Day 42

Mom, this is Tina...You said you wanted to adopt..so here ya go. She really wants to come to the States and be my replacement/the best roommate you've ever had...

Such a sweet Swedish girl...she cleans...

and happily cooks...

and looks desperate in this picture..but she swears she'll be the best roommate you've ever had... hahaha

Today I woke up late..and it was almost dark outside..so that was crazy..Then I looked online for hotels/hostels/flights..I need to book my flight and hotel sooon..like tommorow, so me and Britty are trying to agree on a place. I think together we found a few really good places..so now we just need to pick one. Then Tina came over and we hung out here for a bit..compared nights from last night..then we went over to Sara's and had hot chocolate and pie:) Our team was supposed to be on tv tonight, but they didnt show it..so hopefully it'll be on tommorow or something. The guy who did it came all the way out here for the whole weekend..so it should be a pretty good piece. It was really fun hanging out with the girls..They are so so sweet. Tina was talking about how bad she wants to go to the States..and I told her she should go and live with Mom. haha..My Mom would love it..Tina could be my little replacement..maybe a little better because she semi cooks and has less attitude than me! haha..but my Mom would love the company..and Tina could work at my old job at the winery! It would be perfect:) So I took pictures of Tina tonight..Im going to try and sell her to my Mom..so I took pics of her doing dishes and cooking hahaha..hopefully that'll seal the deal!! Are you reading this Mom? haha..Anyway..now it's 4:05 am so Im going to upload some pics and go to BED! More Later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 41

Well last night I spent the morning getting ready to go to Skelleftea:) Then Freja and I caught the bus to go to Skelleftea for our team get together:) We got to Joosy's and then went to ICA to get stuff for dinner..we had tacos mmm..Then we just sat around and played singstar which was hilarious..we sang duets of oldies songs for over 2 hours haha..then we played a couple other little fun games..truth or dare, never have i ever..it was pretty fun:) And we took tons of pictures! So it was just us girls hanging out for a long time, then Joosey's bf Anders, came over with his hockey team..and we played more singstar and truth or dare haha..took more pics..then we headed to Station 8, the club. The line wasnt too bad, but only those of us who were 22 could get in! Yve and Joos got in, but I had to sneak in Freja and Carro. I played the stupid tourist card with the bouncer..I was talking about the weather and how freaking cold it was, while I slyly unhooked the rope for Freja and Carro to sneak in..haha It was pretty smooth..i impressed myself:) So it was good we all got in. Once we were in we basically just danced for 2 hours straight..mostly just with the girls..but i did dance a little bit with one of the guys from the hockey team for awhile.. It was really fun. I met a guy from Pakistan in there..which was really random! But he was really nice..and cute too. He didnt look Pakistani at all..maybe he was lying to me haha..Anyyway..After the club we stopped at Statoil and got hotdogs and then Jessica drove us back to Norsjo..so I was in bed by like 5:45 am..It was a really fun night! More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 40

Today wasnt so interesting..I spent most of the day lounging around, keeping my foot up..But I have tried to put some pressure on it and it feels surprisingly okay! Sofie brought me over cookies today, and stayed and hung out awhile. Shes really sweet. Then I went off to watch practice..booo for watching:( Id so much rather be playing ugggghh. Anyway..we did this little exercise at the end of practice..which was really important. We all had to write down what we feel when we are each under pressure and what we wat our teammates to say and dont say to us. So I figured out who can kind of take what..in terms of what to say and how to say it. We have some girls who are pretty young and sensitive on our team..so i have to be conscious of that..and then there are girls who can handle my intensity, so I just have to adjust to everyone:) Anyway, after practice I went over to Sara's, with Tina, and Sofie was over there too. We had ficka and candy and watched The Holiday..my favorite movie uo there with Love Actually:) So it was a fun girls night. Tommorow im catching the bus with Freja and we're going to Josephine's in Skelleftea. We're going to have dinner at her place and then her bf's hockey team is coming over and we're all going to hang out together. Anyway..Im going to do some exercises with my ankle tommorow so I can maybe walk without looking too retarded with my crutches:( The crutches they have here are so unstable..very different from the ones im used to..so all the more motivation to start walking sooner! haha..anyway..more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 39

Today was good. I woke up early ish, like 9:45..my ankle was throbbing..ugh..so i took some painkillers and started my day. Tina came over with chicken salads and candy and we watched movies all day:) We watched the Devil wears Prada (one of my favs) and studio 54, which I hadnt seen before..it was good. So it was a fun day. She really helped me keep my mind off my foot. Later, she even took me grocery shopping:) After that, Tomas, the coach of the second team, came over to look at my ankle. He was on the phone with Anders the whole time so I couldnt understad what the hell they were saying..so it was kind of frustrating..but basically they dont think that its broken, or fractured..but it definetely seemed like i knew more about my ankle and how to take care of it..they said if its not feeling better by Monday..Ill go to Skelleftea to see the doctor and get an xray (which i would have rather had done today)..but thats the way it goes..Just very different over here the way that injuries are handled. Just makes me nervous a little bit. Anyway, tommorow i am going to try and flex it back and forth and get some flexibility back..and just hope its not too soon:) So now im watching this show with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet discussing strategies for success..so im taking notes:) Warren Buffet just said something that I completely agree with and is the way I want to live my life. He said "You really want to be excited every morning you get out of bed." (in terms of choosing your career path) He said you need to follow your passion..do something that really turns you on. Which is cliche but makes sense. Its like this : You choose to do something you love, become passionate about it, if youre passionate about your career you have a strong work ethic, and if you have a strong work ethic you WILL be successful..no matter what you want to do. Hearing that quote by Buffet about getting out of bed excited, got me excited about working in the future..I just have to find the right job. I know my Mom and sister are probably laughing if theyre reading this.."What, Kerri excited about working?" haha because i havent been too excited in the past..volleyball has always been my job..and i love it so much..but eventually i want to explore other areas and reach my potentail mentally as well as physically. Buffet also said that it's sad how many people go through their whole lives only using so much of their brains and only reaching a certain level of their potential..and that is sad. I want to live my life continuously striving to reach my full potential..learning and growing each and every day:) Well i think thats enough for tonight..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 38

