Helsinki In A Day

Last night was my last night in Kangasala and this morning I headed out to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, to do some sightseeing before I go back to the States Saturday afternoon. The club president's wife picked me up this morning to take me to Tampere so that I could catch a train to Helsinki. I've never really ridden a train, the ghost rides during camp don't count in my book, so I was excited to see what was in store. Mrs. Malm, Hali, purchased my ticket and waited on the platform for me to board and leave the station. It was really their family and the hospitality they showed that helped push my decision over the edge. I now have a second family in Kangasala. The train ride was beautiful. Tons of open land and farms throughout the hour and a half ride. Once I arrived at the station in Helsinki Mr. Malm's brother-in-law greeted me. He was an older man, around 60 perhaps, glasses, wirey hair and great calves. I knew I was in for a long day. As soon as we met the tour started. He rattled off information about the train station and the areas we passed as we walked to the hotel to drop off my luggage before the bike tour started. Yeah, that's right...BIKE tour. Mind you I haven't rode a bike that wasn't stationary or for calories in about five years. Thankfully the phrase "it's like riding a bike" is actually true and I adjusted fine. He was very hard to follow. Zioping and dodging through people, traffic, trolley lines, cobble stones, wind and rain. To sit here and type of my ENTIRE adventure would be too much. In fewer words I can summarize my day by this: We started the tour at 8:30 am. After seeing everything from the 1954 Olympic Center and a church built in rock to the 2013 Tall Boat Race recruitment ships in the opposite harbor and eating the BEST fresh strawberries in my ENTIRE life (Seriously. Amazing.), we ended at 5:30 PM. To say I was exhausted by the end was an understatement but I made sure to get in some personal time to shop and have a celebratory dinner.

Below is a rough outline of the area covered today to the best of my memory.

Helsinki is a beautiful city, despite what Anthony Bourdain may have reported. In the summer it's full of lights and energy. People are faithfully outside under space heaters at bars, enjoying each others company and the numbered days of sunlight. The relationships I have made throughout the week and even today I will never forget and I'm thankful now more than ever for my trust in God to present the right opportunities to me at the right time.

I will officially be reporting the Kangasala on August 15. Although there will be no foreign entries until that time I will be documenting some upcoming events abroad during my final weeks. Got some fun stuff in store so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading. 😘

-------------------

Below are some photos of the sights I visited throughout Helsinki. Enjoy!

1954 Olympic Stadium

Parliament

Shopping area. Included four-story mall on the right/underground bus depot.

*Fun fact: Finland was initially owned by Sweden. 600 years later Russia took over Finland. This would explain why many of the buildings have a Russian influence in the architectural design. Much of Finland includes underground access that was used to hide many of the trucks that would come into the city.

"Main road" in Helsinki

Finnish National Theater

Me in Senate Square!

One of the gorgeous views of all of Helsinki from The Torni hotel rooftop bar.

Bathroom view inside the Torni bar. Pretty sick view.

Russian ship currently in port with other ships across Europe looking to recruit youngsters for their sailing enrichment expeditions.

Uspenskin katedraali (Uspenskin Cathedral). Absolutely BEAUTIFUL inside. Originally built by Russians in 1868, renovated 100 years later. If you're wondering what's in my hand it's a strawberry my guide bought for me at the market. THE BEST I've ever had!

View of the street before Market Square. Major shopping area with various high-end designers.

Cool bubbles!

My favorite night photo of the Helsinki Railway Station. It's around 9...9:30 Im this photo.

Some of my other favorites will be posted on Instagram: thekayla_jeter. 

Newest member of LP Kangasala

I have officially agreed to be the newest member of LP Kangasala. After very little deliberation and a great week, I have decided to sign with the team. Although I was bummed initially about the France team I knew there was a reason why it didn't work out and that something better would come along. My week spent in Kangasala was amazing, not only to the new environment but the warmth and care I experienced from the people. As soon as our last practice ended and my coach uttered "we would like to have you on our team" from his mouth, I already knew my decision. On August 15 I report for my first professional volleyball season with a group of hard-nosed, ambitious Finnish girls and I can't wait!!

Two-a-day Practices

Hello! I thought blogging every  practice every day would get redundant, and I was tired, so I decided to put all of my practices together in one entry. Enjoy!

