It has been over a week since I wrote last. The combination of Drew's departure, moving apartments, more football, and various adventures have kept me extremely occupied over the last week or so. I even was fortunate enough to Celebrate a 23rd Birthday last week. To commemorate the event I thought I would write about 23 small stories that have made my life in Sweden so wonderful over the past week.
1. Singing Swedes...
This link - http://www.scandinavius.com/sweden/sesongs.html#anchor1089901 - should send you to a website with the Swedish Happy Birthday song lyrics with the English translation. Not only is it a happy tune, but if you can imagine 60 swedish men (and boys) singing it after a football practice, you pretty much have my evening last Thursday. It was extremely impressive, surprisingly in-tune, and oddly motivational. Unlike the American Happy Birthday, it was sang in a deep tone emphasizing harmony, arm swinging, and makes you want to run through a brick wall. I felt like I was at a big European Futbol match...but I was among teammates - who are all surprisingly talented....cheers to you boys!
2. Grattis!
"Grattis" in Swedish means "Congratulations." It was an odd feeling when several of my Swedish friends went with the "Congratulations!" cheer when I walked past, but when you realize that they say "Grattis" instead of "Happy Birthday", it all makes sense. At first I thought that perhaps there had been a sudden plague in Sweden that I was oblivious to. Maybe, just maybe, the marking of my 23rd birthday had released me from some terrible prison that I didn't know existed. As it turns out, not dying is a big deal in Sweden...so congratulations to me for living through the past year, and congratulations to all my readers for not dying as well. Hooray for us :) Yet, though the saying may be different in Sweden, they make sure they share lots of love and make you feel right at home. As "at home" as you can feel with raw herring on the table.
3. Birthday Dinner
For my Birthday Dinner, my good friends Dennis Stockblom and Felicia Mix made me a nice Swedish dinner at Felicia's parents place. There was an awesome assortment of meats and potatoes and some raw herring that I was more scared of than Ndamukong Suh coming through the A-gap unblocked. I thought I was going to get tied down in a torture chamber and have to eat it, but luckily they spared me and I didn't have to eat it. There are few things that really frighten me in the world, and raw fish is one of them!
4. Night on the town with Drewbob
Harry and Lloyd went out in style. On Drew's last evening, we had our first real European Clubbing experience, as several of my friends and I all went to a couple clubs in the social hub of Stockholm, Ostermalmstorg. The first one we went to was in the basement of a hotel where we were treated to VIP seating, and our arrival was signaled throughout the club. I expected to have a good time when we left my place, but I didn't expect to be greeted with fireworks behind the DJ booth in a leather-chair laden lounge. After we enjoyed some music there, we went to a club that I can only describe as "the one just to the left of East". "East" is a popular restaurant bar downtown, and the club we went to had a name that makes sounds similar to those that would be created in an MMA match between your tongue and both cheeks. We stayed out until the club closed, at 5am. It was a great brotherly bonding moment. Maybe one of the best ever for my brother and I. It isn't everyday that two brothers from the states can walk down the middle of an empty European street in broad daylight ( as it was at that time). It was very reminiscent of I Am Legend, minus the scary vampire people...
5. Sleeping, and more sleeping
One of the downsides of staying up all night is sacrificing the entirety of the next day sleeping. After pulling an all-nighter with Drew, and completing the long walk home from the club - we had a nice European breakfast -Apple Juice and Nutella of course- and packed his bags to take him to the airport. Upon returning from the airport I fueled myself up for hibernation and slept all day, with the exception of a 2 hour break to watch the NCAA games, and went back to bed until the next day. It was a great sleep, and I think it was the first time where I have actually stopped to take a deep breath and relax since I have been here. Ever since I stepped off of the plane, it has been go-go-go. I loved every minute of it, and it ended when my brother left. After that, It really began to set in that I LIVE in Stockholm now. It isn't a vacation (though this place is beautiful), it is an experience that will help me to continue to mold myself into the person I want to be. It was a bummer to say goodbye, but I am thankful that I have such a great family. They do a great job of making home feel much closer than it actually is, which is 4,882.2 miles to be exact.
6. Presents!
As if a visitation of the brosef was not enough, I got my first shipment of goodies from the states from my sister Brittany. She not only brought into the world the two cutest kids I have ever seen, but she sent me a package of love from home. Pop Rocks, Girl Scout Cookies, Top Ramen, Reese's, and Mac n' Cheese. I couldn't have felt more American if she had sent me Davy Crocket himself. Those things may seem commonplace in the states, but I will give you 10000 SEK if you could find them in Sweden. Ramen, maybe, but it is "Sanyang Ramen" and is NOT THE SAME. Trust me, i tried to convince myself of that and failed. Not only was that delicious, but I was able to share the magnificent comfort of a hot bowl of Mac and Cheese with some of my roommates. They were amazed that the Swedes haven't caught on yet, and so am I!! On the same hand, I think my stateside friends need to petition for Swedish meatball stands on every corner...
