Last few moments as a "single" girl in the city

Here it is...the countdown is really on now (under 24 hours) before Thom and Reese get here. I can't wait!


Last weekend we played against West Strand AIK - "VAIK" - one of our close competitors and a rival of "AIK". It was a known fact that it would be a great match since they do have some of the top players on their team - some of their team members play for the Women's Swedish National Team. I will admit, I was nervous and afraid of messing up!!! The game was definitely a great one, and I loved it. I had SO much fun!! I even had a challenge against me with 2 of them against me while I carried the ball and I ENDED UP WITH IT! That was the best feeling - a great feeling of "I can carry the ball through traffic....Finally!" I also had one play that I was quite proud of where I was backchecking and took the ball away from their team right in the middle of our zone --- she just had to walk around 1 more person and she could have been in for a good shot on our awesome goalie - she probably wouldn't have scored because Linda (our goalie) is the best there is...no kidding either. But at least I felt like I contributed by taking that chance away from her. The final was 7-1. Great score for us! This weekend, we have a game that is another away game and it is about 5 hours away from here. Long bus ride, but I love it...we watch movies (in English with Swedish sub titles), and it's a way to get to know some of the players even more. The team is really fabulous - so very generous and warm. I feel like I have a family away from my family here. I can't say enough about the team...


The game was on Sunday, so let me back up to the fun I had on Saturday ---- Friday night I was exhausted from the week of work and training, so I went to bed at 7:00 PM and didn't get up until the alarm woke me at 9:00 AM on Saturday - I was up and ready to go shopping with some of the tjejer (girls) downtown. WOW! That was fun! We met around 11:00 at Sergels Torg - one of the landmarks in the area. Then we went shopping at a ton of stores. I had a blast just tagging along, taking in all of the great stores, wonderful fashion, and the laughter we all had. We had fika (coffee break) and did some people watching to rest our legs, then we went along and into one of the largest shopping areas of the city where I got a glimpse of Lucia!!! (Saturday was Lucia Day where they have a big celebration and sing songs, as well as indulge in Lucy-Kattes - a bakery treat with saffron in them). I have attached some of those pictures here. We managed to cap the day off with Sushi...oh my - it was WONDERFUL! I ate so much I thought I was going to explode...yummy and fresh! mmm! Also, in the store front of the shopping area, there are some very grand displays that all of the children try to see...very cute. It's like an animated story book is displayed in the store front. I did not get any pictures of this due to the numerous people that were taking it all in, but it was quite impressive. Perhaps I can take Thom down there some time this coming week and we can be the tourist and happy snappy with the camera. We have a busy weekend ahead of us once he gets here - Friday I will try to keep him and Reese awake and go for a walk with them through the park, then we'll head to bed early as I'm sure they will be exhausted from the time change. Saturday we will go to Skansen - one of the largest Christmas Markets! I will definitely buy some goods there - I've been waiting for it!!! The market is only open from the first weekend in November through the weekend before Christmas. Then, we have a "cookie baking" to go to with Elin from the team - like I said - the team is SO great. Elin has been absolutely wonderful with her hospitality, encouragement on the ice, willingness to invite me to training, parties, and social events; she is very sweet and always willing to translate for me...I am a very lucky person!! I have another bus mate who I try to ride the bus with to practices - Anna Munson - who has been working with me on my Swedish and helps me to understand some of the traditions and things that are going on!! So sweet! On Sunday we will go to my game - perhaps Thom will not go if he doesn't feel up to it and wants to sleep on Sunday instead. If he does go, Reese might need a baby sitter for a day - but maybe Elin's boyfriend can help us out. We will see and play that all by ear at this point.


It was yet another typical week this week with training and work. I did however manage to get out on Thursday to a wedding shoppe - I will not post those pictures here as that is a surprise :) Thom and Reese arrive tomorrow morning and I'm hoping I'll be able to sleep tonight in anticipation of their arrival - keep the prayers rolling in that Reese will make it just fine. I'll be tracking Thom's progress on flightstats.com ;) It's like mapping Santa's journey to my house...

I should post another blog next week, but in case I don't, I hope all of you have a VERY Merry Christmas!!!


As for now - off to another training session...