Spring Break: March 21 Bergen

After trying to sleep on a train with the man who has the longest legs in the world sitting across from me, we arrived in Bergen, Norway. As the forecast predicted it was raining heavily. Since it was only 7 am, and the hostel didn't open for hours, we (tired, wet, and hungry) explored the city. Even in the rain we could see it was beautiful. I felt as though a viking warrior would try to sell me a fish at any moment. We tried to find money exchange and ended up stealing hot water from a 7 Eleven and waiting on the bank stops making oatmeal and waiting for it to open.

Once we got Norwegian money and local maps, we tried to get to a museum or two, but since it was months before peak tourist season, they were not open until the afternoon. We walked around the rainy city until check in time. The hostel was decent, and the bathroom was HUGE. Since I smelled like I had just slept on a train, I took an hour long shower. While I was getting thoroughly clean, Erica made a friend with our roommate. She was from Hong Kong, and joined us on our adventure that day.

We spent most of the day at the Bergen City Museum. It was about how this was once an important trading post and how it caught on fire a lot. We saw old ships and neat artifacts. We wandered into the kids room and ended up coloring in a picture for a surprisingly long time.

Spring Break: March 20 Oslo

Day one of my two week journey in the north. Erica and I caught a plane ride out to Oslo Norway for less than 20 dollars. We spent a few hours there before an over night train to the west coast city, Bergen.

Yes, on March 20 I was in the land of the Vikings! And yes, they have evolved into tall ass punk rockers. Seriously these Nordic gods tower miles above me and my Asian travel companion, and they are rocking the serious punker look. I always thought the Neo Coat, stompin boots, and extreme hair cuts were silly, but on these grandchildren of sea-faring warriors, it is horrifying.

To my surprise the City of Oslo, also known as Field of the Gods, is not full of beer guzzling blonde explorers in horned hats. It is actually one of the more diverse cities I have ever visited. Who knew so far to the north would be a home to people from Africa, India, Asia, and the Middle East? I did not expect a melding of cultures.

It was actually a pretty scary place. There were many homeless people begging and crack heads acting all cracked out the way they do. My first impression of this city is a New York in the early nineties. You know, right before Giuliani came along and 'fixed' it up. If I saw a trannie hooker, I would have sworn it was 1992's Times Square.

Below is the overnight train to Bergen that we hopped on at damn near midnight

Spring Break: Leaving Durham

Nicole made a nice breakfast of Erica and me to thank Erica for cutting her hair the night before. Then the little monkey, Erica, and I hopped down to the Durham train station recalling all of the items that we forgot in my room that weren't worth turning back for. Then we got on the train to Newcastle and transfered to the Metro and then on to the airport. No one checked our tickets... damnit. I hate when I pay and don't have to.

The airport security check was terribly simple, but they found our Nutella. We tried to smuggle it our of the country in our carry on luggage (we had so much running around to do we could not carry any more than a backpack and purse each). The security guard threw it away right in front of us... horror. Good thing they allowed us the giant loaf of bread we brought because we did not plan to actually buy food on this vacation; although, it was useless with out the chocolately goodness that is Nutella.

On the rather quick plan ride we played my Nintendo DS game Trauma Center and performed digital surgery. Then in the Olso airport Erica got hassled by customs- they think her passport says she's from China and ask why her Visa says Taiwan. We then walked around in a circle for a good hour before we saw the free shuttle bus to the train that would take us to the actual city. Why do airports say they are in a city when really they are an hour away?

While looking for the shuttle bus we met another girl from Taiwan who had the same passport issue as Erica. She was impressed with my ability to understand Mandarin. I just know when to nod, when to smile, and when to laugh. It's a gift.

Spring Break: Scandinavia

The second term has ended, and the third and final term consists of not classes but meetings and writing. I had a month before anything is due, so Erica and I went to four countries in northern Europe known as Scandinavia. Why? Because why the hell not. Sure the weather was cold and the scene wasn't hopping in a Cancun kind of way, but it was a beautiful place in a unique corner of the world that was fairly cheap to visit.