Well today started off as a good day, and ended horribly! ahh..I'll start with earlier..I spent the day with Tina, my teammate Sara's younger siser. Shes my age, and she's awesome. Shes a travel agent in Umea and Skelleftea, and she's really fun:) She cam over here to see my apt, then we walked (it wasnt too cold today..-2 outside) to this store that has lots of random stuff. We looked at all the Christmas decorations. Then we went to this second hand store, where her mom works, to look at stuff. We didnt buy anything though. Then we went to Petra's Cafe to get something to eat. I got a kebab "chicken" sandwich..which was kinda gross actually:( Then we sat around and were talking forever. Shes such a sweet and genuine girl..Then we walked to Konsum (one of the grocery stores) to get chocolate to wash the "kebab" taste out of my mouth:) Then I went back to my apt and was researching fashion design schools online. Im really trying to figure out if that would be something i could commit to. Which is huge for me..because I thrive on constant change:) Anyway, more research tommorow:) Then I went to practice, which was going very well until I sprained my fucking ankle. UGH. I was blocking and Freja, our other middle came under the net and I came down on her. I was so pissed. Not at her..shit like that happens, but just pissed that I hurt myself and am going to be out of commission for awhile. One really wierd thing is that Anders doesnt want me to go to the doctor though. I think that is so soo wierd. Like why woul I NOT go to the doctor? How the hell am I supposed to know what i did, or how long i'lll be out, if i dont see the doctor? He said that they would "mess me up" by pulling my ankle or wanting to get an xray or whatever..He said to just give it a couple days and then we'll see? I was like oookkay..never dealt with this situation like this ever..but whatever. Im just praying that its only a level 2 sprain and not a level 3 like ive had before, where i was on crutches for a month and a half..oh my god that was the worsssstt. Anyway, for now I have it wrapped in an ace bandage, and elevated, and im gonna go to bed with it elevated and try and keep it still. Then tommorow Tina and I are goin to watch movies and shes gonna take care of me:) Its our day off..so in a way im thankful that 1>) We have tommorow off, so i can rest it and 2.) We dont have a game this weekend..we have it totally off..so I can rest even more..thank god..K well More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 37

Today I didnt do too much..I went over to Jill's..she made me homemade soup, which was amazzzing. God i wish i knew how to cook! Then we just sat around and talked until i had to leave for practice. Practice was good. Then i did my sam old routine of coming home, eating, watching tv and keeping in touch with friends on facebook and myspace..then bed..boring:) More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 36

It felt so so good to sleep in today! So good I slept in til 1..oops..good thing i didnt have anything to do! I just facebooked and made myself something to eat..if you can count making popcorn and tea "making food" haha. Anyway, I began my trek to the gym at around 4:45..I had weights and coaching my 12's today... At weights, I found out that our libero, Rebekah, broke her thumb!! She did it right before our game on Saturday..and it was just confirmed with xrays she got yesterday! Ahhh..so shes out for at least 2 weeks from practice and we dossnt have another libero!!! I dont know what the hell we're gonna do!! Im just thankful that we dont have a game this weekend, and im praying that she can play in 2 weeks for our next game!! Practice went well with my little team today..we practiced diving "sprawling" as they call it, and then played for the rest of practice. The rest of the night ive just been skyping with Brittney and uploading pictures:) Tommorow im going to go try to teach english again at the school, in the morning, then i need to do laundry desperately haha..well more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 35

Today I woke up at 7am to go to my 12's tournament. I was really tired becauase I went to bed at like 2 last night. Last night I went over to my teammate Sara's where the girls were going to watch a movie..i hung out for a little while there, and then me and Freja left..Later on we met up with Jill and Emelie and their boyfriends Frederic and Andreas. Then we went to Adam's place where there were more people..mostly just a bunch of guys watching hockey..which i've learned to like watching:) I spent most of the night talking to Adam and this guy Daniel..they are really sweet. They wanted me to explain the rules of American football:) It was so funny..They were like "So what does the kicker do"? And "Whose that guy with the ball"? It was really cute. haha..Anyway, so today was a very long day. Jessica, the other coach, picked me up this morning and we drove 45 minutes to a nearby town where the tournament was held. The girls did really well:) They are all so cute. I took a bunch of pictures of them:) Poula is still my favorite..shes always having a good time even though 90% of her time spent on the court shes on the floor. haha..shes always falling I swear:) The rules are very different for 12's here. They play with only 4 on the court at one time..and the ball is allowed to bounce one time during each play. It was a long day..but very rewarding when I see them put some of the things we worked on in practice into play. Maybe I will enjoy coaching after all. There was this one mother who I talked to forever at the tourney..Hannah's mom. She was so so sweet. She was talking to me about how her and her daughter moved to Norsjo from Stockholm "escaping" from Hannah's dad ( she said something really awful that i dont want to repeat on here)..and how hard it's been on Hannah..and how much volleyball, and the friends shes made in volleyball, mean to her. I was like wow..I will definetely take Hannh under my wing after listening to her mom today. Her mom ( i forgot her name) also was talking to me about how important it is for me to travel and experience the world..She asked me what I wanted to do in life and I said evrything:) But lately ive beedn thinking about designing clothes. I know its a competitive field, and i have to make sure i really really want to do it and commit to it..but clothes are all i ever really think about..it sounds shallow kind of..but im obsessed with shopping and constantly creating new outfits.. we got to talking about her sister and how she moved from Stockholm to Paris to learn french and eventually ended up going to art school there..and is now THE designer of H&M's underwear collection! Talk about an amzing connection...I was like, I would LOVE to talk to her!! Her life sounds amazing..she went to art school in Paris..is fluent in Swedish, English and French, and travels from Tokyo to L.A. every few weeks. So it was a great day actually:) We had practice from 4-6..Rebekah wasnt there..she was getting x-rays because she totally dislocated her thumb before our game yesterday and popped it back into place..eww..so hopefully shes ok because we definetely dont have another libero..oops. And Joosy wasnt at practice either..shes sick..She should be back on Tuesday though..Practice wasnt that great today..we did the same damn drill for like 45 minutes..it was kind of annoying, and it really changes the dynamic of the team when 2 of the starters are missing you know..anyway..Im gonna go to bed now..im really tired..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 33

