And so it ends...

I am sitting in Copenhagen in utter amazement that my time here in Denmark is over. The past 8 months have been an up and down battle of completly amazing and completly difficult. And now I am here in the airport like a blubbering idiot in shock that it is officially over. 

The past few days have been a wonderful way to end my adventure in Denmark. Saturday was a relaxing and recovery day from Germany. It was a typical day full of TV, gym time and not much of anything else. The night brought a night in with the girls. For one last time we put on our fancy clothes and had a night in. 

all packed

As Sunday came along Betsy and I packed our things and walked down the apartment stairs for the final time. We called a taxi and dragged our 4 bags each onto the train for another last. It was quite a site to see as these crazy American girls made their way to Copenhagen Central. We checked into our across the street hotel (thank God we didn't have to go far) that Betsy's parents so graciously paid for and enjoyed a night in the city. We got out in the rain and found a bite to eat and quickly made our way pack to the hotel and out of the cold. We sat and chatted as usual nights went and enjoyed the company of one another for the final night of our Euro days. Morning came quickly and soon Betsy was off to Greece. I was glad she left in the wee hours of the morning and I was not completely coherent when we said our goodbyes. It has not even been a full day and I already miss my partner in crime. I'll miss the countless hours watching HIMYM and FRIENDS, bike ride bashing (literally and verbally), creative dinner making, cookie baking, waking up at the crack of noon and going to bed at the crack of dawn, too late volleyball game watching only to play in our own late nighter in the day to follow, laughing until we cry and just plain being awesome. So with that said it was a good thing I was not really awake when she left...

gonna miss this lady

And so after one goodbye my final day in Denmark began. Mie caught an early morning train to enjoy a delicious breakfast and be a tourist with me for the day. We walked around Copenhagen until our feet hurt and then walked some more. We climbed what we called the "Empire State Building of Denmark", saw the Little Mermaid, road a boat tour, enjoyed a coffee in Nyhavn and were dazzled by the colors and craziness of Christiana. We talked about the past 8 months and memories that were made and began planning times in the near future where more memories will go in the books. 

After an hour of rearranging 3 bags of luggage to fit the weight limit and a final dinner here the time to say bye came and the fact I'm leaving set in. The past few weeks the only thing I felt was excitement to go home and see my family. Though I knew going home meant leaving here it didn't process until I was sitting on the steps with Mie. The tears began to fall and hugs were swapped with a promise to keep in touch and a trip to the States in 4 months. 

Christiana

Church of our Savior

View from the top of the Church

love this crazy Dane

Nyhavn

worlds tallest man: 8'11''

the Little Mermaid!! 

Even with my tired eyes sleep is probable nej tonight. Emotions are high and memories are flooding my mind. I'm so thankful for the past 8 months and the experience I've had. I can't begin to express how amazing my time has been and though there were moments, many at that, that I wanted to get on a flight and come home, I am so grateful for the opportunity I had. It has been a year I will never forget, one where friendships were made that will last a lifetime, a year I got paid to play volleyball and travel the world, one where I realized I really, really appreciate the little things I have, a year where friends became family, and a year my team took Bronze in all of Denmark. 

What a year to remember...

xoxo

Bronze, Birthdays & Brats

This week has been quite the eventful one...

To start it off this was my last week of practice and the final week of play. We played Fredericksburg last Wednesday and beat them 3-1. With that in mind we knew going into our match Wednesday they'd put up a fight and we'd have to be on the top of our game for a W. Leading up to Wednesday we had a hard practice Monday afternoon and Tuesday brought my birthday! 

I woke up to a little Funfetti cake made by Bets, birthday buns made by Mie and a few presents on the table. We sat and chatted over coffee and buns and enjoyed a fun meal knowing we wouldn't have many more together. After a light serve and pass practice we piled in the van and drove to our adopted Danish parents home where they had a delicious dinner of Smørrebrød waiting. I'm so thankful for Mies parents. They have been such a blessing to us Americans over the past few months. Our time there was spent talking about random facts, trips to the states and future plans. It was a great way to spend my birthday here in the Den. I missed home tremendously but I was surrounded and reminded of the family I have made here. 

Wednesday came quickly and soon we were in the van driving to Copenhagen. Warm ups began and the whistle blew for the Bronze Medal match to start. The bronze match is best out of 2 games with a golden set if teams split so because we had won the week before we only had to beat this team in 3. The first set we came out strong and easily took the win, but the rest of the game was a back and forth battle with them winning the second, us taking the third and them taking the fourth. After 2 hours of playing they closed out the win in the fifth set and sent us into a Golden Set. Knowing this was the last match we'd every play as this specific team we came out with one thing in mind... to win. After six sets and nearly three hours of volleyball we did it. We took third in Denmark! I'm so proud of my team and so glad we were able to bring a medal to Fortuna for the 10th year in a row. We celebrated the ride home singing as loud as possible in the van, eating McDonald's, laughing and wearing our medals around our necks. 

