Poland Baby!!

This is a day late because the internet is off and on here... but this is from last night.

So, I have a few weeks to update you on. I think I will keep it short though.

Handball has been great. We flew to Akyerir. Not sure if I mentioned that a while ago or not. Think I did. It was fun. We went with no parents on a little 9 row propeller plane. 45 min flight through the “mountains” of Iceland. The flight was fun because we were level with the mountain tops the whole time. Flew next to a Glacier. Ya, that was cool. Then played against KA. We were tied 10 to 10 at half time. Came back really strong and then got ahead by 3 points with 5 min left. Ended up losing 20-22 because the last min and a half they got 3 brake aways and caught back up with us, and in the end defeated us. Coach Aegir was not a happy camper… Even though I couldn’t understand him, I knew he was not happy. Got back home around 6 o’clock and had dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Then not really sure what else I have been up to in regards to handball. Just practices mostly. I only got one more game in before I left the other day for Poland. So that was sort of a bummer. But lots of practices and hanging out before and after with the team. I love the girls so much! A lot of fun. I also have been doing separate work outs in the mornings at the gym. Just cardio and light lifting on my own. There is a guy that is ALWAYS there who hangs with me for a little bit. I swear he lifts like 5 times a day everyday! It’s crazy… But mostly just training and watching and learning for handball. It’s all good.

I have been doing tons of stuff… Meeting a lot of really cool people through Glaetan and Toni and my club and the bus. It’s just really fun to meet new people then exchange “facebook” info and meet up. As much as I sometimes hate facebook, it really has become such a powerful resource. Meet and Indian man named George who owns a restaurant named Indian Mango. He invited Toni, Petra, and I for a dinner on the house one Monday night. That was incredible. I got like a 50$ dinner and he was soo happy to have us there and buy it for us. It was awesome. Really genuine and joyful dude. I also have been tagging along with Toni at a Christian café called Glaetan. The people that live in the loft above are Katie and Erik. Totally awesome and amazing people. In their 30’s and have such an incredible testimony. Ask and I’d love to share some if it sometime. But Erik and I’s sense of humor is identical so its great to hang with him. And Eyore we call him and Petra and Guca. Just lots of fun awesome people at the café. Jason is this guy from south Africa, “man”. (He is always saying “man” after everything) “Ya you know that’s really cool, man.) I love it! But he and I have the same bus stop so we are always getting on and off together. He is cool because he is always asking questions and I can just tell that he really enjoys learning about new things. That’s awesome. Then there also my “regular” friends. Stebbi, Steinar, Halli, Beta, Elsa, Viktoria, Gudron, Svanquete, just whoever. Love hanging with them. O!! I met a guy names Bjorn. He is really cool. He took me out one night and had climbing rope and harnesses and we went climbing on this tower thing. Then walked around in the biggest “forest” in Reykjavik (which took like maybe 40 min) not big at all. Then drove around a bunch and just toured the city of all the places I haven’t been and talked a ton. We left at 8 oclock and got home at about 1 am. We went to an aluminum factor where he works every summer. The 3 buildings are 1 kilometer long. They are huge! We parked for like 20 min and looked over the harbor and across Hofnarfjordur. Drove 10 min outside the city limits to see if the northern lights were out… they weren’t. Um…o! we drove to the presidents house. OK this is crazy. So there weren’t any gates or anything like that. So we drove literally right up to the house. And we could have parked in his garage. I mean I couldn’t believe it. I asked if we were allowed to do this, he said, “Ya! We can knock on the door for a cup of tea if we wanted to.” It blew me away. Anyway, that was a fun night. My handball team got me tickets to go to a rock festival with them one night. Really fun. Just lots of music and dancing with my team. Good times. IDK, I have been really busy. O ya, Toni met some people on the bus a few weeks ago and one Friday they called and invited her for dinner and a bible study. I was with her so we both went. They are really awesome people. Kolbi and Annie. They have two daughters Darcy and Haley. They are here in Iceland form the states for 2 years so far just serving the Lord. They hang out at the university and just invite students to come for dinner and the bible study and stuff. So we went and had a lovely lamb dinner then an awesome bible study after. There were 3 other college girls there. One from the states and 2 from China. It was really cool. Awesome bible study on 1 Peter too.