Well today we had our usual pregame routine..practice, which felt really good, then lunch and a break before warm up. Warm up went really really well. I felt really good about the game. I havent played too well the past couple of games..so i spent alot of time by myself before the game just visualizing myself playing well..and I told myself to just relax and go for it. I think I spend too much time overanalyizing my game..and its so so hard to play when u are constantly critiquing yourself. Its like i cant just let balls go..I hold on to all of my mistakes..which makes it impossible to play well. So today I went for it..I scored 18 points and got player of the game:) I am so so happy!! I'm on top of the world right now:)I finally feel like me and Joosy (my setter) connected, and we have confidence in eachother, which is something we've been missing the past couple of games. So from this point on, that just needs to grow, and i need to continue to play well in practice, work hard, and get better everyday. I feel good though. So good. It was a good win for us. Now we have 2 weeks til we play again..so lots of time for practice and room for improvement..which is really exciting. So tonight I'm going over to Sara's and some of the girls are going to watch a movie and eat some candy:) Then I mighgt go hang out with Isa, or Freja later..who knows..I need to try and get to bed early though..I have to wake up at 7 tommorow and go to a tourney with my 12's team:) Then practice. I love my life! More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 33

Well today I slept through teaching my english class..oops its okay though..next week:) Before practice i went over to Emelies to hang out for a bit, and borrow a swimsuit for after practice today (we're goin in the jacuzzi and sauna). Practice was really good today..Although I did have a mini breakdown during this one drill where it's just middles hitting, but we couldnt pass for shit..and nobody was hitting anything..it was soooo frustrating!!!! So aftter that drill i had to really collect myself to make it through the rest of practice. I went to the bathroom and just took a couple deep breaths and got back out there:) It was much needed. Anyway the rest of practice went really well after that. Swedish National tv was there covering our practice and the game tommorow. So I got interviewed today..the same questions really.."How long have u been playing?".."Why Norsjo?"..."What can we expect for tommorow?"..So its really exciting that our team will be on national tv here:) The girls are all really excited. After the game I went to the hockey game where a couple of my friends were playing..Theyre Division 3, but it was still fun to watch..my first hockey game!! It was an undoor arena, but it felt like we were outside..so freeaaakiingg cold..wow. Its like 20 below here..its crazy. The game was fun though..the guys won..then i just went home..big game tommorow! More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 32

Well today was my day off..didnt do too much..just layed around. I did go tanning though and to ICA, the grocery store, because my kitchen is totally empty:) Then I had Emelie and Isa over for ficka (hot chocolate and brownies). It was really good to catch up with Isa. I havent really seen her since she left the team..and I can tell shes really sad. She said Im the only person who has made an effort to hang out with her..which is kind of sad because i just got here and shes been playing with these girls forever. Anyway..It was good to hang out with Emelie too. Shes like the sweetest girl ever. She looks like Jordana..but is nothing like her:) We were trying to make plans for New Years. I really want to go out and dance, maybe in Umea (2 hours away). I just want to be around alot of people and have an actual countdown..Anyway more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 31

Today I went to Skelleftea with my friend Jill. She was going to get her hair done, and i figured I'd go wander around and shop since I didnt have practice til 7 tonight. Shopping was fun..I got some boots and a few other things..and a Christmas present for my Mom. And Im going to get her late birthday present in Paris:) Along with Natalies, and Jordana's. On the way to Skelleftea I saw my first reindeer!! Well actually it was more like 20 of them..they are soo soo cute:) Everybody hates them here though. My friends tell me that semi's speed up when they see them and just hit them..Isnt that so sad? ;( poor things. Anyway, practice was so hard today! My body is so so tired! I feel heavy, like my muscles are weighing me down..it was a good practice though. I feel physically exhausted. Tommorow is our day off ..thank God. My body needs a break. ugh..K well more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 30

Today I woke up early and went to the high school for my first day of teaching english:) well kind of. I dont really feel like I did anything..I introduced myself, and the techer, Susan, said for them to ask me any questions..but I think they were a little shy. Theyre 9th graders..so they're really concerned with sounding stupid I think. So I sat there and read the svenska/english dictionary..Then I stuck around for the next class which was a bigger group of 19, who said even less than the last class did..I felt even less useful in that class. So, I think I'm going to go again on Friday..to try again..see if it gets better..but i really want to learn swedish..not "teach" english. So if I still dont like it by friday I think Im going to ask if i can join Miyuki's swedish class. Anyway, after that I walked home..theres some snow on the ground so i cant bike anymore..and walking sucks. The town is small, but its still a long walk home! Practice went well today. Im hurting a little..I think I pulled my hamstring. It really hurts when i walk and run..and I was a little low on energy midway through practice. We did this drill that killlleedd me! And Freja too. Our other middle has asthma..and had to sit out the rest of practice. Poor thing. Anyway, tommorow will be better. Now I'm just watching Desperate Housewives and eating some crackers..gonna go to bed soon Im exhausted..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 29

Well today was kind of boring..I slept in late..went to weights, and then coached my little team afterwards. I actually like coaching alot..maybe its just this team or age group..but its really rewarding. One little girl couldnt get her serves over the net when I first started a few practices ago, and now shes so good! And she told me its all because of me:) So cute..anyway..not much else is happening..I need to book my flight soon for Christmas in Paris! My friend Tina is a travel agent here, and shes gonna help me get a good deal on a flight..then me and Britt only need to worry about finding a hostel:) K well..more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 28

