Day 4 August 3rd (My Birthday)

My birthday. This day was unlike any birthday that I have ever had. I awoke to rain falling outside our window. As I woke, I didn’t feel as though it was my birthday and I once again longed for home and to hear and see my family in the kitchen making food and being together. I went for a walk down our narrow dirt road to for a short distance to try and warm up my sore legs and boy do I mean sore. After my walk I found myself rolling out my muscles and trying to drink as much water as I can. Eating and then siting down to write my previous post came next. And to my surprise the day flew by, and it was already time to start preparing for the rink. It was my turn to drive and with everything needed for the day we left. The roads in the countryside here are very different then our normal American roads. They often are one lane with small speed bumps every kilometer or so. They are curvy and have many blind corners. With all of that we made it to the grocery store where we were stopping for me to get some “fika” a Swedish term that is often translated as coffee and cake bread. However, it means a lot more to the Swedish people. Fika in their mind is a concept and a state of mind. It is important to them to make time for fika each day because it means making time for friends, family or colleagues. Its cannot be experienced by yourself and it brings a sense of togetherness. I bought some Swedish pastries that are gluten free. There are three girls on my team that have a gluten allergy. With this we headed to the rink for workout and practice. I enjoy going to the rink because it keeps my mind occupied and focused. This is the time where I don’t think about missing home, and I feel relaxed in the task at hand. Every day is going to get better at practice and workout because I will become more conditioned to the practice style and feel. My legs are still a bit heavy from the plane. I think it is important to realize that it will get better and that it is okay to not be perfect every day. Practice was a lot of fun with a lot of improvements that need to be made before the season, but with practice we as a team will get there. After showering, we all were headed back into downtown Gothenburg for my birthday dinner. I once again had some amazing food and was full of food, laughter, and new friends. I am happy with the group of imports that we have and think that these bonds will make for good team chemistry throughout the season. We are likeminded and are all focused on having a good year. I think that the biggest thing I am learning is to live in the moment and understand that although I wish to be at home with my family, I am living each day doing what I love, with people I will grow to love and time will fly by so that I can be with my family again but it is important to live in the moment and give it everything that I have. As I winded down for the day I called my mom and spoke with her for the first time since turning 24. It is so weird to me to be away from my family on my birthday, but I know that I am loved. I also spoke with my little sister. Due to the time difference the hardest part of the day was not getting to speak with my dad, because he was at work for the time that I was awake. I miss my family. They have shaped me for the last 24 years, and as I lay down to sleep, I am grateful for the life and family that I have. I will surly spend more time with them next summer experiencing fika together.