Last weekend Halli took Toni and I out west. Not exactly sure all the places we went. But saw a glacier. We couldn’t go onto it because one the daylight is extremely limited by now, (11am – 330pm daylight) and two the road to the base was in no condition to drive to it. Saw the black sand beach. That was really really cool. I wish we could have stayed at some of the places longer, but we had a time crunch because of the daylight. We also went to these cliffs… wow those were incredible. I must say that after that experience, I have not been to a cliff before that. I mean it was an actual CLIFF. Not any steep hill or slight drop off to 20 feet. No! This thing was a cliff over the ocean. Into straight DEATH! Haha! I liked it… yes mom… I did dangle my feet over it. And I laid down and put my head over it to look down, but I am still alive so it was totally worth it.  There is so much more to tell… I don’t want to tell it all over stupid text online. So I guess that when I get home (which is extremely soon) you will all just have to join me for a long storytime session or just ask questions all the time!

The Present…
So I am currently in Poland actually… With the USA Junior National Team. The journey started, for me, on Saturday night. Toni slept over because we had to leave for the airport at 5am. So we went outside to do something and the northern lights were out. So we took the car and drove just outside city limits (only 10 min drive or so) to them better. It was so incredible. We saw this line in the sky and just knew it was the northern lights “warming up”. Then after about 15 min these green, yellow, and purple-blue lights started appearing and forming and stuff. It was truly indescribable. I couldn’t capture them on camera, but will never forget how they look. It was awesome. That was at about midnight. So we finally slept at 130 or so. Then the airport and flying and everything went well. Flew into Frankford, Germany airport. Had to get our bags and check back in with Lot Polish Airlines. That was a job in itself to find the check-in booth. That airport is crazy big! We sort of got ourselves in a maze/moosh pit trying to find it. There was a huge Arabian plane or something going and got totally intermingled and mixed with a bunch of Arabians that didn’t know English. Uh, that was a mess. But finally got to the gate and sat at this tv bar thing. Talked with the worker who was a 20 yr old German boy. Very nice to us. Knew we were Americans right away (Toni and I, could tell something different about Morgan) We were asking about the internet connection because he wanted to add us on facebook. So I tried with my laptop and couldn’t get it. So he said just come back here and use ours. I was like uh wont you get in trouble, he assured me that someone does it all the time and it’s fine. So of course right as I log in another employee that I guess treats everyone like he is the boss yelled at him. I felt so bad. But hey, I was just following what they told me! Woops. O well. And I guess it didn’t get Marcel in trouble, just miss communication or something. No big deal but it was funny. Then Steph, Anca, Marco, and Dan Bush come to the gate at about 13 o’clock or so. That was sooo nice to see some familiar faces. It’s been 3 months! So I like that. We played some foursquare and all that fun stuff. Some Portuguese people made a bet on me that I could juggle 15 times with the handball. So the dude asked if I could for him so he could win the bet… I got pretty nervous (nei joke) but I did it! Buuya! Then I talked with them and they were coming to Poland also for 2 weeks work. So they said they might stop by and watch us play or something. That could be cool I guess! Then last night we made it to the bus with the team and to the hotel just fine. I’m rooming with Toni…. haha! Got some USA warm-ups last night. That is still crazy for me. But get this. So practice this morning at 10 and we got to the gym and there was this huge sign and millions of posters. They were advertising our game against the Poland SENIOR National team tomorrow… Wow. This is the top, highest, best of the best in Poland. They are number one in all of Poland. The senior national team, meaning Olympic team. That’s crazy I am even in the same room as them let alone on the same court. Ugh it is blowing my mind. And never EVER have I had that much advertisement for anything that I have been a part of. I found out that the stadium is already sold out and it is getting broadcasted on live Polish television. Wow… I didn’t think I signed up for this. And it’s for the game tomorrow… which isn’t even part of the tournament that we are here for. It’s supposed to just be a friendly to help us out. But it’s a big deal here. The team is staying in our hotel… man they are some big girls. I mean big girls. We have a freakin 14 year old on our team. This is not ok!! Haha. But o well, hey it’s totally worth the experience and how else are we supposed to get better? It will be great. The facility is awesome! Really cool. It is like some of the gym’s in Iceland. Just different seating, but same deal. At our practice there were two younger teams that came just to watch us practice… I am still, even after Iceland, shocked at how much of an influence the states are. It’s a cool feeling to be a part of it. The afternoon practice went really well. Then had dinner and I just got out of a meeting with the team. The oldest on the team Jen is really awesome and felt that we needed to do a quick chalk talk. So we went through just basic defense and offense for those who haven’t been playing in clubs and in Europe. There is a huge gap in the players, but we are adapting. I think right now I am backup center back. Which I am more than happy with. I went in expecting nothing and going to be greatful and humble if I receive anything. So, can’t wait for tomorrow. We have a morning training then the game is at 4 o’clock! O dear…. Wish us good luck. It’s the first time in many many years (over 15 or 20) that USA and Poland played each other. And first time USA has played on Poland’s home court. So, making some history here! It’s the first event since the USA and Poland Handball Federations have made peace and agreement, so we have to show lots of respect and just learn from them! I can’t wait to hear the national anthem while standing on the court in a USA jersey… wow. This is really happening. God is good.