Well today we had breakfast at the hotel..breakfast at hotels here is my favorite meal of the day. So good!! Then we hung out in the hotel before we went to lunch at the galleria in Stockholm. We ate at the food court..I had pizza for the 3rd day in a row..its like the only dish that ive memorized all of the ingredients..so it's easy to order evrytime..i know exactly what im getting:) Then we walked around the mall, just looking in stores for while. Then we headed to the gym, about a half an hour away. This gym was alot nicer than the gym we played in yeaterday in Lindesburg. The game was very frustrating today. We won the first set..we played so so well, then we let the 2nd set slip away 23-25 because we had back to back to back service errors..it was awful..we missed 6 serves at critical points in the match..so we beat ourselves. If we just wouldve won that second set..we couldve taken the game. ugh. And I still have not played up to my level yet..Its so frustrating. I think Im just overthinking and putting too much pressure on myself to play so well, that I'm playing that much worse. So this week in practice, Im going to really focus on one thing I can do offensively, and one thing I can do defensively..that way I wont have to overthink..After the game we ate at this place..the food was awful..ugh..I basically had macaroni and cheese with uncooked shrimp on top of it. After that we went to the airport and waited around for our flight back home. Then we took the bus from Skelleftea to Norsjo..like an hr. ride. So we got home at 1:15am..so now..bed. More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 27

Today we woke up and had a really nice breakfast at the hotel..buffet style. And i love all the different stuff they have for breakfast here. Today i had cereal, bread with tomato and cheese, some turkey and some warm mik/chocolate milk. Then we bought some pasta salad from the hotel for lunch..and After awhile we left for the gym for our game. We had to drive like an hour..then we got there and were going to eat outside the gym, but it was too windy so we ended up eating in our cars:) Then we went to in the gym. The gym was really small, and the floor looked like it had been through hell and back..it ws awful haha..We definetely have a nicer facility in Norsjo, so im grateful. So we played our game against Lindesberg..and won 3-0! We lost to this team just 4 weeks ago in the Swedish cup..so we've gotten alot better..I played like shit though..but overall the team played really well. Tommorow is a new day and a new and better team, so hopefully i'll play better:) After the game, we went to dinner at a chinese place..and almost everyone got a pizza haha..then we drove 2 1/2 hours to Stockholm/Valletuna area where we'll play Elsverket tommorow..Josephine's old team.. Now i'm just in our room at the hotel..watching "Singing Bee" in Swedish with Josephine..my roomie again:) We'll probably go to bed soon because we didnt get too much sleep last night..hopefully i'll report back tommorow with a win! More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 26

Today I woke up eaarly and caught the bus to Skelleftea. It was a pretty ride through the forest:) It took a little over an hour. I got there and made my way to Josephine's apt and we hung out until the stores opened at 11. Then I went off shopping! I had so much fun, just wandering around, being free in this little city. I got some really cute stuff too:) Then Josephine, me, her boyfriend and a couple of his teammates went to lunch at this place called Station 8, which is a club at night, and has an amzing lunch buffet during the day. The food was really good, except for when I accidentally ate this stuff called "sill" which was covered in sauce, and I thought i was being adventurous and trying something new..but once i saw what the sauce was covering up i was disgusted. It was like raw fish..with the scales and everything..eww. Anyway, then me and Jossan shopped some more. Then we went and got some food..at the Dalles which is this pizza/hamburger place. We got pizza. All the pizza here is so so thin..I want some real crust! Its still good though. Then our team picked us up in this van, and we went to the airport. This was the first airport i didnt have to show my ID once! Everything was done by fingerprint. It ws cool. The flight was good. Short..one hour. We got snacks at 7-11 haha..and then got our rental cars and went to the hotel. The hotel is nice..they are smaller than those in the US..the beds are twin, bu they are really comfy. My roommate is Josephine..so Im happy about that:) Ok..well we are going to watch V for Vendetta, then go to sleep..big game tommorow! More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 25

Today me and Miyuki had lunch with the politicians here in Norsjo. Im not sure what the place was called where we ate..its kind of a combination of a movie theatre, classrooms and a restaurant..so what do you call that? haha..anyway the food was amazing. Lunch was good..they spoke zero english, so good thing Anders cam along to translate. They were really nice though. They gave us flowers and a gift ( a backpack) to welcome us here. It was nice. Then I ran errands..went tanning, got a flu shot, and did laundry before practice. Practices just keep getting better and better, and I think were going to play really well this weekend..i can feel it. So im really excited. Anders told us the dates that we get off for Christmas..the 20th-27th..so I talked to Britty and I'm pretty sure we're going to Paris!!!!! Ahh!! I'm so beyond excited for that:) :) So as soon as she knows her dates..we can book our flights. So now I am just going to take a shower, and pack for this weekend..we fly out of Skelleftea tommorow night to Stockholm, where we play Lindesberg on Saturday (We played them in the Swedish cup a couple weeks ago and lost..but we're alot better now), and we play Elverket on Sunday..they are really good i guess, and that's who Josephine, our setter, played for last year. So tommorow morning I'm going to take the bus to Skelleftea and spend the day looking around..and shopping:) And when Josephine (Joosy) is done with work she's going to come meet me:) So it'll be fun Im really excited! K well I definetely have to go to bed early tonight because tommorow will be the earliest I've ever woken up while I've been here..haha..Good night..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 24

Today I woke up at like 1pm..I stayed up until 330am trying to watch an episode of Greys anatomy..I dont have full internet access yet..so it took like 4 hrs to watch one episode..and i was determined to finish the damn thing before i went to bed..so i did:) Today I went over to Jessica's house. She's the other coach on my 12's team. She has twins that play on the team, Petra and Louise..and a 6 yr old, Sophia. Her house is really nice! Its all IKEA'd out..like all the other houses here..haha. Everyone has a 42" plasma tv, and they all keep their houses really clean. She has 2 horses, and she herds reindeer in the winter..so in a couple weeks they'll start to come out she said. Im so excited:) I want to get a picture of me on one..she said we can work something out:) We had lunch there, and then went to coach at the gym. Today I taught the girls how to dive on the floor, instead of the mat we've been diving on..They werent too happy when they figured out they cant bounce off the floor, like they can on the mat..haha..the transition was pretty funny to watch. Then I had my practuce, which went really well today. We worked alot on blocking..alot of the things Anders teaches are very very different almost backwards from what I've learned my whole volleyball career..so its a little difficult. Anyway, so now I'm home, showered and starving..so im gonna get some food and attempt to watch another episode of Grey's online, and pray to God it doesnt take 4 hours..ugghh..K more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 23