TUESDAY [6/16]

Today was my first two-a-day. I can't say I was nervous but I hadn't had one since August and being in a foreign country with a foreign team of course left everything as unknown. Fortunately the other American made it to Kangasala last night so we would be able to be lost together. 

Morning practice was fairly slow, similar to what I experienced in the U.S.. Drills emphasized ball control and the middles took reps. It was a frustrating practice; getting use to the international ball took a few reps to work through. As always though I tried to remain positive. After practice we lifted in the attached gym. The workout was like NOTHING I had experienced at my university. Everyone went through the same lifts mostly at the same time with the same weight and low reps. Our lift included squats, cleans (which I haven't done since high school), behind pull downs, low row, abs and these CRAZY hanging abs! Basically you hang from a hanging bar, it looks like a ladder in the wall in most gyms, and attempt to kick your feet ABOVE your head. As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm 5'11 180 lbs, meaning this wasn't the easiest task for me to perform especially 10 times with four rounds but I survived! After practice Anna, the American, and I headed to the designated lunch  restaurant. I've yet to eat anything I didn't like. Our post practice ritual has also included getting in the lake behind our "hotel" and an afternoon nap. Since there are no ice bag or cold tubs it's the best we can do and has been quite refreshing. 

Afternoon practice was more competitive. We started practice with the usual warmup then got into cooperative ball control + hitting drills. They do a sort of box drill incorporating all skills that I really like. Since this practice was more competitive and included hitting I was able to work with the setters to find a happy medium set. All three of the setters set very differently and although right now it's everywhere I was able to figure each of them out. The girls have been nothing but helpful during my time here so far. They're young and enjoy practice so it allows me to loosen up a little and get to know each of them. The post-practice workout was pretty simple, couple rounds of stairs and abs again. I've come to enjoy the post-practice workout, especially since practice has only been about 90 minutes so far. After practice Anna and I again headed to the lake for our leg recovery then made a picnic dinner. Tonight we had the opportunity to experience a very coveted feature of Finalnd, saunas. Apparently saunas are the bees knees in this country, which would make sense due to their harsh winters. The sauna at our hotel was in a separate location across the driveway. Inside was a beautiful stone room with strategically hand placed wooden seating and a wood-burning furnace with stones on top for self-applied steam. It was probably the coolest thing I've done in a long time and it KILLS a regular suana. Being able to add your own water and create a personalized sauna experience is something I'll never forget. Today was a very good day, feeling acclimated and evening learning a few words! Looking forward to tomorrow. 

Hyvaä yotaä

(Goodnight) 

WEDNESDAY [6/17]

Morning practice: This morning was another individual day. I got to work with just the outsides, one who was on the Finland national team; it was good to see their technique. It was basically individual passing from both sides, 10 balls, three times through from straight ahead and cross-court. I've made a few new adjustments that coach pointed out that have made platform more consistent, I can't wait to really perfect it in the gym back home. The workout after this practice was pretty simple, some quad and balance work. We did basic and hanging abs...AGAIN. I made a joke at the beginning of practice that I wanted to do more, I don't think he could sense my sarcasm. Language barrier fail. I did better this time around but I was still sore from the day before so it wasn't THAT great. The other smaller girls on the team are pros at it so I use them as inspiration. 

Lunch was fabulous today. The soup was a combination of carrots, potatoes. onions, capers, and salmon in a light cream sauce. Delicious! Entree items were cheesy potatoes, something that was similar to orange chicken, and a mixed salad. It was all amazing. After lunch we stopped at a local bakery, Kahvilaakonoditoria Paakari, that is well known in Kangalsala. All of the pasteries looked delectable, it was hard to decide but I ended up chosing a cinnamon apple filled one. Once again, very good.

Lunch today.

Konditoria (bakery) view looking out.

