August 12th

I have found happiness in business. I think that when you are homesick, it is best to occupy your mind with various activities and events so that you can control the things that you can. I have been having a absolutely wonderful time at practice and workouts. I always wanted an environment where everyone wanted to work hard and that is here. We may not have an endless roster, but I feel that everyone no matter what will work hard for each other. I think that when you embrace the pain that occurs in a workout, it is making you stronger, better, and tougher, both physically and mentally. The first workout that we had done the one that I said was the hardest workout of my life, we did again. This time however it was not as daunting, and we knew that we could make it through again, and we did so even better than the first time. I have been controlling the things that I can, and I have been feeling a lot better. I think that often in sports things are out of your control and when you try so hard to control the tale sip you often lead to stress, and difficulty. That is what I was doing the last few days and I am learning each day to just let it be and focus on what I need to. I still miss my family, but I am living my dream. Who else can say that they played professional hockey in the world’s best league that I know? I am living my dream and I need to take every moment of it in. The rink is feeling like home, and I cannot wait to be further into the start so that we have routines and customs there. I enjoy just being in the locker room and around each one of my teammates. I am also excited because my skates are ordered and hopefully will be on their way soon. It is interesting because the war in Ukraine has altered the supply chain in Europe leading to things not being manufactured as fast or in the same place. For the activities of the day, we went on a walk in the downtown area of Gothernburg before heading to the rink, we stopped for coffee and fika. I enjoy doing this like this because it is a way to see the town and enjoy my friends, but it also is an outing and occupying to the thoughts and mind. I hope to find a coffee shop near my new house so that I can walk there and write and read. After coffee we headed to the rink, cleaned a bit and then just hung out, until our workout and practice. It was my kind of day, most of it at the rink and then enjoying a morning walk with my friends. I feel less stressed and read to take on tomorrow.