Taking the ice, Training run, apartment find, cleaning house

Since the last blog I did, I had a chance to take the ice on our "home rink" for the first time. It has been warm, so Thursday is the only day so far we have been out there unfortunately. We are creeping up on our first home game a week from today, so we sure hope the ice will be ready.

Friday I did a nice 10k run by the lake here in Nasby Park, Taby. I did the 5k loop that Miska showed me twice. I was so taken by the scenery, that I had to do it the second time and take my camera. While I was running, I could have sworn I ran from the lakes in Minneapolis to the Horse Fields in Madison! (No Paul - these horses were NOT like the ones in Madison that we saw...) It felt great and I managed to keep an 8:00 pace both times! After my run, I went to the apartment in Solna to pick up the keys and pay the deposit. I was excited to get into the apartment, but was instantly deflated when I saw the condition of the apartment - the place was filthy! UGH! So, I contacted the leasing company but they told me that they wouldn't clean it! So...I'd have to figure out what to do now - obviously 'get supplies and clean'. I really wish Thom was here for his really good thorough cleaning abilities --- among other things like his company and the fun we will have when he gets here! Head back to the burbs with some disappointment settling in...not a big deal, I'll survive...it was just the anticipation and then the let down. Bummer. Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend! Once back at the house, Miska and I go to the REAL Ikea - and yes, it IS less expensive here! I didn't buy much because I don't know what I'll need at this point - Miska and Camilla are going to get stuff from their summer house that they are selling and let me "store" it for them for 5 months until they move it to their new Summer Home in Gotland. So, I buy some scrub brushes to make the trip feel worth while. At least I know where the outlets are and where Ikea is so that way I can load up on the things I need to get when I figure it out! Back to the house for some dinner, wine, and relaxation!

Saturday we are supposed to take to the ice again for some practice, but the 8 degrees C (~46 F) made the ice too soft to skate upon, so we cleaned the locker room and painted it instead of practicing! Great team building! I spend about 3 hours there doing that and then head towards my apartment to do much of the same. I go shopping for cleaning supplies - mops, buckets, sponges, solvents...you know - the basics. I walk through "Solna Centrum" and pick the things up from the stores that I have learned are the "inexpensive ones" - spend about $35 USD and have everything I need! Rock on! Head to the apartment and it is dark outside - so as I ride the elevator up, I realize "I don't have any lights in the apartment - I'm not going to be able to do much!" Oh well - I have the light in the bathroom and kitchen - I can get those 2 rooms done today, tomorrow, I can take to the rest of the place in the daylight, and then Camilla will be back with the stuff to fill the apartment with the necessities. Perfect! I spend a few hours there - I'll spare you the details - it wasn't TERRIBLE, but I guess my mom has conditioned me to be a perfectionist when it comes to keeping a house clean. I'm only here for 6 months, I'm not going for perfect! Head back to the house for some great Thai food and relaxation.
Tomorrow I will finally get my hair cut and do more cleaning as well as go for another run.
I am finally starting to feel a bit more comfortable with the transit system and getting around. I didn't miss any connections today and I didn't even need to go online to map my route for the first time! I just used the maps and time tables I picked up in the transit center and figured it out - whew! I guess it takes a few weeks to get accustomed to it, but when you finally get it, it feels great! I then showed Miska where my apartment is on a map in the phone book - she was quite amazed with the location - being very close to the city - in fact, my closest "Tube" station is downtown! How cool! I did a walk to Solna Centrum tonight, thinking that was the closest, and that was only a 15 minute walk. Awesome to have DownTown right outside of my door. Additionally, a great park for walking and taking the pooch is about a 5 minute walk from the apartment! Things are starting to come together and this is beginning to feel more and more like home.

Here's a few interesting photos for you - As I walk out of 

the apartment to the bus stop, I see a billboard --- yep, that's Team AIK DamBandy! I head north to Solna Centrum a bit more and another one - with 2 pictures of the team. Kinda cool to realize what your team means in the city where you live. My apartment is very close to AIK Futboll stadium too...AIK is all around me. I'll be dreaming in Black and Yellow tonight - everything is feeling all right --- I just wish Thom would hury up and get here so that I could share this with him. I will be able to show him around like I'm a regular by the time he gets here, and hopefully, I'll be playing bandy like I've been doing it all of my life.

Time for bed - must get up early in the morning for another 10k run!

God Natt,
KP