really put on the show we were expected to.

It's hard to say disappointing in the same sentence as win, but this one just wasn't good enough. I personally had enough chances to give a cheating ex-boyfriend an ulcer. I don't even know what if that makes sense.

But I definitely need to work on my finishing this week. And definitely need to adjust to the Danish style of play, which is extremely physical. Lydia was body slammed several times, in what resembled more of a UFC fight than a soccer match. She even had the dirt in her teeth to prove it. Instead of getting the wind knocked out of her, she got an entire hurricane knocked into her. (Again, no clue if that makes sense, but I don't like deleting anything in these blogs).

We have two weeks until our next game... plenty of time to work it out.

A few more things...

I am not bad at many things. Truly. I can count them on one hand.

1. Long-distance running

2. Short-distance running

3. Playing musical instruments

...and now we can add one more to that list - riding bikes. 

In the last two weeks I have fallen off my bike five times. You know that saying "fall 8 times get up 9"? Yeah well I don't know if I can make it that many more times. Like, if I fall again I don't think I will be getting back up on that bike. I am sure Lydia can attest to how bad I am, but after the game yesterday I got too close to a curb that was too high and had my worst fall with several tumbles, a couple screams, an ouch, ripped pants and a knee scrape. Like for real? I went the entire 90 minutes without getting a bruise or scratch, then on the ride home that happens.

Fail is right my friends.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I am hoping to ride in a car today, give my pride a break.  Ya dig?

Tak!

So many activities... well, not really.

Since the last time you joined me, a lot but not a lot has happened. If that makes sense. Training has been pretty intense. We have actually done quite a bit of running. Though most of it involves a ball. My trainer Mike LeGates once told me, "I could get you to run to China if there's a shot waiting at the end of it." Pretty true.

So there's that.

I have made several feline friends including a neighborhood filled with cats, which is amazing, and a Bernese Mountain dog that lives behind us. His name is Elvis. And he rocks. 

I told you a lot has happened!

I purchased what I thought was macaroni and cheese but actually turned out to be macaroni and WTF is this shit. That got thrown out. Then I had to bike to the gas station to get an oven-ready pizza. Failed dinner. So I drank a cider and went to bed.

Let's see. Oh. We went to the town swimming pool. Lydia and I. And I will definitely take pictures next time, because it's a beautiful place. With a freakin water slide. And no sharks. Which I'm pumped about.

Today we're going to do a coaching appearance for a club an hour away, which will be interesting because I'm sure not many of these kids have been coached in english before. And of course never by the wonderful Ocho of the U.S. Will for sure be updating about that.

For now I will leave you with this bit of info:

Landlyst 8 Box 151 9800 Hjørring Danmark

This is the club's address. If you care about me, this is where the presents should be sent.

Lastly, I'm reading Tuesdays With Morrie right now. Yes, for the first time. Fantastic book so far with a lot of great messages. My favorite though: "Let love in"  - it's okay to have walls. But make sure they're made of cardboard.

Ciao for now my little brown cows.

What's worse than snow? One thing.

Let's see, what do I have for you today.

Yesterday we had the day off. And I needed groceries. And couldn't get in touch with the Norwegian with the car, also known as Lisa Marie Woods. So, Lydia and I biked it to Fakta and had to lug our stuff back. I really felt bad for myself. I thought, oh life, why are you so difficult sometimes? Then I saw a photo of someone who had it a little worse, and changed my tune.

After we got our groceries, the snow began to pile up. I thought it was a joke, naturally. But it was real.

Eh, it wasn't that bad. We went out to shop a little. Found some new sweats. For those of you who know me, you know how happy new sweats make me. And for those of you who didn't know... now you know, reader.

After shopping we went home ... where I was able to wear my new sweats, light my new candle, and chill at my little work station.

I find it extremely peaceful here and even though I miss my mom yelling at me to make my bed sometimes, I kind of forgot what it's like to hear my own thoughts so often.

Like " Tiff, brush your damn teeth you lazy shit" or "No one else is going to do the dishes, you do realize this right?" ... ahh. Yeah, I definitely miss my mom yelling!

No, but on the serious. It's amazing to be able to reevaluate your life from time to time. A change of scenery totally does this for me. People probably don't realize how much they do from day to day until they are able to step out of it for a bit. Definitely something worth trying if you are more of a routine person. It's very, what's the word, reinvigorating.

Okay what else? This morning we had lifting with our trainer, Ashley. He is a very limber older man who reminds me much of a fitter, cooler Mr. Rogers. Except I'm not really digging his neighborhood. The gym isn't my favorite place. It's just not. I'd rather be on the field with the ball.

So, he was speaking Danish to one of the girls and I don't even try to listen when this is happening. As one can imagine I was off in my own world thinking about what I was having for breakfast... and their convo went something like "kadjfkdah;gajeiwjfdkfjdalkj beep test akfjdlkafjal;sfjdsal;"

Ermm. Excuse me?

