Farewell, Part II

Before and just after easter, we had to say good-bye another time to some international students (and friends) who went home now. And it's sad again, most of them were here since last summer, but that's how it goes. I cannot mention all but the most important (for me).

Marc, our third Swiss, with whom I made so many "projects". How could I forget for example watching Tennis att your place (and drinking vodka for every game won by Federer). Was sölled dä Dani und ich ohni dich mache? But we'll see us in Zürich again.

Magdalena, you were (together with Sandra) the good soul of our clique last semester. I haven't seen you so often this semester, but hopefully vi ses igen i Sverige.
Furthermore went Steffi Julia home, Steffi, it wasn't all the time easy with you, but still interesting, I'll write you soon, now I have your e-mail adress.
Maybe I should also mention Mario, as a member of the blog-community.
And I won't mention Nadine, since she didn't write anything in my "Mina Vänner" book. I knew, she didn't like me.

I wish you all (also those I didn't mention here) a good start again in your home countries.

Bye

Fotboll kväll

After being invited several times for dinner at Leena's or Linda's and Antti's place, it was time for me yesterday to invite them for a swiss dinner. I made "Zürcher Geschnetzeltes mit Rösti". Ok, it was not a 100% original Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, because it is hard to find veal here, but it was also good with ordinary beef. At least my guests seemed to like it.

After dinner, it was time to watch football. Eurosport showed the world cup qualification between France and Switzerland. A rare opportunity for us two remaining Swiss here, to see our national team. But also a lot of other people found the way to my corridor to watch the game.

Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Austria, Iran and Finland; mainly united to cheer for the Swiss team (or at least against France).

By the way, the game ended 0-0, actually a good result for Switzerland away in Paris.

Afterwards, we went to Corona, which was not very crowded for once (everybody is in easter holidays), but we had fun anyway.

Glad Påsk

Today was a really nice day here in Umeå, spring is also comming up north. We enjoyed the sunshine outside. Our idea was to go to Grössjön, a little lake in the east of Umeå. Stefan had been there before and we trusted in his skills as a guide. But somehow we didn't get to the lake. But it wasn't easy with all the cross-country slopes, which are not identical with the footpaths during summer. After a while we found a nice place anyway to grill our sausages.

And as you can see, I was also productive today and uploaded some picture galleries. More will follow soon.

Exams

So, again I didn't write for quite a long time, sorry. I had an exam yesterday (internationell handel) and after St. Petersburg, I had some problems to concentrate again on my university courses. I started quite late to learn really for the exam and the last few days I was quite busy. I don't know yet, if it was enough but I hope I've passed. But I also started some bad habits concerning learning and writing exams. I heard, snus would help to concentrate because it pushes you up. And, of course, I had to try it out. And it really seemed to help concentrating, so I also took it during the exam. But that's somehow another step of getting addicted to it. Maybe I should stop to take snus at all for a while.

Ok, there were also some parties last week, St. Patrick's Day and International Pub on thursday and Corridorparty on saturday. Antti and me were so crazy and colored our hair green for St. Patrick's Day. It was quite funny but also a bit a mess.

I'll stay in Umeå during easter holidays and enjoy the first sunbeams of spring. I'll have to do something for university but I probably also get time to publish all the pictures promised.

St. Petersburg

I know, I didn't write anything for quite a long time now. But ok, I was in St. Petersburg a few days and came back on monday evening. Then, I was busy to do the things I missed because I was away. The trip to Russia was really great and we had a lot of fun. The travel there by bus was not that confortable, but the ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki is quite funny. St. Petersburg itself is a beautyful city, unfortunately, we were only a bit more than two days there.
I'm collecting now some good pictures from others, (because I didn't take so many myself), and then I'll publish a longer St. Petersburg special.

Tonight is the second International Pub (in E-Puben), the topic is St. Patrick's Day, so everybody will be wearing green (and hopefully there is Irish beer too).

On saturday, we have a party in our corridor (Pedagoggränd 9A, third floor on the right). The doors will open at 19.00. I hope to see many of you there.

Germany - Switzerland

At 20.55 it was over, a memorable beachvolleyball night came to an end. It was standing 19 - 20 in the 3rd set, and Stefan was serving for Germany. Quite a good serve, but no problem for an exellent Daniel. Team senior Marc finished a fine combination with a ball that forced the German team to the decisive error. The few fans, which found the way to IKSU hallen despite bad weather, were cheering and celebrating a great sport evening. Marc, who played probably his last game on the Umeå Nations Cup tour was standing in the sand and reflected over the game, "it's nice to finish my career here with this important victory, but it is also sad somehow, that it is over now. I'd like to play more, but my floorball career is calling and the offer of the Degersheim Allstars was to good to refuse it."

