I have had a very busy couple of days! This past Sunday Taylor, Ingrid, and I went to see Freja play soccer. It was so cute! The team Freja played on had a lot of girls so they all went in shifts. The coached yelled, what I assume to be, "Substitutes" or "Switch" and the girls rushed off the field and a new batch came in. At the end of the game the teams stood in front of each other...we did this at our game too, except we stood in a straight line with the other team. Once everyone was in line, one girl from each team would step out and say something to the effect of "good game". Then the teams would shake hands. I'll have to take a picture of it so you all can see.
The girls on the team have been showing Taylor and me how to speak some words and simple phrases in Swedish. They have been entertained at our attempts! Here are some of the words they have taught us:
hello - hej (sounds like "hey")
good bye - hejdå
good eye - bra öga (you have to roll your r when you say bra, then )
good job - bra jobb (bra yob)
excuse me - ursäkta mig (Ooshehk-ta meh)
We're trying to learn some everyday. If I just keep repeating the words over and over I start to get it...practice, practice, practice!
I've been able to Skype with my parents a couple of times. It has been hard to Skype during the week because of the time difference, but I've been able to get them on the weekends. Sweden is 6 hours ahead of the US, so when it's noon here, it is 6am in the US. If anyone would like to Skype with me, my name is kelsey.griffin11.
Tonight we are all going to a Cabaret where all of the high school students put on a play/musical/showcase. In the years before the students were able to poke fun at the teachers, but last year the students were a bit too mean so they are not allowed to make fun anymore. Some of the girls on my team are in the cararet as well as Assar. Although most of the performance is in Swedish, some of the singing is in English. I'm really looking forward to going! Stay tuned for some new pics
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
SOFTBALL!
Yesterday was my first softball game in Sweden. I pitched and we won 13-3. I got 12 Ks, only 2 walks, and a couple of good hits. My caught and she did really good for her first time ever catching! Ingrid pitched the second game and I played center field and short stop. There were hits and errors back and forth; we ended up losing in the 7th inning 15-14. It was a well fought game and everyone contributed. The umpires for the game were American and Canadian. The woman that umpired behind the plate for me was a former umpire for the Olympic games. It was really neat to meet her, but she had an odd strike zone for someone who has gone to the Olympics!
When we came back from softball we showered and went to the park, which they called the school park. There was a small festival going on. There was live music and food stands from different cultures. We stayed there until they music was over because we were going to pick up the trash when everyone was gone. The team gets $1000 for picking up after the festival, which was only a couple of hours of work. Though, there were some parents there that were taking care of the trash throughout the day. While we waited we listened to the bands. There was a local girl that sang with her band that was really good.
The field
The dugout
We're up to bat!
I couldn't believe it! Tina Turner was in Sweden! The next act was a Tina Turner tribute band, and it was really good! She sounded just like Tina! It was pretty awesome!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Link to the Team Website
Here is a link to the team website... http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.laget.se/ebsk/&ei=-6ffTbThJoWMswa_p6ndBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Denkoping%2Bsoftball%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7SMSN%26biw%3D1345%26bih%3D583%26prmd%3Divns
This is the translated version from google. The Swedish version is here http://www.laget.se/ebsk/
This is the translated version from google. The Swedish version is here http://www.laget.se/ebsk/
American Desserts and Swedish Food
Yesterday I was invited over to Karin's house who is a player on the team as well as a mom of two other girls on the team. Taylor is staying with them this summer. She is also a 9th grade English teacher at the high school. The school was holding a culture week at the school so Karin's class made American desserts and brought them over to her house. There were about 24 students in the class; they all presented their dish and served everyone. There were sweets like carrot cake, blueberry cupcakes (which I think were blueberry muffins), brownies, chocolate cupcakes, blueberry pie, chocolate cookies, and many others. They all did a very good job and some of the desserts were pretty impressive!
After the dessert party I went to practice. We did outfield, infield, and some hitting. Our game is on Saturday; I will be pitching the first game and playing first base the second game. We are playing Söder, which means "South", in Stockholm at 12:00. Ingrid also informed me that Taylor or I may be driving a car to Stockholm because we are the only girls on the team (that are playing this weekend) that know how to drive and there is not enough room on the bus to fit everyone! I'm a little nervous for that, but Ingrid said the rules of the road are the same here as they are in the US, except that there is no right on red. We'll see how that turns out! :)
Yesterday was one of my first real exposures to Swedish cuisine. Taylor and I biked into downtown for lunch and we stopped at a place called Cafe Magnifik. We ordered grilled chicken salads that included couscous on the bottom of the plate, topped with lettuce, tomato, corn, cucumber, pear, a slice of melon, a slice of orange, red pepper, and on top was a marinated chicken skewer. It was really good! Then last night we had a frozen dinner that was heated in the oven. There was fish on the bottom and on top was mashed potatoes and a creamy dill sauce. Also very good! The Swedish really like sandwiches; except their sandwiches are openfaced and usually only consist of butter and cheese. They usually eat a lot of red meat, like ham and ground beef. I'm a little bit of a challenge since I do not eat red meat. Ingrid bought her first turkey burgers and chicken hotdogs yesterday. They have been so nice to making me feel comfortable here; they even gave me the spare bathroom, which is covered with beach things, lighthouses, and pictures of Maine!
