NORWAY WITH WEAVER >>

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

There is not too much to update on since I have been forced to sit out the last four matches due to a groin injury.

Our team, Haugesund, currently sits in 6th place, but only two points away from the 3rd promotion spot. We gave the table leaders Bod ø /Glimt their first defeat of the year, which was a great lift for the team. However, we fell 1-0 the following weekend away to Tromsdalen, who is mid-table.

Also, we had a disappointing draw at home to relegation-threatened Skeid, which also contributed to keeping us out of the top three.

Our team has suffered some major injuries, including my own. Our captain has a broken foot and our leading scorer has torn ligaments in his knee. I hope to be back sometime soon, but it looks like the others won't be back until after the summer break in July.

It has been frustrating not being able to play and help my team, and I look forward to getting back on the field. The aerobic center has been my second home for the last month, as I've been going there a few times a day to workout. I am able to bike, use the elliptical machine, and do some weights.

Reading Lance Armstrong's book, "Its Not About The Bike" has given me some inspiration to come back stronger than before. Hey, if he can do it, so can I. And, obviously he was knocked down a lot harder than I have been.

The weather here the last few days has been the best I've seen since being in Norway - around 70° F. We were beginning to wonder if summer was ever going to come, or if they just use the word "summer" to describe the months that it doesn't get completely dark out.

The scenery has gone through drastic changes over the last few months, with all the vegetation growing very rapidly and turning everything green. There is a popular trail for walking/biking close to our apartment that we frequent, and during the first months we were here it was very barren and looked almost lifeless. Now everything is bright green and I saw a bunch of fish swimming in the stream for the first time. Funny how things like that can lift your spirits.

Estrella has found a good job, finally. About a half hour south of town the first combined cycle power plant in Scandinavia is being built at Europe's largest oil and gas processing complex. She is helping process engineering data for the company that is going to run the plant after it is finished. Siemens is the company that is actually building it. Her working full time is definitely a relief to both of us, and has made us feel much more settled here than before.

This week its more rehab for me and trying to get some sun before our vacation to Italy and Greece in July. My grandparents are also on their way to visit from Seattle, which I am looking forward to. They have already traveled to the north to visit relatives, and then will come to Haugesund to watch a few matches.

As I finish this note, the sun is still shining at 10:45 pm, but I'm off to bed anyway.

- Cam