Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Learning the Ropes
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't updated lately. I am happy to say that I have been keeping busy. The last time I wrote, I told you about Iceland's love of lamb liver. Well since then I have also been introduced to chocolate soup! Hannah and I thought it tasted like cake batter, cocoa, and pudding combined. Needless to say, it brightened my day! I told the chef that he needs to make more of it lol.
Anyway, I also went sight seeing yesterday. As most people know, Iceland is home to many active volcanos and geysers. Hannah and I went exploring with our teammate, Reggie. Her father happens to be a tour guide here in Iceland, and I think she would have made her father proud because she did a great job educating and chauffeuring us around. We saw two different waterfalls, the names of which I couldn't even try to pronounce, let alone spell for you lol. Just know that they were awesome! We also saw this massive hole in the ground where a volcano had previously erupted. Reggie said that when a volcano erupts it also imploads on itself, and it created this massive hole in the ground. Now the bottom is filled with water. It honestly looked like a meteor crashed into the ground. We also went to see the geysers which Iceland is also famous for. One of them went off every eight minutes, so I got to see that a couple times. Overall, I think we saw a lot of cool places. Iceland really is a beautiful and
interesting place, rich with history.
On the basketball front, things have been rough. We lost by about forty in our last game.
Granted we played the number one ranked team and they probably shot 80 percent from the field, but still it was a tough loss. Bottom line, our team is young and we have a lot of work to do. The good news is we will play this team at least three more times and I plan on winning. I have started lifting at least four days a week and I try to shoot as much as possible, but
it's hard because everyone uses the same court. Our first home game is on Wednesday, and I think we have a good chance at winning. I'll let you know how it goes.
The weather has been pretty nice this week. When the wind let's up, Iceland weather is bearable. It sprinkles often, but it hasn't rained hard so hopefully that continues.
Interesting fact, Iceland gas is around $2.30 a liter ( because everyone uses the metric system except the U.S). Anyway, Hannah and I figured that gas here costs almost $8 a gallon! Sucks that is the one thing I have to pay for, so I've started walking more often lol.
Anyway, I also went sight seeing yesterday. As most people know, Iceland is home to many active volcanos and geysers. Hannah and I went exploring with our teammate, Reggie. Her father happens to be a tour guide here in Iceland, and I think she would have made her father proud because she did a great job educating and chauffeuring us around. We saw two different waterfalls, the names of which I couldn't even try to pronounce, let alone spell for you lol. Just know that they were awesome! We also saw this massive hole in the ground where a volcano had previously erupted. Reggie said that when a volcano erupts it also imploads on itself, and it created this massive hole in the ground. Now the bottom is filled with water. It honestly looked like a meteor crashed into the ground. We also went to see the geysers which Iceland is also famous for. One of them went off every eight minutes, so I got to see that a couple times. Overall, I think we saw a lot of cool places. Iceland really is a beautiful and
interesting place, rich with history.
On the basketball front, things have been rough. We lost by about forty in our last game.
Granted we played the number one ranked team and they probably shot 80 percent from the field, but still it was a tough loss. Bottom line, our team is young and we have a lot of work to do. The good news is we will play this team at least three more times and I plan on winning. I have started lifting at least four days a week and I try to shoot as much as possible, but
it's hard because everyone uses the same court. Our first home game is on Wednesday, and I think we have a good chance at winning. I'll let you know how it goes.
The weather has been pretty nice this week. When the wind let's up, Iceland weather is bearable. It sprinkles often, but it hasn't rained hard so hopefully that continues.
Interesting fact, Iceland gas is around $2.30 a liter ( because everyone uses the metric system except the U.S). Anyway, Hannah and I figured that gas here costs almost $8 a gallon! Sucks that is the one thing I have to pay for, so I've started walking more often lol.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Getting Acclimated
TGIF! Today is day five of my stay in Iceland and I think I'm starting to get used to the weather, town, etc. The one thing that has been difficult is the food. I mentioned last time that I get free lunch everyday at the community center, but the menu is different from what I'm used to in the states. Yesterday the main dish was lamb liver! Ok so not only does that sound disgusting, but keep in mind this is usually my first meal of the day. Yumm love the smell of lamb liver in the morning haha. Needless to say I passed on eating or even trying this Icelandic delicacy. I try to stick with my favorite food...eggs. I eat some usually everyday, especially on game days.