7. Bigger room
I finally settled into a room that I really enjoy! I was living in a room that was roughly the size of a sardine can. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but i guarantee you that you couldn't fit two twin beds in there and walk in between them. However, I will say it is nearly impossible to find a place in the city on the short notice that I was given when I signed to play in Stockholm in December. I have teammates who have been on waiting lists for decades and are just now finding a good living place. The city is an amazing place, allowing you to feel surprisingly at home amongst all the hustle and bustle, and several families will occupy an apartment for generations. Anyways, my room now is in the same building as my other room, but it is about twice as big as my previous accommodation. It is a good fit for me! I get internet, and my own bathroom.
8. Hot water
I feel like this part of the post should just be brief, as we all know the importance of hot water. Well, I would give up many luxuries in this world to have a hot shower whenever I wanted one. Now, in my new room, I do :) Upstairs finding hot water can be like searching for the loch ness monster. You know it is there, but you just can't find it! Well, I am happy to say Bigfoot is in my bathroom in the form of a quality water heater.
9. Familiar Faces
The Colorado Buffaloes are a worldwide phenomenon. Though people in Fort Collins don't agree, we are....or at least I will keep telling myself that. In fact, I have proof we are everywhere. The Head Women's basketball coach at CU, Linda Lappe, spotted me at a Solna Vikings double-header basketball game on Wednesday and tapped me on the shoulder. I heard "What are you up to?" from over my shoulder, and although I considered Ron Burgandy as a possibility, I definitely didn't think it would be a fellow Buff from back home in Boulder. She was in town scouting the girls game before the Men's playoff matchup. It was awesome to see a familiar face, and everyone should make sure to give our basketball programs a big hand after both the Men's and Women's teams made strong runs through their respective NIT tournaments.
10. No More Netflix
A luxury I wasn't sure I would lose going overseas was the ability to stream movies and tv shows online with my netflix membership. I was crushed, and went without any familiar shows or movies for a couple weeks. Soon enough, the locals realized this and now I believe I can tell you between 10-15 reliable tv show streaming sites, it is a good feeling to be able to keep up with the latest episode of "The Office" each week. That Michael Scott....always getting into trouble....
11. Sneaker Freaker
I know that my employment at Installation Shoe Gallery resulted in many more shoes than it did paychecks, but when you move overseas - you have to leave many good friends behind. For my own sake, I won't disclose how many kicks I actually own, but it is more than your average layperson. Why shoes? Well, lets just say there is more history behind the Jordan III than any T-shirt you could ever come up with. Feel free to bring up all the designers and other fancy things you want to bring up. Shoes tell a story, a story that is waiting to be shared. Just ask my good friend Matt McMullen....who is also my brother-in-law - who gave the best Nike motivational speech I have ever heard. Good stuff. After exploring every nook and cranny in the city, I have found three solid spots that I can count on to find some sneakers in Stockholm, or at least hear some stories :)
12. First paycheck down....
As I stated before-I am a fan of a quality pair of Sneaks. Well, Just so happens that I was lucky enough to stumble upon a brand new pair of Jordan 11's and Jordan 3's in the same day. It is not everyday you find some of the most classic shoes ever to be re-released by Nike in one outing. Fittingly, I re-released my money towards the purchase of these babies right after getting the first bit of payment from the Mean Machines. I had to do it, and i don't regret it, but I might need to spend the next bit of money on food. haha....
13. The Princess' Palace
I went on a nice little walk the other day around my neighborhood. Turns out, one of the most beautiful city parks I have ever seen is about 200 yards away from my house. Granted, it is on the other side of a construction side, but it is awesome nonetheless. There is a huge waterway that runs through it, and many nice hills and viewpoints grace the entire park. The royal family, though without any remaining political power, still remains in high esteem in sweden. Her new estate is on the opposite side of the park from where I live, but it is within the park limits, and i hope to visit the area soon. I guess it doesn't sound too bad saying I live in the Princess' backyard.
14. DJs
After the big move from Upstairs to downstairs, I have done my best to keep my friends from the other area of the barracks while I acquire new ones from downstairs. My friend Kajsa from Upstairs, will be DJing tonight at a club that I will go check out with some friends. I first learned about her skills when Journey and Jimi Hendrix were gracing the kitched one morning while I made breakfast. In a town seemingly composed of techno gods, it was refreshing to hear some classics. Looks like this will be one night where my fist-pumping gets a rest....Thank goodness
15. The Family
"The Family" in Stockholm is composed of all Offensive Lineman who have started a Super Series game in the SMM program. It may not be as lethal as "The Family" from the Godfather, but rest assured, they are close! Long known for their physical play and dominating stature, the Offensive Lineman in my program gather every few months for a get-together. Age and hometowns do not matter, but pancake blocks do. Its good to know I have one of Sweden's best blocking my blindside in Jesper Johansson. I hear I will be an honorary guest at one of the meetings in the near future, I will keep you all posted!
16. Invitations...
Just throwing this out there, if anyone reading this comes to Stockholm, I will personally cook you nice Swedish meatball dish.
I hate to run now....but I will post the rest of my 23 later, I took more time than I thought and I have to run!! Hope you all are well!
All my best
Cody
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