Today I woke up and there was actually sunlight outside..wierd haha..I watched the Ellen Degeneres show and ate my usual bowl of cereal. Then I just was on the internet until practice at 4:30..Practic ewas really really good. It felt like we had alot of intensity which was a nice change from the lack of energy we had this weekend in our game. Yvonne wasnt at practice..she has a fever i guess..which reminds me i need to get a flu shot! I think everyone on the team has gotten theirs except me..and apparently Yvonne:( We got our itinerary today for this weekend. We leave on Friday for Stockholm, and we can only travel with 12! 10 players and 2 coaches. So right now we have 11 players..so i wonder who will have to stay home..its kind of sad that just one person will have to stay behind..but thats what the budget calls for i guess. Anyway..I just got off the phone with Natalie, my sister, and it was so so good to hear her voice! I thought i was never going to get ahold of her. She said shes going to come visit..hopefully for the huge snow festival in Kiruna..in January. That would be so much fun..I just have to see what my schedule is..which is hard to judge right now because it all depends on how well we do in league..and we havent played many games yet. Anyway, Im watching Desperate Housewives now..and am going to eat something..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 22

Today I woke up later than usual..at like 1pm...Its just really hard when it's dark outside almost all day! The sun doesnt "rise" (it never officially rises because its always gray outside) until like 8am and it gets dark by 3pm. Its pitch black by 4pm ahh..haha. Anyway, today we has weights, and I coached my girls today. I taught them, well attempted to teach them, how to hit a ball. They try so hard to impress me..its really, really cute actually. My favorites are Paola and Emelie. They are the most outgoing and are always smiling and try so hard:) After coaching I went to ICA for groceries..then home to my cozy little apt, which I love. I just finished watching the season 4 finale of Grey's Anatomy online..so so good! Now i'm going to watch an episode of season 5, and then go to bed..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 20

So today we all met at the Thai restaurant to get our lunch to bring with us for team building. We drove to a cabin thats in the middle of the woods. The drive out there was so so pretty..The sky was white and it was really foggy, but you can see the silhouettes of the trees still..so pretty. There werent many houses on the drive out there, but the ones i did see looked like they came out of a scary movie..It was probably the combination of the white sky, fog, and the seclusion of the house from the rest of the town..kind of creepy. And I found out today that one of the houses really IS haunted! My co-coach of my 12's team, Jessica, lives out there and wants me to come visit her on Wednesday, but not after what she told me today! She said that she sees two ghosts on a regular basis. She said that they are really particular about changes she makes to the house, so she has to ask them before doing anything to the house..like putting up pictures and things like that. I just stared at her in awe. She made it seem so normal..She said that I shouldnt be afriad of ghosts..I should be afraid of people..because people can actually hurt you. Anyway, while we were at the cabin we went around the room and gave a short presentation of what we were all about: like/dislike, family, and what we liked about ourselves. I said that I like that I am a risk taker, and love trying new things. Then we talked about the game yesterday and I let my mouth run a little bit about what I think needs to change in order for us to be successful. Hopefully Anders appreciated my honesty and wasnt offended that I kind of critiqued his coaching style a little bit..oops. I was just being honest and saying how I feel though. It made me feel better that Josephine, our setter, said that she completely agreed with everything I said though, So that was reassuring. So after that we went to the gym to watch our Division 1 team play, then we had a really good practice. Now I'm at home watching Dukes of Hazzard on tv..goin to bed soon I'm exhausted..More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 19

Well, we lost our game today. We couldnt pass to save our life..and I played horrible. I felt helpless because i have no control over whether we pass well or not..and we cant run anything out of the middle if we cant pass a ball to the net..so frustrating. We lost in 3..and i feel like the game went by so fast and no one really seemed to care that we lost. Anyway, after the game I went over to Jill's apartment. She had invited a bunch of girls over to hang out. They were all so sweet. They kept telling me how excited they were that i was here, and that they want me to move here:) Sara and Evelina came over too (my teammates). Then we all went to the "club" to dance. They call it the club, but it's really a hotel that has a dance floor and stays open until 1am like 4 times a year for the young people to come and dance. It was really fun though..There was a dj and it was on 2 levels. There were quite a bit of people there too..I was like where did you guys all come from? haha..Dancing was a good release of my frustration from the game though. After that I walked home with my friend Tina..(Sara's younger sister, whose my age)..so i'm going to bed now..i have team building tommorow..so i need some sleep. More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 18

Today I had an individual with Miyuki and Josephine, and Anders. We just worked on hitting for an hour. It went pretty well. Then Josephine (my setter) and I spent the day together at my apt. Her and Anders commute from Skelleftea, which is the biggest city near us, like 50 minutes away. So she came over so she didnt have to make an extra trip before practice later. Anyway, we had a good time, ate some lunch, talked volleyball and watched the movie 'Taken'...really good movie by the way. Then we walked to practice..practice sucked. It was terrible..we didnt play well at all, which is horrible because we play the number 1 team tommorow. So now Im just watching the movie 'Just like Heaven'..not even comparable to 'Taken'..but its all thats on tv:) Well, Im going to make myselflunch for tommorow, do my shoulder strengthening exercises and get some sleep..big day tommorow. More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 17

Today was my day off. I cleaned, and went to get groceries..then i basically spent the day trying to connect to the internet. I did go over to my host familys house for lunch though. Marlin is my host mom. Shes a nurse here in Norsjo, and Frederic, Marlins husband, works at this factory making stairs. All the guys in this town work there..Dont ask me what they do there haha..anyway so we had lunch..chicken with pasta and swedish meatballs..it was really good:) They have 2 little kids too..Julia who is 5 and Ludwig is 3..theyre really, really cute. I'm going to be going over there more when I have time, and Marlin is going to teach me how to cook..I'm pretty sure she feels sorry for me because she knows all i eat at home is cereal :) Anyway, more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 16