After the dessert party I went to practice. We did outfield, infield, and some hitting. Our game is on Saturday; I will be pitching the first game and playing first base the second game. We are playing Söder, which means "South", in Stockholm at 12:00. Ingrid also informed me that Taylor or I may be driving a car to Stockholm because we are the only girls on the team (that are playing this weekend) that know how to drive and there is not enough room on the bus to fit everyone! I'm a little nervous for that, but Ingrid said the rules of the road are the same here as they are in the US, except that there is no right on red. We'll see how that turns out! :)
Yesterday was one of my first real exposures to Swedish cuisine. Taylor and I biked into downtown for lunch and we stopped at a place called Cafe Magnifik. We ordered grilled chicken salads that included couscous on the bottom of the plate, topped with lettuce, tomato, corn, cucumber, pear, a slice of melon, a slice of orange, red pepper, and on top was a marinated chicken skewer. It was really good! Then last night we had a frozen dinner that was heated in the oven. There was fish on the bottom and on top was mashed potatoes and a creamy dill sauce. Also very good! The Swedish really like sandwiches; except their sandwiches are openfaced and usually only consist of butter and cheese. They usually eat a lot of red meat, like ham and ground beef. I'm a little bit of a challenge since I do not eat red meat. Ingrid bought her first turkey burgers and chicken hotdogs yesterday. They have been so nice to making me feel comfortable here; they even gave me the spare bathroom, which is covered with beach things, lighthouses, and pictures of Maine!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Family and Enkoping Softball
The family I am living with is the Tornbergs. Ingrid and Micke are the parents of three children: Assar (16), Vidar (10), and Freja (8). I have known them since I was very little because my grandparents had Ingrid as a foreign exchange student when she was in high school. Ever since then we have always kept in contact with Ingrid and her family. The community they live in is very nice. There are bike paths everywhere and it is only a short distance to the schools and to downtown. It is a very active community; everywhere I go I see people walking, jogging, biking, or playing sports. Also, with all the sunlight that we get (4am-10pm) there is a lot of time in the day that you can enjoy the weather. It's a beautiful day today; later on Taylor (the other American player) and I are going to go for a run and then see downtown.
Yesterday was our first practice with the team. Taylor and I didn't really know what to expect. We first had practice with four younger girls; they were about 8 years old. Freja was one of them! One of the girls on our team, named My (prounounced "me"), ran the practice. They seemed to have a lot of fun throwing, batting, and playing racing games! After that we had practice with our team. They were all so welcoming and upbeat, and I was amazed at how well they all speak English. At practice we did infield and outfield drills. We hit and then I pitched a little to My. She hasn't had a lot of practice catching but you wouldn't know it; she did really well! Tonight we have another practice. I'm not sure what we are doing, but I know it's going to be a lot of fun!
Yesterday was our first practice with the team. Taylor and I didn't really know what to expect. We first had practice with four younger girls; they were about 8 years old. Freja was one of them! One of the girls on our team, named My (prounounced "me"), ran the practice. They seemed to have a lot of fun throwing, batting, and playing racing games! After that we had practice with our team. They were all so welcoming and upbeat, and I was amazed at how well they all speak English. At practice we did infield and outfield drills. We hit and then I pitched a little to My. She hasn't had a lot of practice catching but you wouldn't know it; she did really well! Tonight we have another practice. I'm not sure what we are doing, but I know it's going to be a lot of fun!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I'm Here!
I arrived in Stokholm yesterday afternoon! I went from Boston to Germany, Germany to Norway, and finally Norway to Sweden. The only hitch in my travels was when I missed my flight from Norway to Sweden, but I was put on the next flight out, which was only an hour later. After I got my luggage I went down to the arrivals area and there was no Ingrid to be found! For a second I thought I might have to get a taxi to the house. During my 5 minute search for her she had gone back to her car to put more money in the meter. We found each other soon after and we were on our way to the house.
Ingrid told me that the weather has been really nice this month. Looking around, Sweden seems to be a lot like Maine. There are trees and forests everywhere and a lot of farms. The only difference is the amount of castles they have, which I am really looking forward to seeing. Where her family lives is a little bit out of town; Ingrid will take me shopping later so I will get to see the town.
Softball practice is later today and Ingrid told me that I and the other American player will be running the practice...eek! I haven't met any of the players yet, but they must be very trustworthy to give us the run of the practice on day one. I can't wait to meet everyone; I'm told that they are very enthusiastic about learning and really love to play! It sounds like it will be a blast!
Monday, May 23, 2011
On my way!
I'm on my way to Sweden! My grandmother and grandfather are driving me to the airport and I will be in the skies by 10:10 tonight! Yay!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sweden here I come...well, sort of
Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog! Today would have been day one of my travels to Sweden, but unfortunately, I have been detained because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland - the country I was going to travel through to get to Sweden! Instead, I will be taking off tomorrow. I will cross my fingers and hope that no more volcanoes erupt!
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