Happy Thanksgiving!

You'd be surprised by how many people have asked me how my Thanksgiving in Sweden went (Daniele Beauman). I thought it was a pretty AMERICAN holiday considering it was based from the story of Pilgrims and Indians. I guess it's not that obvious. Even though it is not a holiday here, it doesn't mean that it can't be celebrated. Give Sweden Americans and you'll get Thanksgiving in Sweden for sure. Mainly because we NEED it and will do whatever it takes to have it (order a turkey from the grocery store a week in advance). My roommate Deb and her friend are hosting a Thanksgiving feast tomorrow at my place. A total of 14 people will be attending. I am in charge of making the mashed potatoes. It can't be that hard right? I have my doubts considering my kitchen retardation. I am sad I am not enjoying Thanksgiving at home. Yeah, the food is all similar where ever you are but the tastes of your Mom's cooking can't be replicated. I'm used to not being home since I only was home for Thanksgiving once (last year) since I left Idaho for New York when I was 14. Last year teased me. Anyway, tomorrow night should be fun to share the joys of Thanksgiving with some Swedes. And as if one Thanksgiving isn't enough, Mandy and I are going to have Thanksgiving with 3 teammates on Sunday. LEFTOVERS GALOR! I can't wait. We went shopping tonight for it. The 4.3 kg turkey was $45, it took us a half hour in the spice section to figure out what Swedish spices were what in English, and there is no such thing as chicken stock. Overall, it was a successful trip. I am going to make the amazing french silk pie. I am also skeptical about its turnout. Wish me luck. A lot.

So I've been working at my sports manager's golf course. It's a good time. A couple of my teammates also work there so it is fun. Summer houses are being constructed so we spend Monday taking the waste from the site and burning it in a huge bonfire. It was awesome. I love Sweden and their "fika" breaks. No more than two hours can go by without taking a break to drink some tea/coffee and sit around and chat for twenty minutes. The golf course used to be a castle with farmland. An old barn is being turned into the club house so a lot needs to be done to it. Mandy, Cilla and I spent today sweeping the upstairs of the barn to prepare it to be sprayed for termites tomorrow. The wood boards are very old and some have gotten really weak due to age and termites. Earlier in the day a guy said to be careful because his leg went through the floor. The whole morning was fine. We swept and bagged the dirt and made a fire to burn all the bags. We went back after lunch to finish up the last part of the barn.  I was carrying the last bag to be put in the truck and...yup, my foot went through the floor. A plank of wood snapped right under me and my whole leg fell through the hole. Not gonna lie, I thought I was going to die. Aside from a bruised knee I am fine. It was scary as shit though. The bottom concrete floor was at least 30 feet below. You know you'e fat when...

We had our first home game on Sunday. We won 6-0. It was another frustrating game because they were so bad that all they did was trip, hit, hook you. It felt like the second I got the puck I was being rocked from some direction. So different from American hockey. The refs let so much go here. It was just hard to stay level-headed when you're getting smoked and penalties aren't getting called. Makes the game unenjoyable and everyone gets frustrated and the game goes to shit.

The red solo cups my mom sent me have been broken in. Last friday me, my roommates, and Cilla and her roommate had a fun night playing beer pong, LSD, and flip cup.  It was the first time for the Swedes to play drinking games like these. They loved them. And were like this really is what it's like in the movies. I tried to explain to them that parties aren't parties in America unless drinking games are involved. They understood why because of how much fun they are. I can't wait for the American theme party next weekend. I am cooking Kraft Mac n' Cheese for them that came in my care package. They are in for a treat.

Happy Thanksgiving all. I am thankful for having such amazing parents. They've provided me with everything I've ever needed which has allowed me to fullfil so many experiences. I am fueled by their support and couldn't be more grateful for the love and encouragement they give me.