TRAVEL UPDATE:
So... 10 countries in 3 months and a couple days: Aug 30th Canada to Germany, played first 5 games in 5 different countries: Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia (Bratislava), Slovenia (Maribor), Austria (Vienna... aka Wein over here... that story to come) and back to Berlin, Germany. A pretty fun way to start a hockey season. Hit up Potsdam, Germany for an afternoon. Then went to London for a week at the beginning of October to visit my good friend Janelle and her boyfriend Adam, took off from London to Hamburg to watch Marcus Sommerfeld and Rich Mueller play (DEL hockey) then back to Berlin to get back in shape. Games in Salzburg Austria in October, went to visit Daniel Imhof who is playing pro soccer in the 1st German League for Bochum (living in Castrop Rauxel). Then took off to Holland for a week to visit Casey Bartzen, a fellow Twister and old T-Bird. He's living in Sittard and playing for Geleen. Also went on a roadie to watch them play in Groningen where Lance Morrison (also an old T-Bird) face off against each other. Then spent a night/morning in Amsterdam before heading back to Berlin to get in back into shape and ready for the next games. Got to watch the world cup of speed skating in Berlin and then my parents arrived on the 13th of November.
While they were here we went to Stockholm, Sweden to visit/meet family. They did some more traveling around between my games (to Munich, Vienna and Salzburg). We visited old friends in Wolfsburg for a day. And at the end of their trip we went to Paris for a day and a half. Also my brother Justin was able to drop by on his way to India for work (unfortunate timing but all went fine and he is now safe and sound back in Vancouver :-). So did some sightseeing and visiting while he was here as well as he got to watch one of the biggest games for us in the entire season, which we won!!! (Against Planegg... more to come on the hockey front). Well... now I'm back into the Berlin swing and am just deciding on where to go next weekend as we have another weekend off and I am very lucky to have some days left on my Eurorail pass. So hoping to add Switzerland to this list and maybe head back to Wolfsburg or Vienna, or check out Munich... we will see. I'm back in Smithers for Christmas from the 22nd of December to the 4th of January, when I fly to Vancouver and will be there til the 14th when I return to Berlin for the rest of the season!! (Going by far too fast).
HOCKEY UPDATE:
www.eisladies.de
or English translated version: http://translate.google.com/translate?u=www.eisladies.de&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=de&tl=en
(if that doesn't work just go to google and search translate websites and enter the top one in, it's pretty entertaining actually)
So in the European League we are currently tied for first but we have also played more games then any other team so... hopefully we can work to keep that. We've played 11 games and have a total of 21 points, you get 3 for every win. The tough teams are Prague and Planegg whom we have now beaten both but lost to each of them as well early in the season.
In the German League we are undefeated, we have played 6 games giving us 18 points but we are currently in 3rd as we have about 3 games in hand still. HUGE game for us in two weeks, on the 20th, right before I come home. We play Planegg for the 3rd time, but the 2nd time in the German League. We beat them last week (German League) which means if and when we beat them on the 20th in their rink that pretty much guarantees us the German Championship so gotta get ready for that. A new sponsor actually is paying for us to fly there (we'll bus back) but that makes a HUGE difference as bussing 10 or so hours to head straight into a game is not the best way to be well prepared. I'll keep you posted on that update (think winning and scoring thoughts for us please)!!!
WORK (SORT OF):
So quick update here, I've been training the mens farm team to the pro team here in Berlin. They are all called the Eisbears but these guys are known as the Juniors and play in the Oberliga which is the 3rd league in Germany but is the farm team to the DEL Eisbaren. Anyhow, I have taken over mostly their Speed, Agility, Stabi (Core and Balance), Reaction training on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each of those days I have one group in the morning around 10 or 10:30 of about anywhere between 12 and 16 guys (Tuesdays more of a speed day and Thurs Stabi focus) and then in the afternoon any of the guys who are either in school, might be on ice with the pro's I have them at 4:30 and usually is between 6 and 8 players. It has been an incredible experience to work with them, having 20+ athletes that are so very different in the way they move, their athletic background, their training background, their size, skill level, attitude, character, motivation.... etc. Learning to watch the way them move and really try to work with them on their individual strengths and weaknesses and also with watching them on ice in practices and games has been a huge learning experience as well as a challenge but I'm loving it and seriously learn something new every day, every session. I'm also working with my team as well doing their strength and conditioning, usually it has been once a week, sometimes twice but the numbers are dying off big time so I'm going to have to find a way to get people back and off their couches in the evenings. I think the tough part is that our on ice practices are usually mon/thurs/fri evenings so for them to also come on tues/wed evening for training... people need some evenings for themselves. Anyhow, also a great experience and so much fun to show and teach people different ways of training and to find the fun and enjoyment in training. As I recall Dean Shiels (my boss at Twist) saying many times, you have to LOVE to train, and it is true. For some it is harder then others but I 100% believe it just takes looking at things from different angles and finding ways to keep it interesting.
Alright, so that wasn't so much a coles notes version but once you eventually see the rest you will possibly agree a little more.
That is Haleigh's life in Berlin thus far! No complaints, have loved every bit of it!!!! :-)
