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

Games for days

So the past few weeks have been quite eventful. We had Nordic championships where sadly we didn't qualify, but our 3 games allowed us to work through playing as a team and accomplish one of our goals by finishing the weekend stronger than we started. Two days later we were back in Copenhagen playing another league match. It was a great game and I was named player of the match. I was exhausted from playing 4 games in 5 days and was glad to bet Lyngby in 4 sets and not have to go to 5. 

I am still in awe of all the beautiful colors here. Fall is amazing and the weather has thankfully been nice ranging in the mid 40's. I got a new roommate this week and am already looking forward to our wonderful adventures we plan on taking exploring Europe for the first time. Today we went to cheer on our Odense fútbol team. It was slightly more chilly sitting in the cold but I am so glad I got to experience European soccer. The crowd was fun and our team blew the other out of the water 5-0 which made the game all the more enjoyable. 

With the lack of Thanksgiving, Christmas has already begun. The stores are filling up with reds and greens and Santa Claus pictures and the streets are glammed up with twinkling lights. I am anxioius for it all to be done and the big reveal of downtown to be made. I love Christmas time and though it makes me miss home I am all the more excited now that I know for sure that...

I’ll be home for Christmas!

I hope your days are filled with pumpkin spice, lovely Fall weather and memorable moments.

xoxo

Noa Noa

Today I came across something much better than any Euro style I have seen thus far. I didn't think it could get much better than the knits and boots until I saw the mini version. 

As I walked into a store that looked much like Anthropologie I was smitten by the little corner of baby girl clothes. I couldn't get enough of the dresses, the jumpers, the boots and the tights and had to calm myself from dreaming of purchasing it all for my sweet niece. 

It was the perfect store to start the making of any young fashionista and great for the mommas too! Take a look but keep your wallet on watch too, it could get a little out of control.

xoxo

//1//

Downtown Fashion

Today I got out of the apartment and had a fun afternoon downtown with Julie and Mirela. The weather was nice with a high of 54 degrees, no rain and colorful leaves blowing in the slight wind. 

I love being outside and seeing the different style of people here.

Like I said before everyone is so fashionable and fun, it's simply wonderful. 

The girls and I had fun in the shops and of course purchased a few new items for our wardrobes. 

We went to a cafe I had yet to experience and enjoyed a smoothie and a chance to chat. 

It was indeed a fun day in Denmark.

xoxo

Such a Dane

Today we started our new tradition of once a month team dinners. Triin warmly opened up her home and created a delicious tuna casserole for all of us to enjoy. We chatted and swapped stories with one another and finished off the evening with a slice of pumpkin pie, my favorite! That is one thing I am missing greatly in my days being here. How can a place have actual Fall weather and not indulge in pumpkin festivities?! I just don't understand. 

I am growing closer and closer with my teammates, forming a bond that can not be explained but only those who participate in sports can fully grasp. We spend more time together than with family even; and being an international I am now realizing just how important this relationship with these ladies really are. There are moments when I still want to enjoy an hour or so of alone time (let's face it I never got to fully experience that growing up with my crazy family so I need to take advantage of it while I can!) but I am so thankful for these girls and our moments together. 

I am happy to report that over the course of this week I am been told that I am such a Dane. Now that is quite a feat for me because being a Dane is not so simple. Let me explain the few situations that have awarded me this honor...

1. I have been told that I'm a beast on my bike and have graduated to the 

level of passing other Danes on our bike rides.

2. I have experienced and slightly enjoyed Leverpostej, yes my friends that is

Danish liver pate! I know the vegan eating liver... cray! But 

I realized I could no longer be known as a vegan when I unknowingly ate

duck in France, so liver pate it is. 

3. While I was riding my bike my basket began to wobble and I began to tumble.

Like any old Dane would do I did not hold onto my bike but rather

let my bike fall and took a leap to safety. My roommate Mie (who I like to call 

Mie Thermopolis) was oh so impressed and I felt oh so Danish. 

Mom and Dad should be proud because I am turning into quite the little Dane.

Until next time, enjoy your days and have a little adventure of your own.

xoxo

Oh so Danish

After almost a week of being in Odense I am beginning to get the hang of things here. I am now comfortable riding my bike on the street next to cars, I can make my way from my apartment to downtown and I am even beginning to understand some of the language when I am shopping for groceries at the market! The lifestyle here is simply wonderful. It's a slower pace from the states but very up and coming. People live how they want and enjoy life to the fullest. The fashion is amazing, and often times I see the men spending more time on their appearance than the women. And if anyone wanted to know where the hipster originated from come to Europe and you'll soon find out! They are everywhere with their skinny jeans and wide brimmed glasses. 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to make my way downtown on my bike and experience my first cup of coffee. I don't know how I will ever be able to go back to the states and be satisfied with Starbucks. I am slowly beginning to love life here. It is still hard to be away from family but thank the Lord for social networking! After Skyping with my family I have realized I thin I can make it 9 months. I'll just have to fill my time with lots of travel and delicious coffee. 

I hope you all had an eventful weekend. Here's some photos from mine...

Enjoy the little things today!