Afternoon practice: Second practice today was ran by our assistant coach. He's a tall, scruffy looking man who always has a stern look...and doesn't speak any English. I'm sure you could imagine my excitement. This was the first time during my whole time in Finland I had to interact with someone who didn't speak English and he just happened to be my coach. Needless to say the beginning of practice was a cluster fugg but on the upside, if he was saying anything bad I didn't know! He ran a fast tempo practice, many competitive wash drills. We certainly got tons of touches. This practice was also defense orientated, not necessarily my strongest skill but I tried my hardest anyway. At the end of practice we ran competitive drills, all of which I did well in the end until my legs got tired. It was a good experience for me to have to deal with the mental strain and physical demands of practice, it allowed me to practice various recovery and focus skills I had spent a year and half studying for my masters program. There was no workout after practice today since we went over the 90 minute mark. Tonight called for simply sleep and preparation for our workouts in the woods tomorrow. Yeah, the woods -_-. Only in Finland!!

THURSDAY [6/18]:

Morning workout: This morning we didn't do any ball work, just a workout in the woods. Initially I was terrified. To me a workout in the woods meant running for miles but it turned out to not be that bad, a good bonding experience with the girls. Our workout had flat sprints, uphill sprints, uphill lunges, agility work, and stairs. As commented previously, these workouts wouldn't even pass as a warmup in America but I wasn't complaining! The best part about the workout were the girls and their rest period. There was no running clock so after each sprint the girls would stop and pick blueberries to eat. They had me try a few along with something similar to clover. I told myself I would try anything before I came on this trip and they were MORE than willing to make me the U.S. ginuea pig.

After lunch Anna and I went out and explored the neighboring larger city of Tampere. It was amazing. Traveling to varying cities is very easy in Kangasala via bus. The shopping was great and the people continued to be very helpful. I was glad to see the different architural designs and some American stores, they even had a McDonalds! I'm not really sure what it is about getting to experience new cities but it's a feeling I love to get! Eventually it started to rain and get cold so after about an hour and a half later we headed back to Kangasala to rest before practice. 

Tonight was the last practice of the week. The girls go on holiday for a week tomorrow so tonight was my last moment to shine. Going into practice I felt good about my current performance. Of course there were things I wish I could have done better but overall I felt good. Outside of warmup drills all we did during practice was wash drills and a few games to 15. I came out like a boss. Played really aggressive and made sure to communicate with the girls. I couldn't have been more proud on how I ended my week trial. Practice lasted for about two hours and then Coach Tuomas called my name. In a meeting with his assistant and himself he let me know what they both thought about my performance. They liked how I took big swings but would wait for the right moment, how I had a great work ethic and wanted to learn every day, and lastly how I interacted with the girls. Hearing all of those positive comments made me feel like I had given my all and at the end of our conversation he offered me a contract with the LP Kangasala a volleyball team for this upcoming season!!! I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to speak with Nick about what transpired and what was to happen next.

At then end of a week of the unknown, the new and the straight up foreign, I have made a decision...

Day 2: Continued...

After my morning exploring I had lunch with my coach at a local buffet style restaurant that seems to be popular in Kangasala. The menu changes daily so I'm able to try various Finnish foods. On the menu today was a type of onion soup, potatoes, rice, chicken in a sort of tomato cream sauce, spinach crépes, and salad. I tired everything expect the salad, how different can salad be, and really enjoyed it! The food is not bland but I would have spiced it up a little if I were to make the dishes at home. I've been doing a lot of walking which I like, it allows me to see the area better. When I got back home from lunch I attempted to talk to some friends just waking up back home but ended up knocking out until practice time. At 4:30 my coach picked me up for practice, we also stopped to get the teams libero on the way. She is young, like most of the girls on the team as I came to find out, but very passionate about the game and a balls out player. My first practice with the team went well, getting adjusted to the setters was a little hard at first but that will naturally take time. Drills and play are not very different from American ball, practice time however was SHOCKINGLY short. After roughly a 10 minute warmup and two thorough drills practice ended in about 90 minutes. Coming from three hours of practice plus film I was definitely thrown off but I wasn't going to argue! Lifting followed practice but was cut short due to a group that had to use the weight room. The girls were great and spoke English. Later on in the night the second American arrived, a middle from Purdue. Her personality is certainly refreshing and she seems like a down-for-whatever type of girl, looking to be the best player she can be to win but not missing one minute of what life and youth has to offer. All in all it was a good first day, a good day to get use to everything. I'm ready for our first two-a-day tomorrow with the girls, I've missed practice. 

But it is now time for bed. 12:16 AM over here and the sky looks like 9:30 pm. So crazy.