My heart. My poor, poor heart.

So I asked one of the girls what exactly was going on... and lo and behold, we will be running that damn thing here. When I escaped from the U.S. I thought it was over between us. But nah.

Anyway, I won't dwell on it... today.

Moving forward. Oh, wait. Moving backward. It was pretty cold the other night after training. I showered and didn't want to take the towel off my head. So, I didn't.

Brrr. (btw how cool is my bike!?)

Okay. Today is nicer and the snow is probably going to melt. Which rules. Because we practice outside.

And I bought a coffee maker. So, if anyone wants to send me some Dunkin Donuts, I will accept.

That's all for now brown cow.

Swag? What dat?

Back again? Yep. How much more is there to say after a day?

Oh, there's always so much my friends.

Yesterday I woke up at 6am and realized how much more I can get done if I wake up earlier. I know, I know, most people do that on the regular, well, you know what, I'm impressed. It's not easy, but it is worth it.

So then I had more time for Yoga!!

Okay, I'll be honest. When I do my Yoga DVD (Yoga Conditioning for Athletes) I really have no idea if I'm doing it right. Oh well. I just like counting it as a workout.

So I have been doing the Yoga thing more often. Feels nice. And dennn. I didn't have to go to register as a citizen or whatever it's called. So, that freed up my already pretty free day even more. I was able to do a number on Our Game Magazine and girlsCAN Football, you know, my other jobs outside of football.  And if you didn't know, what the hall?

And denn. I have another American here. Her name is Lydia Vandenbergh. She probs needs some followers, so hook it up. It's nice to have someone who gets my jokes. And company I guess. But I'm sure she will be in this adventurous blog a bit. So, maybe I'll let her introduce herself one day.

And denn. We had training!

It was fabulous. We played for most of it. 4v2, 4v4, 5v5 ... just playing. It felt good. The air was a bit colder than I'm used to (well, I've been training indoors most of the winter, so a lot colder) but I'm getting used to it. We are still missing most of our players and will be until the weekend. Will be cool to see the whole team together.

And denn. (I think that is Danish for "and then" btw) (haha, just kidding. It's from the movie Dude, Where's My Car)

I met with the coach after. He was pretty awesome. Asked me questions like how do I like to be yelled at on the field and what I can bring to the team. He then mentioned how he wants the team to play like Barcelona, which I loved and I told him quickly I was the Xavi he was looking for.

We then talked a bit about confidence and having that edge to win and he asked about mine and I said "I'm American, winning is all I know... and confidence, have you ever heard of swag?"

He hadn't heard of it but said he would look it up and he was very interested in it! ;)

After the meeting it was a blistering cold bike ride back to the apartment. Luckily Lydia led the way, because obviously direction is not my thing. (while traveling, not in life)

No more and den!

Anozer New Country

I think it's time I start writing some more. So here's an introduction.

I just finished my first week in Denmark. Hjorring to be exact. With the line through the "o" and all. It has been somewhat uneventful in terms of physical activity. But you know that always means more mental activity! Yay! Thoughts!

I actually saw a quote on Twitter that I really enjoyed, but can't remember it word for word. Something about preferring to be alone with your own intelligent thoughts than in the company of stupidity. 

I hope some of my friends take offense to this and become smarter. Haha, just kidding. I don't think anyone I hang out with is stupid, but that's because a staple in my life is not being in situations I don't want to be in. People are always saying "ugh, I don't want to go to lunch with so and so" or "I have to go to this thing for a friend that I promised I'd go to" ... ahhh, insanity. I know we always have to do stuff we don't want to do, but people, it's okay to say no and not put yourself in situations where you don't want to be!

Okay, enough lecturing. Back to my thoughts.

I have been alone most of the time here. We've only had one training session. All the players are either at Algarve or with youth national teams. So, it's been nice to adjust at my own pace. I've had time to unpack and clean my apartment, cook some meals, get lost on my bike, drink instant coffee, take pictures of the gym equipment to plan workouts (got a lot of looks during that), enjoy my Yoga DVD, watch soccer for hours and hours on TV, use Danish words as American swear words (grocery store called Fakta = motha fakta), cringe while receiving texts from home (they're not free my friends, and I'm not responding), see the fees on my debit card from using it as if I was home and tons of other stupid shit.

Today, I will be getting some of the important things taken care of ... like registering as a citizen and stuff. I heard as soon as you register you are able to speak Danish. I am hoping this is true.

We have training tonight which is the highlight of every day. Soccer is the thing that makes the world go round. Well, my world anyway.

There will be more where this came from.

Ps. Forgot to mention that if you're trying to bring an electric/heated blanket overseas and think the converter will do the trick, no.

Sparks flew.

Electric blanket has become, simply, blanket.

Ciao for now brown cow.