As I'm sure many of my readers know the start of
season always seems throw a curve ball in my routine. And as sure as the sun is to rise, the same occurred this past week and half. Since my last
entry my days have become a lot more eventful. Starting with Crazy Days two
weeks ago, I was able to enjoy Finland's shopping frenzy that is very similar
to the U.S. Black Friday with less violence and sleep deprived shoppers hyped
up on Starbucks and Redbull. We had a Thursday morning off, which I decided to
ride along with my teammate to Tampere before our team met for waffles at a
lovely French inspired waffle cafe -- yes you are right, waffles are a German
invention...shhh -- that's well-known in the city. Initially I intended to
search for the Kaupphalli, market hall, and whole foods market but Stockmann's
trademark yellow shopping bags associated with Crazy Days hypnotized me like a
mosquito to a lamp. Once inside the store I was overwhelmed with slashed prices
on literally EVERYTHING. Makeup, deluxe sized candy bars, parkas, mouthwash,
you name it and it was on sale. Immediately I had to devise a plan of attack
and prioritize what I needed versus what I wanted, not an easy feat. After two
hours in the store I ended up buying some toiletries, €8 for Listerine in the
grocery store wasn't cutting it for someone who worked at a dentist office for
four months and knows all about mouth germs, a scarf, shirt and candy bar. I
had built up quite an appetite after some early morning shopping; thankfully I
had a group of awesome teammates and sweet waffles waiting for me!
Vohvelikahvila. Assortment of waffles from sweet to savory, I went with the apple cinnamon waffle with whipped cream and a hot chocolate.
Saturday, October 12, commenced the beginning of my
first professional season. After a months and a half of preseason I was BEYOND
ready for league play to start, even if it was against teams we'd already been
playing. Our first match was against Salo
Viesti. Yes, this is the same team we've played numerous times so we
knew what to expect. Morning of the match we did a serve and pass, along with
some fun games to get us ready for competition. I enjoy pre-competition
practice, our coaches make sure the mood is light through having us play
different warm-up games, such as floor ball which way more than just a 3-week
section of gym class in the States, and we're able to get some final touches in
before the match that night. After practice we watched film for about 25 minutes
and went over the scouting sheet. Coming from a film intensive program I
naturally memorized the scouting report and rotations prior to film, ready to
be quizzed once it began but that never happened. Each day I'm learning how
more relaxed Finland volleyball is which takes pressure off of me from myself
and I'm able to actually enjoy the sport.
The irst set was rough, we couldn't get everything
going and their best hitter got hot. We ended up losing the next two sets as
well but our playing improved each set. It is important that we realized we
didn't get beat; we lost due to our lack of game plan execution, youth, and
inability to have all of our players in their best position due to injuries.
Unfortunately for us, however, is we played them again this past Friday at
their gym, a tough atmosphere, and won't be seeing them again until the last
game of the season in February. Despite us not being able to contain their best
hitter, I believe we had a good game plan, which made practice the following
week a lot more focused. I played well, focused on being aggressive and a leader
on the floor. At the end of each match here they acknowledge good performances
on the team and award a Player of the Game to each team. I was announced as a
co-performer for our team.
The turnaround schedule in Finland is very quick,
we played our second match of the season the next day against Pisloplaki. This is one of the two teams in
our league we had yet to scrimmage but saw them at the Salo pre-season
tournament. This is also the team that two girls from the SEC play for;
needless to say there was little heat on the floor. Although we've become
friends due to our location and the desire to band together as Americans and
fellow SEC athletics, rivalries never die. The match ended in our favor, a 3-0
sweep. They are a young team with potential; it will be good to see them later
in the season. Despite having back-to-back games I played well, very strong and
somewhat fresh. My backrow attacking is really taking off, I actually think I'm
more effective there than the front row. Ironically I was named Player of the
Game from our team along with the other American setter from South Carolina for
Pisloplaki. Got some fresh towels!
My teammates and I Aoki Jumping on our way to Pihtipudas.
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Random Thought: For all
of those who are curious about Finnish food, just know it's AWESOME. I've yet
to try anything I didn't like. Not sure if that solidifies my label as a fat
kid or I have nondiscriminatory palate but it's all AMAZE. If you ever venture
out here don't be afraid to try anything recommended! Except maybe
reindeer, I can't eat food that transports a man bringing me presents. Seems
wrong.