Moi moi!

First Trip Across The Pond

Currently, I am unsigned to a European professional team. For those who know, you were informed a few months ago that I would beginning my professional career in Poitiers, France, a country I've dreamed of inhabiting since I began studying the language and culture back in high school but due to complications, the team was forced to pursue a European hitter. Obviously I wasn't too pleased with this last minute information, I was actually quite distraught but I have always believed that God has a plan for me and it seems as though Poitiers wasn't part of it at that time. For a few months the search continued, I was approached by various teams, one of them being a top level team in Finland. At first mention, Finland didn't exactly seem like paradise in my mind. All I could conclude about the country was that it was very cold given its geographical location. As the months continued I was invited to do a trial for a team in Kangasala, Finland...a small town two hours north of Helsinki and about 20 minutes from a major city called Tampere. At first I was hesitant but after regarding a few close friends I concluded, "why not?". After all, I'd never been to Europe so I was really unsure what to expect and to turn down a unknown city, despite my preference in climate, would be foolish. Falling in love with the unknown has seemed to work for me in the past, that's how I ended up at the University of Tennessee: a whim and a good feeling. Once I agreed to the trial I did some "extensive research" consisting of a little Googling and an Anthony Bourdain special on Helsinki, of which concluded three things: (1) During the winter months it's dark...all the time, (2) Finnish people eat a lot of meat, and (3) Finns like to drink. As a Cleveland native I've grown accustomed to gray winter skies and knee deep snow but that was a lifestyle I lived five years ago. Titling myself as a self-proclaimed southern girl had become my new identity filled with warm summers and breathtaking sunsets. Needless to say it would be a change heading back to blistering cold winters. So this is where my journey begins, Kangasala, Finland. To say this is where I will end up cannot be determined currently but I will be doing my best to be a sponge to the culture and people and evaluate my experience once the week is over.

Day 1: Travel

Days leading up to my first international travel I was filled with questions and the unknown. My mom, kept asking if "I was sure I wanted to head over?", hoping I'd give up my international dreams not because she wanted me to stunt my professional and personal growth but because she watches the news way too much and thought I was going to end up like the girl from Taken. I reassured her that I'm a 5'11", 180 lb mixed girl, I doubt I'm the first target. In preparation I consulted my older sister, Ms. Carmen San Diego herself along with one of my good friends for travel tips. Once I was packed and ready to go, I headed to the airport for my trip to God's land. My first connection to Atlanta was pretty routine, an up and down flight. Navigating Atlanta's airport was like looking at the back of my hand due to all of the connections my team had made at the airport throughout my collegiate career; however, I had never been to the international terminal. A few train stops and long hallways later I entered what seemed to be a completely different airport. The terminal was bright with tall ceilings and a two-level design with various shops and delectable eateries. Seeing how it was my first time in the area I didn't take time to explore, my mom had always stressed how important it was to make it to your gate and not move, so I had done as I was taught. 40 minutes later boarding began and 50 minutes later I was already looking for a way to make my trip easier. Once on the plane I had flashbacks to a trip I had taken to Jamaica with my family when I was 7, minus a disgruntled 65 year-old woman causing complications due to political issues in the country at the time. Seating had two at the windows and four across, TV's were in the back of the chair in front of you and I began to PRAY I wasn't in the middle. 24 rows down, seat B I had come to me seat, also known as the middle middle. Immediately I began searching for my seat change. I thought I almost had it until about 15 high school aged soccer boys boarded last minute then all hope was gone. I accepted my positional fate and decided to suck it up. 