Today was a good day. I met my girls I'm going to be coaching..theyre a 12's team. They are adorable..but dont speak much english..so its going to be challenging for sure. I'm not the most patient person in the world, and I don't really like coaching, so we'll see how it goes haha. 12's is a good age group though..you get em when they idolize you...before they get attititudes:) So that will occupy some of my time. I also found out today that I'm going to be teaching English to 9th graders at the high school here. And they are going to teach me Swedish..so that should be fun hopefully. Not too much else happened today..More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 15

Today was an okay day..nothing really happened...practice..trying to get an internet connection..same routine! Hopefully tommorow will be more evntful:)
More later!
xoxo,Kerri

Day 14

Today was a good day. We had practice at 9:30 am. .which waskinda rough cause i went to bed at 3am..no game this weekend. Today at practice we took our height, weight, and did speed tests, agility tests, abs, jump reach...it was good, just a measurement of where we are right now. I definetely have room for improvement:) but I did well..Then tonight I went and saw the new James Bond movie with Jill and Andreas and my new friend Maria. It wasnt that great of a movie..I actually kept nodding off because i was exhausted and it hit me the second the lights went out..haha..anyway i went for the experience, not the movie. Swedish people call it going to the cinema. It was a building with classrooms (people go there to learn swedish, and english), so thats one part of the building, and the other part is the theatre. It was the same size as a theatre in the US, but had a curtain..a big, red, velvet curtain, with ropes.. like we were going to be watching a play or something..it was cool..it looked like the whole town was there! It was packed.We got popcorn before the movie..in old fashioned boxes..it was fun. I wanted to take a picture of the theatre, but decided that i would come back when the whole town wasnt there to talk about how much of a tourist I am:) After the movie, and the lights came back on..i was feeling more energized. I went back to Jill's for ficka, and Liz and Isa came over in Halloween costumes. (They were 80's girls)..They didnt know halloween was the day before haha..anyway. In our apt building, there is a big room in the middle of the complex taht you can rent out for special events..so it was rented out for the night for Halloween party. I went down there to see what everyone was dressed up as, and what everyone was doing. It was a big dance party, with food from the thai resturant there (oh ya theres a thai resturant in Norsjo!) and people were dressed up in typical costumes. The only thing that was different was that guys were dancing with eachother alot, and not girls haha..you wouldnt really see too much of that in the States..unless you were at Dempseys:) Then, Isa and her boyfriend Nills came up to see my apartment ..then i went to bed! I'm tired..More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 13

Well today was Halloween!! It came and went without anyone even saying Happy haloween:( I didnt even see anyone dressed up! Oh well..i guess its just not that big here. It was the first halloween I didnt dress up and go out..instead I went over to my friend Jill's house and had "Ficka" (coffee and cake) with her, her boyfriend Andreas, and our friend Adam. So that was fun. Then I went home and it was a crazzzy night of me watching the new Sex and the City movie by myself and eating some cookies and drinking my tea:) So today was my first day of getting yelled at at practice..so i thought it was noteworthy haha..it was bound to happen sooner or later! I misunderstood the drill Anders told us to do, and was hotting the opposit direction we were supposed to be hitting..for a good ten minutes..oops:) So its 1am and i have practice at 9:30am..so good night! More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 12

Well, today was a boring day..the highlight was talking to Jordana and going to the store and getting chocolates..oops:) I really didnt do anything today. It was my day off. I just caught up with people on facebook, and myspace, and on my emails. I'm kind of lonely today:( I havent ever actually gone a whole day without human interaction. I have just been looking at pictures on myspace and facebook of all the places I have been, and how amazing it is that volleyball has taken me so many places. I am so lucky to have the opprotunity I have to be in this beautiful counrty of Sweden, doing what I love to do. I am so excied for all the opprotunities that lie ahead, and hopefully alot more travelling:) I'm really thankful for all the people that have shuffled in and out of my life, because I think I have learned at least something from each person...and I'm most grateful for the people who have consistent ly been there for me. My mom, Natalie and Jordana are the 3 that come to mind:) They have kept me grounded, questioned my decision making when it neede dto be questioned, listened when I needed someone to just listen, and I wouldnt be where I am today without them in my life. Ahh the perks of only working for 3 hours everyday..you have so much time to reflect!! And I'm sure taking advantage of it..I need to be even more productive, and replace watching tv with reading..thats next on the list..anyway..more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 11

So, today was kind of boring actually. I woke up at like 12:30pm, watched some tv while i ate my cereal, downloaded some songs to my ipod, and talked to Jordana on Skype. We had weights today, which were easy, and then we had practice. Tonight was our late practice from 7-10pm. Practice was good, except still no Petra (finger), no Freja (migraine), and no Sara (shoulder). So it was really tough for drills. I still feel like I'm not playing my game..and am a little frustrated, but I need to stop and realize that I havent played for awhile and not everything can come back at once. Well it's 3:30am..i should get to bed..PS Ive been sleeping with the tv on, and a light on because Miyuki saw a ghost in her apt..and im terrified i might see one..I mean i am in the middle of the forest in a tiny town..ahhh..More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 10

Well today Isa, my teammate left the team "for personal reasons". So it was a very sad day because she has been a good friend to me in this short time we've spent together. So, we had a team meeting about it..and then practiced..and it was just done and over with so quickly..it was like whip lash...I didnt do much today. I talked to my mom for the first time since i got to the hotel in Stockholm..It was so good to hear her voice!! It wasnt fofr very long though..but still Im glad i got to talk to her at all. Not too much else happened today. Freja didnt practice because she had a migraine and Petra is 1/2 practicing because of her broken finger..so basically I'm the only middle..which makes it difficult for drills. Anyway, I'm going to try and check my love/hate on/off again relationship with my internet connection...more later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 9

