must have been a good weekend...

just showing off a few of my bruises from this weekend. What a weekend... We lost away to Lund yesterday by one point. We did not play well but we were never going to be allowed to win anyway, referee was on their side from the start... Today was a challenge, but we all like one of those, don't we. I honestly could not picture myself playing 80 min of rugby when I woke up this morning. But I did it for my team. It's such a nice feeling being part of a team after my Scotland experience. These Gothenburg girls are a good bunch and I feel like we've been through hell together this weekend, and come out the other side stronger as a team. It has to be mentioned as well that our opposition today was my old team and a few familiar faces, but there was no doubt where my heart was today.

Do you know what? I would do it all again tomorrow if I had to.

working class hero

I survived my first day back at work after about 8 months holiday! In fact, I quite enjoyed it, getting stuck in and trying to learn my may around the café, all the prices and the menu. It'll take a while but I'll get there. Having a day off tomorrow, (ah the joys of part time work) time for training and getting stuck in to my other job. I'm booking sports halls for the twelve week sports academy I'm managing this autumn. I've already organised with the rugby club to book the facilities through them in order to keep prices down.

Training tonight was fab, even though we're missing a few key players in the back line that got injured playing for Sweden, it was flowing nicely and everybody seemed to be in a good mood. Excited and also apprehensive about the weekend and double-banger (game in Lund on Saturday and home game against Malmö on Sunday) ouch.

Sweden are going to the world cup!

Here's a clip from you tube with a suitable song from the other day when Sweden beat Spain and qualified for the World Cup in England next year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6sv5rS0Hp0

I get goosebumps again and can't help but dream of maybe putting on that jersey one day...

Rugby girls

I thought I'd keep you posted on what's going on in the Women's European Championship being played in Stockholm at the moment. Most importantly, to me anyway, Sweden beat Italy by two points (a try in the last second, oh the drama, oh goosebumps!).

Yesterdays results

Scotland-Russia: 84-0
Holland-Belgium: 100-0

Italy-Sweden :14-16
Spain-Germany: 74-0

Want to dig deeper?

Highlights from a lovely weekend

Just a few pictures from this weekend, of our first official visitors, my sister Sarah and her partner Anders plus the two young ones Lo and Mattis.

Lo on the swings with my house in the backgound

We spent a lot of time at the playground which Lo obviously approves of;)
Something we could both enjoy was the "swing" below. I enjoyed the challenge in going all the way around, it was a fight against gravity but we managed 13 consecutive spins without stopping. Lo helped by pulling faces and going "oouuuhh"

Our Taco Fiesta on Friday night had to be moved in to the hallway even though our kitchen actually is quite spacious... I absolutely love mexican! I don't bother with veggie mince like quorn instead I do a mushroom-kidneybean-sweetcorn-whatever else is avalable chili with copious amounts of cumin and people always love it. As a bonus I also coked some soy protein strips in taco seasoning.

And pudding: Apple pie made by Sarah's neighbour with grated chocolate and cream. Oh and Strawberries as you can see on the young mademoiselle's faces.

Me Sarah and Mattis had a picnic in the park on Saturday after a pretty pathetic attempt at shopping for clothes in a second hand store.

Mattis below with rocket in his mouth which he just let sit there for ages. It was hilarious and made us laugh so much... ha ha... I guess you had to be there...

There was also a massive half-marathon going on in Gothenburg so getting around was a bit tricky but I must say I wasn't at all envious of the runners. They all looked ruddy knackered! Even the ones that had just started.... hmmm... Think I'll just stick to rugby...

That Sunday Feeling

It's funny isn't it, today has been a typical Sunday. But isn't every day a Sunday when you're unemployed? Had a sleep in this morning. Lingered in bed for ages got up and started making plans for the day, they went out the window and I ended up getting dressed quickly and flew out the door to get the tram at 11.30. Met Michy, a rugby friend and Skåne exile, at Järntorget which is in my favorite part of town. After a quick detour to the flea market where I purchased a much needed cheese slicer, Michy whisked me off to a cosy little café for some delish mint tea and lunch.

My sister and her family came around in the afternoon to pick up their belongings before heading back down south. It's been so nice having them here and I hope they come back very soon!

The afternoon was made complete by a quick session at the gym, interval training 4 minutes at between 11.5-13 km/h and 2 minutes walking rest x4. Was virtually kicked out the door at the end though as they close at 6 on a Sunday. What a joke. I was hoping to be able to start a new routine with sauna on Sundays but no such luck today.

like a whirlwind...

...she blew in and out, my darling little niece like she always does.

We've got an afternoon of peace and quiet, it's funny how quickly you get used to the noise and liveliness of children... I look forward to having them here again tomorrow and hopefully many more times in the future.

Mattis is no longer scared of me and of being left alone so he's been a joy to be around, cheeky little boy!

This is the sort of thing we get up to

For those of you who, for whatever reason don't read my Swedish blog, which i started as a part of my job hunting, I've practically been called to an interview for a company called faceways where I might get a job in sales. I always believed that as long as I can get to an interview I can talk anybody in to hiring me but that might be put to the test....

10 days in Västra Frölunda...

...from our balcony

push play

Life has been sort of paused lately with the move and everything that comes with it.

But now it's time to push play and go for it again and that includes the blog!

We've been very busy at times but since I last wrote we've both had time to celebrate our birthdays as well as congratulate others on theirs and the birthday season is now officialy over.

Things have slowed down in the last couple of days but all my energy has gone in to perfecting my C.V and an application letter for a job with Sweden Sport Academy, a part time job which I'm hoping to get even though the odds are against me. I would be working with young people, encouraging them to get active, something I would enjoy so much and I think it would be a first step towards where I want to go in the future. I will also be applying for jobs in shops, cafes, the airport etc.

Harland is still waiting for SATS (the gym) to get their act together and contact him. It's looking promising though that he'll get a job there.

We've obviously started rugby training as well and personally I feel like I've hit the jackpot. Gothenburg Ladies are a great bunch, friendly and fun but there are also some really sharp players in the squad and we play fast, good running rugby and the aim is to win the Swedish Championship again this year. I will give everything and for the first time I'm not the only one in the team.

Yes, it is starting to feel like home...

And nothing says "home" like blueberry pie