...the pain of the greeting train

Overall my first day here in Vantaa was pain-free. Don't let the title throw you off. It started with an early Skype-sesh with the parents to fill them in on their daughter's inadequacy to perform on the international travel catwalk, but also to ensure them that I was safe and sound in my cozy Ikea-esque new home. They weren't too bothered, nor probably surprised, that my ensemble of gray and white argyle socks protruding out from my brown Uggs combined with three layers of shirts didn't match up to the high-heeled, European fashionistas sashaying through the London airport. Who wears high-heels to travel anyway? My appearance may have been less than par, but I know I was more comfortable. Anyway, my clunky Uggs directed me right onto the plane for Finland, which really was all the information my parents were looking for this morning.

The rest of my day consisted of unpacking the three giant suitcases I packed to the brim. Just in case I ever feel the need to wear 7 scarves, I can. Somehow I managed to fit all of my stuff into the cute and compact dresser/closet in my room. Then my coach picked me up for lunch and we headed for the mall, Jumbo. It's pronounced Yumbo, they'll laugh at you under their breath if you say it with a "J," which clearly I did. There I learned that I don't recognize any store, except for the Body Shop and H+M, but at least i know I will be moisturized and smelling good and rocking trendy, Swedish-designed clothes. We went to the Coffee House for lunch where apparently water isn't free from the dispenser. This was news to me and the looks from the back passed that memo up the line stat. ,50 Euro for water! (How much that is in USD is something I cannot tell you. I haven't learned that yet, but Google knows everything.) After a lot of chit-chat and soccer talk she brought me home because I was long overdue for a serious nap. 2 hours later I woke up ready to go to practice.

First Finnish practice= first American black eye.

Hence, the pain of the greeting train. This friendly train was in the form of an elbow that choo-chooed its way straight to my left eye. She was thorough with her love tap because by the time I was home from practice the bruise was already forming. It was just a friendly hello from my new teammate and nothing to worry about. She was extremely apologetic and it was done completely by mistake...or was it?

Just kidding. The girls were all super nice and welcoming. Of course, Chatty Cathy over here started up talking to everyone as soon as I got to the field, so whether they wanted to talk to me or not, they didn't really have a choice. Most of the girls responded with as much personality as I threw at them. It was fantastic! They kept asking me how I was adjusting, if I was tired, and if I had ever played on a turf field. Great, yes, and yes, a little bit, respectively. So other than minor hiccups, practice went really well.  From what I saw tonight, I like what I see. Even if it is only out of one eye.

More posts to come. Thanks for reading and your support!

Peace and Love,
Cat

PICTURE TIME: This is the view from the back of my house. The far, flat area is a soccer field when it isn't covered in snow. It acts as a skating rink during the summer. Good news though is that the sun already melted some of the snow so it's not safe to skate on anymore. Spring is coming!