Bronze medals & named Player of the Match

 The next morning was an early one with a trip to Hamburg, Germany. After some consideration Betsy and I decided the price was worth it and got our tickets and hotel and headed out. It was a short trip of 2 days but long enough for us to walk around the city and enjoy dinner German style. It was colder than expected but worth the trip! 

German lovin

 beer&german soul food

So cold on our walking tour

Chile house
(buliding with the sharpest point in Germany)

Where the gas was made in WWII to kill the Jews

German Brats

last shebang with this lady

My days as a European are coming to an end. The official countdown is 3... wow that's crazy to write... 3! The next few days are to be enjoyed with friends and more memories to be made just like the last months have brought. 

xoxo

Redeemed

"He is not here... He has risen!"

Happy Easter! 

I love holidays.. maybe it's because they mean friends and family will be back in town and it's a time to reunite and celebrate, but I love them and Easter is one of my favorites. This season is different than the last for me. It is weird being away from home and not having the chance to help the kids color eggs or wake up in the morning and see the excitement flooding the home as they find their Easter baskets. But the thing I have come to miss the most is the opportunity to drive a couple miles and celebrate the sacrifice that was made and the joy this morning brought. 

I love Easter because Jesus is alive! It truly is a reason to celebrate. 

Happy Easter everyone. May your Sunday be filled with family, food, and the remembrance of what this day is about. 

Jesus is alive and we are redeemed!

xoxo

Drawing Near

The end of my time here in Odense is drawing near. I am currently in my final 2 weeks and enjoying lasts experiences of my favorite things. 

My trip was not supposed to come to an end quite so soon but after 3 tough losses to the top team Holte a few weeks back we were knocked out of the running for the finals. We now have 2 matches left where we fight for the bronze medal. We play another good team, Fredricksburg, but I am confident in Fortuna and determined to do whatever I can to bring a medal to the club for the 9th year in a row. With the season ending early I decided to change my flight and am now coming home April 9th. 

I am so excited to see my family and friends and can hardly wait to be back in sunny California but I am sad to think that going home means my time here is over. This has been a rollercoaster of experiences but it has been a year of greatness. There have been many hard moments but those times have been countered by the amount of wonderful memories this year has brought. I have made great friends who will be apart of my life forever and memories only others dream of.

I have exactly 2 weeks left and I will make the most of these final days here. A recap of the last 8 months is in the making but for the next week the focus is on winning some hardware. 

So here is to the final weeks of my Danish days... may many memories be made and lives be changed.

xoxo

If you would like to watch our bronze medal match online click here

it will be played at 11am California time.

Danish Birthdays

We have a birthday today!

It's my lovely roommate/friend Betsys birthday and we did it Danish style!

The day started off with an early morning wake up call and a run to the corner store. I picked up the few breakfast ingredients needed to create the perfect morning birthday surprise. Bacon, eggs, fruit salad and pancakes were whipped up and the table was set. Betsy awoke at the perfect time and our bellies were quickly filled. With first round finals beginning this week a Sunday practice was scheduled and we made our way in the wait for it..... SUNSHINE to practice. It was a great 30 minute bike ride and for once we had smiles on our faces as we walked into the gym.

Practice was short and we rushed home to shower and change for our dinner at our lovely adopted Danish parents home. Mies parents are the absolute best and have taken care of us over the past several months while being here. They have opened their home and ovens multiple times so it was no surprise when the invite was extended for a Danish birthday dinner. We were welcomed by warm hugs, homemade hot chocolate (made with actual chocolate and not the powder crap), birthday bread rolls and Danish birthday cake. The Danish traditions are slightly different than home. Though it is still revolved around food, the rolls and coco are enjoyed first in the afternoon followed by cake. 

After a couple hours of chatting and enjoying the day dinner is served. We had delicious locks (cold smoked salmon) and then fish frikadellers, potatoes and carrots.

Because the weather was so nice at the daylight is a bit loner we were able to take a tour of Mies hometown and saw the beautiful bay. Like anywhere we go we were major tourists taking photos the whole time and enjoying ourselves. It was a fun bonding time with the roommates and a great way to spend the afternoon!

All in all the day was lovely and fabulous day to celebrate a great girl. I haven't known Besty long but I am confident our relationship will continue after this year. We are together 24/7 helping each other through the good times and bad. I am thankful for the chance I've gotten to know her and so happy to have spent her 23rd here in Denmark.

Happy Birthday Bets! May it be a day you forever remember!!

Have a happy Sunday friends

xoxo