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

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

Celebrate

This week has been a fun one. Monday nights practice was a scrimmage, Tuesday we had enough people at practice to actually play 6 on 5 games and yesterday was another day spent downtown and a birthday celebration for my roommate Mie [Thermopolis]. 

Jill and I had a great time downtown exploring the different shops as well as getting to know the Danish money system. We found a couple great finds and topped off our afternoon with some good nachos from my new favorite cafe Kræz. 

I've gotten to experience the full Danish birthday celebration and had a wonderful night celebrating with Jill, Mie and her parents. We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful slice of typical Danish birthday cake layered with hindbær (raspberry), flødeskum (whipped cream) and kage (cake).

I'm anxious for this weekend and the official start of our season! It has been a long time since I've played in a real game and I am excited to get my competitive juices flowing again. 

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone.

xoxo