Today is Monday..so we dont have practice..only weights. So its a nice break. We start off riding the bike for warm up, and some of the crazy girls run outside (with their reflector vests, because its pitch black). Then we do our exercises. They are so easy compared t what I have been through at EWU and UNM. Wow. We go through all the exercises once..1 rep of 8.."piece of pancake" as Anders would say..haha. It takes me about 30 minutes. Then we are done! So now I have a bike..so I rode sit home and I have my routine of coming home, making tea,( Ive been drinking tea like crazy..i found a kind im in love with here..its Blue fruit tea..mmm..) and trying to connect to the internet..to Skype..and watching whatever is on TV..so..more later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 8

We had our first game last night!! It wa so so much fun. We played really well. The game went to 5. We won 15-13 in the 5th game. So it was really tight. There were like 55o people there someone said..which is really impressive considering how many people are in the town, and how small the gym is..It makes it seem like there are so many people there because everyone is everywhere, and sitting so close to you. Its really cool. Rebecca, our 15 yr old libero got 'player of the game'..she played so so well, and passed 85% perfect..which is amazing. After our game my teammate Isa came over to my apartment and we hung out. Then we went to her friend Liz's and had pizza and listened to music. They listen to American music, and some bad European pop..which is reaally bad. But the American music is good..they are just a little far behind:) Then Jill (my friend from the gym) came over and wanted to steal me to introduce to more people..so i met alot of people that night. It was fun. So today I spent the day unpacking..so i'm officially unpacked, and i cleaned..so i feel better:) I have practice at 4pm..so more later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 7

We have our first home game tommorow!!! I'm still having trouble going to bed at night..last night I didnt go to bed til 4:30am..and I woke up at 2:30pm. I hate sleeping in so late! But at least i have nothing to do in the mornings..or really all day until practice around 5. Im going to really try and go to bed tonight though..tommorow i have to wake up early and be at the gym by 9:15 for practice. So on game days..our schedule looks like this: 9:30-10:30am practice. Then lunch with the team (you pack your own lunch) from 11-12. Then a break from 12-1..then our game is at 2pm. I'm so so excited:) Practice was good today..my blocking is good, I just need to find my rhythm on offense with Josephine. It'll come. I still need to figure out how to fix my phone so that I can call my mom and sister!! So, I tried to figure out how to do my laundry toonight..which was a freaking disaster. I put my clothes in, with all my detergent and turned on what I thought was the washer...nope, turns out it was the DRYER. ugh..so by the time i got them out.. theyd been in there an hour and smelled burnt and sick..so i put them in the only other machines left..those had to be washers right? Anyway, so after 4 hours..my clothes were finally all washed and dried. Wow, cant wait for laundry next week. Anyway, big game tommorow. More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 6

Today Miyuki and I went to the only cafe in Norsjo, and had another interview. We had what you call "ficka". (Which is tea or coffee and pastries) and had a really nice interview. One of the guys was asking us questions and the other one was taking pictures of us while we drank our tea..it was kind of funny. Then I told them I had to do some errands and they insisted on following me and Miyuki around haha. So we went to the shoe store and i got socks, then to another store (which they compared to a Target or Walmart) Natalie would love that..haha..but it wasnt like a walmart at all. They said its the only store in Norsjo that has everything..but 'everything' is loosely defined. haha. Then Miyuki and I said goodbye to the guys, and went to ICA to get more food. All Ive been eating is cereal, bananas, and crackers basically. I dont know how to work my oven:( Even if I did..I probably still wouldnt use it because I am the worlds worst cook..but anyway..so ya ive been eating pretty simply. I miss my old staples of goldfish, graham crackers, and granola bars though!! mThose are nowhere to be found here. I downloaded Skype today and got to talk to Jordana..which was really nice! I miss her. And I miss Mom and Natalie alot alot alot!!! Im also trying to install my Rosetta Stone..learning Swedish program. I cant wait to learn:) Miyuki is making me spaghetti tonight and were going to watch Friends..so thats my date for tonight:) More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 5

Today I met my host family..well not the kids, but I met Marlin and Frediric. They are a younger married couple..probably about 32. Marlin is a nurse, and Frederic works at the stairs factory..where all the guys seem to work here. Dont ask me what they do there..I have no freakin clue. They are so sweet though. They came over and then we went to set up my bank account, get some stuff for my laundry, and tiger balm for my shoulder. Then Miyuki and I had an interview at the gym. While I was waiting I met a girl that works at the gym. Her name is Jill..(pronounced Yill) So I now have my firest friend outside of the team:) Anyway, the interview was good..basic questions, and the guy had me and Miyuki take some pics with eachother outside..so that was fun. So now I am just putting off going to bed because I'm still not on my sleeping schedule. Anyway..I'm goin to do my shoulder exercises and go to bed..More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 4

Well, today was good. I couldnt really sleep last night until like 3:30am, so I slept until 2pm today:) Then had some cereal for breakfast/lunch, and got my stuff together for practice. Practice went pretty well...my shoulder was giving me a bit of a problem to say the very least..but i'm sure it is just tight from not playing for awhile. So, today we had a sprint test. Me and Miyuki had no idea, so it came as quite a little surprise considering its freakin freeezing outside. We had to run 1 1/4 miles..so not too bad, but my lungs were not happy and I got a huge headache from the cold. I did well though. At least Miyuki was in the same boat..she was not happy about running and was holding her ears and face when we were done..poor, poor us. We also had team pictures today, and individual pictures, and more pics of me for sponsors. It was pretty fun. One of our sponsors wanted a picture of me wearing their equipment, so I had to put on a toolbelt, a construction hat and hold a chainsaw..haha..it was really fun. Anyway so now i'm just icing my shoulder and watching some tv. Tommorow is a big day. I meet my host family, have an interview, and have practice. More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 3

