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

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

Lions and Tigers and...

The past week has brought some bright days to our drab February.

Last Friday we were given the day off of volleyball and used the time to go to the zoo. At least three times a week we bike past the Odense Zoo to get to practice and each time I tell myself "one day I'll go". It was the perfect day with a hint of sunshine and a free pass to get in. We walked the park and I almost felt as though I was home. If there was no snow on the ground and the weather was a littler higher than the 20s it would have been seemed like I was at the Wild Animal Park. When our walk through warm "South America" was over and our double socks and down gloves no longer did the trick of keeping us warm we called it a day. We went to a tasty 200kr ($40) dinner [I still cant believe I spent that much on a dinner that would have been maybe $15 in the States, cray!] and tried to get our monies worth. We ate nearly more than our bellies could hold which we found out the next day was not the best prematch meal.

The next morning we woke up bright and early and made our way to Gentofte to play in one of our final matches. It was an easy win for us in under an hour even with our food coma still lingering from the night before.

We're coming down to the last week of league play with only 2 games left. It looks as though with the point system we'll be playing the number one team Holte the first round of playoffs. We've seen them more times than any other team and call their gym our home away from home. The play off system is best out of 5 matches so we'll see them 3 times for sure. Hopefully it'll only be 3 times with us being the victors.

With league play coming to an end and time before playoffs start a break has been given to us. And with break comes travel! So our tickets have been booked and in a week I will be in... LONDON! 

It has been a dream of mine to go to the UK and I am so blessed to have the chance to. General plans are being made but with so much to see and minimal time and budget nothing has been set in stone. It hasn't fully set in that I am going, just like the fact that I'm living in Europe has not seemed to be a reality, but I am so very excited. Outfits are being decided and days are quickly dwindling. Many photos will be taken and instagram will be in overload so don't worry I will share Westminster Abby and the Queens Castle with all my fellow Downton Abby lovers.

The sun showed itself a few times this week but mother nature soon remembered it was winter and decided to take it away. Snow has fallen once again and the wind seems to constantly blow against us when biking but none of that matters because in a week I'll be in London! 

I hope you are all enjoying your weeks. Eat a few yummy American Valentines candy for me and don't forget to give a loved one a hug and a kiss.

xoxo

Rinse and Repeat

Its been a couple weeks and not much has happened. Our days are a constant repetition of volleyball, TV show marathons, and sleep. Some days we spend downtown exploring the city and finding new places to enjoy lunch, but with our tight budget and need to travel those days have dwindled.

 Our $20 soup

We've had a few games in the past couple weeks and already it is clear our new coach is pushing us to be better. Friday night we celebrated our win over Lyngby by having a girls night. The team came over to our apartment and we enjoyed a night of cocktail dresses and good company. Another game was played last night against the number one team Holte. Though we lost 1-3 we played what I think was some of the best volleyball we have all season. We frustrated the girls on the other side by making them earn every point and keeping their best hitter at a low hitting percentage. We battled and though we didn't come out on top I'm proud of the strides we made this week.

With the Super Bowl playing Sunday a group of Americans (and a few Euros) from our mens and womens teams got together and threw ourselves a little party in the late night to wee hours of the morning. We made some tastey wings and other Americanized food and streamed the game. Though the commercials brought such disappointment this year and my eyes threatened to close from the added hour of the blackout it was great to have a night like home.

The weather is changing and the sun is shinning a bit more. The snow has melted for the most part. Some nights bring more snow but with the sun it is usually sparse by morning. Bike rides can be long with the wind in our face but Betsy and I try and continuously laugh to keep our spirits up. On days with nothing to do I find myself missing home and a busy routine.

 I am still learning so much about life and myself and I am still blessed to be where I am at. The Lord is good and I am so thankful for my blessings. Enjoy your week friends and soak up some warm Cali sun for me.

xoxo