Miss and love you guys sooo much. I leave Poland the 23rd for Iceland. Then leave Iceland the 27th for home!! Can’t wait! Miss you guys soo much. Thanks for the support. And maybe check out the Polish television broadcast on line or something tomorrow. May get some of the game or something not sure! Xoxoxo.

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all of ^ That info was from yesterday. So today... we had a practice at 10 o'clock. That went really well. There is so much to learn and so little time. Then back to the hotel for lunch and then nap or school or what ever the girls needed to do. I worked on some school. Got a lot done actually. Then....we got ready for our game at about 330. Went for a light walk and stuff. The Polish team is in the same hotel as us so we ran into them in the lobby, ended up taking a picture with them. That was awkward but really cool. Then we rode to the gym with them on the same bus and got together in the locker room with USA. That is were it really hit me... hit me that I was just about to step on the court to play for my country. For USA team handball. So incredible. I was just blow away. I man who am I to be playing at htis level? I am only 17 for crying out loud. But the gym was about half full when we started warm up. By game time, it was packed! The game was sold out! It was filmed on live Polish television. Cameras everywhere. Radio. Fans. Noise. Loud. Crazy. Before teh game stared we did the whole introduction thing... We walked out in a line and did individual introductions. That was really a feeling that I will never be able to express. Just hearing my name and number (19!) was realy cool. Then stepping out and waving to both sides. Man it was really really cool. Then we shuck hands with the Polish, exchanges gifts (stickers and pins) then we were off. We did pretty well the first little bit. Held our own for the first 10 min or so with only like 10-4 maybe. Then... as time went on we got dominated. Never ever gave up though. On the bus ride home we talked with them and they were so impressed on how hard we played all the way through. That is going to be our strongest part. And the fact that they are all pretty much over 21 or something and we are almost all under 21 is pretty cool. We didnt do too bad. I played about 15 min first half. But as right wing, that was a surprise. Got 3 shots off, didnt score! haha. but im learning. Then second half i played maybe 10 min, but as centerback. did alright, its hard to play wiht less experienced players. I am hoping I will get some time with some of the european girls in the tournament this weekend. I talked to Marco about htat, think the tournament will be better. Its hard for me to play with some of the girls now because I amsu used to playing at a high level in Iceland, that going down to a lower level is proving to be really hard. But, then again, I gotta work with what I have and make no excuses. Eh, it will be fine. Marco said that this game was just a learning thing for not only us, but for him as well. He played everyone. Wanted to see how we all played in different posistions and stuff. I think that the tournament will be a great place to prove what I really have learned. He said I will have plenty of chances to prove that.
Tomorrow we are traveling to the Polish Olympic Training Center to stay there for the remainder of the time. Not sure how long the bus ride is, but I think it will be fun! I will do my best to keep everyone updated. Check the blog when you can.

xoxoxo Holliday. #19 USA Team Handball.... <-- crazy huh?