Durham University: Best at Lacrosse

So it has been months since my regular posting has been well... regular. I was studying my ass off as well as in lax mode; it was all lacrosse all the time. It paid off because, as I am sure many of you have known by stalking my Facebook, we won. Seriously, we won it ALL. Durham University's women's lacrosse team won the BUCS championship. That literally the highest achievement a UK college team can accomplish. It is the equivalent of America's Division I NCAA national championship.

The game was on a beautiful, a little cold, St. Paddy's Day against a little school known as Cambridge. We have already defeated Oxford, more like Oxnerds.... right, and we had a less impressive record than Cambridge (undefeated). Durham started strong with a nice three goal lead then we forgot how to score; it happens. The first half was goal for goal for a while with the constant threat of losing our meager lead. My defense valiantly protected our eight meter as well as they could. The second half was 30 min of tension. We could not pull ahead enough to gain any security. Our offense did well enough to maintain a lead, but they felt the pressure from Cambridge's intense defending. In the last 10 min or so of the game, we seriously lost our lead. We were tied! Defense was getting tired and losing some of their footing. Fortunately with an explosive energy offense picked it up and scored one more goal for us with only about 2 mins to go. They got possession and ran the clock for a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

We were awarded medals and a silver cup for being the best university female lacrosse team in the United Kingdom. I had a great time playing with these girls, and I that win was the result of hard work, talent, and an amazing team connection. If anyone wants to extend their lax career for another year after college, I would so recommend this so hard.

LOST

Wow, I have not blogged in a while. In a few days Erica, Vicky, and I are going to hitch hike for charity.

So basically we each raise 90 pounds, get into a van for 4-5 hours, get dropped of in some random place Great Britain, and try to get back to Durham without spending money. It's gonna be AWESOME!

TeamDurham: Women's Lacrosse team 1 (2010-11)

The number one reason why I am at Durham University in England is to play lacrosse. At least that is what captured my attention. Back in 2007, I thought that I would never again play a competitive game of lacrosse. Here I am in 2011, and I am on one of the best teams in England. It is hard, draining, demanding, and just as wonderful as I remember.

A connection between a team cannot be recreated. This is officially the best team I have ever been a part of, and I don't mean skill level. I mean there is no petty jealousies or drama. We love to play, so we play. I think it has something to do with the far less competitive nature of the British culture, but I have no gossip or bitchy stories about my teammates; that is first for me.

Here are a few pictures of TeamDurham! (purple and white)

Taking it easy after a long day of practicing, lifting, and conditioning

Preparing for a long day of lacrosse

Partying after a week of lacrosse

DIckens?

I have been getting some requests for images of where I live. My camera does not work because I have lost the battery charger like a dumb ass, so these pics were stolen from roommates and classmates. Durham City, Durham County, England, British Isles, Europe.

Game Days: 6-1-1

We had a good two month break from lacrosse due to the lack of an Ice Cowboy and Christmas break (they are all Christians in this country for the most part so we don't say winter break), so we were excited to jump back into games this week. We had two games in two days- both about 4 hours South of Durham, so we got a hotel room and made an adventure of it.

Wednesday, we tied. I know it sucks, but it's tue. Birmingham is a really good team, and they pressured us hard. My defense played well and my offense played well. Why did we tie? I sucked. For some reason I was just not my best. Well at least we did not lose I suppose.

Thursday, we kicked ass! Warwick was no match for TeamDurham! We played our best, and we were ready for more. We play Warwick once more as well as our 'rivals' Newcastle, and that is the end of the regular season. This leaves us as number 1 in the North. Pictured above is all the Premier teams and their standings. There are not many, but it is the highest level of lacrosse in England. I know we will make it to the national tournament, and I know we will do well. I just hope we win it all because I don't want it to end.