The game was played on a high level and was closer as it might seem now. A glad swiss captain, who played rather inconspicuous today, after the game, "well, Germany played better than some might have expected, but I warned my team before, that it won't be an easy game. There were some critical moments, but I'm happy that we managed it allways to gain concentration again". The first set began well for Switerland and Germany had some coordination problems, Belgian import Stein about this problem, "yeah, we had some understanding problems, I didn't feel integrated during the first set. We might have needed a training before. But it became better and better during the game". The first set was a clear thing and ended with a clever point of Rikka.

In the second set, Germany got better and German high-flyer Ralf confused the Swiss players with his unconventional way to play. Ralf himself interpreted it like this "well, I learned to play on the streets, that explains probably my unusual style". The german pressure was continuously growing, but a outstanding Daniel kept Switzerland in the game. Then the Swiss team was concentrated again and like in the first set, it was Rikka, who made the last point, "I'm glad it went that well, and that I could contribute my part to crush Germany" she stated afterwards.

The third set was very close and even till the end. Both teams played their best volleyball and fighted for every ball. German rock Stefan, who was once more a solid value tried to explain, why they lost also this set, "I think we had the momentum on our side several times, but unfortunately we could not keep it. But also congratulations to the Swiss team, which played this 3rd set like made of a piece". After 50 hard-fought minutes was the Swiss victory a fact.
A slightly disappointed German captain Jakob tried to analyse what happend, "I take the responsibility for this defeat. Maybe I haven't prepared my team enough". Furthermore, he promised a re-match. Sportive director Daniel is also already looking into the future, "I'm happy with the performance of the team today, but it will be hard to defend our title. Rikka is a promising talent, but after Marc's retirement we have to find a equivalent substitution, which won't be easy".

Germany - Switzerland, 0 - 3 (15-21, 16-21, 19-21)

IKSU Hallen, Umeå

Inför Matchen

As already shown in the last post, the party on saturday was great fun. The animals were loose. And we'll play Brännbollsyran in these costumes too. I'll publish more pictures as soon as I get those of Sandra (tu t'appelles Sandra, ne c'est pas?, j'attend encore les photos que tu a pris la nuit passée).

Today it was a really nice day and I went playing ice hockey for about two hours. It was a bit hard first (maybe I had one beer too much yesterday) but it was cool again.

Tomorrow then, the day of the truth, the game between Germany and Switzerland for the Umeå Beachvolley Nations Cup at 8 o'clock in IKSU. Spectators are warmly welcome, but be there in time, otherwise you might not find a place anymore. The line-ups of both teams are made. German captain Jakob trusts in tallness and has nominated with Ralf and Stefan two tall net specialists. Furthermore will Belgian import Stein be responsible for the creative element in the german game. The swiss team will start with team captain Roffe Loi, Daniel, Marc and new Finnish hope Rikka. For team senior Marc is it probably the last big game and he is top-motivated to finish his career on the Umeå Beach Tour with a win over Germany. Questionmark in the swiss team is mastermind Daniel. Will he be able to show his normal performance after a Vasasloppet-teamcycling today? Rikka's aggressiveness could be the key to success for the swiss team, she already frightened the opponents in front of the game. At Oddset, Switzerland is bet as slight favorite, but experts expect a close game.

The Animal Party

Costume party / Beachvolley Nations Cup

I wanted shortly mention a few things. This Saturday is a costume party at Emmy's place (Pedagoggränd 1B /West-Ålidhem), surly the place to be this weekend. I sew a costume by my own, (with some help and advise by Emmy; tack så mycket!). So, at least my costume is worth a visit. What is it? It's a secret, you'll see it on saturday.

The Beachvolley-game between Germany and Switzerland will be played on monday 8.00 p.m. at IKSU (spectators are welcome). Since German captain Jakob was not able to find two more Germans here in Umeå, Stein from Belgium will play for Germany. We are flexible, but I don't know, me known as Bernie Ecclestone of the Umeå Beachvolley Nations Cup, will probably change the rules a bit more over the weekend.

God natt!