Day 2: Travel/ Introduction 

Eight hours later at 1 PM, my flight landed in Amsterdam. Sleeping only a total of around two and a half to three hours after being up late the night before caused some irritability to say the least. As I mentioned previously, I had never flown internationally thus I had never been to a foreign airport, which I was a little nervous about but it turned out to be very easy to navigate. My connecting flight was only about two hours, 80% of which I spent sleeping. Once I arrived in Helsinki around 17:25 (that's 5:25 for you non-military time people) I actually ran into some SEC fans from Atlanta who had seen the Lady Volunteer logo on my backpack. They informed me that they had been living in Finland for about 18 months now due to work and loved the country. If an original Texan turned Atlanta native enjoyed Finland then why shouldn't I? After gathering my bags I stepped into the waiting area for my coach, I saw no signed but a tall blonde haired man wearing green stripped wake-boarding shorts and a Lebron shirt stepped forward. At that moment I already knew who he was and I was pleased with what I saw. Tuomas was 32 years-old man who had been an assistant coach previously for the team that always wins the league and was now a head coach going into his third year, his first with the LP Kangasala team. During our two hour trip up to Kangasala we discussed various topics. I enjoyed how open and talkative he was, certainly made the trip less awkward. Once arriving in Kangasala I was taken to an old house turned hotel, which I was very skeptical about. The house keeper/ most well-versed historian greeted us, along side the volleyball club president and his wife. Honestly, my initial emotions were sadness. At that moment I realized I would be away from my family and friends for eight months once I decided where I was to play and after the man of the house had told me there was no Internet I almost lost it. Despite my emotions I chose to swallow them and keep it moving. The house guide showed me the various rooms, starting with the dining room and explaining the pride of the Eagle on the Kangasala flag and informing me if the various famous writers, artists, and soldiers that had stayed at the house.  My room was essentially a room in a regular house with all the amenities minus a TV, the communal W.C. (bathroom) was next door. After a brief house tour the club president and his wife took me to a local grocery shop, we walked there and discussed the city and its history. At the store I gathered what I would need for a week, basic foods and encouraged the presidents wife, Hali, to push Finnish foods on me. She spoke English well. Once getting all the goods I needed I was taken back to the house and dropped off for the night around 8:30 or 9. Back in my room I looked around lost and just thought I would give the search for wifi a try. Low and behold wifi was available and my spirits quickly lifted! I was able to inform my family and friends back home of my arrival and they in return began a round of 21 questions. I explained to them the quaintness and nature heavy, small town I would be calling home for the next week. It's funny how simple communication with loved ones can immediately change your whole attitude. One fact I found interesting about Finland was how the sun DOES NOT go down. At 11:00 PM it looked like 8:00, luckily my exhaustion from traveling had gotten the best of me so I was able to sleep easily. I was to be picked up for breakfast at 9 and start my exploration of the city, so after a few FaceTime calls and texts it was bed time.

Day 3: Kangasala

This morning came quickly and I felt as thought I had been punched in the face. As I do every morning I checked my phone to see if any messages were left, surprisingly my mom had already sent me her daily good morning text and responded once I wished her the same. It was 1 AM in the States so I was surprised she was awake but she said her motherly instinct kicked in to wish me a good day. After speaking with her and one of the most amazing people in my life I got ready to be picked up for breakfast. Hali scooped me with her two daughters, both of which embodied many of the Finns I had already seen: blonde and beautiful. I was able to enjoy a traditional Finnish breakfast, of which isn't much different than American breakfast. During this time Hali continued to educate me about the pride Finnish people, especially Kangasala. I also learned that there are only 5 million Finns, which would explain why many of them know English. After breakfast I to explored the town. It is a small city, about the size of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and very similar in the sense of little and main shops. Very cute. Walking and biking seem to be the preferred modes of transportation into town but there are plenty of cars as well. That has been my morning so far, I am currently writing from the back of the house that has a beautiful view of one of the hundreds of lakes in Finland. The tranquility of the area is refreshing and the people have all been extremely kind. I'm anxious to meet the team and play some volleyball today, but so far it's been nothing but positive experiences! 

Until later...

WELCOME EVERYONE!

To everyone who doesn't know me, I'm a little mixed girl from Cleveland, Ohio and a University of Tennessee graduate (Lady Vol for Life) looking to explore the world with the talents God has given me. I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue a professional volleyball career in Europe while aiming to take full advantage of wherever I end up by completely submerging myself in a new culture and geographical location. I've never been to Europe so I'm here to share my first European experience with all of my family and friends back across the water! Some days will be tough, this I know, but by keeping the heart of a traveler and being thankful for this chance of a lifetime I look forward to it being a journey I will never forget. 

Hope you enjoy!

This is Larry the camel; a gift I received from one of my old college teammates and good friends on her trip to Dubai. He will be traveling the world with me and I will be capturing him in various locations. Get ready to get lost with the two of us!