Speaking of games, we played on Wednesday and I'm sorry to say we lost. We played KR, a team that is ranked second in the league so it was a good test. Don't worry we have three more shots at beating them since there are very few teams in the league. I don't think I played that well , but it was my first real game since March and I only practiced twice with the team. Hopefully things will get better. I played for probably 39 minutes and 30 seconds out of 40 minutes which means if I wasn't in basketball shape already, I will be soon lol. My team is young and I'm already noticing that the teams usually double or triple team the Americans on defense. So if you are the only American on the floor, you are sure to be swarmed by the other team. It will be an interesting season for sure.
In my spare time I have started coaching the elementary school children with Hannah. We play with the kids every Wednesday and Thursday. They love basketball! Mostly, we play "striker" which is their version of bump out. I have been coaching the girls because they speak English very well. I'm impressed that most of these kids understand English, but I guess it is a requirement in school.
Ok I'm going to do some laundry for the first time, talk to you all soon.
Oh by the way it has been hailing on and off all day today, got to love Iceland weather!
Speaking of games, we played on Wednesday and I'm sorry to say we lost. We played KR, a team that is ranked second in the league so it was a good test. Don't worry we have three more shots at beating them since there are very few teams in the league. I don't think I played that well , but it was my first real game since March and I only practiced twice with the team. Hopefully things will get better. I played for probably 39 minutes and 30 seconds out of 40 minutes which means if I wasn't in basketball shape already, I will be soon lol. My team is young and I'm already noticing that the teams usually double or triple team the Americans on defense. So if you are the only American on the floor, you are sure to be swarmed by the other team. It will be an interesting season for sure.
In my spare time I have started coaching the elementary school children with Hannah. We play with the kids every Wednesday and Thursday. They love basketball! Mostly, we play "striker" which is their version of bump out. I have been coaching the girls because they speak English very well. I'm impressed that most of these kids understand English, but I guess it is a requirement in school.
Ok I'm going to do some laundry for the first time, talk to you all soon.
Oh by the way it has been hailing on and off all day today, got to love Iceland weather!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My arrival
Hello everyone! I arrived in Iceland yesterday at 6:30am their time which is seven hours ahead of AZ. The town that I live in is called Hvergardi, there are only 2,500 people living here lol. Everything is within walking distance which is nice except that it's already 30 degrees out. One of the guys on the men's team asked me why America doesn't use the metric system like everyone else because it is so annoying to have to convert things lol. I just said because we're rebels. Also, most things here are twice the price of things in America. Like if I wanted to buy new basketball shoes they might cost $270 here! The good thing is that I get free lunch everyday at 12:30 from this community center, the bad thing is I can't wake up in time because I'm still on AZ time lol. I think I literally slept for twelve hours straight last night after being awake all day.
My American teammate is awesome! Her name is Hannah and she has been here for a month. You would think she's been here longer because she knows everyone and understands some Icelandic. My first practice was yesterday. We have the first league game on Wednesday. I had to learn some new plays and drills but I think I should have everything down by practice tonight. I'll update you on the game on Thursday and if I don't then just assume the outcome wasn't what I wanted lol.
I'm going to start unpacking my stuff today since I have like five hours until practice. I hope you enjoyed this and comment if you want.
My American teammate is awesome! Her name is Hannah and she has been here for a month. You would think she's been here longer because she knows everyone and understands some Icelandic. My first practice was yesterday. We have the first league game on Wednesday. I had to learn some new plays and drills but I think I should have everything down by practice tonight. I'll update you on the game on Thursday and if I don't then just assume the outcome wasn't what I wanted lol.
I'm going to start unpacking my stuff today since I have like five hours until practice. I hope you enjoyed this and comment if you want.
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