Week 1 in Pihtipudas

Finland Week one:

So, the flight from Houston to Munich was around 10.5 hours. I slept a good amount, rewatched "Captain Marvel" and "Lady and the Tramp!" My flight from Munich to Helsinki was about 1 hour delayed. When I arrived to the baggage service at Helsinki, our assistant coach, Riccardo, approached me. He knew it was me because he noticed the "Little Rock Volleyball" logo that was on my backpack.

From here, we loaded up a big green van and rode the 4ish hours back to Pihtipudas, Finland. On arrival, we were given the key to our apartment! A very luxurious space with everything that I could think that we would need. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, a full kitchen, big living room with a couch and tv....and even both a storage space area AND balcony. Of course the day that we arrive happens to be the hottest day of the year in Finland. Around 88ish degrees F ( 30 degree C). I didn't fall asleep until 3am ( I actually had to put an ice pack on my chest it was so hot...no AC haha).

First full day 1 in Pihtipudas:
     The day consisted of me and Alexis sleeping in. We had practice starting at 16:00 so we left the apartment about 15:30. We made the short 100m walk over to the gym and said hello to the new teammates. I am working on remembering everyone's names haha.

The one practice we had today was already much different than the ones I have had the past 4 years at UALR. We started off getting warm and doing muscle activation exercises--led by Alessandro. Then we were put into a 2v2 short court game (older vs younger girls). The game was to be 2 contacts with passing and setting only. No attacking and or jumping on the 2nd contact. After this, we split setters from everyone else. The rest of the team did the same 2v2, 3 contacts, no jumping/attacking "mini tournament." The setters worked on easy setting to 4 and 2. Mostly working on starting 1 meter off the net, running to the ball-jumping off of one foot to set-and squaring up during the pivot move. I am not used to this as I have always squared up before setting, but time will come and I will adjust. It was good to touch a ball...especially the Mikasa ball.

     After, we went to a restaurant down the road and had an amazing meal. Moose meat, with salad, potatoes, veggies, a berry dessert, and coffee! The food was so good and I was so hungry and didn't leave one piece on my plate. After we arrived back, it was 20:30 and Alexis and I went shopping at the 'S supermarket.' You see, the supermarkets have the following meanings: s= small, while k=big, and kk=bigger.

     I am having trouble falling asleep at night, but time will adjust in my body and I will be able to sleep soon..I hope. I am anxious for the practices tomorrow and excited that I am getting to play volleyball for my job. I am so ready to learn and understand everything so much.

Wrapping up Week 1:

     Well if you told me that I had only been here a week, I would think you are lying haha. We have done so much volleyball in one week that it feels like I have been here for at least 2 weeks. But it is really good....I am learning a lot, trying to learn some Finnish phrases, and meeting new people. Yesterday Alexis and I went walking around town and ended up being out for around 3 hours. The town is small and nice. Everything is so conveniently close.

     The girls on the team so far are super nice and have been really helpful when translating foods for us. I used to always wonder how foreigners could spend so much time in Walmart in Little Rock, but it seems the roles have reversed! The roles are reversed even though the markets here are much smaller than a Walmart.

     If I had to say what I miss the most from home is of course the usual: being able to call up my friends and hangout, see familiar faces, my home, and probably one of the biggest things is COFFEE CREAMER. It isn't a thing here and it hurts. All they have is milk and sugar. :(  Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE french vanilla creamer, and any kind of flavoring usually. So I am trying to get used to this milk and sweetener thing.

I am enjoying it over here no doubt. It is an adjustment, but it has been pretty easy so far. The people here are so nice and caring! If there is anything you have questions about or would like to hear, please tell me!