So today was our second day of the Swedish cup tourney. We played and won our game today..so we got bronze, overall. It was a good tournament to get our feet wet, adn was especially good considering we'd never played together before, and that it's been forever since me or Miyuki had played. I cant wait to get to Norsjo and practice and get better for our first home game. yay! I just really cant wait to get home to see Norsjo, and my apartment, and get settled!! I'm tired of living out of my suitcase..ugh..So after the tourney, we all left to go to Stockholm Central Station to eat and catch our train. I've never been on a train before, so that was so so exciting for me!! We had awhile before our train arrived, so we all sat around and were talking for awhile. I learned that all of the girls have boyfriends, except Caroline and Yvonne. Geeez..but Freja and Caroline were already brainstorming who my Norsjo boyfriend would be. They asked me what my type was..and I told them tall, athletic and funny..and there response was hmmmm..I dont know if we have one who is all of those! hahaha..so I lowered my standards to prefer a boy wh maybe speaks english a little? So, we'll see how that goes. hahaha. So we got on the train and I was in a compartment with Rebecca and Sophie. When it was time to go to sleep, I couldnt figure out how to roll out the narrow, narrow couch and make it a bed. I figured it was broken and i just had awful luck..Sooo, I slept like a hot dog on the narrowest couch known to man for the whole night..freeeezing cold!! Listening to my ipod, trying to fall asleep.. Finally at 6am, Sophie got up to go the bathroom and said "Have you been sleeping like that all night??" and I said.."Sleeping..not really". haha..She unfolded the couch for me with blankets and i slept from then on..Our train was delayed by like 6 hours..so our plans for the day got pushed back a little. As we got closer to our destination, Skelleftea (a city 50 miles from Norsjo), I looked out the train window..all i saw was forest..and a few houses here and there, and it started to set in..just where i was in the world. The middle of the forest. When we got to Skelleftea, me, Miyuki, Josephine, Olav, and Anders had lunch at a buffet type resturant, and then looked around a bit. We went to Josephine's apt, where she lives with her boyfriend. It was really really nice. Skelleftea is still a small city, but it had a mall and resturants and stuff. Then me and Miyuki went to this physical therapy place to get our physicals, to make sure we were ok to play. We were cleared:) Then me and Miyuki took a bus from Skelleftea to Norsjo. By now it was like 7:30pm. We finally got to Norsjo..and Freja and Yvonne picked us up and we went to ICA to get groceries. They made sure we understood what we were buying:) Then we went to our apartments!!! I love love love my apt. Its cozy and I'm so happy:) So now all my groceries are put away..I'm not unpacked..but i've decided to deal with that later and just watch MTV for now:) It has been such a looong day, but i'm so excited I'm finally here. I cant believe it. I'm so grateful. My dream is actually becoming a reality...Well, for now I'm going to do my shoulder stretches, and exercises! More later!
xoxo, Kerri

Day 2

Well, lots of firsts today. I met my team today for the first time this morning. We all had breakfast together at the hotel. Breakfast was really good. It was a buffet of cereal, hard boiled eggs, fruits, meats and lots and lots of bread! I sat with two of the youngsters on the team...Freja and Petra. Freja is 18, and Petra is 17. They are both middles, too. Although, Petra isnt playing right now because she broke her middle finger. After breakfast we had a team meeting where Miyuki and I learned the sets and defense in under an hour...ahh..then we all went to catch the bus to the gym together. I was really nervous for our first game actually because I was just thrown in there and had to perform. We ended up losing our first game, but winning our second. But I think it went well, overall. I just have to learn a few key volleyball terms in swedish..and practice. Having a couple practices before our next game woild be helpful! The level is definetely different over here from that of University level in the states...but it is so so so much more relaxed. I've never had a coach tell me to smile so much in my life! haha..Our coach, Anders, is all about having fun while you play, and therfore playing well. All the girls smile all the time and have really positive attitudes. So being on the court with them..I felt comfortable and almost stress free. Most of my stress came from the fact that our spandex are tiny and have like an inch inseam! But I'll get over it! So, I think after today I have a general idea of what the girls are like...so i'll fill you in. I'll just go down the list: Isa-22, seems very mellow, and has a fun personality.
Yvonne-18, consistent player, kind of quiet, sweet, sincere.
Freja-seems mature for her age, 18, fun to be around
Caroline-always smiling, 18, innocent
Rebecca-youngest at 15, really, really good libero, very very shy
Petra-17, very quiet, dont know too much about her..
Josephine-19, good setter, really fun, intense player
Sara- team captain, 22, so genuine, very sweet, honest
Evelina-21, laughs alot, positive attitude
Anders-our head coach- emphasizes "always trying our best", "smiling, and having fun"...has worked hard to ensure that Miyuki and I are comfortable and happy.
Ann-Asst. coach, very nice..dont know too much about her yet.
Olav-2nd asst. coach, good sense of humor, speaks really good english. He's a pilot, and works for 2 weeks travelling, and spends 2 weeks with us.
More later!
xoxo Kerri

Day 1

Well...I'm exhausted, I got maybe 3 hours of sleep the whole flight...it is 9:30pm and I'm finaally at the hotel, after the shortest and most expensive cab ride ever. ($80 bucks for 8 minutes!) Anyway, the hotel, the Scandic Star Solletuna, is gorgeous! So I turned on the tv to see exactly what shows I'll be watching for the next 6 months and it looks something like this: Married with Children, South Park, Family Guy, swedish news, and a few crime series'. Not too bad..Ive been meaning to catch up on the lost episodes of Married with children anyway:) So I'll do that while I wait for Miyuki (the only other foreigner on my team) to come...She just got here! She seems very sweet. I think I overwhelmed her a little with all of my questions..I found out she's 31, has a boyfriend in Japan, hasnt played for 2 years, and she likes Sake:) So, I should probably go to bed now..tommorow will be absolutely crazy. I meet my team for the first time in the morning, and then we go straight to the gym to play in the Swedish cup tournament. Ahh..I can't believe I'm going to play in a tournament tommorow without practicing or knowing everyones name..so wierd..but very exciting. I can't wait. Well, I'm off to bed..More later! xoxo Kerri