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Two games in a row called for an off day this past
Monday. I decided to join my teammate on her trip to Tampere for her
physical therapy. While she got some work done I ventured down to the Kauppahalli
and Ecomarket, the two places I had planned on visiting the previous week but
got distracted by yellow bags...CRAZY DAYS! The market hall was very much like
one you would find in the states: fresh fish, meat and locally grown produce
along with sweet treats. Eventually I found my way to the Ecomarket as well
a.k.a. the most wonderful place on hearth for a health foodie. First step in
the door and I could smell ginger and was surrounded by "earthy"
looking individuals and fellow health conscious shoppers, felt like home.
It's really hard for me to stay focused in healthy food stores, I want to buy
everything! Thankfully some of the ridiculous prices kept me on track and I
ended up buying black beans, they're basically non-existent in the grocery
store, organic lemon tea and some almond butter. All the shopping for food
goodies made me hungry, shocker, so I met my teammate up at a hole-in-the-way
Chinese restaurant right next to the French waffle -- still sounds
weird -- and coffee shop. Chinese food is always something that should be
cheap, price wise, and served in generous portions. And this place checked both
on the list! With full bellies we continued to enjoy our off day with a trip
the most magical place on Earth, no not Disney World, IKEA! Ever since
I stumbled across an IKEA magazine at my apartment a few years ago I
fell in love with the low prices and opportunity to create the ideal space. As
soon as we crossed the threshold I was like a kid in a candy store, wide-eyed
and ready to fill my bag. For those of you who have yet to have
the opportunity to experience home-decorating heaven, imagine
hundreds of displays for each room of your house completely designed as though
someone were living in each space and having the option of recreating that
exact setup in your own home with the exact same products used in the
display. Awesomeness. Thankfully the floor map kept me on track, pretty
sure I would have gotten lost. Despite the fact that Ikea is known for it's low
prices, it's probably best known for the Swedish meatballs sold at the restaurant
inside. Sadly my Chinese-filled belly couldn't stomach another meal so I had to
miss out on the meatballs but it gives me a reason to go back!
This past week was short practice wise due to
Monday being off and our game Friday. It was a weird week for me, my coach
rested me more than I liked, which threw my mental game off a little during the
week. I'm use to taking numerous reps so when we started pushing other areas of
our offense and I was purposely not set I became frustrated and too anxious
when my opportunity came. Despite my frustrations I knew it was
necessary to get the rest of the offense involved especially since we
were playing Salo, again, that
Friday. They are a strong blocking team against outsides and in order for me to
get kills the rest of the offense would have to be established early in the
match to create splits. Friday night finally came and it was over before I knew
it. We were swept in 3, again, to a more experienced and mature team. The worst
part about our loss was that they didn't beat us; we lost due to our
own mental errors. The worst way to lose in my book and it was the
second time in a week span we had let it happen. Needless to say I was not a
happy camper. The rest of the ride home I escaped into iTunes world and had
planned on calling it a night until a few of my teammates asked if I wanted to
dance our loss away, a much better option than laying in my bed replaying the
match. And dance the night away we did. Europe knows how to get you lost in
heavy baselines and strobe lights, just the distraction I needed.
The rest of my weekend was very relaxed. Dancing
until 4 am has a way of sucking energy out of you but I was up early with sun as
always Saturday morning. Free Saturday’s are typically spent cleaning and
cooking. My recent addiction to Pintrest has kept me busy in the kitchen over
here. This past week I was really into sweet potatoes. Below are some photos of
my Pintrest inspired creations.
Sweet Potato and Spinach Quesadillas w/ Pickled Red Onions
Cinnamon Apple and Cranberry Muffins
*NEW FAVORITE* Banana and Almond Butter French Toast Mini Sandwich Bites
(I ended up making these again today but kept them as halves)
By the time Saturday night rolled around I was
exhausted. Between Tennessee's upset of ranked South Carolina and the texts
I received from friends already enjoying their Saturday nights in
Europe, celebrating in Knoxville or trying to convince me to come out, I
decided to call it a night and head to bed.
Today was just as uneventful as yesterday. We had a
light practice, focusing on defense and passing. After practice I met up with a
friend in Tampere for lunch. It's funny how simply being American can bring
people together but I've enjoyed the friendships I've made with everyone.
This week we only have one game against the
youngest team in our league. They're literally 15-18 years old. It will be a
good game for us to clean up the rest of our game and prepare for a good match
next Wednesday against HPK and SEC player #3 from LSU. After our loss to Salo
I'm just ready to be in the gym again. Ready to fine tune my strengths and
continue to develop my weaknesses.
Gotta make the most of each day because tomorrow is
never promised!!
...Live your
passion::Love on purpose...
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