Friday, June 29, 2007

The last few weeks have consisted of more rest and healing for me in Haugesund. My latest MRI results have given me the ok to get back on the field and start rehabbing more aggressively. While this is very exciting, I need to take it slow in order not to aggravate the injury again and return to ground zero. It's tough to go slow after not doing much for 6 weeks and having enough energy and frustration to run through a wall.

The team has lost the last 3 matches, and we have dropped away from the league leaders. The results aren't too surprising considering almost half our starting team has been out. For one match we had an entirely new central midfield than we had at the start of the year. One player was out with an injury, another suspended for yellow cards, and the other was out sick. Add me and one of our center backs (also captain), and that's 5 of our 6 players down the middle.

There are rumors that we may be adding some players in the summer, which is fantastic. If we are able to strengthen our squad with new players, and also get back other key players from injury, our squad will be strong for the second half of the season.

I am really looking forward to getting back on the field and making a push up the table in the league. The summer holiday is only a few days away, and our team really needs a win this Sunday to put us in a position to push up in the standings after the break. Interestingly, we play the same team on Wednesday for a cup match as we play Sunday.

Estrella and I have been enjoying Haugesund more and more. The 6-month mark is approaching for me, and it feels like we are much more comfortable here than we were during the first months. Estrella has settled into her work routine, and there is already talk about a promotion! It didn't take long for the company to realize she is a diamond in the rough here in Norway. I'm very happy that she is enjoying her time here, it makes my life that much better, even if I have to do more house chores during the day.

My grandparents were also in town a few weeks ago, after visiting their relatives near Trondheim. They were able to trace the family tree back many generations, as well as enjoy some wonderful Norwegian hospitality.

Once they arrived in Haugesund, we were able to spend a lot of time with them for the week, and we had a great time. The only disappointment was that they didn't get to see me play.

A Viking festival happened to be going on the weekend they arrived, so we checked that out on their second day. It was quite a neat little gathering, with some shows going on and lots of Viking trinkets and tools for trade and sale. We were surprised to find that many of the "Vikings" were from Poland, England, and Scotland, but they claimed that they were the true Vikings because they were the ones that left Norway! My teammates got a kick out of that.

For the summer break Estrella and I are heading to Italy and Greece to enjoy some really warm weather. I hope that everyone back home enjoys the 4th of July as that is one holiday I will certainly miss!

- Cam